Sophia Mahoney
THE COMMANDING TONE of his voice makes the butterflies in the pit of her belly stir. Sophia lets go of his hand. Tentatively, she scans the room, watching his movements. The tan muscles on his back ripple. And his strong, muscular thighs flex as he walks. He picks up one of the foil condom packages from the bedside table. When he turns around, his eyes lock with hers.
Sloshing water rips her gaze away from his, pulling her attention downward. Water in the hot tub is swirling around. The jets shoot outward, forming bubbles. Sophia takes a step forward. A searing pain shoots up from the base of her heel, though her ankle, and up into her calf.
“Ahh...” She takes in a sharp breath and staggers back, shifting her weight.
Strong arms wrap around Sophia’s waist then lift her up into the air.
Glancing over her shoulder, she comes eye to eye with Aden.
“Let me help you.” His breath is warm against her neck.
He steps into the water, holding her in his arms. When he sits down, he slides her off his lap.
She places her hands in the water to steady herself. The warm fluid stings the cut on her hand, and she scrunches her nose. Sophia brings her hand out of the water and examines it.
Aden gently encases her hand in his, staring at the butterfly strips. He moves his body closer to where she’s sitting. His other hand slides over her thigh, and the contact makes her jump.
“Relax.” The corners of his lips turn upward into a grin.
Aden’s hands encase her waist, and he lifts her onto his lap.
Sophia straddles him. Her bent knees rest on top of the stair he’s sitting on. Facing him, she gazes into his cobalt blue eyes. Slowly, his hands slide up the middle of her back, and the contact makes her quiver.
He pulls her closer to his body. Her bare breasts brush against his chest. Goose bumps erupt over her quivering flesh, and her nipples harden.
Aden sweeps the curly hair off her shoulder. His warm lips leave a hot trail from her shoulder, up her neck, and over her chin. A soft buzz moves through her body, generating a comforting warmth. She rests her head on his shoulder and wraps her arms around his neck. Her fingers lace through the hair at the base of his neck, and the palms of her hands tingle.
He groans and shakes his head. His eyes hold her captive.
She releases him, unsure of what to do with her hands.
Aden takes hold of her wrists and places her hands on his shoulders. “You may hold me here, but do not grab my hair.” He claims her lips.
His mouth moves with urgency, and he coaxes her lips to part. When she opens up to him, he plunges into her mouth, and the kiss intensifies. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he glides a hand up her thigh. Slowly, he slides a finger into her quivering flesh.
Sophia pulls back and rise on her knees. He tightens his hold and lowers her body. She squirms on his lap, but he holds her in place.
Below her, something pulses and moves. “Uhm...”
“Ignore my cock.”
Yeah, as if that’s going to happen. Her heart races in her chest.
Sophia tightens the muscles of her thighs, drawing her knees against his body. Her hands fan out across his chest. She pushes back, trying to place some distance between them.
Her right-hand slides down between their bodies to halt his stimulating hand movement. But his hand doesn’t move, so she pushes up onto her knees again.
Aden eases her body back down. When he slides the tip of his finger over her clitoris, she squeezes her legs tighter against his frame.
He stills his movement then cups Sophia’s chin. “Look at me.”
She peers into his eyes.
“Do you want me to quit?”
Drawing in a deep breath, she shakes her head. “No. I don’t want you to stop. It’s just intense.”
“Then relax your body. You’re very tense, which will make it hard for you to enjoy my touch.”
Aden leans back against the hot tub. He loosens his hold on her body. She wraps her arms around his neck, and her hands fan out over his back. The muscles in his shoulders are defined, sculpted.
He draws her closer to his muscular frame, pressing her breasts against him. His warm lips make contact with the sensitive skin of her neck. He slips a finger inside her body, followed by a second. He moves them in a slow come-hither motion.
His eyes, they’re intense, appraising her reaction to his touch.
A spark of pleasure shoots through her body. She jerks and pushes up onto her knees. A steady buzz hums in her ears and her body tingles.
He taps his fingers and continues to move them in a come-hither motion. The sensation washing her body is intense. “Oh, my God.” Her body shudders. “What the hell was that?”
“That would be your g-spot.” A wolfish grin spreads across his lips. “Now, relax your legs and ease back down onto my lap.”
Sophia eases her body back down. Her hips gyrate, moving to the rhythm of his stimulating caress. “Oh, God.”
Aden moves his finger in a slow tapping motion, once again. An intense sensation radiates throughout Sophia’s lower body, making her thighs quiver.
“Oh, please. Oh, my God...wait, I can’t—”
“Yes. You can,” he whispers in her ear. “Now, relax your body and come.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I can’t. Please, it’s too intense.” Her breath is ragged. “Oh, my God, please. I can’t do this.” Every cell in her body is buzzing, vibrating to the rhythm of his touch.
“Sophia.” His voice is deep and rich. “As receptive as you are to touch, you can. Now, come for me.”
Aden kisses her lips then cradles her to his chest. Clinging to him, she arches her back and begins to grind her hips. Sophia’s breathing quickens and her body shudders. A soft moan fills the room. Caught in the thralls of an orgasmic release, she continues to gyrate back and forth.
“God, yesss...oh, my God, that feels good.” A deep-seated warmth spreads through her body, making her tingle from head to toe.
“That’s it.” Aden caresses the side of her face. “Enjoy every sensation and touch.”
When her body stills, Aden lifts her off his lap then places her on the step next to him. He tilts her chin up, tipping her head back. Warm lips nibble on the nook of her neck and her right earlobe.
Her fingers lace through his wavy hair, but he eases her fingers free and places her hands on his shoulders. The telltale sound of paper tearing resonates in the air.
Oh, my God. Is that the condom package he was holding earlier? Her heart thumps wildly in her chest.
Aden breaks the kiss. “Are you okay?” He appraises her with an astute eye.
She nods.
“I can hear your racing heart. Should we stop?”
“No. Wait. You can hear my heartbeat?” Slowly, she sucks in a deep breath.
“Yes. Gargouilles have exceptional hearing.” He nuzzles her neck then nibbles on her chin. “Now, don’t hold your breath.”
The water moves, sloshing about. Repositioning his body, he sits at the bottom of the hot tub. The redistributed water laps up and over Sophia’s thighs and waist.
Aden takes hold of her left hand and coaxes her off of the step she’s sitting on.
“Kneel in the water in front of me,” Aden commands.
Slowly, she lowers her frame. She kneels, and he draws her closer to his body. When her knees are on each side of his frame, he pulls her down on top of his lap. Cupping her face between his hands, he kisses her lips. The kiss is soft and tender. It’s not as urgent as it was before.
Aden’s hands slide down to her waist. His touch, it makes her skin buzz with anticipation.
He repositions her body over his. “God. You’re beautiful.” He nuzzles her neck. “I can’t get enough of you.”
Goose bumps erupt up and down her body, and her nipples harden then stand erect.
Aden guides her hips down toward his body. The head of his erect shaft parts the lips of her yielding flesh. Slow
ly, he slides her body down a few inches at a time, allowing her time to adjust before easing down further.
Sophia draws her bent knees tight against him. A slow, deep burn spreads deep inside her. She winces then tenses up. Pushing her body upward, she slides back up his shaft and kneels before him.
Hands on her hips, he draws her back down around his hard cock.
A surge of energy courses through her body. Her thighs tighten, and her kegel muscles contract. “Wait,” she stammers.
“God, Sophia,” he says with a low, throaty growl. “You’re very tense and tight. Try and relax.”
She lifts her hips off his lap, once more. Aden’s hands wrap around her waist, and he stills her movement. He slides a hand up to the middle of her back and pulls her upper body closer to his face.
He takes her left breast into his mouth. The warmth of his breath makes her nipple tingle. He slides his tongue over the erect bud then suckles.
Aden tightens his hold. “You’re all I think about.”
He pulls her body down around the girth of his erection. His cock stretches her; it fills her.
Sophia holds onto his shoulders and looks into his eyes. “Mmm...” A smile dances across her face.
Aden slides her body up and then down his shaft again. The tightness dissipates, leaving an aching, full sensation in its wake. He sways her hips to the side, keeping a steady rhythm. A plethora of pleasure builds in the pit of her belly then surges through her body.
Warm water laps around her, caressing her tingling flesh. “Oh, my God.”
Aden repeats the motion, guiding her hips.
“That feels nice.” She wraps her arms around his neck.
He loosens his hold on her waist then slides his hands up the middle of her back. “Grind your hips when you come down. Sway them back and forth.” Aden increases the speed in which their body’s pump up and down.
Sophia closes her eyes then glides her hips from side to side. A budding sensation swells in the pit of her belly. A moan escapes her parted lips, and she arches her back.
“That’s it. Let your body take over.”
“Oh. Ohh...God.” A deep-seated pleasure washes over her body. She feels hot from the inside out. “Oh, please.” Goose bumps erupt on her skin. “Oh, my God, please, I want. . .”
“What do you want?” He kisses the nook of her neck.
“Oh, please.”
“Tell me what you want, Sophia.”
“I want to. . .”
“I’ll not let you come until you ask.” His stern voice pulls at her loins. “Now, tell me, what do you want?”
“Please. Oh, God, please. I want to come.”
“Then come for me,” he whispers.
His voice ignites a spasm deep inside her nether region. Her body contracts around his erect shaft. Aden increases the speed in which their bodies move. Arching her back, slightly, she grips his shoulders tighter, holding onto his shoulders as she rides him.
Aden quakes under her. He wraps his arms around her upper body and draws her to his frame.
Taking a deep breath, she breathes in their combined scent then lays her head on his shoulder.
“God,” Aden says in a desire ridden voice. “That was intense—even for me.”
His hands slide over her legs.
Sophia’s body jerks forward. “What are you doing?”
“Stop moving.” He repositions her on his lap. “I want to hold you.”
She gazes into his dreamy eyes. Squirming on his lap, she tries to slide off.
He smiles then shakes his head. “Be still.” Gently, he cradles her in his arms, holding her across his lap. When she tries to move, once more, he keeps her firmly in place. “Don’t move. Let me hold you.”
Sophia lays her head back on his shoulder, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“What are you going to school for? What’s your major?”
“Fine arts.” She repositions her body in Aden’s arms. “I’ll have a master of arts come spring.”
“Art school? Aren’t you young to be in grad school?” Aden lifts a brow. “How old are you?”
“I just turned twenty-one a few weeks ago. Um. How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-six, almost twenty-seven.” He strokes her face. “How did you end up in your last year of grad school at twenty-one?”
“I graduated high school at fifteen.” Sophia clears her throat. “Then I enrolled in college that summer.”
“What’s your grade point average?” He peers down into her eyes. His thumb brushes over the bottom of her right breast.”
“A 4.0...well, I’ve managed to keep a 98 average, which equates to that.” Goose bumps cover her body from head to toe, and her nipples stand erect.
The corners of Aden’s lips curl upward into a slight grin, and he continues to stroke the base of her breast. “What branch of the arts are you focusing on? What will you do once you graduate?”
“I’ll more than likely dabble in graphic arts, but I want to focus on other physical medium forms, too.” She crosses her arms over her breasts to counter his exploration. “Sculpting and oil painting to be more exact.”
Sophia and Aden continue to talk about school and her selected field of study. He finally lowers his hand, and she exhales a shaky breath of relief. Her arms relax, and the pent up tension drains from her body.
Laying her head back on his shoulder, she closes her eyes. She listens to him talk about what he does for a living. Aden owns and runs an acquisition's company, and his friend, Logan is in security. His voice is calm and soothing; it makes her feel safe, secure. She tries to focus on what he’s saying, but she begins to drift in and out sleep.
An intense buzz ripples through her body. Sophia’s eyes snap open and her body jerks forward. A warmth spreads between her legs, and an intense plethora of pleasure begins to build.
Aden's finger slides rhythmically over her clitoris, stimulating the swollen, sensitive flesh.
“Oh, my God, what are you doing?” She wiggles in his arms.
Aden groans. He wraps an arm around her knees and calves. “Damn, Sophia.” He holds her legs firmly against his body. “Your luscious legs are weapons.” He rubs his chest.
“Oh, God.” Her face heats up. “I didn’t mean to knee you. I just wasn’t expecting you to do that.”
“Perhaps, we should lie down.” He grins from ear to ear.
Cradling her in his arms, he stands, and then he steps out of the hot tub. Gently, he sets her feet down on the cool tile, releases her, and then walks over to a wicker basket.
When he returns, he has a towel wrapped around his lean, sculpted frame, and he’s carrying another one. Aden draws her into his arms and kisses her lips.
He wraps the towel around her body. It’s soft and plush against her damp skin. When he’s done drying off her backside, he circles her body. Kneeling before her, he kisses her body as he dries her legs, hips, abdomen, arms, and breasts. When finished, he drapes both towels over a silver-colored rack.
Aden scoops Sophia up off her feet. He carries across the room then lies her down on top of the bed. Picking up a small oval remote, he turns the lights down in the room.
His nude body glistens in the dim light spilling in from the skylight overhead. He sits. The bed shifts and he lies down. Sophia scoots to the middle of the mattress just out of his reach.
“Come here,” Aden commands with a warm timber to his voice.
She shakes her head.
The mattress shifts under his weight. He wraps an arm around her body, pulling her to him. His hard cock presses against her abdomen.
“Oh, my God.” Her eyes widen.
“Relax.” He chuckles.
“Yeah, that’s easy for you to say. You’re not in bed with a walking erection.”
Aden chuckles. He cradles her to his chest. “I do have self-control, Sophia. Now, close your eyes. I promise, I’ll let you sleep.”
She glances up at him, chewing on her lower l
ip.
Aden’s eyes soften. “Besides, I think you’ve had enough excitement for one night.” He places a finger against her mouth, freeing her lower lip. “Get some rest.” Grabbing hold of the blanket, he pulls the covers over their bodies.
Lying her head against his chest, she closes her eyes, but her brain refuses to shut down. Thoughts of the day flood her mind. In his arms, Sophia doesn’t feel as lost or scared as she did before. But she can’t help thinking that things are moving fast—not just with Aden but with everything else. It’s odd how comfortable she feels with him even though they’ve just met. Is this what people mean when they say love at first sight?
And then there’s the Book of Light and Shadows. She still doesn’t know where or what it is. But she does know that people want it, and she doesn’t think they’ll stop at anything to acquire it. Hell, they may have even killed Uncle Hugo to try and get it. And if that’s true, if they did murder him, how many others are going to die before they find what they’re looking for? A chill runs up her spine, and she shivers in Aden’s arms. She can’t help but to think that things are going to get worse before they get better. The thought doesn’t settle well.
But tomorrow is another day. Perhaps, if she can find the book, then maybe she can figure out what it is, and what the hell the Doccioner clan wants with it.
Betrayal by April A. Luna
Book of Light & Shadows Book 2
Chapter One
Sophia Mahoney
TRICKLING WATER rouses Sophia out of a sleepy stupor. Drawing in a deep breath, she sighs. Her bladder, it’s demanding her full attention. Opening her eyes, she looks around the room. She’s alone in the king-size bed. How did I not hear or feel Aden get up? I’m usually a very light sleeper. She pulls the covers back and scoots to the edge of the bed. The shirt she had on yesterday is no longer on the floor. Great! Now, what am I supposed to wear?
Rising, Sophia scans the room. There’re three closed doors. She recognizes the entry point that Aden carried her through last night, which leads into the hallway. One of the other two doors must be the bathroom. And right now, she sure could sure use one, especially with running water roaring in her ears. Who the hell has a hot tub in their room anyway? Oh, wait. Aden does. I’m surprised I didn’t wake up needing to pee before now.
Beyond The Veil: A Paranormal & Magical Romance Boxed Set Page 203