Arielle Immortal Seduction (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 2)

by Lilian Roberts

  “For the best, don’t you think?” Gabby said, a blissful smile on her face.

  “Absolutely,” Arielle said. “Well, I think I’ll be off to bed. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” She smiled at them and walked to her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. She felt so lonely, and her need for Sebastian was becoming stronger by the minute. She climbed into bed, clenching her journal, eager to capture on paper the incredible experience that was still scorching her very existence. She closed her eyes. How would I get along without him? she thought. Their last encounter had changed everything about their relationship. She needed him, and she knew his absence would be a big obstruction while she was trying to study for her exams.

  She was startled out of her reverie by the sound of her phone, and was surprised to see Sebastian’s name on the screen again. Even though they had just finished a very long conversation, she was elated to hear his voice again.

  “Hello,” she said breathlessly.

  “Hi, baby,” he said gloomily.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, I just needed to hear your voice again. I’m not sure I can do this much longer. I’ve got to be with you or I’m absolutely miserable.”

  “I love you so much, Sebastian. I can’t stand being away from you either,” she murmured.

  “This isn’t going to work.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This long distance relationship is going to be the death of me.” She heard him sigh. Rueful laughter followed.

  “What were you doing?” he asked.

  “I was laying in bed wishing you were here and trying to figure out how I’m going to study. And how I’m going to regain the ability to think clearly about school.”

  “Hmm,” he laughed sympathetically.

  “Well, I just wanted to hear your voice one more time before I go to bed,” his velvety voice murmured. He sounded in need for a tête-à-tête and Arielle was happy to stay on the phone for as long as he wanted to talk. What could be more important?

  They talked for a long time, perhaps the longest conversation they had ever had on the phone. Finally he said, “Miss me.” They were words she was sorry to hear because that was always the end of their telephone conversations.

  Putting her phone down, she closed her eyes and brought Sebastian’s fascinating face back into her mind’s eye and smiled.

  For a split second, the thought of Annabel came into her mind. She wondered how long it would take for Annabel to find out how much she and Sebastian loved each other, and where Arielle lived now. The thought made her shiver with fear, but she tried to put the thought behind her.

  The amazing experience she’d had making love with Sebastian was something that had now changed her life forever. She opened her journal. A smile spread across her face, and her pen began to glide across the blank page.

  December 3

  There are no words that could describe the amazing sensation of our encounter. And I don’t regret a single moment of the whole experience, an experience that fractured my senses and took me to a place that is made of dreams and passion. Sebastian is an astonishing lover. I’m not sure why I waited so long when I know he is the one I’m going to be with for the rest of my life. He is my future, my lover, my Darcy. His body is extraordinary, made out of solid, hard muscle. He is filled with passion and desire for me. His lips are soft and sensuous, and all I want to do is sink into his intoxicating heat and merge into him, one body and one soul. I don’t think I can be away from him. I want him with me every moment of the day. I’m thrilled to find out that he feels the same way. I’ll hold dear the moment that I gazed into his emerald eyes and saw the battle he was fighting, wanting to honor my commitment to abstinence. I wouldn’t let him. My want and my implausible need for him were stronger than anything I had ever experienced in my entire life. My expectations leaped over and above the sharp pain that left me winded for a short moment, but vanished as quickly as it came and was replaced by a swirling exhilaration. I threw myself into that whirling feeling wanting to give him as much pleasure as he was giving me. The final moment of our lovemaking was spectacular. There is nothing that could measure even close to the magnificent sensation. The thudding of my heart that was filled with that extraordinary awareness came crashing down and melted every muscle and every vein in my body. Wow! That is what I call a sizzling volcanic eruption. I can still hear his blissful moans and I can feel his touch that sent scorching waves of longing across my skin.

  What happened today is a firm commitment that I’m linked to Sebastian forever. Sebastian knows that I’m irrevocably in love with him because he’s read my thoughts. I can only hope he loves me with the same passion that I love him, because I’d never be able to live without him.

  A perfect smile spread across her face as she closed her journal and pressed it tightly against her heart. She slipped under the covers, closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.

  The next two weeks were the end of term exams. Arielle had planned to hit the books the next day. She knew that if she did, she would be fine. But morning came too soon. She awoke feeling sluggish and not wanting to do anything, especially study. Gabby and Eva were making tea in the kitchen and they didn’t seem to feel any more like studying than Arielle did.

  “Good morning, Darcy, I love you and I am ready to hit the books,” she texted. She smiled as she pressed the send button. A second later, she received his text and it made her laugh out loud.

  “Good morning, Lizzy, you’ll be the death of me.”

  She loved to hear those words as much as she loved his amazing smile.

  “It’s such a beautiful day outside,” said Eva, stretching in a leisurely way. “I don’t feel like studying,” she added.

  “How about taking a walk at the beach instead?” Gabby asked, chuckling.

  “I find it difficult to believe that we’ll be able to do any studying at the beach,” Arielle said. “I also find it difficult to believe that all the people at the beach have a chemistry test tomorrow.”

  “Arielle, all I want to do is walk on the beach and listen to my music. All I can think about is that glorious day outside that I’ll be missing by sitting inside and trying to study,” Eva said, letting out a soft sigh. Gabby looked intrigued by the thought of taking a walk on the beach. She had a look on her face that made Arielle laugh out loud.

  “Well, there’s no getting around it,” Arielle said. “We might as well just get to work.”

  They all agreed and worked diligently until dinnertime. By the time they got back from eating out, it was too late to do any more studying.

  “I am getting ready for bed, I wish you were here,” Arielle texted.

  Sebastian texted back, “I’m closing my eyes and bringing you into my bed. I can almost feel you! Our bodies merged in pure passion, ecstasy rushing over us like ocean waves in a storm…” He put a smile next to the last word. Arielle gasped at his words, which sent hot waves of passion throughout her body.

  The next two weeks were dedicated to exams only. There were no classes to attend, so there was ample time to study. Arielle called Sebastian often during those two weeks, and he was always eager to talk. Every morning and every night she sent him text messages. The sexual content of the messages always made her smile and left her longing for him.

  Everything Arielle ever wanted she had found in Sebastian, and she was determined to have it all. She had fallen deeply and irrevocably in love with him and she could barely cope with the thought of being apart even for a short time. She was hoping he would be able to be her date for the annual Christmas party at her parents’ house. Oh, how she hoped he would say yes. She missed him so much and couldn’t wait to be in his arms again.

  Two days before her last exam he called, and she was thrilled to hear his voice. She immediately asked him to come for the Christmas party.

  “Sebastian… um… I know you were just here, but would you consider being my date for my parents’ Christmas party? I do so w
ant you to be here with me.”

  “There is nothing in this world that I would like better than being with you,” he replied without hesitation.

  Arielle let out a breath of relief. “I wasn’t sure if you would want to come back here this soon,” she said, accidentally releasing a spontaneous moan.

  “What are you thinking, Arielle?” he asked bemused.

  “I need you!” She sighed as their last encounter flashed again before her eyes and she felt a swirling exhilaration, complete joy, and incredible delight.

  “I miss you, Arielle, every time I think of you. And this past weekend I have become even more convinced that you will be the death of me. I can’t do a single thing except think of you.”

  “I would never want to be the death of you,” she chuckled. “But I know what you mean. I feel the same. It hasn’t been easy concentrating on my classes.”

  “You can’t help the fact that you are so enviable.”

  “Sebastian, the party is the weekend before Christmas. Can you really come?”

  “Yes, don’t worry, that’ll be fine,” he said. “Now, what are you going to do tomorrow?”

  “I’ll be here with Gabrielle and Eva, studying, as usual. My last exam is chemistry. I’m almost ready, but I do need to refresh.”

  “Good luck, baby, I know you’ll do well. Go to sleep now and think of me loving you.”

  “That’s all I ever do now,” she said.

  “Well, I’m happy to hear that. Miss me!”

  Chapter 8

  THAT NIGHT, GABBY, EVA, AND ARIELLE DECIDED to stay in and study. The thought of finishing her junior year excited Arielle. It was almost morning when they finally went to bed. Still, Arielle woke up in a great mood and got ready slowly. Her test wasn’t until 11:00 a.m., Gabby’s was at 12:00 p.m., and Eva was already gone. She had a leisurely breakfast and then went to school.

  The test was a little harder than she thought it would be, but she made it through just fine. She felt like a new person when she came out of class. She met Eva at the parking lot. Gabrielle was still taking her test, so they decided to wait for her and go home together.

  “Eva, I’m so happy I have you, my own private protector, with your incredible visions,” Arielle told her as they walked back toward the building where Gabrielle was taking her exam. Eva looked deep in thought. Arielle wondered what she was thinking about.

  “I’m not sure I like the look in your eyes,” she said. “What are you thinking?”

  “Well, it’s the aura you project every time I look at you.”

  “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

  “I always feel anxious when I’m around you, as if there is something out there waiting to hurt you,” Eva confessed. “I know about Annabel, and at first I thought she may be the one creating all these visions, but the more I see you the more I feel there are others out there too. I don’t know if they are acting on her behalf or if they have their own issues.” She looked at her friend unhappily, dismayed to deliver such a gloomy thought. But it was the truth.

  “Well, we know that Savanna was sent by Annabel to my birthday party, so I suppose it’s possible that she may have other friends she’s using too,” Arielle said. “I know what she looks like, so maybe that’s why she doesn’t show up here herself.”

  “Well, I hope things change, because I can’t stop worrying about you,” Eva said a bit petulantly.

  “Look, Eva,” Arielle said, pulling her necklace out of her shirt and holding it up to show her. “You know that Sebastian gave me this necklace. He said it would keep me safe from anyone who wants to harm me. I didn’t have it on the night of my birthday and I didn’t have it on when Matt attacked me, and that is why I was hurt.”

  Eva examined the necklace, and her eyes narrowed with extreme interest. “You told me about this necklace before, but I never looked at it carefully,” she said. “Where did Sebastian get it?”

  “From his mother.”

  “Wow, that’s big! I wonder how she got her hands on something like this. I have read about similar necklaces, but the last owners I know of were men of royal status, like pharaohs. The Scarab beetle goes back to B.C.”

  Everything Eva said was true. Her observations sparked Arielle’s curiosity. How much more could Eva uncover just by looking at a necklace? I’ll have to give her more credit from now on, Arielle thought.

  They dropped the conversation as soon as they saw Gabrielle walking out of the building with a big smile on her face. The sun felt warmer and the sky seemed bluer than on any other day. They were done with their exams and it looked like they had all done well. They smiled happily at each other.

  “Let’s party!” Gabrielle said as she approached her two friends, raising her arms skyward in celebration. As they drove home, they made plans for the next two days. Sebastian would be arriving on Friday, and that alone made Arielle feel exuberant. She was just walking into her room when her phone rang. Glancing down, she was surprised to see Ian’s name on the screen.

  “Hi, Ian,” she said warmly.

  “Hi, Arielle.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I need your help,” he said pleadingly.

  Arielle paused for a short moment. “What can I do for you?”

  “I want you to make plans with Gabrielle to bring Eva to Bria’s restaurant before we go to that celebration party at the pub tonight. Can you do that for me?”

  “Um, sure,” she replied, a bit confused. She still didn’t know exactly what her role was, but she agreed.

  “I’ve already talked to the restaurant manager and they’ll accommodate us,” Ian added.

  “What’s the occasion?” she asked, utterly baffled.

  “I’m going to propose to Eva,” he said, his voice filled with excitement.

  Arielle was stunned by the revelation. “Oh, my God!” she exclaimed. “That’s just great! What time do you want us there?”

  “Come around six-thirty. That will give us plenty of time to eat and celebrate the occasion before the party.”

  “All right. I’ll talk to Gabrielle about this in a few minutes,” she said, and added, “Ian, I think Eva will die. She loves you so much!”

  “I love her too. She is everything I’ve ever wanted in a girl.”

  “I’m so happy for both of you.”

  “Thank you, Arielle. I’ll see you at six-thirty.”

  Slipping the phone into her jeans pocket, she stood awkwardly in the middle of her bedroom. She had a peculiar impulse to laugh or to cry, she wasn’t sure. She did not know how to handle all the sweeping emotions that were surging through her thoughts. She finally turned around and walked out of the bedroom.

  Gabrielle was sitting in the living room alone, flipping through the pages of a rubbishy magazine.

  “Where is Eva?” Arielle asked.

  “She went in to take a shower, something wrong? You look strange,” Gabrielle said, watching her unblinkingly.

  Arielle ran and flopped herself down next to Gabrielle. She gave her hand a quick squeeze.

  “Guess what.” Arielle’s voice was filled with enthusiasm.

  “What?”

  “Ian is going to propose to Eva this evening.”

  “Oh, my God!” Gabrielle cried out.

  “Shh,” Arielle said, quickly putting her index finger to her lips. “We have to make sure she doesn’t suspect anything at all,” she whispered conspiratorially. “Ian wants it to be a total surprise.”

  “Oh, Arielle, I’m so excited for her.”

  It was a bit later when Eva emerged from her bedroom and walked into the kitchen to get a bottle of water out of the fridge. When her phone rang, both Gabrielle and Arielle eavesdropped without being obvious.

  “Hi, baby,” Eva said. She listened for a short while and then they heard her saying, “Oh, okay, I’ll miss you, but I’ll see you at the party. I love you, too,” she added, letting out a deep sigh.

  Both Arielle and Gabrielle turned to look at her. “W
hat’s wrong?” they asked simultaneously.

  “Ian will not be coming to dinner with us, he has some errands to run,” Eva said, a little disappointed. “He’s going to meet us later at the party.”

  “Why don’t we call Troy and Paul, and the five of us can go to Bria’s together around six-thirty?” Arielle suggested.

  Gabrielle and Arielle were so excited for Eva, but they knew they had to keep Ian’s secret. The restaurant was beautiful, and they were all very happy to have their junior year behind them. As they were involved in an animated, cheerful celebration, Ian arrived. Eva’s jaw dropped.

  “How did you know where to find us?” she asked.

  “I talked to Troy while they were on the way to your place and he told me where I could find you. I tried to call you, but you didn’t answer your phone,” Ian replied. He bent his head, and putting his finger under her chin, he tipped up her face to meet his lips in a deep, passionate kiss. It looked like ending the kiss required extra effort on Ian’s part.

  They had a wonderful meal together. Towards the end, Ian got down on one knee and asked Eva to marry him, holding a small open box with a gorgeous engagement ring glittering inside. Eva gulped and paused to take a few unsteady breaths. She cleared her throat a couple times and they saw tears welling up in her eyes. She was staring at the ring with startled eyes and couldn’t even move her lips to speak. She looked at Ian with a beautiful smile on her face, then threw her arms around his neck as she kept saying “Yes, yes, yes!” They locked themselves in a passionate kiss once again, while their friends all wished them happiness.

  The ring looked amazing on Eva’s finger. Ian held her close and she rested her face on his chest. There was a lot of hugging and kissing following the proposal, and then it was time to leave for the party.

  They arrived a little after eight-thirty. There were people everywhere, laughing, drinking, and having a great time. They pushed their way through the crowd and found a table inside. It was turning out to be a wonderful night.

  When everyone was out on the dance floor or engaged in deep conversations, Troy pulled Arielle off toward the balcony, looking for some privacy.