Bound by Destiny

by Stephanie Yarns

  “What he didn’t need to tell me about was the thirst. Jesus Christ, the thirst. Every cell in my body demanded to be fed, all the time. But I was able to hold on. I had to do something before I let myself give in to that need. I had a family to bury.”

  Eve was silent during the story, not even looking at him. Was she horrified? She should be.

  “By the time I had pulled myself from the grave, animals had discovered their bodies, but I buried what I could. I dug their graves by hand and with each fistful of dirt, I chanted my mantra of revenge. As I covered their remains, I vowed to never forget. Never forgive. With each letter I carved into broken pieces of stone, my sanity slipped further and further away. And here I am.”

  He stopped walking. He shouldn’t have told her. The story of how he became a monster. He didn’t have to give her what she asked for. Trying to let go of her hand, because surely, she didn’t want to touch him now, the feel of her fingers tightening around his had his throat closing with emotion.

  Her words were strained when she asked, “Did you find the thing that did it?”

  “Not yet.” But he still looked. Every time he visited the burial spot and dug dirt off the makeshift tombstones, he looked. Every time he carved their names after the wind and dirt eroded them, he searched. The creature was long gone. He knew that. But did it matter? Of course not. Another sign of his lack of sanity.

  Finally, she looked up at him and the trails left by her tears glistened in the moonlight.

  “Don’t cry, baby.” He stroked his thumb across her cheek, dumbfounded that she would be crying for him. “It happened a long time ago.”

  She shook her head before turning her face into his hand, nuzzling the warmth. “No, it happened yesterday. For you, it happened yesterday.”

  He couldn’t say anything to that. Couldn’t deny it, because, in a way she was right. And that was the reason he kept pushing her away. He was comfortable in his torment and she was forcing him out of it. Into new territory. Terrifying territory. He didn’t want to forget them. But she was making him see that he could remember them without the agony.

  Wordlessly, he pulled her to him and held her close. Her shoulders shook from silent tears. Tears that he never shed. Could never shed. If he did, then it would be over. He would have accepted they were gone. He would have nothing.

  “Come on,” he said, voice thick. “Let’s get you back home where it’s warm.”

  She took a deep breath before looking up at him. “Home.” Her smile was tremulous, but beautiful. “I like that.”

  #

  Back in the house, she sat at the island in the kitchen, drinking the hot coffee Duglas had made for her. There was also soup and a sandwich. Perfect things for after a jaunt in the cold of winter.

  “It wasn’t a total waste,” she said after a sip of the steaming liquid. She glanced at Fallon who had resumed his normal ‘fuck off’ stance. His smile was different, however. Kinder. “And besides, if we start making it a nightly occurrence, then eventually, they’ll figure it out. If they’re still out there.” She hated using that word. They. Some nameless, faceless threat that loomed over her.

  Alex sat on her right and Micah on her left. Gideon and Sebastian stood at opposite ends of the island. Fallon leaned back against the counter across the way.

  “Every fiber of my being hates this,” Gideon said, and she smiled at him.

  “You’ve made that crystal clear.” She would have laughed, but she could feel his twisted emotions. The overwhelming one being helplessness. Something she was sure he didn’t feel often. It was at war with the feeling of understanding. He knew how she felt, could sympathize with her. “I’m sorry this has you so conflicted, Gideon. I would never do this to you on purpose.”

  “It’s not fair that you can feel me and yet you have banned me from your thoughts.” His smile was devious, and she laughed.

  “You don’t want to know her thoughts, Gideon. Full of mushy girl stuff or naughty girl stuff. It changes,” Fallon said, and her eyes flew to him. His smile was evil. “You didn’t ban me, princess.”

  She opened her mouth, horrified that he might know everything she was afraid to say.

  “Relax, you’re deepest, darkest secrets are safe with me. And besides, I don’t know them all. You’re pretty good at closing off certain parts.”

  “Oh God, just end me now,” Eve muttered, dropping her head in her hands.

  “That prayer never works,” he said before lowering his voice. It become this sensual, dark, disturbing threat that flowed over her skin like velvet. “And besides, you might discover that it can be fun for someone to know the things you are too afraid to ask for.”

  Her face was going to explode, she decided. Any second now. Fallon bust out with a full-bodied laugh and everyone looked at him before turning their attention to her. She didn’t miss the way Gideon’s and Sebastian’s eyes met for a half a second.

  No!

  That was never going to happen.

  “Tsk tsk, Eve. Where is that backbone?” Fallon blew her a kiss before pushing away from the counter. In a second he was gone.

  “Do we even want to know what that was about?” Micah asked, a confused look on his face.

  Eve imagined a brick wall slamming down around her brain and shook her head. “Nope. You don’t. My own business.”

  “Coward!” She heard the shout from somewhere deep in the house.

  So be it.

  “Can we talk about something different please?” She just stopped herself from fanning her face. “Anything? How about that snowstorm?”

  “Can we talk about who you are and why I was told to stay away?”

  #

  The new voice cut through the awkward silence that fell after Fallon left and Eve spun on her stool. Stormy gray eyes locked on hers and held her captive. This was the mysterious one. Gabe. Of course he was stunning. Why wouldn’t he be? Shit.

  “I’m assuming you are a guest?” He glanced behind her, toward where Gideon was.

  “She is. A special guest.”

  “By special, I’m guessing you don’t mean that we eat her.”

  Eve shuddered. “No. No eating Eve.” She muttered to herself.

  There was a slightly menacing feeling coming from the new man and she remembered she was sitting in the company of those that lived off blood. Heat built in her palm and Micah turned beside her, took her hand and weaved his fingers with hers.

  “It’s okay, love,” Micah said.

  The stranger stared at the blue light coming from their joined hands for a moment before looking at Gideon once more. “Wanna catch me up?”

  “Do you want to come with me while they talk about things we already know?” Micah asked softly and she smiled her thanks. Somehow, she had forgotten there was a sixth member and that he didn’t know her. Didn’t know the things that made their worlds collide. Didn’t know to keep his teeth out of her.

  “Yes, please.” Fallon had said she was strong. She wasn’t. Not at that moment.

  Eve slid off the stool and Sebastian stepped in front of her. He took her shoulders and pulled her to him. “It’ll be fine, my Eve. Don’t worry about him.”

  She nodded, face pressed into his shirt. “I’ll be okay.” She took a deep breath, letting his scent fill her. “I’m a big girl.” She looked up and met his lips. “No panicking here.” She gave him a smile as she turned. “I’ll see you later,” she said to Alex and Gideon.

  “She’s what?” She heard Gabe say as Micah took her hand and pulled her from the room.

  #

  “So, what are we going to do?” she asked as he led her to a room she hadn’t seen. A cozy looking couch sat in front of a large TV with matching overstuffed chairs on either side of the sofa. A massive fireplace took up another wall. A thick rug covered the space from the coffee table to the TV.

  “I was thinking maybe something normal. Like a movie. Something that would help you forget, just for a little while, that weird shit keeps ha
ppening to you.”

  She stopped and gave him a huge smile. “Thank you,” she said before throwing her arms around him. “Normal sounds perfect.”

  The fireplace was controlled by a remote and she watched as he hit a couple of buttons. Flames grew out of the fake logs and she had to laugh, once again comparing her home to this palace. Micah motioned to the sofa and she eased down onto what felt like clouds.

  He sat beside her before grinning. “What kind of movies do you like?”

  She laughed again. This was certainly normal. Like ‘first date’ kinda normal. It felt good. “I don’t really have a preference. I like everything from epics to romantic comedy. While I like some horror, I don’t think I’m up for that tonight.”

  “What about television wise?” He twisted to look at her.

  “I binge on Netflix. That’s about all the television I watch.”

  “Such as?” he prompted.

  After a lengthy discussion, they finally settled on re-watching The Black List with James Spader.

  After the first episode, Eve had kicked off her shoes and stretched out, putting her head on Micah’s lap. The heat from the fire and the feel of his hand running through her hair lulled her into a comfortable lethargy.

  “Eve?” Micah’s voice pulled her eyes back to the TV.

  “Hmm?”

  “Are you sleepy?”

  “A little.”

  “I thought you might have napped through the last two episodes.”

  She jerked upright. “Two?”

  Micah laughed. “Yes, two, sleeping beauty.”

  She yawned as he stood. He turned the fireplace off and TV screen went black. “Come on.” He held out his hand. “I’ll help you to bed.”

  Eve took it and he pulled her to her feet. What he said finally registered and immediately, her brain skipped into the gutter. Did he mean what she thought he meant? Bed? To sleep… Or to… Her traitorous heart started thumping in her chest as she looked up at him.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” he said, running his thumb down the side of her face. “You need sleep and if you don’t stop, I can promise you won’t get there right away.”

  His words were a promise, but it was the brief lick of green flame in his eyes that sparked her own.

  “Maybe I don’t want to go to sleep, Micah.” She put his hand over her heart, letting him feel it race for him. “And I’ll look at you however I want.”

  Once again, he gave her that wicked grin. The one that made her belly flip, her womb clench and her wonder if she made the right decision and then their lips touched. His tongue slid across hers and she gripped the fabric of his shirt. His hands cupped the back of her head, holding her still as he explored her mouth. With each stroke of his tongue, each nibble of his teeth, the fire inside her flared higher. She rose on her toes, trying to get closer, to crawl into his kiss.

  He pulled away from the sweetness of her lips and watched her as she stood with her head back, eyes closed, lips parted. Her slight panting breaths dumped fuel on the fire that already devoured him. Running his finger across the swell of her bottom lip, her eyes opened, the hunger in them clawing at him.

  “You’re right,” he finally said. “You can look at me however you want.”

  He took her hand and pulled her with him, leading her to his room. While he could have made the trip quicker by carrying her, he was giving her time to reconsider. And while he didn’t care, she might be upset if someone walked in on them in the TV room. And he was close. So close. Just from a kiss and a look of longing.

  Finally, he twisted, opened his door and stepped in. He kicked it closed after tugging her inside. On her own, she came to him, pulling on his shirt, sending buttons flying. Her hungry mouth ran over his skin and he groaned, pulling away from her long enough to tug her clothing from her body.

  Closing the gap, she leaned forward, running her tongue across his skin, over his nipple, nibbling at his throat. She was fearless in her desire and it threatened his control.

  “Easy, love,” he groaned as she went after the button of his jeans.

  Those words made no sense to her. She wanted. She ached with need.

  Micah held her hands behind her back and she cried out as his mouth moved over her skin. She wanted to touch, wanted his flesh beneath her palms, but he had her trapped. His teeth grazed the skin of her throat and she groaned, needing more, so much more. His free hand, the one not holding hers so easily, trailed down her body, setting her on fire.

  “Micah!” she gasped as his finger slid deep inside her.

  His lips covered hers as he slowly stroked her, his mouth capturing each moan and gasp. Her wrists twisted in his hand, trying to break free and finally, he let her go. One arm went around his neck, holding him tight. The other stroked him through his jeans. Micah gripped her hips as she got the button undone and slid the zipper down. Then she had him cupped in her cool hands, fingertips running softly over the length of his aching cock. His fingers tightened on her flesh as she killed him slowly and sweetly. She wrapped her fingers around his length and he groaned. Her laughter was husky, warm, and burned through him like gasoline.

  Lifting her, he tossed her on the bed, control so close to gone. She bounced before rolling, coming up on her hands and knees. Lifting, she sat on her heels and crooked her fingers at him. “Come here, Micah. Let me have my wicked way with you.”

  Had he ever seen a more beautiful sight? Her red hair trailing across her pale skin, knees parted, tongue out, a lot of mischief in her eyes and so much desire.

  He took one step, another then he was on the bed, her lips on his as she pushed him back. Her mouth left his as she trailed her tongue across his skin. She ran her teeth over his nipple and growled playfully at him, the glint in her eyes worth all the agony he was going through. She nibbled and licked down his chest, stomach and abdomen. Her hair stroked him as surely as her fingers and he was dying. She looked up at him again as she gripped him, softly circling the tip of his shaft with the tip of her tongue. His breath left in a rush as she wrapped her lips around him, sucking lightly.

  The enjoyment that shown from her eyes was captivating. As she made love to him, her little sounds of pleasure surrounded around him, touching him in places that he had forgotten existed. His hand shook as he reached for her, brushing her hair from her eyes. “Eve,” he whispered, closing his eyes against a wave of emotion. She took him deeper into her mouth and he snapped.

  In a second, she was on her back and he was pushing into her warmth. She hissed a breath at the sudden fullness of her body and he paused. She opened her eyes. “Micah,” she said, cupping his cheek. The tenderness in his eyes warmed her heart, but she wanted more. Needed more. A single motion of her hips was all it took. The deep groan that came from his throat sent chills racing along her skin. Then, he moved, ever so slowly at first, but quickly picking up his pace. She gasped, locking a leg around his to meet his thrusts.

  “Faster?”

  His breath was hot against her ear as the single word drove her closer to bliss. “Yes,” she cried out when he scraped the sensitive skin with his teeth. His hands gripped her shoulders, tightening as he quickened his strokes.

  “Deeper?” Again, just the one word, deep and throaty in her ear, pushed her even closer. She couldn’t speak as pleasure washed over her. “Answer me.”

  “Yes,” Somehow, she got the word out, as she raced for that pinnacle.

  He moved one of his hands and gripped her hip, angling her and with his next thrust, he slid deep into her body, filling every inch of her.

  “Micah!” she cried out, nails leaving half-moons in his skin as she reached the stars.

  Her already tight walls closed around him and he bit off a curse. Slowing down his pace, he fought the feeling of her body trying to control him. He wasn’t ready yet. She moved beneath him, easing up on her elbows. What was she doing? The look in her eyes had him swallowing as she pushed him away, off her. His question was answered when she had
him on his back, her straddling his hips and her hair raining all around them. Reaching down, she guided him back inside her and sound of her groan had his hands clenching her hips.

  “You feel so good,” she moaned as she rolled her hips, the sensation of him filling her almost more than she could take.

  She leaned over him, hands on his chest, and started moving. Slowly at first, she couldn’t help but move faster as his jaw clenched. The sight of his neck muscled flexing as he swallowed was mesmerizing. She lay across him, trying to keep the pace steady as she ran her tongue over his throat. With a broken sound, he took control, holding her hips as he lifted his knees, using the bed for leverage as he thrust upward, deep inside her, faster and faster. One of his hands trailed down between their bodies and found that knot of flesh. She cried out as he stroked her, eyes closing as the pleasure swelled inside her.

  “Look at me,” Micah’s voice was rough, demanding, not at all what he usually sounded like. But damn her if she didn’t obey it.

  She got her eyes open as the hand not tormenting her left her hips, tangling in her hair. His fingers gripped her, holding her head still, with no way to look away. The intensity of his eyes fanned the flames in her blood, and she trembled over him, so close to the peak.

  “Micah.” His name was twisted as it fell from her lips and he smiled.

  “Are you going to come for me, Eve?”

  The whisper, dark and dirty, threw gas on the fire inside her and if she wasn’t before, there was no way to stop it now. Fighting to keep her eyes on his, she groaned out one word. “Yes.” Then she splintered into a thousand pieces.

  This time, Micah had no intention of waiting. Watching her pleasure in her stunned eyes, feeling her body clench around him, he followed her into that ocean, pounding into her before pulling her to him, lips capturing the sound of her climax.