Her legs seemed wooden while she walked.
When she slammed the passenger door behind her, she finally breathed again.
Her gaze fell out the window.
The conversation was intense.
Their rigid postures said as much.
Moments later, as he climbed inside the vehicle, he was still quiet and sullen. More than that, he seemed troubled. This time, however, she didn’t attempt to force any kind of conversation. At the moment, golden silence was necessary for them both.
***
The evening hours came and went.
Her despondency grew even more with each passing second. When the dinner hour came, she found herself with no company. Carmine had practically whished in and out, leaving her alone to suffer on her on.
Aloneness had never been a problem for her. She’d always been a private person with only few close friends. In fact, she’d relished the peacefulness of solitude.
But, now, she wasn’t embracing that very basic joyfulness.
In fact, it seemed torturous since he’d been gone for hours, she mulled, glancing out the living room window again. After dropping her off at the house, he’d bolted upstairs to change quickly. Then, bypassing her on the stairs, he’d given a rapid response before leaving again.
She frowned again.
She hadn’t had time to utter a single word!
He’d left that fast.
Now, for the past hours, she’d been sitting on the sofa just watching for a glimmer of headlights. Once again, like the time before weeks ago, King Titan was nowhere to be seen or found.
She stood up with a frustrated sigh.
Naturally, that only confounded her suspicions. Today, something had gone down, and she didn’t have the faintest idea what it was. “I have to figure it out,” she sighed heavily, raking a hand through her hair. “But, can I go about doing it without rousing his suspicions?” Squeezing her eyes shut, she pressed a closed fist against her mouth and groaned. “Why are you making me so crazy? All of my rationality is flying out the window because of you.”
There was only one truth.
Her heartfelt concern was all about him and not the criminal truth.
Her sole concern was his well being.
While her mind wrestled with that fact, her heart didn’t.
At exactly 11:48 pm, the headlights finally beamed against the glass. Quickly, she pushed the light throw off and jumped up from the sofa. Now, a burning irrational anger seared through her with urgency. Moments later, as he stepped into the living area, she lasered her heated, accusing stare on him. Then, she blasted him out full throttle. “Where have you been? It’s nearly midnight!”
Frowning, he took in her thunderous expression. “Why in the hell are you so riled up?” A mixture of fatigue and agitation played on his face, and not only that, he seemed tensed. Even so, he tugged at the back of the t-shirt before whipping it over his head. Glaring at her openly, he hurled it to the floor. “Better yet, it’s late. Why aren’t you in bed?”
“Why am I not in bed? What kind of question is that!” She shot daggers at him across the room, and her gaze slipped to his bare chest. The struggle was really real, she realized, fighting to stay focused and not cave into her violent lust. Besides that she was supposed to be mad! Her fiery orbs met his again. “Carmine left hours ago, and I’ve been here all alone. You’ve been gone since midmorning. Don’t I at least deserve some explanation?”
A dangerous energy exuded from him as he strode across the room. After grabbing the poker, he stoked the fire, and it was obvious that he was barely restraining his temper. The deep scars on his back flexed along with every jabbing movement of the poker. “Had to take care of some things---didn’t mean to cut out on you like that again.”
“Cutting out on me is exactly what you like doing. Leaving me here alone in this isolated fortress is your motto, isn’t it?” she demanded angrily and moved to stand beside him. As he continued stoking the fire, her anger raised more. She grabbed hold of his arm and stayed him with a firm grip. Then, realizing what she was doing, she released him before taking a slight step backwards. No doubt, she was getting highly emotional about things, and it showed in more ways than one. “Would you stop worrying about the damn fire and talk to me? Ever since we went out and met Cassius, you’ve been acting differently. I want to know why.”
“Never figured you for being the nagging type, damsel. In the end, I guess we all can’t be perfect, can we?”
“Don’t you dare say such an insulting thing to me!”
“You’re right. That was a low blow.” The poker clattered against the stone hearth as he tossed it. Sighing hard, closing his eyes, he released a tired breath before facing her. An unbridled energy charged from him and straight to her. “If it’s an explanation that you’re after, I’ll give it to you, damn it. Me and Cassius hung out, shot the breeze, and did a little drinking. Hell, I was more than lit and had to sleep the shit off. Boys will be boys. Is that alright with you?” Taking a step closer, he lessened the distance between them and gave a humorless smile. A whiff of alcohol hit her face as he spoke again. “Last time I checked, I was a grown damn man.”
“Could’ve fooled me. Getting drunk---here of all places on these mountains---isn’t the smartest thing.” Her eyes spit more fire. “What if you’d wrecked or something? We’re out here in no man’s land, and with me having no idea where you were, it’d been nothing short of a disaster.” The high fear simmered with her and made her breathe faster. Her feelings for him ran too deep. If something had of happened, she didn’t know what she’d have done. Fall apart no doubt. Losing him was a frightening thought. “What then, hotshot?”
“Well, damn it. It is what it is, alright,” he growled roughly. “And I’m certainly not in the mood for a lecture, especially from you. You’re not my keeper. So, stop acting like you are.”
His words lanced her.
They hit her hard.
The truth was as plain as day.
A part of her wanted to be his keeper.
She wanted him.
Despite his lies and treachery…
Despite his criminal background and ties…
Despite her own convoluted lies…
“There’s no point in being so cold and callous about it. I just wanted to know where you’ve been, that’s all.” To her shame and horror, hot tears sprang to her eyes. Again, the painful truth that she was feeling connected to him was too much to bear. “You know what? I was crazy to think that we could have a conversation like two rational adults. It was late, and I was worried about you, okay?” She blinked fast at the tears. “Forget that I said anything. I’m going to bed.” With shaky hands, she tightened the sash on the white terry robe. But, just as she turned to go, he grasped her wrist and stopped her. Whimpering softly, she attempted to pull free, but feebly. Down deep, pulling away was what she didn’t want to do. But, she had to put up some kind of fight, didn’t she? Even if, it was only just for show for her fragile emotions…Her tear-filled gaze clung to his. “Let go of me, damn you.”
“I’m sorry,” he sighed. “Forgive me, once again, for being an egotistical bastard.”
She dropped her eyes to his chest stubbornly. “I asked you to let go of me.”
“And what if I don’t want to? Knowing that you actually don’t want me to let go sure in the hell makes it easier for me to hold onto you.” As his words dropped to a sexy whisper, he edged closer. The pure intensity of his words was lethal, so much so that it drew her helpless gaze to his again. “What if I just want to stand here and endure the sweet torture of being this close to you? Right now, I’d give my soul away just to hold you in my arms.” His breath quickened. “Then, all these bullshit games between us would be up. Finally, we’d be free to give into what we both want---something that we’ve both been longing for.”
A tense second ticked by.
As she watched him, she caved into the maddening pressure.
The maddeni
ng pressure of him…
“If that were the case, you wouldn’t have left me alone here. Why do you make me so crazy? So crazy that I can’t think about anything else?” she whispered in quiet desperation, staring up at him. “Please let go of me. I can’t think when you---” She paused for a tense second, but then finally found the strength to confess the truth. “…when you touch me…”
“And the feeling is mutual, damsel. I just want you to feel me.” With a fast swiftness, he grasped her nape and stole a breathless gasp from her. Then, lowering his head a scant inch, he confessed. “This vibe between us is bewitching and has my senses fucked. Touching and feeling you is all I want.” The dangerous glint in his eyes heightened, and a sensual warning played in them. “Putting my hands and mouth on every inch of your skin…being inside of you…that’s my only version of a real heaven…” In the muted darkness, his eyes glimmered dangerously. “The equation is simple. I want you. You want me. That’s a perfect formula for a hot ass fuck between us.” The inviting light in his eyes darkened with a keen hopefulness. “And you do want to fuck me, don’t you?”
“What?” she asked, mouth agape, and even her words were breathless. Her eyelashes fluttered nervously. Still, she didn’t deny the obvious truth. “Do you have to make it sound so crude and barbaric?”
“What do you prefer, sweet Bella?” he challenged again, fixating his gaze on her trembling lips. “Some flowery prose from a romance novel? If it’s a gallant swashbuckling hero you’re looking for, you’re in the wrong damn place. There’s hardly anything heroic or worth romanticizing about me. If anything, I’m the villain.” Once more, his lips upturned in a sexy grin before falling, and a deep seriousness masked his gray eyes. “But, if sweet words are what you’re after, I’ll serenade you all fucking night. So, tell me what it is that you want.”
Her lips trembled even more. “I want to have sex with you.”
“That’s my girl,” he whispered in breathless satisfaction, applying slight pressure against her nape, and the action only thrilled her more. The slight depravation of air was an aphrodisiac to her already scattered senses. “Your sweet confession is music to my soul.”
His next step brought him dangerously closer, and as he did, she released a suppressed breath. They were closer than close with only a tiny scant space between their badly heaving bodies. A potent concoction assailed her senses, a mixture of her light fragrance and his musky scent. She breathed hard and fast, struggling to find some air within her constricted lungs.
But, it was impossible, yes, impossible to think clearly.
Their closeness was a thrilling madness.
An inescapable insanity that was immensely satisfying.
Intoxicating to such a high degree that she felt drugged…
The same drugging effect since they’d met.
She stole a quick upward glance at him.
Oh sweet heaven…
Why did she do that?
The way that he was watching her…
With an outright unbridled hunger…
It rocked her from her foundation…
Knocked her from her pedestal of detachment…
Oh…this man was a slayer…
A slayer of the purest bred inhibitions…
The danger lurking within those green orbs was all too real, she realized, suddenly feeling dazed and weak in the knees. His eyes caressed her every inch of her face, and though he hadn’t physically touched her, she sensed his power. As his large hands closed about hers on the robe’s sash, she didn’t protest, but instead meekly gave into his ministrations. Still, she asked softly, “Is what we’re doing wrong? Maybe we should learn more about one another---”
“The timeframe doesn’t count, but reality does. We want each other and that’s reason enough. There’s no crime against caving into that basic need. We’re two rational adults, well, at least you are.” At his attempt at humor, he released a short laugh, but, she still sensed his seriousness. “I want you to be okay with this, alright? No reservations, not even the smallest one.” As he tightened his hold on her hands, her drugged gaze flew to his again. “We’ll only do this, only if you want. As much as I want you, I’m not about forcing this.”
Her words were soft. “I know. It’s just that…” She dropped her eyes to his chest with open embarrassment, and the heat flooded her brown features. “While it may be surprising to you, it’s been a long time for me----”
He grasped her chin and stayed her words. “Look at me,” he demanded softly, drawing her helpless gaze to his again. “Slow, steady, and easy…you set the pace.” He grazed her cheek gently with the back of his hand, and a dangerous shiver coursed through her body. “We’ll only go as far as you want.” He gripped her chin again before smiling gently. “Okay?”
She gave a shaky smile. “Okay.”
To her disappointment though, he backed away.
The confusion played on her face, but then died at his next words.
“Dance for me,” he whispered with a raspy hoarseness. His eyes trailed over her trembling body in one long sweep. Again, a deep satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. “Just like you did that night…the night that you came into my life like a full-on charged wrecking ball. I swear that I haven’t had any mental peace since seeing you for the first time. Walk out of my dreams and meet me in the real.”
A killing silence draped the room.
Their eyes clung and eagerly awaited their impending deliverance.
The scorching flames leapt behind the fire screen.
But, their searing heat hardly rivaled theirs.
In quiet desperation, she stayed rooted to the spot.
Finally, breaking their visual hold, he moved away. The silence still lingered as he crossed the room and dimmed the lights lower. Now, only the flickering firelight cast visibility in the room and bathed it in a soft glow. Against the ceiling and walls, the flames’ shadows danced in a synchronized motion, intensifying the majestic presence of their amorous mood. As he retreated towards her, their gazes held with his every step, even as he settled down onto the plush armchair. Then, leaning back, he regarded her with an unrelenting level of high interest.
Her heartbeat thumped hard against her chest.
The tattooed beat became erratic and unsteady.
In the tumultuous moment, she faced the truth.
There’d be no turning back.
Willingly and eagerly, she was enmeshing herself into Titan’s world.
Yet, that realization brought elation rather than fear.
For now, while they were here alone on these mountains, she was free to be herself. She was free to take what she wanted. No one would know. Not the outside world or the influences within it.
Within these walls, the outside world failed to exist.
All of this---their desperate needs and dark wants---it was about them and only them. Tonight, they’d seize it. Consequences be damned.
Her needy gaze sought his and found it. Within his eyes, she saw his understanding and marveled at the truth of it. Just how had they connected on such an intimate level in so little time? Deep down, to his core, like her, he understood her self-acceptance and surrender. Together, mutually, they’d confront their fiery attraction head-on, and without a doubt, it’d be a damning collision.
“T---things are happening too fast,” she whispered, making one final attempt. Surely, there was sound reasoning somewhere in their situation. “We need to think about this---”
“To hell with thinking. That’s your damn problem, damsel. You’re doing too much of it.” His eyes darkened. “Do you want me?”
Her lips trembled. “Yes.”
“Then that’s the only fucking thing that matters.”
Another tense second passed.
Finally, he broke the torturous silence. “Don’t be afraid of what you want from me. You’re not alone,” he revealed in a low husky whisper. “We’re in this together.”
Her breath caught.
Like her, he was tangled in tumultuous need.
Together, they’d answer the call.
“Bella,” he rasped unsteadily again. “Dance for me.”
Befuddled within her own sensual confusion, she stared back at him.
Already, a silent song of surrender was playing in her head.
That very desperate need was her music.
“Go with me to the place where it’s just you and me,” he whispered sensually, holding her gaze. “No one but us exists out here. This is our world, sweet Bella, and no one else’s.”
His words were straight fire.
Gasping softly, she started to dance.
The movement of her body was seductive.
Each sway was a precursor to a dangerous excitement, and in his eyes that very thing flickered. Like the night at the club, she fell headlong into the danger with little semblance of reality.
The sway of her hips was suggestive this time. Now, with the movement, she openly displayed an invitation. Already, her breaths were coming fast, so fast that one struggled to catch the other.
And her need, she breathed shallowly.
It was splintering her apart in ways that it never had before. Truth told, she was hardly chaste or virginal. But, she’d never truly wanted a man, not like this. Not to the point where she was already dripping wet and feeling the hot moisture between her thighs. Not to the point where a deep ache throbbed and pulsated. Not the point where she already wanted him inside of her.
More than that, she didn’t want to hide. Instead, she wanted to reveal the dark secret and sinful part of her that was hidden from the rest of the world, she thought, releasing another breathless sound while sashaying closer. There was a connection between them, one that she couldn’t name. But, it was there.
“That’s right. Come closer, just where I need you,” he demanded with a gentle roughness, and his frantic unsteady breathing matched hers. There was no denying his visual arousal. “You’re too far way.”
Their gazes were dead-locked.
Her hands were shaky as she grasped the sash.
An open eagerness played in the air as they watched each other.
Rise of the Titan Page 20
