Awaken (Divine Hunter Series)

by L. J. Sealey

  She sat up slowly and began to remove her top but was quickly stopped by Michael’s hands. “No,” he said shaking his head as a torturous look of shame suddenly washed over his face.

  Lacy froze. Where had this come from? A few seconds ago he was just as lost in her as she was in him so what just happened?

  She placed her hands either side of his face and looked him straight in the eye. “What’s wrong?” She tried to sound coherent, slowing her panting breath.

  “I can’t do this. It doesn’t feel right,” he said.

  * * *

  Lacy’s hands slowly left Michael’s face and as he sensed her sorrow his chest tightened. He felt confused. How could this be happening? A month ago, he was a loner, as he was meant to be, unsure of why he was here but accepting things as they were. Finding answers was all he had to exist for; all he’d cared about. Hell, he hadn’t felt anything but anger for such a long time−not even sure if it was possible to feel anything else, until now.

  Now there was something much stronger than anger growing inside of him, and he felt it right in the centre of his chest. His heart felt twice the size and, he didn’t know how, but Lacy had managed to somehow climb inside of it.

  “I just don’t want you hurting if I don’t make it back. If we do this it’s just going to be so much harder. . . for the both of us. I’m already close to losing my mind over you, Lacy.” He was already worried about his sanity if he ended up trapped down in the pit like he feared. But spending the rest of his existence in that place craving her touch any more than he already did would be his downfall.

  A stray tear escaped and ran down Lacy’s cheek. As he wiped it with his thumb she closed her eyes and held his hand to her face. She whispered, “I want you, Michael. So much it. . . ”

  What little control he had snapped in that instant. He cut her words off as he placed his mouth over hers, kissing her deeper this time, savouring every touch of her lips on his. He licked his tongue softly over her bottom lip and when she opened for him he slid it inside meeting hers for a moment before retreating. She moaned into his mouth causing desire to enrapture his whole body. He threaded one hand through her hair while the other one stroked slowly down her neck. He revelled in the sensation of her silky smooth skin under his finger tips, and of her warm, soft lips against his.

  He knew it was wrong, but there was no going back now. What little strength he had to stay away from her was gone.

  “Shit,” he said suddenly, breaking their contact for a moment and sitting up on his knees at the side of her. “I don’t even know if I can. . . if every thing’s working ok, physically I mean.” He saw the confusion on Lacy’s face. “I haven’t desired any one since I’ve been in this body. I haven’t been interested in having sex at all. I don’t even know if I can. . . ”

  “Then we’ll have to try it and see won’t we,” she said behind hooded eyes as she joined him on her knees and placed a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth before pulling back to look at him again. Her enticing smile was enough for him to toss his concern aside.

  His mouth was on hers again in an instant. Shit! If he was going to do it, then he was going to make damn sure that neither of them ever forgot this night.

  * * *

  Lacy’s heart raced as she got lost in the sensation of their tongues twisting around each other. The feel of his strong arms wrapped around her as they both remained on their knees on top of the bed was glorious. Her arms went up around his neck and she ran her fingers through the soft hair at his nape. She felt his hand slide down to the arch of her back and he pulled her in closer. Her breath caught as she felt his erection press against her hip. He paused, then she felt him smile against her mouth before he continued to kiss her in such a heavenly way.

  Thank God, she thought. His body was working just fine.

  He lifted her top and she held up her arms for him to remove it, and he did it in such a way that his hands stroked over her flesh before he threw it to the floor.

  She ran her hands over his shoulders and down his arms, feeling every inch of him, pausing to squeeze his thick biceps before she moved them to his stomach. His tight muscles were like ripples of hard iron under soft silk as she slid her hands up his torso. He watched her as her eyes drank every inch of him in. As her fingers stroked over his nipples, hardening them, he inhaled sharply then placed his hands either side of her face and kissed her over and over again.

  God, she loved the feel of his mouth on hers. She’d wanted this for so long, had been too afraid to admit to herself how deeply she was falling for him until now. He was everything she’d imagined him to be and more. He made things happen inside her body that she’d never dreamed she could feel; a desire she never thought possible. She ached for him.

  His hand brushed up her side and she moaned into his mouth as he cupped her breast and began to knead her nipple between his thumb and finger through the lace of her bra. He unclipped the front clasp, freeing both of her breasts then slid the straps down her arms. After dropping it onto the floor he stroked both hands up her arms, his eyes raking over her goose flesh, watching as she felt her nipples hardening instantly.

  He leaned into her. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered into her ear before lightly kissing the flesh under it. She closed her eyes and melted under his warm breath as he trailed his kisses down her neck, across the front and up the other side. Suddenly, she forgot how to breathe. The feel of his lips on her skin sent flames of desire rushing around her body.

  He pressed his groin into her, his moan sending her crazy. He began to trail kisses down her neck then her collar bone, pausing again to look at her he said, “Jesus. Lacy. You’re perfect.” His voice was husky making him sound even sexier than he already did. He made her feel perfect, beautiful, and she loved how he looked at her.

  She inhaled deeply, arching her back as his mouth latched onto her breast and his tongue began to swirl around her nipple sending intense waves of heat, like nothing she’d ever felt before, rushing through her body.

  “Michael.” she whispered as she played her fingers through his hair. His hand reached for her other breast, massaging it as his tongue continued to lap at the other, then he sucked, and kissed and licked her until she was sure he would tip her over the edge. Dear God, she was close to it already and he’d only gotten as far as her breasts.

  She needed more.

  She pushed herself into his groin feeling his hard length press into her, rubbing her in exactly the right place. She reached down between their bodies and began to unbutton his jeans. He moaned as her hand brushed his erection and he reached down to place his hand over hers, rubbing himself through his jeans. Then he was back at her mouth, pushing his tongue inside of her again, repeating that sensual kiss from before only now with more intensity. She freed her hand from his and pushed his pants and boxers down his thighs. Michael reached down, pulled them over his knees one by one and kicked them on to the floor.

  Oh my. . . He was beautifully naked.

  She didn’t have much time to admire him as he was easing her down onto her back then he was on top of her. He began to feather more of those sensual kisses down her throat, over one of her breasts and down her stomach and when he reached the top of her sweats he looked up at her through hooded lids as he slowly pulled the material down over her hips, her legs, dropping them to the floor followed by her white lace panties. Finally there were no more barriers.

  * * *

  Michael’s breath caught as he knelt in front of Lacy who was now lying naked in front of him. His eyes roamed around her body taking in every inch of her rosy skin. She smiled up at him, her beautiful pale green eyes locking onto his. Her cheeks flushed from her arousal which made him even harder as he anticipated what was about to happen.

  Lacy slowly lifted one of her legs and slid it outwards giving him one hell of a view. She stroked her hand over her breast and down her stomach towards her sex, her gaze never leaving him, once again causing his control to snap. He
bent down between her legs beating her hand to its destination with his mouth. She cried out as he softly licked at her core, soaking up her wetness, tasting every inch of her. Jesus Christ she tasted so good. She writhed with pleasure as his tongue flicked over her flesh. He knew exactly when her orgasm hit because she cried out as her whole body began to spasm and she grabbed the sheet in both of her hands. Lacy cried out his name as he felt the muscle of her sex contracting against his tongue.

  Within an instant he was on top of her, needing to be inside of her. He pressed the blunt head of his erection against her warm flesh, but before he went any further he paused to look at her. This woman who was lying beneath him had somehow captivated him. He was completely enthralled by her. He knew that after tonight there was no way he could stay away from her−be without her. He would make sure he survived his little trip into Hell and then he would protect her for however long he could.

  “Michael. Are you okay?” Her voice snapped him away from his thoughts, bringing him right back to the beautiful face that was staring up at him.

  He smiled at her as best as he could, stroking her damp hair from her face. “Right now, Lacy, in this moment with you, I couldn’t be happier.”

  As he kissed her he eased himself inside of her. Joining their bodies for what may be the only time. She cried out as he pushed himself to the hilt feeling her warmth around him as their pelvises met. Heat rushed over him, melting him, his heart. He withdrew slowly, almost all the way then slid back inside feeling her walls rub him, squeezing him. Even though he was dead he’d never felt so alive. His greatest fear now was that he’d never feel this with her again.

  Lacy gasped as she looked into his eyes and he instantly knew why. The white glow from his irises softly illuminated her face making her skin appear luminous. Her beauty overwhelmed him. He kissed her deeply, his tongue stroking hers, her breath caught every time he pushed into her. Her hands pressed into the cheeks of his ass pushing him deeper inside her with every thrust. Her moans grew louder as he increased the pace.

  “Lacy!”

  He couldn’t be gentle any longer and a need took over him, but he knew she wanted it that way too just as much as he did as her nails dug into him. “Oh, my God, Michael.” Her breath on his skin warmed his whole body with a heat he’d never felt before.

  He drove into her, retreating and thrusting again, faster, harder until he could feel his own release rising through him with an electrifying intensity. “Fuck!” He let out a loud groan as he came, filling her with his orgasm as she found her own release, milking him, squeezing him with her thighs as he felt her whole body tense with pleasure beneath him.

  “God, Lacy.”

  He buried his head in her neck. Inhaling her scent for a moment as his body relaxed on top of her. He was still inside her as they lay panting in each other’s arms. He wanted to stay joined to her for as long as he could, scared that he might never get this chance again.

  He brushed her hair from her face, kissing her forehead, her cheek, and when he kissed her mouth he felt her smile. He pulled back to look at her as she gave him the loveliest smile he’d ever seen.

  He rested his forehead on hers. “Everything seems to work ok.” he said playfully, still catching his breath.

  “Are you kidding me?” she replied, her voice slightly hoarse. “Ok? More than ok.”

  They both laughed and Michael shifted on to his side pulling her with him and wrapping her in his arms. The realism of what he was soon to do kept threatening to consume him as he lay silently holding her, but he pushed it from his mind. He needed to be here with her in this moment for as long as he could, and he wasn’t about to let anything ruin it.

  They lay silently gazing at each other; faces inches away, their warm breaths merging in the small space that separated them. They didn’t need to speak, the silence said it all. Michael stroked his fingers up and down Lacy’s back and watched as her eyes blinked with dreamy languor and she eventually fell asleep. He kissed the end of her nose.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Laaacy!”Her blond hair hung over her face as she bent over Lacy.

  Ghostly features stared with such intensity. Her face was mere inches away. Lacy tried to look away but the ghostly figure somehow held her within its glassy gaze, unable to move. “Laaacy!” she repeated. Lacy wanted to call out, to ask her what she wanted, but when she went to talk, no sound came out. Suddenly the woman backed up out of view. When Lacy lifted her head to see where she’d gone she was at the foot of her bed. Her torn clothes hung from her and her arms were out stretched towards Lacy. Her head tilted to the side before she shot backwards and through the bedroom wall.

  Lacy saw something written on the wall right where she’d disappeared. She squinted to read it but when she did, her stomach sank. . .

  The two words written in black simply read:

  HE’S COMING

  Lacy’s eyes sprang open. She could have sworn she heard someone whisper her name. She blinked a couple of times and a vision of a blond woman flashed into her mind. She tried to remember the dream she must have just had that had made her heart pound in her chest, but couldn’t. After a few seconds, when her brain had kicked into gear, she smiled and cuddled into Michael’s arm that was wrapped around the front of her across her breasts. She must have turned around in her sleep because she now had her back to him and could feel his warm body tucked around her. She sighed, content in the moment until. . .

  “No. . . Can’t. . . . . . out!” Michael murmured. She felt his whole body tense around her. “Lacy. . . Need to. . . Help her!”

  She slowly manoeuvred herself around under his heavy arm so that she was facing him. “Hey,” she whispered, shaking him softly, careful not to startle him. “Michael, wake up.”

  “He’ll. . . Kill. . . ” He tensed again. She felt his body tremble.

  Oh God. “Michael. . . Hey.” His eyes snapped open, startling her for a moment. “You were having a−”

  Before she could finish he was pulling her into him, his head burrowed into her neck. “Hey. It’s ok. It was just a dream.”

  She felt him tighten around her and she squeezed him back. Whatever it was that he’d just seen in his nightmare had clearly freaked him out. “Are you awake now?” she asked in a tentative voice.

  “Yeah.” he murmured into her neck before pulling back to look at her. He blinked a few times, clearing his sleepy vision. “Shit! That was weird. It felt so real.”

  She brushed his sweaty hair from his forehead. “Well it wasn’t. You’re here with me.” He kissed her amorously and then resumed his hug. She closed her eyes feeling overwhelmed by his tenderness.

  After a moment, Michael pulled away just enough to look at her while keeping her in his arms. “You were dying. Varesh had taken you again and he was torturing you to get at me. He was using his fire to burn you just like he did with me only you couldn’t take it. I couldn’t get to you because I was trapped in the pit but Lucifer took great pleasure in showing me what Varesh was doing to you.” His voice was shaky. He paused and swallowed hard. “I felt everything you were feeling and there was nothing I could do to get to you.”

  Lacy reached up and placed her hand on his cheek.

  “It felt so real.” Michael closed his eyes for a moment.

  Her vision went blurry as her eyes filled up with tears. This time she pulled him close. She couldn’t bear to see his anguish. It hurt her so much to think that he may not make it back. To feel so strongly for him in such a short time astonished her. How had this happened? How had she fallen so hard for someone she barely knew?

  “I need you to come back to me,” she whispered.

  Michael lifted his head, looked into her eyes and then kissed her in such a tender way she nearly lost her mind. She tried to push away the thought of him leaving her in just a few hours and focus on this time with him, here in his arms, loving him. Oh my. . . did she love him? Was it possible to love somebody so quickly? All she knew was that she would
ache for him when he was gone.

  Michael made love to her again, twice.

  * * *

  Lacy woke up with a smile on her face. That was until she reached around expecting to find Michael beside her but the bed was empty. She sat up quickly. “Oh, please. No.” She panicked thinking that he’d left without saying goodbye but then paused when she heard something drop to the floor in the kitchen. Soon after, she realised she could smell bacon. She let out a relieved sigh and lay back down. Last night had been the most perfect night of her life, and even though she knew her afterglow would be short lived she couldn’t help the big grin that filled her face as she thought about what had happened between the two of them through the night. Never in her life had she had sex even twice in a row let alone three times. When she moved on to her side she ached. Oh, but it was a good ache. The muscles in her thighs felt tender but she loved it. The pain was lessened due to the cause: mind blowing sex. Sweet lord Michael knew how to please.

  Her erotic thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and in he walked, gloriously naked from the waist up, with a tray in his hands. He had the most handsome smile as he walked over to the bed.

  “Good morning. I made you breakfast,” he said. Could he be any more perfect? She pulled herself up to a sitting position bringing the comforter with her and tucking it under her arms. For some reason her modesty had returned and she felt a little shy. Why the hell did she feel shy?

  “Morning.” She beamed up at him.

  Michael sat down on the edge of the bed and passed her the tray, leaning over to kiss her as he did. Her stomach did a little growl and she felt his lips curl up into a smile. “Someone’s hungry,” he said, and kissed her once more before he pulled away. She looked at the food on the plate: bacon, eggs and two slices of toast accompanied by a glass of coke?