Minutes passed. Then an hour. Then several hours. No sign of Thrax. Satisfied, Atticus moved back into the area they had claimed as their temporary hide-out.
Atticus scanned the area but caught no sight of the unruly haired woman. His heart hammered in his chest as he searched the area in earnest now. There was no way Thrax could have gotten past him, but Celine was gone.
He breathed in deeply, but nothing came back but the thick stench of sulfur.
Something splashed in the corner of the room. He stepped forward to attack but stopped when wet hair emerged from the blue water. It was then that his eyes landed on her wet clothing sitting on a nearby rock.
“I thought it might be a good idea to wash off any scent they might have,” Celine said, her expression sheepish.
Atticus knew he should turn and walk away. That he should place himself clear on the other side of the room. And yet his feet refused to move.
Celine was naked in the water. Worst of all, he knew she was naked in the water.
Unwilling to stop himself, he made his way over to the side of the water.
"It looks like Thrax moved on," Atticus said quietly.
His eyes dipped down to the water where the tops of her breasts were clearly visible. Just below he knew the perky nipples he fondled the night before were there, likely just as perky. His cock was already hard with need for her.
About a million thoughts went through his head, but none of them could be considered a good idea. Nothing had changed. Everything he believed before was still true. If he fucked her, there would be no turning back, and it was best for everyone if they just survived and went their separate ways.
That’s what his brain said, anyway.
Fuck, he wanted her. More than he had ever wanted anything.
"The water is really amazing," Celine said, and did a little spin. “I think I needed this after the past couple days.”
Atticus watched as she nibbled her bottom lip, her sweet doe eyes staring up at him.
He offered her a quick nod.
“Sometimes you just need to blow off a little steam,” she said.
Atticus cleared his throat. Damn, how he needed to blow off a little steam.
"You know," she said. "Maybe you might want to come in for a soak as well."
Atticus grunted. This was a bad idea. They still weren’t certain where Thrax was. Even if he had moved on, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t double-back, and the last thing Atticus needed was to get ambushed why he was fooling around in the water.
Celine gave a small smile as she backed up some from the edge of the pool.
Too much. Just too damn much.
"Fuck it," Atticus said.
The hybrid tore off his shirt and tossed it behind him. Next came his boots and socks. He loved the way Celine watched him as he stripped off his clothes.
His eyes fixed on hers, his hand resting on the button of his pants. It was now or never. Atticus wasn’t stupid. If his pants came off, he was going to want to put their naked bodies to good use.
With little hesitation, he unsnapped the fly and let his pants fall to the ground, his cock springing forth as he did so. Bare before her. There was nothing to hide now. Nowhere to run. And he had no intention of running.
Chapter Thirteen
Celine had been so brave before as she slipped out of her clothes and waited in the warm water for Atticus to return. Even though it had started just as she said, as a way to wash off her scent, she realized that it could be something more. Everything had worked out just as she had planned.
Unfortunately, now that the very large man was standing before her, she wasn’t so sure she was ready to take him on. She swallowed, wondering just what she’d gotten herself into. For a moment, she thought about calling the whole thing off.
But Atticus wasn’t backing down now. His bright blue eyes glowed as he slipped his pants to the floor, exposing a very large appendage jutting out in front of him.
Jesus Christ! She’d always imagined him big, but he was downright massive. She didn’t even know they came in that size outside the adult toy store.
Before she’d even had a moment to process just how large he was, Atticus was stalking his way into the water, his lust-filled eyes fixed on her.
Celine’s breath caught in her throat as he slipped in across from her. His body was now just feet from her. She bit her lip as her gaze raked the muscled chest and arms before her. It was even better than she had thought.
Atticus moved across the space between them, but Celine was faster. She’d already moved out of the way. She couldn’t believe what she was about to do, in a cave even.
“I thought you wanted to bathe together?” Atticus said, and cocked a brow at her.
Something about the way he said it made her stomach flutter deep inside.
“I did,” Celine said. The words came out as more a whisper despite the intense arousal already building in her.
A slow smile spread across Atticus’s face as he moved a little closer toward her.
There was nowhere to hide. He knew her game now and seemed to anticipate what direction she would move.
“Celine,” Atticus growled.
The rumble in his voice made Celine ache for him, feeding into the growing need that had been burning between them. Given what he had told her about Vestals, she wondered if this moment had been inevitable since the first day she met him.
Celine glanced to the left and then to the right. It was too late though, he was already surrounding her with his arms.
Worry gnawed at her, especially given the kind of man he was. Atticus would be everything she ever dreamed. She had no doubt about that, but she didn’t know if the opposite would be true. There also were more than a few practical considerations given his large size.
Still, her body and heart fought against the worry. Everything about what they were going to do felt right, almost necessary.
Her body shivered as he ran a hand over her bare arms. He paused, and she glanced up to where he stood.
“I want you,” Atticus said softly. “But if you aren’t ready…”
Celine could see in his eyes the pain her hesitation was causing him. She reached up and placed a hand against his cheek.
“I do want you.” She took a deep breath to explain. “It’s just that I don’t have a lot of experience.”
Atticus watched her intently. She wasn’t quite sure if he understood what she meant, but she pushed on, as awkward as it all might be.
“It’s just that you are a very large guy,” Celine said, and let her eyes slide down his well-defined body to where his grandest extra-large piece stood ready.
When she brought her eyes back to his, she expected anything but the smirk that had found its way on his face. She rolled her eyes and dropped her hand.
Men, they were all the same. Mention anything to do with their penis size, and it was like winning the lottery.
“So you’re worried?” he said.
Atticus stepped forward and pressed his hard length between their bodies. Her breath came in small bursts. Despite the worry, having him pressed against her only made her want to rub herself against his length. Her body craved it.
“You’re worried how our bodies will fit together?”
Celine stared into his burning eyes and watched as he let his mouth skim hers.
“I’ve been thinking about how our bodies will fit as well,” Atticus said. “How your sweet pussy will feel as it clamps down on me as you come hard.”
She didn’t know if it was the heat from the water or his words, but Celine leaned forward and placed her head against his solid chest, loving the feel of it.
A hand skimmed around her waist and pulled them closer together until there was no room between them. His thick cock rubbed against her. Teasing her front.
“Atticus,” Celine whispered. Her body was on fire now and not from the hot spring.
His other hand made its way down her ass, gripping it hard as he pul
led her forward to grind their hips together. She reached out to grasp his strong arms.
After a moment of moving together, Atticus let his fingers slip down the crack of her ass until he reached the lips of her aching pussy. Oh how she needed more of his touch.
Celine shook in his arms, desperate for some sort of release. She wanted to feel him inside her. She wanted him to make her scream.
His fingers toyed with her opening, slipping just enough inside to make her desperate for more.
Celine pressed her ass hard against his hand, hoping to get him to slip inside and push her over the edge.
Atticus chuckled, and she moaned as a long, thick finger slipped into her depths. He moved in her now with a steady rhythm, pulling his finger nearly all the way out before slipping it deep inside.
“I think we’ll fit just fine,” Atticus whispered in her ear.
She nodded against his chest. Desperate to have him inside her now. To feel him.
Celine reached down between them and ran her hand slowly over his thick cock, already slick from the water. She circled him from base to tip and then back again, enjoying the hefty prize in her hand.
His fingers quickened inside of her, pumping her so hard that the water around them sloshed. She let out another loud moan.
“Fuck,” Atticus grunted as she increased her movements to meet his own.
Celine could feel her insides start to quiver. A building deep, low burn inside told her it wouldn’t be long. But she didn’t want to come from his fingers. Not this time.
“I need you in me,” she whispered. “Please.”
As if Atticus was just waiting for those words, he slipped his finger out of her and easily lifted her to the rock behind.
Celine stared into his bright blue eyes as he stepped forward and centered his cock at her wet opening. She bit her lip once and nodded.
“Please,” she whispered.
Atticus sank slowly into her, her wet center pulling him in inch by inch.
Celine had been right. He was large. The more he pushed, the fuller she felt, but his stretching did nothing to squash the warm hum that had settled inside her.
No. She only wanted more. She needed it. Needed to feel full.
Not wanting to wait, Celine wrapped her legs around his back and pulled him hard against her. One thrust seated him fully inside her.
“Oh my God,” Atticus hissed.
The pleasurable sensation almost overwhelmed her. The feeling of having him inside her was even more amazing than she thought it would be. She had never been so turned on in her entire life.
Atticus pulled back a little and easily slipped back inside. Her wet center was eager for him to start thrusting.
He watched her as he pulled back again. This time he entered her with a quick thrust. Celine moaned his name.
It was all he needed to know he was free to move. Atticus thrust hard and quick, pushing inside her. With each movement, Celine could feel him settle deep inside, rubbing the special place that only ached for total release.
“I’m so close,” Atticus grunted. His hips sped up, and the sound of their flesh slapping together echoed in the cave.
“Don’t stop,” Celine groaned, desperate only for the glorious release she knew was coming.
Atticus gripped her hips and used them to position himself better against her. They slipped to her ass to angle her up just slightly. One good thrust, and Celine was cresting over the edge, her cries something she couldn’t stop if she wanted.
The hybrid was close behind. His cock buried deep inside, and she could feel it grow before it jerked and coated her inside.
Atticus rested his head against her chest. Both breathed hard.
When he slid out, Celine tried to stand but found her head far lighter than she remembered. “Oh my.”
Atticus lifted her in his arms with ease. He stared down with worry in his eyes. “We were in far too long,” he said. “We need to get you some cold water and something to eat.”
“Eat? You found food, then?”
Atticus grinned and carried her to a bed of moss and sat her gently on top. “Rest here while I make us some fish and bring you a drink.”
Celine grinned up at him. He cocked his head to the side
“Is this how it’s always going to be?” she asked. “Afterward you get me a snack and water?”
“Yeah. I think it will be.” A slow smile spread across his face. “But maybe it’s self-serving so I can have my way with you again.”
Celine laughed at his mischievous grin and gave him a wink. “I’m not going to complain.” She giggled.
She lay back on the rock as he busied himself sparking a new fire with rocks in their new firepit and cooking, a smile firmly planted on her face. It took him a little longer to get the fire going than with her glasses, but the flames still came.
No doubt remained, whether or not she believed in the Vestal idea. She was in love, and there was no denying it. Come what may, she was just going to let herself have the moment and deal with whatever came next.
Chapter Fourteen
Atticus woke with a start, unease creeping into his veins. Celine lay on the floor next to him, tossing and turning. Her small frame shivered as she battled the nightmares once again.
The sight tore at him. He could protect her when she was awake, but there wasn’t anything he could do for her when she was asleep.
His discomfort again gave way to wariness. He had awoken for a reason, and he needed to figure out what it was.
Atticus continued to stare down at her as the wind up above them howled. A heavy breeze filtered through the holes in the chamber and sent a chill through him despite the warmth in the air.
No. Something wasn't right. An enemy was near. He couldn’t see it, hear it, or smell it, but he could feel it deep inside. It wasn't Thrax, but it wasn’t the hybrids either.
Something lurked nearby, watching them as they lay sleeping. He glanced around, looking for red glowing eyes in the distance. Nothing.
Atticus bit back a growl. He was a hybrid with superior senses. An enemy shouldn’t have been able to hide from him.
He spared a glance at Celine. She continued to shiver on the floor. He placed a hand on her shoulders and listened as the howling grew worse. The wind swept through the room now. Steam rose from the water as the cold air met the warmth.
Atticus wondered if he was just imagining things. For the first time, he regretted hiding in the sulfur-soaked cavern. If he could have picked up his enemy’s scent, at least he would have known if they were close.
The light dimmed. He frowned. The entire cave wasn’t exactly bright, but the holes in the top provided enough light for even Celine to see comfortably. Now, it growing darker second by second.
Atticus frowned and looked up, narrowing his eyes. Something was filling the holes, shadows spreading over the top of the cave, thick, almost like black ink.
He bit back a growl. Whatever it was, it definitely wasn’t Thrax.
The shadows sealed the holes, leaving the cavern in such complete darkness that even Atticus found his superior hybrid night vision strained. A low hum sounded at the edge of his hearing.
The shadows dripped down the walls and pooled on the floor. The dark pools rippled and oscillated in an uneven pattern, as if shuddering and convulsing. He’d never seen anything like it. Shadows didn’t move like that, and liquids didn’t move like that either.
Atticus stood. Whatever this was, it had waited for its opportunity. Waited for him to sleep. Waited for the chance to come at them when he might be more vulnerable.
The question remained how he could even fight it. A Glycon had a body to strike, bones to crush. How could he fight shadows?
A loud clacking sound came from the left of the cavern. It echoed through the passageways and sent a chill down his spine as he realized the implications.
Their exits were blocked. Even if Atticus had wanted to take Celine and run, they would be attacked before th
ey even reached outside. If they waited, that would happen anyway.
Atticus breathed out and saw his breath in the air. An icy chill filled the room. Bits of frost coated the water nearby. Unnerving and unnatural.
With no escape and no other options, Atticus held on to one other hope: that he could find something to fight.
Shadow Man. Celine had spoken of him. A man had to have a body.
"Come out," Atticus said quietly. “I know you’re there.”
The shadows stilled for a moment. He wondered if it was assessing its chances. A very real possibility. Atticus wasn’t sure just what this was, but it was very likely that he wouldn’t be able to face it on his own.
Still, he wasn’t going to let the shadows know that. It had waited to attack them while they slept and was hesitating now. That meant it had a weakness, something that Atticus could exploit.
To the right, something else moved. This time it wasn’t only a creepy sound or strange sensation but something different. Something far more tangible.
Atticus watched as the shadows pooled in the deep blue water near them. This time there was no sound, not even the low hum. The inky black of the shadow swallowed the deep blue in an instant.
A head emerged from the water, a black shadowy head but with one familiar detail: piercing blue eyes. It rose in silence, turning to stare at the sleeping woman on the floor.
Atticus growled and glared at the shadow, stepping in front of Celine. He didn’t care what the hell it was. There was no way he would let this thing get to his Vestal. It would have to kill him first.
Seeing it now, despite the adrenalin coursing through him, he felt more confidence. The confidence born of familiarity.
The hybrids had fought this creature before, this being that moved in the shadows. He’d wondered when Celine described her dreams if that might have been the case.
Sergius had fought and been injured by it. They had all wondered if the hybrid had defeated it as it hadn’t come back since.
Atticus: #8 (Luna Lodge: Hunters of Atlas) Page 7
