“Cael, please. Please don’t make me wait any longer. I want to feel you inside of me, taking me, pleasuring me. It’s been so long since we’ve … I mean, since I’ve had someone like you.”
For a second, just a second, he thought she might have mistaken him for Aiden, but she had said his name. It was music to his ears the way it flowed with ease from her lips, full of expectancy and desire. “I want to taste you. Will you allow me to pleasure you that way first?”
“Oh, God, yes.”
He quickly unhooked the back of her bra, releasing her perfect breasts. Taking care with the delicate lace panties, he slipped them down her slender legs. Splaying his hand across her stomach, he licked his lips. “God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered again at the marvelous sight of her naked body. Catching his breath, he returned his attention to her core. Placing both hands under her perfectly round buttocks he lifted her slightly and tasted the sweet nectar of her essence. She moaned and filled him with more as her body quivered under him.
He wanted this woman for his own. She was perfect in every way. He wouldn’t need to keep his abilities a secret from her, as he’d always had to do with other women. Addison had to be his. There had to be a way to make her want to leave Aiden because now she meant more to him than anyone or anything ever had before in his life.
***
It was too much. Unable to contain herself as the organism shot forth, Addie screamed and panted Cael’s name. He kissed his way up her stomach until he reached her neck and sent her into ecstasy once again. It was almost as if no time had been lost. He knew exactly what she loved. She angled her hips up, accepting him, needing him so much. She pulled his face to hers, the spell of his kisses rendering her helpless just the way they used to. His hands, still so sure and possessive, caressed and tantalized her, just when she was beginning to believe she’d never get the chance to feel them on her again. But here they were, and just like the first time, he took her to the place where she’d most recently only been able to dream about. Her body tingled and pulsed, pounding with pleasure, hot and sexy under his command once again.
She wondered if he would ever remember the first time they made love and what she’d said to him—what she wanted to say now, and did. “Do you know what you’re doing to me?” she whispered between panted breaths.
“Oh, I think I do. I can tell by the way you’re breathing, and your skin is glistening with heated sweat,” he groaned, crushing her mouth with his as she arched her body up against him.
“And I love the way you taste. Touch me, Addison, now. Take me into your hands.”
Caressing her fingers around him, she rubbed her thumb over the slick tip. He tensed and quivered. “You feel so good, guide me inside now.” The familiar huskiness of his voice and heated breath against her neck brought tears to her eyes. Tears of joy and relief.
***
As she slipped him inside, he teased her with slow short pulses. She pulled him down to her and he sank in the rest of the way, gently. He was thick with heat and didn’t want to hurt her, but when she locked her legs around him and raised her hips to meet his, he pushed in deeper and deeper. She took him all the way.
They moved together in harmony as though they’d done it a million times before. Her eyes watched him with such reverence he thought maybe … was that love in her eyes? But that was irrational thinking on his part. She hardly knew him. Although he knew he was already gone, madly in love with her.
She begged for more when he pulled up and out slowly, teasing and rubbing her clit with his tip. As he entered her again with slow, deep strokes, she shivered under him and his movements intensified. She erupted with a wave of orgasmic pleasure as he exploded with her.
He lay half on top of her, their legs tangled together on the sofa as their rapid heartbeats slowly returned to normal. He didn’t want to move or let her go, but he’d have to. He needed to get up and leave. How would he ever look Aiden in the eye again? What a mess he’d gotten himself into this time.
She sighed. “That was amazing.” Resting her head on his chest, she leaned her face to his and kissed him, gently, softly, then closed her eyes and rested her head. They stayed that way, silent, for a while.
Chapter 15
The flames had dwindled to burning embers and the room became dark. Addie reached out and splayed her fingers toward the fireplace, igniting it into a nice warm fire, bringing the room back to the cozy cottage atmosphere once again. Addie didn’t think she could ever relive the very first time she’d made love to Cael, but this was pretty close. At least her feelings were the same. She only hoped they were the same for him as they’d been back then on that chilly November day. Addie wanted to stay in Cael’s arms forever. And why couldn’t she? All she had to do was tell him about their past. Surely now, after making love to her he must have the same feelings he’d had before.
“Are you cold?” he asked after she’d lit the fire.
“No.” She snickered. “Not after how hot you made me, but I like the way the fire dances and creates shadows on the wall.” And for the first time since Cael’s disappearance at Maia and Gerry’s wedding, she became conscious of another feeling. “I think I’m hungry.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot. One of the reasons I came over—I brought you dinner.”
She smiled. “Really? What did you bring?”
“Nothing fancy, I’m afraid. Just Bart’s version of Italian cuisine—premade frozen meatballs and spaghetti with his famous sauce from a jar.”
“Sounds wonderful, actually. Any chance of garlic bread with it?”
“But of course. What’s spaghetti and meatballs without garlic bread?”
“My feelings exactly.” They laughed.
Addie pulled on the sweatshirt Cael had been wearing and he slipped back into his jeans. They sat on the floor in front of the fireplace eating Bart’s semi-home-cooked meal. The spaghetti and meatballs weren’t as bad as he’d made them sound. As they ate, Cael filled Addie in on his time in Bora Bora with Finn and the snorkeling they’d done there. The resort he described sounded similar to the one she and he had stayed at during their time there and she wished she could share the wonderful experiences they’d had together.
“So tell me, what other abilities do you have besides lighting candles and making fireplaces blaze with awesome fires?”
Addie glanced at his tattoo and wanted to ask what possessed him to get it? She simply smiled. “Don’t you know already? You knew my father; you must know what he could do.”
“Yes, but sometimes powers can lay dormant in one generation and show up in the next.”
“Right. I remember now.”
“Remember what?”
She stared at him, recalling how he’d explained the way their genetics worked when they’d first met and now she searched her mind for a quick answer.
“Oh, I remember your mother telling me.” She covered her tracks on that one. Keeping this insane secret was getting harder and harder. Wanting to quickly change the subject, she said, “Well …” then hesitated. Tilting her head, feeling a bit impish, she stared at his crotch and licked her lips as the waistband on his jeans unsnapped and the zipper went down all on its own. He watched with a sexy grin, which turned into a full-on smile when the zipper on the sweatshirt she wore also went down, revealing her naked breasts.
Cael glanced around the room, still mostly dark except for the light of the fire and the two candles. His smiled slowly disappeared. “This is kind of dangerous, don’t you think?”
“What do you mean?”
He shrugged as though she should know.
“Are you talking about the crystal? I agree. It is dangerous that someone has it and we need to get it back, but I don’t see what that has to do with what we are doing now.”
“No, Addison. I’m not talking about the crystal. I’m talking about your fiancé … or husband.”
“My what?”
“Aiden. Okay, maybe you’re not married to the guy yet, but
I don’t like the idea that I’m treading on someone else’s property.”
Addie stood, arms by her side, fists clenched. “Aiden? Property? First of all, I’m not, nor will I ever be anybody’s property.” How dare he talk to her that way, comparing her to a piece of real estate? She loved him with all her soul, but this did not sound like the same man she’d known before.
“Calm down. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you were property. I’m talking about his house and the fact that I just made love to you—the sexiest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever known—his wife or fiancée or whatever you are, inside it.”
“Oh,” was all she managed, suddenly at a loss for words. She sank to her knees. He thought she was married or engaged to Aiden and that this was Aiden’s home? How could he mistake that? Oh my God. The ring. He had seen it that night in the bar. Now, he probably considered her dirty or slutty because he thought she cheated on Aiden. Then again, he’d just said she was sexy and beautiful. She almost laughed at his ability to take something so horrible and sordid and turn it into a compliment. Finding her voice, she said, “I’m not.”
“What?”
“I’m not. I’m not engaged or married to him and this is not his house.”
Cael laid his head back, resting his neck on the edge of the sofa. His naked, chiseled pecs rose as he took in a deep breath then slowly exhaled. “Thank God. I thought I was going to have to rethink my values just to be with you again.”
“Why did you think that?” Addie asked, sitting back down on the carpet in front of him.
“It looked like you two were a couple at Breena’s party and then I saw you dancing with him. You were wearing a ring, although now it’s gone. Was that taken at the same time as the crystal?”
How was she supposed to explain about the ring? There were no second chances; she couldn’t tell him about their relationship until she was sure how he felt about her. The attraction and chemistry were most definitely there, but lust and love were very different.
She decided one little white lie on top of all the others wouldn’t hurt. She’d do anything to make sure their chances for a future together weren’t ruined. “I use the ring you saw at work occasionally to help ward off the male prowlers. It can get rather difficult in there sometimes, particularly at night.” Oh boy, that was the last thing she should have said, knowing how jealous he used to get, which was silly because no man could ever hold a candle to Cael. “I mean, it’s just easier than being approached and having to say no. This way they see the ring and don’t bother me.”
“I see. That’s pretty smart. Well, I have to say, that’s a relief. I’ve wanted you … I mean I’ve been wanting to be with you … Oh Christ, this is not coming out right. I’m just so fucking glad you’re not married or engaged to Aiden or anyone for that matter. Are you his girlfriend?”
“No, and he doesn’t live here. This is yo… this is my home.”
“I’m relieved. So very relieved.”
“Well, now that you know all that, what are you going to do about it?”
He stood and pulled her up with him. “I’m going to take you to bed and show you the proper way to make love.”
“And what was wrong with the way we just did it?”
“Nothing. Just, this time, I’ll know I’m the only one you’ll be thinking of.”
“You were the only one before.”
“Maybe, but I didn’t know it then.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?”
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her up the long flight of stairs, still unable to teleport, she guessed, elated at the fact that she still had a way of keeping him hard as stone. He’d need to work on that little problem and figure out a way to channel his energy so his lustful thoughts didn’t get in the way. She’d help him with that. It was imperative that he get control, especially since someone had stolen the crystal. There was no doubt in her mind that they could be in danger now. What if they needed a quick get-away in the middle of a heated moment?
Chapter 16
Cael wrung warm soapy water out of the sea sponge and let it dribble down Addison’s breasts before dipping it back into the water for more. They sat in the huge jetted bathtub, surrounded by a light coral-colored stone ledge. Steps spanning the length of one side of the tub matching the coral stone provided easy access to the equally beautifully tiled floor in a room the size of the bedroom he slept in at Bart’s. The house appeared deceptively small from the outside. The place, located on the cliff side overlooking the ocean, must be worth over two million dollars. The delicate woodworking along the high ceiling gave the bedroom the illusion of being twice the size it was. Of course, it really was quite large; the king size bed in the middle of the room didn’t even come close to dwarfing the space the way they did in most bedrooms.
The position of the bed provided a spectacular view out the window as they’d snuggled together under the puffy, blue, cozy covers earlier after the best sexual experience of his life. This was most definitely a well-loved home and one he would have purchased himself if given the chance. At least they had similar tastes.
“As Ristéard’s daughter, I’m sure you have more abilities,” Cael said, dripping more soap over her breasts, making little soapy points at the tips.
As the sponge left his fingers and floated over his head, dripping soapsuds down his forehead, he laughed. “Ah, I see. Well, not really since now I have soap in my eyes, but you already showed me that one.”
“Oh, sorry.” Addison turned and straddled her legs over his. “But I didn’t show you this yet.” She touched her fingers to his eyelids and the sting went away almost immediately. She giggled and he caught her mouth with his in a long kiss.
When he finished kissing her, he asked, “Do you have all your father’s abilities?”
“Yes, I think so. I was afraid of them at first, but with the help of … a very special friend I’ve gotten kind of used to them.” Cael had the feeling that the special friend she didn’t mention was Aiden, someone he had no desire to talk about and sensed that she didn’t either.
“I had a feeling you did, particularly when I found you at the archway crying and I overheard you talking to your father. When I was a teenager, I walked in on your dad talking to your mom one day. He said he could communicate with two people who’d passed away.”
“Yes. My mother and my brother. I know.”
“I suppose you do. He was your father.”
“Well, I didn’t know while he was alive, but someone told me. My father wasn’t exactly forthcoming about our heritage. In fact, I didn’t know anything about his abilities or my own until just this past year.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He loved me, I know that. He wanted to protect me. He was there for me when I needed him and with …” she paused as though she was about to say something she shouldn’t then continued with something he hadn’t expected. “… your mother’s help, I’ve learned so much.”
“My mother? I know I shouldn’t be surprised. It does explain a lot.”
“A lot? About what?”
“Well, why you were at Breena’s birthday party for one thing and why she looks up to you so much. Breena lost her mother and you’re close to the same age as she would be had she lived. So it just makes sense why Breena and you are friends.” She tilted her head with a puzzled expression on her face. He shrugged. “It was something I questioned, that’s all.”
“Wait a minute. I’m only twenty-six and Breena is ten. I don’t think I would have had a child at sixteen.”
“I said, ‘close.’ Do you always take everything so literally?”
“No. I don’t think so. Oh no!”
“What? Is something wrong?”
“No.” She laughed, putting her face in her hands and shaking her head. “I just realized that I’m going to be twenty-seven soon, that’s all.”
“Oh.” He grinned at the frown upon her face. Why were women always fretting about getting o
lder? Then he remembered his own age. Had he been upset when he turned thirty? He sure as hell had been recently when he suddenly found out he wasn’t twenty-five like he’d thought. Of course, that would be a shock to anyone, he supposed.
His mood now sullen, he cupped her breast, wanting to forget about age and lost memories. Addison turned her back to him, snuggled up against his chest and they sat in the tub surrounded by mango-scented bubbles Cael stopped moving the sponge around and became quiet with nothing but the faint sound of bubbles popping around them. The silence made him wonder what she was thinking, because his clairvoyant senses were not helping at all.
He needed a distraction and realized, Addison must have been thinking the exact same thing, as she turned to face him and positioned herself on top of him. She sat down and he sank deep within her core, giving and taking what each of them needed and craved.
***
Squeaky-clean and fingertips somewhat wrinkled, Cael bent over and dried off his legs with a towel as Addison wrapped herself up in another. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she looked pensive and the topic of her father and why she’d been crying resurfaced in his mind. “When I found you talking to your father tonight, it didn’t sound as if he was responding.”
A Secret Fate Page 15
