My eyes went down to the ground to search around for something that had fallen. Warm, strong hands cupped around my chin and brought me back up. That’s when I realized I recognized him.
“Hi, Red.”
Oh yeah, I knew him, alright. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” No need to flatter his already inflated ego.
“You definitely know me.” The laughter danced in his malachite eyes while he looked me up and down. I was just about to shoo him away when worry seemed to burrow in Scyrus’ brows. That was all the fuel I needed. I now knew she wasn’t trying to kill me, but I also knew she would tell Alexander.
“You’re right, I remember now. How could I forget?” Yup, it was Madden alright. Madden that I’d met earlier this morning when I was waiting for Iostus.
“How about a twirl around the dance floor, little lady?” His warm, friendly hand grasped mine and off we went. I didn’t actually consent, but I didn’t fight it either. The empty vodka glass lay on the bar as I left and the warmth it provided to my insides was luxurious. My eyes skirted back to see Scyrus look after me. Her brows were still hunched up in slight concern, but there was also a lift in her lips. I amused her. I would have to ponder that.
Madden used the hand that was connected to mine to spin me out and then suddenly closer. The beginning of a heart breakingly beautiful country ballad started. I followed Madden’s two stepping along the creaky wood floors with one hand on his shoulder and the other connected with his hand. Emotions skidded through my heart like a roller coaster. I ached for my friends, my old life, maybe even Leo. Good country music can always rip you to shreds like that. My body fell a little closer to Madden until my breasts were full-on pushed up on his chest. A soft catch in his breath reminded me of the misleading actions I was engaged in, but I couldn’t bring myself to stop. I pushed both my hands up around his neck and looked into his eyes.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” Concern laced over the words in his rough voice. It really was a miracle I could hear him over the music. Although, with how close we were, I was probably just reading lips.
“Nothing, everything is just right.” My head nuzzled down his shoulder for emphasis. I was just fine and I could seduce this man if I wanted. It would make me feel much better.
His head shifted and I felt his lips near my ear.
“Everything is just right for me, but I can feel the discord in you. Just relax. Let me help you forget about it.” Whoa… Did Madden even know what “discord” meant? Well, his intelligence wasn’t my biggest concern right now. I just wanted to feel wanted. That was it. His soft voice continued to hum the tune in my ear and for just a few minutes I did forget.
Madden’s body suddenly tensed and crushed me to him.
Then I felt a familiar string pulling me to someone else.
“Get away from her right now, Madden.” Strong words with lethal intent. There was no need to be loud because we were clear on the message.
How dare Alexander try and ruin my night! My body spun around out of Madden’s grip and pointed my finger to tall, dark and handsome’s face.
“It’s alright, Alexander. I understand if you want to dance with Madden.” The calm words escaped my mouth as I stomped off of the dance floor back to Scyrus—who, miraculously, had not been swept away by any of the cowboys.
I plopped myself back into my empty chair at the bar. Scyrus must have kept it for me because all of the other chairs were now full.
“Bartender, vodka on the rocks, please.” I was furious, but there was no reason to be rude to the bartender.
“That was hilarious. You enjoy torturing Alexander just as much as I do. We’re going to be great friends.” Scyrus brought her martini glass to mine and they lightly touched before we devoured our drinks. I was about to order another—it wasn’t like I was driving—when I felt familiar sexy hands on my hips. Damn it. Why did I have to think they were sexy even when I was angry?
“That’s enough, Layna. We’re leaving.” He turned me around to face him and pulled his fingers through my hair. I was frozen. Here was this man who could paralyze me with his touch and all I wanted to do was remember why I was mad. Yeah, I definitely had relationship issues.
There was no way to deny that my body wanted to leave with him. There was the evidence poking out the front of my shirt. I could feel them begging to be grabbed and ferociously petted. My cheeks started to color as my body remembered where his hands had been previously. A sudden twist brought me out of his grasp and I grabbed my drink. I needed to squelch those insane hormones. As soon as I felt calm—I mean, as soon as my drink was empty—I would be ready to talk.
“You cannot just stomp your way in here and talk to me like I’m some kind of kept woman!” As if that wasn’t enough, I kept going. “I don’t belong to you.”
The crinkle in his eyes resembled a cracked, broken thing. Suddenly, I felt broken, too. Madden chose to step up and interrupt at that moment.
“Layna, do you need me?” He glanced at Alexander and I was concerned that the look Alexander gave him might harm Madden in some way. Out of concern, I stood and pushed my hand onto Madden’s chest. My intent was to remove him from Alexander’s grasp.
A current sizzled through my finger when Alexander grabbed my hand away and tucked it with his own.
“Don’t touch him.” Seriously, was he going to pee on me next?
“That’s enough from you! What? Do you need to spy on me some more before you can let me start fucking someone else?”
Oh.
My.
God.
I cannot believe those nasty, vile words just escaped from my lips. I wasn’t really intending to fuck any one. But, the damage was done. For just a moment, I saw Alexander’s eyes. Normally, they were the deepest brown with a gold glimmer. Now, they had fire from within.
One minute I stood to deliver my embarrassing speech and the next minute Alexander hoisted me up and over his shoulders. I twisted and wiggled in anger and caught a goodbye wave from Scyrus.
“It was fun. Maybe next time we can stay longer. That is, if it’s okay with your pimp.” Her whole body shook from laughing. I was only grateful that the bar was so loud and populated that no one heard her or me. Except Madden.
With a hand set firmly on my bottom, Alexander carried me out to his truck.
“Are you going to stay still when I put you down or do I need to drive with you in my lap? Either way, it’s not a problem.” And then he grinned.
My heart melted.
And I was mad again.
I had just insulted him and thrown myself at another man. What was wrong with him? I started to go through all the different diagnoses in my mind. As I came to bipolar, my lips were wet with his tongue. Hot, wet, angry kisses grabbed my lips. The want in his kiss possessed me on an animal level. The fierce bites and licks he indulged inside of my mouth rocked me beyond reason. One of his hands gripped my waist while the other was on my back as he thrust me into his embrace. I really wished I could have played hard to get, but it was just not happening. I had no control with this man. That scared me.
Finally, I started to give in. Not like my mouth had not fully allowed him in, but now my hand reached up to grab at him. I wanted to touch. I wanted so badly for him to be real. I knew it was too good to be true, but for now I could imagine he felt as weakened by me as I did by him. My hand reached up and grabbed at his chest. It was so strong and hard. I wanted to be thrown down under that chest. Seeing it come down on me over and over again. His need, my need, it all blurred together. I’m not sure how, but I could feel him inside of me to the very depths of my soul.
His tongue softened and began to slowly withdraw. My eyes stayed closed and my lips were still parted as he spread gentle kisses over my cheeks and finally one on my nose. My eyes flew open to see pain in his face. My heart shattered into a million pieces.
“Do you not understand what I feel for you?” His lips were close to my ear now. The ache was in the rough sound of his voice.
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“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I do.” A smirk crossed my face as my eyes slowly gazed down at the part of his body that called out for me.
“Don’t misunderstand me. I will throw you in the back of my truck and take care of that right now. But, there’s something else, too. I need you.” The husky sound of his voice started to crack on the end of his words.
“Layna, you belong to me in such an unbreakable way. I can’t leave you alone. Much less, watch you put your hands on another man.” The growl in his voice was coming back. I could only imagine the visions that were going through his mind. I started to imagine what I would have felt if I saw him in a compromised position. My knees went weak and vomit started to form in the back of my throat. Was it really possible that this man felt as weakened by me as I did by him? There was no way. I was just me. Nothing special. And he was him. Did he even realize the discrepancies between us?
“You are using me to get information. Don’t pretend you’re not. You told Iostus about my dreams.” There, I had him now. He might want to slip into my pants, but he did not plan on staying long. Once he was done with me, it would be over. My heart pounded out in protest. Tightness squeezed my chest until my breaths starting becoming ragged. Anger violently tore through my body. How could I let a man affect me like this? I was a strong independent woman and I didn’t need him. My eyes drifted around wildly. I could not meet the heat in his stare.
“Layna. Look at me.” Those hands that made my entire body stand at attention reached over to grip my chin. I looked around and suddenly realized I was sitting in the back seat and he stood at the open door in between my legs.
“You sense the Hunters. Don’t you realize how vulnerable that makes you? I was sent to find you, but now…” He took a deep breath and rubbed a thumb across my shoulder. That small touch incited flames inside me. God help me, this man made me weaker than any drug known to humankind.
“We need you to help save us. I need you, too. You saved me.” I eyed him warily. He continued, “Yes, I told Iostus about you. This was a part of my job, but I also want you to be protected. What you can do, it gives us reason to guard you fiercely. I am the only one I trust with that responsibility. You belong to me now.” Slowly, those wicked fingers, curled around my neck. Then warm, hot lips trickled up and down the other side of my neck.
A soft moan escaped my lips along with his name, “Alexander…”
“I like the sound of my name on your mouth when your body is responding to me like this.” He pulled me inward suddenly and bit my neck.
White hot fire penetrated my entire body. My fingers slid around his hips to pull him closer while I spread my legs further apart. Alexander’s lips tortuously made their way to my face. A few hot kisses to my cheeks and he was at my lips. My mouth opened with a sharp intake of breath. Every muscle in my body quivered for him to devour me.
“Are we clear now on this thing between us? No more running away, this is real.” His reuse of my words bulldozed through walls I didn’t even realize were in place inside of me.
“Now that we took care of all the talking, I have something else that needs attention.” Alexander flipped me over on my belly. My body sprawled out willingly on the back seat, while I heard and felt hands coming around my waist and ripping my pants down. I could have pretended to care, but really, I wanted him to get in there faster. I needed him to claim me. I wanted to be a part of him in such a strong way that I physically hurt.
There was no lazy slow decadence this time. It dominated me. I heard the sound of his zipper and began to get dizzy with thoughts of what he looked like over me now. Alexander grabbed onto my hips and pulled me back until I felt his hardness pushing at me. Then without any hesitation, he pushed inside of me.
Everything went wild in my body. I pressed my hands down on the seat so I could lift myself up and push harder. The grabbing and prodding of his hands all over my exposed body pushed me over the edge fast. One of his hands slid up under my shirt to grab onto to my breast, while the other continued to clutch my waist. This man was the source of my undoing. I was his. My heart and body sang as he continued to push and pull our bodies together and apart, but never leaving me completely. I could feel him tense and swell inside of me and I knew we were both about to explode. Alexander was my life line. There was no point in denying it anymore. This connection we had was getting stronger every moment and this animal instinctive claim he took sealed my fate. My heart knew we were joined. In every possible way. In this last thrust I gave him everything. His body stilled for a moment, as though he felt my concession.
“You are my everything, Layna. Mine.” The strain in his words willed his distant first language to be heard. Just barely. Both of Alexander’s hands grasped my hips and began a tantalizing stride that I knew I wouldn’t survive.
And then together we reached a release that paralyzed both of us for the moment.
The brush of fingers across my nether curls brought me back to consciousness. Soft kisses touched my lower back.
Alexander made both of us decent again and pulled me out of the car. Vertigo attacked my body for a moment, but he held me and it disappeared. There were definite benefits to having a Healer boyfriend.
Suddenly, it hit me that we were in a parking lot at a bar. I was standing there trying to realize when I had become an exhibitionist, and I found myself lost in those deep dravite eyes.
“Don’t worry. Nobody noticed, but if they had, they would have been jealous.” And he snickered. “Especially with all those sexy little noises you make. It’s all I can do to keep myself from losing it. You are damn hot woman.” Fire ignited his eyes for just a moment and I thought he might just throw me in the backseat again.
He stood still while a tremor worked its way through his body and then guided me to the passenger door. It absolutely floored me that I could incite such hunger in this man. His eyes raked over me with full disclosure of his intent. The best part was that it wasn’t just physical. The physical lingered, but underneath was the strong emotion that kept him close.
“I need to get you back to the Conservatory before we really end up giving someone a show.”
Butterflies tickled my body everywhere as I heard Alexander laughing all the way to his side of the car. His body covered his seat and then he reached over to slide his fingers over my still flushed cheeks.
“I love this little evidence of what I did to you. It makes me feel good.” Then he leaned over to take my lips in a strong possessive kiss. I loved it. And I blushed more.
My thoughts wandered over the events that had just taken place. Never did I imagine this evening I would have ended up being thrown in the back seat of this truck and had…well, you know. Little smiles came across my lips. I could feel happiness leaking from my pores. It settled right down in my body and gave me chills everywhere. Alexander’s cheeks were crinkled, too.
“You feel it too, don’t you?” I asked. Wonderstruck, I looked over to see him man handling the steering wheel as we prepared for the off road part of the journey.
“Of course I do.” The promise was laced in his words.
“How is this even possible?” This was so surreal and surpassed any emotion I had ever experienced.
“Our souls are joined.” He reached down with one hand to grip my fingers and slowly kiss them, while he continued to control the steering wheel with the other. “Sometimes, in our lifetime, we are lucky enough to meet the other person that makes us whole. With people like us, the magic in our bodies calls out to each other and grips the other. It’s more permanent than anything human. Nothing can take you away from me. You make me whole, Layna. I look at you and I feel crazy. It’s so hard for me to understand how someone so small can demand my entire being. You do realize you have me at your feet.” The strength in his voice relaxed something in my body and for the first time since this whole falling down the rabbit hole thing, I felt safe.
From then on, I decided to be a good girl.
Chapter Twent
y-one
“How do you know when a healing is necessary?” The words came from the man with the malachite eyes at the front of my classroom. He was one of my teachers. And he was Madden.
“There are no other options.” Another student in the class responded. When I say student I do not mean a teenager. All of the students in my class were adults, thank goodness. I would have felt like a complete idiot in one of the classes with the teenagers. They were a lot smarter.
“Yes, and what else?” Madden continued to prompt us for more to the answer. I also saw a little twinkle in his eyes when he looked at me. Yes. The man lived to torment me. We had become subtle friends after the bar “incident”. However, he was still not Alexander’s favorite person. I raised my hand to answer the question. It almost seemed appropriate that it was I who gave the next response.
“Layna?” He was waiting for me to answer. I knew it.
“You have to make sure you are safe.” I cautiously looked around as I said it. For most people this entailed a trained Guard. But for me, I just had to make sure I wasn’t seeing any snakes. It turns out that I have a natural indicator for Hunters. Usually only Guards can do this, but for some quirky reason, so can I. Alexander and Iostus had decided not to share this with everyone yet. It seemed that the Hunters knew this. This was why they were tracking me. Alexander had explained to me that the Hunters wanted to make sure I was dead. My body cringed even now as the thought settled across my consciousness. My ability to heal physical and mental wounds and to track them made me very dangerous to them. I wished I felt dangerous. Although, Alexander and I had been working on that. He didn’t want me to, but I was learning to fight. Tingling sensations echoed across my skin and I looked down to see little goose bumps. Fear was healthy, right?
“That’s right, Layna. Safety is one of the most important things. Once the Hunters sense you using the magic, they can find you. This is their job and they are very good at it. Remember that they are given chemicals that create their superhuman talents for tracking and battle. They are chemically altered at such a young age that we do not even consider them to be human any more. Do not underestimate and try to do magic without a Guard. Can someone tell me what is special about the Guards?” Funny, it almost sounded like Madden heard my thoughts. After a few seconds, I remembered the previous conversation and was able to fall back in line with the discussion.
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