“About what?”
“This glorious house? Being my home?”
“As an immortal, you know that I can’t tell a lie,” he said and added, “Arielle, you’d best just get used to it. This is your new life.”
He pulled her toward the sofa. “Now sit down,” he said. “I have something to show you.” He moved toward the closet and pulled out a large, flat package. He set it in front of her and smiled.
“I love you, Arielle. I hope you love this as much as I do.”
Arielle blinked, and he held her gaze. “What is it?” she asked.
“That would be telling,” he chuckled.
“For me?” she whispered.
“Yes, for you. It’s a gift. Open it and see.”
Her hands shook as she pulled the paper away. She looked at him astonished, and it took a long moment for her mind to wrap around the overwhelming sensation as tears welled up in her eyes, and her lips trembled. “Sebastian, this is so thoughtful,” she said. “What have I ever done to deserve someone like you?” Powerful emotions surged through her body, and tears streamed down her face, but she didn’t care to brush them away. She was speechless. Delight welled up in her like a long wave in the ocean that moves continuously without breaking.
The gift was a painting of the beach at St. Jean de Luz. What Arielle thought of as “their” cove was detailed down to the last grain of sand. A girl with long brown hair was sitting on a beach towel, just as she had been when they first met. On the bottom of the painting was the title, “Arielle.”
Arielle brushed the tears from her face and tried to focus on the details of the painting, but she failed miserably, finally letting them fall freely. Surging up to her feet, she turned and placed the painting on the sofa carefully. Then, spinning around in one swift move, she flung herself into his arms in sheer bliss. Sebastian rocked back, and chuckling, he steadied himself. Cupping her chin, he lifted her face up until their gazes locked. His mouth came down on hers, and her lips parted, giving him access to the softness of her mouth. He kissed her hungrily. She slipped her fingers into his soft hair, molding into him.
He pulled back from the kiss, winded. “I guess you like it, then,” he said, his voice low, a whisper.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! I love it! I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life—besides you, that is.” Her gaze scanned his face, and their eyes met. He chuckled and his lips hungrily returned to hers, driving his need to a maddening level. Her heart leapt to her throat and scalding heat washed over her like a tsunami. She was drowning in his wild passion.
Sebastian felt her need, the tension of her muscles, and his nerves unraveled dangerously. She tried to break away, but his arms tightened around her like a steel cage. She surrendered to his powerful persuasion with a deep groan. Sebastian smiled inwardly, his body ready to explode with joy. She was his and would be his for eternity.
When she finally broke away from his kiss, he eased her back and she stumbled, trying to rein in her faculties. Finding her voice, she looked up and met Sebastian’s adoring gaze. The floor wavered beneath his feet as her sparkling sapphire eyes met his, enveloping him with a potent heat, and leaving his mind reeling utterly out of control. He hauled in a sharp breath. I will never understand the effect she has on me. I’m completely and utterly bewitched, he thought to himself and shook his head astounded. He tried hard to focus on her next question.
“When did you have this done? I’ve been with you most of the time.”
His lips curved slightly, and his hands reached for her. “Oh, I had this ordered some time ago. But it was delivered just last week.”
Arielle ran her finger lightly across the frame and smiled, enchanted. She just couldn’t get over the detail on the painting. It looked so real; she couldn’t keep her eyes away from it.
“Can we take it to Brighton? I want to look at it every day.”
“Sure. That was the plan,” he said, and his lips curved into a full smile.
Arielle thought that this was the perfect moment to find out why Gabby’s simple question about the house being open to the public had created such a troublesome look on Sebastian’s face. As she watched him closely, without saying a word, he immediately narrowed his gaze. “What is it?” he asked, voice tense.
“Sebastian, why did you find it so hard to answer Gabby’s question?”
“I’m not sure I follow you,” he said, feigning ignorance.
“She asked you if the house was open to the public, and you seemed quite troubled by the question. Or at least uneasy.”
Sebastian stiffened, but quickly he shrugged his shoulders, feigning nonchalance. “Oh, I’m sorry you thought I was uneasy. I just had nothing more to say.” Was I that obvious? he thought. Arielle’s next statement stunned him into a shocked state of disbelief.
“Yes, you were that obvious,” Arielle said calmly, as if she were answering his thought.
He took a sharp breath. A puzzled frown spread across his face. He studied her face, his eyes peering through her very soul. “Arielle, can you read my thoughts?” His eyes narrowed and his breath caught in his throat, waiting for her answer.
His question lingered between them for a short moment. “Oh, God no!” she replied, appalled. “Why would you ever think that? Do you think I would ever hide something like that from you?”
Reaching around her neck, she unlocked her necklace and placed it in his hand. “Maybe you want to check for yourself,” she said, her tone a bit short. How could he doubt me? she thought.
Sebastian gazed into the calm of Arielle’s eyes and smiled, pleased to find out that she wasn’t able to read his thoughts. For a moment he lost himself in her gaze, but then quickly shook his head. His lips curved lightly. “I don’t really mind if you can read my thoughts,” he said, “I only wondered why you didn’t tell me.”
“Well, I can’t,” she said, utterly frustrated. Taking her necklace back, she fastened it around her neck. “So, now that you know… maybe you can answer my question, and quit trying to change the subject.”
Pulling her tightly into his embrace, he bent down and pressed a tender kiss on her lips. “Always in need of details,” he chuckled.
Arielle shrugged her shoulders. “Yep, that’s me,” she said, stifling a giggle.
Swallowing, Sebastian closed his eyes and let the past slip right into his brain. Opening his eyes, he let his gaze move past Arielle and, smiling softly, he started to tell his story.
“My father had a precious letter opener that was given to him by my mother as a wedding gift. He kept it at his study, in his desk drawer. It was absolutely beautiful and very valuable. The handle was adorned with precious stones: rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. It was my father’s most valued possession, not because of its worth, but because it was given to him by my mother.”
His voice was underlined with emotion as he continued. “The house was open to the public centuries after my parents passed on, but the treasures remained in the house. I had hired one of the most reliable security companies in France. All their employees were active or retired members of the French Interpol. I felt pretty secure that nothing would be disturbed as long as these men were in charge of the house while people visited the grounds and walked through the house.”
He took a deep breath and let out a deep sigh. “One day, I received a call from the head of the security office advising me that there had been a break-in, and some of the more valuable items in my father’s study had disappeared. When I arrived, I immediately closed the house to the public and went through the list of stolen items with security. The letter opener was one of the items missing. I don’t think I have ever felt pain like that. This letter opener was the only thing that reminded me of my human side. It was a true symbol of the love between my parents, of their union.” He stopped talking, lost in thought.
Arielle held back the tears as she listened to him speak. She took a deep breath, and reaching up, she ran her fingertip down the side of his beautiful,
sad face. “I’m so sorry for upsetting you with my dumb questions,” she said, regretting her curiosity.
He reached for her and drew her into his embrace. “I’ve looked everywhere, but I haven’t been able to find any of the items. But I have a feeling that I know who took them.”
Her eyes shot up. “You know?”
“Yes,” he said and dragged in a breath. “He’s an immortal, and he has a home not too far from here. I’ll find him one day, and I’ll deal with him in my own way,” he added, his lips set into a straight line.
“His home is near your home?” Arielle asked, studying his face.
“Yes, his home is open to the public because he doesn’t live there any longer. I was told by a few acquaintances that he was heard to be bragging about some of the items in his possession. Items. That. Belong. To. Me!” he said, enunciating each word with passion. Putting his finger under Arielle’s chin, he lifted her face to his and pressing a soft kiss on her lips, he said, “And it is our home, not my home.”
Arielle blinked and smiled tenderly. “Okay, our home,” she murmured happily and kissed him back.
Then clasping her hand, he pulled her toward the bathroom. “Let’s go take a shower,” he said seductively, and she shivered with anticipation.
They took a shower, freshened up, and went downstairs to meet the others, who were already there looking through the thousands of books on the shelves of the enormous library. They all turned around as Arielle and Sebastian came into the room.
“This is the most fascinating library I have ever seen,” Ian exclaimed. “Some of these books go as far back as the twelfth century.”
Sebastian’s lips curved appreciatively. “Thanks, Ian. Many members of my family have added books to this library, each according to their own preference. I’m sure there is a book in there to suit everyone’s needs.”
Ian’s gaze swept the library one more time, and waving his arm in the air, he exclaimed once again, “Sebastian, this is a hell of a library, man.”
Sebastian just smiled. “How would you all like to go horseback riding?” he asked.
“Well,” said Gabrielle, “now you are talking.”
Arielle and Eva burst out laughing, knowing Gabrielle’s passion for horses.
“So, you’re a rider?” Sebastian asked.
Gabrielle nodded instantly. “Yes, I love horses. I’ve been riding since I was six years old.”
“That was not so long ago,” said Troy as he pulled her in his arms.
“What are you suggesting?” Gabrielle said playfully as she reached up on her tippy toes and set her lips to Troy’s passionately.
“Mmmm,” Troy muttered eagerly. “You’re just a baby,” he said teasingly.
“A baby? I’m twenty years old,” she said defiantly.
Troy pulled her back into his heated embrace once again, and covered her mouth with his, stopping her from arguing. They all chuckled.
“Do you all ride?” Sebastian asked, glancing at Ian, Eva, and Arielle.
“Absolutely,” Ian replied. Sebastian’s gaze next focused on Eva. Her lips were pressed in a straight line. Sebastian’s eyebrows furrowed. Eva’s thoughts were an open book to him, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking anyway.
“Eva?”
She swallowed hard, and glancing at Ian, she said hesitatingly, “I don’t know how to ride, but I’m willing to learn if Ian will help me.”
Ian’s eyes lit up, and he pulled her into his arms. “I’ll be right next to you, my love, don’t worry. You’ll do fine,” he said with a convincing smile as he bent down and gave Eva a peck on the lips.
Sebastian turned his gaze toward Arielle and found himself staring into a passionate pair of sapphire eyes. His eyes widened, and she lowered her gaze, turning away from him. He had obviously hit a sore subject. He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her around to face him. “Are you telling me there is something you don’t do well?”
Arielle frowned. “This is something I don’t do at all,” she replied in a low voice. Sebastian shook his head to and fro, and a low chuckle escaped his lips.
“I’m amazed that I’ve finally found something that you can’t do. But why is that?”
“I’m afraid of horses. Eva and I are more the books and music kind of girls. We left all the athletic activities to Gabrielle.” The three girls exchanged meaningful glances, remembering that after each summer holiday, Gabrielle was the only one that came back with horseback riding stories.
Silence stretched. “What’s going on?” Ian asked, breaking the quiet.
“Nothing,” answered Eva, glancing briefly at Ian.
“Come on, let’s all go,” Sebastian said. He put his finger under Arielle’s chin and lifted it to meet his gaze. “I’ll help you and show you that horses are a lot of fun.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but she changed her mind and her lips tightened. “Come on, there is nothing to be afraid of,” he pressed on, and clasping her hand in his he pulled her towards the door as everyone followed.
In the garage, there were a few very nice cars available for their use. “Take whichever car you like, and follow us,” Sebastian said. “The keys are in the ignition.” Their four friends chose a pretty blue four-door Mercedes. Sebastian opened the passenger door to a snappy red sports car, and Arielle slipped in. He turned the music on and pulled out of the driveway and onto the country road, followed by their friends in the blue Mercedes.
They rode for a long while in silence. Arielle peeked at Sebastian from the corner of her eye, and she could see a grin teasing his mouth. He looked relaxed as he settled back contentedly against his seat, keeping his eyes on the road. She felt anxious, feeling the pressure of having to be part of something she considered difficult, unattainable. Despite her desire to please Sebastian, all she was thinking was she wanted to turn and go back. Horseback riding was Sebastian’s sport, his true passion. Suddenly she was guarded, fear claiming her thoughts.
Sebastian felt her anxiety. “What’s wrong?” he asked and squeezed her hand affectionately.
“Sebastian, I’m not sure about horseback riding. I’m really scared of horses,” she said, shifting in her seat uncomfortably.
“I’ll be right next to you, my love. I will not let anything happen to you,” he said and gave her a reassuring glance. “You might find that you enjoy it.”
She stared at him for a long moment, assessing his words, and started to protest but decided against it. She just shrugged and pressed her hand against her pounding temple. “I am sure I will not,” she muttered sulkily, her doubt palpable.
Sebastian smiled, and leaning over, he pressed a kiss on her cheek. “You might be surprised, you never know,” he insisted. She didn’t reply, just waved her hand indifferently.
When they arrived at the stables, a young man was sitting outside, leaning back with his chair against the wall. He jumped up when he saw Sebastian approaching. “Hello, Mr. Gaulle,” Arielle heard him say, a bright smile on his face.
“Hello, Edward, how are you?”
“Just fine, sir. Are you going to do a little riding today?”
“Yes, can you please get six horses ready for us? Two very mild ones for the two young ladies over here,” he added, pointing at Eva and Arielle with a teasing smile. Then he turned to Ian and Troy. “Let’s go change into riding gear while the girls get familiar with their horses.”
They walked to a small house next to the stable. The girls waited outside for the horses and enjoyed the amazing view of the hills and the ocean. The fresh scent of hay and the crisp fragrance of the morning air made Gabrielle smile.
“Arielle, he must be very wealthy,” Gabrielle said when the men were out of sight.
“I don’t know. I’ve never asked,” Arielle said truthfully.
Before long the guys came back outside, and the girls nearly swooned. They were outfitted from head to toe in the most elegant riding gear the girls had ever seen. They looked like they had just
stepped out of the pages of a Gothic novel. They were tall, stunningly handsome, with smiles that would make any young woman’s heart rate double. They were quite literally a breathtaking sight.
“Girls, your turn,” Sebastian said. “Everything you need is in there. There are various sizes and colors you can choose from,” he said to Gabrielle, knowing that she was an experienced horsewoman.
Eva and Arielle had no idea what they would need, so they waited for Gabrielle to guide them. As she helped them dress, she also gave them a short lesson about each item, beginning with the riding helmet.
“You need the helmet because there is always a risk when you are riding.”
“Don’t remind us, please, Gabby,” Eva said.
“Next we need boots,” Gabrielle said. “These are great. They’re paddock boots, specially designed to prevent your foot from getting caught in the stirrup if you’re thrown from your horse.” Arielle looked at Eva, who wasn’t looking so good. “Next, the vest.”
Arielle was fighting nausea as she listened to Gabby explain that the vest was designed to protect their vital organs if they fell. She wasn’t sure that this was something she wanted to be doing today, and she knew that Eva was feeling the same. Gabrielle looked at both of them, at their grim expressions, and laughed out loud.
“The pants aren’t essential, but they make the ride much more comfortable,” she said. That was somewhat comforting, until she added that they were designed to protect the lower leg from irritation or bruising due to rubbing against the stirrup straps.
“My God!” Arielle exclaimed in a voice full of anxiety. “Is there anything safe about being on a horse?”
“It’s a lot of fun, but you need to be protected,” Gabrielle said with a chuckle.
“I’m not sure I want to do this,” Eva said.
“Oh, come on you guys, get over yourselves. We’ll all be with you, nothing is going to happen.” Gabrielle turned around and walked toward the door followed by Eva and Arielle.
“Oh boy, here we go,” Arielle said quietly, glancing at Eva. Eva opened her mouth to say something, but she was interrupted by the sound of laughter. Both Eva and Arielle turned as one and found Gabrielle looking at them, hands on her hips, shaking her head at them. Finally, she threw her hands up in the air in an over-the-top movement.
Arielle Immortal Passion (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 3) Page 2
