Hadaen stepped further inside the room, his long black coat swishing against his long strides. He then eyed both of them dubiously and moved towards the bar. Faolan and Gideon exchanged awkward glances while he poured himself a glass of brandy.
And just to both of their surprise, he swallowed down a portion of the drink and laughed dryly.
“I dare any one of you to get married!”
Chapter Two
The tantalizing aroma of scented candles hit him the moment he made his way into the room and past the long three-layered red silk drapes. The room was dark, thick much darker drapes blocking the mid-morning sunlight from entering through the wide windows. He smelt her—Dahlia—long before he even caught a glimpse of her long blonde hair fanned out around the soft white sheets where she lay. Gideon swallowed deeply as he watched her. Her head was positioned at the far end of the bed towards him, her eyes apparently closed and the thin sheer skirt of her mauve dress draped skimpily over one raised knee. He sucked in a breath, her fairy-like appearance reminding him of another blonde beauty. The same blonde beauty he had allowed himself to fall for…the amazing creature he had unknowingly given his heart to…..
…..The same one who was the reason for him being where he was at the moment; rock hard and ready to pound.
Moving swiftly over to the bed, Gideon brushed a feathery caress over her cheek. She smiled and opened her eyes.
“It’s about time…” she murmured softly.
“I got held up.” He watched as she cat-crawled away from him and towards the other end of the bed. “You know how things can be.”
Dahlia screwed up her face and pouted. “I’m always last…”
He gave her a small chuckle, removing his coat at the same time. “I always make up for it, don’t I?” And when her frown didn’t resolve, he removed his belt as well, dropping his pants to the floor. Her eyes instantly flew to his straining cock, obvious desire ignited within the depth of her blue eyes.
Blue eyes, he reminded himself consciously. Not green. Not like—
“You are a cruel, cruel man, Gideon Maruj. If my father finds out you’re here, I’d be disowned for sure,’ she giggled, reaching to clasp his swollen member between her small grasp. “But…it may just be worth it.”
Music to his ears… Gideon removed her eager hands from his body instantly and pinned them down to the bed, his weight pressing her down into the mattress. Her eyes glittered wantonly—the ever temptress she was; which was one of the reasons he had chosen Dahlia’s company more frequently than others. The depth of her eyes bore no strings…no attachments. No questions. She was simply a woman who wanted and he was a man who gave. Eventually she knew that he’d get bored with her and he’d move on to the next best thing. It was not personal. And she knew that. She understood.
At least, he hoped she did. There was no beating about the bushes with her. He would visit her chamber once every Friday night—maybe twice—and she’d be waiting patiently for him. And she’d welcomed him with open arms—and legs—and show him a grand time. That was one thing he had Dahlia had in common since lately. They fucked. There was no space for emotions; no place for love.
“It is worth it!” he breathed in the hollow space of her neck, sucking in her scents and nipping gently at her flesh. “Must I remind you what you told me last night?”
Dahlia stiffened beneath him, her face flushing deeply. Gideon laughed as his thoughts wandered to their last encounter, her thrashing and squirming beneath him. “I thought we agreed not to talk about it.”
He moaned, mimicking her actions from that night. He then drawled in a low high-pitched voice, “You fuck me so goooddd. Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.” And he burst out in a loud cackle when she pursed her lips, embarrassed.
“Shhh,” she hissed. “Someone might hear you!”
At that point, he swiftly parted her legs and positioned himself at the wet heat between her thighs. Dahlia grasped his shoulders tightly as he sunk fierce and deep inside her. Tears rushed to her eyes—he was nowhere gentle. Not even the slightest. But she wanted it. She wanted him. So she bore it, wincing as his thick smooth flesh impaled her tight entrance…..and drove her over the edge.
Gideon elevated himself on his elbows, watching the pleasure ride across her beautiful features as he drove into her hard and fast…over and over again. His fingers knotted in her hair, gripping tightly and holding her in place. The sex was good, her tight damp walls clutching on to his cock like a damn glove. But that was all there was to it. He took pleasure from the sex they had—great pleasure but that was all it was. He didn’t know what she got from their encounters, and neither did he care. He just hoped she was as rational as he thought and kept her damn emotions in check. They had a sexual connection—he did with almost all women. But he’d never think with his heart ever again. It had just been stupid of him to believe once that he could have had the cake and eat it too.
Dahlia’s grip tightened, her long crimson nails piercing into his flesh. A deep groan escaped his lips as he flexed his pelvis one last time, slamming into her. Clenching his jaws firmly, Gideon tensed as his release flowed from his body, remaining completely still for only a moment before he rolled off her and sat up on the edge of the bed. Her breathing was heavy behind him, her soft feminine scents blowing around his frame as he slowly steadied his own breaths. Then without further notice, he reached down to pull up his pants.
“You’re leaving?”
Gideon squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. Of course he was leaving. He then got to his feet and turned to face her, all the while re-doing the zipper of his trousers. He did not like the tension in her voice—he did not like it all. She’d better not come with any attachment bullshit now. He would not stand for it.
“Yes. I‘ve got to get back to the castle. I’ve stuff to take care of.”
She was silent for a while. Too silent. And for too long a while. Gideon chose to ignore it. Shrugging on his coat and running a hand through his hair, he regarded her expectantly. “What is it?”
“I just thought—”
“Just thought what?” he asked, somewhat irritably. Do not say it, Dahlia. Do not be a fool.
“I thought you probably would’ve stayed a few more minutes. My parents don’t get back from the town till at least a couple hours’ time.” She sat up, clutching the blankets around her and those deep blue eyes moist and glittering. Oh hell! “Just for a few more minutes….”
“Dahlia.” Her name came out in a deep groan. She was not thinking clearly. She was giving into her emotions—attaching herself; bringing strings into their affair. It simply would not do. And for that reason and that reason alone, Gideon decided it was best that they part ways and move on with both of their lives. He had been wrong about her. Dahlia was falling for him—she was young and spirited and all those lovely things that attracted a man, but he had no time for such things.
She knelt in the center of the bed, waiting and staring up at him as if he was brunch. There was a faint tug in his gut, warning him to be a tad bit more affectionate. Concerned. But he quickly dismissed the feeling and finished adjusting his clothes. “I have to go.”
Turning away from her momentarily, he heading swiftly for the door.
“Will I see you next Friday?” she whimpered, her luscious breasts swaying behind the thin blankets as she jumped off the bed and hurried behind him.
Gideon released a slow breath. “I’ll see you,” he said and ran a thumb across her cheek. A tiny smile formed across her pink lips and he sucked in a harsh breath. He then pushed away the draperies, his hand resting on the doorknob, about to turn.
“Gideon?”
He froze. He did not like the sudden change in her voice at all. She seemed all to giddy all of a sudden. Dahlia clearly was getting the wrong ideas behind his words. What he had intended on saying was not: I’ll see you but, Don’t look out for me. I’m not coming back. “Yes?”
“You’re amazing. I love spending time with y
ou, you know....”
Huge fucking mistake! Gideon stilled. Every tendon within his body drawn tight and about to snap. Forcing a tight smile—and a smile, nonetheless—he pressed a swift kiss to her temple and fled the room before she could even manage another intake of breath. What the fuck was she thinking? Falling for him like that?
Moving past the narrow hall that led from her bedroom, Gideon cursed deeply beneath his breath and eyed the long window he had come in from. Without even casting a look behind him, he jumped through the window and landed hard—a full two stories down—on the damp lawn, his boot digging deep in the dampened earth. When he managed his way off the property, he chanced a glance back at the large house, his eyes moving upwards slowly…and finally to the same window…..
…..his gaze clashing with those of the beautiful Dahlia. Grimacing, Gideon allowed for a brisk nod and then went on his way. What he needed was a fine shower…and some liquor. Certainly, no more visiting of the mansion which sat at 2aD Division 5.
And no more Dahlia.
* * *
His legs were certainly not carrying him fast enough. He should be back at the castle by now, reveling in the coolness of another but mid-morning shower. Instead, he found himself feeling rather uneasy, indifferent to a fault. And he could not understand the reason for it. Gideon’s boot slammed hard against the smooth pavement just before he broke off onto a bushy path which would lead him directly to the Marujan Castle. He was trying at best to avoid as much confrontation as possible; at least until he managed to scrub the sweet scent of Dahlia from his body. After that, he fully intended on stuffing himself with a hefty brunch…and then perhaps challenge Faolan to a game of chess.
He smiled to himself. Faolan was a good sport…and even better sport at chess. But Gideon was far better. The game required thinking and planning; whereas Faolan often planned before ever thinking at all. Gently tossing a few low-lying branches from his direct path, Gideon paused.
Jasmine. The scent bombarded his senses with a force he could not fathom. He knew that scent—loved it, rather. The sweet subtleness of it sent chills coursing up his spine and he swallowed deeply as he eyed his surroundings carefully. He could laugh at it—he could, but somehow he found himself edging further to his right and away from the castle. Moving slowly, he inhaled deeply. Jasmine. It couldn’t be. The scent was distinct to only one person he had ever known. But that surely could not be the case since Esyth was—
Do not say it, man. Do not say it. Let it go! But why couldn’t he? She was gone—dead. And there was nothing he could do about it. Something he could say or perhaps wish for her to come back to him. It was funny how he could have always found humor in everything. But this…this was an entirely different case. She had meant something to him and just the mere utterance of her name made him want to run for the hills; to retrace his steps up to three years ago when she had stupidly given up her life to that bastard. He would have done things differently.
He would have kept a closer eye on her.
Shrugging off the sudden dreariness that was threatening to captivate his soul, Gideon blinked and took an abrupt halt. There was someone else there with him. He could feel it. Instincts kicking into full effect, he moved swiftly, inching behind the wide trunk of a nearby tree. He listened. A gentle breeze swept through the area, caressing leafy branches and spreading the natural scent of wood and earth. He remained still. He could feel a faint energy—a strange one—…moving towards him. He couldn’t imagine who would dare invade Marujan property, aiming to attack him. Only a Kankul soldier, of course, but he would have picked up on that minutes ago. Whoever the invader was, he was no one or of any kind he had ever come across. It puzzled him, really.
Frowning, Gideon narrowed his gaze to better inspect his surroundings. Tall pine trees scattered across the land, the cool atmosphere, forming a thin misty aura. It had rained earlier in the morning, traces of the light precipitation still evident on the thin leaves of the flora around. The force of the strange energy came wildly, slapping into him a like a grenade. He stumbled to regain his balance, blinking with confusion. Who was it? It was all so strange—so unexpected. And what he sensed in the energy wasn’t danger.
It was…..fear?
Chapter Three
Slash!
The quick slice of metal flashed before his eyes just in time as Gideon managed to dodge the hit. Hit. Damn, if he had moved a full two seconds slower, his head probably would have been wiped clean from his body. Turning swiftly, he caught sight of something brown moving fast through the woods to his left. He broke into a run immediately, following the invader. Whoever it was they’d better pray he didn’t catch up—and that was a slim chance to none—for they’d have a whole damn load of answers to give. And his fists ask a lot of questions.
But darn the guy was fast! Shoving away branches, damp dirt clinging to his boots as he ran, Gideon managed to make a glimpse of the invader.
“I’ve got you now, asshole!” he muttered, tapping into his mana just for the extra speed. And effect of it brought him a good few feet behind his attacker, everything else a blur around him. “Just wait—.”What the…?
Gideon almost tripped over his own feet. His attacker turned, the hooded figure chancing a backward glance at him. He was dumbstruck. Astonished, as a matter of fact. Large almond-shaped eyes stared back at him—scared into huge saucers; eyes that looked far too beautiful to belong a man. And then turned back around as if alarmed and ran faster but apparently in vain as a huge branch came out of nowhere, catching her squarely in the stomach. The strange woman went sprawling—umpff—and landed hard down on her face.
Groaning, he took the time to grab her up by the arm, almost shaking the life out of her body. The woman looked up at him, her eyes wide with shock and her mouth slightly ajar. Gideon could not help but look her over twice…okay, maybe one more time. She was beautiful. Thick curly tangles of auburn hair, streaked with gold highlights, fell down into a hooded brown cloak, framing an olive-colored oval face with the cutest heart-shaped mouth he had ever seen. Yes, she was beautiful. Any man with at least one eye could tell that…but she was not his type. Esyth was—
Shaking his thoughts back to reality, Gideon quickly sensed for another presence—found nothing—then averted his attention back to her. My, she was the quietest ‘caught’ person he had ever met!
“Who are you? Why did you attack me?”
Her mouth opened but no words came out. “I… I…”
“Yes?”
“I…” she gave him a strange onceover and then blinked twice. “I don’t know.”
Gideon raised a skeptical brow at her. “You don’t know who you are?”
“No.” She said it as if she found him irritating. Then she actually rolled her eyes. “I mean, I don’t know why I attacked you.”
Gideon let out an impatient breath. “You’d better start making sense sometime soon. You’re not from Maruj which means you’re trespassing. How’d you even manage to get here?”
She frowned deeply up at him, attempting to escape his death grip but he only held on tighter. Seeing she was defeated, she sighed and jolted her chin out. “I have a message.”
A message? From who? He yanked her closer. “Let’s hear it…”
Defiance shone in her deep brown eyes. “It must only be delivered to the intended receiver. For all I know”—she looked him over disgustedly—“you could be madman out on the loose.”
Gideon’s mouth dropped open. Madman out on the loose…? Of all the things! This woman clearly had no idea who she was speaking to…..and if she did, oh he prayed she had a good explanation for it. A good one. Gritting his teeth angrily, he breathed hot air through his nostrils, “Who—if I may ask—is the message for?”
She angled her chin, obviously feeling a bit too important at the moment. “It’s for Lord Gideon Maruj.”
Gideon stared at her a full five seconds before barking out a harsh laugh. Shaking his head at her and giving her a fe
w tsk-tsks, he stared deep down into her eyes and smiled wickedly. “My dear friend, do you even know who you are talking to at the moment?”
“Of course, I do!” she snapped, trying to escape him again. “You’re—you’re…” She paused, staring up at him, her eyes searching his features for the tiniest of seconds before a deep blush spread across her cheeks and neck. Then she muttered weakly, “You’re…?”
Nodding slowly, Gideon forced himself from bursting into laughter again. He then turned on his heel, yanking her along behind him.
“Wait!” she yelped. “Let me go. Where are you takin—No!”
“Oh, you just wait and see, wench!” Gideon chuckled. “I know someone who would just love to meet you.”
Faolan stared down the papers scattered over his desk. He had much to do. As the second child, he had obligations towards assisting his brother Hadaen as best as he could. Although he found accounting and bookkeeping a bit time-consuming and, well….boring, he had to at least occupy himself somehow. Taking a sip of his coffee, he sank back into his chair and sighed. He had a good life—sweet rather, which only made his feelings even more unexplainable as to why he was currently feeling down. Perhaps he should go pay Lady Marza a visit. Shaking his head, he decided against it and rose to his feet, striding slowly towards the large window which gave him a delicious view of the gardens below. He had never been particularly fascinated by flowers and the sorts but he found himself appreciating the sight this moment.
Smiling, he turned a full five minutes later, narrowing his gaze at the several miniature frames that lined up neatly across the metal mantelpiece. His mother. This had been her favorite room. The Oleander Room, it was called. He could remember himself as a wee boy when he would sit right there on the carpet—Hadaen and he—as she would tell them tale after tale of some beautiful kingdom miles upon miles across the ocean. Perhaps, that was where she was now. He hoped. If not, then somewhere much better and deserving of her beautiful presence.
Gideon [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book Two Page 2
