Blessed (The Chosen Book 2)

by Mayburn, Ann

  “Lower your shields,” she whispered. “I want to smell you.”

  He complied, and his scent filled her senses. Holding her face between his hands, he searched her gaze with his own. His eyes were dark in the low lighting, and his hair was mussed from her fingers. It was incredibly intimate, and she shuddered softly in the intensity of his look, at the emotions she swore she felt emanating from him. Tender, passionate emotions that made her heart pound.

  Low and harsh, his voice held the rough edge of desperation. “You have no idea how much I've wanted you. It's been torture to be around you and not be able to touch you. All those days in class, I just wanted to grab you from your seat and take you back into my office.” His fingers pressed into her hips as he whispered, “And bury myself in your softness.”

  All she could do was sigh in reply as his fingers traced along her neck to the dip in the front of the sweater. After a gentle stroke along the edges of her full breasts through the soft white sweater, he let their full weight fill his hands. Leaning forward, he began to place small, light licks along her neck, inhaling deeply as she lowered her shields.

  She let her head fall back as he ran his mouth down the column of her throat, working the sensitive nerve he found there. While she wanted to tell him how much she wanted him, how she’d dreamed of him, the ability to form a coherent thought had fled. His hands traced the edge of her sweater, and he lifted it over her head, revealing her lush breasts threatening to spill out of the silky white cups of her bra. Holding her steady with one hand across her lower back, he lowered his head to lick along the curves of her breasts, the barest breath away from her aching nipples.

  Using one hand, he fiddled with the back clasp of her bra and unsnapped it. She gave an impish smile as anticipation had her curling her toes. “Talented.”

  He chuckled and gave her another consuming kiss. “Oh, Eliana, you have no idea.”

  Slowly, he slid the bra off her arms until she sat on his lap in nothing but her skirt. Instead of reaching for her he took a moment to slowly look over her exposed body, an expression of almost awe on his face. With a whimper, she ground herself against him, loving the feel of his thickness rubbing over her center of pleasure. He leaned forward and whispered something against her skin then he gently lapped first one tight nipple then the other. She was so aroused, so sensitive that she shuddered at the butterfly light caress of his warm mouth. When her aching nubs were wet and elongated from his attentions, and he ran his thumbs over them with a growl.

  He palmed her other breast, stroking her wet nipple with his thumb while his other hand ran up and down her thigh under her skirt. Using the barest edge of his teeth, he made her moan for him and smiled against her breast at the needy sound. Then he nipped her, hard, and she cried out his name as painful pleasure streaked through her blood and settled into her clit with a hard throb. She didn’t think she’d ever been this swollen and wet.

  She ran her hands over his arms and shoulders, delighting in the feeling of the muscles moving beneath his smooth skin. He switched his attention to her other breast, making her arch into his mouth. All that unfulfilled desire began to reach a painful peak as her pussy ached to be filled with the hard cock beneath her.

  “Please,” she begged.

  He pulled back from her breast with a wet, sucking sound that had her clenching against him. She felt his heart hammering underneath her palm, and the solid muscles of his chest flexed against her hand. Reluctantly, he looked away from her body and into her eyes. “Come with me. I'm not going to have our first time be on a couch.”

  She scooted off his lap and scooped up her sweater, holding it to her chest. Feeling strangely shy, she spread her fingers around the ample outer curves of her breasts. He noticed, and a soft and warm look banked the fire of lust in his gaze.

  “Eliana, you don't have to do this.”

  Her hormones screamed in protest, and she narrowed her eyes at him in a glare. “Aiden, if you don't take me to a bed, I'm afraid I'm going to have to assault you right here.”

  With a laugh, Aiden lifted her up into his arms. She squeaked in surprise and clutched at his thick shoulders. “I'm not too heavy, am I?”

  She felt the rumble of laughter where her cheek pressed against him as he said, “Hardly. Chosen are stronger than most humans. And you're a bitty thing. I could carry you for miles and not be out of breath.”

  She laid her cheek on his the hard mass of muscle of his upper chest as he cradled her close and took them down the hall and up the stairs. Peeking down the stairs, she sincerely hoped the housekeeper and cook were gone for the evening.

  Rubbing her cheek against his wide, muscled chest, she seized the opportunity to graze her teeth over his nipple. He tasted so good and the feeling of his muscles bunching as he walked drove her crazy. Hell, everything Aiden did drove her crazy. Just the rhythm of his movements made her think of how it would feel when he was finally rocking inside of her, filling her with his heat.

  With a muttered oath, he almost lost his grip on her when she gave his nipple a particularly hard bite. “Behave.”

  Stopping at the door at the end of the hall, he loosened his grip enough to turn the handle. The room was lit by a soft, low light from a small Tiffany stained glass lamp on an antique writing desk. Alongside the wall stood a huge wooden sleigh bed. It was big enough to sleep four people comfortably, and she couldn't wait to be in it.

  He closed the door with his foot and carried her toward the soft cream brocade blanket that covered his bed. She took in all these things in a blur as he lowered her gently, and the smell of his psychic scent drifted up from the comforter. The light seemed to caress his high cheekbones, creating deep shadows beneath that flowed down to his square jaw. Lust, passion, and a surprising hint of tenderness filled his gaze as he stared at her.

  She felt utterly desirable as his eyes traveled over her body, exposed and wanton. Sitting up on the edge of the bed, she looked at him and gripped his firm hips in her hands. The curve of his abs called to her, and she traced her tongue over the muscled squares, ending where his warm skin met his pants. He really was too sexy for words and she could barely believe she was really here.

  With gentle hands, he began to pull her hair down from its bun, smoothing it back from her face as she explored his sensitive stomach with her mouth. She hid a grin against his skin as his muscles jumped beneath her lips and licked along the indentation of his belly button. The low growl that he gave her only made her hungrier to taste him, all of him.

  Taking a deep breath, she began to unbuckle his pants.

  With a strained chuckle, he said, “Wait, slow down. I want to savor you. I’ve waited too long to have your gorgeous body spread out before me. These lovely breasts, smooth curves, and the prettiest mouth I’ve ever seen. You have no idea how stunning you are.”

  She practically melted into the bed as pleasure of a physical and emotional variety overwhelmed her. Never in her life had she imagined a man would not only say such wonderful things about her, but mean it. Her stunned mind tried to come up with an appropriate response, something to let him know that she found him equally amazing, but right now she was having a hard time remembering how to breath.

  He began to place gentle, feather-light kisses over her shoulder and around the curve of her breast. He rubbed his rough cheek back and forth over the tip of her aching nipples, making her eyes close with pleasure. Strong hands kneaded her swollen breast, and his clever fingers twisted then pulled on the stiff nubs of her nipples. It felt so damn good. A rough pinch made her arch her back and groan. Gods, he knew how to touch her in just the right way to heighten her arousal until she burned for him, hot and fierce.

  He sat and gently lifted her hips, pulling the suede skirt past her hips. “Magnificent,” he murmured as he looked at her, running a finger over the damp center of her white silk panties. “All of my wet dreams never came near how beautiful you really are.”

  Closing her eyes, she gave herself over t
o the sensation of having him pressed into her. He gently pulled her panties off in a delicious scrape of flesh and silk. The rumble of his growl at the sight of her almost bare pussy made her smile in satisfaction. There was something terribly arousing about knowing how deeply she affected him.

  Slowly, ever so slowly, he slid his hand down her belly, watching her face the entire time. Having him look at her while he touched her was unbearably intimate and she laced her fingers into his hair, drawing his fantastic lips down to hers. When his fingertips traced over her smooth mound with its little patch of curls, he smiled against her mouth. Ever so slowly he slid one long finger along her wetness, rubbing back and forth softly as he gauged her reaction.

  A low groan slipped from her and she opened her legs and silently asking for more, begging for his touch.

  “You’re so wet, baby. You need to come, don’t you?”

  “Gods yes. Please.”

  “My pleasure.”

  He moved quickly, laying down between her thighs then taking a deep, audible sniff of her sex. It would have embarrassed her except he placed one long lick from the entrance of her sex all the way to her clit, making pussy clench and spill out a new rush of her liquid arousal. She opened her eyes as she felt him lift her legs over his shoulders, but they fluttered shut when he began to place gentle kisses over the shaved portions of her mound.

  “You smell so good, so hot, so mine,” he murmured against her flesh.

  Soft breath and strong lips, and his smooth tongue worked over her, making her writhe for him. He gently pushed one of his fingers inside of her as he continued, timing the stroke of his tongue to the movement of his finger inside of her. The silken brush of his hair against her thighs added to the mixture of sensations he produced with his talented mouth.

  She started to tremble beneath him and he groaned then quickened his strokes, adding a second finger and no longer teasing with his mouth. He sucked gently on her clit, flicking his tongue and grazing his teeth over the hood. She tensed beneath him and began to climax in long waves, lifting her hips with each delicious crest and moaning out his name, begging him for more, begging him to never stop.

  She half opened her eyes as Aiden lifted himself off her and quickly removed his pants. Her body practically hummed with pleasure as she inspected Aiden in all his naked glory, and there was a lot to inspect. His cock stood out, long and firm, and his erection looked so hard it had to hurt. The head of his cock glistened with a drop of pre-cum and the thick veins pulsed along the shaft. She stroked one fingertip down his length, drawing the moisture down, pausing to gently cup his sac and feel the weight in her hand.

  He shuddered over her, the taut muscles of his hard stomach contracting. “If you keep that up, I'm not going to last long.”

  “Well, we can’t have that.”

  She gave him a wicked smile, gripped his length, then stroked him with a gentle grip. Stepping back with a grin, he tugged open the drawer next to the bed and pulled out a condom. Eyes locked on her, he tore open the packet and sheathed himself. The sight of his hands stroking against his cock made her pussy clench and she swore she’d never been so turned on in her life.

  With a growl, he grabbed her hands when she reached for him and held them above her head. He parted her legs with his knee and stroked himself over her, the slip of his latex covered dick over her slick sex torturing her. She was so hot and wet, more than ready for him. Ever so slowly, he lowered himself down her body and held her hips still as she sought to hurry him. The feeling of his thick cock stretching her almost made her come, and she fought his strength holding her still. They both groaned as he pushed into her and her pussy spasmed around his length.

  Finally he was sheathed fully inside of her heat, and he lay his body against hers, holding her still and enjoying the feeling of their joining.

  “Gods you feel good, Eliana. So hot and tight. You strain my self control.”

  Propping himself on his hands above her, he began to move in short strokes, small jerks that made her raise her hips and meet him. She ran her hands over his muscled shoulders and chest, delighting in being able to touch him and hold him close. They watched each other, eyes locking as their bodies moved together, sharing the intimacy of their passion.

  She’d had sex before, but nothing like this. The strength of the sensations he was building within her, the pleasure of watching his face as he took her, all brought her orgasm closer than she’d ever experienced before. His tempo increased, and she ran her hands through his thick hair, small sounds of pleasure coming from deep in her throat. He struggled to hold back as she ground against him with abandon.

  “Baby, slow down, I’m not going to last.”

  “Fuck me, Aiden, she growled and looped her legs over his ass. “Hard.”

  Gripping her hips, he growled then drove himself into fast and hard, just like she wanted. Everything inside of her tightened, her entire body throbbing as her he fucked her to orgasm, her throat hurting as she screamed and contracted around his cock, raking her nails down his back and clinging to him. The pleasure was overwhelming, soul destroying, and she clung to him as if he was the only thing keeping her anchored to this world. Throwing his head back, Aiden let out a deep groan as his hips jerked into her and she felt his cock pulsing with his release. With a sigh he collapsed against her, pulling her into his arms but not removing himself from her body.

  “Fantastic.”

  All she could do was make a vaguely agreeing sound as she tried to figure out if she was dying.

  After a long, long time she lay in a panting bundle of buzzing nerves pressed against him. Moving slowly as he pulled out, he stood then removed the condom and cleaned up with a handful of tissues from the box next to the bed before collapsing back on the mattress. Cuddling closer to him, she smiled against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and stroked her back. A few quiet minutes went by. He slowly smoothed his hand down her hair and her back in long, leisurely caresses and she wanted to purr like a content cat.

  Her thundering heart slowed, happiness filled her. She was here, in Aiden's arms, in his bedroom. And it was better than she’d ever imagined it could be.

  He glanced at the brass clock beside the bed and let out a quiet sigh as reality crept back in. “What time do you have class in the morning?” he asked quietly.

  She groaned and flipped over onto her stomach, looking at him and drinking in the sight of his bare, muscled chest. “Well, I have your class at ten, and I'm supposed to study with Chrissy after lunch.”

  He nodded, looking at her with a serious expression. “Would you like to sleep with me tonight?”

  She felt embarrassed and tried to lighten the mood. “I thought we just did sleep together.”

  With a grin, he tugged her into the mound of pillows and tucked the blankets around both of them. “I meant in my bed with me tonight, you minx.”

  She pretended to ponder this, tapping her lips with a fingernail. “Well...as long as you promise not to snore or steal the covers. This bed is big enough, so I don't have to worry about you hogging all the room.”

  He smiled and pulled her close for a gentle kiss. As the kiss deepened, she felt him stir against her leg, and he moved back. “We do need to get some sleep. So try not to be so tempting please.”

  With a soft laugh, she cuddled into him. He held her close and nuzzled his face against her hair, whispering, “You're a perfect fit in my arms.”

  Eliana let her eyes drift closed, lulled by the sound of his breathing and the deep comfort of the bed. The stress of the day caught up with her, and she started to drift off.

  As she was falling asleep, she heard him murmuring into her hair in a foreign language. “What are you saying?” she asked in a sleepy voice.

  “Giving thanks to Odin and asking for his continued blessings,” he said, his breath flowing across her neck.

  She thought about how lucky she had been today, and she said a prayer as well. I don't know who is watching out for
me, but thank you. Thank you for keeping me safe, for blessing me with good friends and family, and for sending Aiden to me.

  She didn't get a direct answer, but she felt a sense of comfort and security wrap around her, like her mother's arms or a warm blanket. Listening to the soft sound of his praying, and wrapped in the blessings of the gods, she fell asleep.

  Chapter

  Linda rolled onto her side and threw up into the dew-covered grass, tears of agony coursing down her face. Dry heaves shook her as her body tried to get rid of the memories her mind contained, of the torture her soul had just endured. The scarf she wore over her dyed red hair fell off, and the strands stuck to her sweaty forehead. The scarf and big glasses lying in the grass by her head were an effort to disguise her from being identified as Linda before she and Dillon reached the safety of their home in New York.

  Dawn began to break over the distant tree line as she lay panting on her side.

  Dillon leaned on the hood of their Jaguar, watching for any incoming traffic. They had pulled off to the side of a country road in Pennsylvania, and she’d made it as far as the edge of the field before Eris's summoning became too strong to put off any longer. She made the journey to the Spirit Realm to report her failure to her goddess.

  And she had paid a heavy price.

  Now, two hours later, her soul had finally returned to her body. Eris had personally tortured her. Linda's mind shied away from the memory before it drove her insane. Things had gone so wrong so fast, but least she’d managed to get most of the chemicals they needed before the police showed up.

  Dillon knelt into the grass next to Linda, wiping off her mouth with a handkerchief he had produced from his pocket. For a moment, she let herself lie there, grateful to feel the wet grass against her cheek, the stroke of Dillon cleaning her face.

  “What did Eris have to say?”

  Linda shuddered and gripped her arms around herself as she fought off another dry heave. “The only reason I'm not still entertaining my goddess is because this situation might still be salvageable. One of Her prophets said we need to 'find a mother's sin and a mother's vanity; that way leads to Destruction.'“