Stone Maiden

by Tina Gerow

  James seemed about to argue further, but then merely nodded. His face was all hard lines and angles when he reached down to brush his fingers across Logan’s forehead. “Take good care of him,” he said, his voice almost a whisper. Dara suddenly couldn’t breathe, almost as if all the air was sucked from the room. Her heart twisted inside her chest at the depth of emotion this ancient vampire had just shown for Logan. No wonder Ariel never guessed James was a vampire—the man simply was not evil. Dara would bet her life and even the lives of her sisters on it.

  Before she could think about what she was doing, she reached out and took James’ hand in her own. The contrast of the large brown fingers against her own creamy white skin was striking. “I’ll do everything within my power for him.”

  James stared down at their entwined fingers for a moment, an unreadable expression chasing across his features. Finally, he nodded and then left the room, followed reluctantly by Odeda and Kefira.

  “We’d better hear what’s going on soon,” warned Kefira.

  “You’ll just have to trust me,” Dara thought back. Kefira nodded and pulled the door closed behind her.

  Ariel turned to Dara. “What’s going on? And why all the secrecy?”

  In answer, Dara picked up the towel off Logan’s wound and revealed the telltale lip prints.

  “Alonna!” Ariel leaned closer to examine the prints, but Dara had already seen that no wound remained.

  Alonna had saved Logan’s life, but Dara didn’t know why. It wasn’t that Alonna was evil, but for her to intervene for a mortal, one of the prophecies must be involved.

  Ariel finished inspecting the wound and looked up at Dara. “You were smart to hide this from everyone. The more people who know, the more chance it could change the outcome.”

  Dara sighed. Alonna had never before gotten involved, which meant this was big. “Maybe Gabriel will be able to help us figure out what the prophecy is.”

  Ariel shook her head. “No need, Alonna wouldn’t do this,” she gestured to the twin lip prints, “without Logan’s consent. She’s already told him and most likely warned him not to tell anyone for the same reason you just kicked everyone out.”

  Dara pulled the goo-covered towel out from under Logan’s leg and rolled it in a ball. She’d have to take this out to the barn and burn it the same way they’d burned the zombie parts. It wasn’t worth the risk to let someone else touch the caustic poison. “You’re probably right, but I think you should be the only one to speak to him about it. I’m going to try to pretend I don’t know anything about it. Otherwise, I’m putting the prophecy at risk too. I’ll trust your judgment if you need me involved once you find out what it is.”

  Dara turned to go, but Ariel’s hand on her arm stopped her.

  “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Logan.”

  “I would give my life to see you happy again.” She pulled her sister into a hug. “Two hundred years is a long time to hurt.”

  *****

  Ariel stepped into the bedroom next to Logan’s and pulled the door shut behind her.

  “Are you going to tell us what all the secrecy is about?” Kefira asked.

  Ariel sighed. She should’ve known it would be almost impossible to keep anything from her sisters. She turned to see Kefira sitting on the bed, Indian Style, her blue eyes intense against the deep red of her hair. “Fi, I can’t tell you.” Ariel pulled open her suitcase and took out the silky white teddy she slept in.

  “So, Logan is involved in a prophecy,” Kefira stated.

  Ariel’s head snapped up and she laughed. “I should know better than to try and keep anything from either of you.”

  “Yes, you should. We know each other too well for that. Don’t worry, we’ll step lightly, but you should have told us.” Kefira wagged a finger at her. “The risk of us changing the prophecy is moot next to us second guessing ourselves because we don’t know everything.”

  Ariel pulled her shirt over her head and then slipped off her jeans. “You’re right, I just don’t want to take chances with Logan’s life.”

  Kefira bristled. “I would never put someone in our care in danger—or at least not more danger than they were in when they came to us.”

  Ariel dropped her bra and panties into the suitcase and stepped into the teddy, fastening the snaps at the crotch. “I didn’t mean to infer that you would, Fi. It’s just….” She trailed off, not sure what she was trying to say.

  Kefira unfolded her legs and stood, laying a hand on Ariel’s shoulder. “It’s just that you’re in love with him and are leaving yourself wide open to getting hurt.”

  Ariel met her sister’s worried stare. “I’m not sure if I’m in love with him, but I’m happy for the first time in two centuries. Can’t that be enough for now?”

  Kefira dropped her hand at Ariel’s defensive tone. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt again. You know what kind of a playboy he is, and I don’t want you to be the flavor of the month.”

  Ariel’s temper snapped. “Just because Dagan betrayed you, doesn’t mean Logan will do the same to me.” Ariel instantly regretted her words as pain filled her sister’s gaze. If she ever saw Dagan again, she’d rip his heart out for the pain he’d inflicted on Kefira.

  Ariel remembered only too well the dark days after Dagan told Kefira he never wanted to see her again, and then when she’d lost the baby. But then God never mentioned that when they were released from service, that they could now get pregnant. And even beyond that, turning to stone would cause them to abort. Turning to stone was just part of what they had done for nine centuries. Ariel reached out, and when Kefira stepped away, dropped her hand to her side.

  “You’re right,” she said, her voice thick with unshed tears. “But in this instance, I think caution would be best. I don’t want any of you to have to go through what I did.” Pain still rode across Kefira’s features and she crossed her arms over her chest. “I need to go check the perimeter. Are you going to bed?” she said, refusing to meet Ariel’s gaze.

  Ariel tried to think of something to say, but nothing she could ever say would erase her sister’s pain, so she just nodded. “I’m going to watch over Logan.”

  “Just make sure you watch over yourself, as well,” Kefira said before she strode to the door.

  *****

  Logan woke to the smell of musky vanilla caressing his senses. As awareness returned, he realized he spooned Ariel’s scantily clad form in front of him, his nose buried in the lustrous cloud of her hair. His body woke faster than his mind, as was evidenced by his throbbing erection already cradled against the crack of her shapely ass. He breathed deep and let Ariel’s familiar scent imprint itself in his memory. After all, this was the first time he’d woken up with her. But I swear it won’t be the last.

  He ran his hand down Ariel’s side, caressing the curve of her hip and enjoying the soft warm skin and silk under his callused fingers. He had a moment to worry if his fingers were too rough for her before she stretched back against him like a cat.

  “Mmm, good morning,” she murmured, her voice thick with both sleep and desire.

  “Sorry about my hands. Playing guitar means callused fingers. I hope they aren’t too rough.”

  In response, Ariel grabbed his hand and pulled it up to her breast. “I love your hands,” she whispered. As if to prove it, her nipple pebbled to a hard peak beneath his touch.

  She wiggled back tighter against his erection and he groaned aloud. The friction of the silk against his engorged flesh almost pushed him past reason. He had to hold himself back from taking her hard and fast—he’d already done that their first time out. Logan promised himself this time he’d show her what she meant to him and worship every inch of her.

  “You’re going to kill me, Ariel,” he said through gritted teeth, his control straining.

  She chuckled and reached behind her to run a hand over every part of him she could reach.

  Logan smiled. If she wanted to play, he was definitely
game. He gently pulled her hair away from her neck and placed a row of open-mouthed kisses against her nape. When she gasped, he renewed his efforts and kissed a line down her shoulder and onto her back. At the same time, he caressed her stomach with his right hand, searching for sensitive spots.

  Logan slipped the teddy strap off her shoulder and chased its path with his mouth. As erotic as it was to feel her through the silk, he wanted her naked and warm under his seeking hands and mouth. “Off,” he murmured as he continued to kiss in the wake of the spaghetti strap. He smiled as she slipped out of the garment with practiced ease and tossed it on the floor.

  Pushing her over onto her stomach, he lazily traced the fairy wings tattoo with the tip of his finger. It was made up of vibrant colors and looked almost like Alonna’s gauzy wings, but in a thousand shades of color and texture. But under his fingers, there was only warm, silky flesh. He replaced his finger with his tongue and she moaned into the pillow as he traced a hot wet line along the edge of the right fairy wing.

  Then he began to systematically explore the rest of her with hands and teeth and tongue. Before he’d made it down to her waist, she was already writhing beneath him.

  “Logan…,” she pleaded.

  He smiled against her waist. “I’m not done with you yet. I haven’t even finished the back, and then there’s still the whole front.”

  She groaned, her hips already bucking against the mattress, her body searching for release.

  Logan reverently glided his hands over her rounded ass. This woman had the most magnificent backside he’d ever seen. He would gladly spend hours caressing and exploring it, but so much more of her still awaited him. When he laved and then nipped the back of her right thigh, she buried her fingers in the sheets in a death grip, the motions of her body still begging him to give her the release she sought.

  But Logan continued his single-minded exploration of her. The wonderful indent at the back of each knee, the delicate ankles and the dainty feet, which held so many sensitive spots, that when they were explored, she gasped. When he’d thoroughly explored her back, he flipped her over and gasped at the results of his handiwork.

  Ariel’s skin was flushed, her nipples engorged and dark coral, her blue eyes flaming. He could smell her arousal thick inside the room, a primal scent that any man recognizes. He couldn’t resist skimming a hand along her inner thigh to the apex of her legs to sample the wet heat awaiting him. She gasped again when he feathered a finger against her swollen outer lips and then groaned when he pulled his hand away so he could begin to worship the front of her as he had the back.

  He wanted to uncover every secret and mark this woman as his. Brand her with his body and his touch until she could think of no one but him—ever.

  Logan knew he should be shocked at the thought. But since he’d met Ariel, it was as if he'd recovered a missing piece of himself. Something he never even knew was missing until she filled it and made him complete. He’d never believed in love before, and definitely hadn’t believed a woman existed who could hold his attention for more than a few hours at a time. But here she was, entwined around his heart, and he would gladly lay himself bare for her.

  Ariel bucked under him as he nipped at her softly rounded stomach and continued downward. The thought of tasting her hardened him further and made him groan aloud. And the first swipe of his tongue against her swollen outer lips was more than he’d ever imagined. Ariel gasped against the sensation, and spread her legs wider to give him greater access.

  She tasted like musk and honey on a sunny Texas afternoon, sweet and addicting. He gently traced her folds with his tongue until she shuddered. He smiled and continued to lave her clitoris. It was a hard nub, just begging to be tasted, and he gave it his full attention. Taking it inside his mouth, he sucked and was rewarded with a moan, her hips thrust against his face. He continued to suck and lave his tongue over the small nub, enjoying the needy sounds spilling from her throat.

  “Logan…,” she said, her voice strained and breathy.

  Continuing his ministrations, he slipped a finger inside her heat searching for the sensitive spot, which would push her over the edge. Her body tightened around him, and she thrust herself against him repeatedly. Logan knew she was close and smiled to himself in pure male satisfaction. He was the one driving her to this mindless state—he, Logan McAllister. This woman was his. He pulled his mouth away from her and she sobbed from the loss of sensation. “Do you want to come, Ariel?” His voice sounding harsh in his own ears.

  “Logan, please…,” she begged.

  He inserted another finger and returned to alternately sucking and laving until she was perilously close to the edge once again. Then he eased back just far enough so his breath would still brush her sensitive flesh. “Answer me, Ariel. Do you want to come?”

  “Yes, please, yes,” she squirmed under him.

  He returned to his ministrations, his fingers mimicking what he wanted to do with her next, his mouth firmly latched around her engorged clit. When she began to pant, he grazed his teeth lightly over her and she exploded. Ariel cried out and clamped around his fingers like a vise. Logan couldn’t wait any longer, he removed his fingers and crawled up her body and buried himself deep inside her.

  She was still rhythmically pulsing around him, at the end of her orgasm, when Logan began to move inside her. She wound her arms around his neck and moaned long and low. “Logan….”

  “Yes, baby, I’m here.” He leaned down to take her mouth in a gentle kiss. He knew she could taste where he’d just been on his tongue, but if she minded, it didn’t show. She pulled him harder against her and met him thrust for thrust, her tongue still dancing with his.

  Logan pulled back to look into her gaze. He wanted her to look at him while he took her. She stared back at him, her Kerry blue eyes dark with desire and something else he couldn’t quite place.

  God, but she felt amazing. He’d never made love without a condom before and the skin to skin sensation was indescribable next to what he’d experienced in the past. But then again, he’d never made love before, it had always been just sex.

  A fleeting thought ran through his mind about protection and pregnancy, but the thought of Ariel pregnant with his baby made him ache with longing. He never knew such a thought would make him desperate to come inside her, to make his want a reality.

  “Ariel,” he whispered and gazed into her eyes. “You’re mine, tell me. Tell me you’re mine.”

  He saw her gaze sharpen, her mind fighting through the haze of desire to make sense of what he asked of her.

  Logan kissed her, thoroughly and completely, branding her and leaving her breathless. When he finally pulled back and looked into her eyes again, he saw again that elusive expression he didn’t know how to place. The demands of his body were mounting, and an urgency to possess her like no other man ever had flowed through him. “Tell me, Ariel,” he said thrusting inside her and fighting for control as she continued to tighten around him. “Tell me you’re mine while I come inside you. Tell me.”

  “Logan, please….”

  He knew she was close. He changed the angle and thrust deeper and harder. Her eyes dilated, the black eating away at the dark blue. “Ariel…,” he insisted.

  “Yes, Logan—yours. Only yours,” she said as she began to convulse around him.

  The words seemed to trigger his own release, and the world shattered and exploded as he emptied his seed inside her.

  *****

  As the haze of afterglow cleared, Ariel’s mind settling slowly back into reality. Logan lay on top of her, their bodies still joined. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the comforting weight of him against her pelvis, and the way the crisp hairs of his chest scratched against her breasts every time he took a breath. She and James never had the luxury of this type of after sex cuddling. After all, those were the days she still had her wings 24x7. Not too conducive for on-your-back sex, let alone savoring it afterwards. So, this was the first time she’d felt the
weight of a man on top of her. I could definitely get used to this—especially with this man.

  “Get used to it later,” Kefira’s voice chided inside her head. “James said he senses something evil on the property. Deda is going to check it out.”

  “Doesn’t anyone respect a private moment?” Ariel thought back sharply. “Have Deda keep me posted.”

  Ariel opened her eyes to find Logan watching her, a lopsided grin showing through his morning stubble. She reached up to brush an unruly blond lock of hair away from his forehead.

  “Let me guess, your sisters were talking inside your head,” he said, the grin never wavering.

  “How did you know that?”

  He leaned down to run his stubble lightly over the side of her face causing her to giggle. “Because you always look so serious when they do.”

  Ariel was mortified that a giggle had escaped her. She was a gargoyle warrior, she didn’t under any circumstances giggle. “Hey,” she said as she pushed his face away with her hands. “No tickling,” she said trying to regain her composure.

  “Just wait until I give the rest of your body the same treatment.”

  The expression in his eyes was pure dark male desire, and lava flowed through her veins at the thought of him paying such thorough attention to her body again. Tempted to stay in bed for the rest of the day and take him up on his offer, she realized duty called. Besides, she didn’t want her sisters interrupting in an even more inopportune moment. “Can I get a rain check on that?” “Kefira said James senses something evil on the property. Deda is going to check it out. And besides, we need to talk about last night.”

  Logan nipped her bottom lip playfully. “Work, work, work, nag, nag, nag,” he said in between kisses. “Okay, you win. But that will only give me time to come up with more things I’d like to do to you.”