The girl was standing silently next to Sebastian, trying to understand what the confusion was about. Sebastian put his arm around her waist again and pulled the girl close, facing Arielle.
“Arielle, Gabrielle, Eva, this is Loren Dillon,” he said, and he smiled. Arielle was astounded as she tried to process his words.
“Your sister?” she asked as her face flushed red against her fair complexion. Relief, embarrassment, and a lingering sense of disbelief joined together, leaving her feeling quite confused.
Loren stepped forward and hugged Arielle. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Arielle,” she said. “Sebastian has told me so much about you. And you’ve made him so happy.” She smiled warmly at Arielle, stepped back, and reaching out to hold both of Arielle’s hands squeezed them affectionately.
Gabrielle and Eva moved closer and shook Loren’s hand happily.
“Sebastian can’t stop talking about you,” Loren continued. “He doesn’t pay attention to anything I say anymore, and his thoughts are always on you.” She was laughing now, and everyone joined in the laughter.
Arielle put her arms around Sebastian’s neck and kissed him softly. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “When are you going to start trusting me?” She looked down, embarrassed that he knew why she had been so upset. She felt humiliated, and she knew he was right. She was going to have to stop mistrusting him.
Releasing Sebastian, she hugged Loren and said, “I’m so happy to meet you.”
It wasn’t so much that she didn’t trust Sebastian and his love for her; it was more that on some level she just couldn’t believe how lucky she was. “Yes, I’m so happy to meet you,” she said a second time, giggling and averting her gaze from Sebastian.
“Would you like something to drink? Something to eat?” she asked Loren.
“Oh, no, thank you,” Loren replied. Like her brother, she was breathtakingly beautiful with the looks of a statue of a goddess, not a real person.
Arielle laughed quietly to herself. Does Sebastian even know any ugly people? she wondered. It seemed that all the people she saw or met through him had the same incredible beauty and amazingly musical voices. And of course they didn’t like to eat or drink anything. Sebastian had told her that immortals didn’t have a great appetite for human food. It didn’t provide them with the energy that salve did. They could eat and drink anything they wanted to if the occasion called for it, but they just preferred not to do so.
“What’s so funny?” he whispered as he leaned closer.
“Nothing…nothing at all…” she said in a low voice.
“We’ll talk about this later,” he said. He cupped her chin, lifted her face toward his, and instinctively their lips were drawn together, irresistibly. Heat surged through her body and she shuddered, trying to suppress the crazy allure his touch was arousing.
“I thought that you might want to take Loren with you Christmas shopping while I run some errands myself,” Sebastian said. “Would that be okay with you?”
“Of course,” Arielle said, fully aware of the seduction hiding behind those sexy eyes. “We can start getting to know each other.”
Sebastian kissed Loren on the cheek, then kissed Gabrielle and Eva, who loved every minute of it. “Call me when you’re done, Arielle, and I’ll come back and get Loren.”
As he walked away, every eye in the place was on him. He was so elegant and dazzling. Arielle followed him with her eyes, drinking in the sight of him, wishing that she were in his arms. He looked back as he neared the end of the street, waved, smiled, and disappeared around the corner.
The girls spent the afternoon shopping, laughing, and talking about guys, fashion, jewelry, and everything else. Loren was wonderful. Arielle couldn’t believe she was an immortal. She was so natural and soft-spoken, and she joined in every conversation they had. She was fun and easy to talk to and very kind to Arielle. It’s like I have a sister now, Arielle thought, and suddenly tears sprang into her eyes again, this time tears of joy.
Gabrielle and Eva liked Loren too. As they all chatted about the Christmas party, Loren seemed fascinated. “Loren, would you like to come too?” Arielle asked.
A huge smile spread across Loren’s lovely face, and she hugged Arielle with enthusiasm. “I’d love to!” she exclaimed.
“Well, then it’s settled,” Arielle said with a smile.
“I want to see your ring,” Loren said eagerly. So Arielle extended her hand and Loren let out a low cry. “Wow! That is gorgeous.” She hugged Arielle warmly, adding, “I’m so happy for both of you.”
It was getting late, and the girls had tons of bags to take to the car. Arielle called Sebastian and asked him to meet them at the parking lot, giving him directions for where to find them. He was there within ten minutes.
“I hate to say goodbye, Loren,” Arielle said, “but we’ll see you Saturday night, won’t we?”
“Saturday night?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes, Loren is coming to the Christmas party.”
A brilliant smile spread across his beautiful face. His lips found Arielle’s as he wrapped her in his arms. “I’ll see you at the hotel later,” he whispered in her ear. Arielle flushed with pleasure.
She got into the car with Gabrielle and Eva. Sebastian and Loren watched them as they drove away. They waved at Loren, and she waved back, a big smile on her face.
What a strange turn of events, Arielle thought, and then chided herself. When will I stop making up bad things in my head? Sebastian is right. I have to stop doing that. I have to believe this is real.
They drove past the hotel, where Arielle picked up the packages for her family and friends, leaving Sebastian’s gifts in his room. Then, they drove to the flat. Arielle took a shower and changed her clothes, choosing snug-fitting jeans with a green silk shirt that she knew would match the color of Sebastian’s eyes. She wanted to be sure she would look exhilarating to her new finacé, and she also wanted them to shine as a couple. The necklace he had given her looked amazing against her bare neckline, and the ring on her right hand, with its huge emerald stone, matched her blouse perfectly. The ring made everything real, not only his amazing existence, but even more, the fact that he loved her and wanted to marry her.
She put her hair in a ponytail, grabbed her purse and a light sweater, and drove to the hotel. It was now around four-thirty in the afternoon. Sebastian wasn’t there yet, so she poured herself a glass of wine and lay in bed watching the telly. Tired after all that shopping, she emptied the glass and dozed off. When she woke up, his lips were pressing on hers, and he was smiling at her with his sweet, crooked smile. She reached up and pulled him close.
“I love you so much,” she sighed, “Do you know that?”
His arms tightened around her waist, and he pulled her face to his, crushing her lips beneath his. Then he laid her on her back and propped himself up on his elbow, looking at her with a sense of wonder in his eyes.
“What?” she asked, a bit uncomfortable with his unrelenting gaze.
“You mesmerize me. I can’t get enough of you. What am I going to do?”
“You may get tired of me once we’re married.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thought you have had.” He kissed her softly and ran his finger down her stomach and back up to her chin. “You are so beautiful.”
She closed her eyes and moaned with satisfaction as he rolled on top of her. His lips moved slowly from her face to her neck, back up slowly and down again, methodically.
“I want to marry you,” he murmured. “Now,” he added, accentuating the last word with a kiss.
She pulled back, gazing into his eyes, “What do you mean, ‘now’?” she asked inquisitively, pulse intensifying. She noticed his brows were raised in clear amusement, and his lips had curved.
“What do you think I mean when I say now?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.”
“Let me clear that up for you. I want you to be my wife today. Now. This ve
ry moment.”
“Oh,” Arielle mumbled, struggling to understand what he was saying. She thought for a minute, and then said, “Sebastian, we can’t do that. My family would be extremely disappointed if we eloped. I have been dreaming of the day I will walk down the aisle and show every person I love, and every person that has been part of my life, the perfect man I have chosen to be my husband, my lover, and my friend. You.”
“I don’t think I can wait that long,” he frowned.
She reached for his lips and pulled him into a breathless kiss. “It will be soon enough,” she murmured, while continuing to kiss him passionately.
“We fit perfectly together,” he whispered.
“You are perfect, and I’m…well, I’m me,” she said.
“Arielle, I have the look of an immortal and that’s why you see me as perfect. You, on the other hand, possess the absolute beauty of a human, without help from anyone or anything, except for the fact that nature was pretty bountiful when it came to you,” he said, laughing softly.
Just then her phone rang and she jumped. Sebastian reached over and handed the phone to her. It was Gabrielle.
“Do you want to go to see a film with my friends, and then maybe go dancing?” Arielle asked Sebastian, holding the phone away from her mouth. He nodded, with clear pleasure in his face.
“Yes, sure, we’ll meet you at eight-thirty,” Arielle said, clicking off the phone.
She tried to get out of bed, but Sebastian pulled her close again as he softly circled her mouth with his tongue, making her shiver.
“Where do you think you’re going? We have plenty of time,” he said. He didn’t wait for an answer as he proceeded to help her out of her clothes. His lips moved eagerly against hers and he savored the taste of her. His body shifted and in one move he pulled her beneath him, sending fire through every nerve in her body. That special smile was showing again as his hands moved down to her hips and caressed her silky flesh. Arielle stopped breathing as tension built, and exquisite sensation disjointed her mind from her body. Sebastian groaned as he stroked her, elevating her desire and joining them together again as he moved her into a new position. She felt a tremor of elation that made her shudder as every thought left her mind and the flames of desire doused her. His lips found hers again. She sank into his blazing kiss as the ripples of heat spread, grew hotter, and as he moved one last time, he took both of them to the peak of pleasure.
Sebastian’s eyes traced Arielle’s face as intensity gave way to gratification. “How do you feel now?” he murmured, still completely out of breath. She closed her eyes, turning into his embrace and seeking the right words to answer him.
“Hmm… deliciously happy,” was all she could say, giggling. Their lips met again, spreading pleasure across each and every muscle.
“Thank you for wanting to marry me,” he murmured.
She chuckled softly. With extreme effort she got out of bed and walked to the shower, closing the door behind her. She turned the lever on and stood there waiting for the water to get to the right temperature. A quiet chuckle escaped her when she heard the shower door open. She knew he was standing right behind her, but she didn’t turn around. She reached for the soap, but his hand was already there leaving hers lingering in mid air.
“The soap or your life,” he purred, brushing his lips teasingly against her ear.
A smile spread across her face, but she still didn’t turn around. Pulling her hand away from the soap, she remained perfectly still. He picked up the soap and lathered his hands thoroughly. She felt his hands soft and lathery, sliding up and down her back, caressing her skin. Shivers rippled through her when his hands moved to her lower back and curved around to rest on her flat stomach. She had stopped breathing and was waiting for his next move. He drew in a deep breath and pulled her softly against him. She felt her warm skin flush against his hard-muscled body and trembled with anticipation. His lips brushed the back of her neck. She moved into him, and his control shattered into a million shards. Her heart started to pulsate as his hands started to move slowly upward and stopped when he reached her breasts. He gasped with longing and cupped them eagerly, pressing softly, methodically. She moaned as his breathing picked up. Her breath stopped as his hands started to slide back down, slowly passing over her abdomen and resting much lower. She gasped out loud and heard a soft chuckle as his hands moved around to the outside of her hips and down her thighs, covering every curve of her body with thick lather. He pulled her even closer and he groaned, filled with an amazing sensation. Her knees buckled when he moved to the inside of her thighs, and she would have been on the shower floor if his hands hadn’t held her steadily against his body.
He chuckled softly, his lips brushing her ear. “How am I doing?” he whispered, breathing heavily. She just couldn’t take it any longer. She gathered her strength and spun around to face him without leaving his embrace. She met his gaze and got lost in his eyes. She threw her arms around his neck and reached up, searching for his lips. His mouth landed on hers and they locked themselves in a passionate kiss. She was startled when she heard his husky groan and her feet left the floor. He lifted her up and onto him, groaning deeply as she nearly sobbed. An incredible force of passion pressed their bodies together like a tidal wave, and they melted together as into a swirl of scorching lava.
He was willing to please her for as long as she wanted, until all their desire for that night was spent, all the passion had washed over their bodies, and they had both imploded in utter rapture. Afterward, their lips remained locked in an obsessive kiss.
Arielle couldn’t help looking at him in amazement; he was more than any woman could ever ask for. She closed her eyes and smiled, contemplating an eternity of this bliss.
Finally, they got dressed and prepared themselves to meet her friends. Giggling, she whistled at him when she saw how handsome he was, dressed for an evening out. He laughed out loud in delight. She took his hand happily as they walked out of the room and down to the lobby.
When the film was over they went dancing. Sebastian was sociable with the guys, and they all seemed to enjoy being together. Arielle knew he had more in common with Troy, but he enjoyed being with Ian just as much. That night, she was surprised to see Sebastian and Troy enjoying a drink together. She looked at Sebastian quizzically, but he just winked at her and didn’t say anything.
The lights were low and the band was incredible. Arielle and Sebastian danced, holding each other tight. He smiled when she reached up and tasted the sweetness of his lips.
“I love when you do that,” he murmured. She moved her lips down the edge of his mouth, the side of his jaw and pressed at the hollow of his throat, making him groan. She knew that spot was very sensitive for him, and she tried to take advantage of it every time she could. He kept his eyes closed and his lips brushed the side of her face.
“I’m completely intoxicated by your touch,” he murmured. She couldn’t help smiling. She wanted to please him the same way he pleased her. He held her hand on the way back to the hotel and all Arielle could think of was how lucky she was that he loved her. It was late when they got into bed and she closed her eyes, completely exhausted.
“Hey,” he whispered as she began to fall asleep.
“What?” she asked in a sleepy voice.
“I just wanted to hear your voice before you fell asleep.”
“What is it?”
“When I touch you, I like to shout from ecstasy.” His voice was soft, sweet, and breathless.
“Is that so bad? You make me feel pretty much the same way,” she said, moving closer to him. He encircled her with his arms, pulling her even closer.
He sighed. She could feel a longing in him for something, maybe a footprint of his fate as an immortal. She stayed in his arms. Her mind was still struggling to accept the fact that he had died and now he was here again, full of life, love, and excitement. His body was warm and tender, more alive than any human she had ever known. She turned to face him. He
was lost in his thoughts.
“Sebastian, what is it?”
“Oh, I just wish I could be a normal human being and grow old with you,” he said. “I need to be with you. I want to be able to breathe, to live a normal life. I wish I could go to sleep and dream!” He paused with a faraway look in his eyes. “I remember growing up so long ago,” he continued. “I was a happy child, and I had a great life, with a wonderful family and great friends.” He paused again for a long moment, and then continued, “I can’t remember exactly how my life was ripped away from me. But afterward, everything I had and everyone I knew was completely gone, as if they were pages that had been torn away from the book of my life and destroyed.”
He stopped. He looked so sad. Arielle had never seen him look like this, or heard him talk like that. She tried to think of something to make him happy again. She put her hands on his face and held it close to hers. She kissed his lips softly. “I love you, Sebastian, you are the most important person in my life,” she whispered.
He shook his head and his lips curved up as he whispered, “Don’t ever leave me, Arielle.”
“What would ever make you say that?”
“It’s not a mere request, Arielle, it’s a warning. You are mine for eternity, and don’t you ever forget that. I’ve warned you.” The look on his face was seductive as he added, “You are mine.”
“Do you mean to tell me that none of those gorgeous girls you have been with throughout the centuries has ever satisfied you?”
“Jealous, are you?”
“Not at all. I’m just interested.”
“Why don’t you tell me how many guys I’ll have to deal with during the next year?” he countered. “Paul, Andrew, Tristan, and all the others who I haven’t met yet?”
“They are my friends and they are harmless,” she said. “No one I hang out with can hurt you. But your girlfriends are powerful and scary. They would like to tear me apart to get to you. How do I fight that?”
“I can’t help the women coming after me,” he said. “I’ve made it clear to everyone that I’m not available anymore. You’re all I want, and all I need for eternity.”
Arielle Immortal Seduction (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 2) Page 13
