Arielle Immortal Seduction (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 2)

by Lilian Roberts

  “Oh, not much, just that I was the one who transformed Sebastian from a boy to a man, and what a man. If you know what I mean…” She winked conspiratorially at Arielle, who instinctively recoiled. “He became my one and only bed partner for many wonderful years,” she added with a blissful sigh.

  Arielle felt the blood draining from her face and bile churning in the pit of her stomach. But she struggled to remain poised. What in bloody hell? Another woman to torment me? she thought and winced.

  Sebastian cursed quietly. He tightened his hold around Arielle’s waist. Giving Elizabeth a severe look, he warned her through clenched teeth, “Elizabeth, that’s enough! I suggest for your own good that you walk away from us this instant.” His glare was icy enough to freeze the blood in Elizabeth’s veins. She staggered backward. She started to say something but Sebastian’s clenched fist, hard expression, and another low curse that escaped his lips, pushed back and halted every word she had at the bottom of her throat. “There is no excuse for your behavior,” he hissed. And he pulled Arielle away forcefully without saying another word.

  Elizabeth stood frozen in place, watching them walk away. She was shocked by his reaction, but pleased with herself. She knew she had succeeded in delivering a hard blow to Arielle.

  Elizabeth was married to a prominent older man that provided her with the life of luxury she desired, but the invitation to the Dillon ball had brought back exciting memories of her encounters with Sebastian, and she couldn’t wait to see him again. They had lost touch a couple of centuries ago. It had taken her a very long time to fill the void. This isn’t how she imagined her reunion with Sebastian to be. Meeting Arielle had filled her with a venomous jealousy. She hated the idea that he had chosen a mortal to share his bed. She would have never dreamed that Sebastian’s rejection would so devastate her. She pushed through the crowd, looking for her husband. When she found him, she feigned boredom and asked him to take her home.

  After they had broken free of Elizabeth, Sebastian moved Arielle through the balcony doors and into the garden, away from curious eyes. Arielle staggered lightly, feeling faint. When they reached the garden, he helped her sit down on a small wooden bench by the fountain. He could hear her heaving, trying to breathe. He was at a loss for words. Everything Elizabeth had said was true, so there were no excuses; only the fact that what had happened had taken place centuries ago.

  It was evident that Arielle was terribly disturbed by this encounter. She shuddered and began to sob. His stomach clenched tightly. A quiet curse escaped him, but other than that, he remained silent.

  Finally, he leaned close to her and whispered, “Baby, would you like me to take you home?” She looked up and met his despondent gaze.

  “No, I’ll be all right, just give me a minute.”

  Sebastian sat next to her and slipped his strong arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Arielle, please,” he murmured. “It was a very long time ago.”

  “Sebastian, I do understand, but I can’t help feeling overwhelmed every time another beautiful woman comes after you.”

  “These women were in my life centuries ago,” he said with deep sadness in his voice.

  “Would you be concerned if man after man kept showing up to claim me back? First it was Annabel, then Savanna, then Julia, now Elizabeth. How many more will there be? How many more?” she muttered and began sobbing again. He remained silent.

  “When was the last time you had a girlfriend?” she asked quietly after a few more minutes had passed. She swallowed hard as she waited for his answer.

  He stood up, and taking her hand, he pulled her up to face him. He gathered her tightly in his arms and gazed deep into her eyes. “That would have to be more than a century ago.”

  “Oh, come on, that’s a ridiculous statement.”

  “Arielle, I don’t lie. I was tired of a life filled with frivolous affairs. I was looking for something that would bring meaning to my existence,” he said thoughtfully. “And then I saw you…and you are now my life. I can’t be in this world if you are not in it. I love you; you are my girl, my only girl. I want you to marry me, now, today this moment. I want to be your husband, your friend, and your only lover.” His arms tightened around her, and swooping down he took her mouth in a fevered kiss. “Please tell me that you love me.”

  “I love you, Sebastian,” she whispered, lost in the heat of his embrace.

  “Can you forget about this incident and go back in the house, or do you want to go home?” he asked softly. “I wouldn’t mind taking you home.”

  “No, we don’t need to go home. This is your mother’s party, and I’m not going to allow any impudent female to drive me away,” she said stubbornly. “I can forget about her and about every other gorgeous woman that comes looking for you,” she said, giving him a meaningful look.

  “Loving you has made incidents like this one just a way of life for me,” she chuckled bitterly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for another hot kiss. She was hungry for his touch, eager for the feel of him.

  “I want you, Arielle Lloyd,” he said, their lips still locked in ravenous kiss. His hands stroked her back. She moaned, and as she did, he nearly lost control. The heat of her body was intoxicating. The wonderful fragrance of freesia in her hair drove him wild.

  “We need to go in before we lose control,” she chuckled, flashing him a brilliant smile.

  “I love you, baby,” he murmured. They pulled themselves together and with great effort, she climbed the steps to the veranda and walked right back through the wide-open balcony doors with the man she loved by her side.

  As they reentered the room, he put his arms around her and pulled her close to his body. “You are not going to dance with anyone but me tonight,” he said. “I’ve seen the looks in their eyes, and I know what they are thinking. I’m not letting you out of my sight. As you can see, I’m more jealous of you than you are of me.”

  “You don’t have to be jealous of me. I don’t want anyone but you.”

  Arielle closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of whirling around the room in Sebastian’s arms. I wondered why Sylvia seemed angry when he kissed me, she thought. She felt a strange anxiety taking over again as she thought about how many beautiful girls he had been with, wondering how many she would have to worry about.

  She heard his voice soft and tender. “I’m going to remove that necklace from you. I can’t stand the feeling of not being able to read your mind.”

  “Most of the time I’m thinking about you, so you don’t have to worry about that,” she laughed. “I would like to know, though, about all these women that seem to want to kiss you and hug you and get as close to you as possible.”

  “I don’t give a damn about any of them. They are of no importance to me. What they think and what they want is their business, not mine.” His voice sounded a little angry.

  Arielle was pleased, but she didn’t want him to think that she would give in so quickly, especially now that he couldn’t read her mind. He gave her a squeeze and she stopped breathing.

  “I can’t breathe!” she gasped.

  He pressed his lips on hers, hard and passionate. “Tell me that you love me before I lose my mind.”

  She was quiet while a smile touched her lips. He squeezed her a little harder, and she began to fear that he would break her ribs, so she answered quickly, breathlessly, “Okay, I love you,” she said with a giggle.

  “I’ve noticed that many of these people talk, and act, as if they are still in another era,” she added, chuckling.

  “Well, in a way they are,” Sebastian said. “Remember, we were all born and raised centuries ago, and it is hard to lose everything that is part of you. Time moves on, but sadly enough we remain unmoved.”

  Arielle had to agree that he was right once again.

  “Let’s dance,” he said and spun her around. She was becoming lost in thought, safely enfolded in his embrace, moving to the sound of a mesmerizing melody.


  “May I cut in?” The velvety voice came from directly behind Arielle and caused her to snap out of her haze. Opening her eyes, she looked up and met Sebastian’s eyes. He was smiling wide. Slowly, unwillingly, he let her go. Turning around, she came face to face with one of the most strikingly handsome men she had ever seen. He was immaculately dressed. His eyes pierced right through her very soul. She heard Sebastian’s soft chuckle.

  “Arielle, I’d like you to meet my father, Christian Dillon,” Sebastian said. Her mouth dropped, and her eyes widened. “Dad, this is my fiancée, Miss Arielle Lloyd.”

  “Arielle, it’s a pleasure,” Mr. Dillon said, and he gave Arielle a soft hug. His eyes lingered on her as he pulled back and turned to Sebastian. “How are you, my boy?” he said. “I haven’t seen you for over a month.”

  “I’m good, Dad,” Sebastian said. “I’ve been quite busy with IIRL.”

  “Yes, I heard about the issues you have been having from your mother. How are you doing with that?”

  “Everything is under control,” Sebastian replied politely.

  “I was sure you could handle it,” he said, patting Sebastian on the back. “I’m very proud of you. He turned his attention back to Arielle.

  “Would you like to dance with me, dear?”

  By then, Arielle had been able to collect her thoughts. She smiled shyly, and said, “I would love to.” Moving away from Sebastian, she took Mr. Dillon’s hand.

  He was an amazing dancer. It didn’t take long before they were moving effortlessly around the dance floor.

  “I’m pleased to see Sebastian so happy,” he said quietly. She looked up, and met his gaze nervously.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that.”

  “I’m sure you’re the reason, and I thank you for that,” he said, an appreciative look on his face.

  “I think you’re giving me too much credit,” she said. “Sebastian is an amazing man, I can’t think of a woman who wouldn’t like to be in my shoes.” Some would even like to kill me to get me out of the way, she thought.

  She saw his lips lift. He was silent for the remainder of the song.

  I guess he already knows a lot about me through Sebastian, Loren, and their mother, she thought. She couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt with him. He was a wonderful man.

  When the song was over, he brought her back to where Sebastian was waiting. “Thank you, Sebastian,” he said. “She’s lovely, and I couldn’t be happier for you.”

  “Please come back and visit us,” he said to Arielle as he turned and walked away.

  “That was interesting,” Sebastian said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “My father rarely leaves his friends and their discussions about horse racing—their one and only passion. Whatever my mother told him about you must have intrigued him and made him eager to meet you.”

  “Well, I hope that I didn’t disappointed him,” Arielle said.

  “Oh, I doubt that.” He pulled her back into his arms and into a sensuous kiss.

  They danced all night and had a wonderful time. When it was time to go, Mrs. Dillon embraced Arielle warmly and Loren promised to call her soon. They drove home talking about the night happily. Sebastian held her hand and seemed exuberant.

  “You were the best looking girl in the whole place,” he said more than once.

  “Please don’t say that. Those women all looked like paintings. They were perfect.”

  “Arielle, those women look like that because they are immortals. You, however, are a natural beauty, and each one of them would give their life to be what you are: human.”

  Arielle didn’t say anything. She sat in silence the rest of the way home. Sebastian kept looking at her but didn’t press her to talk. It was very late when they got into bed and he pulled her into his arms eagerly. He found her mouth and kissed her, assuring her that she had nothing to worry about.

  It was late the next day when they left to go to her parents’ house for dinner. The following day, the Lloyds would be leaving for four weeks. Arielle wanted to make sure that they would let her know how they were getting along from time to time. She was a little worried about them being gone for so long because of her father’s incident with his heart the year before.

  They had a wonderful time together, talking about the holiday parties and about her parents’ upcoming trip. As they were leaving, Arielle hugged her parents tightly.

  “Please drop us a text now and then and let us know how things are going.”

  “Don’t worry, dear, we’ll keep in touch,” her mother said with a soft smile.

  “Sebastian, dear boy,” her father said, putting his arm on Sebastian’s shoulder. “Please take care of my little girl.”

  “It’ll be a sheer pleasure to look after Arielle,” he said, flashing one of his brilliant smiles. He shook her father’s hand firmly and gave a warm hug to her mother.

  On the way home Sebastian reached for her hand as he always did.

  “I’m worried about my father,” she whispered. Sebastian pressed her hand tenderly. He understood her concern.

  “What is it that you would like to do?”

  “I just don’t feel that long trips are good for him,” she said thoughtfully.

  “I know what you mean,” Sebastian said. “But I think it’d be a big mistake if you tried to stop him from living and doing the things he wants to do. That would most certainly drive him to an early grave.”

  Arielle pursed her lips and turning, gazed at his beautiful face. “I know that you’re right again, once again,” she said. “I love you so much, Sebastian,” she said, and leaning in she gave him a soft peck on the cheek.

  Chapter 21

  THE NEXT WEEK ROLLED BY QUICKLY. Saturday was Gabrielle’s engagement party, and Arielle was really looking forward to that. Troy had chosen to hold the party at Sotherbees, one of Brighton’s finest restaurants.

  Finally, the day had arrived, and it was time to prepare. Arielle took her necklace off and jumped into the shower. She let the warm water run over her body, the heat made her skin tingle. She closed her eyes, and suddenly the words spoken by Julia and Savanna came to mind. “He is not your white and shiny knight. He is the dark prince that leaves broken dreams on the way to his kingdom.” “His style is a little peculiar, you might say. He doesn’t like to hang on to women for too long. I know of many girls he dated and then left when he’d had enough of them.” She pursed her lips and tried to push the thought from her head. I should know better, I shouldn’t doubt him, she thought.

  But what if what they had said were true? What if he did just satisfy his desires and then left her, just as he had done with all those other women who were so much more beautiful than she was?

  He’s so perfect, so absolutely gorgeous. Why would he ever fall in love with someone like me? she thought, her eyes welling up with tears. She pressed her lips together in distress. I don’t think I could live without him anymore, she thought. Losing him would be the worst thing that could ever happen to me. The love she felt for him, the affection she held in her heart, was real. The mere thought of him was enough to make her body go taut with exhilaration.

  She was still in deep thought as she turned the water off and reached for the towel. She was startled to see him standing there, disappointment spread across his beautiful face.

  “So… is that what you think of me?”

  Instinctively, she moved her hand up to her neck even though she already knew the necklace wasn’t there.

  “Do you really believe that I’m here to use you and then leave you?”

  Her eyes were moist, and all she could do was press her lips together.

  “Is this what you’re looking for?” He raised his hand, her necklace dangling from his index finger. She reached out to take it, but he pulled it back out of her reach. “So, all this time you have never believed or trusted a single thing I’ve said to you?” There was clear displeasure in his voice. She didn’t reply as she reached out again
, and taking the necklace from him put it back on and clasped it.

  “Arielle, I have read your mind and you can’t take this information back. How could you ever doubt that I love you?”

  She shrugged her shoulders like a child, helpless to answer.

  “I told you a long time ago that you were going to be my wife. There is no man on this earth that wants to marry a girl more that I want to marry you. I have never asked another woman to marry me, and I have never told another woman that I love her. You are everything to me.”

  Totally embarrassed, Arielle looked down at her feet at a loss for words. Now he knew about her petty jealousies, and all the silly things in her head. She wasn’t sure how to answer his question.

  “Arielle, look at me, please.”

  “I can’t.”

  Sebastian put the towel around her and pulled her into his arms, forcing her face to look at his face. Her hair was dripping onto her shoulders and getting his shirt wet, and her eyes were full of tears. He picked her up and carried her to bed, as if she was a doll.

  “Now, you can stay quiet and not say a word, but eventually you will have to say something. I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you.” He looked determined, and she knew she would have to say something.

  “It’s just that you are so perfect,” she said finally. “I find it hard to believe that you could really want me to be with you forever.”

  “Well, you are correct about one thing. I don’t want you with me forever, I want you with me for eternity,” he said, bending down and kissing her.

  “Sebastian, you have to admit that it’s very hard for a simple human to accept that someone like you, who can have any gorgeous woman in your immortal world, has chosen to be with me. And though I want nothing more than to believe you, and mostly I do, sometimes the things those horrible women have said to me about you come back to haunt me, and I begin to lose faith again.”

  “Well, you’ll have to accept the fact of my love for you because I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. You have already agreed to marry me, and I’m going to hold you to that promise.”