Arielle Immortal Awakening (22 page)

As Troy told them about his travels around the world with his parents, Arielle couldn’t help noticing that his features, like Sebastian’s, were flawless. He told them that his mother was French, his father Scottish. He was dressed exceptionally well and there was a natural elegance about him. He was very attentive to Gabrielle, and she could see that he had eyes only for her. His voice was very appealing, and all this was fuel to the fire that was already in her head. She couldn’t read his mind, and the story about his parents didn’t seem to fit what she knew about the pattern of an immortal. She was perplexed.

She was so happy for Gabrielle. She loved her dearly and she knew that she was incredibly happy, but there was something strange and unsettling about Troy. She wanted to talk to Sebastian about this, but she knew it would have to wait until he was here again. Could Troy really be another immortal? How strange would that be? What was happening in her life?

Despite her dreadful gift, Arielle really was just a normal girl. Her recent experiences with Eva’s special powers; the unknown world of immortal men she seemed to be entering; and the fact that she was the object of the fury of an immortal woman who wanted to kill her was all a bit overwhelming. She wasn’t sure she could comprehend the meaning of all that was happening, but she seemed to be right in the middle of it.

She glanced over at the rest of the group, letting her gaze linger over the four of them. They were now laughing and enjoying each other’s company. She finally managed to shake off her anxious thoughts and join in the fun.

She and Sebastian were now exchanging e-mails almost daily, and he called her a couple of times a week. She missed him so much! Every night she went to bed feeling lonely and depressed. She wanted so much to feel his body next to hers. Her life went on pretty much routinely for the next couple of months: school, studying, and partying on the weekends.

Meanwhile, Gabrielle and Troy, Eva and Ian were getting closer and closer. Arielle was the only one missing her beautiful dream. She couldn’t stop thinking of him no matter where she was or what she was doing.

It was midweek and she had just walked in the door when he called. It was so exciting just to hear his voice.

“Hello! Did you miss me?” he asked. As always his musical voice on the other end of the line enchanted her.

“Yes, I miss you,” she said quietly. She was feeling pretty lonely.

“What’s wrong, baby? You sound so sad.”

“I am sad,” she said. “I don’t like being without you. Are you ever coming to see me?”

“Well, what are you doing next weekend?” he asked.

She stopped breathing as she processed his question.

“You’re not joking with me, are you?”

“I never joke when it comes to you, Arielle.”

She just couldn’t keep her excitement from spilling over the phone.

“I’ll be right here, waiting for you,” she said. Her heart raced and that familiar rush of desire shot through her.

“I’ll e-mail you my flight details,” he said.

“I’ll pick you up,” she said eagerly, happily, barely able to contain herself, adding, “I think I’ll burst before you get here.”

“Don’t do that,” he joked. “I need you just as you are.” He chuckled and before he hung up said, “Miss me!” And the phone went dead.

When he was gone she fell onto the sofa, overwhelmed. She was going to see him again soon! That short phone call made her a changed person.

Gabby noticed it first and then Eva; of course, both wanted details. She told them that Sebastian was coming to see her, and that she was going to plan a great weekend for the two of them.

“Will we get to meet him?”

“I can’t promise, but I’ll try,” she laughed.

They both understood how she felt and laughed along with her. Then Gabrielle went to take a shower, and Eva took the chance to drop another bomb while Gabby was out of the room. “Arielle, there’s something I want to talk about with you,” she said. She paused for a moment and then added, tentatively, “There is something very different about Troy. It’s in a good way, but I’m not sure exactly what it is. I’m not getting a clear picture of him.”

Arielle’s body became tense. She didn’t want Eva to know anything about immortality, not just yet. She was hoping that Eva’s visions would stay murky for the moment.

“I think he is wonderful, Eva,” she said. “I didn’t see anything unusual about him except that he was extremely good looking, just like Ian.” Eva smiled, and to Arielle’s relief she dropped the subject.

Chapter 18

F
inally the weekend arrived. Her heart was leaping with anticipation, and her expectations were welling up. Sebastian would be there again! There were simply no words to describe the sensation that was sweeping through her, intoxicating her very soul.

A light mist hit the windshield as she drove to the airport. As she pulled close to the baggage claim exit, the sight of him strutting toward her took her breath away. It would take every bit of strength she possessed to control the deep desire and the strong temptation that was burning in every fiber, every nerve, and every vein in her body.

No sculptor could create such a beautiful statue. He was simply perfect. His striking lips were curved up into that familiar smile, making his face look even more gorgeous than it already was - as if that could be possible. She noticed that many people were turning to look at him as he strode toward the door. He truly looked more like a painting than a real person.

He stopped when he saw her, and she flew out of the car and into his open arms. He pulled her against his body and bending down, he crushed her lips beneath his with an incredible hunger. As she pressed close to him, she could feel heat cascading throughout her body.

Sebastian smiled and breathed in her perfume, closing his eyes in sheer bliss. He pulled back and opened the passenger door for her. She got in, feeling heavenly. He pushed on the gas pedal as he drew in a huge breath. Taking her hand he pulled her to him and pressed a soft kiss on her lips.

“I missed you,” he murmured as he broke away from the kiss, his eyes filled with want and desire. She stopped breathing. The longing she felt for him had been building in her for two whole months. She pressed her lips together as she felt the stress of battling the desire she felt for him against the vow of chastity she had made to herself. He pressed her hand softly, and his lips curved up into that sensuous smile that filled her body with hunger for him. She couldn’t resist leaning in and pressing a passionate kiss on the side of his mouth with all the longing she possessed. The urgency she felt was astonishing and more than a little frightening.

He pulled away so he could look at her. “Have you missed me?” he asked, the smile never leaving his face, but his eyes alert.

She shook her head in a hopeless attempt to avoid the distraction his amazing existence created for her once again. She smiled and looked down shyly, trying to keep her voice steady.

“I missed you more than you will ever know,” she murmured.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, reaching over and taking her hand again.

“You can read my thoughts,” she reminded him. “I am sure you already know what I’m thinking.”

“First let me explain something to you about being able to read your thoughts,” he said. “Ever since the day I placed that necklace on you, I actually
can’t
read your thoughts anymore, so you’ll have to let me know what you’re thinking. I need to know what you’re thinking. Promise me that you’ll do that.” He was clearly anxious, and she looked at him in astonishment.

“Sebastian, I’m not trying to hide anything from you,” she said. “I just thought that you already knew.”

He smiled and pulled her close to him as he brushed her ear with his lips, and she knew he could feel her shiver.

“Arielle, I may not be able to read your mind any longer, but I’m completely aware of the commitment you made to yourself, and I know how to wait. There are plenty of ways we can enjoy each other without breaking your vow.” He chuckled and looked at her gently, knowing that with her limited romantic experience she had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

Strangely enough she felt relief that he couldn’t see all that she was thinking.

“I can make it easier for you by going home,” she said, her voice now barely a whisper.

“I don’t want you to go anywhere,” he said. “I want you to stay here with me. I’ve been away from you long enough.”

“My head is so consumed by m… you know… you,” she said, motioning with her hand towards him. “I always seem to be waging a battle with my emotions because I’m so in love with you,” she added.

“I don’t think that’s so bad. Do you?”

“No, it’s not bad, but it makes it hard for me.”

When they pulled up at the hotel, the bellhop greeted Sebastian politely and warmly. Sebastian took Arielle’s hand as they walked toward the elevator. His eyes locked on hers as the doors closed, and he released all the dazzling power he possessed. She grabbed the railing as she felt herself becoming completely disoriented, and started to fall. His arms closed around her and he locked her in a passionate embrace. His lips encircled hers, his tongue parted her lips and searched her mouth as the kiss deepened and he softly groaned. She pulled back, gasping for air as the doors opened to the penthouse.

He supported her down the hallway, locking the doors behind them as he turned. Reached around her, he drew her face up toward his as their lips locked in a hot kiss again. She bowed towards him as he ran his fingers underneath her shirt, leaving a burning sensation on her bare skin. He moaned and she sighed through the kiss.

“Arielle, you are going to be the death of me,” he chuckled.

She kept her arms around his neck and intertwined her fingers in his beautiful, sandy hair, keeping him locked to her lips, refusing to let him go. His hands moved slowly, caressing her body and moving down to her hips, making her shiver as the kiss became voracious and they both moaned with excitement. She couldn’t take her eyes away from his beautiful face, and he seemed to have the same reaction to hers.

She simply couldn’t believe that such a beautiful creature could love her and want her. His tongue was circling her lips again, before landing in her mouth. His scent was amazing and she could feel the fire burning her very soul; the feeling was unbelievable. Finally he released her, reluctantly. He cleared his throat, shook his head as if awaking from a dream, and walked over to the balcony. He stepped outside and she followed him.

They settled into very easy conversation about the details and the excitement of her school life, her friends, and all the small and unimportant events they had experienced since they had last seen each other. He wanted to know the people she was spending time with.

“I’m not so sure about this Paul guy,” he said. “Should I be worried about him?”

“Jealous, are you?” she asked, smiling at him just a bit teasingly.

“Extremely jealous when it comes to you,” he said. “I want to be the only guy in your life.”

“You are the only guy, Sebastian,” she answered him. “Any other guys are just friends, nothing more.” She couldn’t help laughing as she realized once again how incredible this whole thing was. How could someone like Sebastian be jealous of someone like her?

She was doing most of the talking while Sebastian just sat and listened to her laughing now and then at the funny little things she told him. Finally she decided to talk to him about Troy.

“I have something pretty big to tell you,” she said.

“Oh, what is it?”

“I have a strong feeling that Troy is an immortal,” she said. He looked startled.

“Are you serious? No, you’re kidding, right?”

“Why not? You’re an immortal. Why couldn’t someone else come along just as you did?”

“I must admit that I’m intrigued,” he said. “However, it’s hard to believe that there would be an immortal in a town like this.”

“Why? Why not in this town?”

“Well, it’s just not a typical hangout for immortals. However, I could be wrong,” he allowed.

“Sebastian, his looks are similar to yours, he walks like you do, his voice sounds like yours, and the most important thing of all is his scent, which is just like yours.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to meeting him,” he said. He still sounded doubtful, but interested in learning more. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

“No, I seem to lose my appetite when I’m with you,” she chuckled.

They talked some more and then fell into a restful silence. She started falling asleep on the chair and the next thing she knew she was in his arms, being carried to bed. His face was but a couple of centimeters away from hers and he locked their lips into another blistering kiss. She felt that a million butterflies were fluttering in her stomach from the anticipation of this moment, and she was happy just to be with him in complete bliss. She changed into a little camisole as he watched her, with eyes full of excitement. She lay in bed and waited, breathless, as she felt him climb into bed next to her. His body heat made her shiver with excitement. His arms encircled her and she sank closer to him, pressing her body against his. She could feel his excitement hard against her abdomen.

“You look very sexy,” he whispered. Now his lips moved against hers as he pushed her softly onto her back and rolled over her; she thought she would shatter. He pulled back, gasping as he remembered how she felt about abstinence before marriage.

“Sorry, baby,” he said, completely out of breath, rolling onto his side.

She wanted to tell him how much she loved the feel of his body on top of hers, but she didn’t. He gathered her in his warm embrace and she sank blissfully against his body as she drifted off to sleep, feeling safe and breathing quietly. She wasn’t sure how long she was asleep, but when she opened her eyes she could feel his arms pulling her even closer. She peered at the clock on the nightstand and was astonished to see that it was four o’clock in the morning.

“What’s wrong?” she murmured, still half asleep.

“I love you,” he breathed softly into her ear. He didn’t want to tell her about the impossible battle he had fought for the past two hours, against his own desires. The sensation of her warm body resting against his had painfully aroused him. All he wanted to do was to take Arielle down the path of pleasure and show her ways to enjoy being together without breaking her commitment to abstinence. However, he needed to put a stop to his wild thoughts and try not to scare her away.

His fingers traced her jaw line slowly, seductively, sending a prickling sensation down to her toes. He leaned closer and set his mouth on hers. His lips moved against hers, pulling her deeper into a whirlwind of passion and sheer longing.

Arielle stopped breathing. She could taste his incredible immortal scent and heat spread across every inch of her body. His lips were moving slowly as they brushed the side of her face, down her neck, across her collarbone and stopped, lightly pressing the hollow of her throat, intoxicating her to a new level of excitement. A soft moan escaped her lips, and he felt it in the core of his bones. His warm palms moved gently down to her waist, over her stomach, and stopped at the beautiful curves of her hips, making her writhe in his arms. He shifted slowly, pulling her flat against his body, and she lost track of time. The tectonic plates of her mind shifted dangerously, and she couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t think. She was lost in a sea of wild emotions. He paused for a long moment, trying again to restrain his desire. He was learning, touching, and enjoying the feel of her silky skin against his fingers. She held on to him, growing hotter, utterly captivated. She moved into him and he moaned as he felt her trembling with eagerness. His chest was pounding. “I want you,” he gasped, “I’ve never wanted another woman like I want you; I’m crazy about you!” His breath was scorching her skin and Arielle’s mind was lost in a sheer fog of pleasure. Then suddenly, reality slammed into her mind like a massive iceberg, reminding her of where she was and what she was about to do. And she remembered that she wasn’t ready to take that step. She poured every ounce of strength she possessed and, putting her hands flat on his chest, pushed him softly away. “Sebastian, no,” she whispered, anxiously. She felt his hands ease immediately, and he pulled back.

“I’m not going to make you break your vow, Arielle. There are a lot of ways to enjoy each other,” he said.

“How?”

“Trust me, and let me show you.” His voice was warm, loving, filled with emotion.

Arielle remained unmoved for what it seemed like a century. Then, slowly her muscles eased and relief spread across her body.
What am I doing?
she thought.
I trust him implicitly, I trust him with my life.
She was sure that Sebastian would never hurt her, that he would never make her do anything that would be as damaging to her as breaking her vow.