Creature of Habit: Book Two (Creature of Habit #2) (21 page)

"Okay?" I heard and glanced down, catching the intense gaze of the angel beneath me.

"More than," I confirmed and rocked my hips ever so gently, feeling him inch deeper inside. Grant's hands dropped from my hips and fisted the sheets. The sound of tearing fabric cut through our breathing. After a couple precarious seconds I said, “Follow my lead.”

I shifted my weight, thrusting my hips into his, slowly, fluidly, while running my nails over his abs. I watched as his tongue darted out of his mouth, and his brow furrowed in deep concentration. His hand left the bedding and reached into my hair, pulling out the tie that held it back. Long blonde strands spilled over my shoulders, pooling onto his chest when I kissed his lips.

"Oh!" I gasped, when I felt his icy touch dip behind my backside brushing against sensitive nerves. My body lurched involuntarily; causing him to slip from me and removing the pressure and friction I'd already begun to crave like a drug. Grant's other hand gripped my shoulder, bringing me down harder, pushing me back into place. In a heartbeat the slow pace from before had vanished and he drove himself into me with a solid, breathtaking thrust.

“More,” I breathed, matching his pace and carefully watching his expression. Every look, every touch conveyed a sense of worship.

His thrusts quickened and I closed my eyes, focusing on the feeling of this man inside me, on his fingers coaxing me into submission. I focused on the experience I may never have again. Grant's breaths came quick and fast, mimicking his body. I whispered his name, luring him over the edge and quickly realizing I would topple first. My stomach clenched, like a tightly wound thread, which began to unravel, loop by loop. The heat spread, pulsating though my lower body as I gritted my teeth in impending ecstasy. My nails dug into Grant's chest and I heard a sharp intake of breath followed by a terrifying feral sound, in response to my body tightening around him. My eyes flew open at the noise but I was too weak, too euphoric to process that his tongue had move from the edge of my nipple and stopped just below my ear. My heart pounded, thundering rapidly in my chest as his lips caressed my neck.  Goose bumps of pleasure erupted over my flesh when the cool air hit the slick, wet surface left by his tongue.

The softness shifted. His hands and mouth bore down, heightening the feeling and I arched my back.

Two sharpened teeth pressed down against my skin.

"Hey," I said, snapping out of my haze. A roar rumbled through his chest, so deep and vibrating that I felt it tremble through my own body. I slipped my hands between us and pushed back. “Grant!”

“Mine!” he growled.

I shoved my hands into his hair, jerking him hard so he'd met my gaze. He blinked twice and I held my breath when he pressed two fingers over my heart.

“Not today, baby,” I said. “Stay with me.”

He closed his eyes and muttered under his breath. I couldn’t hear the words but they came out like a chant.  I was about to run when he looked at me and said, “I’m here.”

“Of course you are.” He was still hard inside of me and I wanted to see this through. “Can you do this? Can you finish?”

“Please.”

I rocked my hips, luring him back to the moment. To the act of sex, not death. His eyes gradually adjusted and returned their focus to mine, to my body. Alarmingly, his slip hadn't decreased his arousal, but quite the opposite, and I felt him swell inside. With a final thrust of his hips, he groaned, releasing everything he had before dropping his head onto my shoulder, burrowing his face in my hair.

Pushing his languid body back on the pillows, I crawled over him, curling up against his side in a ball. He lifted his hand and ran his finger over my chest, resting his palm against the warm spot over my heart. We rested together, the minutes ticking by as my heart slowed, calming from the exhilaration of our lovemaking. I squeezed my eyes shut, hiding from his scrutiny and whatever expression his face held. I couldn't bear to look at him and was too afraid to speak.

He'd done what I asked. He'd proved his love to me in the most intimate, difficult way. And now it was time for me to face my fears.

Sitting up, I leaned over him, placing my lips on his chest and kissed him over the place where his heart should beat. I gathered my courage one, final time. Running my fingers over his sharp jaw, I whispered gratefully, "Thank you," before sliding to the edge of the bed. He'd fulfilled my request, and I could now do the same for him. I would walk away.

A thick, pathetic sob built in my throat and stole my breath, trapping it in my chest. I glanced around the room, searching for my clothes and the fastest possible route of escape. Before I could fully rise from the bed, I felt it give beneath me, bouncing me upward slightly. Grant was no longer lying on the bed, but kneeling on the hard floors, his face buried in the soft flesh of my belly.

"Don't," he croaked, a muffled plea against my skin.

"I have to," I replied in a strangled whisper, blinking back the tears. "I promised." I fisted my hands in his hair as he wrapped his arms around my thighs, anchoring us to one another.

"It's too late," he responded, tightening his grip on my legs painfully.

I shook my head, overwhelmed by what I was going to do. "Just let me go, Grant."

"I can't. Not now. Not ever."

My heart, which had been racing since he’d first entered my bedroom, skipped a beat.

"Never?" I ventured.

"I thought I knew," he whispered, his eyes wide and full of wonder. "I thought I had an idea of love, and connection. I’ve watched it every day for countless years." His hair poked me in the stomach, tickling as he spoke. "I'd even said the words, spoken them in my mind, professed them to my family, but now, after that, I know."

"What do you mean?"

Grant lifted his head. "You're mine, Amelia Chase, and nothing and no one can tear me away from you."

Epilogue

I stood above Amelia, marveling at how her hair spread across the pillow like a glowing crown. A halo. Appropriate for an angel.

She slept soundly, unaware of the tragedy of the night. The dead children. The torched camp. The trouble that will surely come our way.

I slipped out of the room and entered my office, dialing the number as I shut the door. The phone rang and rang but no one answered. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.

I pressed a different number and Miles picked up on the first ring.

“Update?” I asked.

“Fire and police are at the camp. Initial reports are of a gas leak.”

“Good, that’s what they’re supposed to think.”

“I’ve contacted The Council.”

I muttered a string of profanities under my breath, but Miles heard each and every word. When I got it out of my system I asked, “And?”

“And they’ll follow up. We’ll just have to see how.”

“Perfect,” I replied, sarcasm implied. “Elijah?”

“He and Ryan are out there now, looking for clues. Something to go on. If you’d—“

“No,” I cut him off. “I’m not leaving Amelia. Not tonight.”

A heavy moment passed through the phone. Something had changed. He probably sensed it. I waited for the lecture. The discussion on how to proceed. He’d want Amelia’s fate sealed quickly. In an effort to hold off on this topic I asked, “Where is Sebastian? I wanted to thank him for his assistance tonight.”

“He never returned to the mountain.” There was a slight tension in his words.

“He’s not answering my calls,” I said.

“No, I expect not.”

“Is there something you’re not telling me?” I asked, lowering myself to my desk chair. “Something I should know?”

“Sebastian is struggling right now.”

“I know,” I snapped. “He doesn’t approve of my choices.”

“He needs some time, Grant. Allow him that.”

“Time? Now? Olivia is missing!”

“It’s unfortunate,” he agreed. But I hear the undertone. The disapproval. He blames me for Sebastian’s angst. Once again, the coven is at odds over my choices.

“I can’t worry about Bass right now. I can’t. There are too many variables on the table that need my attention. Olivia first.”

“Then do something, Grant. The clock is ticking.”

His comment lit a fire in my brain.
The clock is ticking.

Tick-tock.

Thanks & Stuff

Quick thank you to everyone that helped get COH2 ready so quickly. All my beta readers (you know who you are) but in particular April and Vanessa for the heavy lifting. Thanks to all the amazing readers for Creature of Habit (Book 1). I’ve truly enjoyed hearing all of your thoughts! I’ve read every one.

I’m knee deep in book 3 of the series. I am hoping it will be a fast turnaround but it will be more than 50% new material, which makes me nervous to put a publication date on it right now. Make sure you sign up for my mailing list to learn about release information! HERE!
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