Night Visions (Night Series) (17 page)

"You
have
been out here a while. About an hour."

Had he lost his mind? She just sat down. "I've only been out her a few min—" She stopped short when she noticed him shaking his head.

"It's been an hour, Sam. I've already gone through my first batch of wood."

Her eyes left his, darting to the chimney above. A trail of smoke poured out of it. In fact, a dark gray cloud hovered above, as if the smoke had filled the sky for some time.

But how was it possible? She'd only closed her eyes for a sec–

Maybe she had fallen asleep. God knows she had lost plenty.

Ian shifted on his feet, drawing her attention back to him. "I thought you might be getting hungry. I'm going to take a quick shower and thought you might want to raid the pantry for dinner.”

His mention of food had her stomach gurgling. Food definitely sounded good. But was he expecting her to cook? Did he not remember her feeble attempts in the kitchen when they were younger? Baking was the only type of cooking she was capable of. And she doubted he wanted brownies for dinner.

Releasing a sigh, she stepped on the porch, giving him a squinted glance as she passed. “Hopefully you have some microwavable meals in the freezer. Otherwise, we're going to starve up here."

CHAPTER 15

Standing alone in the kitchen, Sam's body shook as silent tears streamed down her cheeks. Before fixing sandwiches for dinner, the one thing she couldn't screw up, she attempted to contact Jason. Her voicemails and texts sent earlier still
went unanswered. She had hoped Trent and Ian were wrong. That Jace was simply off the radar again, but the glimmer of hope slowly extinguished.

Ignoring her gut feeling proved futile. She had to trust that Ian and Trent knew what they were doing. She had no choice. Unless she could find where Jace was being held. If she surrendered herself, then he would be free.

Soft whispers swept through her mind, offering solace in her time of need. So they hadn't abandoned her after all. But what good was having this power, these voices, if she couldn't help her brother? Her own flesh and blood.

Why can't you help me release my power? I'm ready. Tell me what I need to do.

The answer she sought never came. The voices fell silent.

She pounded the granite counter in frustrati
on, then shook her bruised hand, clutching it to her chest. She wanted to yell, but nothing more than a whisper slipped past her lips. "What do you want from me?"

Tipping her head back, she rested her eyes on the wooden beams that crisscrossed the ceiling.

Ease your mind daughter. He is safe.

Gritting her teeth, Sam did her best not to sound desperate. "Jason? Where is he? Please tell me where my brother is."

I have said too much already.

"Adirah, please."

Not everything is as it seems.

"Adirah!"

A cold chill swept through Sam, signaling Adirah's departure. Why did she insist on playing games? Giving her riddles that seemed impossible to solve. Don't trust him. He'll hurt you. Not everything is as it seems. None of it made sense. Who did Adirah refer to? Ian? Casimir? At this point, Sam didn't trust herself anymore.

The sound of running water at the back of the cabin ceased. Sam tugged her sleeve down, dabbing at the moisture on her cheeks. She couldn't let Ian see how upset she was. He needed to know that she could handle her newfound responsibilities. That she wouldn't break under the pressure. At least she hoped not.

Pushing their dinner plates across the counter, she went to call Ian for dinner.

Stopping in the hallway, she double-checked her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks
were tinged pink from crying. Forcing a smile to her lips, she turned the corner and ran into a hard wall of muscle.

“Oh
, I'm…” her voice trailed off. Ian grabbed her by the elbows to steady her. She stared into his eyes, unable to move. Under her palms she felt damp skin and hard muscle. His towel brushed against her thigh, bringing thoughts of what lie hidden underneath.

He smelled like soap and his spicy aftershave. His breath mingled with hers as warmth flooded her veins. The thump of his heart under her palm in tune with her own
. Cradling her cheek, he ran his thumb over her lips. A slow burn washed through her at his touch. As if he branded her as his own. She would gladly give him her soul if he would give her one more kiss in return.

Sam slid her hands up his chest.
Her thumbs grazed his jaw as she curled her fingers into his damp hair. She tugged his face down, their lips nearly touching. He slipped one arm around her back and leaned in to place a feather light kiss to the side of her mouth.

Voices screamed in her head to not kiss him, but desire won out.

Turning her head, she pressed her lips to his. A moan escaped her throat when his lips parted, greeting hers with velvet heat. She melted into his body, tightening her grip in his hair. Each swirl of his tongue made her head dizzy. The need within her spiraling out of control. She couldn't take much more. Couldn't bear the thought of not feeling every part of him against her.

Her knees buckled, but Ian's muscled arm kept her anchored to him. She pulled his head closer, deepening the kiss.

She knew he felt the same need coursing through his body, when he pressed her back into the wall. His hands drifted up and down her body, setting her soul on fire.

And just as the fire grew, he pulled away, searching her eyes. "There's something I need to tell you before this goes any further."

Wisps of hair brushed her face as she shook her head, needing him now more than ever. Her fragile bond with reality on the verge of snapping. "I don't want to talk."

She slid her hand down his chest, over the ripple of his abs, toying with the edge of the towel where it hung low on his hips. Slipping a finger under the terry cloth, she dragged it back and forth
, teasing.

He grabbed her wrists, pinning them to the wall. "This can't wait
, Sam."

No. She refused to hear any excuses. Th
eir last attempt at making love was cooled by a storm. She needed this.

Now.

No more regrets.

"Please
, Ian...for just one moment, I want to forget."

Forget that her life was no longer hers, but controlled by an immortal God. Tomorrow may never come for either one of them. She needed to have tonight.

The muscle in his jaw twitched as the air between them thickened. Just when she thought he would walk away, he swept her up against him, his lips seeking hers. In three quick strides he entered the master bedroom. She slid down his body, until her feet touched the floor.

Taking a step away from him she gripped the hem of her shirt. His eyes darkened as she lifted it over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Her fingers tugged at the waist of her pants. Eyes locked on his face she swayed her hips, sliding the soft cotton material down her thighs. His gaze followed each movement.

The way his eyes skimmed her body stole her breath.

She swiveled away from him as he reached to touch her. His jaw clenched in frustration. Feeling bold, she dropped her eyes to the swell of her breasts, a seductive smile teased her lips. She reached behind her, freeing the clasp on her bra. Hooking a thumb under the lace strap
, she slid it off her shoulder.

His eyes narrowed. Before she could move
, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her tight against his body. Warm lips crashed against hers. She parted them, allowing him entrance. Desire spiraled through her body. Scooping her into his arms, he laid her on the bed.

Trailing a path down her neck, she gasped when his mouth covered her nipple. Arching her back to give him better access,
she slid her hands into his hair. Tugging the strands when he sucked and released her nipple. Her legs lifted, wrapping around his waist, her hips rocking as he licked a path back to her mouth.

A slow burn coiled
in her belly. If she didn't have him inside her soon, she would scream. Her body craved him like the air she breathed. With a strength she didn't know she had, she clenched her thighs, flipping him until she was on top. In control.

Now it was her turn to torture him.

Bending at the waist, her tongue darted out, tracing lazy circles on his chest. She worked her way lower, her nails grazing his sides. He squirmed under her touch, his hands dug into her hair. When she reached the cotton barrier separating them, she glanced up then tugged it free with her teeth. His desire for her sprang forward, pulsing beneath her warm breath.

She licked her lips, anticipation of tasting him making her salivate.
Hearing him groan her name in release, her only thought. As she was about to take him into her mouth, he lifted her, rolling her underneath him. His mouth covering hers, his tongue sweeping in and out.

Moaning
, she clenched him between her thighs, circling her hips against him. She reached down, trying to tug her panties off, but his hand stilled hers.

"We have all night Sam. I want to take this slow. Remember every minute of it."

Forcing back the tears she knew would betray her, all she could do was nod her head and watch as he slid her panties down her legs. Following the silky material with soft kisses. Down one leg and then the other. His lips scorched her skin inch by inch.

She'd dreamed of this night over and over, but none compared to the reality. Her body felt like it would shatter into a million pieces if he didn't make love to her now.
The whole world could explode around them and she wouldn't care. He was finally here. Finally hers.

When his lips finally returned to hers, he slowed the pace. His hands cradled her cheeks, while his tongue wove a spell over her.

And she forgot everything but him. And this moment.

Sitting up
, he hooked his arm under her back, lifting her toward him. His erection grazed her, sending shards of fire through her belly.

She opened her legs, pressing herself against him.
She cried out as he thrust inside. Wrapping her legs around him, she pulled his mouth back to hers. The kiss deepened, erasing all thought from her mind.

Until he eased out, then slowly slid back in. Each movement left her breathless. His mouth smothered her cries as she arched into him. The ache built inside of her, waiting for release. She locked eyes with him, knowing he held back
, waiting to cross that threshold together.

When she clenched around him, he thrust one final time into her. Her body shook as wave after wave of pleasure rolled over her. She didn't realize she was crying until his lips captured her tears.

He smoothed her damp hair off her face as he kissed her forehead.

"Are you okay, Sam?"

She lifted her hand, cupping his cheek. He clasped her fingers, then turned his head, kissing her palm.

Why couldn't they stay like this forever? They'd finally found each other again and the thought of losing
him tore at her soul. She had to find a way to save Ian. To save her brother. Because after this night, she knew she would never get enough. Her body already craved more.

Reality slammed into her when his cell phone rang in the distance. Ian pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.

“I have to get that.” His voice grew husky with regret. It only made the ache within her increase. As did releasing her hold on him.

She couldn't hide her disappointment. The same disappointment that filled his face when he whispered, "I wouldn't stop if I didn't have to. But know one thing, Sam. This…" he stroked a path from her lips, down her neck, teasing the skin just above her breasts. "This is just a taste of what's to come." He placed another soft kiss on her lips and then he was gone. The air around her cold where he had once been. With shaky fingers
, she touched her lips. They still burned from his kiss.

Sam could hear his muffled voice in the background. She didn't know what could be so important that he'd stop their kiss to answer the phone. Hopefully good news about Jason.

Pulling the sheet around her, she tucked her knees under her chin. Would it be awkward between them in the morning? Would he regret making love to her? He'd tried to stop her earlier, but she'd thrown herself at him. Maybe he'd felt sorry for her. For all the mistakes he'd made and thought giving in to her would ease his conscience.

No. She refused to believe that. He had to care for her. She saw it in his eyes. He couldn't fake that. Whether they were still together after this, she didn't know. But she would not regret tonight.

Ginger pushed her way through the door, making her way across the carpet until her paw rested atop Sam's foot.

Could she sense the battle raging with
in Sam? Maybe that's why Ginger wouldn't take her eyes off of her. Sam leaned forward, scratching the fur behind the dog's ear. “Gin...I can't love him. If that was just a taste of what could be, the Saints help me when he gives me the rest.”