Red Awakening: (Red Knight #2) (14 page)

I side step sharpish, clutching the swimsuit to my chest.

                                                              ***

Adrien has his arms folded over the terracotta tiled edge, watching my approach. His jaw is clasped tight, but lips display a hot smile. For a second I zigzag, unsure whether to leap in, or sensibly climb down the pool steps. I go for the sensible option. I’m aiming for a careful but sexy entrance.

I hear the surface of the water break as my legs descend deeper, then see the ripples. He’s looming fast and his eyes are mischievous.

“Adrien don’t you dare,” I warn.

I shriek out a laugh as he grabs my waist, propelling my body over his shoulder, so I dive into the water head first.
Sexy entrance totally gone
. I swim down to the base of the pool, then come up for a gasp of air. He floats toward me with a grin. I move my wet hair back over my head and blow out. He sweeps me up into his arms and spins, so small waves crash over my chest.

“Now, you can see there is no one out here, other than us.”

“Look, I’m not as comfortable with the whole skinny dipping thing like you.” I reel my eyes. “There are houses behind us… people could quite easily just walk in here.”

He lightly kisses my nose. “I suppose confidence comes with age.”

“Yes well, if the pool was inside then that’s fair enough. Anyway, Cate and Sara did okay with my bag… this isn’t too bad is it?”

His eyes skim slowly down my chest, belly, and legs. “It’s very… very appealing.”

He lets my feet sink to the bottom and begins to circle me like a shark. First on his front, then on his side, now he’s floating easily on his back. I tread the water, trying not to be distracted by his lusting eyes. But hell, my mind is swaying, and I’m so tempted to whip off my shorts and toss them into the bushes.

“I have a few things rolled up my sleeve over the next few days.” He comes to stand right before me, the water just below his firm chest.

I bite my cheek, watching the droplets roll over his skin. “Such as?”

“Well, there’s the obvious of course,” he winks. “And the rest, you’ll soon see.”

His lips gently nip and nibble mine, sweetly. He draws back with an erotic sensual desire in his eyes. It was one of his perfected kisses; one that is sultry, yet tender. The one that always pushes me over the very edge. Now I’m holding on with a thread, and he knows it. He knows how to work me well.

“You’re so beautiful.” He pushes my hair behind my ear.

I exhale a lengthy breath. “Hmm.”

“I’m going to have you in this pool.” He moves me with ease, gliding me back up against the pool wall. “But first my lips need to taste yours.”

Now I’m over the edge, on that sexual plane where nothing else matters. I don’t care, not even if the paparazzi are taking photos from a helicopter above. That bush is definitely going to be seeing my shorts, very soon.

He cups my neck and lies passionate kisses on my face. He stops and moves back, his ravenous gaze devouring me. He holds the side of the pool, allowing his legs to float to the surface. I ogle his shapely spine, horizontally slinking, snakelike.

“Do you want me to?” His eyes fall down to my waist.

“Yes.” I’m panting, completely turned on by the offer of oral loving.

While treading water, he kisses my neck and manoeuvres to my chest. I cling to the sides, struggling not to sink. He’s weakened me.

He slowly lowers his head under the water, and uses my body to guide himself low. I feel his fingers slide over the elastic waistband of my shorts. He tugs them down and I allow my legs to float open for him. I see my briefs surface and float to the middle of the pool.
Jeez… he’s… oh my god
. My back slams into the tiles and my entire body wanes.

“Oh fuck,” I cry out.

His lips are on mine, and coupled with the warm water and his fantastic tonguing, I’m losing my damn mind. He has to be inside me, right now.

I gasp as his body flips over so his entire naked front is floating before me. His hands are wrapped around my thighs, and his whole face is in my opening. He’s tongue fucking me hard, and I’m choking on my orgasm. I can see his erection, and I want it.

“Adrien… please!”

My sex explodes as he drinks in my love. I violently claw at his chest. He soars up from the water as my legs jet out to latch around him. I’m horny and angry, and I need my remedy, hard. He clutches my hair aggressive, and I like it. He enters me like silk being pulled through fingers, and I moan out in euphoria.

God, this is the perfect honeymoon. This is freaking amazing.

Liz

Her name is Rosalie and she’s a magnificent luxury speed boat, which belongs to Mr Angelino. I recline back into the cream upholstered leather with a glass of wine in my hand, enjoying the picturesque night time view across Lake Como. This has been one hell of a honeymoon, and I’m trying not to think about the journey back to dull rainy London tomorrow.

I think of all the things that has made this all so wonderful. Adrien, the villa, the delicious food. Yesterday, I even gave water skiing a go. Though I failed epically, and ended up sat beside the instructor in my life jacket, choking on water, as Adrien successfully rode the subtle waves.

Adrien cuts out the engine. He anchors Rosalie down so we stop in the best spot to see the entire shoreline, twinkling on the night horizon. She fluctuates in the water, as Adrien crouches and lifts his glass from the mahogany cup holder. With a sweet smile, he sits down in the seat adjacent to mine. I sigh, watching as he sips his whisky and breathes out a relaxed breath.

“Back to the rat race tomorrow.” His lips form a disappointed grin.

“We could just stay here.”

“Yeah we could, but I don’t think that will go down too well with Dom,” he smirks. “He’ll be counting down the hours until we land.”

“He really looks up to you doesn’t he?”

“He’s the most human out of all of us. I feel like it’s my place to look out for him after everything he’s been through.”

I turn over to lean against my arm. “It must have been hard, to see him suffering, having the power to change him, but at the cost of losing his humanity.”

“Really,” he squints with a smile. “Therapy?”

“All I’m saying is, Dom is alright you know. You shouldn’t feel you owe him a thing.”

“But I do Elizabeth.” Lines of disagreement deepen around his eyes. “I owe them all. Sara, Ben, Dom. More so after losing Connor.”

“What happened wasn’t your fault,” I say, adamantly. “How were you to know that Laurie had gone completely off the reservation?”

“It’s my place to know everything about those who are what they are because of my actions.” He looks to me with the weight of the world in his eyes. “It’s a domino effect. I was the first knocked over, and that influenced those around me. I’m the maker of a darkness in each of them, and they will be my responsibility until the end of time.”

“No one blames you Adrien.” I place my glass in the holder, then go and perch on his lap. “I see it every day. They have the choice to leave, but they all stick around. They do their best to please you… why do you think that is?”

He beams, peering up, placing his hand on my cheek. “Is this about our agreement?”

“Not at all.”

Maybe it is. Maybe it’s my subconscious dropping hints again. An accidental coincident.

“Good, this is not the right time to be discussing it.” He drinks the remainder of his whisky. “Not when we are here.” He runs his fingers down my spine then reaches for my wine glass. “Here.” I take my drink and he clinks his whisky against it. “To our last night.” I exhale with discontent, and swig down the last drop.

We’ve been anchored down for over an hour. It’s been so peaceful, lying here against his chest, but now the sounds coming from the shore grow louder, echoing in the wind. And a huge boat clad in lights passes by, filled with lively tourists. The captain toots his horn, and Adrien and I are cheered at.

I sit up laughing, and wave back. Adrien however seems less receptive to the greeting. I giggle, lifting his hand to wave it for him. He sniggers with an eye roll as the stern floats away.    

“Right.” He runs his hand over my butt. “Do you want to drive the boat back?”

I offer a nervous grin. I’ve never drove a boat before. I guess it can’t be that hard. It’s not like I’ll have to dodge speeding traffic.

“Okay.”

He pats my butt and I shuffle off his knees. As I stand up, I feel a stabbing pain on the left side of my abdomen, which stops my breath. I angle over for a second, trying to rid the stitch deep within my hip.

“Elizabeth.” Concerned, Adrien stoops to my side.

“I’m fine.” I straighten up, only to have the same pain make me flinch over again.

“Like hell you are.” He sits me down and squats before my knees.

I inhale in and out several times with my eyes shut, and the sensation thankfully eases.

“It’s gone,” I blow out. “Must have been gas.”

His eyes expand. I don’t really think he cares to know about how windy I am. It’s got to be all the rich food I’ve been treated to over the last few days. It’s beginning to catch up with me.

“Well, I think it’s best if I get us back to the Villa,” he says, grabbing my feet, placing them up on the footrest. “Now you just relax… Michael will not appreciate his toy being violated,” he fusses. “You need to vomit, aim that way.”

“I’m fine.”

                                                        ***

I leave Adrien securing the boat in the boathouse, and make my way up the stairs. I’m so damn thirsty, so much so, my lips are sticking to my gums.

I rush across to the fridge and take out a two litre bottle of mineral water. Quickly, I flick off the lid and begin to guzzle it down by fridge light. Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever drunk so fast. I gulp down the last mouthful, sucking the bottle so it cracks and pops loudly. I exhale and wipe the wetness from my mouth to see Adrien gaping at me. I look at the large empty bottle, then back to his confounded expression.

“Elizabeth, what’s going on with you,” he asks. “Are you sick? I can call for a doctor.”

I close the fridge. I hate the way he’s looking at me, as though what I’ve just done is weird. So what if I’m a little more thirsty than usual. It’s no big deal.

I move toward him with a placid grin. “I told you already, I’m good. I was just thirsty. Must have been the night time air.” I kiss his cheek. “Now,” I flirt. “I’m going to go and clean-up. Give me five minutes.” I peck his lips, then provocatively mosey toward the stairs.

                                                         ***

I slip out of my jean shorts and swiftly whip off my orange vest, tossing them on the white tiles. The underwear I’m in is suitable for our last sexy rendezvous: black lace hipsters, and matching bra. I give my teeth a quick scrub, then brush my hair over my shoulder.

A strange whistling in my head suddenly takes over my senses. A high pitch sound that makes my teeth hurt. I shake my head, and the brash movements seems to dissipate the awful noise. I inhale a deep breath, arching over the sink. It’s our last night here, and I’m not going to spend it being ill. I blow out as I make my way back into the bedroom.

As I walk through, Adrien enters. He eyes me from head to toe. A light breeze sweeps through the open window and over my skin. My feet tread across the thick carpet. I stand before him, then seductively flick open the buttons of his shirt. Every time, without fail, the sight of his supple body, makes me feel lucky. My fingers trail over his hips, onto his abdomen, and over his soft torso. He swoops his hand beneath my hair as I loosen the drawstring on his cotton trousers.

I slope away from his touch, and make my way to the bed. Full of desire, I spin so my back is against the bedpost: teasing, arched, and ready for him. He hovers near with slight eyes and kisses me soft, gently pushing me down onto the bed. I fall back with an excited gasp.

He removes his tight white briefs to release his erection, and stands at the foot of the bed like a deity. My hands stretch out over the sheets, clawing impatiently. His knees land between my legs. He then bends and kisses the lace of my panties, and moves up and over my nipple, each one is treated to a sensitive nibble.

My inhalation is deep and needy as he angles, kissing my eyes, cheekbone, and the lobe of my ear. I moan in pleasure and bite my lip as he rubs his cock against the lace. Jeez, he’s not even inside me and I’m going to burst. It’s his eyes, they’re so powerful and magnetic, pulling my sex strings like a puppet.

“Please,” I beg him. “Just take me.”

“Don’t plead with me Elizabeth,” his low deep voice makes my toes curl. “You don’t need to.”

His fingers slip through mine, sliding my hands above my head. I squeeze, as his body weighs on me, with his lips to my ear.

“Let me see you give in.”

I bring up my knees as he crawls down my body to remove my panties. Even though he’s not inside me, I’m making love to him. He watches with his hands firm on my hip, coaxing my hips to dance for him.

Desperately, I grab the hand he has pressed on my belly, and slide it down so his fingers rub up my sex. Flicking my arms back, I clutch the sheets, moaning.

“That’s it Elizabeth… come for me.”

“GOD!”

His fingers circle against my clit. Shit. I’m letting go. Quickly my sex god removes his hand and I feel my come wetting the bedsheets. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning hits me, Adrien’s sweet tongue laps my opening. I grunt, forcing my eyes open to see his head bobbing up and down. I can’t fucking do this. I need more.

I pull at his hair. “ADRIEN.” 

He kneels up and flips me over onto my front. He takes the time to view my back, unclipping my bra strap. He routes his finger hard down my spine and over my naked butt. I flinch at his firm provoking touch, his breath on my neck as he enters me.

Wow, wow, wow.
With my legs flat out, his lips on the back of my neck, and his deep thrusts into the mattress, I continue to ooze pleasure. He pants, again taking my hands higher as he goes harder and harder.

“Oh fuck,” I wail as I come like never before.

The sensation of his solid moves, and the chafe against the soft fabric on my clit is blowing my mind. I grip his fingers tighter, and lift my ass to meet his penetrating arousal.

His chest rests heavy on my shoulders as he angles to my ear. I feel his jaw tense against my neck.

“I. Love. You.” His raspy words make me moan out as a second erotic flow escapes me.

“Oh god,” I cry out, as he slams then shudders into my back.

I pant loud. My heart needs to slow the hell down before it stops. He kisses my neck and pulls out with an elated sigh. I remain on my front in the unattractive starfish position, smiling into the mattress.

He’s on his back watching me. I’m so light and satisfied. His sweet dimples expand as he smiles at the sight of me.

He sweeps my hair away from my eyes. “Beautiful.”

I laugh. “You’ve clearly gone sex blind.”

“Well Mrs Knight, you are,” he smiles. “Even first thing when you’re all cranky.” He tucks my hair behind my ear.

I curl up onto my side. A cool draft flows over the bed and makes me shiver. Adrien takes the sheets which are screwed up at the base of the bed, and lifts them up over my body.

“Can I ask you a question?” I murmur, brushing my toes over his feet.

“Shoot.”

“Sara…”

“Oh no.” He stops me saying another word. “Can we not discuss such matters in bed?”

“It was just something she said,” I continue.

“Elizabeth.” He takes my hand to his bare chest. “Don’t concern yourself with Sara’s problems.”

“It’s not a problem,” I sigh. “It’s an enquiry.”

“Okay… go on.”

“She told me a wedding between vampire and human is more or less not heard of.”
God, he’s developing those annoyed lines around his eyes
. “I wondered that’s all… why the order allowed it,” I quickly say.

It’s the one thing that’s been picking at my brain. Okay, I’ve met Selene and was, well, let’s just say shaken by the experience. I’m dreading the thought of having to meet the others.

“You need to stop wondering.”

“Why would they allow us to marry?”

“Elizabeth,” he frustrates. “I have been over this with you already.”

My lips pucker. He has never gone into detail on the subject. His answers have always been to the point. He’s a valued Executive, yadda-yadda-yadda. And his reward was allowing us to marry, and him handing over the reins to another. That’s it. He’s never explained to me exactly what was said when he went to Prague to see the Sange Pentru.

“What does it matter; everything right now is great isn’t it?” I nod a little. “Well then, stop fretting and go to sleep.” He angles up, kisses my lips lightly, and pulls me onto his chest.