Restraint (The Revelation Series Book 2) (17 page)

“Look at me, siren
,” he demands, forcing my eyes open.

Staring into the depths of his blue eyes,
I feel almost dizzy. His tongue darts out and runs over my bottom lip then the top, causing my lips to part. Asher sucks in a ragged breath as he bends forward and nips my bottom lip, pulling it toward him before allowing his tongue to soothe the pricking sensation his teeth caused.

Finally,
his lips press into mine, causing a raw and sexy sound to rumble from his chest. My hands clench the front of his shirt, pulling him closer as he yanks my hair back hard, forcing my mouth to allow him access. His lips are demanding and bruising, searing me with unspoken passion.

This kiss is different from
the others we’ve shared. It’s more intimate. A seal of desire that’s uniting us. The swirling feeling returns, like we’re morphing into one. Marking me. I close my eyes for a moment and when I reopen them, we’re back in his stone state bed.

My heart drops, not wanting this
kiss to end. Once we’re out of the chamber, it will be over. Asher pulls away, leaving only a small slit of air between us before he opens his eyes and stares directly into mine, penetrating each layer. His lips part on a quick, shallow inhale.

“Siren?” It comes out breathy and unsure. My only answer is to shift on his lap as my body brushes against his arousal
. “Fuck. If you do that again, I’m going to throw you down right here,” he says, his voice rough and his hands tight around my waist.

Keeping my eyes fixated on his,
I move my hips once more. At the bold move, any shred of self-control Asher was holding onto disappears. In one smooth, quick move, he lays me down on my back, pressing me into the mattress as he covers my body with his. A strangled gasp escapes my lips.

With his face hovering
centimeters above mine, he takes his right hand and runs it down the length of my bare leg then back up as he hitches it over his hip. My fingers grab onto his shoulders, pulling him closer as his hand continues to climb under the hem of my dress and over my hipbone, simultaneously rocking his lower body into me, causing a spark of heat to ignite.

My eyes roll back at the
movement. “Oh. My. God. Asher,” I pant. He lowers his head to the crook of my neck, biting and sucking the spot just under my ear. After each painful bite, his tongue soothes the sting. I dig my fingers deeper into his broad shoulders, grabbing at the cotton material as his fingers find their way between my legs, caressing me over the lace of my panties. At his touch, I release a soft whimper.

“
Shit, you’re drenched,” he says as he lifts his head and scans my face. Watching me, his middle finger runs up and then down over the barrier in a slow rhythm. With each stroke, my body arches into his.

In response,
Asher lets out a deep growl, bends down and takes my lips forcefully as his fingers find the edge of the fabric, pushing the material to the side. Without breaking contact with my mouth, he continues to caress and tease me without the lace obstacle, causing me to gasp against his lips.

My hips
tilt forward with the pressure of his fingers as they slowly find their way inside of me, while his thumb teases my nerve endings. I shudder as an intense ache builds inside me.

I open my eyes to find his are squeezed shut. “You feel so fucking good, siren.”

I’m not sure how much time has past. All I can focus on are his skillful motions.

“Asher.”
I don’t recognize my needy voice. “Please.” I’m not even sure what I’m asking for.

“I’ve got you. Let go
, siren.” At his command, I let out a muted scream, arching into him while at the same time clinging onto his shoulders. My body trembles as pleasure runs through me. Asher is motionless, watching me as I come down from my moment of bliss. Once the last of my shudders run through me, he removes his hand and pushes the lace cloth back with a pleased groan. Slowly, he begins to lift off me, sitting on his heels and pulling me up with him.

Once we’
re both sitting up, he repositions the bottom of my dress, covering me. He’s oddly quiet.
Shouldn’t someone speak?
I go to open my mouth but before I can say anything, Asher runs the pad of his thumb over my swollen lips.

“
Shit, Eve. I’m so sorry. I lost control…I shouldn’t have let it go that far. Are you okay?” His voice is filled with concern. I nod. It’s all I can handle right now. “There are some things I need to discuss with Michael and Keegan that are urgent. We should go,” he says, pulling me off the bed and guiding me toward the stone staircase.
Um, okay?

Confused, I silently follow him. I should be elated right now
. Instead, I just feel cold and empty. He’s withdrawn and I think I might have lost him for good this time.

1
2
London

I’m on edge. Asher has been
held up in the library behind closed doors with Keegan, Callan and Michael since we left the chamber. Leaving me alone with my thoughts and the evil clock I’ve been watching with an unhealthy obsession for what feels like days. I sigh and put my head in my hands. My brain is on overload. Come to think of it, why am I not in the library with them?
What the hell?
I know the discussion is about me.

I ne
ed to pull it together. My constant overthinking is going to land me in a mental facility if I don’t stop. All I can focus on is the one word Priestess Arabella spoke. Restraint. What’s wrong with Asher and I that not even twenty minutes later, we were in his bed showing the complete opposite?
God, you’re so stupid, Eve
. The heat in my cheeks rises as images of what I just experienced with Asher run through my head. How it felt to have him that close to me, only to be rejected and mortified, again, by someone who’s supposed to be protecting me.
Awesome
.

“How long has she been like this?” Abby’s voice filters through my scattered synapses.

“About an hour,” McKenna answers.

“Poor
lass. Dat lad has her all wound up,” Fiona replies.

“Has she been ta
lking to herself the entire time?” Abby asks with concern.

“Aye, more like
mumblin’ and pacin’,” Fiona answers.

“For fucks sake
, knock it off. You’re making me motion sick with all the jittery movement,” McKenna yells at me.

“
KENNA! Watch ye language, lass,” Fiona scolds.

“I’m just saying, how bad could her reading have been that she’s this jumpy?” McKenna reasons.

“It wasn’t great,” Abby reminds me.

I stop
walking back and forth and lift my gaze to them. They’re all standing in the doorway like a group of mother hens. Staring at me as if my head is about to explode at any moment.

“Hello
, luv. Welcome back. Can I get ye sum cocoa?” Fiona asks kindly.

“
Um, okay,” I answer, just wanting them to leave.

“Splendid. I’ll be back in a jiff.”
The panther shifter prowls away toward the kitchen.

“TALK!”
McKenna demands as she crosses the threshold into the sitting room.

“About what
, McKenna?” I retort.

“Well, maybe you
could tell us how you’re feeling about Asher transferring his gift of healing to you? Especially since we all thought it was something Michael passed along,” Abby pushes.

McKenna’s jaw drop
s. “Are you serious?”

Abby’s eyes dart to her quickly and then back to me. “Well?”

I sigh. “Well, what?”

Abby plops down on the couch. “Well
, how does that make you feel?” she repeats slowly.

“I’
m not sure. I think Asher is pretty pissed off about it. Like he’s mad I acquired his gift or something,” I comment offhandedly.

“Nonsense
. Just means dat da bond ‘tis stronger now.” Fiona places a tray of mugs and scones on the coffee table before sitting next to Abby.

“Does no one care that a stronger bond is a
ctually a bad thing?” McKenna offers. “It means they’re getting too close. They aren’t even mated and now they’re exchanging abilities?”

“Thanks for stating the obvious, McKenna.” I scowl.

Her eyes narrow at me. “Someone has to, blood of Eden.”

“I think Asher seemed more upset about you
looting around in his head than the gift transfer,” Abby blurts out.

McKenna’s face gr
ows hard as she snaps her head to Abby. “By the grace,” she snarls.

“
Yes, yes. We get it, McKenna. Put your claws back in.” I huff.

“
At least your eye color is back to normal,” Abby offers in consolation.
Oh my God, would she just stop talking.

McKenna throws her hands up in the air. “Did she get the mate mark too? For fucks sake.”

“Tsk. Kenna, language, lass,” Fiona warns again.

“
No. She doesn’t have my mark.” Asher’s cool voice floats into the room from the doorway.

My heart jumps against my ribcage
at the sound of his deep voice. He looks pissed off. His jaw is tight, body stiff, and hands are clenching by his side.

Keegan and Callan saunter in
, forcing Asher to move into the room. “Where’s Michael?” McKenna asks.

“He was called back
,” Keegan states, pulling McKenna’s back toward his chest and resting his chin on her head.

Asher’s eyes widen in panic before he takes five long strides
so he’s standing directly in front of me, blocking me from the group. His hand comes up with lightning speed as he brings some of my hair forward, covering my neck.

My
eyebrows drag together in confusion before I realize he’s concealing the spot he was biting and sucking on earlier. My face flushes bright red as he turns his entire body away from me.
Could I be anymore mortified?

“We’re leaving for London
,” Asher states matter-of-factly to the group.

“Why?” Abby questions as she and Fiona stand.

“We need to meet with some of the other clans, baby,” Callan answers.

“The priestess was certain Lucifer is making side deals with me
mbers of the supernatural world through the Declan clan. In order to find out who and what those deals are, we’ll need to bring in other families to help us. More bodies mean additional protection for Eve while we strategize a defense,” Keegan explains.

Fiona sighs heavily.

“It’s just for a bit while we get all our
intel in place. We’ll be back as soon as we can, Fi.” Callan grabs her hand and squeezes.

“Aye ‘tis okay.
” She pats his hand. “Let me pack some snacks for ye ta take.” She leaves and heads to the kitchen.

“We should get
our stuff together. I’d like to be there by nightfall so we can begin to request meetings with the other clans first thing in the morning,” Keegan says to the group.

“Let’s do it then. Eve
, do you need any help?” Abby asks.

“No
, thanks.” My voice sounds small.

With that, w
e all head upstairs.

I’m just
placing the last items in my bag when there’s a soft knock at the door. I close my eyes and inhale, knowing Asher’s on the other side. I push down my nerves and prepare for the awkward talk.

My hand pauses on the door
knob for a brief moment before I yank it open. Lifting my head, I take in Asher. He looks exhausted and at the same time, so spectacular.

“Hi
,” he says quietly.

“Hi
,” I repeat.

“I just wanted to see if you needed anything before we
head out.”

I shake my head. “All good.”
I keep my voice light.

“Okay then. See you downstairs in a bit.”
He turns to leave.
Super awkward.

“Yep.”
I begin to shut the door but he puts up his hand and stops the movement.

“
May I come in?” His voice is thick.

I sigh and open the door
, signaling for him to enter with a quick flick of my hand. His scent tickles my nose as he walks by me. I turn and shut the door. “Ash, I’m not in the mood for a lecture.”

All of the sudden, my back is pressed against the door. Asher’s
body firmly holds mine in place as I let out a soft gasp. His warm breath dances across my cheek. He takes my face in his hands as he leans his forehead against mine.

In a low whisper, he says, “I’m so fucking sorry, siren.”

“W-What?” I ask, trying to regain control of my senses.

“
I apologize,” he says again.

“For what?”
I was expecting a lecture, not an apology.