Awaiting Fate Page 13

  “I know, but it doesn’t make it right,” he said. “He won’t be happy about us, Liv. You know that, right?”

  She nodded, then her gaze fell away from his.

  He lifted her chin with his index finger, forcing her to focus on him again. “You are mine, Liv. I’ve waited for you, not for his acceptance. I’ll fight for you if I have to. I meant everything I said. I want to mark you so bad my soul aches. Nothing would gratify me more than you bearing my brand. I want to marry you in that church you mentioned. I know your brother’s approval means a lot to you, so I’ve held back today because I don’t want you strolling back home bearing my mark without talking to him first.”

  “But you can’t wait any longer and neither can I. I trust you—”

  “I’ve waited too long. I might turn when we—”

  “So, turn. I couldn’t care less,” she cut him off. “It doesn’t matter to me whether you mark me. I love my brother, but this is you and me. You’re my male and as far as I’m concerned I don’t have to consult with anyone to bear my male’s mark.”

  “You care and you’ll be miserable if you don’t discuss this with him—”

  “You’re right, but there’s no more waiting, Cain. If it happens, it happens.”

  He smiled. “You are a beautiful contradiction, darling, naïve and vivacious, shy yet stubborn, beautiful and strong and I love you for every bit of it.”

  “Well, well, I don’t know whether to be insulted or flattered,” she commented, her voice tinged with sarcasm.

  “Flattered,” he said automatically. “Can’t you see beauty in contradiction?”

  His lips lingered too close to hers for her to summon the strength to formulate a response. He traced her lips with his tongue then ran his fingers through her hair, wrapping it around his wrist and pulling slightly, tilting her head back. His lips then trailed down her neck as his other hand ran up and down her back, trailing fire and ice with a single touch. Desire melted within her, pooling at her center. He pressed her closer. She felt every muscle and every tendon as she drew her hands down his chest toward his neatly outlined abs.

  He pulled her away slowly. “Darling,” he urged. “I think I asked you a question.”

  “You’re a tease,” she said breathlessly. “So I can’t remember the question.”

  He chuckled; his breath hit her in waves. “Dancing,” he said. “I promised you dancing.”

  A second later, they were in Fira, and she’d never been more disappointed. The cool breeze made her shiver as soon as he pulled away from her. He ran his hands up and down her shoulders briefly then turned her toward the small capital of the island. Draping an arm around her shoulders, he led her forward. The narrow pebbled streets were cramped with tourists: some loud and rambunctious, some couples lost in lust. Both made her wish they’d never left the comfort of her home.

  He leaned into her ear and whispered, “Where’s the best place to dance?”

  He wouldn’t let it go. She couldn’t be mad because he was honorable, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Olivia pulled Cain toward the first bar she spotted with blaring music. As they passed over the threshold, a new song started, one of her favorites. She began swaying to the beat, shifting her hips, letting the music guide her. He grabbed her hand, let her tread forward and spun her, then he placed his hands on her hips, pressing her back toward his chest as he swayed with her.

  She’d forgotten what a good dancer he was.

  He turned her quickly, so she faced him. His hand pressed firmly on the small of her back, crushing her body to his. The suddenness made her breath hitch, but not for long.

  A second later, his lips pressed against hers; his tongue spreading her lips apart then invading her mouth, forcefully exploring her. Their kiss was over as quickly as it’d been initiated.

  He led her to the bar. “The usual, Mrs. Thaler?” he whispered in her ear.

  She nodded, still unable to speak and smiled. There wasn’t much about her he didn’t know now and vice versa. He knew what she liked and what she didn’t. It fascinated her as deeply as it comforted her. Small details like those allowed her to, in reflection, look favorably upon the time they’d spent as friends when they should’ve been mates.

  The bartender placed their drinks on the bar top. Cain handed over his card without a glance at the bartender, then grabbed her drink and handed it to her.

  “To my bride,” he said, tapping the edge of his drink against hers. “Need to get you a ring.”

  “I don’t need a ring. Everyone will know once I’m marked.”

  “Not mortals,” he pointed out.

  Mortals? An immortal mating was much more significant than any mortal marriage. There were no divorces, no annulments, no “we were drunk and in Vegas” or irreconcilable differences. It was truly till death do they part or forever.

  Her expression must have given away her thought because the next instant he said, “Humor me. I’m the typical four-hundred-year-old demon, and I don’t fancy reading lust streaming off of men—immortal or otherwise.”

  “No one is interested in me—”

  His eyes sparked. “Ah, right, another thing I love about you. You’re humble, maybe too humble.” He paused; his eyes scanned the room before they met hers again. “I’ve read lust streaming from every damn man we’ve passed and it was for you, darling.”

  “That’s not true.”

  He raised an eyebrow, suspiciously. “Are you saying my abilities as an empath are lacking?”

  Smiling, in a teasing tone, she said, “I would never—”

  “That’s what you’re implying.”

  “I would have noticed if men looked at me,” she insisted.

  “You only see what you want to see, but for fun and because we still need to finish our drinks before we head out to the dance floor, how about we test my abilities?”

  She took a sip of her martini then asked, “How do you plan to do that?”

  Before she finished her sentence, he grabbed her drink, and placed it on the bar top. He tucked her body against his; her hands immediately went to his hips. His heat engulfed her, filling every crevice, spiking her temperature to new heights. As he trailed his hand down her spine, her heart thumped louder and louder until she heard it above the sound of the roaring music. He bent slightly, tucking his head in the crook of her neck, running his tongue along her pulse. She was hot, too hot, and she wanted him, then and there.

  “You want me, Liv,” he whispered huskily.

  Hands fisting the sides of his shirt, she moaned, “Tease.” He chuckled against her, then slowly moved away without releasing her to look into her eyes, his expression mischievous and amused. “I’m only trying to demonstrate my mad skills.”

  “That doesn’t prove anything. You’ve had lots of practice, and I’m your mate. Destiny…” Her words fell away when his expression hardened.

  Taking a long swig of his drink, he finished it then placed it on the bar and ordered another.

  Noticing the change in his mood, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “I haven’t been with anyone since I met you,” he said, his expression torn. “But I’ve felt guilty about…”

  He left words unspoken, yet he projected his feelings. She felt guilt and remorse but still couldn’t grasp the reason why. “Why…”

  “You’ve been alive for more than a century, and I never searched. You were in the same state, sometimes in the same city…”

  Her heart swelled with the thought: her mate, guilt-ridden for never searching for her…as if it would’ve made a difference. She ran her hand down his cheek, loving the roughness of the blond stubble against her palm. “Even if you’d searched, you may have never found me. You found me when fate decided it should be. We’re together now, and that’s all that matters.”

  She spoke the words from her heart.

  Chapter 19

  As the night wore on, it had become breezy, drifting warm air through the bar. T
hey each had two drinks as they talked, laughed and danced.

  Thus far, it had been the most memorable day in Olivia’s life. A day when she realized dreams did in fact come true, a day when the love of her life confessed his love for her, and hopefully soon it would be the day she gave the greatest gift she could give him in return, herself. Whether he knew it or not, he was already in possession of her heart and soul, but her body had never been touched, until today it had never been kissed or caressed.

  A slow melodic song sounded through the speakers, Cain pulled her body against his in an inescapable hold, swaying with her to the soft beat of the music. Her hands crossed behind his neck, her fingers in his hair.

  The song sounded familiar, too familiar. He ran his hand down her back, his fingers lingering over her skin. She shuddered loving a simple touch.

  It happened every time. No matter how insignificant the graze, whether his arms wrapped around her or whether it was a soft caress to her cheek, her body imploded with desire.

  He sang the lyrics slowly and wonderfully against her lips. His voice drifting through her, comforting her.

  As the song continued to play, in those enduring moments suspended in time, nothing existed but them, and the lyrics he uttered. His eyes never left her, seemingly as captivated by her as she was by him.

  Too soon the song ended, replaced by yet another dance mix, but neither moved. They were still hanging in their moment, preferring to remain in each other’s arms.

  After a long moment, he leaned down, and grazed his lips against hers. The softest, sweetest kiss.

  A soft smile spread across his lips, that glimmer in his eyes shining bright. He tightened his arms around her, the arm around her waist and the one around her back, then he buried his face in her neck. Her hands in his hair, she trailed down his back.

  “Home,” he whispered.

  “Home,” she agreed, then he led her toward the exit.

  Moments later, they materialized in her living room. She pulled her head away from the comfort of his chest to stare into his too blue eyes, but he didn’t release her and she didn’t release him. Instead, he leaned toward her and pressed his lips against hers, a beautiful kiss. Despite the hunger and fierceness in his eyes, the kiss was soft, sweet and sensual.

  His lips then roamed down her cheek and lingered over the throbbing pulse along her neck. There, he whispered, “I crave you.”

  He’d held back for too long, kept buried his desires as she had. With that simple declaration, she knew he’d given in, made the decision to have her, all of her. Finally. It was about time he gave into what they both longed for.

  A chill swept through her just thinking of it. It was all it took to get her heart racing, her temperature spiking, and her hands shaking. There was no use hiding the nerves. She wanted him. She loved him. As much as she’d dreamt of the moment, she was scared, too, because she didn’t know if she could please him and wanted to.

  Despite her nerves, insecurities and rambling thoughts, she managed to mumble, “Yes.”

  Pulling away slightly, she slid the strap of her dress off her shoulder. Holding her gaze, he hissed, the sound coming from the back of his throat. She knew his eyes would soon ignite red, ablaze with hunger—for her.

  She was glad for the blue nearly-there dress she’d worn. Perhaps it was her lucky charm, one she would treasure forever. More than likely, it had nothing to do with it; they were fated. Yes, she agreed, it was her beautiful destiny to lay in his arms, a cosmic gift she’d never be able to repay.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  His hands trailed down her hips toward her back. “For?”

  “You,” she mumbled.

  His eyes sparked moments before he placed his hand on the back of her neck and met her lips again, forcefully spreading her mouth open with his tongue and delving in with reckless abandonment. The kiss was hungry, passionate, so unlike the other. She couldn’t decide which she preferred.

  She would soon be lost, lost in him, but worries of her inexperience assailed her, and she pulled away.

  “What’s wrong, darling?” he asked. The fire in his eyes, his desire, ebbed with concern. “We don’t have to do—”

  “It’s not that. I want to…I just…I don’t know if I’m good at this…I’ve never…”

  “You are plenty good, darling. You just don’t know it.”

  He kissed her again, a soft, comforting kiss. Running his hands down her back, he cupped the underside of her derrière. Lost in his kiss, she barely recalled when her weight was no longer on her feet. He’d lifted her effortlessly, and she willingly straddled him. Her dress hiked up. The cool air hit her now bare backside briefly before his hands covered her.

  Groaning, he tore himself away to say, “Liv, please tell me you weren’t out without underwear.”

  Immediately, she covered his lips with hers, her arms encasing him, holding on for dear life.

  Breaking away from the kiss, he muttered, “Liv.” An attempt to question her again, or scold her, but lost in the moment, it lacked the strict tone. It came out heated and hungry and only made her need unbearable.

  Her heart drummed louder in sync with his when his hand crawled down her breast and clutched her lightly. She moaned, the sound deep, heated, startling her.

  “Darling, I need you,” he rasped against her ear.

  Her back hitting a soft surface, he continued to taunt her with his tongue, running it along her neck toward her chest then suddenly he was gone.

  Her eyes snapped open landing on his, swarming in red. What a sight, she thought, realizing then he’d materialized them in her room.

  She watched him as he slowly rid her of her dress then her thong. The relief she’d worn one was palpable in his crimson eyes. Tossing her clothes aside, he stood tense, muscles bulging, hands in fists at his sides, eyes hungry trailing every inch of her body, taking his fill.

  She couldn’t help it. Under his intent gaze, her face flushed, wondering if he liked what he saw. Despite the insecure thought, she fought to keep still, to let him see her, all of her for as long as he wanted.

  He murmured in Latin allowing her to catch a glimpse of his protruding fangs.

  After minutes without a caress, his gaze shot toward hers. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, Liv,” he said. Those red eyes riddled with blatant desire.

  She sighed, relieved.

  Removing his shirt then jeans, he only left his tented boxers. Her eyes widened. He was big, bigger than she’d thought any man could be. Would he fit her? Would he get any pleasure at all? Panicked, her breaths grew rapid.

  As if reading her mind, he assured, “I won’t hurt you, darling. I can’t.”

  She nodded, still unable to mask her worry.

  He moved, hovering over her body. His hands glided up and down her chest then he pressed his mouth over her nipple, sucking and tugging lightly.

  Pleasure searing and daunting overwhelmed her, so she couldn’t help but arch her back and moan in desire. Raking her fingers through his short-cropped hair, she held him to her, never wanting him to stop.

  He moved to her other breast, paying it as much attention as the first, kissing and caressing softly. Her breaths grew so rapid she was gasping. His hands trailed toward her core. One soft touch and a shot of pleasure rippled through her, making her ache. Her body tensed as a moan slid out of her lips. His tongue wandered lower and lower, licking his way toward her moist center. One flick, then two as his fingers rubbed her.

  She wanted to scream, wanted to encourage him, hold him, pleasure him, but she couldn’t speak. All she could do was feel the ecstasy he created so magically inside her.

  His tongue’s strokes continued, driving her toward a steep cliff of pleasure. With each, her moans became louder and louder, drowning out her pounding heart.

  Then he slid a finger into her. Her hips bucked, her body trembling uncontrollably. An explosion of passion, wave after wave of pleasure ascended her and wouldn’t
stop.

  She felt the aftershocks long after his arms went around her shoulders, and he silenced her moans with a gut-wrenching, searing kiss.

  Still trembling in his arms, aching from her mind-shattering orgasm and desiring more, she rasped, “I…”

  “Your eyes are beautifully glowing, darling,” he whispered against her lips.

  She didn’t know how he could tell. Her eyes were at half-mast, and heavy-lidded. “I need you…” she managed finally.

  The muscles in his shoulders tensed. “Maybe we should—”

  Her arms, wrapped around his neck, clutched him to her. “No, I need you now.” She’d waited over a century for him and wouldn’t let him get away now.

  His eyes darkened, his expression hardening. His shaft throbbed against her stomach, so she knew he wanted her, all of her, but he battled with himself, his desire and honor. Wanting to help him make up his mind, wanting to pleasure him as he pleasured her, she kissed him. When he groaned into her mouth, she knew desire had won.

  His jaw clenched, eyes ablaze, he removed his boxers. Hovering over her, he fisted his shaft then positioned himself at her core. He slid into her slowly, stretching her.

  She thought it would have been different, painful even, especially the first time, but all she felt was pleasure, overwhelming pleasure, so much so her nails dug into his shoulders, a loud moan escaped her lips. Immediately, he stilled. When he did, her gaze shot to his.

  His face was flushed, holding his breath. His eyes lingered over her, deadly and fierce. “Does it hurt?” he croaked.

  “No…it feels…you feel…amazing,” she whispered, then lifted her hips to meet his, taking more of him inside her.

  His eyes widened. He moaned then slid out and back in slowly. Placing his lips against hers, he kissed her as he continued to withdraw and thrust into her again. The muscles in his shoulders tightened and flexed with every thrust. As he’d done before, he increased his pace, the intensity of his kiss heightening, matching his deep thrusts. Several more and she was where she’d been before, near the edge.