Aflame (Apotheosis) (9 page)

“It was only a bad dream.” She tried to sound stoic, knowing he wouldn’t buy it. “Nothing to worry about.”

“You were screaming. I could hear you down the hall.” His nimble fingers worked their way through her tangled hair. Head pressed to his chest, his heart beat like the sweetest lullaby in her ear. She tried, but couldn’t hold back an exhausted yawn.

“You need to sleep.” His body shifted gently and he laid her across the bed. A pang of fear stabbed her chest. No. No sleeping. No dreaming.

“Please don’t leave.” Surprised by her own words, a blush warmed her cheeks. “Please, stay here with me. Don’t go.”
 

Zander’s face lit up. “I would like nothing more than to stay with you.” His eyes sparkled. “Let me get the chair.” He pointed to the overstuffed cream lounger occupying the far corner of the room.

No. Too far away. She scooted over and gestured for him to sit on the bed. “Please, I don’t want to be alone,” she whispered.

Looking extremely pleased, he straightened the sheet and comforter and pulled them up to her chin. The mattress slumped when he lay down next to her on top of the blankets. Acting the noble gentleman, he stayed close to the edge. A feat not easily accomplished with a physique that spanned half the space. Desperate to be nearer, Grayce wiggled herself under the covers until she could feel his warmth. His breath caught and there was the slightest pause before he enveloped her in a hug and pulled her closer.

Talk about epic progress. She couldn’t believe she was sharing a bed with this man. And felt safe. Certainly, she’d wake from this dream disgusted with herself. At least it was Zander, not Tyr invading her sleep time.

“Thank you.”

She yearned to say much more, but the words lulling around the tip of her tongue scuttled to the back of her throat to be swallowed.

* * * *

Grayce woke feeling warm and refreshed. For the first time, she surveyed her surroundings. The wall opposite the bed consisted of one big window that overlooked a plush green valley. The sun’s rays, weakened slightly by the sheer curtain, blanketed half the room. The four poster bed was made of pale wood. The bedding, plush, fluffy and perfumed with lavender, was hands down the most luxurious place she’d ever laid her head. An oval hand carved mirror hung above a matching set of dressers, also pale wood. The walls were void of any artwork and there were no personal items of any sort on display. Must have been a guest room.

Zander’s arm lay heavy across her hips and his face nuzzled her neck. She needed to stretch but she enjoyed the warmth of his breath on her skin and didn’t want to disturb him. How was it possible she could come so far in a few days? She’s hated and feared men for so long. Now, she wanted this beautiful creature wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Was it the violent purging of her anger yesterday?

Yesterday. Oh crap. It came crashing back to her like a giant wave of angry memories. What had she done? How had she—

As if sensing her tension, Zander tightened his hold. “Are you okay?” His deep voice, thick with sleep and incredibly sexy, took her breath away.

“I could have killed you.” Due to the massive arm hanging over her, it took much effort to turn and face him. She cupped his face with her hands and waited for his eyes to open. “Please just give it to me straight. Did I make that fire? Did I do that?” He nodded yes. “Was I able to do that because of you?”

“No.” He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. “Because of us. It’s a part of you. It’s always been there.” His hand found its way to her heart. “You, are...” he paused, started to say something and paused again. “I tried to tell you before. We’re stronger together than we are apart. You have an incredible gift. It’s unusual for powers to manifest as quick as yours did. If you’re this strong now, I can’t fathom what you’ll be able to do after—” He stopped and squeezed his eyes shut. “Never mind. You shocked the hell out of Nikolas. I’ll bet he’s been in his lab all night trying to figure you out.” A playful, crooked grin spread across his face.

Powerful? Grayce remembered something and smiled up at him.

“What?” he asked, brushing his finger across her bottom lip.

“I liked the way it felt...yesterday. I did feel powerful.” She loved having the ability to hurt him, or any man for that matter.

“I’ve never lost control of my temper like that before. I mean, I’ve been angry for so long, but never out of control.” Worried she might say too much, she paused to collect her thoughts. It did feel good to talk to someone. She’d never had a confidant. For some reason, she wanted to tell this man everything. “I don’t think I could’ve stopped myself. I would’ve killed us all. I wanted to burn and burn and keep burning until the pain went away.”

Zander chuckled.

“What’s so fucking funny?”

“I have what some might call an anger control issue myself. But yours, baby. It makes me look like a saint.” An angelic smile swept across his face. “And that foul mouth of yours. Shit. Makes me want to...” He shook the thought away. “You’re a little firecracker, you know that?”

A question burned on Grayce’s lips. It took a few moments to build the courage to ask, afraid the answer might be exactly what she suspected. “How are you able to soothe and calm me just by making eye contact?” She picked at a loose thread on his shirt.

“Soul mates.” She loathed those two words. This time however, she was a little more inclined to believe him. He kissed her forehead and pushed himself off the bed. “I need a shower, how about you?”

She lifted the blankets and looked down at herself. Crap. Someone had covered her with a large black t-shirt. Zander, no doubt. “Um, I’ve got no clothes.”

Zander pointed to the dresser on the right. “I filled your duffel bag yesterday, you know, before we um...” he scratched his head. “I put your clothes in there. We’ll get you more soon.”

“I’m never going back to my apartment, am I?” It figured. Forever on the run. Her life story.

“No Grayce. This is your home now.” He disappeared through a door she hadn’t noticed before and failed to close it behind him. The whoosh of running water piqued her interest and she lifted her head for a gander. Oh, for the fucking love of everything. Zander. Naked.

A drift of searing heat made its way through her lungs and spread through limbs, heart and head. In her wildest dreams she couldn’t have imagined a more perfect, beautiful man. The way his skin stretched taut and smooth over every muscle and vein on his sun kissed body reminded her of golden caramel. His chiseled muscle from head to toe didn’t look real. One hundred percent pure, raw, male power stood only feet away and the need to claim him overwhelmed her.

She spied as he stepped into the glass encased shower. When she leaned over the bed to get a better view, a thumping, aching heat pounded in between her legs. The sensation was so intense her thighs clenched together. Shit. What was happening? She’d never felt anything like this. A flush burned her cheeks and her head felt detached. A relentless rhythm pounded down there. Was this lust? Was this what it felt like to want somebody? Unable to peel her eyes away, she shifted to get a better look until he disappeared behind the steam.

Oh fuck, what now? Her body screamed for something. A release. It needed a release—or him. Why? A few days ago, she would’ve killed anyone who suggested she’d ever need a man, want a man. Her core grew hotter and a light sheen of moisture formed on her skin. Every muscle ached with hunger.

* * * *

Accustomed to being alone, Zander neglected to shut the door before he stripped his clothing and stepped into the flow of steamy water. He lathered up and hoped like hell to wash away the lustful urges he’d been battling for days.

Laying in bed with Grayce had almost been his undoing. The beast in him had wanted to rip off her clothes and take her, because it was his right as her mate. The man in him had lain heartbroken, searching for a way to put the puzzle pieces of her life together.

Zander had been tempted many times before by desirable women. He always turned them away. It was a no brainer. Cheating wasn’t his nature, and although he’d yet to meet Grayce, knowing she existed was more than enough to keep him faithful. Temptation was no match to the desire to be the man she deserved. He had spent many tortured nights alone in bed, starving for his woman’s touch, her embrace, her naked skin pressed against his.

Being a male and human, there were of course physical needs. He dealt with those just like any other warm blooded male. An active imagination, his right hand, and quality time with himself added up to a daily ritual that he sure as shit wasn’t going to miss.

Sharing a bed with Grayce and knowing he wouldn’t touch her soft, warm skin, or taste her full pink lips had been pure torture. Hands down, the most difficult night of his life.

As he tried and failed to wash away the torrid thoughts, a wave of fear and panic washed over him. And something else.

Something was wrong with Grayce.

Not bothering to dry off, he abandoned the shower and ran to the bedroom. His heart dropped to his gut, bounced around a bit, then settled somewhere near his groin. Grayce sat on her knees in the center of the bed and frantically rubbed at her arms. A deep red glow illuminated her skin.

“Grayce?”

With imploring eyes she begged. “Please help me.”

“Oh shit.” A hungry growl escaped his lips. He captured her gaze, hoping to give the comfort he could so easily offer. She only stared back, eyes pleading with carnal need.

The desire he’d washed off in the shower? Yeah, it was back, with a vengeance.

“Please help me,” she sobbed. “Please.” She glanced down at her body then back to him, lost, helpless and terrified.

At her side in an instant, he threw the bedding across the room. “Tell me what you need. I’m here, baby.”

The room temperature rose. “Touch me,” she begged.

“I know you’re scared, love,” he whispered. “I’ll be gentle. I promise.” Zander leaned forward and planted a reassuring kiss on her head. “I’ll never hurt you. You know that, right? I’ll never do anything to hurt you.” He flinched when she placed blazing hands on his heaving chest. Fuck. She was on fire.

“Grayce, can I kiss you?”

Through labored breaths she groaned. “You’re asking my permission? Now is not the time to be a gentleman.”

Now was exactly the time to be a gentleman. This needed to be right. She needed to know she had complete control. “May I touch you?”

“Please.” Grayce’s tormented plea battered his spirit. Hell, it damn near gutted him. This wasn’t the way he’d imagined their first time playing out. With her past, he had been certain it’d be a long time coming. There were spiritual, heavenly forces at work, urging them to come together. It was more than physical. The need to be inside her, to claim her in the most primal way, surged through his body and soul like a tsunami. Even if he’d wanted to, he was powerless to stop the inevitable joining of their bodies.

Blood filled his sex with ferocious heat. At first, he claimed her lips with tender nudges. The kiss turned into a fevered assault the moment she reciprocated. With unrelenting urgency, he deepened his exploration, cupped the back of her head and urged her to lay back. She trembled under his touch, whimpered when he trailed his free hand down the front of her shirt, groaned when he brushed a finger across the top of her panties.

Reaching under her shirt, he rubbed his fingers across her abdomen, making his way over heated skin to her breasts. She was so much softer than he’d imagined. Her breasts were full and as they heaved with her gasps, he marveled at how perfectly they molded in his hands.

“Is this what you need?” He brushed the pad of his thumb over a taught nipple, her moan an assurance he was headed in the right direction. With little effort, he tore her shirt right down the middle, exposing her naked, scarred and glowing body. Pink, pebbled peaks greeted him with promises of fleshly delight. He had to taste them. When he brushed his tongue against one hard nub, she nearly bucked off the bed, so he continued, exploring every inch of her breasts with his mouth. The unrelenting flow of blood had his cock crying for mercy. When she arched her back and held his head to her chest, he damned near lost his composure.

Satisfied he had properly tended to her breasts, Zander wandered lower, savoring her flavor with each kiss, each nip of desire-basted skin. He paused and lightly traced his fingers across the largest battle wound she wore. It started underneath her left breast, stretched in a jagged arch across her stomach and landed a finger’s width from her right hip. Goosebumps popped across her skin as he studied her with eyes and touch. He stopped to watch a single tear trickle down her cheek.