The Awakening: Aidan (25 page)

Blue flashed in his eyes. Aidan stumbled back, hands held up as if by will alone he could make her disappear, his gaze latched on to the bandages at the front of her throat.

She suddenly understood. This had nothing to do with him no longer wanting her.

“Your beast won’t hurt me.”

Tormented eyes met hers. “I used to believe that, and then it almost killed you.”

“That wasn’t your beast, Aidan. We don’t know exactly what the
Splycer
did to you or your beast, but neither one of you was the animal in that cage. You have to accept that.”

“How do we know the device didn’t unhinge it? How can I be certain you’re safe with me?”

His vulnerability tugged at her heart. She stepped forward. Tilting her neck back, she pulled the gauze off, showing the marks. “Erase them, Aidan.”

“N-no.”

She took another step. “I trust you. I trust your beast. Completely.
Erase them
, Aidan.”

Blue flashed in his eyes once more and his skin rippled. He shook his head, his body quivering. “I—I can’t, Jaylin. Please. Stop.”

She knew what she had to do, and felt like a bitch for it considering how terrified he was that he’d hurt her, but she saw no other way. “If I can’t reason with the human, then you’re forcing me to reason with the beast.”

When refused, play dirty.

She forged ahead, speaking directly to his beast. “I want his head between my legs, feel the pinch of his teeth marking my thighs. Then I want to make my mark on him, making you both mine. He won’t let me unless you come out. Come out and play, beastie.”

His skin rippled again, teeth lengthened. He staggered across the room, his hands held up again, warding her off, warding the beast off. “Stop! Jaylin, I couldn’t live if it did anything to hurt you again.”

She stalked after him, refusing to relent, determined to prove to him she was safe with him. “I trust it, and you have to do the same. Allow the change, Aidan.”

“No!”

Jaylin blew out a frustrated breath. Stubborn, infuriating man. “Are you going to allow him to stop you? I’m offering myself to him and now he denies me. All you have to do is show yourself. Prove that you two are still one.”

Blue overtook his eyes as he hissed through sharp teeth. “Jay—”

The first syllable of her name was the last thing he said as the cougar took charge. Seconds later, the animal prowled toward her.

Feeling no fear, knowing that this wasn’t an animal coming toward her, but a wondrous beast that loved her just as much as the man did, she dropped to her knees in front of it. She gazed into the blue eyes of the feline and smiled. “I see you.”

Unlike before, when only a rabid animal had glared back at her, Aidan’s kind, yet frightful eyes softened the animalistic stare. She cupped the cougar’s face, running her hands over its fur, and kissed the tip of its nose. It rubbed its face against her cheek, a purr vibrating through its powerful body.

“You will never hurt me. Believe that now.” She offered her neck again. “Erase them.”

The rough texture of the cougar’s tongue slid across the four puncture wounds. Tingling surrounded the injuries and across the front of her neck as the skin knitted together, erasing any evidence of the attack.

She lowered her head. “Now make me yours.”

One moment the beast was before her, the next Aidan appeared again, naked and on his knees. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

“Crazy for you.”

“I could have hurt you again.”

“You never hurt me in the first place. A cougar did. That animal is gone.”

He swallowed, but finally nodded his agreement. “Are you sure about this?”

“Aidan O’Connell. I love you. More than fear of death. You’re the one made for me. The one who’ll make me complete, and only with your mark will I ever be whole.”

He looked down at her with stunned amazement as he cupped her head between his hands. “I never thought this day would come.”

She kissed his palm. “I’m sorry for everything I’ve put you through. I’ll spend the rest of my life making that up to you.” She smiled. “Now please stop talking and make me yours.”

Chuckling, he lowered his head, taking her in a deep kiss. She felt no hesitation as Aidan lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the bed. She was ready for her life with him, as his mate, no matter what tragedy he or she faced. All that mattered was that they would spend their eternity together.

He lowered her onto the mattress, his hands shaking as together they pulled her shirt over her head and tugged her pants and panties down her legs. He kissed his way down her stomach and she parted her thighs, aching for his touch, ready to feel his tongue pressed against her. Tension radiated off him. He was holding back. She ran her hand over the top of his head.

“Let go.”

From between her legs, he looked up the length of her body. “I’ve spent so long fighting the
Drall
, I can’t seem to stop.”

She rubbed a finger over herself and held the glistening tip to his mouth. He opened and sucked the digit into his mouth. “That’s yours. Forever. Take it.”

The beast rose in his eyes. The blue irises warmed her just as much as the green ones did. A tidal wave of emotions tightened her chest and she reached down to caress his cheek. Again she said, “I love you.”

The grin he gave her was full of happiness. “And we love you.”

Then his head dived down. She gasped as all his fight was gone. It was all tongue, lips, and suction. She threw herself into the moment for the first time. Not worrying as the coil started to tighten deep inside her, her breathing became staggered, her hips bucked unconsciously against his mouth, seeking release. She wanted this more than anything she ever had in her life—wanted him.

“Aidan! I’m about to—” She inhaled sharply her as he immediately pulled away from her, that tingling feeling seconds before release suddenly gone. “Oh, God. No!”

“No coming yet,” he said, pulling from her and climbing up her body. “I have a mark to make.”

As he towered over her, bracing his weight on his forearms, his watchful gaze never leaving her face, he thrust deep. Jaylin arched of the bed, gasping.

“It feels so good to have you under me, watching you as I give you pleasure.” His thrusts increased in pace. “Feels. So. Good.”

She knew he was close when he buried his face in her neck, his hot, ragged breath warming her skin. She was moments…moments from having this man connected to her forever. She grabbed his ass, desperate to have one link completed, ready for her turn. She didn’t want another minute to pass where they were not one.

Aidan stiffened, his head snapping up, his eyes clenched shut as he groaned his release. Aftershocks jerked his body and when his eyes opened, only the beast was present. A possessive gleam entered his gaze as he slowly backed down her body.

This was it. Her clit buzzed. Her body tensed. The inside of her thighs burned.

Her orgasm would take no time at all. She was primed, ready for him to be hers. She could easily fall into release from the anticipation alone—had to fight not to. A wolfish smile turned up Aidan’s lips as if he knew exactly how close she was.

One flick of his tongue, then another, was all she needed before her orgasm took her. A sharp pinch felt on one thigh had her moaning as her body turned to fire, encasing her in such heat, she was sure at any moment she’d combust. Energy flowed through her extremities and pooled in her stomach in a pulsating ball.

When Aidan bit her other thigh, the ball shot up her chest and surrounded her heart, then exploded into millions of white sparkles. One moment she was a tension of desire, the next a mass of limp limbs. Gasping, Jaylin tried to catch her breath.

Aidan knelt between her legs, staring down, a finger caressing one of the bruises that now marked her as his on the inside of her thighs. All the tension had been erased from his body; the lines of exhaustion that always seemed to be present after their lovemaking were gone, replaced by a peace that only she could give him.

Aidan O’Connell was officially hers for eternity.

Now to make her his.

…

Aidan lay back against the cool sheets and hugged Jaylin to his chest. She’d been impatient to start her part in the ritual, but he’d wanted a moment to relish the channel that had opened inside him. She didn’t understand it yet, but she would soon.

He could feel her. Alive. Making the blood he’d never felt before hum through his veins. Though he would always feel her, the extra buzz moments after
Fewshon
would diminish, and he wanted to just bask in it for now.

Above his heart, her heart now beat. Not exactly in time with his, but soon they would synchronize until they beat as one. Her joy warmed his insides, making him feel giddy.

A part of him was still stunned at how all this had ended. Though it had almost killed him, he’d let her go. And Jaylin had fought for him, refused to let him. She’d finally come to him with no hesitation and only determination, ready to be his completely.

He stroked her hair. This was their future. Whatever they faced, it’d be together, even if the other wasn’t here in body. She’d always be with him, and he with her.

Jaylin propped her chin on her palm and glared at him. “I know you wanted a minute, but can I have my turn now?”

Aidan chuckled. “Impatient, aren’t you?”

She quirked a brow. “I know you didn’t just say that. I haven’t gotten to touch you like I wanted in like…um, ever. So, yeah, a little impatient.”

He crossed his arms behind his head. “I’m all yours, baby.”

Jaylin popped up on her knees. “That you are.” Her gaze roamed over his body. “I have no idea where to even start. Chest? Abs? Or do I just go for the big boy down below?”

At that his cock tightened.

A wicked grin turned her lips upward. “I see something is casting his vote. Too bad I get the deciding vote and I want to start here.”

She leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on his lips, one that lingered, full of love. Aidan slid one hand into her hair, slanting his mouth across hers, deepening the kiss, urging her to hurry. She pulled back an inch. “Now who’s impatient?”

“Make me yours, woman.”

Her soft laugh brushed over his lips. “Gladly.”

She kissed him again before working her way down his throat, over his chest, to tease his nipples, then moved farther down. The first lap of her tongue rolling around the tip of his cock had him tensing and closing his eyes on a groan. The beast didn’t roar forward, didn’t ruin this moment, as it was completely content with Jaylin’s current now running through his body.

Aidan relaxed against the pillows, reaching down to massage the back of her head as she took him completely into her mouth. Just being able to allow her this caused emotion to tighten his chest. This was the way it was supposed to be—her loving his body whenever she wanted and him being able to enjoy it.

Her movement became faster, more demanding, and soon a hand joined the up and down motion of her mouth. Fisting a hand in her hair, he became aware of nothing but the sleek pull of her mouth, the tightening in his balls, the small noises she made.

His breathing increased. “Now, baby, ride me now.”

In an instant, she’d straddled his hips, her wet center welcoming him home as she slowly guided him in. Aidan watched in awe as desire made her eyelids heavy as she moved on him, soft gasps puffed from her slightly parted lips. The light bounce of her breasts pushed him over the edge, and right before he exploded, he yelled, “Now.”

Jaylin swooped down and bit the top of one shoulder. Aidan bucked up, clenching his eyes closed as his blood sizzled, spiraling like a vortex to the area above his heart, filling it to capacity. The barrier breached and flooded his insides with heat. Her happiness overcame him, sweeping him away until he was aware of nothing but her, and he could live in this moment forever.

As she bit his other shoulder, the barrage calmed, flowed steadily, serene, peaceful. The
Fewshon
was complete. They now shared a bond, shared each other’s emotions—as one.

He slowly opened his eyes. Jaylin had ceased moving, her hand pressed against her chest, a stunned look on her face. Her gaze met his, and tears swam in her eyes and a startled laugh came out of her mouth. “My God, I can feel you.”

“Didn’t you know?”

“Of course I knew. But hearing about it and feeling it are so different. Aidan, you’re everywhere.”

From her tone he couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing. “And that makes you feel…?”

Another laugh and she blinked. “Loved. Completely.”

He reached for her then, bringing her to his side. “You are loved.”

She touched his face. “As are you.”

She was his. They were each other’s.

For eternity.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Liz Pelletier for your no-holds-barred revision letter that made me hack my baby to pieces before slowly putting it back together. And even though it felt like I was sawing off a limb as I cut the club scene from the book, doing so
did
make the story so much stronger. Yes, I said it. You were right. I will never doubt again. Thank you.

To Guillian Helm for your awesome guidance as we worked together to whip this book into something publishable. Your help and knowledge has been invaluable.

To my publicist, Morgan. Girl, you have no idea how much I appreciate you!

To my roommate, Heather and her gaggle of children. The last two years would’ve been impossible without you. Good friends stick together through the tough times, and boy, the two of us have had more than our fair share of tough times. I’m thankful to have you. Love you, hon.

To Scott, and his kids. Boy, you had no idea what you were in for when you guys moved in, huh? You’ve adjusted well. Thanks for being a real trooper when I’m under deadline. It didn’t take you long to realize the easiest way to deal with me during those times is to avoid eye contact and just keep moving along when I walk into a room.

And last, but certainly not least, to my babies. Thank you for being the two sweet faces I need see when doubt rears its ugly head. You two keep me anchored, keep me motivated and give me the strength to face every obstacle thrown in my path. Everything I do…I do for you. My biggest hope is when you become adults and you look back on your childhood, you can say, “Momma never let anything stop her, and I’ll never let anything stop me.” Dream big, my babies. The world is yours. I love you.