The Guardian of My Soul (Soul's Desire) (27 page)

“You don’t have to talk to her until you’re ready. It doesn’t have to be tonight, you know?”

“I’m never going to be ready, Alec.”

He rubbed his thumb across the bracelet he’d given me, lost in his own thoughts. “Mom called last night. I told her. I told her about us...”

My expression changed from worried to dumbfounded. “What?”

“Hey, don’t freak. Mom’s reaction was just as I expected it to be. I think she was dancing up and down when I told her I was in love again. She wants to meet you...”

“Oh. So...she agrees with this?”

“She’s happy with whatever makes me happy. But she worried about us. Especially when I told her your mother might not approve.”

“I wish my mom could be like yours.”

His fingers grazed my chin as he turned my head toward him. Then his lips pressed lightly against my own, sweet and tender, full of all the love he felt for me. I hoped my kiss conveyed the same emotions as I smoothed his satiny hair.

I stiffened when the tip of his tongue touched the center of my bottom lip, probing me. Opening my mouth, I welcomed him inside and he deepened the kiss. His hands went to my jaw line while our tongues danced in a frantic rhythm of need. The gentle breeze did nothing to cool the fever which had taken possession of me.

A groan vibrated in his throat, unleashing my desire, delving further into the sweetness. I wanted more. Suddenly, he took my hand and yanked me toward the back seat of the car.

Guessing his intentions, a slight tingling sensation between my legs swelled to a maddening burn. A triangle of fire spread over my mound, causing my inner muscles to throb. I watched him lay back on the seat and then I followed quickly, straddling him with eagerness.

His fingers fumbled with his jeans and worked the zipper down while he gazed at me, eyes blazing in the semi-obscurity. He then peeled his jeans over his hips, tugging his underwear with them, and his erection popped out of its confinement.

My hand locked around it, stroking him brazenly. I held my breath in anticipation, wanting him, needing him, loving him so much. Soon I guided him under my dress to my entrance and he quickly shoved my panties to one side. I then lowered myself onto his manhood and purred as he filled me up. I took a moment to simply enjoy our delicious connection, squeezing him inside. His moans and quickened breaths were like a drug to me and I loved the powerful rush pleasuring him gave me.

Alec clamped his fingers on my hips and forced me to move, so I rocked my body back and forth, grinding myself against him. My lips found his again when his hands moved to grab my bottom and I moaned into his mouth, picking up speed. My breasts bounced up and down in my bra as I rode him, my leg muscles taut as I lifted myself a couple of inches and rotated my hips back onto him. The erotic feelings he set free within me made me crave and desire him like I’d never done before. My body melted at his touch, taking him deeper inside, impaling myself on his thickness over and over. I combed my fingers through his hair, brushing it back from his forehead and threw my head back as my whimpers of pleasure virtually turned to screams of primal triumph, clamping my thighs against the corded muscles which ran along his hips.

Easing my breasts out of my dress over the top of the bra, he pulled one sensitive bud into his mouth and sucked hard, causing me to wriggle provocatively and grind harder on his pulsing member.

My orgasm came on strong and fast as my walls convulsed around him, but lasted longer than I thought possible, escalating to a new height. I groaned with full abandon, relishing in the sensations he delivered to my body.

“Yes, don’t stop,” he demanded breathless, so I forced myself to move some more until his body tensed up and he joined my delicious orgasm, filling me with warmth. “Kristen...” he whispered low, shivering beneath me, his eyes squeezed shut, his face a reflection of pure pleasure.

*  *  *

Paola’s face was the first thing I saw when I woke up in the morning. I cringed at the unexpected sight of her next to me in bed, my brows knitting together in confusion.

“Hey...Lillian told me you got home. Sorry I missed you last night. I returned late and went straight to bed.”

“What are you doing here, Paola?” I muttered sleepy.

“I wanted to talk to you.” She clamped her hands together and bit her lip, visibly excited.

“Now?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“It happened! I slept with Jake!”

I stared at her a moment and sucked in a deep breath, not sure what it really meant. I raised my head and looked at her sideways.

“I finally had my first time and it was so...perfect...” she murmured dreamy. “Jake is too hot for words, Kris!”

“Whoa, slow down. You did what?” I lifted myself in bed incredulous.

“We talked, just like you told me to do. He didn’t mind that I was a virgin. He was actually delighted.” Her cheeks turned slightly pink.

“That’s...nice...” I wondered whether I should have a serious conversation with him.

“Oh, by the way. Gilda asked me to give you this. It arrived this morning,” she said, handing me an envelope. “Now get up and come downstairs. Lillian is waiting for us to have breakfast.” She then walked out the door, taking her smiling face with her.

“Damn it, Jake!” I shook my head, still bemused by his sudden change in preferences. My eyes then fell on the envelope in my hand and I studied it carefully. I shuddered as the only thing typed on it was my name. Afraid to look inside I tossed it to the ground, feeling the rapid pounding of my heart against my rib cage. Pressure built up in my chest as though I was ready to explode, my tongue felt thick and heavy, my mind foggy and clouded. The anonymous gifts and now the envelope had turned me into a nervous wreck and I couldn’t help the feeling that I was truly being stalked. Chewing on my lip, I reached for it and opened it hastily. My body began to shake uncontrollably when I uncovered the contents. Picture after picture of me and Alec kissing last night in the car fell onto my bed, and I started to hyperventilate, suddenly the air too thick to breathe. Tears spilled over and ran down my face as I gazed at them in horror.

I texted Alec and in only moments he burst inside the room. “Kristen!” He was next to me in an instant, an expression of terror contorting his beautiful face. It was obvious I was upset, so he grabbed me and pulled me close. A quick, violent tremor shook me, cold chills running up my spine. “What the hell?” he growled, his eyes growing large at the sight of the pictures.

Nausea swept over me and I rushed to the bathroom, emptying the contents of my stomach, shaking on the cold tile floor.

“Kristen, baby...” The worry in his voice was unmistakable and he knelt by my side, caressing my back. “Please...talk to me...”

“Alec...why is this happening to me?” I asked, feeling sick and breathing heavily. My head was throbbing and my chest was on fire, worried as hell.

He helped me up and I washed my face, unable to control my shivering limbs. “I’ll burn them,” he muttered through gritted teeth, holding me firmly so I wouldn’t fall.

“Whoever did this is not going to stop! This was a warning. Alec, I’m so afraid...” I turned around in his arms and fisted my hands around his T-shirt, struggling to compose myself. “They followed us...they saw everything!” Then my world went black.

*  *  *

“Oh, thank God!” Alec exclaimed when I opened my eyes, pulling me in a tight embrace.

“What...happened?” I asked, numbed by the pain in my head.

“You fainted in the bathroom and I brought you back to bed. Kris...” His voice was hushed and weary.

“Don’t tell Mom,” I cried, more tears pooling in my eyes.

“Kris, I need you to calm down. Please, you’re scaring me. Let me handle this, okay? No one is going to hurt you!”

“What if they sent Mom these pictures? Alec, I must talk to her before she sees them!”

He shook his head, running both hands through his hair. He got up and started pacing up and down my room in agitation. “Give me some more time...”

“We may not have time, Alec.”

*  *  *

My office felt too small and crowded when Mom and I arrived at work. I threw myself in my chair, but it seemed as though I was sitting on dynamite ready to blow up any minute. I forced another deep breath. My chest hurt as if someone was sitting on it. Panic seized me, chaotic thoughts scrambling around in my head.
Who is trying to hurt me? And why? Was it a damn paparazzo? Nah...couldn’t be. The pictures would have showed up all over the place by now. Then who? Who could possibly hate me so much?
Tears pricked at the back of my eyes, but I refused to cry. Cold sweat trickled anew from my forehead and down my face. Emotionally drained, I got up and opened the door to go to the bathroom.

Strangely, Alec was not outside my door and Ryan was nowhere to be seen either. Disconcerted, I walked toward the bathroom, ignoring everyone’s curious eyes. Once there, I looked at myself in the mirror and splashed cold water on my face, trying to jolt some life into my languid muscles, but only managed to ruin my makeup. There was a stirring of the sickness in my stomach again. I leaned against the sink, my eyes closed as a sudden rush of nausea came over me. I swallowed hard, choking back the fear growing inside of me. My pounding heart was deafening inside my head. Then another wave of nausea washed through me. My mind went blank and everything got switched off.

*  *  *

My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to open my eyes. The room was pitch dark. A kind of cold and deadly terror swept over me. For a moment my heart seemed about to leap out of my chest, and suddenly I was wide awake. My hands froze. I shivered. I was lying down, though I was unaware of where I might actually be laying down at. When I tried to move, my body felt sore and numb. There was no sound at all, nothing but the sound of my own ragged breathing.

When the lights went on, so bright as if they were screaming at my eyes, I squinted and twisted my head wildly, desperate to get my bearings. I panicked when I realized I was in some sort of a basement, but there was nothing compared to the utter terror that overcame me as it dawned on me I was in the hands of a lunatic. All the walls were covered with pictures of me in different sizes, taken in different locations. I opened my mouth to scream in horror, but no sound came out. I began to sweat. My body temperature raced from hot to cold. I was petrified and sick. Trembling uncontrollably, I hoisted myself off the old mattress I was lying on and started for the door. Locked.
Holy shit, where am I?
I could feel the tears burning my cheeks, but I was too weak and worried to scream.

The sound of footsteps on the other side of the door startled me, and I rushed back to the mattress, scared to death. My heart was beating so fast, I couldn’t get my breath. More tears blurred my vision as I stared at the man who’d just entered.

“You...” I choked, cowering against the cold wall. “What have you done?” My throat was so dry I could hardly recognize my voice. The evil smirk on his face chilled my bones. “Let me out...”

“And why would I do that, Kristen? Hmmm...where’s your little bodyguard now?” He crossed his arms.

Shudders racked my body and I forced myself back on my feet. “What have you done to him?” I barely whispered.

“Him? I don’t give a damn about him! It’s you I want, you I’ve always wanted.” His face darkened, glaring at me accusingly.

“No, please. Let me go. You’ll never get away with this. Mom—”

“Yeah, yeah...” He rolled his eyes defiantly. “Your lovely mother is not here. You’re all alone, with me. Nothing and no one can disturb us now, my dear. So tell me...do you like what I’ve made for you?” He grinned, pointing at the walls around us.

“You’re a sick man, Niall! I knew you were trouble the moment I met you. But you’re sick! Sicker than I could have ever imagined!” I clenched my jaw as he stepped closer, shivering so badly I could barely stand. “For God’s sake, please don’t do this!”

“I tried every way to get your attention and you refused me every single time, you egocentric bitch! You chose that good for nothing bodyguard instead of me. Look how well he took care of you!”

“Leave him out of this,” I spat out the words through clenched teeth, my hands curling into fists. “It was you, wasn’t it? You took those pictures...you followed me everywhere.” My stomach heaved.

He smirked again, looking proud of himself. “Did you like my cards, my gifts? I had so much fun watching that shitty bodyguard of yours going crazy over them.”

I scowled, regarding him with a mix of fear and disgust. I couldn’t believe it had been him all along. “I threw them all away.”

His brows pulled together and I immediately regretted voicing my thoughts. He walked closer still, his stinking alcohol breath reaching my nose and making me want to retch. Then his hand landed across my face with a hard slap. I crashed to the floor with a loud thud and slumped dazed, aching with pain and shaking all over. Grabbing me by my shoulders, he leaned down closer to my face in total disrespect.

“Don’t make me hurt you. It’s such a pity. Such a waste...” he grunted, gazing at the quick rise and fall of my chest. “You either comply, or I swear I’ll make you wish you were never born!” he warned me, his eyes becoming a threatening flinty red.

I flinched at the sudden sound of his cell phone ringing, ignoring the sting in my cheek.

He got up and reached for the phone. “Say a word and you’ll be sorry!” he barked before answering. “Mrs. Mancuso! Have you heard from her yet?” he asked, sounding terribly worried.

Mom!
I cried in my thoughts, certain she was going through hell to find me. I wanted to scream, but feared the consequences, so I stood there frozen and watched him pretend to care.

“You haven’t heard from her in twelve hours? Oh, where could she be?” He shook his head, staring at me warningly. “I’m in New York on a business trip. I’ll cut it short and come help you look for her if you need me. Don’t worry, I’m sure she’s safe. She probably needed some time alone...”

“Jerk...” I barely whispered, helpless and sickened by what plans he might have with me. I knew I’d much rather die than let him touch me. Alec’s face came to my mind and it only made me want to cry, afraid I might never see him again. He meant the world to me and the thought of goodbye was excruciatingly painful, more so than anything this horrible monster could do to me.

“Please, keep me informed...” Niall said right before he hung up the phone. “Oh, poor woman. She’s not well. Not well at all...” He sighed dramatically, then confessed, “I had wanted you even before I met you in person. I saw your picture on her desk when she first approached me about the perfume collaboration. I knew right then and there you’d be mine whether you liked it or not,” he said, tracing his filthy fingers across my cheek. My stomach somersaulted once more. “I thought she’d help me get to your heart. She didn’t do a damn thing! When I told her how I felt about you, she said it was all up to you. And that she couldn’t do anything about it. After all the help I’ve given her, she couldn’t do one thing for me!” He frowned, his mouth contorted with ferocious anger. “I bet she’d be very excited to hear that her only daughter, her precious little angel, is screwing the bodyguard.”

I hugged my knees to my chest horrified by the horrendous things he was telling me. I fought to ignore the rumble in my stomach. I realized I was hungry, but I felt too scared to even think of food. Knife-like pain moved into my head, bringing back the nausea and rivaling the agony in my stomach.

“You look like you could use a bath,” he said suddenly.

My eyes widened at the horrible thought he might want to bathe with me. “I’m fine,” I answered quickly.

He scowled down at me once more. “I’m telling you to get up and—” Loud bangs interrupted him in mid-sentence, just as he reached to grab me. “What the hell?” He rushed to the door and locked us inside, then listened intently until the banging ended. “What the hell is going on? They couldn’t have found us here!” He turned to me abruptly and all the darkness in his soul shone from his features, horribly distorted by rage, madness and his insane obsession for me. He looked a thousand times more demonic and I was afraid to even breathe in his presence. He scurried to my side and brutally pulled me up. “How did they find us? I checked to make sure you had no phone and no other way to contact anyone!” he blurted maddened.

“You’re...hurting...me...” A faint, choked protest left my mouth. I was just about to lose consciousness.