Thorneless (Rose of Thorne Series) (13 page)

Lucas

I need her. It’s three in the morning and I need her. I know, as I set my glass of whiskey down, that she’s only a few short steps from me. I pace the room a couple of more times before I open my suite door and make my way across the living room to her room. She had begged me earlier tonight to make love to her and it had taken every ounce of self-control not to take her right then and there. I stand there for a minute and contemplate what I’m about to do. With desires raging, I slide my hand across the glossy white door and lean my forehead against it. My life is just on the other side. I can hear her heart beating.

Slowly, I allow my hand to squeeze together and quietly I knock twice. I regret it immediately after I do it.
What am I doing? What if she’s asleep?
 

Just as I am about to turn to walk away, the door opens and I see her haunting eyes glowing back at me in the dark. Her long dark curls cascade around the shoulders of her short white silk robe.
 Her long legs tease me as I scan her perfect body in the shadows. My breath halts for a moment, just as it always does every time I see her.  

Desire fills me and I step f
orward grabbing her face and crush my lips to hers.  I push the door closed with my foot and continue inching her backwards into her suite until her back is against the wall. Silver moonlight fills the room and glistens off her long curls. I kiss down her neck and inhale her hypnotizing scent. It’s so maddening that I find myself scraping my teeth down her neck.  

“Lucas,” she whispers and I slide my hand down her front and pull on her white silk robe.

“I need you,” I beg as I peel the robe open.

“I need you
, too,” she says as she wraps her arms around my neck.  

In one movement, her robe d
rops and she’s standing there wearing only lace panties. I can feel my cock throbbing against the front zipper of my jeans and I’m struggling to go slowly. I trail my finger across her delicious lips and then downwards to her stomach. She trembles and tries to control her erratic breathing. In one swift movement, I lift her and carry her across the room to the large canopy bed.  

I yank off my shirt and she lays back on the bed staring up at me. An angel. A true fucking angel lies below me with her soft dark waves spread around her. Her turquoise eyes study me in the dark as I move in between her legs. I feather kisses from her jaw all the way dow
n to her glistening belly ring before I lift the band of her lace up, hook my fingers on both sides and grip hard. She raises her hips so I remove her panties and toss them to the side. She opens her legs for me and I see her wet pink perfection glistening in the moonlight. I can smell her delicious desire begins to fill the room and I lick my lips.  

“I want to taste you, angel. I want to taste Heaven.”

Skylar moans as I inch forward and kiss her inner thigh. Her legs fall back further and I cup her firm ass in my hands and swipe my tongue up her folds. One taste and I find myself spiraling out of control. I dive in like a hungry beast and plunge my tongue inside of her. She arches her back and grabs my hair as I urge her ass towards my mouth.  

I ha
ve waited so long to taste her, to feel her.  I press my thumb upwards onto her clit and after two small rotations I am rewarded with a screaming beauty in my arms.  

“Oh
, Lucas!  Yes!  Please don’t stop!” She begs in the darkened room. My angel doesn’t have to beg, I am at her mercy.

“I will
never stop, baby. Never.” I murmur as I suck hard on her clit.  The sweetest nectar God ever created now fills my mouth as she comes hard against my lips. I drink every drop in and lick her clean as she bucks and twists against the sheets. I lift up and slide two fingers into her and feel her inner walls clamp down as I wiggle them forward toward her clit.  She screams and pulls harder on my hair until I rest my head on her stomach. I wrap my arms around her waist and place her on top of me, as I quickly roll to my back.               

Fucking hell
!  I am going to explode in these damn jeans at the sight of her.  I place my hands on her hips and she raises her hands up and lifts her hair up as she grinds herself into my throbbing hard dick.  Sweet Jesus! She knows how to work those hips.  She drops her hair and it falls down her bare back and I lay there admiring the beautiful creation above me. She smiles in the dark room at me as she leans in and unfastens my belt and then unbuttons my jeans.  I feel the zipper slide down and away from my cock.  I lift up as she slides them down with my boxer briefs. My cock springs free and is begging to enter her.  

She squeezes her hand around my shaft and pumps up and down a few times sending me into melt down mode.
 I remain paralyzed as she slowly leans in and takes me into her warm mouth.

HOLY FUCKING SWEET HELL!
This feels unbelievable!

“FUCK!
 Skylar your mouth is like…AGHHH…FUCK, BABY!” I scream out as she works her mouth up and down on my cock.  

I lift her dark hair up and watch her mouth as she takes me in and out over and over again. Holy fuck! When I do finally orgasm
, I am going to drown her.

She twists and pumps
her hand as her mouth forms a vacuum seal around the base and sucks upward. I hold her long hair up and watch her glance back up at me.

Sheer ecstasy fills my body and I lift upwards as I feel myself about to erupt.
 

“Oh, b
aby, I’m going to cum.  Oh Fuck. FUCK ! FUCK! FUUUCCCK!“ I roar as I thrust myself upwards into her mouth. My cock keeps on and on filling her mouth and she swallows as she licks every last drop.  

Even though
I just came harder than I ever have in my life, I am still hard and ready to take her over and over again, but that can wait. What we shared tonight is unbelievable and I want to savor it for as long as I can.  I place her against me and wrap us up in the comforter and kiss the back of her neck. She stares ahead and I don’t know where her mind is right now. She hasn’t said anything and I hope she isn’t regretting what we just have done. It feels unbelievably right to me to be this way with her.  I play with her hair until I hear her gentle breathing slow and I know she is sound asleep.

That night I sleep holding Heaven in my arms and I never want to let go.
 I will truly go through every end of Heaven or Hell for this girl and I have a feeling that Hell may not be too far away.

Skylar

I lay here in his arms until I know he is asleep.  I don’t know what suddenly changed to allow all of this to just happen. I’m not sure just how I am supposed to feel right now, but it’s definitely not like this. I don’t expect this.  I feel like I have betrayed Sebastian, even though we aren’t together anymore. How can I feel this way now when it felt so wonderful at the time?  I stand and secure my robe around my body.  

I glance back over my shoulder at the handsome man in my bed.
 Lucas looks beyond gorgeous lying there on his stomach with his dragon tattoo exposed.  Thank heavens we hadn’t actually had sex. Even though I thought I could, I can’t do that right now. When he came to my door, my body had been still humming from my dream with Sebastian.  
Did I just imagine Lucas as Sebastian? I think I had actually.  What is wrong with me?

I look over at the letter still lying on the desk and anger rushes over me.
Damn you, Sebastian! Damn you for making me still love you! Damn you for ruining this for me!
 I don’t care what this fucking letter says anymore!  I have to break free from this hold I allow him to still have over me. I crumble up the letter in my hands with the envelope and toss it in the trashcan nearby.  It’s done. It’s over.  I never needed to read that letter anyways. It changes nothing.  I have everything I will ever need in Lucas. Maybe I’m not where I want to be, but I’ll get there. I will make myself get there.  I slide open the balcony doors and quietly walk outside.  As I watch the sun peek above the horizon, I wrap my arms around my body.  

There’s a
chill in the air. It is the same feeling I had in Austin and I try to shake it off.  There is no way he’s here.  It’s just my nerves from earlier.  I look down below at the city as it tries to come to life and I walk back inside my suite.  Making my way back to my bed, I snuggle back in against Lucas.  He instantly wraps his arm around me and nuzzles my neck.  I feel his hand slip into mine and we entwine fingers.  Looking over at the garbage can, I see the crumpled letter peeking out the top. I close my eyes and shove back the tears that threaten to fall.  

This is a new day. Starting today, I am free of Sebastian Thorne. He will never again have such hold over me. Now, if I can repeat that a million times, I might actually trick myself into believing it.

Sebastian

I secure the onyx mask to my face as the vehicle pulls up to the entrance of the building. My driver opens the door and I step out onto the long red carpet that leads to the old historical theater building. With guests arriving in decorative disguises, it is a complete guessing game for the media and I love it.

Large double
doors open into a massive room of colors and lights.  Even though I am sure that my mask conceals my identity, I can’t help but be paranoid as I make my way into the large crowd. I can feel her presence and for the first time in a long time, the pain lessens in my chest.   Instantly, I begin looking across the room that is full of masks and feathers, in search for any indication of her.  I close my eyes and I instantly feel our connection. It electrifies the air and I zone in on the beautiful vixen just across from me. A silver mask full of black feathers and sequins covers the top portion of her eyes.  That dress gives me an instant hard on!  
Sweet Jesus!

Her long silver dress hugs her curvaceous body in every sinfully perfect way.
 The top of the dress crosses at the bodice, lays over one shoulder, and then scoops down low in the back.  Black stilettos peek out the bottom front of her gown as the fabric flares loosely at her feet.  Her long locks are now pinned loosely on top of her head. She looks exactly like she stepped out of 1920’s Hollywood. Even from across the crowded room, her beautiful turquoise eyes glowed through the eyeholes of the mask, revealing her hidden identity to me.  I need no other confirmation; the magnetic pull mixed with the energy in the air is overwhelming.

As if she senses me, she slowly
turns and faces my direction, but I turn away quickly and retreat further to the back of the room.  She frantically begins scanning the room of masked faces and I realize she had indeed sensed my presence. It is undeniable what we both share and it cannot be fought. She can try to deny if she wants, but we complete each other in every way. Suddenly she jumps, as a hand wraps around her small waist and pulls her close while whispering into her ear.  The whisper earns a large smile in return, as well as a tender kiss on the lips.  
Lucas
.  I feel like I am going to be sick, yet here I am completely frozen in my spot.  She glances back once more across the room just before he grabs her hand and leads her through the crowd.

From the back of the room, my eyes never leave her as she makes her way around the room speaking to the other guests.
 Her newly found confidence is reflected in the way she moves about the place. Gone is the shy unsure girl that I fell in love with; however, I can’t be more proud to see this side of her. It is sexy as fuck.  Several men begin announcing to the guests that they are to gather outside for the unveiling.  I watch as Lucas places his hand on the small of her back and leads her to the glass patio doors.  I remain far enough behind that I can still blend in without being detected.  

Two short,
heavyset men that I immediately recognize as Oliver Kingston and John Gilbert remove their masks as Lucas leads Skylar up the large platform.  They begin their speech about the design project and I zone in as Skylar begins removing her mask.  

Breathtaking…
she is simply breathtaking.

Oliver announces
the reveal and I observe John tugging on the long black fabric covering the design.  Applause erupts as a beaming Oliver and John point to a now blushing Skylar.  
There’s my shy girl.
Part of my sweet beautiful girl is still in there.

The
logo is simply phenomenal.  The tall new metal sculpture sits in the middle of a beautiful fountain of water. Blue lights glow up through the water and illuminate the twisting metal.  The use of different metals allows for magnificent formation as the trademark GK works its way in the middle.  I watch as many congratulate her while she poses with them for pictures.

Originally my plans
were to just see her, but now I crave her touch on my skin. I know there is no way that I can walk away without feeling her. Lucas joins them for the final few shots and I realize I have to do something quickly.  I can’t just sit back and wonder any longer if she read the letter or not. I need to tell her everything for myself. Without hesitating, I scribble a note that I slip into the server’s hand along with a hundred dollar bill and request it to be taken directly to her.  I move up the stairs and quickly make my way to the roof. Taking a deep breath, I now place our love in fate’s hands and pray.

Skylar

Relief
washes over me when I hear applause for my design. Lucas leans in and whispers, “Breathe, baby,” in my ear before walking over to shake hands with clients.  This new trademark for Kingston Gilbert had been a hard design to complete, with so many specifics from both Oliver and John, but I seemed to have managed a perfect blend.  I am securing my mask back on as a young waiter hands me a note.  Thinking it must be from Lucas, I open it.

Meet me on the rooftop.

I smile as I make my way up the stairs, excusing myself to the other guests around me.  I know it is rude to leave them, but I didn’t want to ruin Lucas’ romantic plan either.  Braving a glance over my shoulder, I don’t spot him anywhere in the crowded room.

Thankfully my day had been busy preparing for tonight’s event so
we haven’t discussed what happened between us last night. I do love him; really I know I do. It’s just that I can’t give him my whole heart, because as much as I fight it, a huge part of me still belongs to Sebastian.

Lucas is so incredible, and I find myself wanting nothing more than to give myself to him. Why couldn’t I have met him first?
 He loves me and would never hurt me. Forever with him would bring me such happiness and peace.  I am determined to try so very hard, but Sebastian’s still there in my head and in my heart.

I turn the rooftop door and the cool wind catches my breath.
 I rub my arms for warmth as I look around for Lucas, but I am all alone.  Thinking I must have beaten him upstairs, I move to the rail and look up at the glorious stars above me.  My mind drifts back to the night on the beach wrapped in a blanket with Sebastian as he held me against him.  I think about how blissful our lovemaking had been under the diamond sky that night.  Pain fills my chest and I try to shove the memory away before he gets up here.  I must really be losing it because I have felt Sebastian all day, especially here tonight.  I feel warmth behind me and the cool wind carries the electricity and his intoxicating flavor in the air.

“You look absolutely stunning tonight, Skylar,” his words
touch me like silk caressing my soul.
Sebastian
.  My breath hitches when I feel his hand on my now trembling shoulders. I feel his warmth increase behind me as he breathes in my hair like he had always loved to do.  He rubs his hands up and down my arms to warm me and rests his forehead to the back of my neck.  I am shaking so badly I don’t know what to do.  I am supposed to hate him, but I need him more than I needed air at the moment.

“God, I’ve missed you!
 I’ve.So.Incredibly.Missed.You,” he says, kissing my neck slowly between each word.  I close my eyes and an unprecedented desire fills my body.  “I have dreamt of this for so long, Skylar.  I love you so much, my beautiful girl.  I just can’t stay away from you another second.”  He turns me to look at him and my knees go weak at the sight of his handsome face and those warm amber eyes.

Seven months
, seven agonizing long months, two hundred and fourteen days to be exact since these arms have held me.  His gentle hands clasp my face and I whisper his name, “Sebastian.”

He closes his eyes, “Please say my name again, baby…God, I’ve missed that,” he says breathlessly as he traces his mouth across my bottom lip. One touch and I am lost in him. I’m falling so fast that I am weak in his arms, but I know despite everything, it is him who I want to catch me.

At this moment on the roof, it’s like nothing matters but the two of us.  I don’t care about the past; right now I have part of myself back. I am complete again and I know it is because of him.  I feel safe even in the arms of the man who had betrayed me. I feel safe because I know deep down he is the other half of my soul.