Arielle Immortal Struggle (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 7) (30 page)

Arielle wrapped her arms around his nape and drew his mouth back down to hers. Sebastian felt himself being swept away by her passion. His wits were reeling with anticipation. “You’re mine for eternity,” he whispered against her lips.

Arielle giggled as jolts of pleasure shot through every fiber of her body. She pulled back slightly and gazed intensely into the emerald pools of his eyes. This amazing man was hers and hers alone. Sebastian set her on the bed and, seconds after, his warm limbs enfolded her. Their encounter was powerful, and the eruption sent them to an alternate universe where they were alone body and soul, lost in the utter pleasure. Slowly, they drifted back to earth and fell into a peaceful and serene sleep.

Many hours later, she opened her eyes and found herself tightly held in his possessive embrace. He was still fast asleep. His long powerful legs tangled with hers, keeping her close to his warm body. He looked so peaceful and so breathtakingly gorgeous. She stared at his strikingly sculptured face that she so utterly adored. She let out an inward sigh and her gaze moved slowly from his sandy tousled hair to his perfect nose and down to the lips that promised passion, desire, and pure sin. The warmth of his body sent an enticing shiver down her spine that made her blood throb through her veins. She was his, and he was hers, and there was nothing more beyond that point. Pleasure coiled as she thought of their earlier encounter. She lifted her hand and ran her finger across his bottom lip and closed her eyes in complete contentment.

“Good morning, love.”

Arielle jerked her eyes open and fell right into a pair of dark green eyes filled with amusement. His voice was low and seductive, his lips touching hers and his tongue licking her lower lip.

“Can I help you?” he said chuckling.

“Um…no,” Arielle replied, a wide smile painted across her lips.

He moved fast, rolling and taking her with him to land fully on top of her, his morning erection pressing against her abdomen.

“Aaaa!” she shrieked. “Sebastian! Stop doing that.”

“Doing what, love?”

“Moving in that immortal way of yours. It always scares me half to death.”

“I was eager,” he chuckled out loud and moved suggestively against her so she could feel his want. Arielle smiled, letting his seductiveness seize her and bond her to his endless hunger.

His body surged over hers and he dipped his head to brush his lips against hers. The smell of freesia in her hair, made him quiver. Arielle’s eyes smoldered with uncontrolled desire, as his lips came down on hers with startling vigor. With his tongue he coaxed her lips apart and plunged into the softness of her mouth like a thirsty man in a desert searching for relief. He reeled in her taste and passion ripped through his body like wild fire as the kiss intensified. He palmed her breasts with his hands and kneaded softly. Sensation built higher and higher, and she let out a low moan. She flexed her spine, with a loud moan, and pushed her upper body against his hands. Every nerve, every inch of her wanted him like never before.

He was now fully on top of her, pressing her softly onto the bed. He gazed down at her and smiled in a warm, passionate way, ready to take what was his. He wedged his knee between her thighs and he took her mouth in another hot throbbing kiss. Their tongues twisted and entwined, but it was obvious that they needed more. They were hungry for each other.

His hands moved over her soft skin like a pianist’s hands over the piano keys. She moaned into his mouth, and he growled with anticipation. His lips skimmed across her jaw line down to her collarbone, pressing against the base of her throat. This was Sebastian’s favorite spot. He reveled at the pulse of her heartbeat. It gave his immortal soul pleasure beyond any measure. He soon ducked his head and set his mouth onto one hard nipple teasing, suckling and lapping, sending hot waves of desire through every pore in her body. He then moved the other breast and she nearly came off the bed. The intoxication he was spreading across her veins was utterly wild. He suddenly moved fast and hard and drove deep into her, leaving her gasping for breath.

Arielle marveled at this strength and, pressing inexorably upward, she matched his strong thrusts. A low growl sounded deep in Sebastian’s throat as he reached the absolute end of his control. Sharp waves of sensation slid across his muscles and the heat that was radiating from her drove him to absolute madness. Sebastian hissed in a breath and pressed their bodies tighter together.

“Open your eyes, Arielle. I want to see your eyes,” Sebastian murmured.

Arielle opened her eyes just enough to gaze into his mossy, burning gaze. Her body arched slightly and she locked her legs around his hips as they clung to each other with urgency and passion. Her nails dug into his back, and their breathing grew ragged, strained until they shattered as euphoric waves fractured reality into shards. They were seized and thrust beyond reality into a magnificent timeless universe. He collapsed on top of her, unable to move. Her heart was pounding her chest like a sledgehammer, and she let out a primal gasp. Arielle welcomed his weight, held entranced by the aftermath. Slowly, their minds came back to reality and they lay quietly wrapped around each other. Before he rolled onto his back, taking her with him, he bent down and pressed a soft gentle kiss on her lips.

“I love you, Arielle.”

Arielle snuggled up beside him, leaning her head onto his shoulder. “I love you, too, Sebastian.”

Sebastian reached down and pulled the covers over them. He slipped his arm around her protectively, and gathered her closer. “We are nearing our wedding day,” he whispered.

“I know,” Arielle said, and moved even closer to his masculine body.

“I’ll be honored beyond reason to take you as my wife, Miss Lloyd—my Lizzy—in front of God, family, and friends.”

“Are you sure, Darcy?” she asked, meeting his gaze.

“What do you mean, ‘am I sure’?”

She could clearly read the alarm in his eyes. Arielle giggled and her lips were on his. The kiss was gentle, full of love and appreciation for the man lying next to her. “I was only joking, Sebastian.”

He gave her a playful squeeze and she sighed with unfathomable happiness. A long life of nirvana next to this incredible man was but a dream.

“Um…I don’t want to become too excited,” she said. “We still have this grueling semester to go through. And then another few weeks for the holidays to be over.”

“Oh, it will be but a breeze. Time will go by in a blink of an eye.”

“What in the world does that really mean?”

Sebastian propped himself on his elbow and stared down at her. “What?”

“Why do people say ‘in a blink of an eye’?’ Nothing happens in a blink of an eye. I think it’s a rubbish metaphor.”

“Do you want to argue about it? Or do you want to get up and take a shower with me?” he questioned playfully. He ducked his head and pressed a soft kiss on her lips.

“I’d rather spend the day in bed—
with you
.”

“Would you now?” his question but a whisper.

“Yes.”

“Well, you won’t have an argument from me.” He lay back down and folded his hands beneath his head. “What do you want to do?” he asked, amusement coding his voice.

“I just want to spend the day alone with you.” She rolled to her side and touched her lips to his throat. Sebastian moaned, a deep sound of utter pleasure.

“I can spend eternity in bed with you, baby,” he breathed against her lips.

Arielle fought the shockwave of pleasure that threatened to consume her. She had found her Darcy and her dream was becoming true.

They spent practically the whole day in bed. Between hot encounters that left them spent, lost in raw gratification, they chatted about school, the upcoming holidays, and the wonderful details of their wedding that was coming up next year.

Arielle and her friends endured the grueling classes for several weeks until the autumn semester ended in mid-December. Christmas was approaching and winter crept over the grounds. The city fell into the traditional spirit of peace and humanity. Every store and every home was decked with decorations, festoons of holly, and mistletoe. The sparkling vibrant lights made the city look spectacular.

Arielle and Sebastian enjoyed putting the finishing touches on their own Christmas tree. They spend time with their friends during the week before Christmas, horseback riding and experiencing the joys of winter and the crisp air. Riding a horse against the wind was nothing short of breathtaking. They enjoyed clubbing, Christmas shopping, and exchanging gifts. The girls had fun sitting around the fireplace and roasting marshmallows while chatting happily and laughing carelessly about every little thing important and unimportant, something the immortals found quite entertaining.

Arielle’s parents held their annual Christmas dinner party with all the trimmings. Every year seemed to be getting bigger and better. This Christmas was symbolic for the three girls and their best friend Paul. Next year, each one of them would be marrying their beloved immortal.

On Christmas day, Sebastian surprised Arielle by enjoying the traditional cup of chocolate with her before they gave each other their gifts. Sebastian’s gifts to Arielle were once again over the top. Arielle had given up trying to keep him from showering her with extravagant presents a long time ago. All she really wanted was to be this stunning immortal man’s wife. She felt drunk with overwhelming pleasure at the thought of their wedding day.

 Annabel invaded her thoughts in spurts, creating a stinging in the back of her eyes and an intense dry feeling in her throat. She couldn’t understand why the bitter immortal woman had just disappeared. What was she plotting? One thing she was sure of, Annabel would not give up, not until she had made sure that she destroyed Arielle and Sebastian’s happiness. She had to be preparing something truly treacherous, but what?
Oh God! Please do not let her show up on my wedding day.
Eternity would be soon enough to have to see her again.

Time flew by just as Sebastian said it would, like rushing waters of a river. Another year gone! January arrived, the beginning of a splendid year that was to be filled with wedding plans, joyful adventures, aches of two more grueling semesters, and exam results still to come. But it was the year of graduation and the year of their weddings so those were huge pluses in the whole equation.

Chapter 20

THE YEAR
of three glorious weddings left Arielle thrilled about each one of them, but she was most ecstatic about her wedding day with the man of her dreams,
her Darcy
. It was hard for her to believe that this amazing man, this incredible immortal, was going to be her husband.

Eva wanted a late June wedding, Gabrielle had decided on a July date, and Arielle — of course — had to have the wedding in the month that she first set eyes on the man that fit the blueprint of her life’s quest, August. She was excited that the plans were going to work out well, making it possible for the three of them to be part of each other’s wedding without being stressed over the length of their honeymoons. This was extraordinary as they had been best friends and more like sisters all of their lives.

They made an agreement that they weren’t going to assign titles such as maid of honor or bridesmaids, because they couldn’t pick one over the other. The agreement was that the four of them, including Loren, were going to be involved and stand by each other on that special day, and that made them exceptionally happy.

School started again mid-January. Gabrielle and Ian had another six years to fulfill their dream of becoming successful surgeons. Eva had to wait for five or six years to fully qualify as an attorney-at-law. Paul and Arielle were in for two additional years to receive their MDs. Troy and Sebastian had decided to devote their time to the business and let them move on with their education.

Loren had decided to keep Paul happy, so she was going to put herself through more boring classes. The girl held several degrees and she certainly didn’t need any more education, but love conquered all. Arielle was happy to see Paul content, even though his father’s infidelities and their family secrets were now splashed all over the newspapers. Arielle was sure that if it weren’t for Loren, this span of time would have been dark for Paul.

Gabby, Eva, and Arielle were quite busy with homework and attending classes every day, but they took every spare moment they had and every weekend to work on their wedding plans, including the wedding dresses.

They made a list of items and decided to prioritize according to their importance and urgency. They placed a small box next to each item, planning to check it off as it was accomplished. Three items on the top of the list had already been checked off.

The first was the church, which was an easy choice. Their families had been linked to the parish for as long as they could remember. The second item was the reception location and their parents had arranged those to be held at their country club for the designated dates. The third item was the photographer, who was a family friend and had produced all the family portraits over the years, making that an easy selection as well.