Daughter Trilogy Bundle (9 page)

My back eases against the wall, warning me I've run out of room.  His body is still nearing mine, pinning mine, and I know there's no escaping him.  I don't want to escape him either.

"Good," I whisper in a nearly muted tone.

His lips capture mine, and he lifts me with a savage approach.  He puts me on the counter top, and jerks me forward to straddle him more intimately.  He rips my dress over my head, and his lips continue their carnivorous meal on mine.

He grips me tightly and yanks my head back to give him a better angle on my neck.  I feel the sparks against my skin, and it's all I can do not to collapse into him.

Why can't I control myself around him?  I'm conservative, quiet, and not at all adventurous in the bedroom, but I feel like a sex goddess when I'm with him.

He pulls me tighter to him and lifts me from the counter.  I feel the brisk walk ending in the bedroom as he kicks the door shut, and his eyes promise me another memory I'll never forget.

"I don't want to know
how you're so good at… everything," I heave out through labored breaths.

"I've never seen someone get so jealous before.  I suppose you should quit trying to act as though you don't want to be with me now," he teases.

I blush and pull the sheet over my head.  "I can't believe I acted like that.  I've never been so rash about anything."

The sheet slides back down to reveal his perfect face hovering over mine.  His sweet gaze offers me a little reprieve from my torturous humiliation.

"You're as enthralled and obsessed with me as I am with you.  It's good to know," he seduces as his lips cover mine briefly.

When he draws back, I look over at the clock that is warning me it's nearly eleven.

"I have to get ready and get back to the inn.  You can go back if you want to.  I don't want you being bored while I get ready."

He smiles a little mischievously.  "I don't mind watching.  I'm sure I'll find a great deal of something other than boredom from it."

I blush and roll my eyes as I nudge him playfully.  He catches my hand and pulls me to him to feel his warmth all the more exquisitely.

"I need a shower," I mumble to shatter the possibility of an encore.

I really have to get ready.

"So do I.  I don't mind sharing shower space," he insists, his irresistibly enticing tone making my heart thud against my chest.

Like I have a choice.  Why am I even trying to think this over?

"Then come on," I dare.

His devious smirk and darkened eyes offer me nothing but chills and shocks.  He pulls my lips to his as we stand up, and his hands tangle in my wild hair.

Completely engulfed by each other, we slowly creep to the bathroom that is so much smaller than the one he's accustomed to.

He laughs a little as his elbow slaps the wall, and I giggle too.  He breaks away to cut the shower on, but as soon as he rises, I'm still glued to his lips again.

At least there's no need to undress, since we never got redressed.

I feel the splatter of water beating against my back as he places both of us behind the curtain.  He's doing all the work because I'm too wrapped up in him to do anything else.  I can't think - ever - when he's around.

There's no trace of sanity left in me, and only the dark swirls in his eyes remind me how wrong this can go.  He's dangerously desirable, and he's going to break me in half.

Our moment deepens to the point I know my shower is about to be defiled for the first time, but the second we get started, the water around me changes.  It feels to be spinning against me rather that beating fiercely.

Then it starts boiling, and I mean literally boiling.  I scream as I leap through the curtain, and I gasp as I see the boiling bubbles on the shower floor.

Devin's eyes widen to better view the ghastly sight before he slowly climbs free from the scalding water and wraps a towel around his waist.

"Holy shit," I shriek, grabbing a towel for myself to hide my nakedness.  "My hot water heater must be busted.  I'm so sorry."

His eyes study the shower in disbelief, and I notice the water slowly starting to return to a normal temperature.  He seems a little stunned, and I swear there's a twinge of guilt etching into his face.

"I need to head back and get dressed.  I'll see you in a little while," he mumbles while continuing to examine the shower.

I tilt my head curiously.  "Are you mad at me?"

He shakes his head while taking in a deep breath and running a hand through his hair.

"No.  I just have some calls to return.  I need to get caught up on some business."

He kisses my forehead, and I can tell the momentum has completely shifted.  He feels colder, and the electricity has frozen to be a dull buzzing as opposed to a gushing current.

I can feel the gut-wrenching feeling of the impending disconnect.  It's so soon though.  How did I lose him this quick?  This can't already be happening.

"Please don't go," I whisper in a pathetic, needy tone.

He forces a smile, pity shining in his eyes.

"I'm just going for a little while.  I'll see you at the inn.  I swear."

He pecks me lightly on the lips, and I can taste the frost forming on those soft pieces of perfection that once coursed with a raging fire.

He disappears, closing the bathroom door behind him, and I tighten my towel against my waist as I turn to stare in the mirror.

I sigh loudly while shaking my head.  This can't be happening.  Please let me be wrong.

I hear my front door close, and I rush out to see he's already gone.  I've never known anyone to get dressed so fast and make such a quick exit.

I dart over to the window just in time to see him jump over the door of his car and land in the seat.  The engine revs, and he squeals out without so much as looking into the traffic around him.

The car roars as he races down the street to escape me.  He's in a hurry.  He's ready to be done, and I just agreed to start.

I can feel the tears breaching the gates, but I fight them back.  I can't be distracted with my own issues right now.  I have to remember this is Clara's day.  I knew this was going to happen.

I'll just need to buy some ice cream on the way home.

I turn the water back on, and test it fervently before I climb back in.  I wish I could wash away this terrible feeling filling me with dread.  Life would be easier if I could.  Why would a tub of hot water freak him out toward me?

I usually have more warning signs before the guy goes glacier on me, but this time the switch flipped faster than the eye could see.

I wash up quickly, feeling the water running cold - ironically enough.  As I climb out, I look over to see a large chunk of my bathroom wall crumbled on the floor.  The dust falls between my fingertips like powder when I try to feel what I can't understand.

What the fuck?  The only thing he did was bump it.  There's no way he did this sort of damage.  What's going on?

Maybe he was hurt.  I don't think so though.  He didn't have a problem putting me in the shower.  The scalding water didn't send him flying out of the accidental sauna the way it did me.

It's just me.  He's already over it.  I'm cursed.

Chapter 5

Twisted Paradise

"Oh my gosh.  This is so fucking hot," Melissa gushes as I finish the last bow on the back of a chair.

"Thanks," I murmur proudly.

"Wow," a voice from behind me exclaims.

I smile as I speak blindly to the voice.

"I know.  This place is unbelievably gorgeous right now," I say with giddiness.

"I was talking about you.  I've never seen you look so
… amazing."

Unwelcome chills spread over me as I turn to meet the drooling eyes of Jerry.  I fight hard not to slap him across the face for looking at me that way.  I hate knowing this asshole has seen me naked.

The low-cut neckline of the dress offers a sneak peek of my cleavage, and the short front reveals the fronts of my legs - almost up to my thighs - while the back drapes in a long, dragging train.

"I need to go check on some things," I grumble.

He takes my hand and pulls me to him.  His breath traces over my lips when he stands too close, and his grip grows to feel almost desperate as he clings to me.

His light brown hair highlights is golden-hued eyes.  There's hope in his eyes he doesn't deserve to possess.

"Let me go, Jerry.  Now," I warn.

"No.  Just talk to me.  You've avoided me for a year, and I had this elaborate plan to lure you back today.  Then you show up with Mr. Random, and
… well… I don't like it.  I can't stand seeing you with another guy."

Oh!  The audacity of this creep is dumbfounding!

"Well, I really don't give a rat's ass about what you do or don't like.  I personally wasn't too fond of seeing you with another girl while we were engaged, but life's a bitch.  You don't get to tell me what to do a year after you crushed me.  Let. Me. Go," I demand.

His hold only tightens as his hand slides up my arm.  It actually hurts now.  He jerks me closer to him, making my body press against his.  The determination in his eyes almost scares me.

“I'm sorry.  I fucked up.  If you'd take five minutes to talk to me, you'd know how damn crazy about you I still am," he barks in a pleading tone.

Melissa walks off quickly to avoid the confrontation.  A lot of good she fucking did me.

"I don't want to know because I don't care.  I have more self respect than you're giving me credit for.  If you don't let me go, I swear I'll scream."

A breeze carries a familiar scent to me just before a voice sounds out to interrupt our heated argument.

"You don't have to scream because he's going to let you go right now."

Butterflies form and multiply ferociously as my eyes meet Devin's.  His swirling blues move from mine to glare threateningly at Jerry while he walks over to us.

Jerry drops my arm just as Devin pulls me away and tucks me behind him protectively.

"I don't want you touching her again," Devin threatens.

"You don't fucking own her," Jerry growls.

"If you touch her again, I swear I'll make you disappear," Devin cautions while taking a step toward my cowardly ex who starts backing down.

Jerry swallows hard as Devin continues to glower at him.  He takes a step back and then walks away with his tail drawn up in a knot between his legs.

Devin exhales heavily while turning back to face me, and the backs of his fingers stroke my cheek with a caress that makes me almost dissolve.  Tears try to breach my eyes now.  I almost wish he wouldn't touch me at all.

"You okay?" he asks softly.

"Yeah.  I'm fine," I say with heartbreak still threatening me with its tears.

His lips tighten to a thin line, and then he draws my hand up to kiss the back of it.

"I need go finish some stuff, but I'll be back before the wedding.  If he looks at you wrong, tell me."

How did he know I needed him?  Why did he come down here?  He's so fucking confusing.

"You don't have to stay and help me save face.  I'll just tell everyone you had business to attend to," I say curtly, my whole body trembling as a painful wave of heat rushes through me.

Sheesh.  Why do I feel like I have a fever?

His eyes instantly spark with shock, pain, and surprise.

"What are you talking about?"

"I know this all too well; hot one minute, ice cold the next.  You can save the sweet, easy let down.  Been there, done that, and it got old a long time ago.  Just make sure you tell Charlene you need someone else.  There's no need in us seeing each other again."

He sits down in one of my girly dressed chairs and stares at me in complete bemusement.

"I'm not leaving you.  I just have a lot to do.  I'm sorry if I've somehow come off as cold, but you got hurt earlier.  It upset me a little.  I needed to get away, and I really do have stuff to do."

I stare back, wanting to believe him so badly, but I know there’s more he's not telling me.  There's only one thing it could be.  Why is he dragging this out?

"I need to get the music ready for the bridal entrance.  I'll see you later if you're still here."

I turn to walk away, and I'm whirled back around into his arms.  His swirling blues burn into my eyes, making the glacier around me melt.  His incredible lips find mine without warning, his tongue invading through my parted lips.

I can feel the electricity zapping me mercilessly as his hands grip against my lower waist, forcing my body closer to his.

He pulls back slightly, leaving my throbbing lips begging for more, and whispers, "I'll still be here."

I swallow hard as he leaves me scattered in the reception hall.  My breath eludes my grasp, almost taunting me as it runs away.  He walks away, leaving me to ogle his back, and forcing me to wonder if I need medication.

He's fucking driving me crazy.  Why is he doing this?  What is he doing?  What the hell am I doing?  Since when am I an overanalyzing, nagging drama queen?

"Adisia?" I turn to see my mom just as her arms wrap around me, and I fall apart in her embrace - finally letting my tears fall in their abundant flow.

"Oh, don't cry, honey.  Clara is going to be just fine."

It's not Clara I'm worried about
… it's me.

She draws back and wipes the escapees from my cheeks. 
“Now, that's better."   Then she turns to take in all my hard work as her eyes shift from one girly decoration to the next.  "This place looks amazing.  Clara is going to be thoroughly ecstatic with all of your hard work."

I force a smile and cram all of my self conscious bullshit into a tiny box and shove it into a dark corner in the back of my mind.

"She better be," I scoff.  "I've killed myself on this place.  I spent weeks making the center pieces because she couldn't find anything that 'matched her vision.' "

Mom chuckles lightly, and then I get that Mom stare down.  Ah, peachy.  Here we go.

"So, your father tells me you have a new boyfriend."

Oh great.  Now she's really burning into my eyes.

"Yeah.  It appears so," I mumble, not feeling so convinced it's the truth anymore.

"And why didn't I know?" she gripes.

"Because it's very, very new.  I didn't know he was going to be here.  He just kind of surprised me, and I haven't really had a chance to make formal introductions.  You'll meet him though."

A
duh
look spreads across her face, and she rolls her eyes at me.

"Oh honey, I know I'll meet him.  I hate knowing your father beat me to it.  He also said you got sick.  What happened?"

Her concerned mother look takes over her irritated expression.

"I don't know.  It was weird.  I'm okay now though.  I still have a few things to do before the wedding, so I need to get to rushing.  I'll see you later," I say dismissively.

I really don't have anything else to do for the wedding.  The only thing I need to do is talk to Devin and find out what the hell is going on.  My mind and my sanity have both abandoned me.

I start walking up the steps, my feet feeling light as a feather.  They're not making the slightest creak against the old stairs.  I've never been so quiet in all my life, and I have no idea how I'm doing it.

My stomach knots when I hear his voice.  I'm not even all the way to his room yet, so how can I hear him this clearly?

I stop my stalk and stand perfectly still to eavesdrop.

"It's about fucking time you answered.  Where the hell have you been?" he snaps.

Holy crap.  I feel sorry for whoever he's talking to.  I've not heard him angry before.

“Did you get my messages?…  And?…  Well find out!  I don't want anything like this to ever happen again.  She could have been hurt… If it had ever happened before I wouldn't be calling you… Of course I'm freaked out… No.  I'm not going to leave her… I'll figure it out on my own if I have to… It can't be an infection yet… Good.  Thanks."

Infection?  What the fuck?

I shiver slightly.  I could hear a faint voice on the other side of that conversation, but I couldn't make out who it was or what they were saying.  How could that be possible?

Devin darts out of his room, and his eyes lock with mine at the end of the long hallway.  He swallows hard as he stalks toward me while straightening his tie.  There are a thousand questions in my mind right now.

His face is soft, not angry like his tone was seconds ago.  The heat burns through me the second his arms wrap around my waist, and I shiver again for new reasons as I stare up into his smoky blue eyes.

"You look beautiful.  I'm sorry I neglected to tell you that earlier," he says in his sexy voice.

He doesn't have a trace of the fury I just heard bellowing out of him.

“
Thanks," I murmur through trembling lips as I try to catch my the stubborn breath he keeps stealing.  "What's going on?"

He tilts his head to the side as his lips purse.  "What do you mean?"

"I mean, who could have been hurt, and who are you not leaving?  And an infection?  Were you talking about me?"

"You heard that?  I never heard you-"

"Please don't shift the subject.  Tell me what's going on," I interrupt pleadingly with small tears teetering.

"Please don't look at me like that.  It's heartbreaking," he murmurs while running his hand down the side of my cheek.

"Just tell me.  I feel like I'm going crazy."

"I know the feeling.  I'm pretty damn addicted to you.  It's not a feeling I'm accustomed to.  It's as though I can't get enough of you, and I'm quite possibly going mad."

His lips cover mine as he successfully evades my questions, and I surrender too willingly as I give into the passionate entanglement.  He pulls me tighter to him, and the frost completely melts and turns to lava.

His hands start sliding up the front part of the dress, sending me into a need for his body, but approaching footsteps quickly break us apart.

He adjusts his suit and tie just as my mother rounds the corner.

"There you are.  I've been looking for
…"

Her voice slowly trails off as a pool of drool forms on the edges of her mouth.  She stares speechlessly at the magnificent creature I'm obsessed with.  Her right hand hovers over her heart as if she's worried it's going to flop out of her chest, and her eyes are so wide I'm worried they're going to dislodge from their sockets.

"Hello Mrs. Titan.  It's nice to finally meet you," Devin says cordially while proffering his hand.

Finally?  He's barely met me.

She shakes it while steadying herself over her wobbly knees.  I'm almost worried I'm going to have to intervene when she's reluctant to let his hand go.

He snickers lightly just as she finally releases him from her hold, and her hand returns to its place over her heart.

"Yeah… too you… I mean, you too," she flaps.

I cover my face that is stained with embarrassment for her crude reaction.

Oh good grief.  Have some dignity woman
.

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses me lightly on top of the head.  She smiles foolishly at his action, and then she covers her giddy mouth.

"I'm a little surprised.  You're very… different from what I expected.  I'm impressed."

I almost feel a little slighted by her gawking disbelief.  It's not like I haven't dated hot guys before.  Granted, none of them were ever this hot, but then again, I don't know if I've ever seen anyone this hot to date.

"Thanks… I think," he chuckles out while blushing as well.

I roll into his arms and shake my head against his chest.  She giggles a little more, and when I turn around, she's staring dreamily into his eyes while twirling her hair.

Really?  Wow.  My mother is officially fifteen again.

"Okay.  Well, I need to get downstairs.  I'm sure Clara's flipping out by now," I grumble.

"I'll walk you," Devin says quickly.