Oracle Rising (15 page)

He laughed, since she was probably comfortable like this. Now any lover could admire her.

Just like she wanted.

Tying her legs, he stood and admired his handy work. It was perfect.

It was time to begin.

Heading toward the booze, he found three bottles and uncorked them. Dumping them on her body, he watched the amber, green, and clear liquids mix. As the worm from the tequila fell onto her flesh, he made sure to tuck it inside her body.

Why flambé the little bastard?

No, that would be cruel. He wasn’t to blame for her flaws—only she was.

So as she lay there, drenched in booze, he waited for her to come to. When she began moaning, he smiled.

“I waited for you.”

At his voice, she tried to struggle. “What? What are you doing to me?”

“Oh, I’m going to light you on fire, like I promised.”

She could smell the booze.

“Please. Don’t! Please set me free. I’m so sorry! You’re not an asshole. We can have sex again, and I’ll never say a word to anyone.”

There was laughter.

“You must think I’m an idiot.”

She shook her head. “Please, baby, touch me. We can make this right.”

He simply pulled out some matches. “I appreciate you parking in the garage. When this place goes up, you’re going to get rid of all the proof that I was ever here.”

She sobbed, yanking on the ropes until her wrists were bloodied. “Help!” she screamed.

He laughed, striking the three matches he held steadily in his fingers. “I’ll see you in my mind forever,” he promised, as he let them fall. “Even though you’re off my list, you’re still going to fill my dreams.”

The ‘whoosh’ was loud and filled the air as a blue and yellow flames engulfed her writing body.

He watched her burn as she begged for mercy.

None was given.

Not to someone like her.

He loved seeing ‘perfection’ ruined.

As he headed out, the room was filled with the scent of smoke and burning, charred flesh.

Closing his eyes, he could feel her near. “I know you’re watching,” he hissed, feeling his body react to the idea of one day doing that to her. “Did you like it?” he asked.

His sick laughter filled the night.

“I’m coming for you.”

Then he disappeared into the shadows.

The end was coming, and he couldn’t wait.

       
                
* * *
  O R A C L E   * * *

Not Far Away

Juliett’s Cabin

Avalon could hear him in Juliett’s mind. She was standing over the woman’s sleeping body, keeping watch. She could see the woman’s aura, and it was clear.

Her plan was working.

The killer wasn’t getting through.

Avalon was using her gifts to keep the woman protected. While he was trying to terrify Juliett, it was falling on deaf ears. Avalon didn't fear much, and this killer wouldn’t get his way.

Before it was over, he would be caught.

That was going to be one of the few ways they had to protect her. If he could rattle Juliett’s cage, she’d slip up and give him something.

So, Avalon was making a sacrifice.

She was going to make sure that the killer didn't get anything from her.

As she stood there, she watched it all happen, helpless to stop any of it. What she wanted was to forget it.

To unsee what had flooded into her mind.

This man was cold, calculating, and cruel.

She saw it all, and she needed to get it off her chest. Immediately, she knew who would make all the sickness slide away.

Nate.

She needed him.

Using her hand, she slid it down the wall of the hallway until she was in the room.

As she climbed onto the bed, she reached out to touch him. Avalon needed to know he’d protect her. She could feel the sick coating of this killer’s madness touching her to her soul.

Sleepily, Nate opened his eyes. “Honey, what’s wrong?” he asked, sitting up in alarm. “Are you in danger?”

His husky, sleep filled voice heated her blood.

“Avalon?” Nate asked, tugging her toward his body.

At first, she didn't answer. She didn't have much information to give him. Instead, she willingly went into his strong arms. “I saw him. He was trying to get into Juliett’s head, and I rerouted him to me.”

Nate hated every second of that. The last thing he wanted was his woman in danger, or playing operator to this crazy’s psychic call.

Only, he knew why she was doing it.

“What can I do to help you?” he asked, letting her rub against him. Nate was praying that she was thinking what he was thinking.

Now that he was awake, and UP, he wanted her all over his body.

“I need you, Nathaniel. Make me feel safe, like only you can do,” Avalon whispered. “Make me yours.”

She didn't have to ask twice.

Rolling, he placed her beneath him. Gently, he allowed his hands to slide beneath her gauzy nightgown. He loved when she wore them. Often, Nate would watch her wander around at night, much like an apparition.

“Oh, Nathaniel,” she whispered as his fingers glided across her skin. The second he touched her, there were goose bumps along the trail of flesh.

He brought so much out in her with barely any effort.

“Avi, you’re my all,” he whispered, running his lips across her collarbone. He loved tasting her. The familiar scent of her skin gave him a sense of peace. When they came together, nothing could break them.

They were invincible.

Taking her hands, he held them above her head. As she was pinned beneath his much larger and stronger frame, he tugged the material up her body.

In the darkness of the room, he could see her curves.

He loved each one of them.

Over the last few weeks, she’d been able to settle in to their life, and she was building her appetite. Even though he had to remind her to eat, her frame now didn't resemble a teenager’s body, but that of a woman’s.

He loved it.

She was filling out, and turning him on.

Yes, he loved her before, but when Nate could feed and care for her, it filled a void in him.

She was his to protect, and that mattered to him more than anything.

All his life, he’d craved that one person he could dote on and make happy. He’d found his other half, and in doing so, he knew he needed to keep that sunshine in his dark life.

She was his living, breathing flame.

Without her, there was nothing but darkness.

Despite the sixteen year age difference, she was destined and made for him. His soul knew hers, and there was nothing better in the entire world than having her in his life.

“Oh, Nathaniel,” she moaned, arching into his wandering mouth. At that moment, he was teasing and playing with her now taut nipples.

With his teeth and tongue, he gave so much pleasure that she was lost in the moment. Before him, she never realized anything could feel this good.

Just as she prepared to fall into the lust, it all stopped. Her hands were free, and Nate was sitting there watching her.

Before she could speak, he was pulling her up so he could strip her from the dress.

“I want you naked,” he whispered in her ear. “I want to spread you wide, devour you whole, and listen to you scream my name.”

Her heart fluttered.

“You’re mine, Avalon. Until the end of time, we’re one. No one will ever love you like I do. You were made for me.”

She didn't doubt it.

Not in the least.

“Say it,” he ordered, refusing to release the back of her hair. As he held her tightly, his body rippled in lust and need. Still, he needed to hear her say the words.

“I belong to you.”

“More, Avalon. I need more than that, and you know it. I need it all.”

Her mind went fuzzy as he slammed his lips to hers. As his tongue plumbed the depths of her mouth, he knew she’d succumb to his need.

Avalon always did.

“I love you, Nathaniel Carter. You’ll always be my one and only.”

His body was rocked to the core by her words. Yes, he wanted to hear them, but he was never prepared for how they affected him. She stirred up long dormant passion in him, setting it free with her words and touch.

“Avalon.”

“Yes, Nathaniel. Take all I have to offer. I’m yours.”

When Nate’s mouth took hers, he allowed his fingers to wantonly dip into the wetness pooling between her legs. He teased and tormented her to a quick release.

She gasped in pleasure as she came, and came hard. “Oh God!”

It wasn’t enough for him.

It would never be enough.

While he had her trapped in the cage, he wanted her to sing only for him. His, once innocent, virgin was morphing into the seductress. She made his whole world flip upside down.

“More, Avalon. I want so much more.”

Her world toppled as he lowered her to the bed. Now he was doing exactly like he promised. His mouth had found the most sensitive part of her body, and he was teasing her.

As the tip of his tongue traced Avalon’s clit, he held her hands to her side. She was his, and he was proving exactly what their roles were. He never wanted there to be a doubt that when they came together, in the privacy of their bedroom, she was his.

End of story.

They were alpha and omega.

The beginning and the end.

“Nathaniel,” she moaned, as he ground his mouth against her. She couldn’t breathe, and she couldn’t think. The warm heat pooled languidly in her belly as her thighs shook beside his head.

He was breaking her down.

“Nathaniel!” she shouted, as she exploded apart again, barely able to catch her breath.

It still wasn’t enough. With his fingers and mouth, he drove her back up the crest until she was whimpering and begging him to make her come.

She wanted more.

He wanted all.

Nathaniel Carter was going to strip down her defenses and take whatever he craved.

It heated her body.

She arched as his tongued teased her. It was when he nipped her with his teeth that she nearly came off the bed. Had it not been for his hands restraining her, she would have.

She tried to close her legs around his head, but he stopped pleasuring to give her an order.

“Keep them open. I want you splayed out for me to devour. I’m so hungry for you, Avalon. I can’t quench it.”

Her heart kicked. There were times when their sex was sweet, times when it was wild, and times when he consumed her with his need.

Those were her favorite times.

There was nothing in the world like having a wild, starving man dine on your body. He wasn’t going to let her go until he was ready.

She was good with that.

In fact, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Nathaniel,” she purred, as his mouth went back to tormenting her.

He wanted Avalon to think about only one thing when he was feasting on her body.

Pleasure.

When her hands found his hair, holding his head steadily in place, he was pleased. She was enjoying it as much as he was. Their sex lives had come a long way in a very short time. At first, she was timid.

Then she was curious.

Now, she was greedy.

He loved that about her. Nate wanted to give her everything he had, and so much more. He’d rob, steal, or kill for this woman. She had him wrapped around her little finger, and he didn't care.

She was his heart.

After everything in her life, she deserved to be adored. If she never left him, Nathaniel Carter would spend the rest of his days worshipping her body.

He’d swear on his life.

Avalon bowed again, her fists gripping the bed linens in an attempt to hold on.

It was too late.

She was too far gone.

The orgasm tore through her body, overwhelming her with so much pleasure.

“More,” he whispered, before diving in again. One of his favorite things was to devour Avalon. There would never be enough—not in a million years. She was honey, and he was beyond starving. He’d been with countless women, but never did he do this with any of them.