Apollo, p.17
Apollo, page 17
Lauren grabbed at his shirt when she returned, urging him to accompany her. She lured him into a secluded corner outside of the mall and rewarded him with a long, passionate kiss, one that started simple but turned torrid. She pulled him to her, moaning into his mouth while his tongue tangled with hers. His innocent exploration turned into a game of domination. He pushed her into the wall and held her still, surrounding her with his body, crushing her against him. He pawed her back and down her sides, his large hands landed on her curvy bottom, caressing then cupping her round globes. He tilted her pelvis toward him, lifting her legs to his waist. He tore himself from her lips and groaned her name while he ground his lower half to her sexy moans.
“Home,” Lauren whispered in between heavy breaths of air.
“Are you sure? Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Their bodies disintegrated into a large burst of light.
A large, cat-like grin greeted her.
“I’m going to enjoy this, every sweet second of my time with you.” He nestled his lower half between her thighs, kissing the sensitive juncture between her neck and her shoulder. “I promise you will too.”
“Wait. I want to do this but before we do, I must ask you how many you’ve had.”
“Now?” Apollo pulled back with a look of incredulity.
“Yes, please, it’s been bothering me. I just have to ask you,” she winced, “though I’m not sure if I want to know the answer. How many?”
He pushed up and sat back on his heels. “Why?”
“I just want to know. You know how many I’ve had.”
“I’m only one of your guardians Lauren and besides, I don’t keep track of how many men you’ve slept with, nor do I want to.”
“Eighteen. Now you.”
“Why do you want to know?”
“I’m curious besides I’ve never been with an angel.”
“I’m seven hundred and thirty-four years old. I’ve been with a few.” He ran his fingers over her knee, swirling invisible patterns down one side of her leg. “But none like you.” He grabbed her lower leg, running his hands up her inner thighs. His gruff tone of voice zinged a pleasure vibe right through her core.
She grabbed his hands. “Stop that. I can’t concentrate.” She breathed in and puffed out her exhale. “Why won’t you tell me?’
“Fifteen.” Apollo’s glance wandered over her chest.
Lauren stared wide-eyed at Apollo for several long seconds before she moved.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Lauren scurried back in the bed so fast she slammed against the headboard.
“Wow.” She shook her head. “I didn’t think—I just didn’t think—oh wow. Fifteen. Were they all human and female?”
He lowered his head and smirked. “I am what you call, heterosexual, but no, not all were human. Ten were and five were angels.” He looked at her, sheepishly. “I was curious.”
“Huh?” Her jaw dropped. “I didn’t think that was possible.”
“It is but it’s not the same as with humans. I am centuries old. At first, I was curious then I was just lonely. I’m sorry I couldn’t save myself for you. I craved companionship but didn’t realize nothing would compare to loving you until I met you. You fill the occasional loneliness I feel in ways no one else can.”
“You feel lonely?”
“Being by oneself or with one’s comrades is not the same as sharing experiences with a companion. It’s not as satisfying or rewarding.” He looked her over, slowly. “Can I continue, now?”
“Um?”
“Lauren, let me reassure you, I was waiting for you. No one else will ever compare.”
She shook her head.
His grin fell. “You don’t believe me.”
“Fifteen? And with angels?” Her breathing grew jagged. Her lips trembled with each intake.
“I sense your insecurity. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Never mind the ten humans you’ve slept with, how am I supposed to compare with five angels?” She winced. “Seriously?”
“There is no comparison.”
“Exactly.”
“No.” He slid toward her, a deep hunger clouding his gaze. “You spoke before I could finish. Sex with angels is different. It’s called merging, granted we can do this with humans too but with angels, sex is less physical. It’s more mental, a soul connecting, if you will, with no physical body contact. With humans, there are many different options.” Apollo smiled. “But even so, the ten I tried don’t compare to what we will experience.”
“How do you know?”
He slid his fingers over the side of her cheek and down to the apex of her breasts. He stopped and looked into her eyes. “Because you’re my mate. Sex with a mate is different. It’s a completion of who we are and it’s magical. We have a connection that is beyond this Earth and beyond anything you can experience here. Haven’t you ever felt lost, lonely, as one who is wandering around Earth needing something, wanting something you can’t explain to fill the void inside you and in your heart?”
“Yes, but how did you know?”
He started unsnapping the buttons down the front of her shirt, his grin widening with each barrier he unlocked, tearing the shirt completely off her when he finished his speech. “What you need—is me. We need to complete our union, but I must warn you, once it’s done, there is no turning back. You are no longer single, separate, alone. You are mine and a part of me, always. I will not let you go.” He stopped, completely mesmerized by the delicate lace of her bra framing and supporting her generous bosom heaving with each breath she took. He fingered the contours of the lace, back-tracking in areas she reacted to with a sharp intake of her breath.
“You are gorgeous.” He swept her into a kiss, pre-occupying her while he quickly unclasped her bra and flung it off to one side of the bed before she became aware of what happened.
She covered her breasts—actually, her nipples—as her breasts were more than a handful and shouted his name in a warning.
He chuckled.
“I’m trying to ask you questions.”
“And I’m enjoying you while you do. Is that not allowed?” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “You want me, don’t you?”
“Yes, I think so. I do but…”
“Then ask away and let me convince you I’m worth it.” He pulled her down to a horizontal position on the bed and began kissing her upper chest.
“If what you say is true, that I will no longer feel empty inside, why would I want to return to this life? I want to be with you. But fifteen women, I can’t get over it. I mean, you’re an angel. You’re supposed to be pious.”
He lifted his head and laughed. “Does this look pious to you?”
“You’re supposed to be chaste and…”
“Holy?” He laughed harder before he dropped the sound of his voice to a raw, throaty tone. “Let me show you how wicked I can be.” He popped a nipple in his mouth and sucked.
She moaned long and loud, arching her back while he fingered her other nipple. Her fingers strummed through his thick hair.
“Let me please you, darling. Let me show you how much I love and adore you and how strong our bond is.” He moved over her, stopping in front of her mouth. “How can I make it up to you? My not waiting for you when you are the only one for me. The only one that completes me.” He smoothed her hair back and planted a kiss on her bare shoulder. “I’ll do whatever you want, as many times as you want. Tell me what pleases you and it’s yours.” She shuddered with the kiss he planted directly underneath her earlobe. He continued the row of kisses down to the tip of her shoulder, kissed her mouth, and fingered her sensitive nipple once again. “I will please you all night if you want me to. Just say you’re mine. I’m already yours.”
Her sharp intake of breath was followed by a strong, sweet scent between her thighs lingering in the air. He licked the outline of her closed mouth, slowly, prying it open with his tongue.
Tell me, Lauren. Tell me you belong to me.
Her musky scent called to him. Her delicious moan awakened private areas untouched for centuries. His desire kicked up, the urge to claim her clouding his logic. With her surrender, he’d merge their very souls, keeping their bodies intertwined in electrifying, orgasmic passion until Armageddon surrounded them.
She moaned further as he teased her nipples, licking and nibbling them until they became rock hard as he was below. Her tangy nectar thickened with her arousal and beckoned him for a taste. He lifted his head with pride and looked down upon his glorious mate. Her body was readying itself for him. Good. A long night of passion awaited them.
He descended slowly down her body, his unwavering gaze locked with hers, planting kisses, worshipping the very essence of her and the mind-boggling fact that this marvelous creation, this wonderful, feisty, spirited woman was his. How did he get this lucky?
A celebration was in order and that meant taking his time with her, drawing out her bliss until she could take no more. He vowed to show her all that love could be. Eventually, she would come to him, freely, the idea of leaving him as foreign to her as it was impossible to him.
He lowered his head to the sweet apex between her thighs, aware she was watching him.
“My darling, you’re beautiful. My dream come true. You’ll never know how much you mean to me.” He nudged her knees. “Wildflower, open your petals for me.”
He dove down, swirling his tongue around her sensitive nub, teasing her, enjoying her murmurs before he flicked it over her prized pearl, watching her with delight as she moaned aloud. He gave her a few seconds and then met her gaze.
“I’m going to give you so much pleasure.” He winked and buried himself between her thighs, careful to stay just under her sweet spot, slowing down the impending rush of endorphins and prolonging her joy.
He smiled at her whispered pleas of mercy, proud to have opened his delicate wildflower to ecstasies previously unknown to her. This was just a start. There was more to come. By the end of the night, there would be no part of her he didn’t kiss or caress. He wanted all of her and he’d give her the same in return.
He continued his ravenous feast, her moans becoming mews. She thrashed her head back and forth across her pillow, curled the sheets between her fingers, and strummed his dark hair, holding onto the back of his head at times when a rolling wave caught her amid long, lingering moans.
“Wildflower, come for me now.” He slipped two fingers into her and lapped up her sweet nectar while she screamed out his name, fisting the sheets between her fingers, releasing them when her high crashed. Apollo stopped, eased his way back up, and pulled her into his arms. He held her tight and kissed the back of her neck.
“I love you.” He pulled the sheet over them.
“Oh God, I love you too,” she whispered, lowering her head to kiss his hands clasped in front of her chest.
Making love with her three times wasn’t enough. He nudged her twice more during the night, waking her up to kisses and urgent caresses in an effort to add to her pleasure and perfect their union. He asked her to direct his lovemaking, encouraging him when something fancied her, giving verbal cues as to what she preferred and what she enjoyed the most. Gaining the greatest amount of pleasure for her was his goal and meeting it would satisfy his needs completely.
Unbeknownst to her, he merged invisibly into her body during her orgasms, strengthening within her the overwhelming pulses at her culmination, riding with her on the sensual waves of her pleasure, as she screamed out his name forcefully drawing out the end of it. She was beautiful, radiant when flushed, smiling and relaxed in his arms. He held her tighter, joy overwhelming his heart to the point he felt it might burst out of him, all because he held his precious wildflower in his embrace. He finally had the intimate relationship he envisioned and longed for since she blossomed into a woman.
He was blessed, his love for her no longer a secret. He stroked several fingers through her wild, after-sex hairstyle. Kissing the back of her neck, he whispered into her ear, “Wildflower,” as he caressed her bottom, working his way up to her hip. He kneaded her sides, breathing heavier by her ear, and imparting to her his need. “I want you. Do you want me?”
Under eyes half-mast, she smiled. “What am I going to do with you? You’re insatiable.”
“Just love me, that’s all I ask.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
Apollo closed his eyes. The heat from the California sun and the excitement of the moment warmed him through. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and concentrated on the steps necessary to contain the panic all around him. His mind wandered to Lauren and her luscious body, every part of which he knew intimately, now. If only he could be with her but the mission at the moment was critical and every second counted. When he was called two days ago, he stood by her bed and watched the rise and fall of her chest, the relaxed look across her sweet face, and the sweep of her hair across her pillow. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead before he parted, telepathically sending his apology for not being able to stay, leaving a note on her bedside table in case she didn’t get the mind message. Leaving his wildflower when the urge to remain under the warm covers with her, cradling her in his body heat, was a difficult task. However, his pledge to The Guardian League was not one to be taken lightly. He left with regret clouding his heart. He’d complete the mission and return to her afterward. There was a human saying that make-up sex was the best. He couldn’t wait to find out if it was true.
The bridge collapse fared worse than expected. Screams, cries of agony, and spilled blood surrounded The Guardian League members who worked rapidly to pull survivors from the wreckage, comfort the wounded, and shuttle the departed to the other side. He scanned the crowd and almost missed the supernatural burst of light forming into a face, body and wings among the onlookers on the other side of the yellow caution tape.
The angel stepped forward.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” Apollo shouted amidst the chaos surrounding him.
“I am Arkadian. Ophelia sent me. I have a message for you.”
Apollo straightened up. “Ophelia? Why? Is she okay?”
“She’s missing.”
Apollo shook his head to clear it. “Ophelia?”
“No. Not her.”
His eyes widened with alarm. “You don’t mean—no—you can’t mean—it’s not possible.”
“She’s missing, Apollo.” Arkadian retreated a few steps.
“What?” Apollo’s sudden outburst turned several heads his way.
He closed his eyes and instructed his heart to slow its accelerated rate back to a steady meditative rhythm. This couldn’t be happening. He was in a nightmare trying to locate the exit because there was no way she was gone. Arkadian was an angel. He couldn’t lie.
Apollo attempted immediate contact. If she was alive, he’d find her. He balled his hands into fists. She’d better be breathing, or someone would pay—with their life.
Lauren. Where are you? Are you okay?
“It’s no use Apollo. She’s gone.”
“You’re wrong!” Apollo roared. Realizing his mistake, he lowered his head and drew in several deep breaths. Losing his temper was not going to bring her back to him. “Let me find her. Let me try.”
He closed his eyes again and concentrated on their connection.
Darling, where are you? Talk to me.
But it was no use. There was no response. Apollo growled, slamming a fist into a nearby tree.
“Stop this,” Arkadian said. His eyebrows furrowed together with concern.
Apollo ran toward Arkadian, lunged, and grabbed him. He held him steady in his hands as he interrogated him. “How did this happen? How could it? Where is she?” He lifted Arkadian into the air and shook him.
I’m just a messenger.” Arkadian pulled on Apollo’s fingers, but Apollo only tightened his grasp.
“Why didn’t she come to tell me? Why did she send you? Where is Ophelia? Luxuriating somewhere while you’re here telling me this disastrous news?”
Lauren was gone. His Lauren. His mate. Half of his heart was ripped out and no one could explain why.
“She was scared to tell you because of this, what you’re doing with me right now. She knows how you feel about Lauren, and no one wants to see you upset.”
Damn it! His mate was missing. Arkadian didn’t take her.
Apollo eased Arkadian to the floor, released him, and shouted an unearthly cry into the heavens, turning the heads of all The Guardian League members.
Where was she? Where could she be? His lovely wildflower. His heart and soul.
Before Apollo knew it, he was dismissed from the mission and sitting alone, contemplating his next step. Lauren was missing for two days but how was she taken, who took her and where did she go? Apollo racked his brain searching for answers. Did she leave? No, though she was upset over the fifteen females prior to her. Yet he’d be able to find her if she took off. If she didn’t leave voluntarily, where was she? One answer came to him, flashing across his mind, relentless in its persistence despite his repeated attempts to dismiss it.
No, it can’t be. He wouldn’t do this to me. He wouldn’t take Lauren, my reason for living. My twin flame. He couldn’t be that vicious.
But the answer remained in stark white letters across a black background in front of his eyes. Apollo stood up. He knew what to do but first, he needed to make an unexpected appearance in front of five council members.
