Nolans evolution wake up.., p.30
Nolan's Evolution (Wake Up #2), page 30
“You have the prettiest, sexiest little body,” he murmured. His voice caught at the end, as if he had startled himself at saying this. “I mean…” he cleared his throat. “I was just observing…” He sighed. “Damn.”
“Caught you,” she teased him, even if she hadn’t really. He had given himself up. His words delighted her to no end.
He chuckled, laying his head on the pillow beside hers.
She snagged her leg over his hip and burrowed closer against him. “I could do this forever,” she sighed, loving the warmth of him.
He drew in a startled breath.
“What?” Raina felt him pulling away.
He growled. “No, this won’t work.” He disengaged her leg. “I’m never going to be able to concentrate!” He audibly inhaled a steadying breath.
“Concentrate on what Nolan?” She laughed and kissed the underside of his jaw. “We are just cuddling!”
“And that is taking all my concentration,” he barked. “You start things like throwing your leg around me, and cuddling will lead elsewhere.”
She smiled shyly. “Well, isn’t that okay now?”
He felt his stomach somersault. “Not here in Joseph’s home!” He growled deeply when she shifted against him.
“When then?”
He grinned. His lips touched the shell of her ear. “When I have you in my bed.”
She shivered at the way he said “my bed”. But sighed in disappointment.
“What?” he whispered. “What’s wrong?”
She sighed, and ran a hand over his shoulder. “I just thought I might get a little taste.”
Nolan’s muscles tensed, and then relaxed. “Like?”
“I want a kiss. A toe curling kiss…like we don’t have to wait, like we are going for it now kiss.”
He cleared his throat. “I won’t be able to hold out….kissing you like that, lying here in the dark, against you…in this bed.”
She smiled, pressing her face into his shoulder to hide it. “Just a kiss.”
He chuckled. “I’ve heard that before.”
She sighed into his shirt. Her fingers trailed down his side, and she hooked her finger into the belt loop of his jeans, and she tugged.
He chuckled. “Oh, Aelan, you are adorable when you are trying to get your way! You turn into a seductive little kitten.”
“Kitten?”
“Kitten,” he agreed.
“Well,” she whispered. “Is it working?”
He threw his head back and laughed, shaking the both of them. He startled her, as he jumped from the bed.
Raina frowned up at his shadow.
Gently, oh so gently, he took her hand. The dexterous fingers twined with hers, and he drew her to her feet before him. One arm encircled her waist, while his hand went to her cheek.
His eyes darkened.
“No more interruptions,” he whispered. “No meddling best friends, boundary rules…curious immortals.”
She nodded at his words. She could barely make out his features in the now dark room. She could see the silver of his eyes. They were a beacon to her.
“Toe curling all the way kiss?”
Again she nodded, and trembled. “Please?”
“Are you sure?”
“Ummm…Heck yeah.”
He grinned. “Should I stop talking? We do tend to over analyze….”
The craving in his eyes made her knees weak. “I do talk an awful lot.”
His chuckle was deepened by his desire. “I’ll have to figure out how to fix that...the talking issue. I have a few theories I’d like to try.”
“I like theories,” she murmured.
They both laughed.
“How well I know.” His arms lifted her, and her arms were about his neck now.
Everything went silent when their breath mingled, just for an instant. And then Raina’s world went still when their lips merged. Her heart suddenly stopped.
He certainly had never kissed her like this before!
Soft and yet rough all at once, his mouth smoothed and bruised hers. She had no control over her own reaction. In the light of day she would be blushing, but right now, in his arms, in the dark of the night, sanity failed her.
It was failing him too, as his hands began to seek her out. He was touching, testing. His fingers found the hem of her shirt, and quickly slipped beneath. He wanted to feel the warmth of her skin. He heard her gasp against his kiss at the contact, and it made him growl in response. His fingers traced the length of her spine, finding no barriers, and allowing him the full length, up to her shoulder blades.
Raina’s heart thundered and felt on the brink of collapse. “Yes,” she said softly. She felt no embarrassment at her lack of under attire.
“Aelan,” he sighed.
“Please, just touch me for a while.” She didn’t let him argue, just captured his face, and kissed him again.
He did touch her now, gentle caresses that covered her ribs, and traveled further up.
He couldn’t prevent the moan that escaped his lips. “Baby, I can’t be touching you like this!’
She pressed closer to him, silencing him.
He sighed in defeat and pleasure, allowing himself to study her with his hands.
She gasped softly, completely overwhelmed. Tears slipped down her cheeks, so many feelings ran through her, they twined with her need…her need to protect him, her possession of him. No other had ever been touched by him before. She ran her hands up his sides and into his shirt to feel his skin as well. No other would ever touch him like she was now…no one ever had.
“Aelan.” He freed his hands, taking himself from the overwhelming temptation of her skin. He tenderly adjusted her shirt. He took only an instant to calm himself before he pulled her to him again.
He was strength, as his arms held her crushingly close. He was gentleness as his fingers pressed her nearer, and he was insanity as his lips sampled with such tenderness. Warmth and light and peace were all Nolan.
No frenzy, no groping now, just sensations and need. It was beyond a race to satisfaction. It had been a long time coming, and it felt more like a celebration.
Raina swore she was seeing stars behind her eyelids, and she held tighter to him, praying she would not fall. A full shudder ran through her.
Her fingers tingled, her toes. Thoughts failed her. She had forgotten how to breathe, but she could really care less.
He broke away long enough to let her catch her breath, and to look down with concern.
He smiled when she gave him a bewildered frown. His finger tip caught a tear trailing down her face. ”Raina,” he whispered with emotion. “If it’s too much…”
“No, it’s not, it’s wonderful. I…I just can’t believe…That was some kiss you just gave me.”
Nolan chuckled. His fingertips pressed her hips to his now. “I certainly wasn’t the only one kissing.”
She slumped against him, blushing, and loving having him holding her up. “Can we do it again?”
The silver eyes went liquid, and she heard him swallow hard. He gently dipped back down to whisper a kiss against her lips. “Are you trying to kill me, my love?” He looked down at her lovely face, and lips that looked well kissed. “I don’t know if I can take much more!”
She stepped up against him. “Just a little more?”
Nolan sighed and brushed his lips against hers. “Just a bit more,” he agreed, capturing her mouth in a knee weakening kiss.
When she responded with enthusiasm he pulled her back up in his arms. She had been kissed before, but never ever had it felt this way.
A bubble of joy worked its way up, and with it, obviously more tears.
It soon did become too much for the both of them, but neither would break the kiss. Nolan turned with her in his arms, and lay back on the bed, taking her with him. She now lay on top of him.
Her kiss deepened, liking the control she now had over him. Her knees slid to the bed on either side of his hips, and her fingers went to the hem of his shirt. She pulled it off of him without much argument coming from him. He didn’t have time in the spilt second their lips separated, as she tugged the material over his head. The warmth of his bare skin was heaven, and he reacted with a growl when she let her hands travel his chest. She paused when her fingers trailed the scar at his abdomen. She sat back to look, though she was unable to see it in the dark. “You’re so beautiful,” she sighed. “And you’re mine.”
His hands were in her hair, guiding her to him once again, and taking the control of the kiss back. “You’re mine,” he growled against her lips. He rolled her beneath him, pressing her down into the bed. He kissed her neck, traveling to her shoulder. He sighed against the barrier of her shirt, and stopped short. He rested his head against her shoulder, fighting for breath now. His chest pressed to her with each inhale. He seemed to be in a silent war with himself.
“Nolan?”
“Oh God, don’t let Joseph or Jonathan be anywhere near,” he tried to make a joke. He knew they would turn off their ability in respect for his privacy, but not before hearing a little bit of it first.
Raina giggled now. She was breathing raggedly too.
“What are you thinking?” she whispered. Her fingers traced through his hair, and down his neck. She felt him shiver. She followed the same path with her fingers, kissing the top of his head. His hair smelled wonderful.
“That I should get up…leave the room. Leave you until there are witnesses”
“Liar,” she whispered.
He lifted his head and looked down on her with his frowny face. The moonlight caught his features, and made his face more angelic.
She smiled, tracing the frown lines around his mouth. “You want them to hear that…the war you are having with yourself. That you would not get embarrassed over.” She brushed the tips of her fingers over his lips, and felt him shiver again. “You are trying to talk yourself out of something. You are trying to talk yourself out of…”
He silenced her with a kiss. He growled against her lips. “I’m trying to talk myself out of doing what we both want.” He drew in a breath. His eyes never left her face.
Raina was forgetting how to breathe again, as she watched his face. His passion was evident in the luminous silver eyes that pleaded with her now. She gasped a little, as he drew her hands from his neck and settled them above her head. His fingers entwined with hers.
“Tell me to stop, Aelan and I will.” He barked a rough laugh. “At least I will try to. This…it’s too wonderful.” The muscles in his arms flexed.
She smiled. “If I didn’t tell you to stop when there was the possibility of me dying…why in the world would I tell you to stop now?”
He shook his head. “I know you won’t. I’m just trying to convince myself I should! I want our first time to be amazing. Not hushed in a guest room…hoping no one…hears.”
Raina smiled, sensing his nerves. She freed her hands from his loose grasp, and took his face in her hands. “It would be amazing anywhere Nolan, but I know what you mean,” she sighed.
His face relaxed, and he turned his head to kiss the palm of her hand.
“Or are you just scared you will be a screamer,” she teased.
Nolan’s jaw dropped at those words coming from his sweet Raina. He captured her hands again, holding them firmly above her head. She squirmed and squealed at the look of warning in his eyes.
He kissed her again until she was writhing beneath him, which made things worse for him, so he stopped. He looked down at her with a smug smile. “I worry for you, Aelan,” he chuckled.
She laughed, and then smiled up at him with adoration.
They both nearly shouted when the door to the room suddenly opened.
Nolan covered Raina with his body and scowled at the intruder. He moved her behind him, as he sat up, not allowing a free show of her body. Raina hid behind his back, her forehead rested between his shoulder blades. Her face felt like it was on fire.
“Really? Nolan? In our guest’s home?” Thanatos green eyes danced.
“You don’t knock before you enter Raina’s room?” Nolan’s eyes glinted dangerously.
“I would have, but I hear gasps and moans….I’m her protector…what else am I going to do but come to the rescue?”
Nolan rolled his eyes. “Get out!”
Thanatos grinned. “Two minutes I give you. That’s it! Get properly dressed.” He paused and shook his head at Nolan, noting his state of undress. “And you may want to go take a cold shower. The two of you are wanted down stairs for dinner, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want them to see you in your current, ahem, state.” He shook his head again. “Good thing I got here when I did!”
Raina groaned in mortification. “Get out, Thanatos…and go downstairs. We will get dressed and be down before mauling each other!”
Thanatos threw his head back and laughed. “You’ve already been through the mauling. It’s what happens after the mauling that I am concerned about.” He lifted Nolan’s discarded shirt from the floor and tossed it to him. “I’ll see the two of you down stairs!” He flipped on the light before he exited, closing the door behind him.
The two of them remained silent for a moment.
Raina drew in a breath, coming up behind him, and wrapping her arms around him. She kissed each shoulder blade and smiled.
“I’m sorry I let it get that far,” he whispered softly.
“No,” she whispered against his neck. She saw goose bumps rise up on his skin.
Clearing his throat, he peaked over at her. “It was okay?”
“That was an amazing taste.”
He chuckled. “Thank God he showed up.”
She giggled.
He rose to his feet, gently disengaging her arms.
Raina admired the strong bare back as he rose. “Where are you going?”
He didn’t even turn to her as he walked away. He paused, and then glanced over his shoulder. “Thanatos is right. I need a cold shower. Can’t go down and greet Our Sovereignty like this.” He gave her a wink.
“Like what?” She asked innocently.
“Aelan,” he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Raina cut the neck rub short with her peal of laughter. She rolled over on the bed with the giggles. “Nolan I know what cold showers are for!”
He grinned. “Little kitten,” he growled. “I will only be a few minutes. I suggest you put something on under that shirt!” He proceeded into the bathroom that belonged to her room.
She blushed, and listened to the water kicking on, and Nolan’s hissed protest. She smiled smugly. “I did it again,” she sang, knowing full well he heard her.
“Get dressed!” He barked, but a chuckle followed the harsh words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The large dining room was bustling with energy and servants. It was as if they were preparing for a feast. Fine cutlery and plates were at every setting. Raina and Nolan were the last guests to arrive.
They were not directly acknowledged when they entered. Raina felt a thrum of fear at this. She quickly scanned the faces around the elegant table.
Most of them were pretty much involved in the food that was being set before them, but Joseph lifted his eyebrows knowingly. Jonathan cleared his throat and broke eye contact and Thanatos just grinned from ear to ear. There wasn’t a chance he was going to let them live down what he had walked in on. It suddenly dawned on her that she was in a house of immortals with amazing hearing. What a lovely time to put that together! Nolan always said she was good at treating others as her equal. She often forgot the amazing differences between her and them.
“Raina?” He grinned at her now. “Come on, Aelan.”
Raina’s face went bright red. She ducked her head.
Nolan just chuckled and led her to her seat. He set a kiss on top of her head. He wasn't ashamed to say he felt a little bit of pride that they knew. He would never be ashamed of having the right to Raina. He slid into the seat next to her and took the hand that was drumming nervously on the table. He lifted it to his lips. "You are beautiful, don't hide your face."
Raina peeked up at him and gave a small smile.
"The two of you took long enough getting down here," David spoke up without even looking up from his plate. He methodically cut the meat in front of him.
"Yes," Elenora spoke up. Her dark eyes were full of jealousy, as usual. "You sent the guard away and everything. Now what were you doing up there? Hmmmm?"
"What you could only dream of," Thanatos sneered with a grin. He took a sip of wine and gave Raina a wink.
“How do you know so much?” Jonathan growled. “Spying again, sister?”
Elenora’s mouth opened, and then snapped shut.
Raina couldn't help her smile.
“Ah to be young and in love,” Joseph chuckled.
Titus nodded in agreement.
"Well, it's highly inappropriate. Here? In my grandfather's house? It's rather disrespectful if you ask me." She flipped her hair over her shoulder and gave a shrug. Her eyes calmly studied Raina and she wished she could affect her in some way. But Nolan was protecting her and she had no way around that.
"Inappropriate?" Nolan's brows rose. "You really want to have that discussion?" He shook his head.
Elenora rolled her eyes. No, she didn't want to have that discussion. Even she knew it was unseemly showing up in his bedroom that night. Plus, it was embarrassing how it all ended.
"We were just making up for lost time," Raina said innocently.
Jonathan barked a laugh. He almost choked on the food in his mouth. His face was red and he quickly swallowed. He looked at her with a mischievous grin. "Good answer," he chuckled.
Raina smiled back. She hadn’t been able to talk to Jonathan since she got here and she was happy to see him.
"An appropriate answer," Joseph muttered under his breath. He cleared his throat to prevent a laughed.
"I call it more of a misleading answer then a real answer," Thanatos teased. His green eyes were twinkling.
Raina wanted to throw her napkin at him but she too was giggling. And she was blushing to the roots.
