Catch Me: Time After Time Page 19
“Eden, I meant to ask, can you tell me what a lollipop is?”
I freeze to the spot with my back to him as that memory hits me. I wedge the cup under my arm that’s holding the jug of water and toss up the middle finger over my head back to him. He won’t know what it means but it makes me feel the tiniest bit better. As I start walking again, I mutter under my breath, “Should have just let me burn at the stake. It would have been less painful than this.”
By the time I make it up to my room with the cup and water jug clutched against my chest, tears are falling down my face as the pain between my legs kicks up to the next level. I almost sob in gratitude when I shoulder open my door and see someone has opened all the windows to clear the air, changed the sheets on the bed, and replaced the cold water in the tub with fresh steamy water. There is seriously something to be said about having enough money to pay for servants. I plan on kissing each and every one of them once I stop being a sex maimed cripple. I pour another glass of water and down it, refill it again and set it on a small table beside the tub, strip off my robe, and carefully lower myself into the water. I almost scream when the hot water hits my mangled crotch but manage to taper it off to a keening noise. Once I’m fully submerged up to my neck I decide I probably won’t be able to get back out without help so hopefully someone comes around to check on me in the next few days before I resemble a raisin.
I’m only in the tub for about ten minutes when I hear the door open. I crack one eye and stay relaxed as Luca comes over and lowers himself to his knees behind my head.
“Let me tend to you.” He says softly so I barely nod and lose myself to his talented artist fingers as he washes my hair and massages my scalp. He then runs a sponge with the crumbly rose-scented soap over my arms and legs. I’m a boneless heap in the water by the time he’s done and without saying a word he lifts me from the tub bridal style and gently lays me down on the bath sheets he’s spread over the bed. He rubs the water from my long hair and pats my skin dry before lifting me again, tossing the damp sheets away and sliding me under the blankets. I feel the bed dip when he joins me and the heat of his body is comforting as I slide into sleep but when I feel his fingers slip between the folds of my pussy I cry out for him to stop.
“No, baby. Please, it hurts too much for more.” I say as I reach for his hand to stop him.
“Shh, mi alma, I will make the pain go away.”
I want to tell him that an orgasm is NOT the cure-all with women but I catch the coppery scent of blood in the air and realize he’s doing what Sebastian had awkwardly suggested earlier so I let him continue, ready to try any home remedy, even blood magic to ease the pain in my cootch. At first, the heat of his touch sizzles painfully and I cry out and try to wiggle away but he bands an arm around me and holds me tight against him as he whispers soothing words in Spanish to me. The burn turns into a warm glow causing the pain to leave me completely and when he slides those fingers up inside of me and gives them a swirl I arch my back as that glow turns into an explosion of need. His mouth drops down onto mine and he hungrily swallows all my cries. When he pulls out of me I clench so hard I’ll do anything to have him back inside of me. Who knew Luca had the keys to the gates of the pleasure palace all along? I feel his long hard shaft pressing against my leg and I decide I’m open for business after all. My hand sneaks down under his waistband to wrap around him and slide over his silky-smooth length, causing a rough exhale to rush out of him.
I nip his bottom lip between my teeth and when I release it, breathe out the words, “I need you inside of me.”
His pants are off and he’s nudging down between my thighs in a blink. I stare deep into his gorgeous grey eyes that seem to have fewer shadows than before as he slowly slides into me inch by torturous inch. My knee comes up to give him a deeper angle that sends sparks through my body but as much as I try and rock up towards him he holds me still and continues the slow, sweetly torturous pace of sliding in and out of me. He’s not fucking me this time; he’s making love to me. His whispered words confirm it.
“Mi alma, you are my soul, my heart. I love you and will for all the days of my existence.”
My eyes roll back at the pleasure that fills me from both his movements and words. The small prick of pain on my neck is fleeting as the slowly building wave of ecstasy crests and crashes over me. As my body goes limp under him I barely hear the compelling words he whispers as my eyes flutter shut.
“Sleep my heart, sleep.”
Sebastian
I keep myself away from the manor more and more over the next few weeks. I find excuses to visit court and oversee the management of the vassals that inhabit my lands. I’m finding it harder and harder to be around the four of them as the love they all share burns as bright as a flame. I lie to myself often that I’m not jealous but too many times I find myself wishing for her smile to come my way or the little touches and kisses she frequently shares with them to be with me as well. Sleep eludes me most nights and the sounds of her moans, cries, and screams of pleasure echo in my head. I don’t know why she haunts me so when it’s been a millennium since I made the choice to lock such wants and needs away. I watched too many loved ones wither and die of old age and I won’t go through the pain of that again. The brief decades she will be ours is not worth the cost of centuries of grief, loss, and pain that we will all have to live with when she dies.
Luca and I can extend her life somewhat with our blood but it doesn’t work the same way for humans as it does for the wolves. They already had supernatural blood and extended lives. At best, we could only extend her lifespan by forty years or so, a blink of an eye for immortals. That’s not even taking into account the real possibility that she could disappear right before our eyes and return home to her own time. I’m terrified of giving myself over and allowing myself to love her for I’m certain the loss of her will break me for good. My hesitation and absences are causing distance between my brothers and me and that I can’t allow so when the invitation is delivered, I call them into the library to discuss it.
“It appears the Marquis du Corbeil has found my calling card,” I tell them as I hand the invitation to Finn to look at and pass on to the others. “A small intimate affair means it will be at least fifty of the more adventurous members of the nobility. I’m inclined to accept. It will be the perfect opportunity to sniff out if he does have a pet vampire or if he’s the one on a leash.” I wait until they are looking expectantly at me to continue before I broach my idea. “I would like Eden to go on my arm.”
“That is not bloody happening!” Cade snarls.
“Bas, be serious. The moment the plates are cleared the orgy will begin!”
“I think you should ask her and let her decide,” Luca says in a calm voice.
“Ask me what?” Eden says as she steps into the room with a book in her hand. When none of us answer her she frowns. “Ask me what?” She asks again with impatience.
I come around the table and take the invitation from Luca’s hand and pass it to her. She looks it over and hands it back.
“Pretty but I don’t read French any better than I speak it so…”
I hesitate again wondering if I’m making a mistake but one glance at my brothers reminds me of what they all have with her and how I’m now on the outside.
“It’s an invitation to a dinner soirée. The man hosting it is the Marquis du Corbeil. We think he may be dealing with vampires and if so, we need to put a stop to it.”
Her eyebrows shoot up as a grin tugs at her lips. “Oooh, it’s like spy versus spy. Cool! What’s it have to do with me and what do you need to ask me?”
“I would like you to attend with me, as my guest,” I tell her.
Cade jumps in before she can answer.
“It’s not a good idea, lass. The Marquis is a known deviant. His soirées often end in orgies if rumors are to be believed. It’s not something you want to be exposed to.”
She blinks at him a few times and then throws her
head back with a laugh. “Yeah, my delicate sensibilities probably can’t handle seeing such scandalous behavior. I mean, it might give me ideas on how to navigate a three-day orgy of my own. Oh, wait! Been there, done that.” She rolls her eyes at him and turns back to me. “Sure, it would be fun to get out and do something different as long as no one is coming at me with pitchforks and torches. I’ll pass on joining the orgy but otherwise, what do you need me to do?”
“Look beautiful on my arm, dance with me, and smile. There shouldn’t be any danger or much intrigue. It’s merely a chance to get a feel for the host and possibly sense any other vampires that might be around. I would keep you perfectly safe and we would depart before things degenerated to any group activities that are planned.”
“Ahh, so you want me to be your arm candy to distract from your snooping. Got it, I’m in!”
“Eden, I don’t know if this is a good idea.” Finn steps in and takes her hand bringing it to his mouth to drag his lips over her knuckles. Her eyes narrow at him and she pulls away.
“Why? Don’t you trust your Alpha to keep me safe? And let’s not forget that I can hold my own against most threats. What’s your problem with this?”
He holds up his hands. “Of course we trust Bas with your safety and also respect your fighting skills but you don’t even speak the language. We’re just afraid it will make you uncomfortable in that setting, not knowing French or the customs of this era.”
She shrugs one shoulder. “Well, not speaking French works to my advantage then. I won’t be engaged in idle chit-chat that could give away my lack of knowledge and it will also help sell me as the vapid side piece on his arm that will be dismissed as not a threat. Seriously, I think I’ll be fine but I’ll need some help from you guys before we go. Um, one of you will need to teach me the proper dance styles of this time.” She looks back at me with an excited gleam in her eyes. “You should take a look at the gowns Luca had made for me and pick the one that will best suit this type of party because I have no clue.”
I glance over to my brothers to check their reaction and see that they seem to be resigned to her going before I answer.
“I will speak with the seamstress and have a new gown created. This type of soirée hosted by this type of man will require a more…revealing type of gown - If you are comfortable with that?”
A big grin spreads across her face and she wiggles her eyebrows while doing a little hip wiggle.
“Yes! Dress up time!”
She turns away from us to return her book to one of the shelves and I can’t stop watching the swaying motion of her hips as she does a walking dance while singing, “I’m bringing sexy back. Them other boys don’t know how to act.”
Luca, Finn, and Cade watch her with bemusement but the love they have for her shines clear in their gazes. I force myself to turn away and ignore the pang of exclusion I feel. I have a seamstress I need to see to discuss a dress that will have all eyes on Eden so I can move freely and discover what I need to know. The only issue will be if I can tear my eyes from her as well.
Eden
I spend the next few days walking around in a cloud of love filled with unicorn sparkles. Sometimes it is hard to believe that only a month ago I was on my knees in my shower sobbing over how sad and empty my life was. I feel like a completely different woman than that hot mess. It’s amazing how the love of three men can change everything. I don’t even care about the lack of indoor plumbing anymore. Modern conveniences are great and so is being a modern woman with all the rights that go with that but the way these men care for me, tend to me, love me, and want to protect me mends the damage to my soul like no therapist ever could. I feel…free and complete like I never have before. I never want to go back to the time, place, or woman I was.
The only bump in my new life is Sebastian. I see how he’s distanced himself from the wolves and Luca and I hate that I feel a little like Yoko Ono breaking up the band. I was thrilled at Sebastian’s invitation to go with him to this dinner party or soirée as they call it. It’s a chance to build a stronger bridge between us. It’s not that I expect him to jump into my harem dick first or anything, even though there’s always been an underlying sexual tension between us. It’s more that I hate that he’s excluding himself from the new dynamic. He rarely stays long with us in the library after supper when we play cards or other games and I always catch a hint of sadness when he leaves us to our fun. The coldness he treated me to from the start has eased and he hasn’t referred to me as a witch since the whole village incident. I know his suspicions of me were cleared up when he compelled the answers he wanted from me that night but I’d like more than to just exist in the same house with him. If possible, I’d like to be friends at the very least. The hot picture of him crushing my naked body against his and the rock-hard bulge pressed against my pussy flashes through my mind as I try unconvincingly to tell myself I want to be friends with him.
I step through the training room doors and find Luca, Finn, and Cade waiting for me for my final dance lesson before the party tonight. I wish Sebastian would give me a hint on what the dress will look like but all he’s been willing to say so far when pressed is that it will be daring. For all I know that could mean a hem above the ankle. The bugger won’t even tell me what color it will be. I smile as I step into Luca’s arms, Finn hits play on my phone and Lindsey Stirling’s haunting violin strains fill the room.
Most of the dances they’ve taught me are based on the traditional waltz so they haven’t been too hard for me to pick up. It’s the one that has constant shifting partners that I’m struggling with but Luca assures me that I can choose to sit that one out without anyone noticing. The song finishes with Luca dipping me back over his arm and he takes the opening to run his mouth up the stretched column of my neck causing me to giggle. When he tips me back onto my feet he flourishes an elegant bow towards me.
“You are ready. Every man present will want to claim a dance with you.” He tells me.
“Which you won’t accept!” Cade snaps out.
I tilt my head in his direction and send him an amused smile. “No worries, wolf boy, my dance card is completely filled with all of you.”
I shake out my arms and hands trying to shake off the creeping anxiety of messing up somehow and embarrassing Sebastian in some way. I’m excited to go but filled with nerves all the same. I bounce on my feet in place feeling the need to move and burn some of it off so I stride over and swipe my phone from Finn and scroll through my playlists looking for the right song. When I land on the one that will work, I hit the guys with a devious smile.
“My turn! You taught me how to dance your way now it’s my turn to teach you boys some moves.”
I hit play and Bang Bang by Jessie J and friends begins playing. Flashing an “I dare you” smile I pull Finn to his feet and start dancing, my hips rolling to the beat. My hands on his hips help him get into the motions and I soon have Cade grinding up behind me like a pro club player. I spin away from them with a few thrusts so my arms can lift above my head and sway as I lose myself to the fun beat but seconds later Luca is there pulling me so close that our hips roll as one in a sexy Spanish dance style. The man has moooooves! By the time Britney is banging out Toxic my nerves are gone, the four of us are shaking our asses and howling with laughter as Cade pretends to hump Finn’s leg to the beat and Luca thrashes an air violin to match the songs iconic sound.
I spin with my arms in the air and my hips rolling and jutting and catch sight of Sebastian standing in the door watching us. I dance my way over to him mouthing the words teasingly, point a finger, and curl it back in a come-hither motion. I feel a thrill when his eyes drop to my rolling hips and a small sexy smile pulls on his lips. I just know if I can break through his iron control and get him to join us for some fun everything will shift back into balance between all of us but he just shakes his head.
“I find myself disappointed this style of dance won’t be in vogue for quite some time I’m sure.” He
tells me. “Nonetheless, I look forward to dancing with you tonight in the more sedate style of this time.” He lifts heated eyes back up to mine and tips his head slightly. “Madam Claudette awaits you to begin the ministrations to prepare you for our outing.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Ah, I mustn’t keep my favorite beauty sadist waiting then.” His brow furrows in confusion making me laugh. “You see how it feels to be squeezed into a corset and then having your hair yanked and pulled repeatedly for the perfect style. That woman is a master at what she does,” I tell him with a wink and then reach out to clasp his hand and make him launch me into a twirl back towards the others as I call out, “Be right there!”
Cade shuts the music off and gives me a disgruntled look. “It’s going to be maddening waiting all night for you to come back. I don’t see why we couldn’t have accompanied you as well,” he pouts.
I balance against his chest with one hand so I can go up on my tiptoes to kiss that sexy mouth and swipe my tongue over that pouty bottom lip of his. When I pull back the pout’s gone and amused love fills his eyes.
“Because you weren’t invited,” I say, running a gentle touch along his square jaw and then plucking my phone from his hand. A few quick swipes locate the app I’ve been saving for a moment that I need to distract them. I open it up and wave the other two closer. “Here, it’s a game you can play while you’re waiting for me to come back. It’s very simple, all you have to do is swipe to match three or more candies in any direction. If you get bored with that, there’s a few movies downloaded you could watch that I think you might like.” I show them where to find the movies and how to turn them on before going back to the addictive Candy Crush game and handing Cade the phone back. “Ok, have fun. I’m off to hair and makeup!”