She disappeared from view, and Julian slid into the water, hissing at the sensation of the warm liquid against his aching appendage. His eyes scoured the smooth glass surface, and he pushed off, long, powerful strokes carrying him forward as he searched for Jaden. The little minx was playing a game, and he laughed as he dove under.
He immediately spied a flash of leg and took off with a powerful kick, only to come up empty when he reached the other side. Julian surfaced, shedding the water from his eyes as he turned.
Where the hell is she? He growled in frustration and tried to calm the animal inside.
He floated for a bit, his eyes scouring the water and the bank where he’d just been. He felt the edges of darkness creep into his mind once more as his frustration grew.
“Whatcha looking for?” The soft words hit him, and he turned around, nearly choking as his eyes ate up the beautiful creature who stood before him.
She dipped her toe in the water and sent a spray arcing toward him, laughing as she did so. He let the water fall over his head though it did nothing to cool the heat of his desire.
He wanted to say something, but the words weren’t there, so he stared up at her, helpless and hungry. Her laughter slowly died as she returned his gaze, her head cocked to the side, her legs spread in such a way he once more caught a glimpse of the wetness inside. Her fragrant arousal assaulted him, and his skin burned as everything inside him tightened.
It was painful, but it was a good pain, the kind he’d not experienced in years. Three, to be exact. She was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen.
“I can’t play this game,” he said roughly, and began to pant once more as her eyes darkened and she swept her tongue across her lips. Her hands crept up to her breasts and he watched as she pulled on her hard nipples, her slender fingers massaging them aggressively. Her tongue was caught between her teeth, and as her chest heaved, she pinned him with a direct stare.
“Then you better get up here because I feel like I’m coming apart.” Her voice was hoarse, heavy with desire, and she’d barely got the words out before he was at her side. The speed of his jaguar propelled him out of the water, and he was a blur of hard-assed muscle.
They stood together with only a whisper of air between them. Julian looked down into her dark eyes and felt something break inside him, like a balloon had just been ruptured.
There was a well of emotion inside, a need to have her that pounded hard. But not just to claim her body. A soft growl escaped. He wanted her soul. Her mind . . . h
er heart.
How fucking crazy is that?
Her tattoos shimmered, their vibrant colors luminescent against her skin, and his hand fell to them. When he touched her, energy tingled along his fingers and spread like fire up his body.
Slowly, he bent and his mouth claimed them, his tongue sliding across the intricate markings as he felt her tremble beneath him. When she groaned, he smiled against her skin, liking the fact that he affected her so.
“Only you,” she whispered, her voice nearly breaking, and he stilled.
Julian’s hands crept to her shoulders, and he held her tightly as he straightened and looked directly into her eyes.
She trembled still, and he wasn’t so sure it was from the heat of passion anymore. Her eyes glistened like liquid onyx, and it killed him to think she was about to cry.
Something was going on that he didn’t understand. Have I fucked up so badly already?
“I don’t . . .” he began, and had to take a few seconds to compose himself before he could continue. Inside his mind and body, a war was raging. The constant voices and pain were slowly receding, and he realized, in that moment, that when he was with Jaden, the madness that lived inside him was diminished. It wasn’t gone completely, but it was bearable.
She made his life worthwhile, if only for a moment. It was like a fucking lightbulb had exploded suddenly, and he panicked. He needed to make her understand.
He began again. “I don’t . . . I can’t promise you anything, Jaden. There are things . . . my future is . . .” He inhaled a ragged breath and tried to temper the emotion that was suddenly wide open inside him. It was fucking confusing.
“It’s okay,” she whispered.
“No, it’s not.” He spoke harshly, and she winced at his tone. He hissed and shook his head. He was totally fucking things up and groaned as he shook his head. “Three years ago, I was a total asshole.”
She nodded, a hint of a smile playing up the corners of her mouth. “Agreed.”
“I can’t take it back, but what I can do . . .” His voice lowered and ended on a growl as his body was once more suffused with heat. He felt his cock twitch painfully as she moved closer to him, her body now flush against his hard frame. He held her tightly and nuzzled the hair at her neck. “What I can do,” he repeated hoarsely, “is honor the bond between us tonight. As for tomorrow . . .”
Pain lashed through him as her hands crept up to his shoulders. He turned from the crook of her neck and stared down into her beautiful eyes.
“It’s okay, Julian. Tonight is for us. Let’s forget about the damn mess waiting in Vegas.” She rubbed her breasts against his chest, and as she did so, her soft belly slid against his hardness. It was without a doubt exquisite torture, unlike anything he’d ever endured before. “And give ourselves something to remember.”
“Amen to that,” he whispered, and bent down to claim her lips.