Chapter Four
“ W ho–Where–What–”
Well, if that isn’t blatantly obvious that the sheer presence of this super darkly sexy mammoth of a man has completely short-circuited my brain, then I don’t know what is. I’m just grateful that my panties didn’t actually spontaneously combust when his hand touched mine or this would be a much more awkward conversation than it already is
As if that were possible.
My vagina has clearly taken control of my eyes because I can’t seem to stop oogling the guy. Instead of fighting it, I let my brain take full stock of the man before me. Two very large feet, in a pair of nice sturdy black boots. Hey...don’t be so surprised that I checked out the shoes. You knew it was going to happen... Anyways, I let my eyes dance their way up his impressive thighs. He wears his jeans snug but not too tight, and damn, I bet that they sculpt his ass perfectly. Just begging for me to take a bite.
Working my way up, I try not to give too much attention to the impressive bulge in the front. Afterall, if he looks that massive clothed, I can only imagine how big of a–
Noticing the distinct twitch of his jeans, I realize that I’m losing control of my pheromones. Oh fucking hell! I take a breath and then suck that shit in as fast as I can. The last thing I want is to be mauled by this massive man with his broad chest, ruggedly handsome features, and gigantic dick.
Ok, so in the spirit of full disclosure, maybe a part of me really, really , does want him to ravage me. Strangely though, when my gaze finally meets his, I feel an overwhelming calm wash over me. I feel grounded and clearheaded.
His oddly colored eyes give me an instant camaraderie I hadn’t anticipated. And the way he looks at me with such heat and fierce protectiveness nearly makes me melt into his touch. Then I notice the tingle tracing up my arm. The same feeling I would get whenever Blake would touch me.
My heart pangs at the thought of Blake, which serves to instantly sober me back into action.
“I’m sorry. I have to get going,” I say politely and offer him a sad smile. It’s not completely insincere. For some reason, I really do want to stay near this stranger. But I have to take advantage of the distraction from Cordelia and get the fuck out of here before Dagon comes sniffing around me again.
I try to pull the bike away from the man gently, but it doesn’t budge. Oh shit... What if this guy is with Dagon? One of his big burly warriors or something.
“Uhmm… Can you please let go?” I ask with an only slightly irritated tone, and a frown that is firmly in place now. I really am trying to be polite here.
Does he let go? No. He decides to shock the complete shit out of me, by maneuvering the bike himself, gently pulling it from my grasp, and swinging his leg over. It all happens slowly and with a gentle sort of purpose, but my poor frazzled brain can’t catch up quickly enough. I don’t think he’s actually trying to steal the bike though…
“Hey!” I shout at him. Before I can even accuse him of taking someone else’s possessions, he shocks the absolute shit out of me by passing me my helmet.
I stand there with my mouth opening and closing a few times while I try to make words actually come out of it. He still hasn’t said anything at all. He won’t even look at me. He just… waits. His patience should calm me into a logical conversation, but let’s face it, I could be as calm as a cucumber and my conversations would still be a complete clusterfuck.
Opening my mouth again, I manage to get out a sort-of growlish, before huffing out and finally pushing words into formation. “What is going on here? Who are you?” I say, flinging my arms around a little bit. I somehow managed to briefly forget about the helmet in my hand, which I almost sent flying, and then when I try to correct the near toss, I end up kind of punching myself with it.
Awkward and clumsy seem to be my default personality traits.
Groaning a little from the force of my own assault, I take a quick moment to breathe. Once I am sure my face has lost its cherry-colored tint, I stand up straight and give the guy the stare down.
He hasn’t even budged. Not one tiny bit.
I feel the sparks of my anger shoot to life inside of me. I’m a force to be reckoned with. I will not be ignored. The wind starts to swirl a little around me, and I know that my anger is what makes me lose control the easiest. I know that I should try to calm myself, but what the actual fuck?
Using my distracted and irritated state, he gently yet swiftly pulls the helmet from my hands, before plopping it on my head. The whole time managing to avoid eye contact with me still .
“Get on,” he says in a deep voice that nearly vibrates my lady parts into submission from two feet away. The wind dies instantly, and hidden in the depths of my complete confusion about the situation, is an undeniable heat that just kicked up a few hundred notches. When the feeling of goosebumps erupts down my spine, I know that I haven’t pulled in my pheromones quickly enough.
I don’t know who this crazy guy is, but he ignites an inferno inside of me. And a part of me craves him. A primal part.
He coughs a little and shifts in his seat on the bike. I close my eyes and take a few purposeful breaths. Pulling that sensation back inside my core, I feel instantly cooler. With my calm firmly in place, I open my eyes and prepare to handle the situation in front of me.
First step, eye contact.
Moving to the front of the bike, I force the guy to at least look in my direction. For added emphasis, I grasp the handlebars with both hands and attempt a stern voice.
“Listen, I’m not sure who you are or what you think you are doing, but I need to get going. Get. Off. My. Bike.” I try to hold on to my irritation, but when he jerks his face up to meet my gaze, and I latch on to those gorgeous eyes again, I feel my jaw relaxing.
“Yes, you need to get moving. Your driving is terrible. I will get you there in one piece.” He says each part with calm factuality, and I think that just pisses me off even more.
I’m only seconds away from chewing this guy out when another voice makes both of our heads turn quickly.
Fuck!
“Dagon, be reasonable. The Gods wouldn’t have given gifts to someone who was incapable of wielding them. She may be a little behind on her training for such a task, but she has my full support. She can do this.“ Cordelia’s voice rings out loudly and is filled with so much pride that it nearly brings tears to my eyes.
“Lucian Holt,” the guy on the bike says so quietly I nearly miss it.
Jerking my head back to him, I bite the inside of my cheek in an awful nervous habit, while I quickly contemplate my options, knowing that Dagon is getting closer by the second. I need to get moving and I know that it’s not really smart to just trust a complete stranger, but I also think Blake would prefer I rescue him with all of my limbs attached. While my mother said my body was pretty unbreakable, I have no clue if I could regrow or re-attach things. So it’s probably best not to test that theory.
Fuck it. I’ve made worse decisions.
Adjusting the helmet, I quickly snap the strap into place. “Forsythia Grimshaw,” I respond to him before swinging my leg over the back of the bike and plopping my butt down.
And now cue the awkward shit…
Before I can get settled, my pants and the leather of the seat decide to play this fun game where the traction is just… gone. Making me slide forward so fast I nearly knock the wind out of myself on Lucian’s back and end up with a massive front-to-back wedgie. Lucian grunts at the force of–well, all of me–smacking into his back and I have to bite back the scream from all the cloth trying to floss me from hole-to-hole.
Wasting no time to correct the pain I’m currently experiencing, I scoop a hand under each one of my ass cheeks and evict the unwanted intrusion. What I don’t notice immediately is that this causes my fabric-eating vagina to rub against Lucian, which then triggers him moaning a little and the vibration sends an instant shiver across my lady bits. Oh Gods, that felt delicious. I nearly give into the urge to rub against him again, but gain my wits just quickly enough to be replaced with complete embarrassment.
What is wrong with me?
I push my ass back on the seat quickly putting distance between my lady parts and Lucian, which ultimately sends fabric into my ass again . I nearly scream in frustration, when Lucian turns on the bike.
Fuck this. At least the fabric is out of my vagina now. That’s one crisis averted, so I will just take it as a win.
Putting my boots on the footpegs, I use my hips and thighs to hold my ass in place, before leaning forward and wrapping my hands around his waist. Well, as much as I can. The man is just huge and my arms only stretch about three-quarters around him.
He turns the bike and we pull away from the merfolk village down the small path heading for the open road. As I watch it disappear in the side mirror, I try to swallow the tears that threaten to fall. Judging by the small cool trail on my right cheek, I wasn’t completely successful.
I have to remind myself that this is only “‘goodbye”’ for now. I will see Cordelia again.
I hope…
Letting that thought drift away from me, I focus on the now. I realize that I hadn’t told Lucian what direction to go in, but he is probably just getting us out of there so that we can plan where to head next without Dagon breathing down my neck.
We pull onto the main road and Lucian takes the bike much faster than I would have felt comfortable handling it. He operates the machine as smoothly as Blake. I guess it’s a good thing he’s here or I probably would have wrecked by now. But then again…why is he here?
Catching his scent on the breeze, I find myself leaning closer to his back and inhaling deeply. The smell of him is so wonderful, my eyes nearly roll back into my head. He smells like a campfire, but there is this hint of sweet cinnamon spiciness underneath it that makes me hungry.
I wonder if his skin tastes just like he smells? Licking my lips, I can’t help but contemplate testing that theory.
My eyes go wide when my brain catches on to my thoughts, and I jerk back quickly, sucking my tongue back into my mouth as fast as I can.
Oh Gods, what is wrong with me? Why am I fantasizing about licking almost complete strangers? And worse... I almost acted on that damn fantasy!
I don’t know who Lucian really is, or why he is helping me, but he doesn’t feel like a stranger to me at all.
Alright, I can do this. No need to assault the man.
I mean... surely I can keep my tongue to myself while this delicious man gives me a ride?
And on that note–cue the vivid sex scenes playing simultaneously in my mind!
Oh Gods… this is going to be a long trip…