Page 42 of Aleko
“This must be how they found her,” he said standing up and showing the paper to Sebastian.
“OK,” said Sebastian. “But the question is, why did they want her?”
“No,” said Alex, “the question is, are the warlocks looking for her now?”
Episode 24
Alex’s Room
Eliandra
Lia heard the car leave again after she was in her room and under the covers. She felt so stupid. Sebastian had been friendly to her, and she’d spazzed out on him. And Alex…
Lia burrowed further under the covers. She felt ashamed and stupid and it came in hot waves that left her shivering on the other side. She couldn’t even act like a normal person anymore. For a moment at dinner, she’d actually contemplated staying here. Alex seemed to really want her and they were right—she knew nothing about magic. But it was a pipe dream. Who was going to want her? She was a translator who couldn’t use words. And once they found out about the dead people she would be out for sure. That was the kind of crazy no one wanted. Once she made the decision that she would leave in the morning, she finally dozed off, but she woke the moment she heard Alex’s footsteps on the stairs.
He was going to be pissed if she just left without telling him. He would come after her. Lia struggled out of bed and sat up. Then she pulled on the white dress from earlier. She could explain it to him. Then he would let her go and that would be that.
She stood outside his room for what seemed like an eternity. She raised her hand to knock, but couldn’t quite bring herself to move her hand to the door. Finally, as if to put her out of her misery the door opened. Not all in a rush, like he was coming out, but smoothly and quietly, like he was waiting for her. He was wearing nothing but black briefs and she knew she should do more than stare at him, but she was still stuck, hand in mid-air.
He reached out and wrapped his long fingers around her wrist, pulling her inside his room. The door shut quietly behind her. The moon shone in through the curtains bright and full, coloring everything in silver light. His windows were open and she could hear the sound of the ocean below on the beach. The sound of the waves matched their breathing.
“I came to say,” she started, her voice barely above a whisper. He hadn’t let go of her wrist. “I need… I just…”
Alex was waiting for her to finish. She could do this. She’d done tougher things by far. She just had to say the words.
“I’ll leave in the morning,” she said. His head cocked first to one side and then the other. Confusion. Questioning. Why?
“You know why,” she answered, impatiently. Eyebrows up and together. Did not agree. “I’ll go. It’ll be better. I’ll go.”
She pulled her hand free and turned, fumbling for the door handle. But Alex was too fast, and his arm shot out, his hand pushing against the door, holding it closed. She put her hand out, intending to peel his fingers away from the door frame, but instead, she ended up putting her hand on top of his, her fingers falling into the spaces between his. His other hand slid up her spine, slowly caressing the naked skin of her back. He pushed her hair away from her neck and gently tugged at the strap with his teeth until the ties released. Her dress unwound, slipping away from her breasts, sliding down her body until just the skirt hung onto her hips. He leaned into her, his chest warm against her back, and let his mouth drag against the nape of her neck.
“Why?” he whispered. “Tell me why.”
“You were there tonight,” she said.
“Yes,” he agreed, nibbling at her neck, alternating between flicking licks and letting his teeth graze her skin. She whimpered as his hand slid onto her breast, cupping it gently. Her fingers tightened against his on the door.
“I’m trouble,” she said. “Sooner or later…” She trailed off, arching into him, shamelessly rubbing herself against him as he let his long fingers pinch her nipple just a little. Her body craved his touch.
“Sooner or later, what?” he asked, letting his hand drift away from her breasts and down to her hips.
“It’s better if I leave now,” she managed to get out as he pushed her dress off her hips. It hit the floor with a breathy whisper. She looked down at the white fabric around her feet. “Before you want me to leave.”
He laughed, a guttural chuckle of genuine amusement. “Do you know what they call us?” he asked, his breath hot on the back of her neck.
“No,” Lia said, her voice trembling. His hand pushed away from the door, and he turned his palm to hers, pulling her around to face him.
“We are the Rejects Pack. No one wants us. We’realltrouble.”
He crooked his finger under her chin, pulling her face up to his. His lips brushed over hers and she forgot that she was leaving. She pushed into him, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him. His skin felt luxurious against hers. His fingers traced down her spine and then caressed her ass, cupping it, holding her tight against him. His mouth felt right against hers—hungry without devouring, forcefully tender, safe and intoxicating all at once. She let out an involuntary moan as his lips traced down her neck. She arched back, angling to give him more room, wanting him to have everything.
“Stay,” he commanded, growling the word into her ear. “Stay,” he begged, murmuring the word between kisses against her throat.
There was a world of should and should not, guilt and innocence, sanity and crazy, outside his door but Lia found thatfor once she could push all of it away. She knew what she wanted. He was right here.
“Tonight,” she promised. If she could limit this, control it, keep it separate, she would be all right. She couldn’t promise anything to anyone. All she had was right now. She brought her head down again, rubbing against his temple until he brought his mouth up to hers. He put both hands on her ass, lifting her off the ground and she wrapped her legs around him. She could feel the hard press of his cock through his briefs.
He carried her to the bed and set her down gently, settling his weight onto her. With Billy, she’d always wanted to be on top, but at the moment, she wanted Alex all over her. His weight seemed reassuringly protective and solid. His touch sent little flares of heat simmering across her skin. She wound an arm around his neck, burying her fingers in his hair and kissing along his neck. He shifted one hand, letting it play across her breast as he returned her kisses. She let out a little whimper as he teased the nipple, rolling it between his fingers. His hands felt so good. She flailed with her other hand, trying to find the edge of his briefs. She wanted him inside her. But he didn’t seem to be in a hurry. Instead, he seemed intent on exploring her body with his hands and tongue. For a long expanse of time, she was distracted by the sensation of his weight, mouth, and hands as though that was all there was in the world.
