Arielle Immortal Resolve (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 8) (16 page)

“I want to sit somewhere with you alone and just talk. Let’s have a cup of tea. We must talk,” he said firmly.

Arielle tried hard to suppress the desire to scream from pure frustration.

“Gaston, please! I need to go,” she murmured, clenching her fists.

“Hm…this isn’t going as well as I expected,” he muttered, irritated. His voice was icy cold. Rage spreading across his face. She tried hard to remain composed but she was failing miserably.

“I’m sorry, but I’m meeting a couple of my friends, so this isn’t a good time,” she said civilly, voice quivering. She didn’t want to make him angry, knowing his immortal power. He frowned and looked up toward the trees exhaling deeply. She took the chance, and turning around started to walk again.

“Hm…” she heard his voice behind her. She was startled when her body slammed right into him. He'd moved quickly in his immortal speed and blocked her path. The exquisite sensation of her body against his made him gasp in intense anticipation. His nerves flexed painfully and he stood completely still. The next moments brought chaos in Arielle’s mind and body. Gaston reacted the only way his mind was directing. His arms wrapped around her and his mouth found hers in a greedy and powerful kiss.

Arielle was stunned. Lost for words, eyes wide open in shock, frozen in place. Gaston pulled back from the kiss and stepped back, intoxicated by her mere presence, thunderstruck by the aftermath of the kiss. He finally shook his head to clear the fog and gazed into those amazing blue eyes. He wanted her so badly he actually hurt at the mere thought. He shoved his hands into his pant pockets and smiled wide. His voice came out low but suggestive.

“When can we have that cup of tea?” He didn’t move, waiting for an answer. Arielle was still in shock trying to grasp the sudden lust she felt when Gaston’s mouth found hers.

I must be out of my mind
, she thought.
What in bloody hell am I thinking?
She pursed her lips in anxiety.

“I’m not sure; I’m quite busy,” she whispered. “So I’ve no idea when that could be.”

“You’ll have to pick a time, otherwise I’ll pick the time for you right now.” His voice wasn't soft anymore; it was rigid and demanding.

Fear spread across her body as she remembered now that Gaston wanted to destroy her relationship with Sebastian. She was having a hard time trying to keep her composure. She shut her eyes, trying to think fast on how she could get out of this situation without any problems. She looked around again and saw several people walking nearby, however she was smart enough to know that an army of humans couldn’t help her if he wanted to hurt her.

“Gaston, I need to go, my friends are waiting and they’ll come looking for me if I don’t show up,” she said, with a quivery voice. She wasn’t sure this was going to have an effect on him but she had to try.

“Only if you promise to meet me and give me a chance to talk with you for a little while,” his voice was firm, eyes hard.

“There's nothing to talk about,” she replied defiantly, and knew that was a stupid statement. “I’m getting married and I’m sure Sebastian wouldn’t appreciate this demand of yours.”

He now stopped talking and chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

“So, you're going to marry Sebastian,” he said, and laughed bitterly.

His words came out like poison and she saw him shifting nervously. He pinched the tip of his nose and Arielle got panicky. knowing that immortal sign of frustration. Sebastian did that every time he was angry. Gaston stood frozen in place. He felt jealousy infecting every part of his body, every fiber, every vein. He was suffocating and he wasn’t going to allow Sebastian to take Arielle away from him. He was here now and he would do everything in his power to persuade her to choose him. She looked up at him but not directly in his eyes and saw an angry look on his face.

“Well…you aren’t married yet, so there's plenty of time for us to talk,” he said wrathfully. He was now standing much closer and she felt his warm breath against her face, while his finger ran across her cheek and around her lip line. She recoiled and he noticed, because she saw a dark shadow cross his blue eyes as he pursed his lips.

“Arielle, you don’t have a say in this matter, since I’ll make it happen one way or another,” he continued now completely unruffled.

“Stop!” she screamed. He backed off in shock. She was sure he didn’t expect that kind of outburst.

“Well,” he laughed, in pleasure, “There's fight in you and I love that. It makes the hunt much more desirable.”

“I don’t understand what you're saying, what hunt?”

“You, of course. I’m here for you, Arielle. Do you really think that after all these years, I’ll just walk away, just because you said ‘no’? I guess you don’t know me very well.” He chuckled, a sadistic smile on his face.

“Gaston, I’m in love with Sebastian, can’t you understand that? There’s nothing you can say, nothing you can do to make me change my mind,” she said. Her voice was crackling and she felt a knot in the pit of her stomach. Gaston watched her carefully. His bright blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She could try and imagine the thoughts that were whirling around his head, but she was afraid to even take a guess. He took a deep breath, his voice now velvety soft.

“Arielle, I fell in love with you the moment I set eyes on you. Your name has been etched in my very soul. I’ve learned to live without you, but never did I forget about you. Standing here today is like someone bestowed upon me the most incredible gift; I’ve never received anything that made me feel as good as you do, in my whole miserable immortal life. Against all odds, I’ve found you after 500 years, and if you think for a moment that I’ll just walk away, then you're deeply mistaken,” he murmured. “Sebastian and I shared many girls and many things, but you're never going to be someone that I'll share. I’m not going to walk away. I'll destroy Sebastian if I have to.” He laughed harshly and the tone in his voice made her back up a few steps in terror.

She tried to control her breathing as she felt anger creeping up and taking over her senses. She could see that fighting an immortal was futile, but she wasn’t sensible right now. He was threatening Sebastian and she stopped caring about her own safety.

“Leave Sebastian out of this!” she shouted, shocked at the sound of her voice. He didn’t flinch at her angry outburst. “I don’t want you, Gaston, I’m in love with Sebastian, and nothing can change my feelings!” she yelled, and backed away from him a little further.

Gaston had a dark look on his face that terrified her. His jaw tightened and he shrieked through clenched teeth.

“Sebastian is never going to have you.”

Arielle took a moment to gaze from Gaston toward the shops and swallowed hard.

“Gaston, you can’t control my life,” Arielle said, making sure he understood the intensity in her statement. She was breathing hard, her heart thrashing against the walls of her chest.

“Annabel told me about your wedding plans and neither one of us is going to let this happen. Arielle—I’m here to stay, and I’ll have you whether you go along with this or not.”

“Are you conspiring with Annabel!” she shrieked, appalled.

“I’m not conspiring with anyone. Annabel is a psycho; she's uncontrollable and completely unpredictable. I would've never gotten involved with someone like her, but…” his voice trailed.

“But what?” she asked, disgusted. “Why are you doing this, Gaston?” Her voice elevated in sheer exasperation.

“That’s easy to explain,” he said, chuckling in amusement. “She wants Sebastian and I want you. See how perfectly well that works for Annabel and myself?”

Arielle was startled by how much his words hurt. She was so angry that tears welled up. She gritted her teeth.

“Go away!” she screamed. “You and me are never going to happen.” She took a few steps back, moving even further away, trying to put a larger distance between their bodies. Gaston’s eyebrows lifted and his eyes went hard. A dark shadow crossed his clear blue gaze.

“Arielle, please don’t make me do what is against immortal code.” His voice was low but rigid. She watched him carefully; avoid looking directly into his eyes.

“I don’t understand, what code?” she replied inquisitively.

Gaston paused, a soft smile tugged the corner of his mouth. He remained silent for a moment. Suddenly he shook his head, chuckled, and, moving in his immortal speed, was right in front of her once again. Arielle stiffened and every muscle in her body clenched tightly. His hands cradled her face and his touch sent her nerves on edge. She tried to pull away but his hold was firm. He tilted her head toward him forcing her gaze directly into his eyes. He was burning with desire for this human girl and he was ready to put his passionate desire to work. As soon as their eyes met he smiled and bored right through her gaze. It was but a few minutes later and he felt her relaxing. He smiled, pleased, and bending down, landed his mouth on hers with hunger and passion beyond any expectation. He was filled with exhilaration when he felt her arms wrap around his neck and surrender to his lust. Their tongues thrust against each other and the kiss deepened, leaving them gasping. She moaned, filled with anticipation that was infusing every single fiber of his body. Gaston moaned out loud.

“Arielle, you’ve been my sole quest for over 500 years. I love you,” he murmured eyes still locked.

She sighed. She tasted that sweet scent in his kiss that was so familiar and felt heat that intoxicated her mind.

Gaston smiled, pleased to know that she was completely under his control. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her away from curious eyes. He stopped when he reached her car. They were completely alone with no person in sight. His arms were tightly wrapped around her and she succumbed to his touch and hot mouth. His arms were underneath her shirt and slid down to her hips slowly. His mouth was still on hers; the kiss deepened and she was totally unresisting. Arielle closed her eyes feeling warmth and excitement toward this beautiful man, a feeling that replaced the animosity she felt a few minutes earlier.

“Love me,” he murmured, breathlessly. His mind was floating into a sea of lust. He was so absorbed in his conquest that he forgot about the temporary control of compel he imposed on her. It would wear off in a short time. He'd have to bore into her eyes again to keep it effective. Arielle kept her eyes tightly shut, feeling like she was having an out of body experience. She was now struggling to understand where she was and what she was doing. She was being pressed against her car by a strong body and warm hands were claiming sensitive parts of her, making her eager for more.

“Mm…you taste delicious,” he murmured panting hard.

“Oh, Sebastian!” she murmured, moving into him sifting her body to feel more of him. She felt him go still and relax his pressure against her body. She was getting ready to protest when suddenly a loud curse snapped her into reality.

“Son of a bitch!” The voice was hard, hateful, dripping with venom. Her eyes flew open in shock and fright traveled down her spine. She and Gaston were still tightly intertwined in each other’s embrace. She gasped and, dropping her hands, tried to pull back, but the car behind her stopped her movement. She put her hands up against his chest and tried to push him away, but it was like she was pushing against a concrete wall.

“What are you doing?” she screamed, her fists now pounding on his chest, looking horrified. She was puzzled as to why her necklace wasn't preventing him from whatever he was trying to do.

“Stop fighting me,”he said through clenched teeth. He grabbed her hands and pressed them against her sides. She looked around in disbelief. Her mind swirled with tons of questions. What in the world happened to her? What was she doing in his arms in this remote corner of the parking lot? How did she get there? What time was it?

All these questions filled her mind and rage took over every single muscle of her body. Mat’s face flushed before her eyes and she wasn’t going to let this happen again.

She turned and looked at him, avoiding his direct gaze, and fire was burning her eyes. She was trying hard to swallow the bile searing her chest, trying to climb to her throat.

“Did you compel me into doing this?” she shouted, tears now running down her face. She was trying hard to clear her foggy mind, but he was now pressing her against the car, unwilling to let her go. His lips curved into a disturbing smile, eyes filled with rage.

“Calm down. I don’t want to hurt you, I love you,” he said furiously.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t break the immortal code and look what you did,” she said angrily.

“I didn’t break any code. The code says that you aren’t to compel someone to love you for eternity. I didn’t do that. I just wanted to spend a short time with you and take you in my arms,” he said amused. “You wouldn’t let me do that if I hadn’t compel you, would you?” An intimidating look painted his lips. Arielle flinched and tried to pull away.

“Gaston, please let me go, my friends are waiting, they’ll be worried about me.”

“I don’t care about your friends right now, but you,” he said firmly. “You're going to listen to me or you aren’t going anywhere.”

She stopped pushing and looked at him, totally alarmed.

“All right, I’m listening,” she said quietly, voice quivering.

“I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind since I saw your photograph at a party in Italy,” he said.

“I don’t follow you. What photograph and who had that photograph?”

“It was a guy attending the same party I did. He was showing his friends photographs from a holiday trip to St Jean De Luz.”

Arielle stiffened and set her hand to her mouth, heart pounding. She was sure it was one of Troy’s friends.

Gaston seemed oblivious to her reaction and continued. “I happened to gaze at one photo in passing, and there you were…” his voice trailed and he chuckled bitterly. “You and Sebastian wrapped around each other’s arms. How sweet…” His jaw tightened as he spit the words out. “I’m sure you can understand my shock. It had to be a huge mistake. But there you both were. I spent countless hours thinking about you and Sebastian, trying to find out who and when you both turned immortal. I finally spoke with Annabel and she explained to me that she was the one who turned Sebastian.”