Arielle Immortal Passion (27 page)

His thoughts were lost somewhere in time, into another period, a different era. The place was the same as it was then, but it didn’t look the same. The centuries had brought some astonishing changes to the surroundings, the roads, the buildings, and the way of life. The only things that remained the same were the vineyards that were nestled into the same rolling hills, the full trees, the rich foliage, and the aroma of the blooming flowers. He could vividly see himself along with his brothers and his best friend Gaston back in those days riding along these fields, on the way to attend a family or friend’s soirée.

He smiled as he thought of Abbacus, the horse he loved as much as his own life, and suddenly he tensed.
Gaston Bertaud,
he thought,
whatever happened to Gaston?
They had grown up together like brothers, and had loved each other until one night in the 1500s. He barely remembered the falling out they had had during the ball his parents were hosting when he was twenty years old. He frowned as he tried to recall the details, but he couldn’t. He remembered how much he had missed Gaston after that, but he had never seen him again. What happened? Was it over a girl? What was really the problem? He truly couldn’t recall.

He sighed and tried to shake off the sadness he felt. He tried to recall some of the impasses they had faced and how they had protected each other from harm. He felt stressed and uneasy.
What ever happened to him?
he thought again. Shaking his head, he tried to stop his thoughts from spinning through the centuries as he tried to recall old memories. It was the here and now that had turned out to be the realization of his dream come true. He had searched each and every corner of this earth in that long span of his miserable life, to find what he now had within his grasp. That dream was sitting right next to him and suddenly he was overwhelmed by delight, a pure joy that turned him giddy. He almost felt like he was human again, finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. He smiled wide and turning, he caught Arielle’s stunningly beautiful blue eyes, filled with an enigmatic look. “What?” he asked quizzically.

“Where have you been?”

Turning the wheel softly he slowed down and pulled to the side of the road. He stopped and pulled Arielle into his arms to deliver a scorching kiss. He kissed her witless, and deepened the kiss when he felt her heated response.

Finally, she drew back, eyes wide, her breathing unsteady. “What’s that for?”

“Tell me that you love me,” he urged her.

Her eyes went even wider. “What has come over you?”

He took her lips once again, sank even deeper into her mouth, and she shuddered. “Tell me that you love only me,” he murmured into the kiss.

“I adore you, Sebastian, you’re my only love,” she breathed into his mouth.

He was so giddy, overwhelmed by delight and joy, just knowing that she was his for eternity. He finally pulled away, letting her out of his embrace reluctantly. Their gaze was still locked and she smiled softly. “Are you all right?” she asked, unable to hide the stunned surprise in her face.

“Yes, I’m better now,” he chuckled, and starting the engine he pulled out onto the road slowly once again.

Clasping her hand with his, he entwined their fingers, and bringing it up to his lips, he trailed soft kisses on her knuckles. She stared back at him and got lost in the passionate green depth of his eyes. Arielle felt warmth envelop every nerve ending in her body, and wished they were alone in bed. She pressed her lips together, realizing that she had been holding her breath for a very long moment.

Turning her gaze away from Sebastian she blew out a lungful of air, and sighed deeply. He pressed her hand tenderly and looking back at him, she smiled blissfully. The ocean was now in full view. What a magnificent sight!

“We’re almost there,” he said joyfully.

“Oh, Sebastian, I’m so happy!” she cried, and giggled enthusiastically, unable to restrain her delight.

Chapter 20

T
he car came to a full stop as they arrived in front of a gate opening to a private location. Arielle peered curiously, but she couldn’t see anything beyond the gate because of the thick foliage and the huge cypress trees. Sebastian pressed a code on the wall panel, and when the gate opened he drove through onto a narrow road surrounded by giant trees and sculptured landscape on either side. As they drew closer, Arielle let out a cry of exhilaration as the view opened into the most striking sight in the Tuscan countryside.

It was a splendid villa that looked as if it had been built somewhere between the 15
th and 16th century. It was nestled in the midst of magnificent property that had been sculpted magically through the centuries. It was an obvious work of art, evoking both the skillful hands of man and the beauty of nature. Her eyes went past the house to the soft silhouettes of the hills covered with vineyards, green fields, and thick foliage. This was a magnificent place! Who in the world could own such a castle, and rent it out to people like them? How did Sebastian find such a place?

It looked as if it belonged in another era, giving visitors the feeling of tranquility and an awareness of standing at a magic spot belonging to times gone by. She was speechless. For a long moment, she couldn’t move. All she could do was stare at the view. Sebastian was already out of the car, coming around to her side to help her out. He took her hand and pulled her into his arms. Then, bending down he pressed a soft kiss on her lips.

“Do you like it?”

“What?”

“This is where we are staying.”

“Oh, my God, Sebastian, this is amazing!”

He smiled and took her hand, pulling her toward the front door. As they approached, the door opened and a statuesque woman stood in the opening of the doorway.

“
Buon giorno,
Sebastian, I’m so happy to see you after so long.”

“Hello, Geneva,” he smiled, and gave the woman a hug. Arielle stood back feeling suddenly shy. But Sebastian pulled her close, and said proudly, “This is my fiancée. This is the woman who has made me happier than I’ve ever been in my life.” Geneva smiled warmly and gave Arielle a hug. “Arielle, this is Geneva,” Sebastian continued. “She has been with me for over four centuries.” Arielle smiled back at Geneva as she conversed in Italian with Sebastian. He laughed happily at whatever she was saying and then he said “grazie,” which Arielle understood to be “thank you.”

Unfortunately, that was as far as her Italian went. She smiled and didn’t know what to say, still trying to figure out what had been said. Her limited knowledge of the language left her in the dark. Sebastian looked at her, a wide grin on his face, picked up her luggage, and said, “Follow me!” She followed him upstairs in a fog.

The place was as huge inside as outside, but whereas the outside looked evocative of Italy’s past centuries, the inside was completely modern. Sebastian walked as if he knew the house well. They climbed the carved marble stairs together. Arielle walked behind Sebastian, absorbing everything around her. He led her down to the end of a long hall where they entered a large, stunningly beautiful room. The furnishings were magnificent. There were large windows all around the room looking out on the park and gardens. Arielle walked slowly over to a pair of large double doors and pulled them wide open. She walked out onto a balcony with a floor made of smooth marble. The magnificent design of the columns that encircled it created an amazing picture. She gulped as she stepped through the doorway, her eyes hugging the beautiful stretch of coastline with its sharp, fitful cliff formation and the crystal clear blue bay of the Mediterranean Sea.

“Oh, my God, what a place!” she cried.

She felt his warm, penetrating gaze on her back before his arms came around her and closed tightly, pulling her back against him with a low moan. “Do you really like it here?”

“Like it? Are you kidding?” she exclaimed whirling around to face him without leaving his embrace. “Sebastian, this has to be a piece of paradise,” she said as she giggled jubilantly.

“I’m so happy,” he said. “I was so hoping that you’d love it. It means a lot to me to see you happy in this house,” he whispered, and gave her a meaningful look.

Arielle blinked in surprise, and searching his eyes she asked, tilting her head inquisitively. “Why is that?”

“Because I would hate for you to own something that you don’t absolutely love.”

Arielle’s eyes widened, and she tried to draw a breath past the lump that was closing her throat. Silence stretched and she shifted, confused, from one foot to the other. Blinking rapidly she gazed at him with a look of incredulity on her face.

“What did you say?”

“I said that I’m happy that you love your house.”

“My hou—my hou—”she tried, but she couldn’t complete the word. His arms closed possessively about her, his mouth coming down on hers like a starving man in a food cellar. Heat spread like wild fire and rippled across every fiber as he groaned, pulling her even closer. Arielle broke the kiss, her head still whirling in confusion, and tried to catch her breath.

“Sebastian!”

“What, baby?” he murmured, his lips touching hers.

“The house, what about this house?”

“I own this house, Arielle, and now it’s your home too.”

Arielle tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but she was unsuccessful. She found herself gasping for air as she heard him laugh out loud.

“What is it, my love? Too much for you?”

Arielle tried to gather her thoughts, and breathe normally. Finally it hit her. She pulled back and let her gaze glide over his large frame. “How come you never said anything about this before?”

“I wanted it to be a surprise. It looks like I was successful.”

Arielle was certainly surprised, and her eyes sparkled in stunned disbelief. It was such a magnificent place. She lifted her eyes and met his gaze, warm, passionate, waiting for her to say something. Sebastian noticed the perplexity that spread into her expression. Startling her, he reached around her neck and unhooked her necklace. Arielle drew in a sharp breath and shot him a shocked look.

“What are you doing?”

“I couldn’t take it any more. I had to know what you were thinking and how you were feeling.”

“Well, now you know,” she said, and her lips curved playfully.

“Yes, I do. You absolutely love this place and you wonder how many more secrets I’m keeping from you.”

“Yes, that’s just about it. Do you see how much I still love you?”

“Yes, I can see that very clearly.”

“But do you know how much I love you?” he murmured, and his hands snaked around her waist as his lips remained a hair’s width from hers.

Trying to hide her grin, she breathed softly, “No, how much?” All she could see was her own love for him, mirrored in his beautiful eyes.

“Arielle, I can’t see anything, love anything, or want anything beyond you. You have bewitched me and I’m forever yours.” He pressed her slender frame against his hard body, and sliding his hand under her shirt he pressed at the small of her back. He set his lips to hers with mind blowing desire. His tongue invaded the softness of her mouth and delved into her sweetness, which left him groaning.

Breaking the kiss, Arielle drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, her eyes never leaving his. She was sure that she was somewhere between reality and a dream. “Now put my necklace back on, and stop being so inquisitive,” she murmured breathlessly. He put her necklace back where it belonged and his arms locked about her one more time, taking her mouth in a searing kiss that curled her toes. Sensation rippled through her and she found herself lost once again in his embrace.

“What am I going to do with you? You literally drive me out of my mind.” His jaw muscles were tense, his eyes flashed with implausible longing, and he gasped in clear exasperation.

She reached up and pressed her lips softly on hers. “I feel the same way about you, my love,” she whispered against his lips. “But right now, I want to see everything!” she cried, slipping away from his embrace. She ran like an excited child from room to room. She looked at everything and stared out every window, absorbing all the wonderful views, each one more beautiful than the next.

The house was very modern. There was nothing old about it except for some extravagant antique furnishings. She felt her eyes well up with tears from excitement and happiness. Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks and, spinning around, she met his gaze steadily. Placing her hands on her hips, she drew in a quick breath, and her eyes narrowed.

Sebastian’s gaze swept over her and his eyes widened. “What is it?”

She hesitated for a short moment, and then lifting her chin, her voice came out soft but steady, “Are there any other homes besides St. Jean and this one?” Arielle had assumed Sebastian was wealthy, but she didn’t know to what extent, and she wasn’t about to ask any details. Had Sebastian refrained from letting her know how wealthy he was to see if she really loved
him
for himself or for his money? The thought was unnerving.

Sebastian just stared at her and smiled softly. “There are four more,” he said, raking his fingers through his hair thoughtfully.

“Four more!” She stared at him, astounded and flabbergasted. “Where?”

He shook his head, and his smile deepened. “Barcelona, Ireland, Germany, and Fiji,” he said quietly, and gazing into her sapphire eyes, he saw sheer astonishment.

Arielle was lost for words. Turning around she crossed the room and stepped out onto the balcony. She gazed into the distance and remained quiet for a long time. Asking him about his wealth was a hard temptation to resist, but she did it. Sebastian was now standing right behind her. His arms snaked around her, and he drew her to him, setting his lips to her temple.

“Something wrong?” he murmured softly, as his lips moved slowly, trailing kisses down her cheek, across her jaw line, and skimmed purposefully down the column of her throat. Arielle closed her eyes, leaned her head back on his shoulder, and shuddered, feeling his body flush against her back.

“What’s bothering you?” he asked again, his voice smooth as silk.

Finding her voice, she finally said, “Why do you need so many homes?”

She felt his smile against her skin. “I don’t need the homes, Arielle, they are just property investments.” They fell silent as his hands moved up and cupped her breasts, pressing softly. A lungful of air hissed between his teeth, and an unyielding feeling of possessiveness slipped through his bones, shattering his control. He was lost in her warmth when she suddenly moved, spinning around within his embrace to face him. He released her, startled at the unexpected quizzical look on her face.

“What now?” he asked, muting his frustration at the sudden loss of her warmth.

Arielle was stunned not so much by the question, but by the clipped tone in his voice. She frowned and shifted from one foot to the other, looking uncomfortable. Sebastian became still at the expression on her face, and his brow lifted.

“What?” he pressed on, in a much gentler tone.

She caught his quizzical gaze and let out an irritated sigh.

“Have you taken any other women to those homes?” she asked, her voice strained.

With a sudden move he had her trapped in his embrace once again. He regarded her for a long moment, and then planting his hands on either side of her face, he tipped her head back to look into her eyes. “Oh… I see.” His lips twisted in clear exasperation. “When are you going to start trusting me?”

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

“You don’t seriously think that I would bring women that I’ve never loved to live in my homes. Do you?”

Arielle shrugged her shoulders and looked away. Putting his index finger under her chin, he turned her face up and his lips closed over hers. She lifted her hands and wrapped them around his neck, leaning into him. Their tongues dueled and desire rippled through her veins. Sebastian moaned and pulled her closer. “Are you jealous?” he whispered into the kiss.

“Hmm…” she mumbled, nodding, as he muted her sounds with his mouth.

Sebastian deepened the kiss with a moan, and she let her fingers tangle into his soft hair. Gasping, she pulled away from the kiss and drew in a deep breath.