A Beast For The Eyes: A Steamy Shifter Romance (A Ravenswood Romance Book 2) (10 page)

Sebastian didn’t know and didn’t care. He grabbed her hand and hauled her upstairs and sat her on the bed while he packed. “We’ll fly to Connecticut.” He tossed a bag at her. “Dad’s in no condition to do much of anything. That silver bullet will have him in bed for weeks.”

Ashleigh sniffed and wiped the tears away. She stuffed what she could into the bag and let Sebastian walk her out to the car. He buckled her seatbelt and slid in beside her. She didn’t know why she was so afraid. These past few weeks with Sebastian had been so wonderful. Now on the verge of facing her parents, she felt ashamed.

“Don’t,” he said. “Don’t you dare feel guilty.”

“I--I can’t help it,” she sobbed. “What if he disowns us?”

“He’ll disown me, not you.” Sebastian ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Dammit, Leigh!” he shouted, making her jump. “I love you!”

“I love you, too.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Ashleigh peered up into his handsome face and shook her head. “I don’t know why I’m feeling like this. I just don’t want to see them.”
 He nodded and started the car. “That’s good enough for me.” He sped down the driveway and Ashleigh was flung back into her seat.

“Sebastian!” she cried. “You’re going to get us killed.”

“No worries, my darling girl.” He flashed her a boyish grin. “We’re eloping.” Sebastian steered onto the interstate and drove them out to the small airfield where he kept his Saratoga. “You like flying, don’t you?”

Ashleigh wasn’t so sure. She remembered the last time he took her up. She’d gotten sick all over his instrument panel. “Um…”

He gave her a look and helped her out of the car. “I won’t make you sick, I promise.”
 “I knew it!” she cried. “You made me sick on purpose!”

Sebastian shrugged and drew her close. “Can I help it if I was madly in love with you?”

“Bastian,” she whispered. “Are we doing the right thing?”

He kissed her brow. “And what does your heart say?”

Ashleigh smiled. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 4

Kate didn’t know how she was going to tell her husband the children were missing. She’d driven all the way to Heathrow and no sign of Ashleigh or Sebastian. Maybe they’d been delayed by the weather. Or maybe she could lie through her teeth. Damien was so strung out on painkillers he’d never notice.

“I wonder
what
did happen to those two.” She entered her husband’s room and sat down. He was asleep finally. Though the bullet had missed his heart, there were still lingering effects from the silver. But thank goodness the doctor said there wouldn’t be permanent damage.

“Hey, wife,” he said, startling her. He glanced around. “Where are the kids?”

“It was a long flight,” she explained, hating lying to her husband. “Ashleigh still gets airsick, you know.”

“I know,” he sighed. “But Sebastian should be here.”

“I don’t think he’s feeling well. He had such a pallor...”

“Kate,” her husband growled. “Stop with the bullshit!”

“Damien!” Kate gasped in shock. “What on earth…?”

“The kids aren’t here because they eloped,” Damien told her bluntly. He struggled to sit up and began yanking tubes out of his arms. 
 “Damien!” Kate cried, rushing to her husband. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Oh, hush woman!” he snapped. “Get my clothes, will you?”

“But--”

Damien winced as his wife helped him dress. “Don’t pretend to be shocked. You leave them alone for three weeks and you’re surprised? Sebastian’s been in love with Leigh for years.”

Kate sat down, feeling suddenly ill. “He’s her stepbrother!” she managed to her husband’s disgust.

“So? It hasn’t stopped anyone before.”

“Damien,” she wept. “You don’t think they really got married, do you?”

“They could. And they did.” Damien buttoned his shirt. “They’re in New York in case you’re wondering.”

Kate felt ashamed. How could she not have known? “But Leigh is only eighteen!” she insisted. “She’s never even had a boyfriend for goodness’ sake!”

“Didn’t it ever strike you as odd that Bastian never had a girlfriend?” Damien went to his wife. “They’re not related, you know.”

“That’s not the point!” His wife shook her head in misery. “What are you going to do?”

Damien helped her up. “I want you to go back to the house and wait for me.”
 “But where will you be?” she asked in a daze.

“New York.” Damien kissed her goodbye, brushed past the guards, and hurried downstairs.

Sebastian watched his wife sleep and thought of all the times he’d seen her this way. Of course he meant to wait until she was older, but now that she was his, he had no intention of letting her go. Her lashes fluttered and she smiled sleepily.

“Hello, husband,” she murmured.
 “Hello, wife,” he answered, grinning like an idiot. Sebastian slid into bed and took her in his arms. “Happy?” he whispered.

“Terribly,” Ashleigh sighed against his mouth. They’d flown to Connecticut and gotten married by a justice of the peace. Sebastian promised they’d have a proper wedding after she graduated. But she was happy now. “And you?”

“I’m so happy if I were to die tomorrow they’d have to pry the smile off my face.”

She giggled and slid her arms around his neck. “You’ll outlive me,” she whispered against his ear.

“Never,” Sebastian breathed, kissing her tenderly. He reached for her hand and kissed the simple gold band he’d given her. “I should have given you an engagement ring.”

“I don’t need one.” She held out her hand and admired it. “I like this one.” Ashleigh drew his head down to hers and pressed loving kisses against his face. “Now I don’t have to worry about a date for prom.”

Laughing, he nuzzled her throat. “How about I take you dancing instead?”’

“Where?” she murmured against his mouth. His hand untied the ribbon at her throat and slipped inside to cup a soft breast. Ashleigh’s breath quickened as his thumb stroked gently. “That’s so nice,” she moaned, arching her back.

“Isn’t it?” he said huskily, watching in avid fascination as her eyes darkened. Sebastian groaned and parted her nightgown. He tugged it off her shoulders and kissed her breasts. She’d gained weight and they swelled softly beneath his tongue.

Ashleigh’s fingers slid into his hair cradling his head to her as he slid down her body. An anguished cry of rapture broke from her lips when he buried his head between her thighs, her breath catching as his hot tongue sucked and licked at the folds, teeth nipping lightly. He settled his mouth over her clit, sucking gently, and she whimpered in agony when she felt his tongue spear deep inside. Growling with impatience, he tore off her nightgown and flung it aside. Just as eager for him, her hands wandered over him possessively, lingering over the hard abs and sturdy shoulders. She paused at his pajama bottoms as her eyes met his.

Sebastian grinned and helped her push them off. He took her hand and drew it to him, sucking in a tortured breath as she fingered him gently. “Am I hurting you?” she asked shyly. It was the first time she’d permitted herself to touch him this way.

He shook his head. “No,” he muttered hoarsely. “You’re...very gentle.”

Ashleigh’s eyes widened when his cock grew in her hand. “It’s so big,” she whispered in awe, noting how he shook as she caressed him. “Should I stop?”

Sebastian didn’t answer. He groaned and flung her thighs wide, plunging deep within. She winced as the stretching ache bordered on pain. But soon she was begging him for it, arching her hips and wrapping her thighs around him. He bent over her grunting with each thrust and Ashleigh thought she’d go insane with pleasure. “Bastian!” she screamed.

He groaned and slumped against his wife. Sebastian buried his face into her hair and held her close. “Did I hurt you?” he murmured against her hair.

“Only a little,” she sighed. “I’m getting better at it.”

“There’s no need to improve, my sweet.”

She giggled and kissed his cheek.

They slept and made love again.

Sebastian thought they should get out and see the city. “We’ve been here nearly a week!”

“So?” she said, nuzzling his neck. “There are sights to see here.” She reached down and cupped him gently.

“Aren’t you the least bit tired?” Sebastian laughed. “I think I’ve created a monster.”

“I can’t help it,” Ashleigh giggled. “You’re irresistible!”

He eyed his wife dubiously. “I am, huh?”

“Uh-huh.” Ashleigh raised the hem of her skirt. She wasn’t wearing underwear.

His eyes darkened. “Is that for me, wife?”

Blushing, she nodded shyly. “Hurry up, I’m cold!”

Sebastian laughed, hauling her up against the wall and pushing up her skirt. She squealed with astonished delight as he lifted her thighs over his hips and giggled against his mouth when he fumbled with his zipper. “Let me,” she whispered. She reached down and freed him, her eyes closing in bliss as her husband slid into her. “Oh, my love,” she murmured, biting down on his shoulder.

“Sweetness,” he groaned, thrusting quickly and smothering his wife’s soft cries of pleasure with his tongue.

Finally sated, Ashleigh allowed her husband to take her out for dinner. She found herself admiring how he looked in a tux rather than what was on her plate. “You are very handsome,” she said shyly.

“And you’re very beautiful,” he grinned. “You should wear that color more often.”

“Oh,” she said, blushing. He’d bought her a red lace dress cut down to there. She felt naked. “Don’t you think it’s a bit...revealing?” Ashleigh glanced down at her newfound cleavage. “I might fall into my dinner.”

Her husband stifled his laughter. “It suits you. You’re a grown woman, love. You should dress like one.”

Ashleigh smiled at her husband. “You’re right. I think I will.” She slipped off her shoe and toyed with his foot under the table. “Would you like to see the negligee I bought today?”

“Later,” he growled, taking a cooling sip of wine. “Maybe you shouldn’t wear anything. Make it easy on me.”

“Now where’s the fun in that?” She gave him a saucy wink and cut into her steak.

Sebastian eyed his young bride and his eyes glowed.

After a carriage ride through the park, Ashleigh rested her head on her husband’s shoulder in the elevator. “I’m sleepy.” she said, yawning.

Her husband slid his arms around her. “Want me to carry you?”

“That would be nice.” She sighed as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to their room. Too bad she ended up on the floor.

“Dad!” Sebastian blurted as they entered the suite. Ashleigh was shocked to see Damien in their room with an ugly scowl on his handsome face. “What are you doing here?” Her husband reached to help her up.

“I could ask you both the same question.” He stalked over to his stepdaughter and grabbed her hand. “I suppose I already know the answer, Sebastian!”

“Gee, Dad,” Sebastian said, completely cowed in his father’s presence. “I love Leigh and she loves me.”

Damien glanced at his stepdaughter. “Is this true?”

Ashleigh went to her husband without a hint of shame. “I do.”
 Her husband slipped his arms about her and pulled her close. “I had to marry her, Dad.” He caught her hand and kissed her wedding ring. “We couldn’t wait.”

Damien sighed and sat down, still feeling a bit woozy from the long flight. “I wish you’d spoken to me about it. There was no need to keep it a secret. Think your old man didn’t notice how you felt?”

Sebastian glanced at his wife. “How long have you known?”

“Long enough to know you two shouldn’t have been left alone together. You’ll have to explain this to your mother.”

“We will.” Sebastian glowered at his father. “So what’s the problem?”

Damien bristled. “Did I
say
there was a problem? I just think you should keep it to yourselves for a while.”

“And why is that?” Ashleigh demanded. “I’ll be nineteen in June!”

“I know that,” Damien said peevishly. “It’s bad timing that’s all. I’ve got the economic summit coming up and all that. It’s just not a good time.”
 “Gee, Dad,” Sebastian drawled. “When will be a good time? Leigh’s pregnant!”

Ashleigh gasped and clutched her stomach. “And you were going to tell me when?”

Damien couldn’t help laughing. “Look, kids. I’m not unhappy you’re married. I just want to keep it quiet until we get the summit taken care of. Then you can play happy families and I’ll be the first one to congratulate you.”

“Then what?”

“How about a honeymoon? Extended of course.”

It was all too much for Ashleigh. She slid to the floor and wouldn’t get up. Sebastian knelt beside her, glaring at his father. “Now look what you’ve done!”

Damien didn’t flinch. “You can go to Transylvania. Stay in the castle for as long as you like.”

Sebastian wiped his wife’s face and brow. “What do you think, love?”

Ashleigh nodded. “Whatever.” She held up her hand. “Help me to the bathroom. I’m going to be sick.” Her husband picked her up and ran to the bathroom. She would spend the rest of the evening hunched over the bowl. “I suppose I have nine months of this.”

“Not really. It’s supposed to go away after the fifth month.”

“Fifth month?” she groaned miserably. “So much for birth control.”

“I’m not sorry.”

“Good,” she gasped once she could breathe. “Because you’ll be changing all the diapers.”

“Leigh,” Sebastian soothed. “It’s okay. Dad’s not angry.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know if I’m ready to be a mother. I just became a wife.”

Sebastian kissed her cheek. “You’ll do fine. I’ll help you.”

“You better.” She didn’t want to get up, but Sebastian insisted. He carried her to bed and undressed her. “Where’s Dad?”

“He went downstairs for coffee. I think he’s feeling guilty.”

Ashleigh sighed. “So what’s the castle like?”

“Cold and drafty. You’ll love it.”

She patted the bed beside her. “Come here.”

Sebastian stretched out and took his wife in his arms. “Do you want to know what we’re having?”

“No,” she murmured drowsily. “I want to be surprised.”

He grinned and kissed her hair. “Okay.”

Damien came back and found his children in bed, arms wrapped lovingly about the other.