Darkling (10 page)

She tilted her face up to him, emotion overflowing. What
would she ask for in the entire universe?

The answer was swift and powerful.

Niles.

Around the debilitating despair that infused her, she shook
her head. “What I want is impossible to ask for, Drognoff, but I thank you—”

“What is it, Pollux?” He leaned close enough that she felt
his extraordinary heat washing over her. His powers were great. Great enough to
grant her permission to fall again. And to stay this time.

She attempted to speak but words failed her. As always, her
sister sensed her distress and was able to convey her desires.

“My twin wishes to return to Earth. While there, she met a
human man and fell in love.”

A loud gasp ran through the crowd. Pollux whipped around to
stare at her sister. What was she doing? Surely this would never be acceptable
with the elders! It was unheard of. No celestial had ever fallen forever.

You could be the first.

Could she really? Was she brave enough to leave her realm,
her people?

If she returned to Niles, would he accept her?

Fear roared through her body, louder than the ceremonial
music. While she listened to the tinkling notes, she realized beyond a doubt
that she wanted this. All of a sudden, her trepidations melted away, leaving
only warmth.

“Is that truly what you’d ask for yourself, Pollux?”
Drognoff asked.

As she nodded, she felt the glow of her inner smile burst
forth, nearly as bright as the starscale. The line of newborns gasped and
Drognoff took a hasty step back.

Castor released a quiet laugh and squeezed her sister
closer.

Drognoff raised his voice for all to hear. “Our dear Pollux
of the constellation Gemini wishes to be free to fall again, this time to
pursue her own passions. Go forth and may joy fill your every moment.” He
placed a hand on her shoulder. “And if you ever wish to return, your place will
be waiting for you.”

Spinning toward the crowd, he began to pace, his golden
robes flapping. “Now to choose a replacement. What a great opportunity for one
of our stars tonight.”

“Sir, if I may suggest someone?” Pollux was stunned by her
own boldness. Interrupting the elders was unheard of, but since she was pushing
through boundaries, she figured she might as well give her twin the best,
brightest, most beautiful star to share the heavens.

“I’d like to recommend Fiammetta, our newborn.” Slowly, she
approached the glimmering star.

A ripple of shock washed over the new nova. Her silken robes
fluttered.

Pollux turned to Drognoff. “She’s brighter than most stars.
An equal match for my lovely twin, I think.”

Drognoff studied the new star closely, his expression
pensive. He rubbed a hand over Fiammetta’s shimmering hair, and then stepped
away with a nod. “I’m in agreement with you, Pollux. From this day forth,
Fiammetta will hold your place in the night sky.”

A resounding cheer burst from the crowd. The newborns
stomped and clapped. Utter joy spread over Fiammetta’s face. She rushed forward
into Pollux’s arms. They hugged for a long minute.

When Fiammetta pulled away, Pollux reached for her sister.
Then suddenly, the crowd pressed in on her, each taking a turn congratulating
her and thanking her for bravely returning the starscale. The lilting tones of
the harp and lute lifted and the celestials began to dance, creating rings
around the newborns and Pollux, their glowing faces whizzing past her vision
until she felt she could possibly weep even in this form.

She turned to the lightening sky. In a few minutes, she’d
plunge through the atmosphere once more, ready to take on the vast world. Ready
to dive into a relationship with Niles. She prayed he’d be willing to take her
into his heart again. Deep down, she knew the only way to make things right was
to spend time talking to him, telling him her dreams and desires. This time,
language wouldn’t get in the way.

Chapter Eleven

Sweat snaked down Niles’ spine as he climbed the flights of
stairs to his apartment. For once the elevator was in working order, but even
after his intense boxing workout, he needed more relief from the knot of
anxiety that had taken up permanent residence in his soul. He’d worked over the
punching bag until his muscles screamed and his body threatened collapse. Still
he felt the urge to fight. Only when his coach pulled him away and gave his
most concerned look did Niles back off and take to the showers.

He looped the long strap of his duffle over his shoulder and
plunged a hand into his jeans pocket for his house key. At one time his home
had been his sanctuary. Now it tormented him. In every corner he saw Vega.
Curled on her side sleeping, gulping water over the kitchen sink.

In his bed.

A shudder of need ran through him, stronger than any before
that. With each passing day, it seemed his desire for her grew rather than
lessened.

Just as he stabbed the key into the lock, the patter of feet
on the stair treads reached him, low at first and then thundering.

“Niles!”

His heart exploded into his mouth. Twisting, he caught sight
of Vega’s dark form racing toward him.

Oh God.

Pulse racing and mouth suddenly dry, he dropped his duffle
and hurled himself down the few steps separating them. Their feet and harsh
rasps echoed in the high stairwell and the pale light of evening pooled through
the clerestories.

“Niles,” she cried again, her voice clogged with tears. The
sound speared his gut and traveled downward to capture his cock.

Three steps and he thought his heart would explode with joy.

Two and tears were scalding his eyes.

He caught her around the waist and plucked her into his arms
with a groan. Bowing his face to her fragrant hair, he drew deep, gulping
breaths. He tightened his arms around her waist, cinching harder and harder,
unable to let her move a hair’s width away.

“Vega, what are you doing here, baby?” Desperately he wanted
to draw away to stare into her eyes, but he was loath to move. She felt
unbelievably fragile in his hold. Tremors racked her shoulders.

“I couldn’t stay away from you. I had to return to see…” She
tilted her face up to his. Her dark gaze was a punch to his stomach, more
dizzying than any he’d received in the ring. “I had to see if you could forgive
me. And maybe try again.”

With a growl, he whipped her legs over his arm and ran the
remaining stairs to his apartment, kicking his duffle over the threshold with
them. The door slammed. For a long minute, he gazed at her face, searching her
features for any falseness.

A single tear spilled over the lower rim of her eye and
splashed down her cheek.

Why are you hesitating? She’s all you’ve dreamt of.
Everything soft and sweet wrapped into one amazing package.

The dark seed of worry took root though, and the voice in
the back of his mind asked harder questions. Questions like what exactly was
the truth? And was she going to leave again?

He let her feet swing to the floor. She clung to him. Her
hands threaded through his hair, yanking deliciously. Every curve and
fluttering eyelash beckoned to him. His body reacted powerfully. Heat clawed
his insides. His cock stiffened, nudging his fly and demanding exit.

Gently he cupped her face. There seemed to be stars in her
eyes—tiny golden lights that he’d never noticed before. Was he imagining them?

Her lips fell open with a sigh and without thought, he
skimmed her lower lip with his thumb, raising a quiet moan from her.

His eyes flickered shut at the delightful sound—a sound he
recalled all too well from their passionate encounters.

“Talk to me, Vega. Tell me everything.”

Her teeth compressed her lip and then released it. She
nodded. “Of course. I owe you that. Please forgive me, Niles. I never meant to
hurt you.”

The choking lump in his throat broke free, and he tasted the
salt of emotion. He slipped his hands down her shoulders to her wrists, holding
them lightly. Her pulse thrummed beneath his thumb.

“What I told you before I left was true, Niles. I’m a
celestial being—a fallen star. I needed to return the starscale for a newborn
lighting ceremony. I know this sounds far-fetched, and I have no idea how to
convince you I’m not lying. I feel awful that I didn’t tell you from the first.
If you give me another chance, I swear I’ll always be open and honest with you.
And I’m sorry you got in trouble at work for having me here.” Tears glistened
in her eyes, making them brighter.

As he gazed down at her, he found himself digesting her
words and believing them. Looking at her, he knew she wasn’t of this world. The
soft air that surrounded her and the light that seemed to glow from within
spoke of something more special than anything he’d encountered before. Also
there was no denying that he’d seen her disappear in the alley that day weeks
ago.

She gripped his fingers and her mouth twisted in pain.
“Please, Niles. I’m sorry. I had to tell you the truth because…” Her throat
worked and her tears continued to fall. “Because I love you.”

In one swift motion, he swept her off her feet and claimed
her mouth. Blazing need webbed through his body, capturing his heart. Since the
moment he’d taken her into his care, he’d known deep down that he’d fall for
her. Hearing her speak the words bound them.

He chafed his lips over hers roughly, exerting pressure,
demanding she open to him. With a squeak, the seam of her lips parted and he
plunged his tongue deep inside, bathing the walls of her mouth with his tongue,
flipping over the silken recesses he knew so well

“Vega, my sweet woman. I believe you. I forgive you. And I
want you. Everything’s straightened out at work, and now you’re not a case.
You’re my woman.” With that, he strode through the rooms with her, kicking open
his bedroom door and falling to the unmade bed. The crush of her breasts
beneath his chest maddened him. His cock bulged against the V of her legs and
he ground it, dying to feel that moist heat once more.

“Tell me again. Say you’ll stay and that you love me.”

She nodded, her hair trickling into one eye. He brushed it
away tenderly and leaned over her until he could taste her breath.

“I want to be with you, Niles. In my short time here, I
learned more about love than in thousands of years. I was made to be with you.”

He bit into her lower lip, tugging it. “You were made for
me.” With a primal groan, he separated the layers of the dress she wore and
located the narrow dip of her waist. “If you’re here to stay, do you need to
wear all the clothing? Or can I see you naked in the sunlight?”

“I think over time I’ll grow accustomed to the heat of the
sun, but I’ll always be a child of the night.”

He felt the grin spread over his face. Without a doubt, he
knew he couldn’t go on without her. In a very short time, she’d become his
world—the star that lit his sky. “I’ll miss some hours of sleep for sure, but I
look forward to it.”

Surging upward, she captured his mouth, her tongue flicking
over his with bold need. A dark throb began in his core.

“Vega, I have to have you. Now.” Peeling away the layers, he
revealed her bare torso. Each perfect bronzed breast peaked into the air,
tipped in ruby. She arched her back as if begging him to touch her breasts.
Touch? Hell, he’d worship them.

Quickly he stripped the garments off her, leaving her
entirely bare to his attentions. In one swift movement, he shed his shirt as
well, too eager to feel her skin against his.

Dipping his head, he sucked one stiff nub into his mouth,
using his teeth, tongue and lips to please her. She dug her nails into his
spine and forced him harder against her body, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

Her taste was intoxicating, like fine wine and the most
succulent fruits beneath his tongue. Images danced through his head of laying
her out on the kitchen table and using juicy melons to trace paths on her flesh
and licking up the sticky residue.

So much he hadn’t experienced yet with her.

There’s time, Niles. Tonight, take it slow.

Purposefully he slowed his attentions on her breast, moving
to the next ripe peak. She cried out as he sucked her nipple into his mouth and
swirled his tongue around the areola.

The fire in his blood burst into an inferno. Raging with
need, he forced himself to lap the hardened pearl gently, rather than bite it.
Forced himself to caress rather than grip. God, it was going to be a long
night, but he wanted it to be the best, most memorable lovemaking.

She twisted her hand in his hair, her voice gritty. “Niles!”

Raining kisses down the lines of her ribs, inspiration
struck. He leaned away and shot her a grin, then began purposely dropping
kisses in a pattern on her rounded belly. From the V of her ribs in a straight
line to her bellybutton, and in a perpendicular line to the right. She quivered
beneath him.

Lifting his head, he clutched her fingers and drew them over
the moist line he’d created. Her gaze was luminous.

“What is it?”

“An L.” With that, he bent to her again, leaving suckling
kisses below the sensitive undersides of her breasts, and in a circular pattern
from her curvy side to the soft lower part of her belly right above her mound,
and around the other side.

She squirmed, her nails scraping his scalp a bit harder,
more insistently.

Again he took her fingers and followed the letter he’d
drawn. “An O, baby.”

A puff of air ruffled his hair as he lightly bit into her
flesh from one breast to her navel. He lapped the indentation and need coursed
through him. A need to taste her. He couldn’t resist the sweet temptation of
her moist pussy. Slowly moving lower, his mouth watered for the decadent
flavor.

The musky scent of her drew him like a planet to the sun. He
trailed his lips over the small tuft of curls covering her wet slash,
delighting in the flavors. She stopped breathing and went utterly still.

He flicked his tongue over her straining nubbin. And thought
he’d lose all control. She bucked against him, hips rising off the bed as she
ground her pussy against his mouth. He swirled his tongue over her clit down
the seam to her moistened folds. Each drop was like nectar. When he speared her
pussy, she cried out his name.

And brought tears to his eyes.

He sank his fingers into her round hips and fucked her with
his tongue. His cock was an aching mass, harder than ever. The scorching heat
of her sex drove him mad. His body urged him to plunge into her. But first, he
had to finish his message.

Abandoning his intimate kiss, he continued back up her body,
scraping her lightly with the shadow of his beard, smearing the slick juices
he’d gathered over her skin.

“Don’t stop,” she cried out.

He shook his head and aided her in following the path he’d
kissed. Holding her fingers, he moved them in an angled line from her breast to
her pussy. While holding her gaze, he drew her fingers over her wet folds. Her
eyes flared wide, then hooded with bliss. Before she could fully react, he
tugged her fingertips away, up her torso to end at her opposite breast.

“V.”

She locked her legs around him and yanked him down upon her.
Her mouth found his, opening hungrily.

With a raw groan he kissed her. Sweeping her mouth with his
tongue, he shared her juices with her. And she went wild. Her tongue darted in
and out of his mouth, sending shivers of heat through his core. Mindlessly, he
rocked his cock against her, seeking release. The barrier of his jeans had
never felt so thick, but the minute he stripped out of his clothes, he was
lost. And he had to make this perfect for her.

Tearing his mouth away, he threaded his fingers into her
hair and dropped his forehead to hers. Up close, her eyes seemed to shimmer
with more golden lights, and suddenly he realized she could never have been
human. From the start, he’d known something was different.

Emotion welled inside him. “Baby, tell me you won’t leave
again. I can’t bear it if you do.”

She shook her head, rubbing her nose against his. “I won’t
for as long as you want me.”

The knot in his chest broke free, flowing away with his
quiet moan. He claimed her mouth hard, taking her lips roughly, wanting to mark
her, own her.

Her response drove him wild. Each thrust of her tongue
heightened his desire until he thought he’d blow before he sank inside her.

Ripping his mouth from hers, he returned to his flesh
message. He drew the final letter in quick, nipping bites, unable to hold back
much longer. Raising his head, he captured her gaze. His voice was throaty with
passion. “E. L-O-V-E. Love, Vega. I love you. I can’t be without you.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. She caught his face in her
hands and dragged him to her mouth. “I’m in love with you too, Niles. When I
returned home, I thought my light would fade. My world never seemed so dark.”

He crushed his lips against hers, drinking from her long and
deep. “Don’t go back. I’ll keep you safe here. There’s so much I don’t know
about you, but I know that you’re it for me. The only woman I’ve ever felt this
way about.”

Her hands worked over his spine to his waist and around to
the button of his jeans. She struggled to unfasten it. With a rumble of
laughter, he nudged her hand aside and popped it open for her. Her warm hand
plunged inside his boxers at once.

She wrapped her slender fingers around his cock and he
issued a primal grunt. He gnashed his molars together, fighting to hold back
his release. The last thing he wanted to do was spill in her hand. But fuck,
her fingers were so hot.

“I can’t wait to drive into your tight pussy, baby.” In a
frenzy, he peeled off his jeans and boxers. His cock bobbed against his abs,
throbbing and thick with need.