The Darkest Pleasure (6 page)

"Oh, Kerian, that feels so good."

He growled low in his throat before he ran his teeth across my neck. His teeth felt a little sharp, but that made it feel even better. He kissed my throat before he slowly let me slide down the length of his body. I felt every hard ripple of muscle he had before my feet touched the ground. I held onto him, because I wasn't sure I'd be able to stand on my own just yet. He kept his mouth to my neck as his breathing went back to a more normal pace.

"Your skin taste so fucking good."

I was shocked and pleased by his language and smiled into his chest. His lips ran over my skin, sending shivers along my spine. His teeth ran along my flesh, and I gasped at the sharp sting where his mouth met my neck. Then, I felt the warmth of his body leave mine as he stepped back.

"I'm so sorry."

He didn't look at me, his hand covering his mouth. I lifted my hand to my neck, feeling wetness. I looked at my fingers, stunned at the small drop of blood covering the tips. I looked at Kerian, who still wasn't looking at me.

"Wow, I guess we got a little carried away."

I could see how uncomfortable he was, and tried to make light of the situation.

"It's really okay, no big deal."

"It isn't okay. I'm sorry, I should really be going. Is it all right if I call you tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course."

He walked towards me and laid a soft kiss on my forehead. The act seemed so innocent, given what we had just shared, what had just happened. I watched as he left, shutting the door behind him with a light click. I leaned against the door and closed my eyes, every part of my body screaming for release. I touched the side of my neck again, a thrill of excitement at his tenderness. I couldn't explain why desire washed through me at the idea that he had bitten me. What's wrong with me? Something was wrong, wasn't there? To like something like that? I shook my head, not wanting to think too deeply about it. All I knew was that I liked it, taboo or not.

I decided to take a shower, hoping the water would cool me down. I stepped into the bathroom and quickly got out of my clothes. Turning on the tap, I sat on the edge and let the liquid run across my hand. My mind drifted as the cool water turned warm. I thought about Kieran, how soft and gentle he had been. His eyes were like clear-cut limes, looking straight inside of me and knowing my every secret. I snatched my hand away as hot water stung me. The skin on the back of my hand was bright red, my pulse seeming to encompass my whole hand. I quickly turned the cold water tap higher and let it bathe my skin. After a minute, the sting dissipated and I switched on the shower.

I stepped in, the water instantly causing my skin to prickle. I tilted back my head, letting the warm droplets wash all the arousal off my body. I was frustrated when all it did was heighten everything further. The water sliding down my body caused my vagina to clench with need. I closed my eyes, my brain instantly creating my dream lover. His eyes were bright green, his hair dark and dishevelled. His face was no longer shrouded by the shadows. He was no longer the mystery man in all of my fantasies. It was Kerian who stared back at me, with his strong masculine features that screamed male power.

His body was nude, every muscle bunching and flexing as he stepped into the shower with me. His hands reached around me, lightly stroking my skin. He ran his palms over my breasts, my nipples tightening with excitement. One of his hands continued to tease my aching nipple as the other hand travelled down my belly to rest at the top of my mound. I braced my legs as far apart as I could, needing his fingers to delve farther down. I rested my head against his chest, the feeling of his lips running down my neck causing me to gasp in pleasure. I reached my hand back to spear my fingers through his hair. I tilted my head to the side and let his lips take control of mine, while his fingers parted my pussy lips. It was a glorious feeling, his tongue teasing my mouth as his fingers massaged my clit.

He didn't speak, just continued to bring me to the point of climax before slowing down. I needed to come so badly, my clit ached. I needed to feel his erection sliding against my cleft until he pounded into me so hard, I thought my world would shatter. His erection pressed against my back, the hugeness of it shocking me. His large finger suddenly dipped into my pussy hole, gathering moisture before he ran my juice across my throbbing clit. I was so close, just a couple of thrusts with his finger and I would go over the edge. As if he read my mind, he plunged his finger into me, my body instantly clenching around the digit and drawing it farther in. He slid a second finger in, the girth of both fingers together stretching me and making me stand on my toes. He pumped his fingers in and out of me, so quickly I had to break our kiss to suck air into my lungs. I closed my eyes and let the pleasure wash through me, my climax building inside of me. Every cell in my body tingled with awareness, my toes and fingers going numb from it. I moaned loudly, not the least bit ashamed if the neighbours could hear. The climax seemed to go on for hours; just when I thought it would end, it peaked again. He held me tightly, his free hand running all over my skin, not missing a single area.

I slumped against the shower wall and pulled my fingers free of my still quivering vagina. My knees were weak, my mind light-headed. As good an orgasm as that had been, I knew it wouldn't top how it would be with Kerian. As I stared at the white tile, the droplets of water slowing sliding down to the drain, it struck me. All this time the man I had been picturing, the man that occupied my every fantasy, wasn't a fantasy at all. He was flesh and blood, a living thing that was real, that I hadn't conjured up. Even though my mystery man had no face, only the piercing light eyes, and the same dark hair, I knew Kerian and he were one and the same. Was it a coincidence that I had pictured the man I'd lose my virginity to? That for years, in my mind, Kerian had taken me in so many ways, had loved me and cherished me? It was too much to think of, too impossible to imagine. Had I seen Kerian before and had never realised it? Had I envisioned him as the man I'd give my innocence to long before I knew who he was?

I pushed all the thoughts away, not wanting to inquire too deeply into what was probably nothing but an overactive imagination. I quickly washed up and dressed for bed, my body worn out from the earlier excitement. I lay there, watching the car lights filter through the blinds on my ceiling. As hard as I tried, I couldn't get the picture of Kerian out of my head. He was the last thing I thought about as my eyes grew heavy and finally closed.

I dreamt of my mother again, but this time she wasn't covered in blood with an empty expression on her face. She sat on the porch swing, the sway of it like a lullaby. I thought this would be a nice dream, a memory I had of my mom. But I realised it wouldn't be as I listened. Nothing. There was no sound, and that same eerie nothingness wrapped around me in a strangling hold. My mother looked into my face just then, a single red tear sliding down her cheek as she smiled sadly at me.

"I wish things could have been different."

I wanted to tell her the same, but I had no voice. The wind started to pick up, so hard and fast that I had to hang onto the banister or it would have taken me away. I looked into her eyes, watching in horror as the wind blew her body in a million tiny pieces. It was like watching sand blow away, a once-solid form turned into nothing. The wind died down and I slid to the ground, weeping as my nightmare sucked the air right from my lungs.

Several weeks passed, and I was stunned at how quickly the time had flown by. I had started my new career without a hitch, but still had yet to meet my bosses—the Caynes. I had been seeing Kerian just about every night, when his work permitted and if I weren't too busy with my new job. We didn't speak about what had happened that night at my house. I tried to bring it up, but he'd change the subject. I took the hint after a couple of times, clearly seeing that when he had accidentally bitten me, it had embarrassed him terribly. I let it go.

Things were going wonderfully, and I couldn't believe how everything was falling into place. I received an assignment for a promotional ad for Westerbrooke Hospital, and more times then not, I stayed busy outlining and detailing that project. Kerian, the gentleman that he was, came over and just watched me, keeping me company as I pieced together what would be the nationwide marketing programme for the hospital. I was stunned when I received a memo from the Caynes that I was to complete this monumental project. It really made me put all of my training to work, because I wanted this to be perfect. Not just because it was my first real project, but also because it was where Kerian worked and I wanted him to be proud of me. I knew I was falling head over heels for him, but on some level I didn't want to admit that even to myself. I guess I was scared to feel so strongly about one person, but the heart knows what the heart wants. I hated to admit it, but every time I saw Kerian, I was giddy and oblivious to the rest of the world.

Tonight was even more exciting for me since Kerian had said he wanted to show me his house. I had just finished the rough draft and the proposal for the Westerbrooke Hospital ad, and gotten it ready to show it to the board members. I was a little worried since I'd never seen my actual bosses. I had spoken to them numerous times, and every time I heard their deep voices, it always put me on edge.

Kerian had told me to ‘dress up', and I was pleasantly surprised when a package arrived for me. I knew who it was from even before I read the card attached to the large white box.

I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, running my fingers through my dark curls. I stared at my blue-eyed reflection and saw a pink blush already marring my cheeks. Kerian had sent me the loveliest red empire waist dress with black ribbon bow under my breasts. Smart that he was, he made sure to send a pair of black peep-toe heels that went perfectly with the dress. I stepped out of the bathroom and looked at the clock on the microwave. I had twenty minutes to go before Kerian would arrive, so I decided to walk to the window and admire the view. The sun was starting to set, and I watched again how the beautiful colours blended together. I saw Kerian at the same time every day, and it was always in the evening. I figured he must work at the hospital during the day, since I never saw him during those times. I felt myself getting more deeply involved with him, and I didn't even try to stop it from happening. I wouldn't let my past interfere with the little bit of perfection I had finally found. I would no longer be the shy, sad girl that had ‘problems'.

The sun sank within minutes and the starry night sky appeared. I grabbed my purse, knowing Kerian would arrive at any moment. He was never late. Sure enough, the deep knock sounded at my door. I prayed it wasn't Christian, since he had been making an appearance more frequently lately. It wasn't as if I didn't think he was nice. On the contrary, he went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable in my new home. It was more like he seemed needy, like I was his only friend. I could understand him being lonely and wanting a strong friendship, and because I knew what he felt, I always had a smile on my face when I saw him.

I opened the door. Thankfully, Kerian's big body stood before me. He held a dozen white roses with a red ribbon tied around the stems.

"Oh, they're so beautiful,” I said. He handed me the flowers and I stepped inside to find a vase. After filling the vase with water and arranging the flowers in it, I set it on my kitchen table and stepped back to admire the thoughtful gift. I felt Kerian's arms wrap around me and I leant back into his embrace. He dipped his head and kissed the side of my neck before he spun me around, making me squeal.

"Your chariot awaits."

I smiled at his choice of words and followed him out. As I turned to lock the door, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Stepping out of his door with a willowy blond on his arm was Christian. He locked up and made his way down the hall with the woman wrapped around him like a second skin. She wore heels as long as my legs, and a dress that looked painted on. He smiled when he saw me and stopped in front of us.

"I see I'm not the only one going out tonight."

The blond giggled against Christian's side. I assumed it was because of whatever his hand was doing behind her back. He winked at me before turning to Kerian and staring at him. There was a long silence. I cleared my throat. That seemed to make the men snap out of whatever haze they were in.

"Well, you two have a wonderful evening. I know Pebbles and I will."

Christian smacked Pebbles’ ass to seal his words, and he looked at me again before he walked past us. He was so strange, not acting like himself at all. Ever since I'd seen him standing in the window staring at me, he acted distant. I tried to talk to him when we passed in the hall, but the encounters were starting to become weird and uncomfortable. He seemed a little jealous, but that was ludicrous. Wasn't it? I mean, we hardly knew each other, really. Aside from a hi or bye in the hallway, we really hadn't held a conversation. Maybe that was the real Christian, and what he showed me was only his welcome to the neighbourhood act.

I know I looked confused, so I shoved the thought away, not wanting it to ruin my night with Kerian. I wasn't close to Christian by any means, but the fact that the personality he'd showed me was no more than an act really pissed me off. I looked over at Kerian as I finished locking my door. His eyes were glued to the departing Christian. His jaw was set and his eyes were slitted. What was going on with the men in this town?

"Are you ready?” He looked down at me, and I was happy to see the angry look he had sported just seconds ago had vanished, as if it were never there.

"Most definitely."

He smiled down at me, all straight white teeth as he took my hand and kissed it. It never ceased to amaze me, the jolt of electricity that went through my body when he touched me.

It took only thirty minutes to get to Kerian's place, and the drive alone was well worth it. We travelled through the mountains on a small road that looked more like dirt then anything else. He had given me a little history lesson on Westerbrooke, and I was amazed that the house he lived in had been in his family for over a hundred years. As we took another turn down an even less paved road, I was surprised his Mercedes could drive so well on the bumpy road. It must have had good shocks. I expected his house to look primitive and old, but to my utter surprise, it looked like it should have been on the cover of Architectural Digest.