The Guardian of My Soul (Soul's Desire) (28 page)

“Check that door!” I heard a man’s voice and saw the door-knob turn a moment later.

“It’s locked!” somebody else replied.

“Break the damn door! Get out of my way!”

I almost screamed when I recognized Alec’s unmistakable voice. More tears streamed down my cheeks, every bit of me dying to get into his arms.

Niall’s hand clamped over my mouth, but despite my desperate struggle, he was too strong and I didn’t manage to free myself from his grip.

“Kristen!” Alec called in despair outside the metal door separating us.

“Son, what are you doing?” Ryan asked, sounding appalled.

“Give me the gun back!” someone shouted.

“I know she’s in there! Out of my way!”

“Sir, stop him!”

“Son!”

My knees buckled at the sound of two gunshots, but he quickly dragged me back up and pinned me in front of him, growling with a sound which made the hair at my nape stand on end. I stopped struggling. The shaking fits were quite severe and seemed to have made a permanent impression upon my nervous system.

Alec pushed the door open and rushed inside followed by his father and a few policemen, pointing the gun in our direction. He visibly bristled at the sight before him, then snarled, “Get your filthy hands off of her!”

“Son, give me the gun,” Ryan directed. Despite the confidence of his tone his face puckered with worry, and I could see his eyes growing large as he noticed the walls.

“Oh my God...” one policeman said when he saw them too.

“How the hell did you get here?” Niall roared back, tightening his grip.

I struggled to breathe and Alec instinctively stepped closer.

“Stay away! I’m not afraid to hurt her!” he warned.

My eyes locked with Alec’s. He looked like he was suffering indescribable agony. So was I.

“And I’m not afraid to shoot you, you low-life monster!” Alec retorted.

“Go ahead! Shoot her first!” Niall prompted.

“Son, take it easy,” Ryan directed, trying to calm him. “You’d better let the girl go. You won’t get away with this. Let her go and nothing will happen to you.”

“I want everyone out now!” Niall snapped, apparently having no intention to give up easily. He stubbornly used me as a human shield, certain Alec wouldn’t dare to shoot in my direction.

“You know, I don’t need a gun to beat the crap out of you!”

“Well, that’s all you can do, isn’t it?”

When Niall’s fingers loosened the grip a little, I took advantage of it and leaned to one side.

The sound of a gunshot came immediately and I fell, seeing the ground rush up to meet me.

*  *  *

I opened my eyes slowly and felt a pang of relief when I realized I was safe at home, resting in my bed. I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten there, but to me it felt as though I’d been reborn. The low sobs caused me to turn my head to the right where Mom sat curled in a tight ball on the couch.

“Mom?” I murmured low.

She raised her head and rushed to my side in an instant, her eyes red, her face washed with tears.

“Mom, don’t cry...” More tears escaped her and it only made me want to cry as well. “Please...”

“How—”

“No...I don’t want to talk about it. Not today...”

She cuddled next to me and held me tight. It felt good to be in her arms, surrounded by her warmth.

Paola walked in after knocking on the door. Her face brightened when she found me awake. She sat on my other side and took my hand in hers. “I was really worried about you,” she said, surprising me with the honesty in her words. “I’m glad they got there in time.”

“Thanks...” I whispered and this time there was no trace of annoyance in my voice as I addressed myself to her.

“Lillian, Ryan wants to speak to you,” she informed her.

“Not now...”

“He says it’s important.”

Mom sighed, getting up reluctantly. “Baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you...” She burst out crying again.

“Oh, Mom...” I watched her leave, knowing she was hurting and hating herself for everything that had happened.

“That was easy,” Paola said, confusing me.

“What was?”

“Getting her out of the room.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Alec wants to see you.” She smiled knowingly.

I gulped forcefully, not sure what to say to her. I was pretty sure my cheeks had turned pink.

“It’s okay...” She winked and walked out too.

I raised myself higher in bed when Alec snuck inside. I glanced at him concerned as he stopped by the door. “What is it? Come here...” I murmured weary.

He came to me agonizingly slow. I could tell something was bothering him. He couldn’t even look at me as he occupied the space where Paola had been a moment earlier. Little tears glistened brightly in the corners of his eyes. His hands shook.

I swung my arms around his neck and pulled him to me.

He responded with a tight embrace which left me almost breathless. “I’m so sorry,” he cried. “I will never forgive myself for—”

“Stop it! It was not your fault!”

“Yes it was! You could have been hurt. I should have never left your door. Dad and I were trying to figure out who had sent those pictures and—”

“Wait, what? Your dad knows about the pictures?” I let go of him, searching his face.

He nodded lightly. “I told him everything. I needed his help. Things were getting out of—”

“What did he say?” I asked, desperate to hear more.

“He didn’t run off to tell your mom about it like I thought he would. When I told him how we felt for one another, he offered to help.”

I couldn’t help the happy grin which spread across my face. “I always knew deep down he was a good man.”

“Yeah,” he grumbled, running his fingers through his hair.

“How much did you tell him?”

“Everything...I didn’t give him the details, though.” He added quickly when my face went blank. “He knows about our little escapade at Lake Tahoe.”

“I see...um...how did Paola find out?” I quirked an eyebrow at him suspiciously.

He shrugged, giving me his most innocent look. “I guess she figured it out herself. No clue.” He took my hand and played with my fingers absentmindedly.

“Alec...how did you know where I was?”

His lips pressed into a straight line. For a moment his eyes dropped to the Pandora bracelet on my wrist, then he looked back into mine.

“What?” I queried intrigued.

“When you decided to wear my bracelet every day...I...I may have attached a tracking device to it.” His voice was low and uneasy when he spoke, blinking innocently at me as if waiting to be scolded.

My eyes grew large, but I wasn’t sure of what to say to him. “So...your bracelet saved my life?” My eyes watered and closed for a moment.

“When Dad and I returned, you weren’t in your office. I wanted to call you, but your phone was on your desk, so we searched the entire building. There was no trace of you. We panicked and went to your mom. She nearly had a heart attack when we told her we couldn’t find you. Then I remembered the tracking device. That’s how we found out you were 30 miles away from LA. But when we discovered the property belonged to that monster, Dad insisted we called the police. Then we broke in...”

I bit my quivering lip. “I went to the bathroom because I was feeling sick. I think I passed out. The next thing I remember is waking up in that basement. I was so scared.” A sob left my throat.

“Baby, I’m so sorry,” he muttered, pulling me into another tight embrace.

“Is he dead?” I choked.

He shook his head. “He’s in the hospital in critical condition. The bullet hit him in the neck. He may not survive.” His beautiful face suddenly twisted into a mask of sorrow. “I didn’t fire. I was too afraid I might hit you instead. I’m good with guns, but I didn’t get a chance. After you fainted, he launched himself at us and it was a policeman who shot him. He should have killed him! I wanted to! He deserved to die.”

“Don’t say that.” I shivered. “The man is disturbed. Even though he’s a horrible person, I’m glad you weren’t the one who pulled the trigger. I was so afraid something was going to happen to you. I need you here, with me.” I pressed my lips to his cheek and hugged him again.

“The doctor had to drug your mom. She had a panic attack when she found out who had kidnapped you. She kept calling your name and saying she was sorry for not believing you. The police had her call him to make sure he was there with you. They tracked his phone.”

I released a long, heavy breath. “I’ll talk to her and make sure she’s okay. I might not be able to get her off my back for a while now.” My skin tingled where his mouth brushed along my jaw line, pressing soft kisses.

“I still don’t understand how he managed to get me out of the building...”

“We checked the security cameras and realized none of them were working. That’s when we truly panicked.” He looked into my eyes with grief, torment and fear. “Please tell me he didn’t touch you...” he begged, nuzzling my nose. It was the tiniest touch, but it sent more tingles through me.

“No. He didn’t. You got there in time...” I leaned closer and fluttered my eyelashes against his cheek. The sound he made was almost imperceptible, but my body registered it, needing his.

“I am not letting you out of my sight again. You can’t get rid of me.” His mouth crushed down on mine, releasing all the passion and fury his heart had held back. In one fluid move I was beneath him on the bed. Desire erupted with such force, such speed, it made my insides churn. His tongue flirted with my own, dancing around it, winding me up. The delicious weight of his body pressed me down, while his clean natural male smell wafted to me and permeated my brain.

The door opened abruptly and we froze in place, staring at it wide-eyed.

“Quick! She’s coming back!” Paola warned us, a trace of anxiety on her face. “I so knew this,” she murmured with a smile.

Alec moved to the couch and I adjusted myself in bed, still surprised Paola now seemed to be on my side. I felt thankful, but I couldn’t shake my worries away.

Mom entered with a tray of food and climbed next to me in bed. She didn’t seem to notice anyone else but me and I knew it would take a while for her to get over the shock.

I let her feed and pamper me. “How come you didn’t take me to the hospital?”

“The press found out,” Alec said when she couldn’t respond. “We thought you’d be safer here. We brought you straight home in the ambulance. The doctors checked you out and Mrs. Mancuso said you’d rather wake up in your own bed...”

“Mom. Thank you.” I wiped her tears with my thumbs, reassuring her of my wellbeing. “I’m so glad to be home.” I pulled her close and looked at Alec. “With all of you.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Two months later...

The sun was beaming down on me joyfully. My face was warm, my body was burning. I closed my eyes and took deep, long breaths as I stood on the edge of the pool, ready to take a dip. Strong arms encircled my waist right when I was about to jump. I moaned and leaned back into him, stroking his forearms lightly.

“How did you know it was me?” Alec chuckled childishly.

I looked up at him and smiled. “Well, who else could it have been?” I teased, making him pout. “I would recognize your embrace and your yummy scent anywhere...”

“Yummy scent?” He laughed, filling my neck and shoulder with hot kisses.

“Oh, yeah.” I bit my lip and moaned my pleasure, letting my eyes close. “Taking advantage that Mom’s in New York, aren’t you? Don’t forget about Paola...”

“She went out with Jake. I guess she’s trying to make the best of her last week in the U.S.,” he replied, grazing his teeth against the soft skin of my neck. “Let’s go for a ride.”

“Mmm, I’d rather stay here and continue with this...” My eyes sprang open and I gasped when his hand slid into my bikini bottoms, his fingers rubbing gently between my legs.

“We can do this later.” He grinned wolfishly, pulling away all too soon.

“You can’t do that to me!” I laughed, whacking him on the shoulder.

“You have ten minutes to get ready.” He pulled me to him and stole a kiss on the lips, faster than I could protest.

*  *  *

Dressed in a simple yellow shirt, a pair of denim shorts, a cap and dark sunglasses, I sat comfortably in the passenger’s seat while he drove, gazing at him with curiosity.

“I still can’t believe you said no to sex for this.”

My comment made him laugh. “I’m not saying no, baby. Just later...”

“So where are you taking me?” I finally turned to the road and realized we were on the highway. My eyes grew larger and larger when it eventually dawned on me. “Alec! Are we going to San Francisco?”

“Mom is anxious to meet you. She’s been bugging me to bring you there for a while now.”

I gaped at him dismayed. “What? Alec! I’m not even dressed properly! And I didn’t pack any clothes,” I complained, slouching back into my seat.

“I packed everything you’ll need while you were getting tanned, don’t worry.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I wanted you to be yourself and not exaggerate or freak out, like you are totally doing right now. Please, Kris. You have nothing to worry about.”

I put my feet up on the dashboard, reclined my seat and looked out the window, willing myself to remain calm. After all, I’d always been curious to meet the mother of the only man I’d ever loved.

When we arrived in San Francisco around dinner time, I could hardly bring myself to get out of the car.

Alec opened the door for me and offered me his hand. The sneaky smile on his face only made me want to kick him. “I know, I know, I owe you one.” He winked, his grin widening.

“You owe me a lot.” I pouted, putting my hand in his.

He pulled me in a tight embrace before we entered the building, holding hands as we went up the stairs. The moment he opened the door to the apartment, the Rottweiler rushed to him, jumping up and down with excitement, making him laugh.

I couldn’t help but smile at the lovely scene. “Now I know why Fred likes you so much. You’re great with dogs.”

“Alec?” A woman’s voice sounded from the kitchen, and I took a deep breath to calm my frazzled nerves. “Son!” She beamed at him when she showed up, opening her arms wide to receive him. Her body was slim and trim, curved and lovely. Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a pony-tail and tears of joy glittered in her big green eyes. She was a natural beauty and I instantly knew where Alec had gotten his good looks from.

He gladly stepped into her embrace and kissed her cheeks, neither of them letting go for what seemed like forever. “Mom, I want you to meet Kristen,” he said as he turned around and reached for my hand.

Her expression was of pure delight at the sight of me, more tears gathering in her beautiful eyes. “Oh, honey...” Her warm hug washed my worries away, making me feel welcomed. “I am Madelyn Holt and I’m so excited to finally meet you.” She gave me a gentle squeeze before she let go.

“I told you there was nothing to worry about.” Alec looked satisfied, making me flush. “Where’s my sister?” he asked quickly and pulled me into him.

“In her room. Go get her while I serve this lovely lady something to drink.” She smiled, leading me toward the couch. “I’m so happy you could come. I hope you’ll enjoy the food I made for you.” Her merry mood was infectious and I found myself smiling brightly.

Alec soon reemerged, his arm hanging around his sister’s shoulder. Her resemblance to her mother was striking. The wavy hair which fell to her shoulders was a soft honey blonde. Her green eyes were challenging, carefully assessing me.

“Kristen, meet my sister, Diane.”

I approached her smiling and offered her my hand, but she didn’t seem too happy to see me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Diane.” I looked at her, not sure if she felt the same. “Um, Alec had only nice things to say about you.”

“I would hope so,” she said, looking up at him.

He rolled his eyes playfully and turned to his mother. “Mom, we’re hungry. Is dinner ready?”

“Oh, yes. Let’s eat.” She seemed unable to quench her growing excitement and my heart settled to its normal pace.

The roasted beef with vegetables made my taste buds tingle. It was absolutely delicious and I was so hungry I finished everything on my plate faster than they did. “This was so good. Thank you.” I took another sip of red wine, holding my hand against my now full stomach.

“Would you like some more?” Madelyn offered, but I kindly refused. “There’s also dessert. So tell me, dear. Does your mother know about your relationship?”

Dreading this subject, I went numb and felt the blood drain from my face. “No, not yet. But I plan to tell her. It’s been crazy these last couple of months. Since the incident...”

She nodded slowly. “Does she know you’re here?”

“No. She’s in New York.”

“Why won’t she accept my brother?” Diane asked and something in her tone and the way she looked at me gave me the impression she didn’t like me very much.

“Diane...” Alec intervened, looking at her warningly.

“This is absurd.” She leaned back and crossed her arms, eyeing us both.

“I love my mother, but I will not let her meddle in our relationship. So her opinion doesn’t really matter,” I assured her quietly.

*  *  *

“Your sister hates me.” I threw myself defeated on his bed after dinner.

“Nah...she’s only being protective of me. Don’t mind her. She just needs to get to know you.”

“Does she think the same way you thought of me the first time we met?” I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

He looked at me but said nothing. Grabbing the hem of his T-shirt, he pulled it over his head and let it fall to the ground. His hands then worked to free himself from his jeans.

“Answer me...” I mumbled, staring at his abs. I raised myself on my elbows when he removed his underwear as well, but I refused to look down, knowing I’d be lost if I did.

He came over and sat right next to me. His hands moved up and down my legs, kneading them slowly.

“No, don’t distract me. This is serious,” I complained, feeling my skin shiver at the gentle contact.

He took my hand and passed it over his torso, moving it lower to where he needed it most, but I resisted him and pulled my hand back grumpily.

Grabbing a small pillow, I placed it on his lap to cover him up.

“What are you doing?”

“Hiding the temptation,” I replied hoarsely.

He looked down at me with that self-assured smirk which always exasperated me in the past. I frowned at him in response. “What? This morning you were so receptive and wanting...”

“Well, not until we talk.”

“Fine,” he mumbled, tossing the pillow away, but I still refused to look at
it
. “Diane thinks we won’t last long together and you’ll get bored when you find someone better.”

“Describe better, Alec. What could be better than this? I have everything with you. I love you! Why can’t everyone understand that and give me a break? Do I honestly look so superficial?” My heart constricted.

“She’ll change her mind once she sees how special you are. Please don’t let this ruin our mood. It’s just you and me. No one else’s opinion matters, remember?”

I nodded lightly, but couldn’t help feeling a little hurt.

He unbuttoned my shorts and tugged them down before I could catch myself.

“What are
you
doing?” I queried, toying with him.

“Uncovering the temptation.” He reached for my panties too, but I stopped him.

“It doesn’t want to be uncovered...”

“What? Of course it does!” He seemed very certain.

“Alec, your mom is next door.” I blushed sheepishly.

He smiled and brought his hand up, brushing a lock of hair away from my face, hooking it over my ear. “She wouldn’t mind if she heard something. She knows I’m happy. But we’ll be quiet, I promise.”

“Can you turn the lights off?”

He chuckled, visibly intrigued by my request. “So now you’re shy? I know your body so well, babe. You have nothing left to hide.”

I poked my tongue out, eliciting another fit of laughter from him. “Just humor me,” I pleaded and quickly removed the rest of my clothes when he walked over to the switch. Then I circled his waist from behind, my lips filling his back with tiny kisses. His muscles tensed.

“Ohh, now we’re talking. I want you, K. So much...”

“K?” I giggled, squeezing him as hard as I could, pressing my cheek against his back.

“Yes, that’s what I’ll be calling you from now on.” He turned around to hug me too.

“So you went from Miss to Kristen, then Kris and now K? I wonder what’s next.” I combed my fingers through his sexy hair, smiling at him in the semi obscurity.

“Next comes some mind-blowing sex that will have you screaming.”

“I’m not allowed to scream, remember?” I pushed him onto the bed and crawled on top of him, enjoying the satisfied look he was giving me.

“I wanted to taste your lips all day.” He let me know and sucked my bottom lip. I couldn’t hold back the feminine snarl of pleasure if I tried.

My hand went straight to his throbbing member and stroked up and down its length as his hands moved all over me, from breast to thigh. Sexy, hoarse growls rumbled from his throat as if they were relieved to escape.

Alec moaned a sigh when he touched me intimately and discovered the creamy liquid dripping down his fingers. I whimpered when he pushed two inside of me, curling them in a come hither motion. “God, I love when you do that,” was all I could say as I squeezed my inner muscles deliciously around them.

“Turn around...I want to taste you...there...” he whispered the words, shooting a jet of heat straight to my loins.

I quickly obeyed him, lowering myself until his lips reached my soft spot and I shivered, his hands grabbing my bottom and pressing me lower still. Leaning forward, I began stroking him again, watching him grow bigger, harder. The tip of my tongue traced the smooth head before I slowly took it in my mouth and sucked. The swirl of his tongue around my tender opening maddened me, making it extremely hard for me to remain silent or focus on my own pleasurable task. I felt like sinking my teeth into him when he shoved his tongue as deep inside my channel as it could go, but I tried to be gentle and not hurt him. My hand and mouth worked together to gift him pure, blissful pleasure.

Hot thrills exploded inside me and I wiggled when he bit and tugged on my sensitive flesh, nibbling expertly. My lips pressed tightly around him, holding back the scream threatening to escape as he flicked his tongue across my clit faster and faster, while sliding his fingers in and out of me repeatedly. My body began to shake underneath the pressure of his tongue. Each time I took him deeper down my throat, he tensed up and his response was to vigorously suck on my most delicate spot and move his fingers quicker in an out of me, driving me absolutely insane.

“Enough...” he commanded.

A prickle of sweat rose on my forehead as I released him and got off. Excitement-filled blood surged through my veins, knowing he was about to fill me up, completing me in that deliciously intimate way. Rolling on top of me, he pinned my hands above my head. I felt dominated and adored. I was oblivious to everything around me. The tremor of pleasure starting at my throbbing vagina and pulsing up my spine as he pushed himself inside of me with such tenderness made me gasp. I arched my back from the joy my body was feeling, looking into his beautiful eyes.

He started slow, stroking my inner walls with a gentleness which felt as if I was getting the most amazing internal massage. I instinctively pulled my knees up, allowing him a deeper penetration.

“Kiss me...” I pleaded, wishing I could fist my hand in that sexy hair of his, but I was trapped, unable to move.

Alec lowered his lips to mine and our tongues met in a soft, sensuous swirl, awakening my passion as I could taste myself on him. His thrusts were gentle, sliding partway inside my warm, slick passage, then pulling almost all the way out, only to push back in deeper, giving me the impression he could caress my womb.

“Ohh, that feels so good, Alec...” I whimpered against his lips, undulating my hips.

Lowering himself more, he took my nipple into his mouth, drawing hard until I released a sharp moan and wriggled beneath him to free my hands and stroke him too. He refused to let go of my wrists. Each time he was deep inside he made an amazing figure eight motion with his hips, creating more friction and making sure I felt every inch of him. As he picked up the pace, his thrusts set my clit on fire, producing a sexy slapping sound as he pumped into my creamy wetness.

I wanted him right back in each time he withdrew, and he groaned against my breasts, sucking and biting my peaks as I wrapped my legs around his waist to lock him inside. My hands went straight to his hair when he released them, feathering the strands through my fingers and giving a small tug.

He cupped my butt with one hand, pressing me even tighter to his groin. His expressive eyes penetrated mine.

“More...” I panted.

A small smile played at the corners of his mouth, and then he nuzzled my nose before pressing his lips to mine, his wet tongue slipping in to find my own again.

Sparkles of delight filled me. My vagina tightened and released repeatedly around him. There was no frenzy or fervor in his movements, nothing but pure sensuality, like a lingering massage in slow motion. Then, as his fingers found my sweet spot, the familiar tingling from the base of my spine streamed through me.