MY TREMBLING HAND mindlessly reaches to flick on the bedside lamp. If this is my demise, I want to look at death in the face. I want to stare into the eyes of this Dark Warlock as he massacres me. Light floods the room with bright intensity, revealing that no one is there. I am alone. But I know I saw someone. Someone was definitely here hidden in the shadows. I sit up and rub my eyes, scanning the room for any sign of movement or disruption. Just seconds ago I was dreading death, and now I am searching for it.
The faint sounds of raucous lovemaking interrupt my search for my would-be assassin. The moans are melodic and high-pitched. The soprano voice sings praises to her lover, climbing higher and higher in ecstasy. Aurora. Aurora’s cries of pleasure are for Jared. Tightness again grips my chest, causing me to gasp for air. I can hardly breathe; the air in the room has become extremely dense. I pull on my robe and slippers and pad out of the bedroom, desperately trying to escape this reality.
“Can’t sleep either?” Morgan whispers as I enter the kitchen. She’s dressed in a colorful kimono with a silk scarf wrapped around her hair.
“How can I?” I say nodding my head towards the bedroom shared by Jared and Aurora.
“I know, right? Damn! You’d think Jared’s dick was made of gold,” Morgan shakes her head. Leave it up to her to say what I was thinking. “You ok?” She stirs a cup of what looks like tea. It reminds me that I haven’t had my second dose of herbs. Crap.
“I’m alright. It’s just weird between us. And seeing Jared like this with some girl we hardly know…” I shrug and walk over to my purse to retrieve the little container housing Donna’s secret herbal mixture. I place a scoop in a coffee cup and add some of the hot water that Morgan has heated. I’m not sure what it could possibly do. They already know who I am.
“Yeah, I don’t know how you’re doing it. I don’t think I could be ok with this.” She takes a sip of her tea. “When does Dorian get here anyway?”
“He told me Saturday. So later, I assume. I gave him the address before he left so I guess he’ll just show up whenever.”
“Well, at least we’ll have some time to relax. Though I highly doubt I’ll be able to look Aurora or Jared in the eye ever again. Ewwww,” she cringes. “They’ve been going at it for over an hour now! I mean, damn!”
I chuckle and shake my head. There’s not much I can say to that. I’m no prude but witnessing proof of their sexual activities is a bit much for me to stomach. I drink down the bitter herbs and turn to Morgan’s solemn expression. Something else is bugging her.
“You ok, Morgan?”
Morgan looks around, as if someone else is here. “I had a dream. It scared the shit out of me.” Morgan swallows hard before looking down nervously at her teacup.
“Ok, what happened? What was it about?” Whatever it was, it has clearly shaken my usually poised friend.
“There was an old lady in it. She told me darkness is coming. She said it will kill us all.” Morgan closes her eyes, as if to erase the image from her sight. “It was my grandmother. I know it was; I could feel it. I swear, Gabs, it was like she was right next to me!”
I walk towards Morgan and wrap my arms around her. She is panting wildly, clearly petrified and disturbed. I don’t know what to tell her. I, too, know that darkness is coming. It was already here.
“Hey, how about we head to your room and have a sleepover like we used to do? Isn’t there a TV in there? I bet we could find some old cheesy reruns to fall asleep to.”
I give Morgan a reassuring smile and she eventually nods. After placing our empty cups in the sink, I usher her to the master bedroom, thankful that it’s farther from Jared and Aurora’s love nest. We put on an old black and white sitcom and make idle chitchat until we eventually fall asleep, both trying to clear our minds from the ghosts that haunt our dreams and realities.
“BREAKFAST IS READY!” James calls from the other side of the door. He knocks again before opening the bedroom door, finding Morgan and I slowly stirring awake. “Oh, if I would have known it was that kinda party, and would have asked to join!”
“Shut up, James!” We shout in unison.
“Ok, ok, just letting you girls know that Aurora made breakfast.” He closes the door, leaving us to slink out of bed.
“I bet she did,” I mumble.
“Especially after the hurtin’ Jared put on her last night. Bitch probably woke up singing,” Morgan adds. She groggily makes her way to the bathroom while I slip on my robe and retreat to mine.
Ten minutes later, I make my way to the kitchen in sweats and a t-shirt. I have on no makeup, my hair is pulled back in a ponytail and I honestly don’t care. I’ve gotten very little sleep and Aurora and Jared’s sexcapades didn’t make it any easier. If anyone should be embarrassed, it should be them. Yet, they are laughing and smiling as if the entire house didn’t bear witness to their most intimate sounds. It’s as if I have just stepped into the Twilight Zone.
“How do you like your eggs, Gabriella?” Aurora beams from behind the stove. Oh God. It seems as if sex has made her even more chipper.
“Whatever everyone else is eating is fine with me,” I respond munching on a piece of bacon. I go to prepare my herbal tea when I notice the container isn’t where I left it. “Hey, has anyone seen a little plastic container with some tea leaves in it?” I call out.
“Oh that?” Aurora says. “I didn’t realize that was yours. It didn’t smell fresh so I assumed it was left here. I poured them down the disposal, thinking it could possibly be drugs or something. Sorry!”
There are no words. I just see red. Bright, blood red.
I nod slowly and turn on my heel to head back to my room. Hushed voices behind me question what my problem could be. Before I let my temper get the best of me, I click the door shut and block out the world. If Aurora knows what’s good for her, she will stay the hell away from me.
“SO DO YOU think she did it on purpose?” Morgan whispers. We’re at a spa on Main Street, and while I was hoping for a relaxing afternoon, Jared insisted Aurora join us for some girl time.
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t put it past her,” I whisper back.
Aurora is in one of the treatment rooms getting a body scrub. Too bad they can’t scrub that fake smile off her face. Ugh, I really wish I could stop harping on her and just enjoy my massage.
“Feeling any better?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“A little. Thanks for that last night. I really did not want to go back to sleep.” I wish I could tell Morgan that I felt the same way after my own nightmare, and then waking up to find someone in my room. But that would only scare her more than she already is.
After our massages, pedicures, manicures and facials, I feel a lot better, though Aurora’s presence keeps me from relaxing completely. She insists on treating us to lunch as an apology for discarding my herbs and I reluctantly agree.
“Ms. Winters, your visit today has been taken care of,” the front desk receptionist responds handing me back my debit card. I had been internally cringing in expectation of the damage displayed at the register.
“Huh?” I reply dumbfounded.
“Your treatments have already been paid for,” she clarifies.
“By whom?” There must be some mistake.
“Mr. Dorian Skotos, ma’am.”
My eyes widen with shock but it pales in comparison to Aurora’s look of sheer disbelief. I don’t dwell on it though; I’m too excited at the prospect of seeing Dorian.
“He came here?” I ask the receptionist, barely containing my joy.
“No ma’am. He called with his information.”
I try to mask my disappointment with a shrug and a smile, thanking the receptionist before exiting. Aurora leads us to a popular sushi bar nearby. She is just bursting with glee at the fact that she gets to order in Japanese for us. If it weren’t for the fact that we’re sitting close enough to see the chef preparing our maki and sashimi, I’d think she would have instructed him to poison me.
“So I’m assuming you and Dorian are doing well, Gabriella?” Aurora asks as the waitress brings us our sake.
“We’re fine,” I respond.
“Oh, Dorian… So restless. It’s so hard for him to settle down with anyone. I’m sure Jared told you about our history, that is if Dorian hadn’t informed you already,” she smiles sweetly.
I pick up my little cup of sake and down it. I’m going to need more if I am to get through this lunch with Aurora without bloodshed. “Yes, I know about that.” I’m not sure what else I should say to her. Dorian hasn’t exactly been as forthcoming when it comes to that or any other part of his past.
“So you know that we practically grew up together. Shared many firsts together.” The waitress has arrived with our large platter of sushi and Aurora helps herself to a piece of spicy tuna roll. “I just want you to know that what we had is all in the past. I am with Jared now and I really care for him. I know it hasn’t been long but I truly feel like he and I have something special.”
Is this bitch serious?
I look over at Morgan who shrugs her shoulders as if she could hear my unspoken question and continues to enjoy her salmon sashimi. Then I gaze back at Aurora, who is still smiling like an idiot, oblivious of the storm already brewing behind my hazel eyes.
“Aurora, whatever is going on with you and Jared is your business. His happiness is all I care about. And if it’s you that makes him happy, so be it. As far as Dorian goes, I would hope you would show us the same courtesy.” I flash her a sweet smile of my own and take another drink of sake.
Aurora finishes chewing her sushi roll slowly. “Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. I just thought I could warn you about him. He’s never going to commit. I didn’t want you to get hurt like I did,” she says meekly.
“You really shouldn’t concern yourself with that. I’m a big girl. And besides, how do you think Dorian would react to what you are saying right now? Or what Jared would think about you trying to get back with Dorian right before dating him?” I casually pick up a Caterpillar roll with my chopsticks and pop it in my mouth with ease. Morgan signals for more sake, seeing exactly where this heated exchange is heading.
“I’ve underestimated you, Gabriella,” Aurora says darkly. The sweet and innocent act has dissipated. Miss Prim and Proper has an ugly side. “I apologize. No hard feelings?”
“None at all,” I reply, matching her ominous expression.
When we have arrived back at the house, I am in desperate need of some alone time. The guys are still out snowboarding and Aurora and Morgan have decided to watch a movie in the living room. I grab my iPod and one of the extra blankets and head outside. The sun’s warmth is infectious, and I instantly feel better. I sit on the wooden porch swing, wrap the blanket around me then let the music envelop me.
The sunshine feels so good and comforting; I allow my eyes to close and my mind to wander. I think of the days when the most exciting events were ones spent with my closest friends, going out and causing havoc. I think about how close I was with my parents. There was nothing I withheld from them. And I think of Jared- how much he once meant to me. How I would do anything for him, be anything for him. Oh, how times have changed.
Suddenly a gust of cold wind blows past me, causing me to shiver. It’s no longer bright; something has eclipsed the sunshine beaming down on me. Light has abandoned me. My eyes pop open with alarm only to be met by the bluest irises I have ever seen.
Dorian. He’s here.
I quickly sit up and spin around to meet him. He is just as gorgeous as I remember him- smooth olive skin, black hair, perfectly full lips, long, dark lashes. I am instantly elated and soothed by his presence.
“You’re here,” I smile, pulling out my earphones. I realize it’s the first genuine one I’ve had for days, weeks even.
“I am. I missed you.” Dorian leans forward and presses his lips against mine. He pulls away too soon for my satisfaction.
“I missed you too,” I breathe. “So much.” Having him here now makes me realize just how much I have craved Dorian. Feeling the tension and fear literally melt away, I realize how miserable I have been since the last time we were together. My need for him is evolving into an addiction.
“Mmmm. Well, you’ll have to show me just how much that was,” he says wickedly. Oh hell yes; my Dorian is back.
“I can’t wait,” I say biting my bottom lip in anticipation.
Dorian holds out his hand to help me up. I eagerly place mine in his and stand. Feeling his skin on mine sends the familiar shockwaves throughout my entire body. The sensation causes my heart to sputter and ignites a flame down in my belly. Every nerve ending feels as if it being kissed with electricity. Fireworks.
“I have something for you,” he murmurs as we enter the house.
We walk towards the living room and I brace myself for the staggered expression that is sure to be etched on Aurora’s face. Of course, she doesn’t disappoint.
“Dorian! Uh, I didn’t know you were here,” she stammers. Morgan simply beams at the both of us.
“That’s because I just arrived. Now if you’ll excuse me, Gabriella and I have some catching up to do.”
With that, Dorian escorts me to my room and closes the door. He knows exactly where it is without me having to tell him and his carry-on bag is already there. I know it’s odd, considering Morgan and Aurora didn’t see him come in, but I don’t question it. I’m just happy he’s here. Nothing else matters.
“I got this for you while I was away.”
Dorian removes a gift bag and hands it to me. I receive it tentatively and peek inside, pulling out a cerulean blue lace negligee. It’s the same color blue he wore the Sunday before he left for Greece, and it’s gorgeous. I look up and smile brightly at him. Before I can show him just how thankful I am, he pulls out another gift. This time a little box.
“And this. It reminded me of you.”
I open the box and gaze upon the beautiful pendent attached to a white gold chain. A single cultured pearl cradled by dazzling white diamonds, and then those diamonds are surrounded by black diamonds. So simple and understated, yet complex. Like me. It’s incredible and I am struck speechless.
“Do you like it?” Dorian asks after a few moments of me staring at it in awe.
“Oh my God, Dorian. I love it. It’s gorgeous.” I look up at him with grateful eyes. He’s so in tuned to what I want before I even know I want it. “It’s perfect.”
Dorian reaches over and removes the necklace from its box. He stands behind me, taking my hair into his hands and gently sliding it over my shoulder. His soft lips graze my neck before he places the necklace around it. I turn and look up at him lovingly.
“I want you to keep this on, always. And think of me. I want to always be on your mind,” he says tenderly. “As you are always on mine.”
I take the opportunity to wrap my arms around Dorian’s neck, my fingers tangling in his hair furiously as I press my lips to his. He welcomes it, allowing our tongues to slowly dance to the rhythm of our panting breaths. Dorian grips my lower back, crushing my body against his. His hands move down to palm my ass, kneading the soft flesh to the tempo of our intense lip-lock.
Swiftly, he lifts me up, turning and walking towards the bed effortlessly without breaking our kiss. He lies me down gently on my back, and I open my legs wider to welcome his body on top of mine. Fire erupts between us, our friction causing the flames to rage out of control. I clutch his back in desperation, pulling his shirt up over his head. I want to feel his skin on mine. As if reading my mind, Dorian moves his hands up my sweater, quickly relinquishing me of it. He eyes the black floral lace bra he purchased for me from Cashmere. The contrast of the dark fabric against my creamy beige skin causes him to take in a sharp breath. He gently caresses the tops of my cleavage appreciatively, his long fingers stroking each curve and mound. His touch is so erotic and deliberate; my nerve endings come to life with every stroke. God, I’ve missed him.
Dorian’s index finger moves under the front clasp of my bra. But before he can undo it, we hear the booming sounds of laughter from the living room. The guys are back, and their liveliness has intruded on our intimate moment. Dorian slowly closes his eyes to compose himself then sits up to my dismay.
“We better save this for later,” he mutters, offering his hand to help me up. I sigh heavily and reluctantly take it.
We search for our shirts and slide them on, though I can’t mask my irritated expression. I’ve been waiting to be with Dorian for two weeks. Not only feel him inside of me but just to have him near me. His proximity makes me feel whole, complete. It soothes me and I feel secure and safe with him. I’ve concluded that whatever he is, his powers have healing and comforting properties, not unlike the gifts of the Light. Dorian is too good to be anything less.
Dorian and I begrudgingly leave the sanctuary of the bedroom. He grabs my hand, our fingers intertwining like old lovers, and leads me out to my rowdy crowd of friends. And Aurora. Conversation ceases as we approach and I smile nervously to break the tension. Jared looks uncomfortable with Dorian’s presence, and I can’t help but feel glad that he’s affected. Having Aurora here hasn’t exactly been a cakewalk, especially with them being so openly affectionate. Though I would never flaunt my relationship with Dorian to prove a point, it feels good to know that Jared’s getting just a tiny taste of his own medicine.
“Hey guys,” Morgan says to break the ice. “We were just talking about our plans for this evening. Since the guys really don’t want to go to the event I had set up, any thoughts?”
“I may have a suggestion,” Dorian says. “There’s a place that just opened up here. I think you all may like it. My treat, of course. And I just so happen to know the owner.” I look up to give Dorian a curious smirk, and he returns it with a wink. Something tells me that I know the owner too.
“Sounds great!” Morgan says. Everyone else nods approvingly, even Jared, to my surprise.
After we’ve all been dismissed to get dressed, Dorian and I are back in the confines of the bedroom. There’s only one thing on my mind, and dinner is not it. I want to show him just how much I’ve missed him, just how much I need him. I want to show him how much I love him.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I breathe once I’ve clicked the door closed. My body is craving him like never before.
“Come here.”
Dorian pulls his shirt over his head, exposing his tan, chiseled chest, his tattoo peeking out from under his arm. His blue eyes are alight with desire, beckoning me to come to him. I saunter my way to him, offering my body. He strokes my cheek with the back of his hand adoringly and gives me a half-smile, as if I am a child. A little girl, as he likes to call me. Being in his presence, in all his glorious beauty and domineering power, I feel like one. Not because he makes me feel inferior but because I want to relinquish myself to him. I want to be his sacrificial little lamb.
Dorian grabs the hem of my sweater and slowly pulls it over my head. His eyes never leave mine, yet his hands caress my smooth skin with precision. It’s as if he is studying every curve, rise and line. A blind man who is committing my body to memory.
I gasp at the feel of his strong yet gentle fingertips. They roam to the button of my jeans, unfastening them without pause. They slide off my hips slowly and I step out of them, gazing back up to Dorian to ensure that the gesture pleases him. The blue fire in his eyes tells me that it does. I tentatively reach to undo the button of his slacks, being sure not to break eye contact in the process. I fumble a bit but soon they fall from the severe cuts of his hips. I let my fingertips explore the hard defined muscle and resist the urge to run my tongue along them. Every bit of him is mouthwatering; how can I not want him?
We stand face to face, next to naked, unable to tear our eyes away from each other. Dorian lets his finger slide under the clasp of my bra, this time unfastening it quickly. My perky breasts are grateful for the release and throb under his appreciative gaze. He cups them gently, tenderly, grazing his thumbs along my nipples. My body trembles in response and a soft moan falls from my lips before Dorian swallows it, covering my mouth with his. Our kiss is deep, passionate, and urgent. Desperation drips from our lips, tongues tangled in a sensual tug of war. He lays me down on the bed, climbing on top of me and scooting me upwards, never breaking our kiss. His hand slides under the waistband of my panties and he easily slides them off. I reach to remove his boxers, and he aids me in my efforts, kicking them off eagerly. This is it- what I have been waiting for, yearning for.
Dorian guides himself into my warmth, easing himself in inch by inch. He is so careful and gentle, leaving soft kisses on my neck and shoulders before finding my lips again. He stretches me, fills me, lives in me. With slow, measured strokes, Dorian loves me from the inside out. I am covered by him, totally consumed by him in every way.
This time is different. Admitting to myself that I love him has made this act so much more meaningful. It’s as if Dorian has heard my secret admission and is feeding my love for him. Once again, he is giving me what I want, what I need, without my asking. He knows my heart just as well as he knows my body. The two have become one and the same.
Together we climb, seeking the warmth and solitude of our twin peaks. I flex my hips against him and wrap my legs around his waist. This new layer of depth excites him and he plunges even deeper. My fingers grab handfuls of his soft tresses, pulling gently as he sinks inside of me faster and faster. A low guttural groan erupts from his throat; he’s almost there. I, too, feel it surging from every limb, traveling swiftly to my burning heat. I can taste it; sweet release is so close.
Then in an intense wave of passion, it drowns me. I can no longer see or hear or even breathe. Dorian has taken me under with him, and we are lost at sea. There’s no use in fighting against the current, because it has already won. Dorian has already won. I wholeheartedly surrender to him, mind, body and soul.
“We should get ready,” Dorian pants after several minutes. He is still on top of me, still inside me. I sluggishly nod, unable to speak. My devastating orgasm has relinquished me of all my faculties.
Dorian pulls out of me to my disappointment, and grabs my hands to lift me up. My limbs are like Jell-O and my head rolls around on my neck like a newborn.
“Come on, little girl. We need to shower,” he chuckles. Seeing me so undone is amusing for him. Proof of his victory over me.
“Nooo,” I groan begrudgingly. All I want to do is sleep. How can he expect me to function after ruining me like that?
Dorian lifts me onto my feet despite my protest and leads me to the bathroom. He turns on the shower and ushers me inside, as if I am helpless. In this moment, I am. He has created this convalescent.
“I would take you right here in this shower, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t make it,” he smirks. He’s right. Instead, he washes my body meticulously and tenderly. He even washes my hair, his long magical fingers massaging my scalp.
“That feels so good,” I finally say when I’ve regained my sense of speech. I suddenly remember his first gift of the day. “Thank you for the spa treatments. It was so surprising; how did you know? You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I wanted to. Since I couldn’t be here with you.” He rinses the shampoo from my hair with the detachable shower head. “And I assume Aurora wasn’t easy to stomach. You surely needed to unwind,” he adds with a chuckle.
“Holy crap. I don’t see how you stayed with her for so long,” I say shaking my head. There. That got his attention.
Dorian furrows his brow, realizing what I’m trying to get at. I know about his past with Aurora. “Is that what she told you?” He begins to wash his own body. I would like to do it for him but right now, I want to get to the bottom of this. And touching him will only distract me.
“Between what she told Jared, and then told me earlier today at lunch, I could say I have a pretty good idea of what you two shared,” I reply stiffly.
“Aurora and I were children then. Like I said, she wanted more. More than I was willing to give her or anybody else. I thought you understood.” Dorian puts his head back in the stream of water, looking every bit like a model for some fancy shampoo ad. It’s hard for me to be irritated or even questioning when he looks so sexy.
“I’m not really worried about it or jealous of something that happened long before me. I was just caught off guard, you know. I didn’t like feeling like Jared had information that wasn’t shared with me,” I say meekly. His beauty has taken all the fight out of me.
“Maybe she thought there was more to it than there really was. I don’t know. But I do know that there has been nothing between us romantically for many years.”
Dorian leans forward to plant a kiss on my pout before turning off the water. He then steps out, naked and glistening to retrieve our towels. After wrapping one around me, he takes one for himself. So thoughtful and caring; how can I even think of being angry?
“I believe you. Now get out so I can get pretty,” I smile playfully, easing him out of the bathroom.
Forty-five minutes of primping later, I am dressed in my new sexy white dress and heels. Soft dark curls cascade down my back, and I’ve expertly applied my makeup for a smoky, sultry effect. The necklace Dorian gave me goes with it perfectly, and the pendant peeks out from the keyhole opening in the front. Dorian has gone out into the living room so I can get ready, armed with a bottle of Ouzo from Greece for my friends. He’s making an effort with them and it sounds as if they are all warming up to him nicely.
I emerge from the bedroom, and all heads turn to me and gasp. But the only reaction I care about in this moment is Dorian’s. He gazes at me in awe and my cheeks heat under his display of approval. I step tentatively towards my friends and Dorian, genuinely happy that for once, almost everyone that I love is all under one roof. Even Aurora’s scowl couldn’t ruin this for me. I look at Jared standing beside her, his eyes full of admiration and uncertainty. Just weeks ago, his attention was the only I sought. Now a Greek god stands before me, and I am his choice. He chose me.
Dorian approaches me eagerly, bathing my neck and ear with praise and kisses. The public display of affection is uncomfortable at first, with having such an audience, but I let myself enjoy the attention. He wants to show me just how much I mean to him, and why should I stop him?
“Ok, ok, lovebirds! Are we all ready to go?” Morgan says over the roar of chatter. We all nod and head out to the van.
James has offered to chauffeur us in the van tonight. However, when we step outside, we are all floored by the sight of an SUV limousine. I immediately look at Dorian, who nonchalantly shrugs his shoulders. He is just full of surprises today.
“Whoa! Now this is how you party in style!” Miguel exclaims checking out the exterior. I’ve gathered that it’s a stretch Hummer but that’s as far as my car expertise goes.
After a barrage of enthusiastic gratitude, which Dorian humbly accepts, we all clamber in excitedly. The interior is incredibly plush, stocked with champagne and enough room for a party of 20. I’ve only been in a limo once, and that was sharing it with 12 other rowdy teens at prom. Half of them I either didn’t know or didn’t care for but it was an experience nonetheless.
Morgan pops the champagne with ease and lets it bubble and flow into the flutes. I go to assist her and we giggle like schoolgirls, attempting to fill each glass without spilling a drop. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Aurora slide next to Dorian while the guys play with all the limo’s gadgets and secret compartments. She is whispering to him, something in Greek it sounds, and I will myself to play it cool. Just two old friends catching up, I tell myself.
Then her speech changes, as if speaking in a different dialect. Maybe a different language altogether. However, this language I can understand. At least bits and pieces. I have never known any language other than English so I am secretly floored by this revelation.
Unfortunately, that is not the most surprising factor. What she murmurs to him- the scattered words I am able to make out- that is what leaves me breathless.
“Safe…the Dark Light…Kill her.”
Then Dorian coolly turns to his old flame and companion and utters in this unnamed tongue, “Yes.”