Arielle Immortal Fury (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 6) (10 page)

“Thank you for making me so happy,” she said, brushing her
lips against his. “I would love to spend the rest of my life right here lying next to you Mr. Darcy.”

“My Lizzy, I haven’t even started making you happy,” he said. His lips curved up into an amazing smile. She leaned into him,
crushing his lips beneath hers.

“Mmm, what’s that for?” he asked.

“I love you, Sebastian. I love you beyond any human
boundaries, beyond any immortal boundaries.”

“There are no immortal boundaries,” he corrected her and
pressed a quick kiss on the tip of her nose.

“Well, there you go. My love for you is limitless.”

Sebastian grinned. “You make me a very happy man.” He pulled her hard against his masculine body, causing her to gasp with exhilaration.

“Happy twenty-second birthday, baby,” he purred and wound
his
arms about her. “What would you like to do today?” he asked,
tugging at her bottom lip with his teeth.

Arielle gasped against his mouth and pressed closer to explore the softness of her mouth. “I just want to be with you.”

“I’m right here, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

They looked into each other’s eyes and grinned blissfully.
Putting
her hands flat on his chest, she pushed back softly. “I need to get
up.”

“Whatever for?”

“I need to use the bathroom.”

He immediately released her, and she jumped out of bed. “Let's make plans for today,” he called out as the bathroom door closed behind her.

Arielle leaned against the door and smiled wide.
What did I ever do to deserve this much happiness?
She didn’t know what true passion
felt like until Sebastian moved into her soul and etched his name inside. He had conquered her body and spirit, showing her paradise on earth. She would happily follow him to the ends of the earth. With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes. Heated desire rippled across
her body, and she shivered.
How can one person have such an intoxicating effect on me?
She
hauled in a deep breath and peeled herself away from the door,
shaking her head in disbelief.

His eyes were closed when she stepped back into the bedroom. A serene expression spread across his beautiful face.

Arielle chuckled inwardly, intent on startling him. She took a couple of steps and went airborne, planning to fall right on top of him.

She screamed when two strong arms grabbed her midair and
flipped
her onto her back. He pinned her beneath his muscular body. A
robust
laugh escaped Sebastian’s lips, and Arielle giggled joyfully. His
forehead rested against hers, and his lips hovered a breath from her mouth.

“Did you really think you would succeed?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she stammered breathlessly.

“Oh, Arielle, you bring so much happiness and laughter into my life.” His mouth closed over hers, and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him to that kiss. Pulling back, Sebastian gazed into her eyes. “What would you like to do today?”

“I don’t know. I already had an amazing evening in Vienna with the man that I love. I don’t need anything else.”

“But it’s your birthday, so let's do something exciting.”

“Like what?” she asked in an excitable voice. She would be
happy to do anything he wanted.

“I’d like to take you horseback riding. How would you like to call your friends and see if we can all make a day of it?”

She pretended to consider his suggestion and eventually smiled. Remembering how unselfish this man was and that horseback riding was his passion, she decided to become great at it just to please him. “Yes! I’d love to do that,” she said.

Sebastian immediately reached for his mobile. He arranged to meet Troy, Gabby, Ian, Eva, Paul, and Loren at the polo fields, and they were
soon on their horses in no time. They spent the whole day riding
through
scenic trails that were surrounded by abundant foliage. Lakes,
beautiful woods, and wide-open spaces surrounded the country club. Arielle enjoyed listening to the rustling of the leaves in the slight breeze and the constant chirping of the birds flying from tree to tree. Chatted about different things and laughed while swapping amusing stories. They trotted across grassy fields filled with amazing wild flowers that
were swaying in the soft breeze and rode by the lake and crossed
several small creeks until they reached the ocean. The thudding of the hoofs on the
sand was mesmerizing. Arielle was having a wonderful time. She
couldn’t believe how much she was starting to enjoy riding and how good she was getting at handling the horse. Sebastian sent her warm looks of approval, which added to Arielle's happiness.

They didn’t get home until late in the afternoon. She was
completely exhausted but content. In the shower they chatted joyfully about the horses, the ride, and their friends.

“Arielle, baby, I have some paperwork that I need to look over, and then we will talk about tonight,” Sebastian said.

“What do you mean tonight? Sebastian, I am tired. I would
rather
spend the evening alone with you right here,” Arielle said,
suppressing a yawn. Sebastian stifled a chuckle. He dropped a gentle kiss on her
lips and walked out of the bedroom toward his office. Arielle
watched his back until he disappeared at the end of the hall.

“He never gets tired,” she said with amusement. Her head shook with disbelief.

“I heard that,” Sebastian called from the other room.
Bloody hell
, she
thought to herself.
I can’t even whisper in my own house. He hears
everything
. A smile tugged her lips. She slowly turned around and
walked up to the bed, taking a moment to pile the pillows against
the headboard. Then, she took her journal out of the nightstand drawer and climbed onto the bed. After she got comfortable, she thumbed through the pages filled with her most private thoughts until she found the next blank
sheet. She closed her eyes and tried to recall some of the most
significant points that she wanted to document. Then she let the pen glide.

October 23rd

Dear friend,

I’m back ready to let my thoughts run free across your pages. I have a lot of things to tell you, but I have to jump ahead and start with the most significant and most remarkable experience of my entire life.

Yesterday was the day before my 22
nd
birthday, and my birthday
present from Eva and Gabby was something out of a fairytale. I actually traveled back through time with them to meet Sebastian as a mortal man. Eva had secured an invitation to one of his parents' gala held on September 23rd
,
1575, and as outlandish as it sounds, she did in fact transport the three of us back to 1575!

I must say that reality became indistinguishable from fantasy. Time
spent with Sebastian as a mortal man was quite extraordinary, and I
savored each and every moment.

The excitement became overwhelming when we met his parents and his two brothers. We found them to be absolutely amazing people. His mother’s
beauty was that of a Greek goddess. We met people who centuries later
become some of the most famous artists in the world. It was extraordinary! One thing became obvious to me; immortality was not able to bring Sebastian any more beauty that what he already possessed. He was just as stunning as a mortal man as he is today, and I couldn’t peel my eyes away from him. I am so in love with him that I can hardly breathe.

The most astonishing part of the trip was that we spent almost two days in 1575, but when we returned, only 15 minutes had passed. How amazing is that?

Sebastian's reaction when I returned home was a shock to me. The
beautiful gown that Eva created for me to fit the part while attending the gala seemed to bring back memories that shook him to his very core. He was bewildered when he realized that I was the same girl he had met at his parents' gala
and thought he had lost forever. He recalled how hard he had tried to
understand the familiarity of my eyes when first met at the beach at St. Jean last year. It was like
déjà vu
. He couldn’t consciously remember the moment, but he was sure that he had looked into my eyes before.

He had tried for days upon days to evoke the memory, but eventually he had given up. Now he understands the attraction and the familiarity. He told me that he had been in love with me for over five hundred years. I was
excited to grasp a small part of his world when he was a mortal man. I met his family, and I loved them all. I met a lot of his friends, and I was impressed by most of them. I know that Eva and Gabrielle were just as
impressed as I was.

However, his friend Gaston made me quite uncomfortable. I knew he
was an immortal from the moment I set eyes on him, but when I told Sebastian, he couldn’t believe it. Gaston had been his best friend, and he never knew anything about his immortality. I found out that Gaston and Sebastian argued over me the morning after the gala. I caused the severance of their
friendship. But I
can’t truly say that the whole thing bothered me. Gaston gave me the creeps. But even with that one bad incident, nothing will ever compare to this adventure.

Sebastian’s birthday gift was dreamlike. After that amazing adventure with Eva and Gabby, Sebastian had arranged to fly us out of the country on
his private jet for a romantic dinner at an amazing restaurant in Vienna. And as if that wasn’t enough, he gave me a stunning diamond tennis
bracelet that belonged to his mother. I was moved to tears.

Today is my actual birthday, and we spent the day horseback riding with all of our friends. We just got home, and I am completely exhausted. Sebastian has a little paperwork to complete, and I can’t wait for him to come to bed. I want to properly thank him for being the best fiancé in the
world. I am crazy about him. He is truly the most unselfish and thoughtful person. He is my life, my love, and my Darcy.

During my time travel adventure, I finally resolved the enigma about
Brandon Burgejion and his strange insistence that we had met before. We did, in fact, meet in Calais at the gala. How incredible is that? He was Marcus’ best friend. Next time I attend the assembly with Eva, I will remind him of our meeting. I am sure it will create some amazing discussions between the three of us. That will be a good time to find out how he became an immortal.

I need to take a quick shower and wait for my dream to come to bed. I know that we will get very little sleep tonight.

I think I have captured all of the most significant moments since the last time I visited your blank pages. I will be back when I have more to
share.

Arielle closed her journal and put it away. After a warm shower, she climbed into bed. Closing her eyes, she stretched serenely. She was startled by Sebastian’s strong voice. “Arielle, what do you think you’re doing?”

She sat up, and stared at him inquisitively. “What?” she asked groggily.

“You couldn’t possibly think that we are going to bed this early on your birthday, could you?” He grinned and raised a brow.

“Sebastian, I’m exhausted,” she argued and flung herself back onto the bed.

“Mmm…I can’t say that I’m not seriously tempted to jump in
bed with you, but not tonight,” he said.

“But Sebastian, I had tons of gifts. You already flew me to
another country for dinner, you gave me the most exquisite tennis bracelet,
and we spent the whole day with all of our friends doing exactly what I know you love the most. What is there left to do?” She ran her tongue over her lips and smiled alluringly. “Come and lay next to
me,” she murmured, and with her hand, she patted the bed at the spot right next to her.

“Arielle, stop it,” he pleaded. “I want to take you dancing.”

“Dancing! Are you joking?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” He took a couple steps and bent over
the bed, and then he pulled her up into his arms for a sumptuous kiss. Her mind went blank. She sighed with pleasure.

“Can’t we just stay here, please?” she moaned, moving into him suggestively.

“As tempting as you are, I still have to say
no.
We are going out,” he said and shifted away from her. She realized that he must have a good reason for insisting, and there was no point in protesting.

“All right then, I’ll get ready,” she said. She wasn’t going to disappoint him even if she would rather stay in bed.

In the car, Sebastian took Arielle's hand and pressed it softly.
Leaning closer, he said gently into her ear, “I love you, Arielle.”

“And I you,” she said. She raised her face, and their gazes
locked.

“Don’t be mad, baby. I only want to celebrate your birthday.” He drew her to him and pressed a soft kiss on her lips.

“I know; I’m not mad. I’m just tired,” she mumbled and kissed
him
back. She turned and gazed out of the window as she suppressed a yawn.

“Then, look at me and tell me that you love me again.” His voice was tender, seductive.