Stone Guardian (6 page)

“Where are we going?” she asked as she kicked the dress away and stumbled forward.

“To a place that will ensure I can love on you uninterrupted for as long as possible.” They entered a marble-floored foyer and faced a bank of stainless steel doors.

Walking up to the first elevator, he stabbed the button. The doors opened with a faint swish. Timur stepped into the cab, flicked the console embedded in the wall open and placed his palm on the screen. Ember brushed against his shoulder to see what he was doing. He swung around and yanked her into his arms, then flipped them to push her up against the wall. She felt the edge of his teeth graze the tender skin of her throat as he slowly moved down her body.

The doors reopened and a faint chime dinged. Distracted by the way they continued to slide back and forth when a floor wasn’t chosen, she gave up caring when Timur wrapped his lips around her taut nipple and used his other hand to palm her breast. Ember tangled her fingers in his hair, tugging at the soft strands. Wisps of air enfolded her wet tip, tightening the nub as he slid his mouth from one breast to the other. Her vision blurred as he rolled his tongue over the sensitive bud. Holding his locks in a tight fist, she tried to push his head down her form and met with resistance. Her body hummed under his touch and her pussy throbbed. She needed to feel his mouth against her vagina. She spoke but her words were monosyllabic gibberish. He bit down and she arched her back, pushing more of her areola into his mouth. Timur released her breast with a wet
pop
and dropped minute kisses along her ribcage.

She dropped her head forward and watched his descent as he slid his palm down her body, followed by his mouth. He laved her navel, sucking on the skin below it. Timur tugged at the thin elastic band of her thong, and snapped it with minimal effort. He pressed his lips above the hairline on her mons then looped an arm under her knee, hiked up her leg and placed it on his shoulder. Thrown off balance she threw her arms up, planting her palms flat on the wall for balance. She curled her fingers and her nails scratched the metal surface. She felt his breath flow over her nether lips and closed her eyes to the erotic image of his face so close to her pussy.

He skimmed his digits up her inner thighs, and a fluttering sensation filled the pit of her stomach. His cool, blunt fingertip eased between her labia and she had a hard time catching her breath. Her juices ran over the delicate tissue of her pussy. Butterflies building at her core turned into tingles skating along her nerve endings. Timur delved his digits deeper, tracing her moist folds and slipping a finger into her channel. Her leg gave out and she started to slide down the wall. He held her in place, splaying a large hand across her abdomen. Ember opened her eyes and met his stare as he looked up at her. Holding his gaze, she watched as he wrapped his lips around her clitoris and sucked it.

She drew in an audible breath as he eased her other leg up and over his shoulder. The smell of sex filled the cab and she felt another finger join the first. The prickles became waves of electricity coursing through her veins, and the rhythmic thrust of his fingers made her roll her pelvis against his mouth. He pulled his hand free and gripped her hips in both palms. Releasing her nubbin, he hiked her up higher, lapping at the cream that coated her pussy. She tried to snap her legs shut, locking his head between them. Holding her upright he pried her thighs apart and continued licking her dew-laden nether lips. Ember wondered why he was breathing so hard until she realized the panting was coming from her. Currents of sensation formed into a tight ball at her core.

He worked his tongue into her passage, sliding it in and out of her channel while massaging her clit by pressing it between his digits. The world around her exploded, making her hyper aware. Their grunts and moans were amplified, while the colors around her became more vivid. She opened her mouth and cried out, the pleasure too much to contain. Her orgasm crashed through her, making her limbs shudder in its aftermath. The elevator lights flickered and the doors finally stopped, settling into a closed position.

Suddenly, the elevator started moving.

Timur rose while he licked her essence from his fingers. He swung around, blocking her view when the ding of the cab alerted them that it was stopping. The door opened to an elderly man with a miniature brown and white furred dog nestled in the crook of his arm.

He raised a brow. “Good to see you again, Mr. Fortescue. Mr. Denton didn’t mention that you were in town.”

Ember went up on the tip of her toes and leaned on Timur’s back to try and see over his shoulder.

“Oh, and you brought company.” A crooked smile blossomed across the old guy’s face as he stared at her inquisitively, a knowing gleam in his eye.

Ember pursed her lips and blew the elderly fellow a kiss before winking. She watched as a deep, red hue crawled up his neck. Giggling, she ducked her head.

“My apologies, Mr. Smythe. I returned to town unexpectedly. As you can see, this elevator is occupied. I’m sure you don’t mind summoning the other cab.” Timur pushed the appropriate button and nodded as the door closed.

Ember thought she heard the elderly gentleman chuckle before he muttered, “Yes, I’ve no doubt you’ll be busy.”

She took stock of their appearance in the polished steel and groaned. Timur’s erection was evident in the leg of his pants. Thankfully his muscular bulk completely blocked her from Smythe’s view. No longer able to stay on her toes, she settled back on her feet.

“What’s the S for?”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Subterranean level. I like that word better than basement.”

“So your apartment is in the basement?”

“Yes, my lair is underground, and other than Kirill you’re the only person who knows its location.” He turned to face her.

“Oh…wow, really.”

“Yes. The condos above us are rented out.”

“That’s cool, but why the hotel rooms?”

“I have to be careful. My enemies, both mortal and paranormal, would pay a lot of money to find me.” His smile was rueful. “Actually, I believe I’m probably the last of my kind, so I’d like to stick around a little longer.”

“My grandma always told me still waters run deep.” She sighed. “I’d bet a paycheck you’re not the only gargoyle left. Since I’m on leave, I’m a little short at the moment though.”

The cab chimed and shuddered to a stop, and the door opened to reveal a tiled foyer identical to the one they’d left. He held out his hand. “Uh-huh, welcome to my home.”

When they stepped out he flipped open a small compartment inserted in the wall and placed his palm on it before pressing the key pad with his finger. The door swished shut but the numbers didn’t change on the console above them.

He spun on his heel and pulled her with him. She caught glimpses of large, dark furniture pieces and shelves filled with books. If she wasn’t mistaken there were lots of tomes, stacks of them as they passed rooms. He stopped and turned the knob on the door at the end of the hall. It swung open and he reached into the darkness. Lamps flicked on, immersing the room in a soft amber glow.

Against the far wall was a massive four poster bed covered with bed clothes in varying shades of red, gold and burnt orange. The colors reminded her of a sunset or a sunrise. The walls were tinted a pale yellow, with large black and white photographs of the Eiffel tower taken from different angles dominating a corner of the room. Beneath the artwork, two overstuffed lounge chairs faced each other. Next to the arm of one furniture piece a globe sat atop a tall end table.

Large floor-to-ceiling book shelves lined the two adjacent walls. A doorway flanked by columns broke up the continuity of the volumes. Lamps with thin white paper shades hung from the ceiling at opposite ends of a wall, illuminating the room.

“I take it you like to read.” She spun around, taking in everything. “But where do you keep your clothes?”

“Knowledge is power. Do I really need an outfit right now?” His laugh was robust and made her smile.

Ember tilted her head and stared at him. His features had softened to the point where he looked almost boyish. It dawned on her how hard his life must be. To be constantly looking over his shoulder for anything amiss and expecting an attack that could bring about his demise. Ember realized he had taken a great stride in bringing her to his secret sanctuary.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He took the few steps to close the gap between them. “I want you to know as long as we’re together I will always keep your safe.”

She couldn’t help it, her smile grew wider. She had to look like an utter fool. “Why, are you planning on going somewhere soon? Oh, don’t forget, we left my dress and gun on the roof.”

“
Amant
, I don’t plan on leaving you able to stand tonight, and I’ll take care of your things later.” He kissed her temple and took her hand.

Walking backward, he pulled her toward the columns that formed an opening between the book shelves. He lifted her palm to his lips and kissed each fingertip. Overhead lights flashed on as they stepped over the threshold. A double shower stall surrounded by a glass enclosure was nestled in the corner. An opening carved out of the wall held stacks of fluffy towels and wash clothes while a half wall blocked off what she assumed was the toilet. Against the far wall, dual glass bowls rested on pedestals, chrome faucets appeared to flow from the mirrors over the sinks.

Timur took off his ruined jacket and dropped it where he stood. She watched, enthralled, as he started to remove the rest of his clothes. He eased the buttons on his shirt from the holes one at a time and left the garment hanging open as he slid his fingers under the waist band of his slacks. She swallowed, sure he could hear her heartbeat from his spot a few feet from her. He unfastened his pants and lowered the zipper. Boom-chica-wow-wow stripper music tumbled through her mind as he pushed them over lean hips. Released, his cock bobbed, begging for her attention.

Ember sucked her bottom lip between her teeth as he stepped out of his clothes and stalked over to her. She let out an
eep
when he scooped her up and carried her toward the shower stall, stopping long enough to grab a cloth from the shelf. Once they entered, he slid her down his body and she felt every ridge and indentation.

A deluge of water fell from the wide showerhead in heavy drops like a rain storm. The cold water made her jump. Streams of warmer water started pouring from the jets implanted in the walls and steam filled the enclosure.

Timur yanked her up against him. “Now, where were we?”

* * * *

Rivulets of water formed tributaries which ran down Ember’s body. He reveled in the lush softness of her form pressed up against his. His beast shredded his insides anxious to get to Ember. Taking his time only seemed to anger the creature he harbored within, but he didn’t want to scare her. Not that it appeared to be a problem now. When he was with her, the heavy burden of a curse that had haunted him for centuries no longer felt like a guillotine hanging over his head. Her mouth touched his throat and his thoughts of status, the treasure hunt, everything, dissipated. Timur skimmed his hands down her spine and grabbed her ass.

Lifting her off her feet he pushed her up against the glass wall and pinned her with his body. His cock thumped the inside of her thigh and her scent filled the room. The smell of vanilla enveloped him, soothing the monster he harbored. She hiked her legs up, wrapping them around his waist.

Flush against her body, he felt her nipples tighten against his chest and the heels of her feet dig into the small of his back. Timur lowered his head and grazed his lips over the shell of her ear. “I never thought I could need someone so much.”

A flex of his pelvis and he eased into her channel. The muscles of her passage undulated around him and he went still. He pulled out to the tip of his cockhead and thrust into her again. She pushed down on his shoulders, sliding up the glass. Her nails cut into his back as he gripped her hips and drove himself deeper into her, again, forming a rhythm. In the background the sound of rushing water competed with her moans. His fingers dug into her butt cheeks, keeping her aloft. She thrashed her head as her rippling channel tightened around his shaft. Warm, dense, mist filled the enclosure, hiding their lower bodies. Ember dropped her head into the crook of his neck and wailed against his skin. Her body started to tremble and he drove himself deep while embracing her against his chest. The animal within him roared in satisfaction as gratification rippled through his frame. He opened his mouth, and the primal yell that escaped made the glass vibrate as he released his seed. Everything went black as momentary blindness struck him.

“Wow.” She slumped against him.

He waited a few minutes until his vision cleared. Flush with her form, he was unwilling to separate from her. Sighing, he brushed the braids away from her face, set her onto her feet and turned off the water. She wobbled in place and he kept a hand on her to hold her steady. She lifted her face and met his gaze with a half-lidded stare and cocky smirk.

Timur shook his head and pushed the stall door open. “Come on
amant
, let’s get you to bed.”

She planted her feet. “Wait, no, aren’t you coming to bed too? What’s an amaahan?”