Fueled by Lust: Caelius (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  Rhia tried to stifle a moan when his hand slid to her ass and squeezed.

  “I have absolutely no desire for a female like that, nor do I want to lie down with a body that barely has enough meat on it to be considered healthy. You stimulate my mind, which appears to have a direct link to my dick. Your body is perfect to me. Yes, I see that the flesh is not as firm as that young girls’, and I’m not blind to the fact that your breasts are not stuck up under your throat. None of that matters to me.” He palmed her cheek and spoke softly to her.

  “I see you, Rhia. Just you. Now burn this truth into your brilliant mind. My cock would not be this hard if I didn’t find you extremely attractive. Now, will you please stop bringing up our age difference and let me take advantage of you? The water will start to cool and my dick is going to shrink.”

  Rhia burst out laughing. She couldn’t help herself. Quickly shaking her head and patting him on the chest, she tried to get her shit together.

  “Jane Russell, huh? You just knocked years of angst right out of my head. I think she was hot. I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at me. You’re right. I’m starting to sound like a harpy and that’s the last thing I want to do. I’ve never been a whiner, so I sure as hell want to nip that in the bud right now. I’ve been feeling out of sorts with so much scrutiny on something that’s been hidden away for three years now. Screw it. I’m going to stop acting like I’m about to enter a nursing home and enjoy what I have with you at the moment. So, do your worst, wild man.”

  Lifting up on her toes, Rhia wrapped her arms around his neck and let him devour her mouth. She was surprised when his kisses turned soft and tender. He was sipping at her lips like she was precious and breakable. Her heart melted.

  Caelius pulled back, smiled, and began to turn her body into a puddle of mush. He spent an inordinate amount of time washing every inch of her body, even her toes. It was like he was trying to make a point that he really did cherish her. By the time he’d rinsed the soap from her skin, her pussy was fired up and looking for some action. He didn’t disappoint.

  “Turn and face the wall, sweetness. I want to get a good look at your heart-shaped ass while I enter you. Don’t move. I’m going to put on a condom.” She heard the slide of the shower door and the distinctive sound of ripping foil. His curse startled her.

  “Gods damn! I hate these fucking things.”

  Looking over her shoulder, she saw him battling to roll the thin latex over his shaft and it was a losing battle. It was entirely too small.

  “Throw it away, Caelius.”

  “What?”

  “Toss it out. You’re never going to get it on. Take me bare.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m going to trust you. Did you use a condom with your first?”

  “Yes?”

  “You’ve not been with anyone else?”

  “No.”

  “The last encounter I’ve had since my divorce was with you last night. I can say with conviction that it’s okay to toss that damn thing.”

  “You’ll get no argument from me.”

  “Good. Now slip that fat cock inside. I’m ready to get the shit spoiled out of me.”

  “No problem.”

  Rhia groaned as she felt him push tentatively inside her. He was as hard as a post and pushed her walls to the brink. She loved every damn minute of it. Rocking her hips, she willed her muscles to loosen the death grip on his cock and allowed him to inch slowly inside her. Over and over he gradually pushed forward, retreated, and glided back in.

  His growing moan of pleasure ramped up her need. Lifting her leg to rest along the edge of the tub, she bent her elbows and pushed back against his pelvis. She felt him slide as deep as he was going to get. Firm hands clamped on to her hips, and he whispered huskily to her.

  “You have no idea how beautiful you are. You look like Aphrodite stepping from her bath. I love watching myself slide in and out of you. My bare skin is slick with your juices. It feels wonderful, Rhia.”

  Caelius dug deep and rotated his pelvis each time he slipped back inside her. He was so big that every nerve ending and erogenous zone got the pleasure of his touch. From this angle, he was steadily knocking on that G-spot, and it was definitely answering. She was panting within minutes.

  “Umm, yes press your ass back against me, sweetness. I love how you arch your back and take me deep inside. Oh, yes. Just like that. Squeeze me again. I feel your pussy fluttering like a trapped bird. Tam bona, Rhia. So good. So good.”

  He couldn’t stop touching her, and she reveled in it. His fingers slid across her cheek, grazed her neck, stroked her hair, slid down her back, and paused over her ass cheeks. There, he spent more time. His palm rubbed and massaged her quivering flesh. When his hand slid back to her hip and grasped it firmly, she knew she was about to go on a hard ride.

  “Touch yourself, Rhia. I want to see that arm moving for me. I’m going to take you hard. I cannot hold myself back any longer.”

  Pushing her hand between her legs, Rhia moaned when her fingers slipped across her hard bud. She rubbed furiously against the flesh, then forked her fingers and slid them to both sides of the dick making quick work of fucking her. Pressing her palm flat, she set up a furious pace and felt his thighs tighten against the back of hers. He growled and moaned before his voice could return.

  “Ah, fuck! That feels good. Yes, touch me. You’re going to make me come, Rhia. Umm…don’t stop.”

  His pace became frantic. Over and over he slammed into her. Their flesh slapped together in harmony, blending rhythmically with the pounding spray. His grip tightened, and he nearly lifted her from the floor as his strokes became shorter and more insistent. He’d found her sweet spot and rode it like a pro. She tried to speak through bouts of frantic breathing.

  “Yes, right there, Caelius. You got it. You got it. Don’t move. Stay right there.” His hand moved away from her right hip and slid over to her ass. A finger slipped into her puckered hole, and the resulting orgasm ripped her from sanity.

  “Son of a bitch! Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck!” She felt her pussy lock tight against his cock and refuse to let go. His shout triggered the release of her muscles, and she melted around him. With each hard clamp, he pounded furiously into her. She could feel deep warmth fill her channel and knew that he was releasing inside her. It felt right.

  Tingling fingers of electricity wrapped her skin, and she gasped for air. Her skin buzzed and rippled like something was trying to enter her pores, but was stuck and searching for an entry. Words…no…feelings of pure emotion whispered through her mind. When her vision dimmed to gray, she screamed his name to the ceiling and felt his chest press heavily against her back. His deep voice was raspy and taxed.

  “It’s okay. It’s okay. Shh, sweetness. It’s gone. It’s gone.”

  His arms wrapped her up tightly, and she pressed her forehead to the ceramic. He cupped her mound and held her steady as he pushed gently into her. Gradually he decreased the tempo until his sated cock slipped heavily from her sheath.

  Trembling, they fell from the sky together until they were nothing but loose skin and lungs fighting for air. She felt him pick her up and slam his back against the wall. Her head hung on a loose neck, and she watched his perfectly beautiful feet brace against the side of the tub in an attempt to keep them standing. He was so god damn strong.

  Rhia was in awe and unable to keep the tears at bay. When he set her down, she swiveled in his arms. Rhia held him tightly as he stroked her back, spoke sweetly in her ear, and kissed her neck over and over.

  “You’re too good for me, mea amor. I’m not worthy.”

  Chapter 9

  Rhia stood in the shower and watched Caelius’s large frame try to navigate out of the small door. His shoulders were too broad and he’d had to turn sidewise to get out. Geez, he was huge. After they’d gotten the use of their legs back, he’d thoroughly cleaned her and offered to help her out of the shower. She sweetly refu
sed and told him she’d be right out. She needed another few minutes to scrub her face. That wasn’t it at all. Their encounter had left her shaken. Obviously, it had done a number on him, too. He looked stunned.

  Never in her life had she experienced something that overwhelmingly beautiful. She’d felt like they’d started to merge into one entity. It was insane. Just as quickly, the feeling had fled and cracked her emotions wide open. Crying wasn’t her thing, never had been, but in that one moment, she’d wanted to burst with this strange new feeling and it was the only outlet allowed to her. Never would she admit to him that she was in love. It couldn’t work and she’d be damned if she’d let that elusive, indefinable emotion have another crack at her heart. No, this had to stay on the physical level and at arm’s length. It was the only way she’d be able to survive when he finally got his head straight and left.

  Slumping against the tile, Rhia released her held breath and willed her muscles to relax. She was going to keep this simple. Get out, get dressed, go make them breakfast, and then sweetly kiss him good-bye. That didn’t seem hard. She could do it. Within minutes, the decision was taken from her hands.

  “Sweetness?”

  Peering around the shower door, she looked at Caelius doing the same to the bathroom door.

  “Yes?”

  “I want to apologize. I’ve received a call and have to leave. I hate missing your breakfast. I was looking forward to it. I’m sorry.”

  Rhia tried to balance the dueling emotions of disappointment and relief flying through her body. She was at war with herself over the direction she wanted this to take. She opted for the road most traveled.

  “No, no need to apologize. It’s okay. I understand. Go. Take care of what you need to do. I’ll see you later.” She was surprised when he approached the shower and clasped her behind the neck. His kiss was a mixture of urgency, tenderness, and sadness all at the same time.

  “I enjoyed being with you, Rhia.” He studied her eyes as if expecting something.

  She didn’t know how to respond or what he wanted, so she kept it simple.

  “I did, too. Be careful.”

  He kissed her nose and started to turn. She couldn’t see his face when he spoke.

  “I’ll see you soon, Rhia.”

  She cleared her throat. “Definitely. I’ll see you in class.”

  “Good-bye, my bellula.” Then he was gone.

  One heavy sigh later, Rhia wrapped herself in a towel and made her way into the bedroom. She gazed at the wrecked bed then decided she’d leave the sheets on for one more night. She knew she’d find some small comfort if she could smell him on the pillows. A soft breeze blew across her skin, and she shivered. It was the same feeling she’d gotten this morning when she’d woken.

  A movement to her left caught her attention. Crap! Her window was open. A soft breeze was gently pushing the curtains out and back. She didn’t remember opening it last night. Walking over, she found her deadbolt screw lying on the windowsill. Perhaps Caelius had opened it to get some fresh air after he’d put her through that marathon session? Hell, he didn’t have much worry of being attacked, so it stood to reason. It felt nice to feel fresh air blowing through the room. Glancing around, she spotted her screwdriver on top of the dresser. However, it was one of her stationary sheets lying underneath it that held her attention.

  The words on the page were bold and strong, just like him. Even with his verbal good-bye, he’d thought to tell her more.

  My sweet Rhia,

  I’ve received a call that something is amiss at home. I hate leaving so soon. I was looking forward to your culinary expertise this morning. My stomach rumbles at the thought.

  I did not wish to leave you so quickly, please know this. I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you that I think you are stunning and beautiful. You are unique and completely unaware of how special you are. I am the fortunate one to have spent time with you. Never doubt yourself again, sweetness.

  Caelius xoxo

  Rhia smiled, folded the letter, and slipped it into her top drawer. He was letting her down easily. She knew he’d written the letter before he’d come back into the bathroom. There hadn’t been time before she’d come out. He’d thought to leave quietly, yet he was still a true gentleman and had made that difficult walk to speak with her in person. She’d be grateful to him for at least respecting her that much. Doug hadn’t even left a note, and they’d been married for seventeen years.

  Bending to pick up her errant clothes he’d skillfully removed from her body last night, she chuckled when she was unable to locate her thong. Looks like he’s snagged himself a souvenir. Throwing on a T-shirt and shorts, she smiled and made her way to the kitchen. The thought that he’d want to keep something personal from their one-night stand sat perfectly well with her. This day wasn’t going to suck after all.

  * * * *

  Caelius’s brain reeled from the news he’d received from Petrus’s urgent mind-call. The emperor was missing. How much more fucked up could this day get? All warriors had been called in to meet at the club, so he had no choice but to leave. Decisions had to be made regarding who would be called up for the mission. The selections would depend on the amount of bodies needed, skill set, and level of experience. He seriously doubted he’d have to report back home, but one never knew. When called up by the war consul, you didn’t disobey.

  He was still shaky over the incident with Rhia in the shower and tried to calm himself as he navigated the highway. It wouldn’t do anyone any good if he wrapped himself around a pole. Shit! Everything that he’d said to her, every word used to convince her, as well as himself, of their need to be together had come to a screeching halt when he’d almost misted while he’d made love to her. If it hadn’t been for the water beating down on his back, he’d have lost complete control. His energy had leapt from his body at the first sign of acceptance from her and smashed against her skin. He’d felt it beating at her flesh, demanding entry. He’d wanted her so badly, he’d convinced himself that perhaps the mating might yet occur. He was still suffering from the valiant effort of reeling that massive amount of energy back inside and slamming hard barriers around it.

  The only thing that would have come from letting it have free rein was her immediate understanding that he was not from this Earth. They couldn’t finalize the Occasio surge, much less the final mark. No matter how many times his core energy emerged and investigated her essence, it was wasted effort. Their molecular level didn’t match. There would be no melding. That realization was sufficiently branded into his brain when he’d spotted the imprint of his mating necklace against her neck. He’d clasped the tooth bouncing across his chest and was stunned to realize it was still as cold as it had been last night.

  Then the most ridiculously simple thought finally rested in his brain and promptly cracked his heart into a million pieces. The necklace was trying to tell him over and over that it wasn’t Rhia that wasn’t a match. It was him. He wasn’t compatible with her. She could find another mate amongst his brethren, and it would never be him. The thought still made him want to howl in agony. He would kill any warrior that came near her. He knew this to be the truth as easily as he knew his own name. He would tell no one of her existence. She was his, even if he had to love her from afar.

  * * * *

  Caelius glared through the two-way mirror overlooking the Heat Seekers main stage and tried to keep his stomach from emptying. He was up next, and he didn’t have the energy to continue this farce. The place was packed, and there were numerous necks and wrists to touch before the night was complete. He’d actually thought to stay home for a few days, but with a third of the warriors gone, he’d been asked to arrive for the shows until other arrangements could be made.

  Turning, he plopped down on a chair and hung his head. He’d made a quick drive-by of Rhia’s pastry shop and was still reeling from catching a brief glimpse of her behind the counter. She was smiling at the two men perched on barstools close to the register.
The brothers were back.

  The two must’ve realized he hadn’t been there for the last three days and were probably thinking she was available again. This knowledge sat like a stone in his gut. He knew what they were after. These males shared a woman. Two for the price of one. Gods! He hoped Rhia would give them as much trouble getting to know her as he’d endured. He wanted badly to be a fly on the wall when she kicked them to the curb. His sweetness would never go for that. At least that was his fervent prayer. He’d been happy to see Scott hovering close in the background. His face spoke volumes. Rhia’s boss wasn’t any happier with the duo than he was. Knowing Scott would keep an eye on her had kept him from completely losing it and stomping into the shop to make a fool of himself.

  Caelius took small comfort in realizing the flowers he’d had delivered were still sitting by the register. At least she hadn’t thrown them out. He could have easily sent them to her house, but he wanted the world to see that he was still lurking around somewhere. Obviously it hadn’t worked. He couldn’t even bring himself to go to class today. One look into her eyes or a whiff of her jasmine scent and he’d be right back where he started—heading nowhere, and with her in tow. It was unfair to keep dragging her emotions around. He loved her enough to stay out of her life and let her forget he ever existed. It saddened him that she could possibly hate his guts right now.

  A hard shove to his shoulder snapped him out of his morose internal crap. He glanced up. Nikos was staring at him as if he’d lost his mind, which wasn’t far off from the truth.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you, Caelius? Didn’t you hear your name? You’re on.”