Page 60 of Guided by the Stars (Creating Destiny #1)

Nora

When Destiny Demands Claiming

“I swear, Baby Girl, if you don’t plant your sexy ass down, I’m going to spank it and tie you down to me.” Stopped in my tracks, my cheeks flame red. His words no longer fluster me, but the images creeping into my mind do.

“By the looks of it, I got your attention now,” he taunts, giving me a shit-eating grin while patting the cushion beside him.

“Asshole,” I playfully mutter and slump down, huffing out a deep sigh.

I’ve been pacing back and forward for so long I left tread marks on their carpet.

I can’t help it. My brain has been on overdrive, strangled by the lack of Alexius’ presence.

He sent a message to Daemyn saying I was safe and that no one sensed me, but he never returned.

He left on his mission with the sexy Goddess of Love and we have no idea when he will be back.

At this point, I welcome any trick Daemyn has to calm me down .

Daemyn explained that finding the islands was tricky.

Something about the sea water mixing with the soil from the Mortal World, protecting their lands from intruders.

They are like the King and Queens of their own island that only the nymphs and ruling gods can control who enters, making it visible only when they want it to be.

It’s left Alexius gone for days. The gnawing in my gut is growing each hour.

If only he would have said goodbye or something, instead of just storming off pissed.

He vanished, leaving poor Daemyn to break the news that Adriane is to meet frickin’ Hades, and there is nothing we can do to help.

I’m useless, afraid, and craving the feelings of safety that Alexius provides.

Daemyn’s hands land on my shoulder, pushing me to the side and drawing me closer at the same time. “Come on, babe, lean back.” He’ll get no arguments from me. I let his firm hands take control, offering to untangle the tension this mess has caused.

“I told you already, Jax won’t let Adriane get tricked by Hades. Have faith in him. He won’t let her get tied to the Underworld,” Daemyn reassures me for the hundredth time as his hands massage my shoulders.

I’m attempting to hold on to hope, believing in his words, but I can’t shut my mind off.

My imagination has spiraled through countless horrific images of demons and tortured souls hurting my best friend.

It’s the Underworld, where darkness can smother the strongest of souls.

How much more can Adriane handle before she’s left as an unrecognizable, distant version of herself, broken from the inside out?

“You’re doing it again. Stop blocking me.

Your worry is overpowering both of us.” The smell of fresh mint blows past my nose, and the warmth of his breath trails goosebumps over my skin.

He’s leaning closer, probably too close with his bare chest to my overheated back, and his hands kneading down my spine.

“Just try to relax,” his voice dips low into a smokey whisper and I release a small moan as his hands push into my tense muscles and his power coats over me.

Daemyn and I jump stupidly, crashing closer together when the house rattles from the force of the front door slamming shut. Turning our heads in shock, we welcome home the Beast.

Daemyn’s hands on my body, the spilt tea in front of me, the brush of cold lingering in the air, it all fades. Everything around me evaporates the moment my eyes meet the stone-cold glare from Alexius, his presence commanding my absolute attention.

My eyes roam over the perfection of the body in front of me.

He’s wearing dark blue jeans that mold to his flawless hips, paired with a simple black t-shirt that tightens with each deep breath he takes.

The Beast is in full form, attempting to control his aggression.

His face is pulled tight with jealousy as his eyes bounce between Daemyn and I, trying to navigate the dimly drawn lines.

He’s sinful, which is making it hard to breathe, or maybe it’s the growing tension saturating the air surrounding us.

Whatever it is, the magnetic pull is strong between us and I want nothing more than to run into his arms. Unfortunately, he’s stronger.

I glance away, dropping my head. There are no words uttered, no apology, no explanation.

There is only the heavy steps Alexius takes storming into the kitchen, forcing the barrier between us.

“And to think you missed him.” Daemyn’s laughter is cut short by the shove I give him. I don’t know what it was I was expecting with him coming home, but that wasn’t it. It never is with Alexius .

“Don’t be like that, Baby Girl,” Daemyn says, throwing his arm over my shoulder and pulling me into a side hug.

“You know as well as I do that he missed you too.” I smile weakly at him and he rolls his eyes before continuing, “Babe, you’re not getting it, Alexius doesn’t know the first thing about someone caring about him.

He’s an ass for the way he is handling it, but he’s just as confused as you are, and trying his best to do what’s right to protect you.

” He gives me a quick squeeze before letting go and getting up, making his way to the door.

“Or, you know, you could go in there and strip for him,” he laughs at his own damn joke, walking out the door, dodging the pillow I throw at him.

I’ve been there, done that, literally throwing my clothes off for him and he returns home and blocks me completely out. “Alright I can do this,” I huff, dragging myself off the couch and making my way towards the kitchen.

My heart skips an extra beat upon seeing Alexius. Even pissed and hovering over the sink with his back towards me, he’s sexy as hell, gripping the counter with enough force that his knuckles have turned white.

The warning flashing in my head makes me hesitate for a split second before I shake it off and reach forward.

I place one hand on his back while the other curls around his bicep.

“Alexius, talk to me,” my voice comes out strained, aching for him to let that hold he has over himself crumble.

He’s lined with tension, putting the barrier up between us, but there is not a single part of me that wants to walk out that door, leaving him alone with his own discomfort.

Despite his body remaining rigid, his muscles flex under my touch, while his mind is trapped with the thoughts circling in his head .

I step in a little closer, letting my hands move of their own accord as they rub across his back and down his arm. I watch his neck pulse with the deep swallow he takes, keeping his eyes closed. “Please,” I beg with a whisper. My body leans into his, my mouth reaching for his ear. “Let me in.”

He turns around and his blue eyes, as dark as murky water, flash open with a lust mirroring mine as he grabs a hold of my waist. His hands squeeze tight into my skin, lifting me up, and my ass slams down on the table.

Heat erupts instantly and before my mind catches up, I’m pushed flat on my back, feeling the cool wood through the thin fabric of my shirt as his fingers trail down to my boxers.

The cold air surrounding us instantly brushes against me as he yanks them off in one swift motion.

“Open,” he growls from the back of his throat, pushing my knees apart.

“You know how fucking wet you are?” He crouches, giving me a wink before lowering his eyes, focusing all of his attention between my legs.

Shame should wash over me, but that primal look, the way he is licking his lips and the hunger in face, it’s turning me on as much as his touch.

Stubble scratches against my bare thighs and my breath catches in my throat. I can’t control the moans, feeling the little scrapes move upwards along with his warm breath, shooting tingles all the way to my toes. “So damn perfect. Ready and waiting.”

“Fuck!” I scream. His warm tongue hits home, pushing inside my pussy, licking up against me. He’s slow, concise, with the perfect pressure as he makes his way up to circle against my clit. “Oh my fucking God, Alexius!”

“Quiet, love. Daemyn’s still here,” his husky voice commands as he tosses my legs over his shoulders, his face digging further into me .

“Shit.” I bite down, tossing my head back, the sensation of his fingers overwhelming me. He’s pushing hard inside of me, his moist tongue ravaging me, sending me over that edge again.

“Beast, fuck!” I grunt, an insane pressure shooting through me as I lift my hips, grinding to meet his tongue, lick for lick.

I fight my moans, holding back, but fuck being quiet.

“Oh my God!” I scream as his fingers curl, pumping in harder and his mouth sucks with a hunger unlike ever before, coaxing every nerve in my body to tighten.

I squeeze my eyes shut as energy soars, shooting through me, a powerful force spiraling me out of control.

“Alexius,” I yell, shaking against him in absolute bliss.

My body goes limp, sagging against the cold table that’s cooling down my heated flesh. I jolt up, fisting my hands into his shirt, having no time to recover as Alexius steps away. “No!” I mumble, refusing him to create that distance.

I inch my body closer, crashing my hardened nipples against him, forcing our bodies to mold together without an inch between us. Our hearts beating erratically against each other as we stare at one another, face to face.

Supported by a confidence I don’t recognize, I squeeze my hands tighter, lifting his shirt and tossing it aside.

My palms push flat against his chest, resting on either side of his family crest. He’s tense, his muscles twitching under my fingers as I trail lower over every mark they ever gave him.

I make a point to touch each reminder of how different our worlds are until my fingers reach his belt buckle.