Synching With the Devil's Son

Chapter 20

Lucien's P.O.V.

I feel it in my gut when Bella starts to cry again. I know they are tears of relief, but they kill me just the same. I want to comfort her, a feeling completely foreign to me, so I pull her into my embrace and promise her it's going to be okay, she's safe, the bear is gone. Her skin is so soft beneath my fingers, so warm and feminine, that I can't help but be entranced by her. For the first time in my life I want something more than just a beautiful face or body, I want a woman with substance and character, someone like Bella. I'm startled out of my reverie when she admonishes me for facing off with the bear. She cares enough about me to worry about my safety? That thought brings a warmth that spreads throughout my body. I can't remember the last time somebody worried about me, except maybe my mother, but that was centuries ago. Right now all I can think about is plundering those incredible lips of hers. Will she let me? I lean towards her, giving her every opportunity to back away or tell me no, and when she reaches up to meet me, our lips connect. I feel a surge of desire wash over me and all of the sudden nothing has any meaning except the small connection of my lips on hers. She's so soft, her mouth is so warm, her tongue fights with mine so perfectly that I am lost in the sensation of her in my arms. I know if I don't stop soon, I'm going to scare her with the evidence of how much I want her. So I cool it, put her back on her feet and kiss her face gently. When I step away to see if she was affected as much as I was by that kiss, I can tell she's about to collapse where she stands. It's been a long night for her, so I suggest we start heading back to camp. I grasp her small hand gently in mine, marveling at how perfect it fits in my palm while trying to control the surge of delight I feel, and begin leading her back down the mountain.

After a few missteps and stumbles, I stop walking and turn to face her. "Would you like me to carry you back?" I ask. When she just stares at me like I've grown another head I say, "I just finished cleaning all the blood off you from your previous dive into the bushes, I don't really want to start all over again if you tumble down the mountain," I tease her gently.

When she continues to stare at me with her incredible luminous hazel eyes, I feel my heart stutter.

"You can't carry me all the way back, Lucien," she murmurs, stifling a yawn. She is so adorable as she stands there, swaying on her feet, that I can't help but grin at her. She literally has no idea what I am capable of.

"Of course I can, you're a tiny little thing. Come here," I instruct her, reaching below her knees and around her back to lift her off the ground. I feel her arm go around my shoulders, her head resting on my chest, and for a moment I am stunned immobile at her innate trust in me. I pull myself out of my reverie and start heading down the mountain. It's not long before I know my undulating movements have lulled her to sleep, so I kiss her forehead gently, marveling at the woman sleeping securely in my arms.