Chasing Destiny [SYTYCW15]

Bucharest, 1941

1941

Akantha knocked twice on the hotel room door and ignored the two guards standing on either side. "Hello?" she called through the door. Manuc's Inn was one of the oldest hotels in Bucharest and Akantha and Matheus had stayed here in the 1800's right before the Crimean War. It seemed a fitting place to meet to start their quest.

"Come in," he said, his voice drifting through the door.

Akantha turned the knob and pushed open the door. A smile stretched her mouth when she saw Matheus and her eyes drank the sight of him. He stood in the middle of the room, his shirt pulled out of his trousers and he looked as if he had also slept in his uniform. He returned the smile and Akantha closed the door behind her.

"I thought it would take you longer," Matheus admitted. He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. He lowered his head and covered her mouth with his.

A soft moan escaped her as his mouth claimed hers and she instinctively leaned into him. Her body pressed against his and her arms wound around his neck. He deepened the kiss and Akantha melted, giving into passion. The past five hundred years apart were erased with the embrace. Thoughts of the bastard Damianos were chased from her mind.

His mouth released hers and moved down to her neck, his kisses searing her skin.

"I couldn't wait to see you, my love," she whispered.

As lips dropped kisses down her neck, gentle hands worked their way up from her hips to her breasts. Sure fingers played with nipples through the fabric of her blouse. The feel of his fingers and the material rubbing across the sensitive flesh caused her to moan and her head to swim. "Matheus."

His name was a plea and his hands continued their exploration of her body. She moaned again. She felt his mouth curve in a smile against her skin. Those deft fingers unfastened the buttons of her blouse.

Her hands went to his shirt and started working on the buttons. Her desire left her clumsy and it took longer than it should have to undo each button. She growled, her frustration with the simple task and her desire to have him making him laugh softly.

Just as she had the last button undone, his mouth left her neck and he lifted her in his arms. Warmth and the feeling of security flooded through her as he cradled her against his chest. It was a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time and exactly what she needed to replenish her soul. He carried her over to the bed and gently placed her on top of the blankets. She smiled up at him and reached out a hand.

He placed his hand in hers and smiled as she pulled him toward her. He covered her with his body. Her arms went around her and her hands slid across the hard muscles of his back. Fingertips traced intricate patterns on his back as his mouth came down on hers. The kiss was firm, gentle, just the way she remembered him.

His hands moved to her breasts, fingertips traveling lightly over her skin. Shivers chased down her spine as his fingertips brushed over a sensitive nipple. Akantha arched against his touch. His mouth left hers and dropped light kisses along her jaw, moving to the tender skin of her neck. She tried to bring him to her and satisfy both their needs, but he would have none of it. His lips leisurely trailed down her neck, alternating between kissing and licking. She loved that he was gentle, sweet and caring, but right now it was driving her crazy.

Flames leapt to the surface of her skin wherever his hands and lips touched and the ache inside of her grew. Hands and fingertips moved around to the front of him and followed the trail of coarse hair down to his groin. She lightly skimmed the soft length of his straining flesh. She traced the length of him and he moaned under her touch. If he was determined to taunt her, she would give him the same treatment.