Buried Alive Page 3

“Athera.” He bellowed her name and shook her hard.

  She gasped and sucked in air, and her eyes opened. “Why did you...”

  She passed out. Grave held his ear to her mouth to feel if she was breathing. Satisfied, he cradled her as best he could and started swimming toward the beach with her. It was awkward, but he got there as fast as he could. He swung her into his arms and walked out of the ocean, holding her close to his chest. He could feel the warmth of her blood, but he didn’t sense a flow of it anymore and that was a good thing. Maybe he hadn’t cut her too deep.

  Josy came running toward him as soon as he stepped out of the surf. “What the hell happened? I told you not to go in, but nooo,” she said, elongating the word. “You have to do what you want to.”

  She pointed at the pile of clothes. “Go lay her down there, so I can see this wound.”

  Grave decided it might be wise to keep his mouth shut as he lay Athera down. He averted his eyes from the parts of her he was sure she wouldn’t want him to be looking at, grabbed his shirt and put it over her body.

  Josy knelt next to Athera and moved the shirt to inspect the wound.

  “Hmm”

  “What?” Grave asked.

  “It’s closed up,” Josy answered as she prodded the skin around the cut.

  Grave bent closer, looking at it, and Josy was right. All that was left was the blood that hadn’t washed off in the water of the ocean.

  “The wound must have closed as she shifted.” Grave could hear the awe in his voice. The healing must be a side effect of her phoenix nature. “But why is she still asleep?”

  “Shock?” Josy suggested.

  “Yes. She must be a bit shocky, or exhausted from the shift. Let’s get her back to the car.”

  Grave bent over and scooped Athera into his arms. He carried her gently, not wanting to put her shocked body through anymore. He was going to be apologizing for the rest of his life for slicing her up when he was supposed to be protecting her.

  * * * *

  “... ever going to wake up?” The voice came out from the other end of a long hazy tunnel as Athera started to regain consciousness.

  She didn’t know why she was sleeping. She didn’t know where she was, but she was lying on something soft.

  Athera shifted and groaned when her body protested. Muscles she never knew she had complained loudly as she moved.

  “She’s waking up.” It was Josy’s voice at Athera’sleft-hand side.

  “It’s about time.” Grave’s voice to her right.

  Athera opened her eyes to see Josy glaring at the reaper over her.

  “She wouldn’t be unconscious if you didn’t go all Wolverine on her in the water.”

  “There was a bull shark coming at me. What the hell would you have done?” he hissed.

  Athera groaned and raised a hand to her head. “Why am I hung over?” she asked, then groaned again as her head pounded like a rock concert.

  It was Josy who answered her question. “Oxygen deprivation. You stopped breathing for a short while.”

  “Oh.” I stopped breathing?

  Then it all came back to her. She shot into a sitting position ready to give Grave a chunk of her mind, but her world tilted on its axis and nausea flooded her mouth with saliva.

  A warm hand spread on her back as Grave said. “Slowly now, you’ve been out for a while—give your body chance to catch up.”

  Athera closed her eyes and breathed through the nausea, deciding she’d give Grave a talking to when she wouldn’t risk throwing up at the first word.

  “I’m so sorry, Ath. I didn’t know it was you when I attacked. It was a knee-jerk reaction.”

  His apology was low and kind of soothing to her bruised head and ego.

  The smell of coffee got her attention as the need to throw-up eased. Caffeine—the greatest gift humanity had ever received from nature.

  “Coffee?” She looked around, and Grave handed her a cup.

  “Sweet, the way you like it,” he supplied, and Athera was amazed that he knew the way she liked her coffee.

  She took the steaming cup into her hands and took a sip. Ambrosia. She closed her eyes in pleasure. When she opened her eyes, she asked, “Where are we?”

  “A motel just outside the faerie realm’s gateway.” Josy stood and went to the wall to pick up Athera’s bag. “We thought you might want to shower before we go through.”

  Athera looked down at herself. She was dressed in a button-down shirt that was much too big for her. Grave’s shirt? At least her side wasn’t hurt, because she would have felt the wound, and there was no pain there at all.

  Had to be. There were no other big guys around she could borrow a shirt from, and she could smell his scent on the fabric.

  She stopped herself from lifting the shirt to her nose and taking a deep breath. That would be embarrassing, especially considering the intense way he was looking at her right that minute.

  “What?” she asked.

  “A bull shark? Why didn’t you tell us?”

  There it was—the crux of his stare down. He was upset that she hadn’t disclosed her animal form.

  She rolled her eyes at him, avoiding the question. “I wasn’t expecting you to come into the ocean after me.”

  “I told you not to go,” Josy pointed out as she sat down on the bed next to Athera again. “But you knew better, and look what happened. You hurt Ath.”

  Grave had the grace to look down at the bedspread before saying the stupidest thing he had ever said, in Athera’s opinion.

  “She attacked me.”

  “I did not!” Athera handed the coffee cup to Josy.

  Josy’s eyes widened and she stood. “I’m going to let you two discuss this while I take an aimless walk.”

  They ignored her as she slipped out the door of the motel room.

  Athera stood up, slid off the bed, and stood as Grave did the same and they squared off against each other.

  “Have you got teeth marks on your skin?” Athera glared at Grave. His head tilted as she asked her question.

  “Well... no,” he admitted.

  “Then how did I attack you?” Athera took a step forward. She was curious to see how he would respond to that question.

  He hooked his fingers into the neckline of his tee-shirt and pulled it over his head.

  Athera’s breath was momentarily snatched from her as his gorgeous chest was put on display, right in front of her eyes.

  “Look.” He turned, lifting his arms to show her the abrasions on his side.

  “From you.”

  “Shark skin is rough,” she said absently as she reached out to touch the marks gently.

  He didn’t stop her, and she was so conscious of him that the heat of his skin seemed to burn her fingertips.

  “I’m sorry about the grazes.” She laid her palm down across his ribs, wanting maximum contact with his body.

  Grave didn’t seem to mind. He was looking at her with something in his eyes that she couldn’t place, a smoky heat that made her stomach start to flutter and her heartbeat speed up.

  “I’m sorry I cut you.”

  His voice was so low, she could barely hear his words so she stepped closer. “I think it’s healed,” she murmured, her body an inch away from his heat, her head back as she kept eye contact with him.

  “Yes, it is. It was healed when I got you out of the water. It must have healed when you shifted.”

  “Oh?” Her voice sounded breathy, her heart beating frantically in her chest. Her breath were short little puffs that warned her she was close to losing control.

  She wanted to go up on her toes and kiss him. She wanted to so badly that it was an ache inside of her. Grave made all her emotions heighten. He made her react in ways she never knew she could react.

  “Ath...” He left the rest of his sentence hanging, his head lowering, his lips a breath away from hers.

  “Grave?”

  His lips touched hers and she felt an electric shock a
nd instant heat that coiled through her gut to settle down low in her body.

  Athera opened for Grave. She wanted this kiss more than she wanted to take her next breath, and nothing was going to stop her from accepting what he was offering.

  His tongue found hers in a caress that made her tingle, that made her want to cling to him.

  Athera ran her hand up his chest, over the bulge of his pecs, and wrapped her arms around his neck as she tried to get closer.

  The shirt she was wearing hiked up and she felt the cool air of the room on her naked backside. The feeling didn’t last long before one of Grave’s large hands closed over the exposed skin.

  There was a zap of sensation to her core. Was it going to happen? Was Athera finally going to get the male she’d wanted from the first moment she’d seen him?

  Would Grave finish what they started this time?

  Athera was tempted to beg in prayer to anyone who was listening. Then he turned his head for deeper access into her mouth and kneaded her ass, and Athera forgot to breathe.

  She lifted one leg. Sliding her knee along the outside of his thigh, Grave grabbed her leg, pushing his hips forward.

  She felt the size of his erection and was momentarily frightened. He was not a small male, and she’d never done this before, but then he pushed against her and she turned into a puddle of molten need.

  Chapter Four

  Grave could feel the naked skin of her thigh and ass against his calloused palm and his cock jerked behind the fly of his jeans in response to the sensation.

  How could a female feel so perfect in his arms? His mind was foggy as his body tried to process the feelings and reactions he was having to Athera’s almost naked form. Not for long—their clothes were a barrier he needed to get rid of.

  Athera dug her nails into the nape of his neck, trying to pull him closer. Grave complied, shifting his body along hers so that the heat of her core burned into his thigh through the denim of his pants.

  No, he needed more.

  Grave reached from behind and slipped his palm between her thighs to cup the heat that was her sex.

  He nearly came in his pants when she gasped into the kiss, her body going taut, then relaxing into his as he stroked her from behind.

  She was making little sounds of need that were driving him insane as he broke the kiss and started to work his way over her jaw and throat with his lips and teeth, taking little nips, then kissing and licking to soothe the burn.

  Athera had started moving against his palm in an unconscious and completely sexy way and all he could think of was getting her to the bed. Grave started to move her backward toward the nearest soft object. He didn’t want to bruise her, and he wasn’t about to take her on the floor.

  She made a noise of protest, so he brought his free hand up to cup her breast. Her body went taunt again and Grave could feel the rush of wetness as her need ratcheted up a level.

  He brought his lips back to hers. He had to taste more of Athera. His ability to think was compromised, but he knew enough that if he didn’t kiss her again, he would... He didn’t know, except that the female in his arms was the reason he existed, and pleasing her was all he could think about. That and his aching cock.

  He’d never been so hard before.

  Athera let go of the nape of his neck as he maneuvered her back another step and wedged her hand in between them, her palm grazing over them, covering his aching erection.

  Grave nearly yelled out. He bit down on her bottom lip instead, his body singing for her.

  Athera’s gasp was pleasure-filled and her hand started to stroke the length of him.

  If he didn’t get her to the bed soon, he was going to lose it. He needed to be inside her.

  He felt her fumble one-handed with the button of his fly and moved his hips, letting go of her breast so he could help her get it open. He badly wanted her little palm covering his cock. He wanted to feel her skin against his.

  The door to the motel room opened with a blast of air as Josy walked in, talking animatedly. “So I found this little diner on the corner and I’ve been assured they serve the best breakfast this side of the—”

  Athera jumped away from Grave so fast he was left reeling. Bereft of her body, he wanted to yell and scream and tell Josy to piss off.

  Josy started to back out, then closed the door. “Oh, crap. Sorry.”

  Now that he wasn’t touching Athera and now that he wasn’t drugged by what she did to his body, the fog started lifting and Grave realized he’d nearly killed Athera. He would have finished what they started. He would have penetrated her, and the curse would have slammed down like a fist on their heads. She would have died in his arms, his body—his lack of self-control—causing her death.

  “No!” he barked, holding out his hand to stop Josy from leaving. If she left, his besotted brain might take a vacation again, leaving Athera to the mercy of his body.

  “Stay. It’s fine.”

  Athera snapped to face him, her jaw dropping as if he’d lost his mind by telling Josy to stay.

  His suspicions were confirmed when she hissed at him. “What the hell, Grave?”

  “It’s for the best—trust me,” he said, knowing that he’d ripped another hole in Athera’s ego, and this time, he didn’t think she’d ever forgive him.

  Josy was still hovering at the door. “Look, I’ll go have some breakfast so you guys can... erm.” She cleared her throat. “Finish your discussion.”

  “Yes, that’s a good idea...” Athera started as Grave said at the same time.

  “Don’t you dare leave.”

  Athera’s attention centered on Grave again. This time, her expression wasn’t one of confusion. It was fury. Pure feminine fury, and he felt guilt claw at him.

  “Athera...” He held out a hand, wanting to sooth the hurt he’d caused.

  “Save it, Grave. I’m not interested.” Her chin went up, then she added, “I’m going to shower. I’ll be ready to leave in a half an hour.” She marched to the small bathroom and slammed the door behind her.

  Josy was still hovering in the doorway leading into the room. She opened her mouth to say something, but Grave held out his hand to stop her before she could say anything.

  “I don’t want to discuss it. Not now, not ever.”

  Josy made a humph sound, then shut the door and walked over to Athera’s bag. She picked it up and took it to the bathroom.

  Josy knocked on the door and opened it a crack. “Ath, I’m putting your bag in here so you can get your clothes when you’re done.”

  There was a reply over the sound of the shower running, but Grave ignored it. He was trying his damnedest not to picture Athera naked with water sluicing down her body and soap suds making little bubbles on the cream of her skin.

  Fuck

  He pulled on the tee-shirt he’d taken off earlier, then bent over and grabbed his bag. He had to get out of this motel room or he was going to chase Josy out and walk into that bathroom, strip and go count soap bubbles on Athera’s skin.

  Grave closed his eyes and tried to calm himself, but it didn’t work. So he hiked up his bag and pulled the motel room door open.

  The bathroom door clicked shut. “Where are you going?” Josy asked from behind.

  “I’m going to pack that car.” He didn’t hear her response because he’d already pulled the door closed behind him. He stopped and took in a deep breath of morning air.

  It didn’t help. He could still smell Athera on his skin. She was all over him, and he wanted to be all over her. God help him, he wanted her to be his.

  When had he gotten so lost to her?

  He had no idea, but it was fact. Athera was the one woman in millennia who called out to everything he was, and he didn’t know what he was going to do about it, because having what he wanted was going to get her killed.

  Grave walked to the car and chucked his bag into the trunk. He had to stop thinking about her. He had to stop wanting her. He was strong. He’d survived wo
rse in his long life, and surely he could do this.

  Grave made Athera a promise in his head. He would never hurt her—and that meant he would never touch her again.

  * * * *

  Athera was still reeling. Her body was a tumultuous mix of sensations and emotions that still hadn’t calmed down. She reached to open the car door and saw there was a faint tremor in her hand. The things that male does to my body.

  Was it normal to react to a male the way Athera reacted to Grave? She pulled open the door to the jeep and climbed up into the passenger seat.

  No, she didn’t think it was normal. What Grave did to her—how her body reacted—the surge of sensation and emotion. That couldn’t be normal. It had to be something special.

  Josy got into the back seat and pulled the door closed behind her.

  “Where is Grave?” Athera asked.

  “He’s gone to hand the keys in. He’ll be here shortly.” Josy paused and cleared her throat. “Listen... Um... I’m sorry—”

  “Don’t say another word.” Athera was blushing.

  “No, I have to say sorry. If I’d known that you’d gotten him to act on all that sexual tension I’ve been wading through, I would have stayed away a while longer.”

  Athera’s face felt like it was on fire. “You have not been wading through anything.”

  Josy harrumphed. “The last time I felt tension like that, I ended up spending a week in bed with a cute dragon shifter.”

  Athera twisted in her chair to deny the sexual tension again, but it was pointless. Josy was staring into space with a blissed-out expression on her face.

  Athera’s senses pinged and she saw Grave coming toward the jeep from the direction of the motel offices.

  She hissed in a stage whisper. “Here comes Grave. Shut up about sexual tension now, would you?”

  Grave pulled the door open.

  Josy started talking as if he hadn’t gotten in the jeep. Athera was about to climb into the back seat and kill the witch when she realized what Josy was saying. “When we get into the fae realm, make sure you follow my lead in all things.”