Beneath a Moonless Sky - Book One (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Twenty

Elaina POV

With the kids gone for the day I was able to get a lot of things I’d wanted to do done. I’d swept and mopped the floors, vacuumed the bedrooms, cleaned the bathrooms (after taking a bath of course), sent out some more work emails and touched base with clients and done a tonne of washing. Id even managed to ick up some of the books that Maggie, my old witch tutor, had sent me because she thought I’d like them. I was now cooking spaghetti for dinner, my music blaring, Disturbed’s Down with the Sickness blasting through the speakers. The music was so loud I didn’t hear the front door open and close. I turned to grab some herbs for the sauce and nearly had a coronary. Lucian was leaning against the kitchen island, arms crossed and a bemused expression on his face. Clutching my heart, I reached for my phone and paused the music.

“Geez Lucian. You trying to give me a heart attack?!” He had the good sense to look guilty.

“Sorry. I did knock. I see old habits die hard.” I smiled and scrunched my nose as I remember all the times when we were growing up that I would be blasting my music in my bedroom and he would walk into scare the crap out of me every time.

“Just like old times.” I replied sarcastically and turned back to the sauce.

“Where are the kids?” I ask. “Usually they would have bowled me down by now with their stories of elephants and monkeys.” A happy smile spreads across Lucians face as he thought back on the day.

“They had fun. But they wanted to tell Magnus and the kids about their day and what they saw, so Fergus took them so we could talk.” His eyes found mine, dark and full of many emotions. I felt my body react without warning and wetness pooled down below. I was clutching so hard at the counter I was scared it would break as my magic crackled in my fingers. I spun away from him and grabbed another pot, a nervous cough spilling from my mouth.

“What did you want to talk about?” Was my voice usually this high?

“Well, I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry that I pushed that kiss on you last night.” Goddess that kiss. I close my eyes for a second and remember it. The taste of peppermint. Mmmm. I shake my head, bringing my attention back to him.

“There’s no need to apologise for something we were both involved in, Luce.” My eyes meet him over my shoulder to show him I mean it. I enjoyed the kiss. Very much so. But I wouldn’t tell him that just yet.

“I just don’t want you to think I’m pushing anything on to you. We will go at the pace you want. Whatever that is.” Well the pace I want right now is me bent over the island and him thrusting into me. But that would be unsanitary, and a jump forward from what we should probably do which is build it up slowly to that. Kissing would suffice for now.

“I appreciate that Lucian.” I grab a spoon from the drawer and dip it into the sauce before I blow on it. “Can you try this sauce for me please? I think it needs more salt.” He blows on the spoon once more before taking it in his mouth, missing a little bit that sits on the corner of his mouth. I reach out instinctively and wipe it before licking my finger clean.

His eyes hold mine with dark intention and if it was possible, I grow wetter.

“Delicious.” He growls, his voice no louder than a whisper.

“Ahem. Good. I’ll leave it to simmer then.” I walk past him into the dining room, feeling him follow behind me, his presence driving my senses insane.

The washing machine beeps from the laundry and I spin to go grab it, landing face first into his chest. He steadies me with his hands on my arms, stroking softly with his thumbs.

“I need to hang out the washing.” I squeak. My body overwhelmed by the small strokes. I could hear the soft tinkle of glasses vibrating together as my magic leaps to the surface at his touch and I tried to breath through it.

“I’ll help.” I just nod and lead him to the laundry. I reach into the washing machine, having to stand on my tippy toes to reach the bottom. I’m struggling to reach a small sock at the bottom of the tub, and usually I would use my step, but I was too proud to admit I couldn’t reach it.

A warmth presses against my back as Lucian reaches in and grabs the sock, and as we both lean back, he shuts the lid. I turn and he gives me the sock, still standing really close. My chest presses against his every time I take a breath making sparks of pleasure run down from my breasts to my crotch. I get lost in his eyes, their colour the same as the ocean depths during a storm. They seemed to swirl as if the sea itself was contained in his irises, churning, and crashing against my willpower. His hand reaches out and strokes my cheek softly, sending electricity racing through me. The air around us was electric, and goose bumps were rising on my skin.

“I’ve missed you.” His gruff voice is my undoing and I grab his face with my hands and pull his lips to mine, moaning as his hands pull me by my waist against him. My arms snake around his neck and curl into his hair. Goddess I love his hair. If I could stroke his hair for a lifetime, I’d die a happy woman.

His tongue begs for entrance against my bottom lip and I give it willingly, feeling the passion of every year we were apart being conveyed through the intensity of our kiss. I gasp as I’m lifted by my buttocks onto the washing machine as he takes his place between my now open legs, his hands now resting just under the hem of my high waist shorts. He began to stroke my outer thigh, skimming the edge of the shorts as his tongue wrestled with mine for dominance. I broke the kiss, much to my bodies protesting and rested my head against his as I tried to catch my breath.

“I missed you too.” His smile made me even more breathless and I pulled him forward for a soft kiss, lingering just enough to make him breathless. His palms stroked up and down my thighs making fiery trails against my skin. My palms rested against his neck as I softly stroked my thumbs along his skin. His eyes closed as he leant his forehead against mine, taking in a deep breath.

“Goddess, I missed your scent.” His head dipped into my neck and breathed me in. “Strawberries and chocolate. Delicious.” His breath blew against my neck as he spoke and I felt sparks shoot throughout my body, making it burn with pleasure. I grabbed at his hair and pulled his lips back to mine and then breaking it quickly.

“Peppermint.” I whispered, licking my lips. “Delicious.” A growl rumbled in his chest as he smashed his lips against mine, our passion firing between us as our kissing intensified. His hands reached around and grabbed at my ass, pulling my hips into his making me moan as I felt his bulge press into me.

“Mummy! Daddy!” The words pierced the air and it was like a bucket of ice-cold water being thrown on us. I leapt from the washing machine and straightened my clothes and ran a hand through my hair, trying to hide what we’d just been doing.

Lucian followed me out and into the kitchen where Fergus was chasing after the twins like a monkey.

“Mummy! Daddy!” I open my arms as the twins run into them, Luca with a giraffe hat on and Mia with an elephant one.

“Mm. Hello my babies.” I gave them big kisses before they ran to Lucian who did the same.

“What were you two doing down there?” Fergus’ face was like the cat that got the milk and I glared at him.

“Lucian was helping me with the washing.” I said through clenched teeth as I walked over to the stove to check on the sauce.

“Oh, I bet he was.” Lucian coughed not looking at him as he sat at the kitchen island, Mia jumping up on to his lap.

“Mummy! Mummy! Today we saw an elephant and he squirted Uncle Fergus with his hose.” Her little giggles were contagious, and I covered my mouth as I laughed. “And then a monkey flung poop at us!” Lucian cracked up at that, making Mia shake on his lap.

“Yes. That was funny. Especially when he started to draw with it.” My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard and I rub my hands against them. Turning back to the bench I filled a saucepan with water and set on the stove to boil.

“Are you staying for dinner Fergus?” I say, getting out the pasta from the pantry. He shakes his head and walked to the door.

“No love. Connor and I have a date. But you guys have fun.” He turns back from the doorway and winks. “But not too much fun.” I wave my hand in the air slamming the door behind him with my magic. We could hear his laughter as he walked away.

I grabbed the plates and cutlery out and turned to set the table, only to have them taken from me by Lucian who turned and began doing it.

“Little ones, can you please go wash your hands for dinner?” They ran off to the bathroom and came back a minute later, sitting next to each other at the table. I placed the dish of pasta on the table and served it up before sitting next to Lucian. His hand reached out beneath the table taking mine and a soft smile broke out on my face as I began eating.

The kids regaled me with the stories of the animals they saw and what they ate. I tried to listen, but Lucians thumb stroked against the back of my hand, making tingles shoot up my arm. When we were finished with dinner Mia and Luca ran into the lounge room to read the new books they had gotten at the zoo while Lucian and I cleared the table. When the water was filled, I began washing, Lucian beside me with a tea towel drying. We stood there in comfortable silence, him bumping me every now and then making me smile. Draining the water, I snatch the tea towel from him and dried my hands. His comical look of shock made me smirk as I began twirling up the tea towel. He gave me a look of warning, but I didn’t heed it and whipped it out, hearing the snap as it hit him.

“Oh, you are so dead.” I squealed as he began chasing me around the island, it wasn’t a fair chase as he caught me and twirled me around, giving me a soft kiss on the lips.

“Gotcha.” He whispered against my lips before taking my lips in a long, lingering kiss. With a smile and a soft sigh, I pull back and freeze. In the doorway to the lounge room stands a disgusted looking Luca and an ecstatic looking Mia. I coughed and covered my mouth as I stepped back from Lucian.

“What’s up babies?” Mia skipped towards me, her face brighter than the sun.

“We heard you squeal mummy. Was daddy chasing you?” Her arms wrapped around my legs, her adorable face gazing up at me.

“Yes baby. And he caught me good.” I stroked her hair and booped her on the nose. She gave a big yawn, snuggling her face into my waist. “Come on you two. Time for bed.” I led the two tired twins to their bedroom and helped them get dressed. Tucking them in, Lucian and I kissed them goodnight and leant against the closed door with soft smiles.

“I should re-wash that laundry.” His cheeky smile as he followed made my heart flutter. Placing all the clothes back in the washing machine I set the function. Lucian took my hand and led me out to the lounge room where he pulled me down next to him as he switched on the tv. His arm reaches around my shoulders and I rested my head on him. I internally groan as the washing machine goes off and I stand from the couch. Before I leave the room, I lean down and give Lucian a soft peck on the lips.

I’ve never hung washing up so fast in my life. Heading back into the house through the laundry door I’m swept off my feet and onto the washing machine, the washing basket taken from my hand and discarded to the side. My arms wrap around Lucians neck as he pulls me close to him.

“Where were we again?” I giggle as his lips find my neck, trailing a fiery line up my jaw. I close my eyes and swim in the sensations of his lips and hands on my body. My hands rake through his hair as his hot breath hits the spot above my collarbone, making my body shiver uncontrollably.

“Lucian.” I whisper, tugging at his hair. His eyes find mine, flickering between oceans deep with colour and pitch black.

“Yes, my love.” My heart is singing hearing him call me that.

“I don’t want to rush back into things, but I can’t stand the thought of you leaving. Will you stay over tonight? I just want to hold you.” His eyes closed as he pressed his forehead against mine.

“I would be honoured.” His hands lifted me up from the washing machine, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me to the bedroom. He dropped me by my chest of drawers. I watched with a dark gaze as he stripped off his shirt and walked to the bed, his jeans following suite. I reached for my pyjamas as I watched him turn down the bed and hop in. He laid down on the mattress, his head resting in his hand, waiting. With a cheeky smile I walked into the adjoining bathroom and got changed into my pyjama shorts and tank top. Removing my bra, I chucked it in the hamper before exiting the bathroom, sliding under the covers next to him. His hands grabbed at me as he pulls me closer, rolling onto his back. My head rests on his chest as my leg drapes across him. My hand strokes softly at his chest, tracing the contours of his muscles.

“Tell me about the other pack. What did you do for the past five years?” I look up into his face as he stares up at the ceiling.

“To be honest there’s not much to tell. I spent most of the time stuck in an office in meetings or filling out stacks of forms. When I wasn’t doing that, I was training, or sleeping.” His gaze fell to me as his eyes stared into mine. “That and missing you.” I blush as I snuggle deeper into him, softly kissing his neck.

“Sounds boring.” I joke, yawning.

“It was. Meetings, forms, more meetings, more forms.” I feel my eyes drift slowly closed as his voice lulls me asleep. Darkness takes me into deep sleep as Lucian strokes my back. This is happiness. This is love.