I smiled, knowing one day soon I’d take her to Grandia and shatter every thought of beauty she’d ever had. Leaning in to kiss the side of her head, I noticed a furrow in her brow. “What’s wrong?”
She shrugged, then sighed. “Will you still have to leave, now that we’re bonded?”
“Yes, but I will always come back to you. And I’ll ask Ephraim for shorter assignments.”
“That’s good. I think I can handle that,” she said, and I watched her smile return.
My heart raced as I took her in my arms, holding her body tight against mine. I breathed in her sweet scent, which was even more seductive after her transformation. As her head tilted back, I kissed her cheek, then nibbled my way down to her neck. She was sweet as honey, and so damn addictive.
In my entire existence, I’d never wanted anything more, but I didn’t want to consummate our bond here and now. So, I pulled away, creating some distance between us. I needed to go about this the right way.
Chapter 40
Eden
“Eden,” Alex whispered, his fingers gently lifting my chin to meet his eyes. “There are no words that can begin to describe the feelings I have for you. From the moment we first met, I felt a connection. I knew you were so much more than an assignment and hoped the bond would choose you. When it seemed like it had overlooked us, it crushed me. Because with each passing day, it became harder and harder to leave you.”
Tears welled in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Without breaking eye contact, he took both of my hands in his and got down on one knee.
My entire body trembled and my breath quickened, my heart hammering against my chest.
“Eden.” The way he spoke my name, so soft and low, the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. “The immortal bond has chosen us. It has bound my heart to yours for all eternity, and from this moment forward, I vow to love you and protect you. To keep you happy, and hear your laughter for the rest of my life.”
The world around me fell away. Tears blurred my vision and streamed down my face. He released one of my hands and reached into his back pocket. With his fingers closed, he held up his hand and then opened them. Sitting in his palm was a white-gold ring with a large emerald stone in the center—the same stunning color as his eyes.
“Alex,” I exhaled, my lips trembling.
He took hold of my left hand and pressed it gently to his lips. “I ask you now, Eden East, before the Creator above…will you let me love you for all eternity?”
“Yes!” A sob ripped from my chest as I fell into his arms.
Alex kissed me, then slipped the ring on my finger. Standing, he pulled me up with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.
“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” he said, peppering kisses all over my face.
He hadn’t needed to propose, because in the immortal world we were already bound. But I knew he’d done it because it was a tradition of the mortal world. The world I’d grown up in. The gesture was romantic, and I couldn’t have loved him any more than I did at that very moment.
He cradled me in his arms, then spread his gorgeous wings out to his sides and flew us out of the labyrinth.
“Where are we going?” I asked, trying not to look down.
A sexy grin lifted his full lips. “To seal our bond. If you’d rather wait, you should tell me now so I can stop.”
When I didn’t say a peep, he smirked, then continued up to our balcony, carrying me with no effort at all.
Inside the room, he closed the door. We stood face to face; the only sound came from our ragged breathing and pounding hearts.
He pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the ground.
God, he was flawless—tight and muscular. A perfect sculpture.
I slid my fingers over his smooth skin and watched his muscles coil under my touch. The sight of it ignited a fire in my core.
“Eden,” Alex whispered, his eyes glazed with passion. His fingers caressed my face, then settled at the back of my neck. Pressing his lips against mine, he kissed me, soft and sweet. But his gentle touches didn’t last long, as his movements became hungry and desperate, making me moan and arch into him.
I wanted him. Every part of him. I wanted to feel his lips and his skin against mine. I wanted him to claim me with his body.
His fingers slipped under the hem of my shirt, grasping and pulling it over my head. In moments, I was naked, and laying on the bed under Alex’s heavy stare. The way his eyes devoured my body made me feel like I was the most beautiful girl in the world.
He made room for himself between my knees, and I watched as he moved above me, taking in every inch of his glorious body.
“You’re perfect,” he breathed, settling above me. “And you’re mine.”
Once his weight pushed me into the bed, and our skin made contact along the length of our bodies, the pull of the bond became overwhelming. Every cell in my body cried out, yearning for us to seal the bond.
“I love you, Eden” Alex breathed.
His sweet words made my heart want to burst. Gazing deep into his eyes, I witnessed it. The most perfect, unconditional love. A love I didn’t have to search for. It had found me.
“I love you, Alex.” The words were the truest I’d ever spoken, traveling directly from my heart to his.
With eyes locked onto one another, Alex took his time to claim me. His movements were torturous, fracturing every part of me. I moaned, arching into him, my fingers clasping to his shoulders, and raking down the muscles of his back as he took me to heaven and back. Climaxing together, I felt that great power inside from our consummation…the sealing of our immortal bond. When it was done, I lay breathless in his warm embrace.
Brushing the few strands of hair from my face, he kissed my forehead. Then, gazing deeply into his emerald eyes, I saw my future. A future filled with everything I could ever want or long for. And although it remained uncertain, one thing was for sure…the love and bond between us would continue to grow with each passing day.
Today was just the beginning. I had so much to learn about my new gift, and this new immortal body. But I couldn’t wait to start this new life with him. With Alex.
My Guardian.
My hero.
My bonded—by my side.
Stay tuned for the next Midway Novel!
Coming fall/winter 2017!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I’d like to thank everyone who made this book possible. The fans especially, with all of the countless emails and messages, begging me for more.
A special thanks goes out to my husband, who has been and is a constant support. He keeps me fueled with lots of caffeine, peppermints, and love.
And to my heroes, behind the scenes, who helped polish this book and make it amazing.
My kick-butt editor who totally gets me and this world: Victoria Rae Schmitz
Cover Designer: Stefanie Saw
Formatter: Aurelia Fray
Publisher: SJ Davis of CHBB Publishing
And to my amazing Beta Readers, whose sharp eyes and feedback made this story even better:
Kimberly Belden
Cheree Castellanos
Karla Bostic
Amber Garcia
Jaclyn (Jaci) Chaney
Kirstie Ader
Ewelina Rutyna
And to Heather Brown, a member of my fan club, who won a contest and gave me the location names: Brindle Hollow and Brindle Hall…which took on a life of their own.
ABOUT CAMEO
Cameo Renae was born in San Francisco, raised in Maui, Hawaii, and recently moved with her husband and children to Alaska. She’s a daydreamer and a caffeine and peppermin
t addict, who loves to laugh, loves to read, and loves to escape reality. One of her greatest joys is creating fantasy worlds filled with adventure and romance, and sharing it with others.
One day she hopes to find her own magic wardrobe and ride away on her magical unicorn.
Until then... she’ll keep writing!
For updates on Cameo, visit:
Website: http://cameorenae.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CameoRenaeBooks
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Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Cameo-Renae/e/B004X2PEH0
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Cameo Renae, Guarding Eden: A Midway Novel Book One (Hidden Wings)
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