30. Rule #30 Do Things That Make You Feel Alive

Rule #30: Do Things That Make You Feel Alive

Zoe

T he last thing I wanted to do was go dancing. But Lewis had recruited Rory in his mission which meant I'd be going whether I wanted to or not. I pulled out my phone, texting Daniel again. He had been radio silent for most of the day. And something wasn't sitting right. He'd been overly attentive to the point of annoying for the last two days and said he'd call, but I hadn't heard from him all day. Something was off. I couldn't tell if I was just being paranoid and it unsettled me.

Me

Where are you?

Lewis and Rory are dragging me out and I need you. Was gonna say I'm jumping your bones tonight but …

Still nothing. That usually got him to reply. I pulled on the hem of the short black bodycon dress Rory had forced me into with matching heels, before going downstairs to meet the Terror Twins. Stopping on the second last step, I frowned at them. They stood at least six feet apart, both very interested in their cellphones. Rory wore a shimmering gold mini dress that showed off the miles of legs she had. Lewis was dressed in his usual black pants and open collar black shirt, his hair coiffed to perfection. There was a weird vibe between the two of them and if I wasn't so preoccupied with Daniel I'd tease them about it. But as it stood, I didn't have the energy.

"Have either of you heard from Dan?" I asked. They both looked at me, shaking their heads.

"I did text him where we were going though. I'm sure he'll turn up," Lewis replied.

"Okay," I said as my heart twinged. Was this too much for him? Was my inability to shake this morbidity the thing that made him leave? I didn't know what was happening with me. Just that one minute I was safe and warm and at peace, and then I was back here. Not that here was a bad place to be. It was just that here had all the pain and messiness of life.

"Come on, let's roll out," Lewis said, offering me his arm and a warm smile that I returned. "There's my girl. Let's go get trashed."

Now that I could do.

Forty-five minutes and one skipped line later, we found ourselves throwing back too many tequila shots at Club Inferno. It burned going down and warmed my body. I hated alcohol. I hated not being in control of myself. But right now, I didn't want to be in control. I wanted to let go. I wanted to forget. The last time I was here, I was almost assaulted and Daniel showed up to rescue me. Maybe he would again. Maybe if I got into enough trouble he'd show up. That was the tequila talking, but honestly it didn't seem like a bad idea right now.

"Another!" I yelled at the bartender who was far too eager to keep pouring shots.

"Enough now," Lewis said, throwing a fierce scowl at the bartender who had enough self-preservation to make himself scarce.

I pouted at my best friend. "No fun! You said I could get trashed."

"You don't fucking drink and this is too much for your small body."

He thrust a bottle of water at me. "Drink that."

I glowered at him, but did as I was told.

He threw his arm around my shoulder and steered me towards the dance floor. "Now, go dance it off with Rory."

"Wait, where are you going?"

"Not far," he replied, eyes darting to the end of the bar. I followed his gaze to an auburn haired girl with curves for days who was sucking the life out of a straw as she made eye contact with Lewis.

I gagged as I turned back to him. "No glove, no love, mister," I said, poking him in the chest. "We don't want loose children of yours running around."

"Oh my God," he muttered under his breath before calling Rory. She appeared at my side in seconds.

"Don't let her out of your sight," he said before moving down the bar. Rory stared after him for a beat too long. Now that the idea of dancing had been planted in my head, that's all I wanted to do. I tugged her into the crowd of writhing, dancing bodies and lost myself. The baseline thumped in my veins along with the tequila and my body flowed. Hips swaying to the hypnotizing beat and my arms in the air, I let go of it all.

Of being banished from my coven.

Of almost dying .

Of being left on read by my boyfriend who said he'd never abandon me.

Sweat coated my brow and my neck and I felt alive. Wonderfully alive.

My friends were right and I was grateful that they knew how to pull me out of my head.

A pair of strong, unfamiliar arms wrapped around my waist pulling me into a hard body. My nose wrinkled at the pervasive overuse of cologne and an uncomfortable feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. Clasping my hands over the asshole's wrists, I made to pull away but all he did was grip me tighter.

"Not interested, buddy," I yelled over the music.

"Oh, come on. A delicious ass like this shouldn't be dancing by herself," he said right against my ear, rolling his erection against me. His alcohol stained breath made me gag.

"I said no," I reiterated, pressing my thumbs into his inner wrist and he sucked in a breath of pain. He let go but spun me around to face him. Faster than I expected, he grabbed my upper arms and tugged me into his body.

"Bitch," he seethed. "You're–"

He didn't finish that sentence because a fist flew into his face.

"What the fuck, man?" he yelled.

"I believe my girl said no," Daniel replied.

Relief flooded through my body. He was here. He'd always come back to me.

"You deserve each other," the asshole muttered as he stumbled away.

"You okay?" Daniel asked, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me into the body that I belonged with.

"I am now," I grinned, holding him tight. "You're always rescuing me in here. "

Daniel leaned down, brushing a kiss against my temple. "Yeah, I don't like this habit to be honest."

"But you're so good at it," I said, grinding against him.

Daniel groaned. "Unfair use of your sexy powers."

I laughed as he spun me around and around, his laugh following me. Daniel twirled me back into his arms as we danced to the music. The beat turned low and sultry and I suddenly hated our height difference. I couldn't loop my arms around his neck and my face reached him mid-chest. Ever the problem solver, he lifted me up by the waist till we were face-to-face and I wrapped my legs around his waist. Daniel held me tight, burying his face into my neck and inhaling deeply. Standing still in the middle of the dancing crowd, like a rock in flowing water, he held me close. Running my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck, I whispered in his ear, "You okay?"

"Almost lost you," he said into my neck. "Can't lose you again."

"You haven't lost me. I'm right here."

All he did was hold me tighter.

"Wanna go home?" I asked, as I ran my fingers down his neck.

"Yeah," he replied.

"We have to find Rory and Lewis," I said.

I looked around, from this height I could look out across the sea of bodies and spotted her dancing a few feet away. Daniel let out a sharp whistle that caught her attention and she pushed her way through the crowd to us.

"We're heading home. You good?"

Rory glanced back to where she had been dancing with a dark haired hottie who looked like an off-brand version of my best friend, then eyed the bar. Lewis had the auburn haired girl on his lap with his tongue down her throat. Just a regular Tuesday then .

"He'll be fine," I said to her. "I'll text him that I've left. You gonna stay?"

She pulled her stare away from Lewis, something flashing in her eyes before forming into resolve.

"Yeah, I'm good. I'll be back before sun up. Promise."

Daniel didn't need more than that to turn around and carry me out of there. Resting my head on his shoulder, surrounded by his safety, I wasn't about to complain.

"I'm sorry," I said as he settled me down in the passenger seat of his car.

"What for?" he asked with a frown, halfway through buckling me in.

"For being so distant," I replied.

He kissed me on my forehead. "Don't apologize for the way you work through things. I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

We drove home in a weird sort of silence. Daniel held my hand tight in his, resting our joined hands on his thigh the entire way until we pulled up to the house. He seemed preoccupied and was unusually quiet as we went inside.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked softly.

"I should be the one asking you that," he said, cupping my face, rubbing his thumbs along my jaw.

"I'm fine now," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. "You're here."

He let out a soul weary sigh and held me close, resting his chin on the top of my head.

"Come on," I said, pulling him by the hand. "I think I have something to get you out of this mood." I gave him a sultry wink and he chuckled.

As soon as my bedroom door closed behind him I pushed him against it and dropped to my knees. Daniel threaded his fingers through my hair, tilting my head up to face him. "Zoe," he breathed, "you don't have to. "

I palmed his hard length through his navy dress pants. He still wore his white shirt, probably coming straight from the gallery. "But I want to," I said, going to undo his belt buckle, but he gripped both my wrists, stopping me. Sliding his hands up my arms, he gripped them near the top before hauling me to my feet. His large, warm hands cupped my face and he looked me right in the eye. "You are a fucking queen. You get on your knees for no man, love."

I whined in protest. I really wanted him in my mouth and he must have sensed my desire, because he led me to my bed, gently pushing me to sit. Stroking my hair gently, he asked in a voice strained with desire, "You still want it?"

I nodded my head eagerly. Arousal blazed through my body at the sight of him standing before me. He was so damn tall that the bulge in his pants was right in my eye line.

"Take it out, then, darling."

I ran my hands up his thighs, the expensive feel of his dress pants luxurious under my touch. I dragged my nails back down and smirked as he shivered. But I didn't play for long. I was desperate for him. I was desperate to feel something other than numb. With quick hands I undid his belt and the sound of his zipper mingled with our anticipation.

He looked down at me with dark, hooded eyes. "Fuuuuck," he rasped when I pulled his pants and boxer briefs down at the same time. I was hungry for him. I hadn't had him inside me since before the disaster in the forest and I needed him. My panties were drenched at the very thought. I fisted him at his base, stroking him a few times before I ran my flattened tongue over the length of him. He hissed when I lapped at his head, licking the bead of salty precum that gathered there.

"So good," I murmured before sucking him into my mouth. I swirled my tongue around it and a series of curses flew from his mouth .

Daniel's hand tightened in my hair, but he didn't try to control my movements. I slid his fingers through my hair, pulling it back to watch how I pleasured him. He was giving me control and I loved him for it. He tugged slightly on the roots of my hair and it only made me wetter. I ran my tongue along his underside, teasing him before I took him into my mouth. I sucked harder, using my tongue to intermittently swirl over the tip before taking him to the back of my throat again, enjoying the feel of his thick shaft on my tongue. I reveled in the taste and feel of him. Hot, hard and so fucking delicious. His fingers tightened in my hair, making me moan on him.

"Fuck, Zoe. Yes," he groaned. I loved how vocal he was. How powerful it made me feel to bring this strong man to his figurative knees. The clench between my thighs was nothing short of torture. I desperately needed him inside me, but I wanted him like this. I wanted to bring him pleasure and comfort. So I doubled down on sucking him off.

"Bloody hell, Hurricane. Keep that up and I'm not gonna last."

He pulled out of my mouth, breathing heavily and stroking my face in adoration. Gently, he wiped the tears and mascara running down my face then bent down to kiss me.

"I want to come inside you," he said. "Is that okay?"

I nodded. "Please," I begged.

Reverently, he dropped to his knees, slowly taking off my heels. His hands caressed my calves, sending a wave of goosebumps over my body. He kissed the top of each foot before gently laying it down. Pulling me to stand, he dragged the tight bodycon dress down my body, laying soft kisses on every inch of my skin that he exposed. He sucked in a breath when he realized I wasn't wearing a bra.

"Fuck," he swore under his breath before palming my breast, pinching my nipple. I hissed in pleasure .

"Please tell me you're wearing panties." He sounded as if he was in pain and I giggled.

"Only one way for you to find out," I replied, wiggling my hips as he tugged the rest of the dress down my body.

"Thank fuck," he said when his eyes landed on my emerald green lace panties. "Thought I might have to murder that asshole who had his hands on you."

I reached for his face, pulling him to me. "I'm only yours," I said, kissing him slowly.

Daniel tucked two fingers into the band of my panties before pulling them off. God, I was so wet.

He moved away to shuck the rest of his clothes off and I pouted.

"Patience, love," he said before laying me down on the bed and settling between my open thighs. He kissed my forehead, then the apples of my cheeks, my nose and then my chin.

"Wanna worship you," he murmured. "Wanna savor you." He continued his journey down my body, laying hot, open-mouthed kisses down my throat and across my collarbone. His hands roamed my body, lighting up my skin with his touch. I burned for him. He licked the nipple of my left breast while palming the other, rolling my nipple between his fingers. I arched into his touch. He blew a soft breath over my sensitive nipple, making it pebble before he sucked it into his mouth. The moan that escaped me was nothing short of wanton. I drove my fingers through his soft brown waves, holding him to me before he switched and lathered my other breast with the same kind of reverent attention. He continued his slow journey down my body, making good on his promise to worship me. My body came alive under his touch as he cupped and played with my breasts then kissed and licked my stomach, my waist, my hips. Softly, he kissed the top of my mound and I couldn't help my hips lifting for more. More, more! I needed more .

"Soon, darling," he said. I didn't know if I had spoken the words out loud or if he just knew my body that well. Daniel went lower, licking and nipping my inner thighs, and I let out a sound of complaint as he skipped over where I wanted him most.

"You're so fucking wet, Zo," he said as he licked closer to my warm core. I was dripping and I knew it as he lapped up my slick. "You taste so fucking good."

His lips danced along my center, making heat sear deep in my core, and then his tongue darted out, warm and wet and soft, licking a path from my entrance up to my clit.

He did it again and again before swirling his tongue around my clit then sucking it into his mouth. I was going to pass out if he kept this up.

"Oh, fuck yes," I breathed. But all he did was ramp up my need to feel him inside me. I tugged at his shoulder. "Need you inside," I panted.

"Anything you want," he replied, moving back up. He kissed me with such raw passion and need and I cried out when he pushed into me. My head fell back on a moan as he thrust into me slowly. I could feel every inch of him stretching me and it felt so fucking good. Being with him like this brought a new sort of perspective to me. Yes, there had been peace in that darkness. But there hadn't been this. There hadn't been unbridled passion and want and love. Because that's how Daniel fucked me. Like I was his sun and moon and stars. The most precious thing in his world.

He rolled his hips in a slow motion, meeting my gaze and my heart exploded. He held on to me tightly, bodies fused together while he continued his slow thrusts into me. Whispering filthy words into my ear and I moaned with the way he was working my body.

"I love you," I breathed onto his lips.

"Forever and always," he whispered back. "Everything I do is to protect you. Everything I do is because I love you. Everything."

"I know," I said .

He kissed my forehead again. "Never forget that."

Before I could ask him what he meant, he picked up speed, pistoning into me. Every coherent thought flew out of my head as he rubbed against my G-spot and his pelvic bone hit my clit in the most delicious way.

"Oh fuck. Oh fuck," I whimpered. "Dan, Daniel, please."

"Got you, darling. Come for me," he whispered into my neck, lightly biting my shoulder.

My world exploded, pleasure thrummed through my veins as my toes curled. I held tight onto Daniel's back as I pulsed around him. Warmth spilled into me as he cried out, thrusting one final time, coming with me. Fuck, that was transcendent. He was fucking everything.

We panted as our bodies relaxed and he lay soft kisses on my neck. The weight of his body pinning me down was a welcomed kind of safety. I stroked his soft hair as we came down from our highs and he chuckled then groaned as I squeezed my inner walls around him.

We lay in each other's arms for a long time, trading soft kisses and whispered promises, till I fell asleep peacefully for the first time in three days.