The Ruby Heart Ch 02

I'm on a roll today. It's too bad it's Sunday and I have to visit family otherwise I'd probably have the next chapter of Tabitha out as well. Oh well, maybe tonight. I hope you enjoy this Hunter tale. I just love those boys. Take care!

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Chapter Two

It was a question that had bothered Elianna as well until she reached the last page of the diary. She reached out, taking the diary from Quinn's hands and flipping the pages to the last one. "She'd had help."

Quinn glanced down at the strange writing, seeing the last stroke of the pen as the diary's owner had been dragged from her hiding spot and taken out and savagely sacrificed. He flinched, staring at that last pen stroke. "They didn't make it easy on her did they?"

"I wouldn't say so," Elianna sighed. "But they got their sacrifice. It was all they wanted."

"But this man," he ran his finger down the text on the page. "This Maricanchi, he saved her?"

"He saved her, hid her and fell in love with her, Quinn. She was waiting for him the day that she was recaptured. She was pregnant and wanted to tell him their joyous news. Instead, she was found as she wrote in her diary and taken to the men who called themselves chiefs of the village."

"Well, at least she didn't die a virgin. But what does any of this have to do with the Ruby Heart? I mean, yeah, it's a great story and all, but how does that get us any closer to where the Heart is?"

"Did you ever talk to your cousin, Dillon, about the Ruby and what it did to him?"

"What it did to him?" His eyes narrowed. "He never told any of the family that it did anything to him."

"Maybe not the rest of the family, but he told Angel. She had a similar experience when she and Aaron went down into the cavern to bring the Heart out."

"What kind of experience?" He sat forward even more, now more curious about the Heart than ever before.

"He touched it and it took him to the cave in Mexico. It showed him the high priestess, the only one who was supposed to touch the Heart. The high priestess tried to have sex with Dillon, she knew what the Heart could do and she wanted to force the Heart into letting Dillon stay with her. Lucky for him, he was already in love with Rylie. Her voice brought him back."

"My cousin Dillon admitted this to anyone?" Quinn scoffed. "Dillon doesn't believe any of that mumbo jumbo crap. I even tried to get him interested in finding the Heart once. I'd never heard him so adamant when he said no." Quinn sat back on the couch, reaching over to hand her the diary.

"So is this all you got?"

"No." Elianna glanced at Quinn and then down into her purse. She wasn't sure if she wanted to show this next bit of evidence to Quinn or not. If he decided to go without her, this little map she had would make her redundant.

"Well..."

"I'm thinking, Quinn. This page I'm not sure if I should show you or not, it tells you what to do with the Ruby Heart to have it show you the way to the treasure."

"You have a page that will do that?" Quinn sat forward again, eager to see this piece of evidence.

"Yeah, and if I show it to you, how do I know that you'll take me with you?"

"I never said I was going to go myself." He shook his head.

"Oh, yeah, sure. Lie to me some more. How can you resist? The Ruby Heart Treasure is unbelievably expansive, Quinn. Tell me how you could resist that?"

"I've never stolen any one's find before, Elianna. I don't have to. I'm not going to duck out on you in the middle of the night clutching a bunch of ancient papers that might mean nothing. Besides, no one knows where the Ruby Heart is now. Not since your father got hold of it again."

"I do," she said softly, before glancing up to see his face. "That might be the most dangerous part of this quest, Quinn. My father is not a man to come up against, especially when it has something to do with the Ruby Heart. He's been transfixed with the idea of owning it since the first time he read about it in any of the diaries and histories of the piece."

"You know where Antonelli is keeping the Heart?"

"Yes. My father wanted someone to crow to. He couldn't do it with either of his ladies, so I got to listen to him. I know exactly where the Heart is and how to get it."

"And you want my help," he added for her, sinking back against the couch again. "You want me to go up against your father, steal his prized possession and then find the Heart treasure all the while he's hunting me."

It wasn't a question, it was a statement of facts.

"And me, Quinn. Besides Angelina, I'm his only daughter. I'm the one that he plans on leaving all of this to when Beelzebub calls him home."

"So why not wait until that happens?" he asked, the corner's of his lips quirking as they heard her words.

"My father is in perfect shape. He works out every day to keep his heart healthy and strong. He's given up smoking and drinking on the advice of his doctor and the man says he'll live until he's a hundred if he doesn't get hit by a car. I'm not patient enough to wait that long. Besides, do you know what it's like being Sebastian Antonelli's daughter?"

Quinn shook his head.

"I'm surprised I managed to get away from him. I know he has men searching for me. He had a chip implanted in my thigh that would send out a homing signal if I were to ever leave his estate."

"Had a chip?"

"I dug it out," she said, rubbing her hand over the small scar it had left. "I'm cosseted and spoiled as long as I stay where Sebastian puts me. I'm his darling girl as long as I don't want a life of my own. I'm surprised he hasn't put me in a convent yet." She sighed and it seemed to exhaust her. "I've been on the run since I got the first warning that Sebastian knew I was in Texas. I can't stop running now or he'll find me and I'll never be free of him. Do you know what living a life like that can do to you?"

Quinn felt a spurt of sympathy. He'd grown up with overbearing Cousin Dillon keeping an eye on his every move until he found his first treasure. Now Dillon kept his mouth shut or Quinn ignored him. But being a woman and having that thrust down your throat with nothing to be done...he shook his head.

"So you want my help to find the treasure so you can...what? Give it to your father? Shove it in his face?"

"So I can be free from him. I spent my last thousand dollars on buying the car that ended up in the lake last night. I can't do this on my own anymore. I need help, your help. I will do whatever you want me to do, Quinn."

Quinn sighed, tapping his finger against his bottom lip as he thought. His eyes roamed over her, acknowledging her beauty, the soft green of her eyes, the brilliant fire of her hair, her piquant features. There was no doubting her relationship to Angel or to the surge of interest he was feeling toward her. He'd always wished he'd met Angel before Aaron had. He'd always found her absolutely perfect, even when she was nine months pregnant with his cousin's baby.

Now that he'd met Elianna, his interest was more than piqued. It was like God was giving him his own copy of Angel, one with the same beauty and fire, the same strength of will that had always captivated him about Angel. He rose slowly, pacing the floor in front of her for a moment before he dropped to his knees at her feet.

"I have to do this," he whispered softly, reaching out and taking her arms in his gentle hands. He pulled her closer, hearing her gasp and then feeling the heat of her breath against his lips.

Heat hit him first, like someone thrusting a torch into his belly. Then he felt her lips move against his, opening under his and the tiniest of flicker of her tongue against his mouth. He pulled back, his amber eyes opening slowly to stare into the heat of hers. Her hands moved from his chest, rising slowly to touch the nape of his neck, her fingers combing through his too long hair.

"Again," she sighed, lifting her mouth in invitation to his.

"Yes," he moaned, pulling her even closer before rising to sit in her chair and pull her onto his lap. His mouth was relentless, rubbing and teasing hers until she dug her fingers in his hair and pulled him down closer. She arched against him, pushing her breasts, covered only by the softness of his sweatshirt into his chest.

He buried his hand in her hair, holding her still for the possession of her mouth, the other hand pulling her closer, wanting to feel all of her against him.

He finally tore his mouth away from hers, dropping his head back against the cushions of the chair. "Damn," he panted.

Her hands touched his face, exploring his features as if she were blind. Her thumb brushed over the small beard he'd begun growing, then touched his ears, tugging on him to look down at her again.

"What...what was that?" she managed to stutter. Her insides were still on fire and she could feel her wetness against her thighs.

"A kiss," he said softly, gently stroking her hair away from her face. "I've been thinking about doing that since I first fished you out of that lake."

"And now that you have?" she panted.

"I want to do it again," he moaned, moving closer to her again. He gave her no other warning, just dropped his head far enough to cover her lips, his tongue slipping over the seam of her mouth, to tease it open.

Her hands were on his cheeks and then she wrapped her arms around his neck, opening her mouth to his tongue. She felt him rise but ignored the feeling, too caught up in his taste and his heat. She didn't even glance up when she felt him heading up a flight of stairs and opening a door.

"I want you," he growled against her mouth, laying her gently against the thick coverlet of his bed. "I have to have you."

"Yes," she whimpered, her hands finding their way to the hem of his shirt, tugging it away from his body so that she might find his skin.

"God!" he growled, at the way her hands felt against him. He lifted up enough to pull off his shirt, then bent over her further, swooping down to take her lips once more. It was as if she were some kind of drug and he were addicted, unable to do with out the taste of her, the softness of her lips, the heat of her breath.

"Tell me no now, Elianna."

"Y...you want me to say no?" she asked, confusion warring with the passion in her eyes.

"No, God no! But if you're going to say no, do it now or else I can't promise I'll be able to stop." He took her mouth again, not giving her time to say anything, his lips frantic against the softness of hers. He pulled away, only long enough to pull his sweatshirt from off of her slender body. His eyes roamed over her bare flesh, amazed at her beauty and at the way she felt in his arms. "I can't stop," he moaned softly, pressing his bare chest against her breasts. "I don't ever want to stop."

"Never stop," she gasped, rubbing her nipples against the wealth of hair on his chest. The tickle of his chest hair was almost maddening and she arched her back further, tugging on his head to kiss her again. She gasped at the feel of his lips, the sharp nip of his teeth against her mouth. He suckled her lip in, tugging on it, his hands moving over her body.

Elianna pushed at his chest, forcing him to his back. She straddled his lean waist, kissing him over and over, her hair falling around them and making it seem even more intimate. She rubbed against him, her hands moving over the wide muscles of his chest, her nails flicking over the small tips of his nipples.

"You feel so good," she moaned, moving from his lips to his jaw, her teeth scrapping gently against his skin. "You taste...ahh," she cried, feeling his hands move to the ties on the sweats she was wearing. With one quick flick on his hand, he untied the bow that held them around her waist and then he was pushing his hands inside the waistband, pulling them down so that he could reach the rest of her.

Flipping her to her back, he pulled the sweats off of her body, baring her to his eyes except for the long socks she still wore on her feet. His mouth moved down her neck, moving across the small rise of her collarbone, nibbling on her skin. Her name was on his lips, his hands were gentle against her bared breasts and he tugged at her taut, pink nipples.

"Elianna..." he moaned again. "You are...so beautiful...so beautiful." His mouth closed over one hard nipple and he heard her gasp of pleasure. She moved under him, her thighs parting to clamp around his lean hips. She rubbed against the bulge in his pants, her fingers digging into his skin when she couldn't get as much of him as she wanted.

"Please, Quinn," she begged softly. "Please."

He looked up at her and felt a spurt of need that was almost overwhelming. He pulled away from her, tugging off his pants and the briefs he wore under them, dropping them to the pile of clothing left on the floor. "You're sure?" he moaned, forcing himself to do nothing more but look at her writhing form. Her beauty made breathing difficult and his fingers clenched, waiting for her answer impatiently.

"Fuck me, Quinn," she growled, holding out her arms to him and parting her thighs for his invasion. "Please fuck me."

His eyes flared, more gold than amber and a flush rose to cover his cheekbones. His hands were almost shaking as he moved over her, finding that sweep space between her thighs that waited for him. She was fiery hot and so wet for him, he slipped right in, going half way with one quick thrust.

Elianna cried out, unable to stop herself. She'd never felt like this with any man, as if she were going up in flames and she needed him to help her survive. Her hands were on his back, her nails digging half moons into his shoulders. "More," she begged. "Please more."

His mouth moved across her chin, finding her lips and devouring them eagerly. He moved against her slowly, pulling out to the tip of his cock before thrusting in to her tightness again and again, each time a bit more, a bit deeper. Her moans were like aphrodisiacs and he couldn't get enough. He bent his head, finding one tight nipple and suckling it into his mouth, teasing the pink bud with his teeth before rolling it with his tongue.

He heard her cry out, felt the flutter of the muscles that were so tight around his cock. He could feel the pleasure she was giving him, it was unlike anything he'd known before and he had to slow his strokes, feeling the urge to come almost overwhelming him. He pressed the palm of his hand against the softness of her belly, sliding it downward until he could dip his fingers between her swollen lips. Finding the tiny bud of her clit, he played with it, hearing her every moan and groan spiral through him to add to the fire in his loins.

Her body arched and stayed frozen, her lips open on a silent scream of pleasure. He could feel the flutter of her cunt, the muscles pulling him deeper, holding him tighter. He slammed his body into hers, unable to be gentle or careful, wanting only to join her at that black abyss of pleasure.

"Elianna," he groaned as his cock seemed to grow then spurt his come into her. He almost felt as if he were being turned inside out, unable to stop moving against her. He held himself up on his elbows, his heart pounding in his chest. He found her lips once more, never wanting this moment to stop.

She cradled him against her, stroking her hands down his back and then up into his hair. His kisses did little to slow the heavy beating of her heart, but she didn't care. She was happy right now. It felt right to be in his bed, in his arms. It felt as if this were her place, a place she'd been searching for forever.

He stroked her hair out of her face, gently kissing her eyelids and then the tip of her nose. "Are you okay?" he murmured against her ear.

"Am I dead?" she asked, smiling as he laughed.

"If you are than I much be also." He lifted his head, watching as she opened heavy lidded eyes.

"You are amazing," she moaned, raising her head to kiss his lips. "Completely, stupefyingly amazing."

"Stupefyingly?" he asked, a small smirk on his lips. "Is that a word?"

"I don't know. It just seemed to fit." She let her feet slide down his calves, running her toes across the bottom of his foot.

He jerked and she moaned. "I think you could stay right there for the next millennia or so."

"We might get hungry," he said, pushing her hair out of her face.

"What, no room service?"

"You know, I always planned on getting room service here at the house but it just seemed a bit self gratifying for only me." He pulled from her body and then slid to her side, tugging her into his arms. "You don't have any plans to go running out and getting into trouble again tonight, do you?"

She yawned and stretched next to him. "I'll wake you if I feel the urge to get rescued."

He chuckled. "I appreciate that, a woman who knows how to give a man warning."

She opened her eyes again, narrowing them at Quinn. "Is that some kind of crack?"

"God no, never," he soothed

She almost seemed to purr as he stroked his hand down her back, following the sweet curve of her ass and then pulling her leg up to cover his thighs. "Comfortable?"

"Wake me in a few hours and ask me that then," she sighed, yawning hugely. "Getting rescued out of a freezing lake takes a lot out of a girl."

"Not to mention what just happened."

She cocked open one eye and looked at him. "What just happened?"

His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her. "So much for you being good on my ego."

"Well, here I was hoping for round two, something to remind me of." She laughed as he growled at her. "All bark and no bite."

Quinn rolled her under him, coming to lie on top of her. Bending his head, he snapped at her neck. "Do you want to doubt my bite now?"

Elianna moved under him, making herself comfortable, her hands moving over her skin. "Oh, I'll never doubt your bite, Quinn." She arched against his chest, her fingers stroking down his back to cup his ass. She moaned when he moved, rubbing himself against her. He was growing harder against her again and she groaned her approval, a sigh leaving her as he began to push back inside of her. "I think I love your bite, Quinn."

"We aim to please," he moaned his lips moving over her skin. "You're better than one of those little blue pills," he teased.

Her hips moved against his finding his rhythm and adjusting to it. "Oh my, you need some of those little blue pills? I'd never have thought that of one of you Hunter men."

"Better watch it, honey. You're Antonelli side is showing."

She pushed at him and he rolled her across the bed, ending up with her under him again. "Nope, I kind of like it here on top."

"Quinn..." she growled and then moaned, his cock rubbing at her clit as he thrust inside of her. "I think I like you there too."

"You'll stay, won't you?" he asked hoarsely, his fingers moving over her skin.

"As long as you want," she agreed.

He felt the beginning of her pleasure and grinned. "How about forever?" he teased, moving quicker to force the orgasm upon her.

"God Yes!" she cried and he pummeled himself into her, taking her from one massive peak of bliss to the next with little rest between them. When he pulled himself from her, she moaned, knowing he wasn't finished yet.

He rolled her to her tummy, grabbing one of the thick pillows and pushing it under her. Then he slowly pushed back inside of her, groaning at the tightness of her pussy and the way it seemed to welcome him. Her hands were in fists, grasping the soft sheets. "More?"

Elianna heard his teasing voice and wanted to answer but her body felt as if it didn't belong to her anymore. She undulated against his thrusting cock, unable to stop the next wave of pleasure or the next after that. Her moans became keening cries and she looked up, seeing the look of male satisfaction on his face. Just before his body tightened, his orgasm but a stroke away, he leaned closer, whispering in her ear. "Are you going to need thirds to remember who I am?"