The radio at Cole’s feet sounded an alert tone—three long beeps.
“Detective Barnett, this is the sheriff. If you’re in the elevator you’d better answer, because they’re about to break in. Last chance.”
Cole’s lids flew open, casting a blazing, light-amber glow against the wall. His jaw slackened. John’s words echoed through the haze that overtook him. His thoughts were in turmoil. Painfully, he pulled his mind back as the reality of the situation penetrated the bloodlust. He opened his mouth wide, careful not to nick her with his fangs as he pulled away from her. If one drop of her blood seeped through, he would be lost. He tried hard to harness the beast that wanted to rip into her, and his mouth salivated as he licked his lips, savoring the salty taste of her skin. His fangs retracted with protest, and his body stiffened as he mastered his control.
“Fuck. Game over.”
Mia rested her forehead against the wall and groaned with an ache Cole fully understood.
Cole breathed in the sweet smell of her arousal; she wasn’t leaving this elevator unsatisfied, not around all the special units that will be waiting for them. He pulled his cock away from her and focused on her silky flesh. Working it back and forth with his thumb, he whispered in her ear, “Come for me.”
Mia trembled as the tremendous build inside unknotted in her stomach and rushed down to the sensation between her legs. She couldn’t hold her voice, crying out as her body began to convulse.
Cole swiftly reached down and grabbed the radio. “10-4 sheriff, I’m in the elevator.” The radio clicked continuously with different voices, canceling other units that were in route as the elevator jerked into motion.
Cole’s dark brown eyes flaked with tiny pieces of amber as he tucked his hard shaft back inside of his pants. “You are a bad girl, Mia. See all the trouble you have caused.” Pulling her to him, he brushed gentle kisses over her lips, whispering onto them, “I like when you’re bad.” His gaze was still heated as he zipped his pants.
“You know that control we discussed? You have approximately one minute to gain it, before these doors open.” A low laugh pushed through his grin.
She straightened herself, brushing her hands along her skirt. When she reached down to pick up her torn panties from the floor, Cole’s fingers wrapped around them.
“Cole, give those back!”
“I should at least get a souvenir from this ride, especially since I didn’t get any release.” He teased her with his smile.
“Cole…” She reached for them, only to have him shove them in his pocket.
“If it bothers you that much, you can have them back when you make me scream your name.” His eyes challenged her. With her cheeks burning, she dropped her gaze.
Buttons were scattered around the floor from Cole’s shirt and it was torn beyond repair. He tried to tuck it in to make it look neat. As they reached the bottom floor, she felt her face flame. Mia pulled at the hem of her skirt. Would they know she wasn’t wearing panties?
With a devilish grin, his eyes stroked her frame. “Knowing you’re not wearing panties will make walking difficult.” He stole a look from the corners of his eyes. “Here we go. Put your game face on.” Mia rotated her shoulders, trying to shake off the moment. The elevator dinged. “I was just thinking how easy it would be to slide my tongue through your wetness without the restriction of panties.”
Her mouth dropped. The doors opened, and the sheriff stood directly in front of them shaking his head.
“I already cleared the area because I thought this is what you were up to, Cole. I told you to stay away from her unless I order otherwise. Like the blood bond she just refused.”
“It wasn’t me.” Cole jerked his head toward Mia, and her jaw dropped. She glared at him, snapping her mouth shut she turned toward the sheriff.
“You said I should test myself. I just took your advice.”
“You two get out of here, and we’ll call you if we need you. Mia, I may need you to look at the other two bodies that turned up.” He waved a hand of dismissal then walked away, muttering under his breath. “A female Cole… Two of them. That’s what I have to deal with now, dammit.”
“It looks like we have the night off. If I knew pushing that button would do that, I would have pushed it a while ago.” He chuckled as he rolled up his sleeves.
“With whom?” The words blurted out before she could stop them.
He arched an eyebrow. “Are you claiming me, my love?” His voice was low. He tugged on his sleeves as he stared at her in silence. “Still unsure? You have vampire tendencies, even if you won’t accept it. We are very territorial, so even if you won’t let me in all the way, know that I will harm anyone that comes near you. You are mine, and I have no qualms in protecting what’s mine. Nor do I have shame in claiming you.”
He finished with his shirt. Placing a finger under her chin, he tilted her eyes up to meet his. “What would you like to do?”
Run. Stay. Hell, after that “claiming” comment, she didn’t know. What does it mean? What if she wanted to claim him—could anyone else touch him? Does it mean he was going to pee on her to mark his territory?
“I’m hungry,” was the action she decided on. She couldn’t remember the last time she was actually hungry.
“Dinner it is. I’ll follow you to your apartment. We can drop off your car, and then go get something to eat.”
Cole retrieved an extra shirt from his trunk before walking up to her apartment. Mia stopped in the doorway. Turning to him, she grabbed his shirt and met his eyes.
“Thanks for being honest with me about everything. I could never forgive you if you lied to me. The one thing I cannot tolerate is a dishonest person.”
“I will never lie to you.” The back of his hand caressed her cheek.
“Do you really want to go out to eat? I can always order something, and we can stay in. I would like to have you to myself, if that’s okay.” She stepped inside the door, pulling him by the hand.
“You’ve made me extra hungry, so unless you are planning on feeding me, we’ll have to go out. I didn’t bring any containers with me. Although, you were willing in the elevator, I could feel your hesitation then and now. I want you, Mia, in every possible way, but not if you are unsure.” Cole removed his torn shirt as he spoke.
Looking at her feet, she shifted uneasily. The thought of his fangs penetrating her skin like huge needles, extracting her blood, made her stomach nauseous. Yes, she did lose herself in the moment, but now she was thinking clearly.
He wrapped her into his bare chest. She placed her head against it, closing her eyes tight in an attempt to drown out her conscious thoughts. She could never fully please him.
He squeezed her tighter, and she knew he felt something shift inside her. “What I feel for you runs much deeper than the need for the blood in your veins. I tease you, but I would never force you to do something you don’t want to.” Cupping her face in his hands, he placed a kiss on her forehead, nose, and lips. “Now, let’s get ready to go out before I start checking on the things that I’ve wanted to do to your body. We’ll never eat if we stay here.”