THE skittish look in her eyes accompanied the desperation of her voice, yet she wanted him, at least with her body. Her arousal resonated in his mind, igniting his own erotic appetites to test the restraints of the creature within.
“I will have you, Engel, but not with fear in your heart. Look at me, Sariel. See me…the man. I’m not the beast who killed your family. Underneath the pain of loss and fear there’s a connection between us. Through that, I feel your desire. I scent it, too. Nurture that thread; it’s our destiny. Want me the way I want you.” His hand fisted in her silken skeins, held captive as much by her golden locks as by the sweet aroma dispensed, however unwillingly, from her core. Shades of sunshine and diamonds glittered back at him. “Just a taste, Engel, just a taste.”
“But I don’t want to feel desire.”
“Ah, but you do.”
As he lowered his head, she rose up on her toes and met him halfway, eyelids drifting down, a sibilant yesss slipping from between her lips.
Her mouth tasted of ambrosia, pheromones, and some unknown spice drifting across his senses. A feather-light brush across her lips brought her hands up to clutch his shoulders.
He pulled her closer, the contact explosive. In all his centuries of existence, he’d never believed this volatile passion could exist outside the confines of a poet’s imagination, testing his control at every turn.
“Surrender your aggression and fear,” he mumbled against her lips.
The fabric encasing her torso couldn’t hide the toned body underneath his unrestrained exploration. As his tactile examination drifted down her vertebrae, inch by excruciating inch, her arms wound tentatively around his neck.
When the tip of his tongue whispered across the seam of her lips, demanding entry, her sudden inhalation granted access, if not of her own free will.
Even so, it was by far the sweetest taste he’d ever known. He took his time, moving slowly, sensually, sliding his tongue to tangle with hers, exploring every crevice with a need to know even the smallest detail of her body.
When he tilted his head for deeper penetration, she whimpered. The small surrender inflamed the hunger coiled in his gut. The beast within burned for the freedom to have her under its control.
With one hand holding her nape, the other explored the curve of her back, the indent of her tiny waist that flared over a firm hip. Unable to stop himself, his consciousness reached for her thoughts, needing to know how her mind processed her body’s reactions.
Her sense of awe and chastisement blindsided him. Passion soon overwhelmed both. When she arched her breasts into him, twin points burned a path through his soul. She laid claim to him in a way no other had or ever could, her fate sealed for all time.
In sheer wonder, he pulled back to gaze into eyes filled with confusion and desire yet searching his for—what? Unable to do otherwise, once again his mouth descended to hers, changing the angle of his kiss. The beast inside threw itself against its cage, needing more, needing all.
The ecstasy of her in his arms transcended rational description. Desire flared in the gentle quiver of her nostrils, dilated pupils, and softening of her body language. Still, his body demanded more than her reciprocated attraction. He needed more than greedy curiosity. His beast required a burning hunger to consume her, transcending consciousness and corporeal existence.
Tentative movements revealed her inexperience in romantic exploration. Yet she opened to him, his tongue exploring the warm recesses of her inviting passion. With slight pressure on the small of her back, he brushed his hips against her belly, exquisite torture filling his mind.
Her response was immediate and complete surrender. Through their connection, he felt her mind softening. Her weight proved inconsequential as he braced her sagging form against his frame. Relaxing the burdens in her mind was a temporary yielding, but a small foothold he could exploit.
Again, he scented her arousal, knew her core wept for him. Her body needed him, needed to finish what they’d started. To complete the act now would shake her burgeoning trust, the foundation for any relationship. His partly smothered growl of frustration startled her.
Ending the kiss, he continued to hold her, wanting nothing more than to lay her on the bed and bury himself deep inside while his fangs sank into her delicate neck.
Muscles rippled under his skin in waves, wanting, needing the freedom to allow the creature within to follow its nature. Gone was the barbarism that shredded demons and enemies alike. This demonstrated the savagery of a vampire craving to claim its mate—and would scare her to death.
“Engel, we must go. I only have so much control and this is not the time.” Resting his forehead against hers, he sighed.
Minutes passed. Her eyelids fluttered as strength returned to her limbs. Several more blinks swept away the glazed look that would forever burn in his memory. Gently, he set her back after he was certain she’d stand unaided.
“Uh, what in the world…”
“Easy, Engel, I know you feel it too. We’ll take it slow. I don’t want to frighten you.”
“Too late. Did you mesmerize me?”
“No. Never. You will feel every bit of what we do. We will be good together.”
“No, Lukas. You may have some power over me but not to that extent. There is no we. Not now, not ever.”
When she pushed against his chest to gain more space, the beast reacted and hauled her against his body.
To soothe it, he traced his hands over firm muscles, molded her ass then lightly squeezed. “I will make you scream my name when you come.”
“Come? Come where?”
“When you climax, orgasm, fly to heaven in my arms.”
“Ah, no. We’re not doing that either, Lukas. Though I’ve wondered what it felt like, Crystine would never discuss details.” Her deep blush made his groin tighten painfully.
So, my Engel is inquisitive. Sliding easily into her thoughts confirmed his speculation. She’d never experienced the pinnacle of sexual release.
Her gaze darted around the room, searching for anything to distract him. She tried to gain time to think, a chance to flee.
He didn’t want her fear, yet couldn’t back away.
“Hmm…my curious Engel. It is incredible. Every muscle in your body will spasm, sending fire to your most treasured center. And yes, Engel, you will scream my name.” His fingers drew a moan from her as he sketched up her flanks to cup the sides of her breasts.
Then—like a cat shedding raindrops, she shook her head, her look incredulous. He allowed her to push his hands away this time. “Are you kidding me? That sounds too much like a demon bite during your monthlies, so…no thank you. No wonder men like sex more than women.”
This time when she shoved against his chest, he let her go. His shoulders shook from his deep rumbling laughter, his voice following her fleeing steps.
The fluid grace in each of her strides increased the pain in his groin. Soon, Sariel, soon. “Go, your meal will be ready. Mine won’t get cold.”