by L. E. Wilson
The words rushed out of him. And when it was over, he could do nothing but stand there. Aching for her. Silently willing her to touch him. Did she believe him? He couldn’t tell.
Suddenly, she rose up on her toes and softly kissed his jaw. God, she smelled so good. He wanted her to kiss him again, wanted to taste her, wanted to run his tongue slowly from her lips to her groin and everywhere in between.
Nik let his eyelids slide closed as he felt her lips touch his skin again. A low growl rumbled within his chest. He couldn’t contain it. His self-control was quickly slipping away. The sweet scent of her building desire rose around him, and he knew if he touched her there, she’d be soaking wet and ready.
He heard her racing heart and the soft roar of her blood rushing through her veins. His mouth watered at the memory of that blood. He’d never wanted a female like he wanted Emma. He wanted her naked and writhing beneath him, her hair mussed and her skin slick with sweat. He wanted to feel her lose control and scream his name. Wanted to make her come over and over again.
Opening his eyes, he looked down at her flushed face. He knew it wasn’t the heat of the shower bringing the color to her cheeks. Her hazel eyes were bold and bright with desire as she stared up at him. Her lips slightly parted. Her breath coming in soft pants. It would be so easy to devour that luscious mouth of hers. All he had to do was lower his head just a little. He could be very careful.
Moving quicker than she could track, Nik lowered his mouth to hers. He didn’t touch her, only ravaged her sweet mouth, being very careful of his fangs this time.
It wasn’t enough. He wanted more.
Clenching his fists, he fought his instincts. They raged through him, urging him to take her. He felt one of her hands come up to rest on his stomach, and his muscles tightened in response. She hesitated, then moved up his chest and shoulder to push into his hair and hold his head to hers while she kissed him back with enthusiasm.
Though his hands were fisted at his sides, his mouth on hers held her against him as effectively as his arms would. He kissed her like a starving man. Kissed her relentlessly. Growling low in his throat at the taste of her.
He wanted to pull her to him and wrap his arms around her. He wanted to tear off his clothes, push her up against that shower wall, and bury his length in her. He wanted to sink his fangs into her plump vein as she came, and then pound into her while her blood ran down his throat, until he erupted inside of her. He wanted to crawl inside of her sweet flesh until they were one.
And then he wanted to do it all over again. And again. And would probably rip her apart and suck her dry without even realizing it.
Just like Eliana.
Holy hell, he wanted this woman, but he couldn’t trust himself to be careful enough with her if he fucked her. There was no damn way he’d be able to control himself when it was complete agony just to kiss her. But maybe…
Emma let out a little sound of protest as Nik broke off the kiss and stepped back again. He took a moment to calm his breathing as he silently tried to talk himself out of what he was thinking.
In the meantime, he allowed himself the luxury of letting his eyes roam over her. Her eyes were bright. Her lips swollen from his kisses. Her nipples were hard little pebbles underneath her wet towel.
She lifted a hand and swayed toward him, but he grabbed it in his before she could touch him, and quickly spun her around to the back of the shower. “Put your hands on the wall.”
“Nikulas? What are you doing?” Emma tried to twist herself back around to face him, but he wouldn’t let her.
“Do as I say. Put your hands on the wall, above your head.”
After a slight hesitation, she did. The towel fell open in the front, but the wet material stuck to her back.
“Don’t move your hands, no matter what. Don’t touch me. You hold up that fucking wall like it will come crashing down on us if you don’t. I don’t think I could control myself if you touched me anymore, Em, and I don’t want to hurt you.”
He heard her suck in a breath as he moved up against her back, blocking the shower spray, and pressed his aching cock into her backside. He felt as hard as the stone tiles under her palms.
Leaning into her from behind and putting his arms around her waist, he put his mouth to her ear. “I want to touch you, Emma. I want your breasts to fill my hands. I want to feel how wet you are. I want to make you come and I want you to scream my name when you do it. I won’t hurt you. I won’t bite you. I swear. Do you trust me?”
She didn’t even hesitate this time. “Yes.”
With a hungry growl at her answer, he didn’t give her any time to change her mind. Gathering her hair out of the way in one hand, he pressed his lips to the back of her neck, careful to keep his fangs in check, as he slid his other hand across the satiny skin of her stomach. Running his palm up her ribcage, he squeezed her full breast, kneading her gently and then plucking hard at her nipple, making her gasp and arch her back.
“Perfect,” he moaned. “You feel so perfect.”
Moving his hand to her other breast, he felt more scars there, and had to quickly tamper down the rage that rose up. Needing to distract himself, he closed his eyes and lost himself in the feel of her.
He continued to tease her nipples as he let go of her hair and slowly moved his other hand across her flat stomach, over her hip, and down to settle low on her belly. Holding her tightly in place, he rolled his hips into her shapely ass.
Emma pushed her hips back, rubbing along his thick length. Her breath came in short pants, and she moaned.
Nik tightened his hands on her. “Do NOT move,” he hissed. “You do that again and I’ll have you down on the floor with my cock inside of you before realize what’s happening.”
Emma whimpered at his words, and Nik became still. “Shit. I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath. “I can stop.” I think.
“No! Nikulas, please,” Emma begged. “Don’t stop touching me.”
He didn’t move for a long time. Her words, raw with need for him, hit him so hard he had to take a moment to get himself under control.
When he though he could control himself, he tugged her nipples with one hand as he slid his other hand lower on her stomach. He hesitated slightly, steeling himself, before cupping her silky curls.
But it wasn’t enough. Her scent curled around him and her body trembled in his arms as he slid his fingers into her slippery folds. She was soaking wet and ready for him, as he knew she would be. Emma’s moan was drowned out by his own as he stroked her.
“Jesus…You’re so fucking wet. Is that just for me, Em.” It wasn’t really a question. He knew the answer.
“Yes,” she breathed.
She moaned louder as he continued to gently rub her slick nub. Pushing one of his knees between hers, Nik forced her legs farther apart, opening her even more to his touch. He kissed her neck as he slid one finger inside her, then two, stretching her. She was tight and wet, and his muscles began to ache at the level of self-control he had to maintain. He pumped his fingers in and out of her, imitating the movement with his hips.
His fangs lightly scraped her skin, and he felt a tremor run down her spine, and her slick sheath gripped his fingers even tighter as they pumped in and out of her. Under his other palm, her nipples tightened as he expertly worked her higher and higher.
Emma began to tremble in his arms, her muscles straining as she threw her head back against his chest. Her fingers curled into claws on the hard tile. “Nik? I don’t…”
“Shhh…It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got you. You feel so fucking good. Let go. I’ve got you.”
Nik held her even tighter to him as he pulled his fingers out of her and slid them up to her swollen clit. As he gently rubbed her faster and faster, she arched her back, pushing herself into his hand. Her hips moved, matching his movements.
Nik pinched her nipple hard. “Come for me, Emma. Come NOW,” he ordered.
And with a hoarse cry, she exploded, her body c
onvulsing almost violently in his arms.
Nik continued touching her as she rode out her orgasm, then gently brought her down. He held her, harsh breaths exploding from his chest as he fought the urge the take her against the shower wall and finish what he started.
Holy fucking shit, she was beautiful. Watching her come was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. And he’d seen quite a bit. Unlike other females he’d known, his Emma was completely raw in her reactions to his touch. She didn’t try to put on a show, wasn’t practiced. She was innocence and beauty, and she was his.
HIS Emma. The truth of that floored him. She was his. And he was well and truly fucked now. He never should’ve touched her like this. Never should’ve smelled the delicious scent of her desire. Never felt her innocent, but completely raw reaction to him. Never watched her face as she threw her head back into his chest when she came. It made him want to keep her. Forever.
But he couldn’t have her. It wasn't possible. He’d never be able to control himself enough to make love to her without sinking his fangs into her luscious vein. He was barely hanging onto his control by a thread now. And he was terrified that once he got another taste of her, he wouldn’t be able to stop.
The thought tamped down his lingering desire. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled her scent one last time. Then, Nik released her and forced himself to step back into the shower spray.
Dammit. This never should have happened.
Chapter 24
Emma felt Nik move away, physically and emotionally. Her hands slid down the wet tiles with a squeak as she dropped her arms and grabbed the edges of her wet towel, pulling it tight around herself.
Her face burned. Whether it was from embarrassment or the lingering effects of her orgasm, she wasn’t sure.
She wondered if he would do that again.
Oh my God, what the hell was she thinking? What must he think of her? She’d practically guilt-tripped him into doing those things to her. Nik still hadn’t said anything, and she dreaded turning around to face him.
Her eyes filled with tears. She’d just let him violate her like a common whore, instead of respecting his wishes to keep some distance between them. And she’d loved it. She could only imagine how he was feeling. He probably couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
“Emma…” Nik began in a strained voice.
But she turned around and cut him off with a jerk of her head. She wiped her tears with the heel of one hand and gathered the tiny shreds of her remaining dignity around her. “I’m sorry, Nik. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Emma laughed wryly. “Actually, I obviously wasn’t thinking. You don’t have to say anything.” She ignored his shocked expression. “It’s okay. Let’s just forget about it.”
She looked away and waited for him to leave her to her shower, where she could fall apart in private.
“Un-fucking-believable,” he spit out.
Her head snapped up, and she was met with eyes brimming with rage.
She clenched her jaw. He had no right to be this angry. After all, he’s the one who’d barged in on her. “Just go, please.”
Stepping all up into her personal space, he took her chin and forced her to look at him. “Em-ma!”
Emma fought to keep more tears at bay, her chin and her inner wall of defense lifted high. “What.”
“We need to talk about this, Em.”
“There’s nothing to talk about, Nik.”
“Yes, there is.”
“NO. There isn’t.” Yanking her chin out of his hand with a quick jerk, she forced a measure of calm into her voice. “Now, please—leave.”
Nik stared at her, a lost expression on his face. He tried again. “Emma. Please, talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to say, Nik.”
“I disagree, Emma.” Nik took her face gently in both hands. “You have nothing to feel ashamed of, do you hear me?”
She felt her cheeks burn and tried to look away from him. He thought he knew what she was feeling. He didn’t.
But Nik would have none of it. “What happened here…that was a perfectly natural thing. What happened to you seven years ago, that wasn’t your fault, and it doesn’t make you any less. You can’t let it ruin your life.”
Emma refused to look at him. “I know that. I’ve done the therapy, and I have had sex since then you know.”
Nik recoiled at her words, dropping his hands from her face and moving away from her. “So, if this isn’t about your feeling ashamed of the act, it must be who the act was performed with.”
A sharp pain ripped through Emma’s gut at the hurt in his voice, but she said nothing.
He gave a harsh, derisive laugh. “Yeah, you know what? You’re right. There’s absolutely nothing to talk about.” Yanking the shower curtain closed behind him, Nik sloshed over to the bathroom door.
Emma stared at the closed curtain with a heart full of regret. She’d seen the flicker of pain in his eyes. But it was there and gone so fast she’d almost missed it.
“Will you stay?” she called from behind the curtain. “I mean, not here, but in your room?”
She started to think he’d already left, when she heard him reply, “Yeah, I’ll stay.”
“Good.”
Emma listened as Nik closed the door firmly behind him. After checking he was really gone, she pulled off her sopping towel and hung it on a rail inside the shower.
As the warm water hit her still tender breasts, she stifled a moan. How long had he been standing there before he’d said anything? She prayed she had covered herself fast enough and he hadn’t gotten more than a glimpse of her ravaged skin.
Other than her doctor, no had seen her undressed since that night. Not even herself. She avoided mirrors whenever possible. With the one lover she’d had, she’d always insisted on the lights being off. He hadn’t complained. She didn’t think he’d been that into her anyway, and she’d felt the same. It had just been two consenting adults staving off the loneliness for a little while.
Funny. She tended to forget about her scars completely whenever Nik touched her.
Grabbing the shampoo, she quickly lathered up while she still had some hot water. As she massaged her scalp, she closed her eyes and tried to enjoy the feeling. But as soon as her lids slid down, Nik’s handsome face appeared. Smiling at her. Teasing her.
Fixated on her in her kitchen, right before he pounced.
A surge of lust went through her again, so strong she nearly moaned out loud before she caught herself. Emma wiped the shampoo from her face. She really needed to stop this. She couldn’t fall for him. He was a vampire, for God’s sake. If she had an ounce of sense she’d be terrified, and would be counting the hours until she could be far, far away from him.
However, she wasn’t afraid. Not at all. Not even when he got all freaky scary looking. She didn’t understand it.
Or maybe she did. Taking a deep breath, she admitted the truth to herself. A truth she’d known deep down since the moment he’d walked into that bar. She’d never been more attracted to a man than she was to him. Inside and out. She didn’t care that he wasn’t completely human. She didn’t care about what had happened to her in the past.
Emma made a decision right then and there. If he wanted her, she wouldn’t fight it.
But, that was the question, wasn’t it? Did he want her? He ran so hot and cold, it was impossible to tell if it was just bloodlust, or was he as consumed with her as she was with him?
As she finished scrubbing herself clean, she thought about what he had started to tell her on the plane. What the hell had that been about? What had he meant by all that ‘fated mate’ talk?
She knew he wanted her sexually, he sure as hell had proven that, but was that all it was? Is that all a relationship with him would be? Or did it mean more than that?
And why did he think he would kill her?
These questions and more spun around in her head as she got out and dried herself off. Pulling on her oversized T-shirt, she
realized she hadn’t brought her robe in with her. Of course, she hadn’t expected company either.
Cracking open the door, she saw Nik sitting on the end of the bed with his back to her, staring out at the Sound. He had changed into a pair of dry sweats and a black tank top. His feet were bare. He tilted his head slightly toward her as she tiptoed over to her suitcase and found her old robe. Pulling it on, she went over and sat down next to him.
They sat together, lost in their own thoughts, until Nik finally broke the silence. “I’m sorry…” His voice was husky, and he cleared his throat before continuing. “I’m sorry, again, for walking in on you. I can be a little overbearing at times.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Needing to do something to break the tension between them, she put a hand on his muscular bicep and gave him a little shove. “What happened to the pain in the ass vampire who loved to amuse himself at my expense?”
With a sheepish glance her way, he murmured, “You seem to bring out the worst in me. I don’t know what it is. I’m usually a pretty laid back, happy-go-lucky kind of guy.”
Emma didn’t know how to respond as he rose from the bed to pace back and forth at vamp speed, nothing but a blur until he appeared at either end when he turned around. Here and there she would catch a glimpse of tensed jaw muscles and drawn brows, and even a flash of fang.
Emma remained where she was, watching, waiting patiently for him to work out…whatever he was trying to work out.
A few seconds later, he stopped, appearing abruptly in front of her. Fists clenched at his sides, he wouldn’t look at her.
“What is it?” she asked.
He met her eyes. “You were right before, what you said on the plane. From now on, any interaction between us needs to be strictly business. That’s it. We’ll find our siblings, and then you and your sister can go back to Pennsylvania and we can forget all of this—” He indicated the two of them. “—ever happened.”
