by Katie Reus
“It won’t take much for me to kill you, little vamp,” Hector growled, barely leashing his jaguar. “I’m going to ask this once. Why were you watching Daphne’s house?”
When the man tried to answer, he only coughed and sputtered. Hector realized he needed to loosen his grip.
“Hector!” Daphne’s footsteps pounding down the stairs behind him ricocheted into the cold night air. He didn’t turn, not wanting to take his gaze off the threat in front of him.
Daphne placed a gentle hand on his forearm. “Let him go. I know him.”
Instead of releasing his grip, Hector turned to face her. He knew his jaguar was likely showing in his eyes, but he couldn’t help that. “You were expecting him at this hour?”
Jaw clenched, she shook her head and glared at him. “No. Not that it’s any of your business if I had been expecting him. I could have been expecting a dozen guys—”
He snarled, the vicious noise cutting off her words and killing all sound around them. The thought of any male touching her, much less a dozen, had his inner cat going crazy. Looking away from her surprised face, he glared at the vampire still dangling in the air. “I’m letting you go. If you make a move toward her, I’ll end your life.”
With wide eyes, the blond nodded. The male sucked in a deep breath and stumbled as Hector dropped him. He looked back and forth between Hector and Daphne, fear rolling off him in waves. He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and didn’t take a step toward either of them.
Before Hector could speak, Daphne asked, “What the hell is going on, Troy? Why are you here? And when did you become a vampire?”
He shrugged, and for the first time since Hector had noticed the guy, he realized that he looked young. Maybe eighteen or nineteen. “I followed you from the shifter bar. I wanted to talk to you earlier, but you haven’t been returning my phone calls. I didn’t know if you’d want to see me.”
“So you thought showing up at my house unannounced was the way to go?” Daphne’s voice was scolding, but soft.
Way too soft for how she should be responding to this guy. Hector didn’t understand why she was basically letting him off the hook.
Troy flicked a quick glance at Hector then looked back at Daphne. “Is this your new boyfriend? Is that why you’re not returning my calls?” There was no hiding the disgust in his voice.
What the hell? Did she actually date this guy?
Daphne sighed. “My personal life is none of your business—something we have discussed. You need to leave. It’s early and I’m sure you need to get back to wherever you’re staying before sunrise. I’ll call you tomorrow night and we’ll talk, but you can’t do this again. If you show up at my home or my school or do anything like this again, I’ll file a restraining order against you and have my Alpha call whoever made you. My Alpha is not the forgiving type. You know the kind of consequences you’ll be dealing with, don’t you?”
When Troy nodded and sprinted away without another word, Hector let out a frustrated breath. “What the hell, Daphne?”
She sighed and nodded toward her house. “Have time for a cup of coffee?”
Yeah, like he was leaving. After scanning the neighborhood again, he followed her inside. Her natural jasmine scent was stronger here and it enveloped him as he strode toward her kitchen. Though he’d seen the inside of her home earlier, he’d been focused on finding a threat. Now he could appreciate all the small touches that showed Daphne’s influence. Even though the kitchen was sleek and modern, there were fresh flowers on the kitchen table and four little plants on the windowsill that overlooked the backyard.
“Forget the coffee. Who the hell is that guy and why did you let him go?” Hector leaned against the counter by the sink as she collapsed onto one of the stools by the marble-topped island.
Daphne scrubbed a hand over her face. She wasn’t wearing her boots anymore, just pink bunny slippers that gave her an adorable, almost innocent quality. “My senior year I did some tutoring and he was one of my students. He’s not a bad kid, just really confused and messed up. Troy comes from a broken home with no mother and he developed this . . . obsession with me. At first it was just phone calls. He started calling me with clearly made up issues about his homework. But then he started calling at all hours of the night wanting to know who I was with and what I was doing.
“He thought I wouldn’t date him because I was his tutor, so he found another one. Then he somehow came to the conclusion that it was because I was a shifter and he was human and our life spans were too different. I was fine to let him think that. I finally stopped returning his calls because I realized nothing I said would make a difference. Then he started showing up outside my classes or waiting for me in the school parking lot by my car. When I graduated and moved I thought it would be the end of it. He’s just a human so I wasn’t really worried about him, but . . .” She trailed off and looked down at her clasped hands which were clenched tightly in her lap. “I can’t believe he followed me here. What if he turned vampire because of me?”
“You need to tell Angus,” Hector said quietly.
Her head snapped up and her dark eyes were conflicted. “If I do, you know what will happen.”
Hector nodded. As she’d suggested, Angus was definitely not the forgiving type. He meted out punishment with the kind of harsh brutality one would expect from a three-hundred-year-old Alpha who’d managed to maintain control of the New Orleans territory for as long as he had. And Daphne was a favorite among her pack. Angus and his mate, Iris, were close to Daphne’s parents. This would not go over well at all. “This guy is stalking you, Daphne. You get that, don’t you?”
“Of course I get it. I just don’t want him to get hurt. I feel bad for him.” Unshed tears glistened in her eyes as she looked away from him.
Oh, hell. Covering the distance between them, Hector pulled her off the stool and gathered her in his arms. Without her boots she was a little shorter and her face fit right against his chest.
She sniffled a little and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. “You probably think I’m being stupid for being worried about what happens to him,” she muttered.
He sighed. “No, I think you have a big heart.” That didn’t mean Hector had to be magnanimous toward the guy. He planned to find out everything he could about the human-turned-vampire and make sure he stayed the hell away from Daphne.
After a few minutes she pulled away from him and wiped at her eyes. “Thanks for listening. I’m sorry you even have—”
He shook his head. “Stop. I’m not sorry. You clearly needed to tell someone about this. It doesn’t matter that you’re a shifter and he’s a human—well, a vamp, now. Being stalked isn’t something anyone should have to deal with, let alone deal with by themselves. And you haven’t told anyone, have you?”
Flushing guiltily, she shook her head.
He was pissed she’d been keeping this to herself, but scolding her wouldn’t get him anywhere. She’d just been trying to handle it in her own way. “Come on. I’m sleeping in the guest room and I know you must be beat.” He didn’t bother asking if he could stay over because leaving wasn’t an option.
For a brief moment it looked as if she might argue, but she just sighed and turned toward the entryway. “All right. I’ll get you some extra towels in case you want to take a shower.”
• • •
Daphne lifted her face up to the pulsing jets of her shower, savoring the feel of the heat cascading over her body. She was beyond stunned that Troy had shown up at her townhome. Even more so that he was now a vampire. The last couple months at school she’d almost felt like a prisoner, trying to hide from him all the time. She’d been so sure that when she returned home she’d be leaving that problem behind her. Maybe she should have done things differently.
Deep down she was terrified that she’d somehow led him on or given him a mixed signal in so
me way. She’d always kept things professional but maybe . . . Oh, hell, who knew? After turning off the shower, she wrung the water from her hair before wrapping herself in a big fluffy towel. The shower had helped somewhat and now all she wanted to do was sleep and forget about Troy.
She really hated that Hector was even aware of any of this. It was so embarrassing. She could take care of herself and didn’t want him to view her as some kid. She’d just never thought she’d have to deal with a stalker. That was something that happened to celebrities. Once she’d brushed her teeth and twisted her wet hair up into a clip, she eased the door open and stepped into her bedroom.
Hector was sleeping in the next room, but shifter hearing was keen and she didn’t want to disturb him. It was sweet that he was staying over even if it did make her feel like he was trying to take responsibility for her. She didn’t want a babysitter or bodyguard. She wanted him as a lover.
And she didn’t want him to think of her as his sister’s friend or someone he needed to look out for, but as a woman. She wanted to feel his body over hers and—she let out a yelp as she ran into the trunk she’d pulled down earlier from her walk-in closet.
Her bedroom door flew open. Hector stepped into her room, claws unsheathed, his jaguar clear in his gaze. Blinking, he scanned the room then focused on her. His eyes quickly turned full human as he retracted his claws. “Are you okay?” he rasped out.
“Yeah, I just . . . why aren’t you in bed?” He might be fast, but there was no way he’d made it from the guestroom to hers that quickly.
He shrugged and a spicy, pure masculine scent rolled off him as he stared at her.
She realized he’d likely been sitting or lying outside her room. She narrowed her gaze. “You don’t need to stand guard outside the whole night. I’m a shifter too and completely capable of taking care of myself.”
“I know. But that doesn’t change the fact that I want to take care of you too,” he said quietly.
Oh. Daphne struggled to find the right words, any words, but he continued.
“I think it’s time for that kiss.” His gaze traveled over her body in a lazy path of unabashed admiration.
She was wearing a towel, but the way his gaze was blazing a trail from her head down to her pink toenails made her feel completely bared to him. If she was braver, she’d drop the towel, but there was no way she could do that. As a shifter, she was comfortable with her body and nudity, but Hector had never seen her naked and it would definitely change things between them if he did. Especially if she dropped her towel and he wasn’t interested. That thought doused some of her lust.
Hector frowned at her as he stepped farther into the room. “What are you thinking?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
His eyes narrowed and he walked toward her until they were inches apart. Nervously she licked her lips and felt a small jump inside her belly when his gaze zeroed in on her mouth. She’d fantasized about what it would be like to kiss him, but now that she was faced with the reality, she knew it would be better. Had no doubt in her mind.
“Lie on the bed,” he whispered.
It took a moment for his words to sink in. “What?”
“Now.” There was a commanding edge to his voice that took her off guard, mainly because she really liked it.
Daphne didn’t know if she should keep her towel on or what kind of kiss required her to lie down, but she did as he said. Anticipation and desire hummed through her in equal measures.
Hector stood at the end of the bed, tall and intimidating, and without his sweater on, sexy as sin. She’d noticed his chest when he’d walked in—she’d have to be blind not to—but as she let her eyes travel over all those hard, muscular planes her belly tightened with need.
Without a word Hector kneeled on the bed, never taking his gaze from hers. His green eyes were smoldering and practically electric as he watched her. He gently took one of her ankles and lifted it toward his mouth.
She might be wearing a towel, but the position would give him a perfect view of everything underneath it. Instead of kissing her ankle, like she’d expected, he gently ran his nose over her skin, inhaling slightly, as if he couldn’t get enough of her.
God, just watching him holding her leg was turning her on. Her inner walls clenched involuntarily, and even though there was no way possible he could have known, his eyes narrowed a fraction. Had he scented her desire?
Scooting farther up on the bed, he inched closer to her, forcing her thighs to spread wider. When they did, her towel pushed up higher on her thighs. She made a move to hold it back down, but he just shook his head.
The thought of him being a demanding lover was so deliciously erotic. He would take, but she knew he’d be giving. Still holding her ankle, he continued his path up her leg, never touching her with his mouth. Never kissing her.
By the time he reached her inner thighs, she was practically quivering with excitement and yes, a lot of nervousness. Hector had already bypassed everything she thought he planned on doing. She was pretty sure he didn’t want a quick fling, but she was also sure that it wouldn’t last forever. Even though she figured she’d probably get her heart ripped out when things ended, there was no way she would stop things between them. No way in hell. She wanted everything he had to give.
“Open your towel,” he said softly, just a touch of a growl in his voice.
Her hands stilled at the top of it as a very short-lived war waged inside her. She wasn’t a coward. She wanted this. Wanted Hector like she’d never wanted anyone. With slightly trembling hands, she pulled the towel free from where it was cinched above her breasts and exposed herself to him.
He swallowed hard, the lust blazing in his eyes going a long way to easing her panic. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” he murmured, almost to himself.
His words took away the rest of her lingering nervousness. “So where’s my kiss?” She had no idea where she found the courage to ask, but his gaze snapped up to hers and she couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face.
His answering smile was positively wicked. Slowly, he slid his strong hands along her inner thighs until he reached the very top of them. He pressed on her legs so that she had no choice but to fully open herself to him.
Before she had a chance to be self-conscious, he leaned down and kissed her clit. Crying out in surprise, she jerked against his face, unable to stop herself. Feeling his lips on her sensitive bundle of nerves was better than anything she could have fantasized about.
His tongue lazily stroked around her pulsing bud and the moans he made as he teased her lit her on fire. Slowly, he ran his tongue down her wet slit, then back up, centering on her clit again. She threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her when he abruptly stopped.
Panting, she stared at him. His green eyes glinted wickedly. “That’s one kiss. Should I stop?”
She shook her head.
“Say it,” he ordered.
More heat flooded between her legs. She could definitely get used to this dominating side of Hector. “Kiss me.”
His lips quirked up. “That’ll do for now,” he murmured before he bent his head to her again.
The moment his lips and tongue made contact with her sensitive flesh, she knew it wouldn’t take her long. Normally, it took a lot of coaxing for her to have an orgasm, but she was so hot and primed for him she was ready to topple over the edge.
He surprised her by sliding two fingers inside her. The movement was smooth and unhurried and a sharp climax surged through her the moment he entered her. He didn’t let up with his tongue though. He kept teasing and licking her as he slowly drew his fingers out of her. Her inner walls clenched wildly, needing to be filled by him. As if he knew what she craved, he pushed back in again, faster this time. He kept repeating it as her orgasm rolled through her. It seemed to go on forever as ribbons of pleasure punched
out to all her nerve endings. After an eternity, she called out his name before collapsing in a boneless heap against the silky covers. She didn’t care if she sounded desperate for him. At that moment, she was.
With heavy lidded eyes, she looked down at Hector. He looked so very male and so satisfied in that moment. She wanted to pull him to her, but she was soaking up the bliss of her climax and couldn’t move.
Hector practically stalked up her body until his hands were on either side of her head, caging her in. She looped her legs around him, pulling his hard length flush against her. Even with his pants on, there was no denying he was very affected.
Leaning down, he covered her mouth with his. She could taste herself on him and couldn’t believe how erotic that was. Tunneling her fingers through his hair, she clutched on to him, savoring the way he was kissing her with complete dominance. She could feel how tense he was, as if he was trying to control himself. His untamed energy was radiating off him.
He cupped her breast with one hand and began slowly strumming her nipple with his thumb. But as she arched into him, he pulled back and basically jumped off the bed.
Feeling hurt and vulnerable, she yanked her towel closed.
Before she could say anything, he gave a sharp shake of his head and spoke. “I don’t want to rush this with you, Daphne. And I’m ready to take you right here. I can’t keep touching you, but not because I don’t want to. I do. Probably too much.” His words came out choppy and uneven.
Clutching her towel tightly against her chest, she fought the awkwardness that was threatening to overtake her. “That was some first kiss.” Her words immediately eased the tension in the room.
“I’m glad you think so.” Hector grinned and strode to one of her antique dressers. “What do you normally sleep in?”
She really wanted to ask if he wanted a release in return, but she was too shy to ask. The words were hovering on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t push them out. Instead, she answered his question. “Naked or in a T-shirt. They’re in the top drawer.”
