by Tina Donahue
“You shouldn’t have to. That’s awful.”
He struggled to convince her. “I’m okay.”
“No. You were a lonely little boy—panther—whatever. You had to find your own path to being a man.”
She made the past sound harder than it had been. “I had friends along the way. They became my family. Better than any I could have imagined.”
“Really?”
He nodded, not wanting to voice another lie.
“I’m glad.” She ran her thumb over his bottom lip.
Pleasure shot clear to his eyelashes and teeth before diving to his cock, stiffening the damn thing. He didn’t dare move, afraid friction from his clothes might increase his arousal to the point of no return.
She stroked his bristly chin, his cheek, his…
Breathing wasn’t something he could do any longer.
Her color rose impossibly again, eyes hooded, gaze blurry.
He leaned in, so did she, their lips nearly touching.
“One Death by Chocolate and red wine.”
At Ariel’s cheery voice, they broke apart. Hunter’s panther wanted to growl, but he kept his peace and nodded his thanks.
The moment she split, he held up his glass. His hand trembled. “To a satisfying meal and solving our problem.”
“That most of all.”
Their glasses clinked.
Halfway through her sip, she moaned like a woman experiencing an orgasm.
He couldn’t help but smile and would have liked to merely enjoy this meal with her, but reality pressed in. He drank his wine to gather courage and calm down. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take long. His dick wanted to break free from his clothes and sink deeply into her. If his balls plumped any more, he’d be in tears. Ignoring his endless desire, he turned his smartphone back on. “Hate to hound you with questions, but I do need to know as much as I can for my protection to work.”
She sagged then licked whipped cream from her upper lip. “Ask away.”
If only it were that easy and straightforward. Given her experience, it wasn’t, but he couldn’t turn back. “What are you like as a vampire?”
She pushed away so quickly, her drink sloshed over the rim of his glass, spilling on the snowy tablecloth. “What?” She looked hurt and indignant. “Why do you have to know that?”
“To protect you from Brooke. Zander turned you both. Therefore, you likely share the same traits. My guess is she’s still warm to the touch as you are.”
“I wouldn’t know.” Desiree guzzled her drink, coughed, and made a face.
The bartender must have been heavy-handed with the vodka and coffee liqueur. “You okay?”
She swiped her hand across her mouth. “I’ll live—or exist—or—Hell.” She lowered her face. “What else could you possibly want to know except I’m not icy to the touch and have fangs?” She jabbed her finger at him. “Do not ask to see them.”
He lifted his hands. “No way. Do you shift?”
Her complexion paled even more than it should for a vampire.
Before she got in his face for asking, he explained. “If Brooke comes at you, or me, after she shifts, I’d prefer to know what she looks like.”
Desiree finished her drink and held up her glass for another.
Ariel nodded from across the room and trotted toward the bar.
He hated bringing up painful shit but couldn’t avoid doing so. “Once you tell me, I swear I’ll never mention it again.”
She looked at him, shame in her eyes.
“Hey.” He cradled her face. “This isn’t your doing. That douche blindsided you.”
“I allowed it. Damn, I encouraged it by falling for him.”
“The same way women goad rapists to attack them by dressing provocatively or necking during a date?”
Outrage burned in her eyes. “Fuck that. Women are entitled to have fun without having to pay for it, and no means no.”
“Exactly.” He licked whipped cream from the side of her mouth.
She trembled.
His pulse raced, but he controlled himself and eased back. “You thought he was a regular guy, and you allowed yourself to be vulnerable. That makes you human and him a sick fuck.”
“If you say so.” She covered her eyes. “Yeah, I can shift—not that I ever will.”
He wouldn’t have guessed otherwise. “Can you describe what you look like when you have?”
“Sure.” She dropped her hand. “Ugly. Disgusting. Gross. Creep—”
“Enough.” He pressed his fingers to her lips. “How about giving me your proportions and weight after you shift, such as color, wing span…whatever you can think of or remember.”
She moaned.
Ariel delivered the new drink.
Hunter’s frown rushed her away
Desiree looked at the booze longingly but didn’t touch it, grasping his hand instead. However, she didn’t meet his gaze. “My fur and eyes are black. My wings leathery, ears really big. And I have a long tail.” She made a pained sound. “It’s not that any bat is cute, but God, my nose is pushed in like a pug. I kind of look like one, only uglier.”
He kissed her knuckles. “I find that hard to believe.”
She offered a weak laugh that sounded beyond sad. “You are a nice guy. What I look like isn’t pretty.”
“Attractiveness isn’t important here. How big is your wingspan?”
“I have no idea. The moment I shifted, without even trying, and saw myself in the mirror, I fought to return to my human form and haven’t changed since.”
A new wrinkle he hadn’t considered. “Does your body want to shift on its own?”
She nodded. “It’s a constant battle to keep from doing so, like with the bloodlust. The potions and spells have eased the need considerably, but I know it’s always just below the surface, waiting for a chance to come out.”
Not a good enough solution when it came to her. She deserved the best. At the least, a chance to fully relax. During his work at the agency, he’d come across a few witches and warlocks, all powerful and at the top of their game. They might be able to offer something to help.
“As to my other undead qualities…” She made another sound, similar to a wounded animal. “I can move blindingly fast, but I don’t have the celebrated extra strength. Maybe only male vamps in Zander’s genetic group get that. My hearing and sight are ordinary, or rather mortal. I can’t read minds or force my thoughts on others. If I could, I would have turned Brooke around real quick. And I still have a reflection. That’s about it except for one last thing.”
Must be awful for her to have saved it until now. “Which is?”
She lifted her face to his, moisture glistening in her eyes. “Since I’m technically dead, I can’t have children any longer.”
Grief rang in her voice, despair coloring her words.
If he could have comforted her, he would have, but even a hug might have seemed like pity. An emotion he’d never feel for her. She was the strongest woman—hell, person—he knew, including himself. He’d been born a shifter. She’d known what it was like to live and breathe freely without the supernatural crap attached to it. Her loss was greater than anything he’d ever know. “If it takes till my dying day, I will get Zander for this.”
“No.” She put her hand over his mouth. “Don’t mess with him on my part and get yourself hurt. I’ve adjusted. I help people now. If I’d been smart, I would have started my show before being turned.”
Rather than press his point, he lowered her hand and laced his fingers through hers. “What did you do before then?”
“Recording audio books and doing commercial voiceovers. That’s why I have the studio in my office. I can crawl out of bed and straight into work.” She laughed softly then sobered fast. “After I got turned, I lost interest in that and started the show, mostly on a whim. It went viral within weeks. Enough to attract advertisers and support myself far better than when I was doing those other things. In the early days with bo
oks, money was so tight, I didn’t often eat.”
“Your parents couldn’t have helped back then? Wait.” A disturbing thought struck. “Do they know about you being turned?”
She glanced past him. “I have no reason to tell them, same as you with your foster parents.”
“I’m sorry. Will things ever change for you and them?”
“I’m not holding my breath.” She regarded their joined hands and squeezed his. “Mom and Dad’s thing is battling each other, each wanting to win at whatever cost, with me in the middle. That’s how I got my first two names: Desiree Passion. Dad said they sounded like a damn stripper, which meant Mom adored them, just to be obstinate.” She drooped. “It’s not that they’re horrible people, but they never talk or discuss stuff. They scream opinions at each other. But only when they have an audience to see the show. Before I reached adulthood, that was me. The moment I walked out the door for school, playtime, or whatever, they fell back to silence. Some family, huh?”
Sounded like she was the only adult in the mix. So much empathy filled him, he gathered her in his arms, wishing he could give her the world. At the least, a family for her to love, which she’d never have thanks to Zander. Fuck. “You deserved better. You should get the very best. I…”
He covered her mouth with his, unable to help himself any longer, and slipped his tongue inside.
Her inner heat astounded, her softness aroused. Holy fucking Christ. His hair stood on end.
Fighting to get closer, he angled his mouth for better penetration.
She wreathed her arms around his shoulders, suckled his tongue deep, and gave him her all.
Three
Wine scented Hunter’s breath, his taste pure male, a potent flavor Desiree couldn’t put into words, no better than she could have described love to the uninitiated or explained self-sacrifice to the terminally selfish. To her, true affection and respect were emotions so deep they defied all hate this world offered and healed the most damaged soul.
Burning for him, she pushed her fingers through his thick, silky hair and pulled him closer, unwilling to let go.
Panther and man growled.
An exciting yet comforting sound reaching the mortal she’d once been and the vampire she was now.
He cupped her neck, tempering his strength, and deepened his kiss, their tongues dancing.
The walls she’d built around herself crumbled easily, and she melted into him, wanting to remain this way forever. A futile hope when reality proved unchangeable. No matter her desire or his, she couldn’t give him the family he’d never had and needed. His future lay elsewhere with another mate compatible to his needs.
She only had now with him.
He scooted closer, and she did, too, nothing registering except their pleasure.
His touch, scent, and heat electrified, sparking something distinctly human within her, pushing away the bad Zander had left, leaving goodness in its wake.
If only it could cure the other ills she still had and make her whole again.
Wasn’t possible.
Remorse cut deep, constricting her throat. She battled it to enjoy these moments, lost in his embrace, protected by the man he’d always be.
Too quickly, her lungs burned for a full breath. She pulled her mouth free. Panting, she rested her forehead against his.
His labored breathing matched hers.
Gentle throat clearing sounded.
Ariel stood to the side next to a tray bearing their order, her pretty face reddened, smile stiff.
Laughter gurgled in Desiree’s throat. Fighting it, she lifted her finger, asking for a moment.
Hunter sought her mouth again. She wanted nothing more than his passion, but deftly bypassed his lips and pressed her cheek to his. “Do you mind if we continue this at my apartment, like right this minute?”
He shook his head and eased back. “Let’s go.” He was on his feet before he noticed Ariel and the food. “Box the meal and bring it back with the bill.” He handed her his credit card. “We’re leaving.”
“Yes, sir.” She hefted the tray and hurried past their table.
Once he sat, Desiree pressed close, her breast against his arm, nipple taut. “You didn’t have to do that for me.”
“Yeah, I did.” He rained kisses on her lips, cheeks, nose, and chin, leaving her breathless and wanting. “I’m not letting you get chocolate deprived. Plus, you’ll need the sugar rush to keep up with me.”
She cradled his face. “I like when you talk dirty.”
His eyes sparkled, gold flecks accentuating the deep brown. “Yeah?”
“Totally.”
They were at it again, mouths joined, hands trying to remain chaste given the other patrons here. Being a good boy, he caressed her breast hidden from the crowd and thumbed her nipple.
Pleasure dashed everywhere, her entire being coming alive, making her wetter, her pussy drenched and ready for his cock.
She cupped his precious dick and balls, adoring their warmth and weight.
A strangled sound poured from him. He pressed closer.
She was no better, practically crawling on his lap, her skirt hiked up to her thigh, leg over his.
More timid throat clearing.
Ariel was back. Damn. Dutifully, Desiree broke free from him.
Scattered applause broke out from the customers, joined by a few wolf whistles and thumbs-up.
Desiree’s cheeks got hot. She lowered her face.
While signing the bill, Hunter regarded the crowd, his manner silencing any comments, his gaze back to protective, Brooke’s craziness dampening his lust.
Desiree hated the vampiress more for that than anything else.
Clutching the restaurant bag, he hustled her from the dining room to the car and performed the same sweep around it he had earlier.
“We’re good.” He let her inside, piled into his seat, then pulled her as close as he could given the center console.
Willingly defenseless, she yielded but didn’t submit fully, pushing his tongue aside and filling his mouth instead. She reeled, his wet heat and unique flavor proving what paradise truly was. She clutched him, needing to anchor herself.
His breathing heightened, and he held her tightly, proving he liked what she’d done. Suckling her tongue deep, he gave her no chance to escape.
She wanted none. If she could have belonged to him for eternity, that still wouldn’t have been enough to sate her pressing need. She would have begged for more time from any god who might have listened and granted her request.
Crazy thoughts, but she couldn’t help herself and fought to get closer.
Hunter tore his mouth from hers and gulped air. “We’re wasting time here.”
They had too little. She drew in her shoulders, needing to ward off the bad, unable to do so.
He squeezed her thigh. “Put on your belt. Don’t want anything happening to you.”
It already had. Once they were over, she’d be fucked to a point she might not recover from and would have to face an endless, barren existence without him.
Crap, why am I thinking that?
Getting brave—or ignoring the inevitable—she pushed worry aside, determined to enjoy herself.
Once she fastened her belt, he sped from the lot.
They reached her apartment complex faster than she believed possible, the thinning traffic allowing him to speed. It still wasn’t quick enough for her.
In the lot, he pushed desire away and returned to bodyguard mode, scanning the area while rushing her into the building.
She fumbled her apartment lock, her hands trembling too much to insert the key.
“I’ll get it.” With his gaze sweeping the hall, he easily opened the door, entered first then pulled her inside.
Their harsh breathing filled the quiet.
After tossing the restaurant bag on the sofa, he sniffed then regarded the room, eyes narrowed, jaw tightened, his manner on full alert.
Frightened, she pressed c
lose and kept her voice low. “Has she been in here—holy hell, is she in here now?”
“No.” He threw the deadbolt. “Fuck her, she never will be.”
Using his big body, he pushed Desiree into the door, ground his cock against her pussy, and captured her mouth.
Gawd. She dropped her purse and wilted against him, her surrender complete. Whatever he wanted, she’d eagerly provide and then some.
His kiss turned savage, the noises he made more animal than human.
She returned his passion, her lips bruised from his, the hurt feeling good. The closest thing to being alive that she’d felt in months. This night couldn’t end quickly, she wouldn’t allow it.
He calmed.
She didn’t, wanting him every which way, diving in for more, her impassioned kiss still not enough. He was an addiction she might never get over.
Curbing his lust further, he grew gentle, his tongue playing with hers and sweeping over her teeth.
She liked that, too, and followed his lead, their sweet kiss oddly thrilling. Once they enjoyed this for hours, she’d be ready for wild monkey sex then back to quiet affection, as long as it lasted past dawn.
On an indistinct sound, he broke free.
No. She reached for him. “Why did you stop?”
“I didn’t.” He swept her into his arms, holding her as if she weighed nothing, and met her gaze.
His color deepened, his halting breaths pressing his chest into her. He held her tightly, his need to burrow his cock deep inside her pussy not something he tried to hide.
Yet, he simply looked at her, awe on his handsome face.
Her heart knelt to him even though it would never know another beat. Wasn’t important. Her undead state couldn’t diminish this moment, the most sacred she’d experienced that no wealth or power could match.
