by Tina Donahue
Not around her. “Sure, when my battery runs down.”
Nodding, she swirled his ejaculate around the head.
He tensed, jaw clenched, fighting his natural urges to tunnel inside her cunt or mouth.
“Is this because you’re part panther?”
Again, she’d lost him. “What?” He choked out the word. “My cum being so thick?”
“No. Your constant erection.”
“You turn me on.”
She gave him a disbelieving look, as if she weren’t important enough to arouse any man, or he was yanking her chain.
Time to get serious. “This is about what I said before, isn’t it?”
Her cheeks darkened.
He wondered if she’d flushed like this before tonight, despite her vampire state, and intended to ask, though not now. They had more important things to discuss. “It is. Before you say anything or tell me I’m wrong, I meant what I said. You’re the only woman I’ll ever want. You’re my damn mate.”
“No.” She rolled away.
He pulled her right back, a douche move, but he couldn’t stop. “Again, please don’t run and keep me in the dark or guessing. I’d prefer the truth. Hell, I deserve it. Unless you don’t think I do.”
“Are you kidding? You’re entitled to more than I can ever give.”
Sounded like an “it’s not you, it’s me” comment, which he hated. “How about letting me be the judge, all right? It’s my life, my choice.” He touched his lips to hers, tasting tears, and eased back. “Why can’t we be mates? You don’t like me?” He feigned sadness. “I repulse you? The thought of spending another day, much less a lifetime with me is too disgusting to imag—”
“No.” She slapped his chest. “Don’t be stupid.”
“Now, I’m not only revolting, but also dumb?”
She gave him a pissy look. “You know damn well what I meant and why you and I can’t hook up for more than a fun night.”
“Really? Okay, I’ll bite. You have your eye on some other guy?”
“Get real.” She turned her head from his.
Intimate conversations had never been his thing. Ordinarily, he’d run as fast as he could and would beat her out the door. This time, he guided her face back to him. What they needed to discuss was too damn important to evade. “Tell me exactly why you and I can’t make a life together. I can see you feel the same about me as I do for you. Since our physical and emotional attraction isn’t the problem, you can’t be worried I’d live off you. I own a successful business. Even if I didn’t, I’d flip burgers at a fast food joint before expecting anyone, especially you, to give me a dime. Given that I’d never ask to see your fangs or you turned into a bat, that surely isn’t it. If you’re afraid I’ll morph into a panther, I will, though never in front of you if you don’t want me—”
“I can’t have kids, remember?” Her voice shook, and her mouth turned down. “I can never give you a family.” She covered her eyes.
It killed him to see her agony when it wasn’t necessary. Particularly for him. “That’s not true. We can be each other’s family.”
Her chin trembled, new tears dampening her cheeks. “It’s not enough.”
“Says who? Not me.”
“You say so now.” She dropped her hand. “But in the future, when you see kids and it finally hits that I can’t give you—”
“Shh.” He touched her lips. “We’ll work something out. Any problem is solvable as long as we do so together.”
She tucked in her chin, avoiding him again.
“Okay, maybe I was wrong.” He took a deep breath. “If you don’t feel as deeply about me as I do about you, then—”
“I do.” She pulled him close and hugged him hard. “Even if it is crazy.”
“Because we just met? This is the way shifters are. You’re either a man’s mate or you’re not. Thank God, we’re not as fucked up as those who are fully human.”
“Or vamps?”
He kissed her temple. “I love you exactly as you are, because you’re a—”
Something crashed in the living room, glass shattering.
An intruder breaking in.
Brooke.
Four
Desiree jumped from the bed and raced to the hall. Or she tried. Fear kept her vampire speed in check.
Hunter caught up, grabbed her arm, and yanked her back into the room, his mouth on her ear. “What in the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
His caveman attitude dispelled any reservations she’d had, and she fought to get free. “I’m going to strangle Brooke, if I’m lucky. If that doesn’t work, I’ll drive a stake through her damn heart or whatever the hell else it takes to get her off my ass.” She twisted her wrist, but his grip was too strong for her to break, her measly strength no better than when she’d been mortal. “Let. Go.”
“No.” He swept her into his arms, dropped her on the bed, and pointed. “You’re staying in here. I’m the fucking bodyguard. Got it?”
He had to be kidding if he thought she’d allow him to face danger alone. Should Brooke catch him off-guard and turn him…
The room lurched, and her stomach cramped. She couldn’t allow his future to become as bleak as hers and did what she never thought she would in his presence. She bared her fangs and hissed, the noise uglier than what a feral cat or snake produced in a horror flick.
He lifted his face to the ceiling and sighed loudly.
Cracking glass sounded in the front room.
Hunter spun around and leaped forward, his jump as powerful and elegant as a dancer, though far more astounding. Before he dropped down, he’d shifted and landed on his large paws, his panther sleek, fur midnight black, a deadly growl pouring from his throat.
He bounded down the hall.
Her shift happened as quickly. In bat form, she flew after him.
Near the window, glass dotted the living room floor, shards sparkling in the available light seeping in from the outside. Framed in the pane was a perfect outline of a bat in flight, cracks spidering the glass surrounding it, pieces still dropping to the sill.
Desiree flew to every corner in the room where Brooke might have hidden.
She wasn’t there, nor behind or beneath the furniture.
Panting, Hunter propped his front paws on the window ledge and peered outside.
Past him, something zipped by in the distance. Desiree hovered near the window.
Brooke faced her in bat form, black eyes gleaming, fangs exposed. A shriek pumped from her vile throat, intense hatred in the shrill sound.
Hunter’s powerful growl shook the room.
Brooke hissed.
He reared up, hulking limbs bunched, prepared to attack.
She spun in a tight circle and sped away.
In an instant, he was back to human form, hurrying to the front door.
Desiree got there first, also transformed, and pressed her back against the wood, arms out. “Don’t even think about going after her.”
Veins corded his neck, his complexion almost maroon. “Move. Now.”
“No. You can’t go out there.”
He reached for her.
She was faster this time and dodged his grip swiftly, her arm blurred.
“Fuck.” He tried but failed to catch her wrist. “What in the hell are you doing?”
“Keeping you here. If you haven’t noticed, you’re nude.”
He looked down, surprise on his face.
She caught a breath. “You can’t go out there like that. You’ll get arrested. Then where will you be, besides a jail cell? You can’t catch her if she flies away. You’re magnificent, but panthers can’t take wing. And unless you have another talent I don’t know about, as a mortal you’re also earthbound without a plane.”
His face darkened further. “You think?” He gave her a sour look. “So what do you want me to do? Forget this happened? I can’t. I won’t. No. Damn. Way. She’s escalating. If I hadn’t been here, she might have—”
“Exactly. That’s why you’re moving to my place. Grab some things. We’ll get the rest later.”
“Hold on.”
He stopped in the hall and looked over. “No. That’s final.”
Like hell. She crossed her arms, not budging from the spot. “Last I looked you’re not my daddy or my husband in a dystopian tale.”
“What in the fuck are you talking about? I’m trying to protect you. I’m your damn bodyguard, remember?”
“At my discretion.”
“Holy fucking shit.” He rubbed his forehead. “You’re threatening to fire me again? We need a damn contract with lots of rules for you.”
“You actually believe I’d sign it? Not going to happen. And not because I like being difficult. Believe me, I know this isn’t easy on you.”
His eyes rounded. “You think?”
She kept her calm. Someone had to. “Have you forgotten, I have a show to run? My studio’s here, not at your place.”
He crossed the room, towering over her.
She lifted her chin. “You’re not going to intimidate me no matter how hard you try. I’m not leaving.”
“You can’t stay.” He flung out his arms. “Do you want another repeat of tonight or worse? Until I corner her and stop this insanity, I need to keep you safe. You’re my fucking mate, or have you forgotten that little detail already? What do you think will happen to me, if you’re gone?”
His words pained her, his fury and misery tightening her throat. If she became his mate, which she couldn’t, he’d never know joy again. Who could with a vampire? Except a sadist or masochist, which described Zander and Brooke perfectly, not him. She touched his cheek. “People are hurting out there. They need me.”
He slumped. “And I don’t?”
Oh baby. She wanted to hug him but didn’t dare, hoping he’d find someone else. A better person than she’d been or would ever be.
Unable to say the words, she slipped her arms around his shoulders and sagged against him. “Please understand. I don’t want her to know where you live or anything about you. If you can’t do this in secret, then I can’t do it at all.”
He stiffened against her. “Now you’re not only firing me but you want me to leave, too?”
To protect him, she’d go into hiding at a place where he’d never find her. “I don’t want to, unless you force me.”
“Force you?” He made a derisive sound and held her tightly. “As if I could?”
She rested her head on his chest, loving his heat and his heart’s fierce drumming. Wishing hers could match it was a fool’s game she had to quit playing. “Thanks for understanding.”
“I don’t.” He swore than eased her from him. “But I’ll do this your way. Do you have a hammer and nails here and plywood by any chance?”
“No. Why?”
“To cover the window until I can order new glass for it. Give me a sec and I’ll make a call.” He strode toward the bedroom.
She gripped his wrist, stopping him. “There’s a hardware store opened at this hour?”
“Not that I know of. One of my men will bring the things. Watch your feet there’s glass everywhere.”
“I’m fine.”
“Bull. You’re the most obstinate woman I’ve ever met.” He swept her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. Once she was on the mattress, he checked her soles. “Lucky you weren’t cut.”
“Let me see your feet.”
“No time.” He gathered his clothes in the hall, pulled his smartphone from his jeans pocket, and spoke to someone named Mike, detailing what he needed. After giving the man her address, he ended the call. “He’ll be here in thirty.” Hunter pulled on his jeans and biker boots. “Get some sleep. After I clean up, I’ll take care of everything else.”
Meaning his suicide mission to get Brooke. “Not without me you won’t.”
He planted his hands on his hips. “Are you usually this defiant, or are you putting on an act for my benefit?”
“I’m generally way worse.” She offered a sweet smile. “Sorry, but I’m not as perfect as you thought.”
A grin blossomed on his face. “Don’t be too sure. I like you sassy.”
Good God. He refused to let her dissuade him. Which meant she’d now have to keep him safe while he did the same for her. She pulled a black T-shirt from her bureau and black jeans from her closet.
He watched her dress. “Do you always wear that color, or did you…ah…?”
“Prefer others before I became a vampire? Go ahead, say it, I know what I am.”
His features hardened. He grasped her shoulders. “No more talking smack about yourself, understood? I know who you are, and nothing about you is going to change my mind. Not even if you sing off-key, hum incessantly, snore, hate sports, and adore chick flicks.”
“What if I crave blood, specifically yours?”
He held out his arm. “Have at it. I’ll be your blood slave. Turn me if you want. Then we’ll be a matching pair.”
“Don’t say that.” She punched his hand.
“Beat me up, too, if being mean makes you happy. It won’t matter.” He chucked her chin. “I’m in for the duration.”
She covered her eyes.
“Oh baby.” He gathered her close and rubbed her back. “I swear living with me won’t be so awful.”
A giggle escaped her before she could stop it. Unable to help herself, she clung to him. “You’re not the problem.”
“Neither are you.” He swatted her butt. “Put on your heels so you don’t cut your feet out there.”
She chose her sneakers instead.
He made a face but didn’t protest.
Quickly, they cleaned up the glass and checked the room.
“Anything missing?” He regarded her electronics.
“Not that I can see. You must have chased her away before she could damage anything else.”
“Then I did my job.” He slipped his arm around her waist, led her to the sofa, and handed her the bag. “Your chocolate awaits. Enjoy.”
“Not without you.”
“Even if sweets were my thing, which they’re not, I wouldn’t deprive you of what you love most.”
That would be him. He was too good and optimistic, a dangerous combination in their precarious situation. “You like rabbit and steak, right?” She pulled him to her kitchen table, checked the Styrofoam containers, and grabbed his. “While I nuke this, there’s beer in the fridge.”
“Utensils, plates, napkins?”
“Yep, I got those, too.” She told him where to find them.
Seated at the table, they dug in.
Sauce from the chocolate lava cake oozed over her bottom lip, the glorious flavors exploding in her mouth. She shivered and moaned.
He chewed his steak. “Good, huh?”
“Pure bliss. Try some.” She speared a tiny piece, not wanting to give up more, and offered it to him.
“No, thanks.” He leaned away.
She wasn’t certain if he found the treat genuinely distasteful or didn’t want to take as much as a morsel from her. “Shifters can’t eat dessert?”
“On occasion, if we want. It’s not like it’s poison to us or anything. But I’m a meat sort of guy.”
It showed. His solid pecs and imposing biceps flexed with his every move, his abs so sculpted she could count each one. Dark hair peeked from his pits. Stubble graced his face and throat, begging for a lick and a kiss she didn’t dare give yet still longed for. He was the most virile man she’d ever known, yet the gentlest, too.
He held her hand as they ate, him polishing off his rabbit and steak quic
kly.
She dawdled over her cheesecake, switching from it to her brownie and the chocolate torte Ariel had also provided to avoid finishing them as quickly as she had the lava cake.
After draining his beer, he swiped a napkin across his mouth. “Do you always eat this slowly, or are you trying to drag out the pleasure?”
She licked chocolate sauce off her lips. “The latter.”
“No need. New Moon’s still open. I’ll order delivery. You want a double or triple order this time? Or more?”
If she ate that much, she’d burst. “Triple. Thanks.”
“Anything for you.”
Except listening to reason when she wanted to protect him from a godawful future at her side. She hadn’t a clue what might happen when her BFFs’ spells and potions no longer worked and she craved blood. If she and Hunter were still together—which didn’t seem possible or prudent—he’d have to order plasma deliveries from blood banks to keep her from attacking him or offering himself as a sacrifice.
She shrank at the thought and another horrible consideration—the unending eternity she had. Hunter wasn’t immortal. As a shifter, she wasn’t certain if he calculated his lifespan in animal or human years or a combination, which could mean an even shorter time.
Sickened at the notion, she covered her mouth.
He finished his call to New Moon and leaned in. “What’s wrong?”
There weren’t enough years for her to explain.
“Too much of a good thing?” He looked at her chocolate-smeared plate and remaining dessert, the calorie-rich food sweetened to the extreme and drowned in sauce. “You need to hurl or—?”
“How long will you live?”
His eyes widened.
Oh crap. She couldn’t believe she’d said that. The words had simply fallen from her mouth. “I’m sorry.” She waved her hands. “Don’t answer. None of my business. I shouldn’t have—”
“It’s okay.” He caught her wrist. “My kind live four thousand years with each generation getting more. Given how I take care of myself—no drugs, smoking, or excess drinking—I’ll make it to five thousand or possibly beyond that.”
Not eternity by a long shot, but not bad either. “For real?”
“I’ll never lie to you, especially about something so important.” He cupped her neck. “Who knows what the world will be like then? Immortality might be a commonplace occurrence for mortals and my species by then.”
