“No.” Her entire body was trembling so fiercely he suspected she couldn’t even see straight.
Relief washed over him, through him. Closing his eyes, he took a deep and calming breath. He opened his eyes and held her gaze captive, forcing her to witness the color of his eyes changing to blue. It was important for her to learn to accept and not fear the things in him that were strange to her.
He moved closer to her, crowding her, caging her between the building and his body. He wasn’t trying to intimidate her. He only wanted to comfort her, comfort himself. He wanted to shelter her in his arms forever. He was desperate to make her understand she was safe with him. He would never betray her. He would gladly give his immortal soul to protect her. And yes, he would kill her to protect her. But thankfully, she wouldn’t be forced to learn that.
She was a tiny woman. He knew she felt dwarfed by his massive size. Defenseless. Powerless. But he was done pretending. She tried to shove him, but he refused to budge. “What do you think you’re doing?” She pushed at him again. “You’re such a jerk. Get away from me.”
“The skin is broken, and your throat is badly bruised.” He wanted her. He needed her, desperately, madly. He gently wrapped his hand around her slender throat. “Why didn’t you tell me it hurts to breathe?”
He listened to her heart beat wildly. He knew the heat radiating from his hand was soothing the pain, healing her bruised flesh. But he also knew it was doing so much more. It was heating her blood, sending electrical currents zipping through her body and over her flesh.
Haden was so much more than simply powerful. He was power. He commanded the wind, rain, lightning, and thunder. He made the earth move. He was so much more than intimidating. He was deadly. Mystifying. Sinister. Godlike. Beautiful. Strange.
He brought her hand to the warmth of his mouth.
She tried to pull her hand out of his. “What’s wrong with you? Did your head get hit too hard?” Until this night, he’d seldom touched her. He was her friend. Nothing more. He’d never acted so bold, so pushy. She was always safe with him. She knew better now: he wanted her body, her soul, her total surrender. Too much was happening too quickly. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
What man looked like him? It was so unfair. So wrong. He made her way too aware of being a woman. Her stomach was flipping, and her head was spinning. Every secret part of her body tingled. He looked so wickedly sexy. She blushed, realizing her panties were damp. He was all man, but he possessed naughty, boyish qualities. He was so very hot. Far too hot in all the right, invigorating, stimulating ways. The heat radiating from his muscular body sizzled over her flesh, caressing her everywhere. His voice was as smooth as the finest velvet. As always, it was flawless. Deep. Seductive. Intoxicating. It wrapped around her like a silk ribbon, tying her to him for all of eternity.
His powerful arms swept around her, dragging her so close her body melted into his heavily muscled frame. She held her breath. Her heart momentarily stopped. He was so powerful. A part of her feared if she needed to, she wouldn’t have any chance to escape him. But then, another part of her, a wild, uninhibited part, never wanted to escape. His body was so hot, so wonderfully rock-hard solid against her soft, feminine curves.
“This has been the longest night of my existence.” She was shocked when he pressed the swollen, hard length of his cock against her flat belly. “I need you, Caylee. Need me the way I need you. Need me to be inside your body, little love, deep inside your body.”
“What is your problem?” She shoved him, harder this time, putting all of her weight into it. “Stop touching me!”
A deep, animalistic growl rumbled in his chest and throat. “Stay still,” he whispered between clenched teeth. Her head snapped up so that she met his gaze. Fear pierced her heart deeply. Something dark, aggressive, and threatening burned in his eyes. More terrified of his strength and power than ever before, she stopped fighting him, knowing it was instigating something fierce, knowing he was fighting to harness it.
“Relax,” he whispered. She sensed he was struggling to remain in control of something very dangerous. “Just relax. I do want to make love to you, but I’m not going to do anything to you that you do not want me to do.”
He was crushing her, holding too tightly. “I can’t, Haden. I can’t be with you like that.” His arms were like steel bindings; his body was as solid as a boulder pushing her against the building behind her.
“I love you, Caylee.”
“If love is your excuse for acting like an idiot and freaking me out, you suck.” She considered lifting her knee, hoping that if she did it, he would drop as quickly as the vampire. “Get away from me!”
Chuckling softly, he loosened his arms a bit and shifted his body, giving her a tiny bit of space. “You don’t really want to hurt me, do you?”
“Yes, I do.” she replied. Her body burned against his solid frame. She was terrified. Angry. Aroused. Extremely aroused. His body was remarkable. His strength was amazing. His mysterious abilities were unbelievable. He so easily overpowered her that she felt utterly defenseless in his arms.
“Why do you entertain such thoughts?” His voice was a deep, husky rasp. It thoroughly revealed his lust. It exposed his desire, his need for her, his undying love and his devotion. “Please, don’t think the worst of me.” He leaned down and tilted his head to the side, as if preparing to kiss her. “With all of my heart and my soul, I love you.”
Framing her face with his hands, he gently caressed her lips with the callused pad of his thumb. He wanted to kiss her. He needed to taste her. Once. Maybe twice. “I would never hurt you,” he whispered. He wanted to worship her body with his. He needed to give her pleasure she would never forget. She would never be tempted to stray from him. She would always crave him, only him.
His mouth was too close to hers. She couldn’t catch her breath. She needed to get away from him. All at once, she wished he would kiss her and feared he would do it. A delicious shiver raced through her body. Her heart beat frantically. “Please.” Her voice was a husky, breathless whisper. “Stop.”
Finally able to step away from her, he smiled at her, his black eyes burning with desire. “I need to deal with Paul.” As long as the vampire lived, her safety was in jeopardy. “I’ll take you home.”
“No, don’t go after him.” She grabbed his wrist as if to stop him, but her fingers were barely able to wrap halfway around it.
“He won’t be able to get to you again.” He looked down at her tiny, delicate hand holding his wrist, effectively restraining him. “I’ve no other choice.”
“I’m not worried about him getting to me.” Stepping closer, she placed her hand on his chest. “You’re hurt.”
“I’m fine. It’s only a flesh wound.” He took her hand and held it. He needed to take her home. He needed to go after the vampire. “Every second I wait complicates my ability to find him.” He reached out with his other hand and wiped the tears from her cheek. “Please, don’t cry.”
Her blood heated to a rolling boil, her flesh aching, her heart racing. A wonderful, explosive fire spread throughout her body, blazing through her. Her breasts felt heavier than normal, swollen, full, and so ultra-sensitive, aching for his touch. She closed her eyes and allowed her body’s desire for his to grow. She thought of his hands, so strong and yet so gentle. His body was hard and muscular, so perfect in every masculine way. She wanted to fall into the depths of his fierce hunger. She wanted to abandon her fears. She needed to give her body and soul to him, fully and completely. Her pulse raced. Her breaths came in rapid pleas. She longed to feel the heat of his flesh against hers.
Startled by her thoughts, she flung her head up and stared at him. What was she doing? Grinning shyly, she bit her lower lip. It was his fault. It was just simply so wrong for him to be so sexy. She looked down at her feet to avoid his knowing gaze.
He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “You’ve no reason to be a
shamed of your desire to be with me.”
She tilted her head to the side. “I’m sorry.” She looked so sweet. Innocent. Afraid. Needy. Exotic. Damn, the woman was seriously killing him.
“Why?”
“You know why.”
He moved closer to her. “Your thoughts don’t insult me.” She felt his powerful muscles bunching, rippling against her soft curves. He opened her hand and brought it to his mouth. He kissed her palm and then very slowly ran his tongue over it. “They drive me insane, but I’m pleased by them.”
She felt the moist heat of his velvety tongue caress every inch of her body. She felt it blaze over her flesh. “We … oh Haden, we’re friends.” She could hardy talk. “Haden, I … you can hear what I’m thinking.” She felt feverish and damp. So achy. “You’ve never hidden it from me.” He continued to tease her palm with his tongue. She yanked her hand away from his. “I shouldn’t think of you like a man. I know I can’t do it. I can’t cross the line from friends to lovers with you. It would ruin everything.”
“I would be devastated if you didn’t.” He stood there and studied her for a moment. She believed he couldn’t possibly lose his mind over her, but he knew better. He was about to tumble into a state of madness and take her with him. He needed to place a little physical distance between them. If he didn’t, he risked causing her to hate him for all of eternity. “We will have plenty of time to discuss this later. For now, I will take you home. I need to go after him.”
The color drained from her face. “No!” She stood on the tips of her toes, and, shocking him and herself, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Don’t go after him,” she whispered.
Her love for him was genuine and pure. It touched him so deeply he could barely breathe. He didn’t deserve her love. He wrapped his arms around her. He shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help it. He was so aware of how easily death could’ve snatched her away from him. Tears burning behind his eyes, he lifted her up and held her against his body. She was so very precious to him. So fragile. He could’ve lost her. How long would it take to gain her trust enough to give her immortality? He held her close, trying to alleviate his pain and fear, but his heart continued to ache.
“I can’t stand the thought of you going after him.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m so afraid for you.”
He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “There’s no reason for you worry about me.” He lowered her onto her feet. He intended to step away from her to put some distance between them, but he couldn’t. He needed to hold her for a little while longer. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Resting his chin on top of her head, a surge of anger entered him. Hatred welled up in him. Paul’s days were numbered. No one would ever attempt to harm her. She was the force that caused his heart to beat. He wasn’t sure how he’d lived for so many centuries without her. He wasn’t sure what kept him going, but he knew he wouldn’t survive an hour beyond her death.
“I need to go.” She turned around to walk away.
Laughing aloud, he captured her arm. “What’s your hurry? I know you don’t really think I’m going to let you go alone.” His eyes turned black with strange flecks of silver.
“What are you?” Eyebrows drawn together, she looked up at him.
“What do mean?” He really hoped she wouldn’t press him for an answer. Eventually, he would tell her he was a demon. It had been his plan all along. He’d been revealing his powers to her a little at a time. By showing her the dragon he was attempting to further desensitize her to the truth of what he was. But before he confessed to being a demon, he hoped to fully gain her trust. Haden wanted no unnecessary deception between them. Of course, there were things she didn’t need to know. Harmful things, like the fact that he’d murdered her father to avenge and protect her. When he’d realized her father had sold her to the men that held her captive, he simply couldn’t allow the man to live.
“Why do your eyes turn black when you’re mad?” She lifted her chin, and her lips curved up in the sexy, defiant smirk he adored so much.
He smiled at her. “It bothers you,” he whispered.
“Well …” She bit her bottom lip nervously, wondering if she’d offended him. “It’s a bit alarming.” Not nearly as alarming as witnessing him turn into a dragon, but she wasn’t bringing that up. Not yet anyways.
“It’s not just anger. My eyes turn black whenever I experience any powerful emotion.” He backed her up against the building, moving slowly. “You see them change often because you give life to and stir many emotions in me.”
Swallowing hard, she shook her head. “Stop it.”
“Do not fear my touch. Your body craves it. Your body needs it. Your body demands it.” Gently pushing her, forcing her to face her fear, he used his body to trap hers. “Just as much as my body craves, needs, and demands your touch.”
Eyes wide, holding her breath, she stared up at him. “Please,” she pleaded, “I want to go home.” Her heart beat wildly, pounding in her ears.
Smiling at her, he slowly shook his head. “Not yet, little love, not yet.”
“Please, stop.” Holding out her hand to stop him, tears filled her eyes. “What are you doing?”
“You’re safe with me.” He kissed her softly. “You’re always safe with me. There’s no reason for you to be afraid of our love.” He kissed her again, so very gently.
She placed her palms on his chest. His powerful, well defined muscles tensed and bunched. She had every intention of shoving him, but she didn’t. She froze. His heart was beating, steady and strong beneath her hands. Hot electrical currents raced over her flesh. Her body ached. She was on fire, burning up for him. Needing him.
Looking up, meeting his gaze, she whimpered. “Haden?” She was shocked by the sound of her voice. It was a nearly inaudible, husky murmur. “I’m not ready for this.”
“Don’t over-think what you’re feeling, Caylee—embrace it,” he whispered against her lips. “Just kiss me. That’s it. Just kiss me. ”
She brushed her soft, satiny lips against his, intensifying the firestorm of passion raging through his body. He groaned loudly, savoring the sweetness of her kiss, the innocence of it. His cock swelled, hardened painfully. Her kiss was more stirring, more erotic than any other kiss. It was so much more sensual, more satisfying than any other. He struggled to allow her to set the pace of the kiss, to control the intensity of it, hoping she would feel free enough to abandon her inhibitions.
Eventually his patience was rewarded, and her kiss deepened as her body melted into his. The delicious, intoxicating scent of her arousal filled his lungs, unmercifully ripping and tearing at his control. His need for her spiraled out of control as her soft moans vibrated against his lips. He parted her lips with his tongue. At first he tasted her, and then he delved deeper, exploring the sensual heat of her mouth more thoroughly.
Lifting her, holding her body against his, he kissed her deeply, aggressively. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He shuddered, his control shattering into thousands and thousands of tiny pieces. Every muscle in his body tensed and ached. His cock was unbelievably hard and heavy, painfully pressed far too snugly against the seam of his pants. He was certain he would die if he didn’t have her right then and there. He held her up easily, cradling her hips in his palms. Even with the injury he’d sustained, her weight was nothing to him. And even if it were painful, he sure as hell wasn’t going to say anything.
He kissed her thoroughly, roughly taking possession of her mouth, her body, and soul. For several moments, he knew she was lost in the sheer ecstasy of it, but then he felt fear welling up in her.
Meeting her gaze, he miraculously found the strength to allow her to retreat. She needed to know she was in control, even if it killed him. She stared into his eyes. He watched as every fear was incinerated in the flames of passion he felt sweeping through her. He savored the way her body was on fire, burning up for his. Needing h
is. Demanding his. She was kissing him again, timidly at first and then, frantically.
The sweet, intoxicating scent of her arousal filled his lungs. He was seriously going to die. He could easily remove the barrier of their clothing with a thought and bury himself deep inside her body. Her body was so hot and wet, so very ready for him to plunge his cock deep inside her. Merging with her mind, he shared erotic images of their bodies entwined and joined as one. He studied her reaction. He felt her desire for him, but her fear of being vulnerable to him was also present. He was possessive and powerful beyond her understanding. She knew he wasn’t human, but that didn’t matter to her. She wanted to lose control with him, but was terrified of the consequences. She wasn’t ready.
Despite her fear, he could’ve coaxed her to allow him to possess her body, but he knew it would be a mistake. There would be no manipulation. At least, not the first time. He loved her too much to rush her. She wasn’t ready—her past still haunted her, a past she believed she kept hidden from him. He would give her as much time as she needed. Eventually, she would be free of the fear that stood between them. At least, he hoped she would be free of it.
A black mist surrounded them as he took her through time and space. “Open your eyes, little love.” He gently lowered her onto her feet.
Opening her eyes, she looked up him. She turned her head and stared at her bed, Remembering the moment she was pulled out of it, her stomach rolled. She glanced down at blankets on the floor. “How did we get here?” She never thought she would be afraid to be alone in her room. But she was. In fact, she was terrified.
With a thought he waved his hand and lifted, straightened, and pulled the blankets back. He picked her up and carried her over to the bed. He lowered her onto it and then tucked her in. “It’s a secret.” He leaned down and kissed her brow. “I will share it with you later.”
“I don’t like secrets.”
“I know.”
“Haden, I am so … you saved my life two times tonight. I still can’t believe that vampires are real. I won’t lie. I was so afraid. Thank you.”
Eternal Breath of Darkness Page 7
