EcstasyEntwined

by Ju Dimello

  Her home smelled just like her—fragrant—and he barged in, eager to unwrap the mystery that was his Elena.

  Her startled gasp yanked his focus back to her. In his hurry to get past her, he’d trapped her between him and the door. Belatedly he realized the warmth spreading from his arms was from her breasts. Pushing up against her blouse and into him, their heat spread through his blazer and straight to his groin.

  He bit back a groan and she squirmed in an attempt to slip away. The movement pressed her body into his, enticing him beyond reason.

  “If you move a little bit…” Her voice trailed off when she spied his lengthening fangs.

  Don’t turn toward her! His body, having a mind of its own, did exactly that. His hips grinding into hers, he backed her up against the paneled oak, trapping her hands against the wood, showing her how affected he was in spite of the layers of clothing separating him from her luscious body.

  Her throat awakened his hunger, her soft form cushioning him tempted his libido. The darkness he’d kept under wraps roared to life, urging him to take her right there. How could he resist? Did he even want to? He leaned in, not missing her swift intake of breath. She gave a feeble twist and the wordless protest hardly registered in his dazed brain.

  Up close, her irises swirled violet and gray, glistening with what he suspected were unshed tears, and his heart constricted in response. His fangs retracted.

  What the hell was he doing? Giving himself a mental slap, he reined himself in. Damn! He’d scared her already.

  He placed a quick peck on her nose and pushed away from the door. Outside. Anywhere but near her. His heart raced and his pants threatened to choke his cock as he strode out to the front porch. He swore the raindrops sizzled when they landed on his skin.

  When he’d set out to find her, he’d expected a bombshell, drop-dead gorgeous package, but the soft-spoken siren, with ample curves that he’d had the chance to hold earlier, amped his senses into overdrive. Stripped him of basic manners. Could he be anymore pathetic?

  Stay sensible, calm, in control. He gritted his teeth. Yeah, he would do it, even if he had to smother his erection with a cushion.

  He swiveled back to face her. His apology died in his throat. He couldn’t afford to screw up the only thing he lived for—the chance to find his mate.

  “Be ready Sunday night. I’ll pick you up.”

  She eyed him warily. “Where are we going?”

  “On our first date,” he replied and walked to his car without turning back. He couldn’t bear to see any hint of rejection or doubt on her face after the way he’d screwed up.

  * * * * *

  The shrill ring of the telephone pulled her out of a dreamless sleep. Only on a Sunday she allowed herself to sleep in. Someone had to disturb her now?

  Bleary eyed, Elena picked up the phone without checking the caller ID.

  “I’m sorry.” The smooth male voice barely penetrated her hazy senses.

  “Huh?” Her mouth felt as if it was stuffed with cotton and she scrambled to sit, reaching for a glass of water. She took a sip, then another to clear her fuzzy brain. “Gregory?”

  “Did I wake you up?”

  The concern in his voice sent warm tingles up her spine. She’d beat herself up for two nights and a whole day for behaving as if he was a total wacko when he’d taken such pains to meet up with her.

  She peered into the digital clock beside the bed. “What time is it?”

  “Around seven.” He paused before adding, “Mornin’, sleepyhead.”

  “Some of us need our beauty sleep, you know.” Speaking with him seemed so damn easy over the phone. “Not everyone can look as well groomed as you all the time.”

  His warm chuckle woke her up more effectively than her regular dose of caffeine. “Well groomed?”

  She blinked. “Uh-huh.”

  “Very vocal in the mornings, aren’t you?”

  The teasing was back in his voice. She’d done this before—could do it again. But the hint of passion she’d almost shared with him two nights ago had electrified her whole body, kept her on the edge. She’d been scared out of her wits when he became real instead of a warm voice on the other end of the telephone. Even now, her heart thumped a little faster, her palms threatened to drop the phone. Picturing him in his office or in his home…

  Her fears weren’t completely laid to rest, but the first stirrings of desire made its presence known. She readied—down there—wanting more than a vibrator catering to her fancies. Not that her dildo satisfied her anymore. She’d fingered herself to sleep with his voice, his commands in her head. She had replayed their phone sex over and over again—wondering how she could let go of something so special without even sampling a taste.

  And suddenly, the siren in her reared up. It took two to play the seduction game. Not that she’d allow it to go beyond that. No matter what he said about her siren’s voice not influencing him, she wasn’t ready to risk his life. Having a good time? Well…

  “I can be, given the right incentive.” She kept her voice low, allowing the sleepy rasp to work its magic. She heard his quick intake of breath. Silence reigned for a few seconds. “Cat got your tongue now, Gregory?”

  “You’re toying with me,” he accused, his tone sharp, but she felt the smile in his voice. “Does this mean I can forgo the apologizing part?”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t write me off your list already.”

  He grunted. “I don’t have women lining up, if that’s what you mean. You’re the only one who’s stirred my interest in a very long time.”

  “Stirred? I haven’t even touched you yet.”

  His colorful curses made her bite back her laughter.

  “Where did you keep this charm hidden earlier?”

  His answering growl made her feel about ten times sexier.

  “So…” He paused deliberately.

  “So?”

  “Our date is still on?”

  She’d debated calling his number, canceling his so-called date just so he could move on, but somehow she hadn’t been able to. She didn’t want to tell him that now, not when they were communicating so well. Another proof that she could lay off her fears and take life as it comes. How many people could she say she’d enjoyed being with? She could count them on her fingers. God! Was she pathetic or what? A hot man, albeit a vampire, was ready to spend time with her and she was all but kicking him to the curb.

  Clean-shaven and pale, he’d looked as if he hadn’t seen the sun in a while, but the roped sinews and suggestion of six-pack abs meant he wasn’t exactly an indoor person either. Maybe she could discover how he’d gotten those fantastic muscles.

  “I’m looking forward to it,” she assured him. “And, Gregory?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Wear something informal.”

  “Tired of suits already? Dang! I have just one more I was hoping you’d see.”

  Birthday Suit. Didn’t that joke ever get old? She smiled. “I bet you do!”

  “Behave!” he scolded her.

  “I’ll try.” Laughing, she hung up. She threw the duvet aside and stretched her body, feeling lighter than she had in years.

  She couldn’t wait for their evening together, wondering where he’d take her on their first date.

  * * * * *

  Tending her garden and basking in the burst of warm spring sunshine only improved her mood as the day wore on. All too soon, Elena headed into the shower, ready to wash away the lingering smells of grime and sweat.

  She opted for dark-blue stretch jeans, a contrasting turtleneck sweater, and pulled out her suede boots. Neither too formal nor informal, since she had no idea where she’d be heading to.

  A few more minutes …

  She took a deep breath to quell the butterflies in her stomach. They fluttered harder. She could do this! A date. What could possibly go wrong? Not wanting to jinx herself, she mentally scratched the question as the doorbell rang.

  Switching off th
e lights, she grabbed her purse and went to the door. She had absolutely no intention of putting herself in an awkward position—certainly not after the fiasco that was their last meet.

  His hot stare made her cheeks burn and his appreciative grin brought the damn butterflies back. The air between them crackled with hidden electricity.

  “Whoa. Hard to compete with that,” he teased. He held up his hands. “This good?”

  She took in his jeans and sports shirt and gave him a thumbs-up, still too dumbstruck to speak. He shepherded her into his car and whisked her away. She didn’t tear her gaze off him, the ride passing in amicable, yet sizzling silence until they pulled into a crowded parking lot.

  She tensed when he got out, coming around to hold the door open for her. “Where are we?”

  “Relax.” His whisper made her more than relaxed—it melted her on the spot. He guided her into the buzzing place. “All we need to do is bowl and have a good time. Nothing else.”

  Though she doubted she could relax enough to enjoy, surprisingly, she did.

  At least the visuals—the ripple of muscles as he bent and took aim, his derriere flexing beneath the snug jeans each time he rolled the ball—inspired her in addition to making her drool. She was self-conscious at first, never having tried bowling before, but soon enough, she got the hang of it, enjoying the thrill of smashing those pins!

  The late night dinner on a rooftop restaurant complemented what she categorized as a perfect evening out. Conversation flowed smoothly without a hint of awkwardness, the buzzing in her body enhanced by a glass of wine. He didn’t pressure her in any way—neither with words, nor with expectations—but the banked desire in his eyes, the intense looks over the rim of his wineglass scorched the space between them. The light banter trailed off when she recognized the futility of staving off the inevitable.

  He made her wet. He made her want. She didn’t know how she could put off his advances. Did she even want to? Especially when curiosity warred with her inherent caution, making her want to let go, grab what he offered. What did he offer exactly? Sex? Relationship? Whatever it was, she was ready.

  “After you’re done…” She caught and held his gaze. “Let’s continue this in a more private setting.”

  “Hot damn!” He threw down the napkin, signaling the waiter for the check, reaching out for her across the table. “Let’s go.”

  They exited the restaurant in a hurry, his need fueling hers. The rigid set of his jaw didn’t budge until they reached her place, without a word being uttered. He knew she wanted him.

  Blaming her swift desire to jump his bones on lack of proper, man-induced orgasms didn’t work. Not when he came so close behind her, crowding her, invading her space and sending her pulse skyrocketing.

  Her fingers scrambled for the switch.

  “A woman who’s not afraid of lights? I like that.”

  A flush crept from her chest to her cheeks at his innuendo.

  In the sudden brightness of her home, he looked absolutely devastating.

  The epitome of her dreams, mouthwateringly handsome, sophisticated, yet emanating a raw sensuality that he’d kept under wraps earlier during their date. Imagining him naked had her drooling. Her nipples pebbled under her top and she worried if the dampness between her legs would show through her jeans.

  Startled by the way her body responded to him, she gulped and lifted her face to his. His posture was relaxed, but she couldn’t miss the silent question in his darkening eyes.

  Did she dare surrender to the attraction pulsing between them?

  Yes!

  For once she decided to go with the flow. After all, one could only hope…

  Chapter Five

  Gregory balled his hands into fists, terrified of making the wrong move. Being horny as hell didn’t help one iota as she pushed him against the door this time, her perfect body taunting him.

  She licked her lips, nodded to herself and took a step closer, bridging the short distance between them.

  “Are you sure?” His question came out hoarse. There was no way Elena could have missed the raw need in his voice.

  She nodded again, gazing at his lips. Heat licked his skin from her stare and his cock thickened further, getting terribly uncomfortable in too short a time. How did she do this to him?

  He’d planned their entire evening putting her first. He’d even convinced himself he wouldn’t press her to sleep with him unless she wanted him to. His cock had been too eager for action from the moment he’d picked her up.

  Never had his hands-off rule backfired on him this badly. Watching her in jeans and a figure-hugging sweater had been pure torture and yet topped the charts in terms of sexiness. He hadn’t minded happily dying of blue-balls as long as she bestowed more of her smiles. Her pretty laughter touched a place so deep within he vowed to rip into anyone who dared to steal her happiness. His lust still surged rampant, and he didn’t want to scare her off, this time for real.

  He caught her hands when she moved them to his torso, pivoting her around so her back dug into the wall and he pressed against her.

  She arched, thrusting her chest out, rubbing on him. The sinuous, feminine movement fired his libido and the monster lurking inside him reared up. He wanted to let go of her wrists, peel her clothes off and touch every inch of her creamy flesh. His vision blurred, his urge overcoming his sensibilities. He gritted his teeth and focused on her, keeping the darkness at bay. He wouldn’t take her, not until he managed some semblance of control. For that, he needed to lay the ground rules. Now.

  “If I take you to bed…” His words stuck in his throat when she dragged her body against his, her soft breasts rubbing enticingly over his torso. He ignored the blatant sensuality of the moment and tried again. “If we go beyond this…” Her eyes drifted closed and a throaty moan escaped her mouth, wrenching a groan from him. “You must…”

  Opening her eyes, she pressed against him harder, writhing. Did she even realize what she was doing? As if in answer to his unasked question, she tugged her hands free from his grasp and circled his shoulders. Her eyes—heavy lidded and sultry—sent his pulse soaring.

  He caught her waist and pulled her against him, words forgotten. Thoughts fled when she rose on her toes in a bold move to kiss him.

  His lust taking over, he bent down, capturing her lips and her soft gasp into him. He didn’t know whether she removed her clothes or whether he stripped them off her. Much to his liking, her soft, naked flesh cushioned him as he plundered her mouth, drinking in her whimpers and her soft cries.

  Each brush of his fingertips on her silken skin enflamed his senses. It took all the control he could muster not to push her down on the carpet and bury himself in her wet heat. And before that…

  Nibbling at her lower lip, he lifted his head a fraction. Enough to breathe, enough to convey the most important thing. “Promise to obey me in the bedroom, Lena.”

  Her hands stilled on his chest and she stopped her drugging kisses. “What?”

  Pulling her mouth to his, he whispered. “You heard me.”

  She gave a token protest before slithering away from his grasp, her eyes blazing, her posture defensive. “I’m neither a mindless bimbo nor a blushing virgin to take orders in the bedroom.”

  Fuck! He was approaching this all wrong. “You’re not.” He took a deep breath and counted to five, willing his fangs to recede. Focused on keeping his control. “It’s just that my lust is too strong.” He met her glare. “Hell, I’m too out of sorts to deal with this hunger—for blood, for sex. Obey me in bed for now. Until I figure out to manage it.”

  Her fight left her in a whoosh of breath, her eyes getting some of the old panic back. He stepped closer, needing her in his arms. The darkness inside him surged again. Lost in the effort to hold his monster at bay, he almost missed her soft words. “I don’t want to harm you.”

  Her words snapped him out of his inner battle. He caught her palms and tugged her hands below, pressing them against his s
training erection, showing her an inkling of the intense pain he was under. “You couldn’t do more harm than this.”

  Her heavy-lidded gaze locked with his, and he feared if he didn’t take her soon, he might well harm himself.

  “Look, this—hunger and lust has nothing to do with you.” She spat the words. “It’s all my fault.”

  He buried his nose in her soft hair, inhaling her tantalizing scent in spite of the fruity shampoo she’d used. “Honey, you don’t know how right you are.”

  His fangs broke free when her naked body pressed against his with a soft whimper. The blood in her veins beckoned him closer.

  Something cut through the lusty haze—stopping him. Belatedly he registered her reticence.

  Was he forcing her? Dammit! He reared back. One look at her pressed lips and clenched fists confirmed his worst suspicions. That he was a cad in every sense of the word. And still, he needed her.

  He forced himself to look at other things. Objects, which wouldn’t threaten his emotions. He moved farther into the living room, where he spied the corner of her worktable. An item on the floor inside her study caught his gaze. Hell be damned! Was that her skimpy, frayed tee shirt?

  The memory of their earlier conversation a week ago rushed in as he took slow steps toward the table adjacent to her clothing. He bent down and picked up the soft cotton nightshirt, inhaling her feminine scent, and then straightened, lifting the phone from the table. He cradled the lightweight hand piece in his palms, marveling at the device she’d used night after night to drive him crazy.

  “What are you doing?” Her voice was a horrified whisper from the spot he’d left her standing.

  He put the cordless phone on its charger, throwing her tee on the swivel chair. Every bit of her life fascinated him as much as the woman herself. She caught his blatant sweep of the room and its contents and her eyes blazed, throwing darts.

  In anger? He very much hoped so.

  He almost climaxed on the spot as she slammed the door shut and barreled toward him, her thighs and breasts jiggling.