Caressed by the Edge of Darkness

by Amanda J. Greene

  “You’re misunderstanding, twisting my words.”

  Jordan shook her head and stood. “No, I don’t believe I am.” Pinching her brow, she grappled with her anger. “I think you’ve spent too much time in the darkness, seeing only the worst side of humanity. There are good people in this world. My parents and my aunt were good people.”

  His jaw clenched.

  “I’m grateful for what you’ve done for me, but I don’t need your charity and I don’t want it. I’m—”

  “Not leaving.”

  His growl set off a warning in her head and Jordan instantly raised her guard.

  “I don’t want to frighten you.”

  “I’m not afraid,” she countered. She was pissed. To him, mortals weren’t even second class citizens. They didn’t rank. But on some level, and for some unexplainable reason, she was different. Well, Jordan had no interest in sticking around to find out why.

  “No.”

  His cold eyes studied her, pausing on her clenched fists at her sides he raised a taunting brow. In a whirl of light, Gabriel was just in front of her. Jordan held her ground. Irritated that she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. “I don’t suppose you are.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I’m not the kind of human that cowers. I will not run from you.”

  He appreciated Jordan’s bravery but not her attitude. Losing his patience he growled, “Would you like a job or not?”

  “I can find my own, thanks.” She turned on her heel and marched toward the door.

  Let her go.

  Gabriel blocked her exit. He should let her be angry. He should allow her to believe he hated her so that she would hate him, but…he couldn’t.

  “Get out of my way!”

  “Not a chance,” he growled.

  She squared her shoulders and notched her chin up. Regal, stunning, her violet eyes flashed with defiance, challenge. “Should the lowly human have asked for your permission to leave?” She pulled her hair to the side revealing the graceful column of her neck. “Should I play the meek mortal? Let you tap my vein.” Her sensual mouth curled in a taunting smile. “My blood, I know you want it, leech.”

  Tempting lips. Sexy voice. Bitchy words. Goddamn, he wanted her. “I thought we’d already established, if I wanted your blood I could just take it.” His eyes narrowed. “No. There is something else I want from you right now.”

  He advanced. She didn’t back away. Oh, he loved her spirit. Reveled in it. Vampires shrank from him, but not his mortal. He doubted Jordan could even spell retreat.

  She moistened her lips, her tiny teeth catching the dip of her bottom lip. He groaned. He’d nibble and lick that bow for her. As if she could read his thoughts, Jordan responded to him. Pink tinted her high cheekbones her breathes grew heavy and the scent of jasmine intensified.

  With unfathomable speed, he lunged. Before she could react, he had her hair wrapped around his fist. Their bodies slammed together. Soft curves to unyielding muscle.

  He had her pinned against the back of the chaise. They both knew with one swift movement he could have her beneath him.

  Gabriel tightened his hold on her hair as he drew his other hand up her body. His gloved fingers skimmed the outside of her thigh, gently brushed over the arch of her hip, caressed her side, lightly tickled her ribcage and stopped. His hand hovered just above her breast.

  One heartbeat. Two.

  Jordan pressed forward, her luscious breast fit his palm perfectly. They both groaned and shuddered from the contact.

  “You make me crazed,” Gabriel grated. Tilting his head down, he rubbed his face against her hair, inhaling deep. “I’ve wanted…” He pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck then to the tip of her ear.

  She shivered in his arms. He could sense her need, her desire. It matched his own. Strong. Relentless.

  He kneaded her breast, her nipple stiffen beneath her shirt. The pearl abraded his palm, taunting him. Gabriel wanted to taste it, to pull it between his lips. Would she like it if he used his teeth…his fangs?

  His cock pulsed. He pressed the hard length against her belly. A shocked, delighted gasp seized in her throat. Jordan’s voice trembled as she whispered his name.

  Their gaze locked.

  She aches for me just as I ache for her.

  He should stop this. Never had a woman enthralled him so…Never had he craved like this. Mindless.

  The mortal—magicless, powerless—she’d done this to him.

  Gabriel released her breast to grip the swell of her hip. He ground his sex against her.

  She’d pay. He’d show her why no one dared tempt a beast.

  His vision shifted, his fangs elongated. Yes, he’d show her and he’d take what he wanted.

  Pulling her hair, he yanked her head back, exposing her throat. He lean forward and inhaled her scent again, his lungs filled with jasmine and woman. His lips brushed over her pulse, “Beautiful.” He racked his fangs over her pulse then soothed the reddened flesh with his tongue.

  Tiny sighs escaped her lips with every kiss he pressed against her neck, her jaw, her cheek.

  “Look at me,” he demanded.

  She opened her heavy lidded eyes to peer up at him from beneath thick, dark lashes. Her violet gaze glowed with need, her delicious lips parted as her breaths panted, silently begging for him.

  When only a whisper separated their lips, he snarled, “I’ve waited.”

  Claimed.

  Gabriel possessively took her mouth. Soft, giving lips trembled beneath his. He delved his tongue inside, tasting her. He expect a shy response, a tentative lick, but Jordan boldly kissed him back. She rose to her toes. Her hands flew to his shoulders. She cleaved to him in desperation. He felt the sharp points of her nails through his shirt as she pulled him even closer. Tighter.

  Holding her, feeling her move against him, her mouth greedily meeting his. It felt right. Everything about this felt right, like he’d been waiting centuries for this moment. As if her kiss had broken some kind of spell, his heart pounded, his soul awakened. Had he truly been cold and deadened for so long?

  This woman. This mortal was forcing him to feel again. He reveled in it and reviled it, but he couldn’t stop. There was no stopping, no going back. She’d marked him and he’d mark her.

  Deepening the kiss, Gabriel squeezed her hip. His touch bruising, commanding. He released her hair to tunnel his fingers through the silky length. He lightly traced his fingertips down the column of her spine then gripped her ass with both palms. He lifted her, fitting his throbbing shaft against her sweet spot.

  Jordan rocked her pelvis against him and he groaned. Hot. Eager little mortal. She rolled her hips again, grinding her sex over his, riding him. Slumming with a human. God, yes!

  Gabriel took her mouth, his tongue twining with hers over and over. Intense. Shattering. Their breaths became one, her heartbeat pounded in his ears, louder than his own.

  Losing control...

  Frenzied, he bucked against her, drawing a deep, “Ummm,” from her throat. Jordan’s knees locked around his waist. She arched her back, thrusting her hips forward. More pressure.

  Pleasure mounting…losing control…losing…

  Jordan licked a fang and moaned.

  Lost.

  Tumbling over the edge of the chaise, they met the leather. Jordan landed on her back with a surprised gasp. Her hooded gaze, her swollen red lips, her hair fanned out framing her head. She was a vision. A goddess to be worshipped.

  Gabriel gripped her bent knees and spread her legs. He ran his gloved fingers up the inside of her thighs, teasing. He brushed the knuckle of an index finger over her core and she quivered. Jordan reached for him, but he laced their fingers and stretched their arms over her head. Firmly pressing the back of her hands against the cool leather of the chaise.

  He lowered his body into the cradle of hers. They both groan when his straining cock met her center.

  He hated the clothing that separated them, wan
ted to shred it, destroy it. No. He shook his head. No, he was thankful for the barrier.

  “This,” he hissed low with a hard thrust. He wouldn’t take this further. He couldn’t. “Only this,” his words barely audible, he shoved against her again. Her knees fell wide, bringing him closer, deeper into the curve of her body.

  Mindless, she panted and gasped his name. Close. She was so close. On the verge of ecstasy and, fuck, so was he. His cock was engorged with seed, but he’d hold off until she came. He had to see her, he had to watch as pleasure consumed her. For months he’d imagined…

  “I can scent you, love,” he rasped. “You’re wet for me. Aren’t you?” He knew if he cupped her right now, she’d burn him. He wanted to delve his fingers into her honey, want to bury his face between her thighs and taste it from the source.

  Jordan opened her eyes. Meeting his gaze, she shuddered, “Yes. Gabriel, yes!”

  “You’ll come for me.”

  She writhed beneath him. He thrust faster. Faster. Faster.

  “Oh, god!” She screamed his name. Her eyes closed. Her orgasm overwhelmed her.

  Stunning. She was…breathtaking. Better than he’d ever imagined.

  He stilled. His gaze drinking her in. To have her in his bed. To undress her and pleasure her at his leisure. He could be gentle with her; he could keep his beast chained…

  Now!

  Yes, now. He’d take her now. Gabriel wrapped his arms around her torso and pulled her up with him.

  He heard the words, “You feel so right,” but couldn’t tell if they came from him or her.

  Jordan pressed fevered kisses against his neck, her teeth grazed his earlobe and…The words had come from him. Terror seized his chest. This was wrong. He was wrong.

  With a violent curse, Gabriel released her and reared back. What was he doing? He shouldn’t take Jordan to his room. He shouldn’t take Jordan anywhere.

  Unable to meet her gaze or, hell, even look at her without losing what little control he’d regained, Gabriel turned his back on her and straightened his clothes. He adjusted his swollen cock as best he could.

  He heard Jordan sigh, perceived her stretching movements. Tense, he waited for her to speak. To rant at him, throw her empty glass at him. Anything. He’d given into his weakness, took advantage of her heighted state. He’d been seconds away from ravishing her.

  “Gabriel,” she whispered, her voice raspy from her cries of pleasure. “I want—”

  He held up his hand, stopping her. His ears twitched and his predatory senses blazed to life. They were not alone. Gannon was approaching. His gaze shifted to the double doors and Jordan peered over the edge of the chaise.

  “Your Highness, Sire Arsov is on the line.”

  Still unable to look at her, he tersely said, “We’ll continue this discussion later,” and left her sprawled on the chaise.

  “I forward the call to your office,” Gannon added as they descended the stairs to the second level.

  “At sun set, please take Ms. Culver to Ruin.”

  Gannon paused, falling a step behind his king. “Do you think that is wise? I was going to take her to Dark. The customer base is human. Ruin is packed with vamps.”

  “It is attached to the hotel, not across town. Rowena can be trusted to watch over her, defend her if necessary.” Sensing Gannon’s rebuttal, Gabriel snapped, “This isn’t a debate.”

  “Whatever you say, boss,” Gannon replied with a shrug.

  Gabriel shoved the office door open and Gannon continued down the stairs, “Arsov is on line one,” he called, then disappeared into the shadows of the level below.

  Alone, Gabriel ran a hand over his jaw, the action so severe he left welts. The bruises healed within seconds.

  God, her scent was all over him. In him.

  Seething, he tore off his jacket and shred his gloves with his claws. Gabriel pulled his shirt free, buttons flew like buckshot through the air as he stormed over to the armoire. He snatched a fresh shirt, jacket and gloves. Replacing her maddening fragrance of jasmine with the clean scent of fresh laundry and untainted leather. Anything to help him focus. To forget.

  His gaze landed on the black cordless phone and the blinking red light. Dimitri was the key to not only Jordan’s salvation, but his own. The fragile mortal was his responsibility and if he could convince Dimitri to help her, he’d be rid of her. The temptation gone, he’d get over her. He’d return to his countless, nameless trysts. His mind free of her, his attention would revert back to his enemy’s demise.

  Gabriel took up the phone. “Good evening, Sire. I hope you weren’t waiting long.”

  “I’ve kept you waiting days, a few minutes on hold is justified,” Dimitri replied with a light hearted chuckle. “I must apologize for not responding sooner. I was away, but I was glad to hear from you. There have been some odd rumors circling of late. The most ludicrous I’ve heard is about a lone vigilante attacking an auction house. Naturally, I assumed you had nothing to do with it?”

  “Naturally,” Gabriel agreed with a smile.

  “You attended an active slave auction.” Dimitri let out a long exhale. “If I’d heard the words from anyone else, I wouldn’t believe them. Your courage is astounding, my old friend.”

  Once liberated, Gabriel never thought he’d return to such a dark, repulsive place as a slave auction. But when it came to the little human apparently there was nothing he wouldn’t do. Including this.

  “I trust you found what you were searching for.”

  “Even more,” he confirmed. He not only freed Jordan, but he’d learned of Boras’s secret alliances and discovered the key to his enemy’s destruction. Klein had hosted the auction on shifter territory. For centuries, the shifters and the vampires had a loose but strong truce, created by Hadrian, Chieftain of the Validus Clan of vampires. Both would remain neutral, wouldn’t interfere in each other’s dealings, never taking sides during a battle. To break this treaty would be inviting war with all four, now five, vampire Clans. Something the shape-shifting packs couldn’t hope to survive.

  “Yes, my visions have revealed a great many…interesting things. Not a single vampire was killed that night and only one slave was taken.”

  Gabriel’s grip tightened on the phone. Dimitri’s all-knowing tone scraped Gabriel’s raw emotions. How much did the ancient know of Jordan? “I didn’t leave the auction empty handed.”

  “I’d say not.” Dimitri’s voice deepened. “How fares the lovely mortal?”

  He knows enough. Although Dimitri was in Russia, Gabriel could sense his power as if the ancient vampire were standing beside him. As the last pureblood vampire, Dimitri was inconceivably powerful. There was no doubt in his mind that Dimitri knew what he was about to ask.

  Gabriel took in a breath, closed his eyes and focused on his slowing heart beat until the organ stilled in his chest. Calm, his body went cold and he opened his eyes. His mind clear, truth struck and echoed through his soul. He couldn’t deny or reason why, but he knew without a doubt he’d do anything for the mortal.

  “I wouldn’t have contacted you if there was…a more favorable solution.”

  Dimitri’s rough, sage like voice rumbled through the phone, “Make your request.”

  “The mortal in my charge has been marked by Death. I’ve given her my blood, but it will not fully repair the damage.”

  “It won’t.”

  Gabriel frowned. Was that a question? Had he heard doubt in Dimitri’s tone?

  “I understand and respect your aversion of taking directly from a mortal. I, too, shared your dislike of the act. However, your blood may have more of an impact if you were to take her to the brink of death, then give her yours.”

  “I will not change her,” Gabriel declared even as his fangs sharpened in his mouth, cutting his tongue.

  “You can stop before that point.”

  Gabriel shook his head. No, he knew he wouldn’t be able to pull away. If he tasted her blood, if he slit his wrist, if her mouth l
atched on to him…sucking, licking…He wouldn’t be able to deny her. “Sire,” he unsteadily breathed. “For her sake, I humbly ask the use of your blood.”

  Silence reigned, heavy and oppressive until a light sigh crossed the line. The soft sound was followed by a relieved chuckle, “History repeating itself.”

  Tension began to bleed from Gabriel’s muscles at Dimitri’s mention of the past. Kerstyn, Dimitri’s woman, lived now as a vampire because Gabriel had shared his curse. He was happy for his friends, after eons, Dimitri had his mate. They were able to make a life together because of what he’d done. But Gabriel’s stomach rolled every time he thought of that night. God, how he’d loathed forcing his corroded blood down Kerstyn’s throat—creating a demon within her. He couldn’t do that Jordan.

  “You honor me with your request.”

  The air punched from Gabriel’s lungs.

  “I will help you and the woman in any way I can. Kerstyn and I will return to our Las Vegas home just after the full moon.” Dimitri paused then noted, “I know Silvie has returned to the Shaw.”

  Panic seized Gabriel’s chest and ice settled in his veins.

  He’d had every intention of erasing Jordan’s memories, of deleting the horror she witnessed and the pain she suffered, and clearing himself from her mind. But now, after what they’d shared…He shook his head. Damn, he was a selfish bastard and…he wasn’t ready to make that decision. He couldn’t. Not now. He had to think.

  Don’t say it. Don’t ask.

  “If it is your charge’s wish, I will take her memories.”

  ***

  Jordan collapsed on the bed. Exhausted. Sated. That bizarre, demanding need for action fulfilled. Her energy completely sapped, it had taken all the strength she possessed to make it back to her room. She had stumbled to the shower to cool her still burning body.

  Gabriel’s kiss, his touch—good god, the way he’d moved—had pushed her to her limits. She’d had orgasms before, fooled around with boys before, but nothing could compare. Her mind reeled wondering what making love to a man like him would be like. Intense. Consuming.