His vision shifted. The room faded to neon green, appeared as if he was viewing the world through night vision lenses.
Warmth flooded his chest.
Leila was freeing his wolf.
There was no other explanation. Those damn hands of hers were as cursed as was his heart. Nothing had ever even come close to thawing it in the past and after centuries of living with that cold darkness harboring inside him, those emotions should have been put to rest for good.
But they weren’t.
And he couldn’t control them.
His vision reverted to a human’s, but with far more clarity than what any mortal could imagine.
His gaze focused on Leila, tuned in to her every detail, including the varying hues of brown that made up her hair color, shades that now stuck out like a rainbow of glistening embers. They started with deep chocolate streaks and ended with lines of a burnt orange tint. The colors went on, appeared endless, every one of those different shades slowly burning into his memory where he knew they would torment him for days to come. Maybe even until death.
But the agony didn’t stop with Leila’s hair. The sound of her heart beat raced at his ears, as did the slight gasps of her breath that if he weren’t part wolf, he would have never heard.
But the worst of the torment was the intense aroma of fresh cut roses combined with that damn hint of vine-ripened strawberry. His mouth watered. The wolf in him wanted nothing more than to take a bite of Leila, sample that enticing berry flavor her blood was certain to taste of.
She’s not yours.
A double kick socked his ribs.
He let go of Leila and grabbed the wrought-iron gate behind her, wrapped his fingers around the metal spokes until his knuckles turned white. He was not going to fall. Not over his wolf, he wasn’t. The beast could beat the hell out of his innards if it so desired, but he wasn’t giving in.
Leila’s head rested against the grate. She licked her lips. “I can feel your wolf.”
“You’ve awakened it.”
May the gods help him because stopping was no longer an option. Leila was going to be his today, regardless of what the logical side of him knew was better.
His wolf growled.
Frickin’ bastard. The beast was fully alert now.
And it wanted a mate.
It wanted Leila MacHendrie.
You’ll have to kill me first. And with those words, he tuned out his wolf, focused totally on the human side of his soul.
He bent his head and brushed his lips once more against Leila’s.
If only he had taken her to Mount Dundaire himself, maybe Wolfsden wouldn’t have had the chance to lock them in.
The floor vibrated.
Vidar stomped against the carpet.
A low rumble traveled through the room, then dissipated.
Leila entwined her arms around his neck, toyed with the clasp resting at his nape and flicked it open, freeing his hair.
He tore his lips away from hers. “This is your last chance to stop me, Leila. This is our last chance to escape whatever is to come.”
She brought her finger to his mouth. “Don’t deny this, Vidar.”
“But my wolf is no longer dormant.”
“It doesn’t matter to me.”
“He’s dangerous. Right now, he’s still inside my body, but if his soul separates from mine, he will emerge and become an entity in his own right. I won’t be able to control him.”
“I’m aware of that.”
Was she really? Did she really know what she was doing with his cursed beast? He doubted it.
“Let me help you.”
Gods, if only that was possible. Of course, he’d never encountered a sin-eater before. Maybe Leila did have the answers to his problems, maybe she was the one person who could lift his hex. “Just keep your hands off my chest. Is that clear?”
She nodded.
Leila may not be a shifter, but she had the cravings of the species, so they were indeed compatible on that level. But being mates was so much more than that. What if they were both wrong about being each other’s destiny? His wolf could very well be playing tricks on him as Rorik was a master at illusions. The man’s magick would be no different. And if Leila couldn’t control the sin-eater in her soul, who’s to say she wasn’t misreading this whole scenario, too?
But he did want the woman. And part of that had to be coming from his own emotions, the human side of his feelings. The sole part of him that was not hexed.
He trailed his fingers over the smooth pearl buttons of Leila’s blouse and undid each one, two of the five popping off the cotton, bouncing to the floor with a muffled clunk against the carpet. He had the garment off her in seconds.
The smooth touch of her soft skin against his palm, sent a zing through his veins.
His gaze fell to her breasts where cream-colored lace trimmed in iridescent sequins covered her overflowing globes. A ribbon of pink satin topped the bra. He really should look away and stop all together. But the hold Leila had on him was not some one-night-stand type of lust. This was his soul totally falling to the woman’s beguiling charm.
Leila was irresistible.
He could hear Bane ranting now. If the man ever knew what was about to take place, the alpha would have his neck. And he’d deserve it.
His gaze remained at Leila’s breasts, his fingers itching to slide under the thin fabric.
A growl emitted from deep within him. He was going to have to work harder at tuning out the animal. Being dormant and cursed for so long, the beast apparently had increased its powers over those years. Stored them up in some way, because it never invaded his life to this extent before Rorik’s hex.
Leila’s hands graced his shoulders.
She gasped.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your wolf shares your memories.”
The beast shared a lot more than just his thoughts. “Don’t believe anything it makes you think.”
“You made your first kill when you were eight,” Leila said. “It was a boy your own age.”
No one, not even his wolf knew that fact. He’d purposely tuned the animal out once he’d been pushed onto the battlefield that day. His first kill had been an accident. But it happened just the same and he had to pay for it.
“You didn’t mean to do it.”
“Those memories don’t come from my wolf. Those are mine alone.” The connection Leila had to him was incredibly deep. He’d never experienced that with someone before today and he wasn’t sure what to do about it. What if he couldn’t protect her? Especially from his wolf?
Doubt that Leila was his mate, that she was the one soul he was meant to share his life with, fled his mind.
And the notion frightened him as much as if he’d just stepped into an onslaught of silver bullets.
~~o0o~~
She was standing half-naked, in front of the most handsome Viking shifter she’d ever laid eyes on, while locked in a small room thanks to a living, breathing, temperamental castle, and all she could do was yap about the man’s trials on the battlefield.
Definitely not pillow talk.
A serious look crossed Vidar’s brow, yet he said nothing.
“I’m sorry.” She pulled her hands off his shoulders. “I didn’t mean to bring up the past.”
“You didn’t. The thoughts were nagging at me before you touched me.”
That was a new one. Feeding on a soul’s darkness, even if like now when she was only accessing it rather than drawing it into her, always brought out the worst of its host, though she never expected otherwise. Extracting negativity just wasn’t one of those pleasant jobs. But Vidar’s disposition toward her remained friendly, which made this first-time happening more than merely puzzling. “My sin-eater side is not cooperating at the moment.”
Vidar’s lips curled in a wide smile, revealed his beautiful white teeth. “Sounds like my wolf.”
A laugh escaped her. “I do my best to ignore her, but since I
have no official training as a sin-eater, I can’t always control my gift. But this goes beyond that.”
“Try living with a feral beast housed in your heart.”
She shook her head. “I’ll stick to my sin-eater, thank you.”
Maybe the fact Vidar was wolf wasn’t so bad. True, he wasn’t a Scot and he wasn’t mortal, but he did have a slew of other awesome qualities, like being able to cook. Plus, he’d have no problem accepting the family. Which was a relief in itself since it meant no longer agonizing over a pack of shifters who had a thing for showing up on her doorstep unexpected. Not having to hide her family from a boyfriend alleviated a ton of pressure. Vidar fit in with her dysfunctional clan.
The fire in the hearth went out with a sudden whoosh.
Leila’s gaze darted to the now smoking logs in the fireplace, not a spark of flame existed anywhere within the brick enclave. A shiver teased her spine. “Please tell me your wolf had something to do with the fire going out.”
Her fierce Viking didn’t utter a word.
“Well then, I think we might be in trouble because I doubt it was my sin-eater as she tends to get antsy when cold, not warm.” Which meant being trapped in a room without a decent heat source could very well complicate matters.
A low rumble shook the castle.
“I’d put my money on Wolfsden,” Vidar said. He titled his head toward the corner. “There’s a large comforter in the cedar chest over there. It should be enough to keep us warm until the castle decides to set us free.” He led her away from the wrought-iron grate.
A feeling of loss settled in her soul. She liked being held by Vidar, being kissed by him. The shirt was definitely not going to stay on once that comforter was wrapped around her and her hunky Viking.
At the corner chest, Vidar lifted the upholstered lid and rummaged inside the box.
The scent of cedar permeated the air. “You seem to know your way around Wolfsden quite well,” she said, her gaze locked on Vidar.
“I only know the areas where I have spent most of my time when visiting. The kitchen and this alcove are familiar to me because when I come over, I tend to take my meals alone or on occasion, will have dinner with Rhys.”
“That would be the adopted MacGregor. The butler.”
“Former butler as of last night, but yes, he is the man to whom I refer. I must admit, I did not always like him. But recently we have become friends.” He pulled out a huge, oversized white comforter from the chest and then allowed the lid to fall back down.
Shaking the blanket so it unfolded into its full expanse, which looked to be king-size, Vidar offered an impish grin. “The choice of chairs is yours, my lady.”
“I believe the floor would be best. If you don’t mind.”
A soft chuckle fell from the Viking’s lips. “A very wise decision, sin-eater. I think I am starting to like you.”
Not enough to let her help him, though, which was irksome. Vidar had to be the densest wolf ever to walk this earth. But she had to find a way to break through that thick-headed skull of his because the hex on his heart had to go.
And she wasn’t going to let anything stand in her way of doing so.
Chapter Eight
After settling on the floor in the huge comforter and leaning against one of the chairs, Leila snuggled close to Vidar. She had to admit, the man made for the perfect cuddle partner, which was a surprise because she never thought someone as fierce as an immortal Viking warrior could make her feel safe. All she ever wanted was the guy next door type. Someone who didn’t attract dark auras, curses, or the worst the full moon had to offer.
But Vidar wasn’t the typical wolf.
Nor she the average sin-eater.
And maybe there was something to that, something to two storms colliding in the unexpected. It’s not like she wasn’t used to chaos in her life. She bred it most days. Could even make it rise from nothing and that immediately made her fall off any man’s second date list. Going to a horror movie with a guy was one thing, but extracting the terror you’d just watched, from the theatre screen, was definite reason to send men packing.
With Vidar those problems wouldn’t arise. She could talk to him, explain what was happening, and that meant the world when it came to being comfortable in a relationship.
No. With Vidar she was at ease, despite the wolf in his heart.
Between his strong arms that were doing quite well at pulling her close to him, his magnificent hands that knew how to work just the right touch, and his intoxicating scent of crisp linen and fresh squeezed lemon, there was nowhere else she’d rather be.
“Maybe Uncle Bane was right setting us up.”
Vidar raised one blond eyebrow, a grin returning to his lips. “I’ve never known the man to do something like this, but he has also never failed me when I needed him. The MacHendrie pack has been nothing but loyal to me. And that is a hard thing considering I tend to be a loner.”
“Your curse is robbing you of life’s joys.”
“After ten centuries, I’ve grown used to it.” Vidar adjusted the edge of the comforter so it fell flat over her legs, his hand brushing against her denim-clad thighs.
A tingle licked at Leila’s nerves. She leaned in and kissed Vidar.
~~o0o~~
Nothing mattered to him at this moment except for Leila. How in the world had he come to this? To his desire for a woman becoming greater than his need to fight the beast inside his soul?
He really shouldn’t be doing any of this. Leila might want him but she didn’t understand the full impact of his cursed wolf. But he did. And he was the one who should pull back. Now.
But he didn’t.
He couldn’t.
He reached for her bra, undid the front clasp and then glided his hand over her right breast. Her nipple hardened under his touch, the puckering of her skin teasing his palm.
Leila pulled away, her head falling back, the ends of her long, brown hair skimming his arm at her waist.
Vidar cursed under his breath. He lowered his mouth and took Leila’s protruding nipple between his lips, and sucked.
She moaned, a soft little whimper. “Vidar…,” she whispered.
Hearing his name in Leila’s low, raspy voice was all it took to make the fit of his jeans suddenly way too uncomfortable. He shifted but the move did no good.
Leila lifted her head. She backed away from him, slightly.
He released her nipple. “What’s wrong?”
She placed her forefinger over his lips. “Don’t say a word.” She leaned in, brushed her soft mouth against his neck.
His wolf grunted.
A pulling sensation gripped Vidar’s chest. It stretched from his heart, snaked its way up through his veins, over his collarbone and finally settled at the crook between his shoulder and jaw.
He gasped.
His wolf fell silent. All thoughts of the animal died away, even the freeze that had enveloped his heart all these years, faded to nothing more than a thin touch of frost. It was the best way he could describe the sensation.
Warmth wound its way into his chest. “You’ve turned off my beast.”
“I’ve only silenced your wolf. He’s still there, I’m afraid, but I don’t think he’ll stir for a while.”
“How did you do it?”
She looked him in the eye, concern crossing her brown-eyed gaze. “I’ve taken in some of Rorik’s curse. Not the whole hex, as that would require a lot more than what I’ve just done. But the amount I did extract, will never torment you again.”
For the first time in tens of decades, his emotions were his own, not feelings his wolf had invaded or taken over.
He liked when the beast was quieted.
“What will it do to you?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, Leila took his hand and settled it over her right breast. She licked her bottom lip.
He wanted her more now than ever. “All those times we’ve been together before, why did you always keep your distance?
Why want me now and not then?”
“I’m a sin-eater. Getting close to another person is difficult because all people have some degree of darkness in them and I can’t control my gift of extracting that negativity. I never know when it will start to feed and that is damn hard to explain to a person. And it’s worse with a preternatural soul.”
She was more like him than he had realized. But was it enough to last them both eternity? He doubted so.
“You’re thinking too much, Viking.”
“You can read minds, too?”
A smile took over her lips. “No. But I can read the look on your face. You’re as bad as Katya about failing to hide your emotions.”
He slid his hand to the waistband of her corduroys, undid the button and zipper, and had the pants, along with her lace panties, down her legs in a heartbeat.
He ran his fingers up the inner side of her thigh, over her smooth, silky skin. The more time he spent with the woman, the more he wanted to stay with her. Making love to Leila was going to be his downfall, but he wasn’t going to turn away now. Somehow, he’d make this work. He had to.
Leila reached for his shirt and lifted it over his head, then tossed the garment to the side. She glided her palms down his arms.
Vidar quivered. “Last chance, Leila. And this time I do mean it.”
“Take me, Viking.”
He didn’t need to hear the offer again.
~~o0o~~
Heat coursed through Leila’s body. She spread her legs wide, invited Vidar to settle between her thighs.
He removed his jeans and then positioned himself under the comforter, moved his hand to her folds and stroked her clit.
A zing went straight to her core. She loved having Vidar so close. And to think all those times they’d met before, she’d kept her distance. She could kick herself now. All along she could have had this.
She reached for his cock, wrapped her fingers around its thickness. The man was huge. He was also responded to her touch on the instant.
Viking Wolf Page 8
