There was welcoming party going on downstairs. Guests such as Sonya, Gwendolyn, Dimitri, Dorian, and their queens awaited him. The remaining nobles of the Validus had arrived as well, but he did not care. Falcon had already come to talk to him, but Hadrian had not heard a word the knight said. Eva consumed his thoughts.
He ran his hands over his face. He had not sought her out for sex. Truly, he had wanted to talk. He wanted to know what her plan was. The coronation ceremony was tomorrow night and she had yet to announce where she was going to go when it was over. He was glad she had decided to live with her uncle instead of moving back to the States alone.
Honestly, he did not want her to leave at all, but he would not be selfish with her. He would not ask her to stay. Eva finally had her freedom. Remaining here meant accepting her rightful place at his side. Why would she elect to endure an eternity of confinement? She would be sequestered in the castle surrounded by mountains just as she had been isolated in a hut deep in the jungle. She would be trading one prison for another.
He had to let her go. He had to let her live her own life, find her own way, and maybe she would return to him.
Hadrian scoffed and snatched the bottle back. He would not sell himself on that idea. He would not allow himself to hope for her return. Hope only led to disappointments.
He took another long drink then crossed over to the bed. Sliding the decanter onto the side table, he fell face first into the pillows. Taking in a deep breath, he filled his lungs with the calming aroma of vanilla. Hadrian groaned. His cock grew hard, responding to Eva’s luscious scent. He had not allowed the servants to change his sheets. For the last three days his dreams had been plagued by nightmares of the past, of the last night they had shared in his bed.
Gods, that night he had been ready to tell her of his feelings. He had been on the verge of confessing when Falcon came pounding on the door, ruining the moment.
Eva possessed his heart, his soul, his mind, and his body. He had belonged to her since the moment they met. He had tried to fight it. He had managed to think of one logical explanation after another to avoid admitting what his soul already knew.
She was his mate, his queen, his lover, and his friend. She was his everything. He had shared his darkest sins with her and she did not turn from him. Eva had accepted him and all his flaws. When she looked at him, it was as if she could see directly into his soul. Never once did she allow the intensity of the demon to frighten her or dominate her. The beast liked that. It liked her.
Hadrian rolled to his back, clutching the pillow to his chest.
Why was it so difficult to say three simple words?
She had said them, here, in his bed. She had whispered the little words. Although, he doubted she realized they had fallen from her lips.
Did she mean it, he wondered.
Eva had been in the throes of passion, consumed by her need and pleasure. People often said things they did not mean while overwhelmed by emotion.
What if she had purposefully whispered the words?
He had not responded. He had continued on as if she had said nothing. Gods, had she expected him to reply?
Hadrian was up and out the door in a blink. He needed to talk to her. He needed to know if she loved him. If so, freedom be damned. He would not let her go. He would keep her locked in his room or chained to his bed for all eternity if that is what he had to do.
Focusing his energy, he materialized in the hall outside her room. Falcon was coming towards win an all too serious frown on his face.
“Not now, knight,” he snapped, brushing past him.
“My king, she is not there.”
Hadrian stopped. “Where is she?”
“Eva left.”
His blood turned glacial as he faced the knight. “What?”
“I went to my room to grab the plans on the new gun I’m designing. Sire Dimitri wants to look them over. I found this.” He pulled a piece of paper from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “She must have slipped it under my door.”
Hadrian snatched the note, quickly scanning the contents.
Falcon laughed, “Can you believe she stole my car?”
Chapter Forty
Eva slammed on the breaks, sending the Land Rover into a slide. Turning the wheel, she directed the vehicle into a snow bank. The seat belt constricted, snapping her back against the seat. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and blinked again. Damn, she was dizzy and it was not because of the accident.
What the hell just happened?
She fumbled with the belt clasp, her fingers trembling. Adrenaline hammered through her veins. With a click the resistant sprang free. She shoved open the door and slipped out. Wrapping her arms about herself, she walked around to the front of the car.
“Oh, thank God,” she sighed. No damage.
She swayed and stumbled. She pressed a hand over her heart as she leaned against the side of the car. Her chest compressed, her lungs seized, her heart clench as if in a vise. Pain shot through her system, her fingers and toes stung with a prickling tingle.
She doubled over. Eva gasped. The frosted air burned her lungs. She wiped at her eyes again and lurched for the car door. If her body was going to torture her, she may as suffer where it was warm.
Her fingers slipped around the handle and…it was gone.
Eva felt the blood leave her face. There was only one solution to the pain. Her male had to be nearby.
“No,” she whispered, drawing her gaze back to the road.
Hadrian’s red eyes glowed like embers, hot and bright. His shoulders rolled as he stalked toward her with predatory grace.
Eva swallowed the hard lump of fear that rose in her throat. She jumped when the door slammed shut. The locks sliding in place told her she was not going to escape him. Eva braced herself as he came to stand before her, blocking the car. He looked furious. Shadows cut across his face, his fangs were long and sharp, and his red eyes sparkled with malice and madness.
“You were not to leave until tomorrow.” His words were hard, his voice eerily deep.
She squared her shoulders. She would not be intimidated by the demon. “I changed my mind. Now, move and unlock the car.”
“Why?”
“So I can go.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why did you leave, Eva?”
Eva shook her head and let out a long, exasperated sigh. “I could not stand to be there anymore. I had to get out.”
“You could have gone for a walk,” he said with an underlying growl. “You did not have to steal Falcon’s car.”
“I didn’t steal anything. I’m borrowing it,” she argued. Crossing her arms over her chest, she asked, “Why are you here, Hadrian? Why did you come after me? I’m leaving, just like you wanted.”
He balked, his eyes flicking between red and black. “Like I wanted?”
“Yes.”
She tried to step around him, but he blocked her with his body. Eva growled, the feral sound drawing an answering growl from him.
“Unlock the doors,” she hissed between clenched teeth.
“You think I want you to leave?”
Eva threw her hands in the air. “That is what you want, isn’t? Ever since we discovered the secret hidden in my blood, you have been shoving me towards the exit.”
Hadrian took a step toward her, his fingers reaching for her. Eva backed away. She could not allow him to touch her. She would lose her nerve if he did.
“Stay away from me,” she snapped.
The red faded from his eyes and they returned to their natural black. Pain and longing flashed in his gaze as his hand fell to his side. “Eva. I…” His voice wavered. He cleared his throat and let the words tumble out, “I don’t want you to leave.”
Eva stared at him as if he had struck her. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted as she sucked in deep breathes. Anger and confusion danced like flames in her eyes as her hands curled into shaking fists.
“Do you get off on playing mind games?” she spat
. “I mean, really? You’re my first true lover, but I can say with perfect confidence that I am not into that crap.”
Hadrian ignored her anger and realization buzzed in his head. Eva was leaving because she believed he wanted her to go.
“I am not playing a game, I assure you.”
Eva rubbed her brow. “Hadrian, I’m going. I can’t take this anymore. It was…fun, but I have to go.” She brushed passed him and tugged on the door handle. “Damn it!”
She whirled on him, her claws extending, her teeth sharpening. Wild anger flowed through her. Her jaguar spirit wanted out and it wanted Hadrian. It wanted to lash out, to attack him, but it also wanted her to take him. To claim him here, in the snow, untamed and savage.
Sensing her conflicting desires, Hadrian came closer. His movements were slow, fluid. He did not want to trigger her instincts. She was feral. Her beautiful lips pulled back over her teeth, her eyes shimmered in the moonlight, and a low snarl vibrated her throat. A warning? A plea?
He did not touch her, but he advanced, backing her against the car. Cornering her, trapping her. A dark part of him wanted her to attack. The demon? It wanted to feel her claws bite into his flesh; her teeth tear at his neck or his shoulder as she rode him hard.
Something within him snapped. He lunged forward, his palms hitting the glass, his hands framing her head. His body hummed, his heart pounded out of control until it matched the frantic rhythm of hers. He bent his head down to her neck and drew in a deep breath. Gods, she was divine.
Eva told herself to calm down, to breathe, but she was too far-gone to relax. Hadrian loomed over her, his body crowding her, trapping her. Yet, he did not touch her. Her anger twisted with lust. She needed him to touch her.
Struggling to maintain her sanity, she hissed, “Why did you come out here?”
He released a shuddering sigh, “I want you.”
Her harsh laugh rubbed over him like silk. “You can’t be serious.”
Hadrian pressed closer, his lower body sinking into hers. Eva gasped when his erection pushed against her stomach. She wanted to shove him away. She wanted to pull him closer.
“I am very serious.”
“Sex. You hunted me down for sex?” she seethed, her anger and need rising together as one.
“No,” he whispered, his lips moving against her ear.
Her hands wrapped about his wrists. She clung to him as if anchoring herself. Her nails cut into him, drawing blood.
“I hunted you because I want you.” He kissed the sensitive flesh blow her ear.
She moaned. She was on fire. She wanted him to stop, but she needed him to continue. God, she wished she were stronger. That she could break free of the emotional hold he had on her. Eva knew that if Hadrian wanted sex, she would give it to him. Her sanity would not be able to save her.
“Please, Hadrian,” she sighed, unable to tell if her own words were a plea for freedom or a request for him to continue.
Hadrian cupped her face. Their eyes met and held. His heart stilled as he slowly exhaled all the air from his lungs. She was beautiful. So strong, so brave, so warm and caring, everything he wanted. Everything he needed.
He swallowed hard. “I need you.”
His words hitched as she wet her lips. Her claws retracted from his wrists. He could sense the tension slowly fade from her body.
He came closer, their bodies melding together. His hands slipped into her hair to cradle her head. He titled her face up, maintaining eye contact. Her tiny exhales brushed his chin. Her lips were tantalizingly close and parted. She blinked up at him. Waiting. She was waiting for him to say the words that burned his soul.
“I love you, Eva.” The words fell from his lips in a desperate rush. “I do not want you to leave. Please…tell me what I can do to…make you stay. I will do anything.”
Her silence was like a dagger to his heart. He closed his eyes as he felt the tears of hopelessness rising. Gods, he had bared his soul and lain his heart at her feet. He needed to her say…something. Anything.
Hadrian flinched when her smooth soft hands caressed his face. He did not dare open his eyes, terrified of what he would find in her eyes. Was she looking at him with sorrow or pity? He prayed for anything but pity. He told himself he could survive her rejection. He was no stranger to guilt, loneliness, or despair.
“Hadrian.”
He could not stop the tears from slipping. The sensation was unnerving. He never cried. Not even when he was mortal. Tears were for the weak and they achieved nothing. They could not bring loved ones back or absolve anguish.
“Gods, Eva. I cannot lose you,” he rasped. “Please, tell me what I can—”
“Just ask me, Hadrian.”
His eyes opened. She was crying too. Her amber eyes shimmered with tears. They streaked her cheeks.
“Will you stay?”
She nodded. “Oh, god, Hadrian. I didn’t want to leave. I love you.”
Eva rose up on her toes and their lips met. The kiss was soft, sweet, tender and tasted of their tears.
The world shifted around them and Eva felt the heat of a fire.
“What about Falcon’s car,” she asked as his lips trailed down her throat.
“We will retrieve it later,” he said between kisses.
Eva circled her arms about his waist, pulling him close. His muscles shifted, tensed, and released beneath her hands. She could feel the power of his body.
He pulled at their clothing, tearing and destroying the fabric. His shirt drifted to the floor in shreds, his sweats dropped as he kicked his shoes free.
Hadrian went to his knees before her. His fingers made quick work of her laced boots. He stripped her jeans and panties away. Eva let out a thrilled gasp when he sliced open the front of her sweater with his claws. He shoved the ruined fleece from her shoulders as he bit through the front clasp of her bra.
Intense. Frantic. Their passion was rising to dangerous heights. Their need was spiraling out of control. His hands and his lips were all over her body, not leaving even a fraction of an inch untouched.
He came to his feet. Wild sexual hunger darkened his black eyes. His fangs glinted in the firelight. Eva could barely breathe. Shadows clung to his muscles, accentuating every hard line of his chest, abs, arms, and thighs. His body was amazing. His face was hard yet gentle and serious with need. He was her Roman warrior, her vampire king, and her fallen angle. Hadrian was her male.
He loved her. The emotion blazed in his eyes. She had seen it in his eyes once before but she had not allowed herself to believe Hadrian could have feelings for her.
“I love you,” she gasped against his lips as he kissed her again.
His tongue delved deep in to her mouth, his lips claiming, dominating, hungry. Gripping her hips, he drew her up his body. Eva locked her legs about his waist. He carried her to his bed and followed her down to the mattress, blanketing her with his body.
“Oh, Eva. Say you will give yourself to me. Now. And forever.”
He cupped her breasts, feeding one to his mouth then the other. His tongue swirled about her nipples and suckled on the tight beads.
“Yes, Hadrian. Forever,” she gasped. “Yours. I’m yours.”
He came back to her mouth. “I never thought you would be mine.”
“I never thought you would let me,” she admitted, tears stinging her eyes again.
His hands slid down her body, tracing the gentle swell of her breasts, her tapered waist, and the flare of her hips. He pressed against her, his hardness gliding over her slick heat. Eva moaned. The tip of him teased at her clitoris. He rocked his hips against her, driving his shaft over her until she was crazed with need.
“Now, Hadrian,” she rasped. “Please. Now.”
He lifted his upper body, bracing his hands on either side of her head. His hips surged forward.
She cried out from his fierce invasion. He withdrew and thrust in deep. Tossing her head back, Eva called out his name, tension coiling through her body. H
er toes curled as he took up a demanding rhythm, pumping in and out of her, base to tip again and again.
Her eyes closed as she let herself go, allowing him to penetrate her heart and brand her soul.
Hadrian thrust, gritting his teeth. He was barely able to bear the tightness of her searing heat clenching him. So addicting. Hadrian surrendered, losing himself in her. Forever. He would lose himself in her forever. He buried himself to the hilt, taking her and giving himself. Sharing himself. Opening his heart for her. Only her. Eva. His woman. His mate. Dropping his head into the fragrant curve of her neck, he pressed kisses to her shoulder.
Eva clutched at his powerful arms, holding onto him as he drove her over the edge, sending her careening into the abyss of blissful madness.
Urgency built and built until, with a primitive roar, his release shot through him. He came over and over again, flowing into her, filling her. His hips still thrusting, his muscles twitching with pleasure, his mind consumed by the haze of ecstasy.
Eva felt the contractions of his climax deep within her; the rough sensations carried her into another orgasm. Her body clamped down on him, squeezing him like a vise, taking all he had to give.
Finally, his arms gave out and he collapsed to the mattress. He wrapped an arm about her and pulled her to his side. Eva settled her head over his chest. His heart thundered and matched the storm that swept through her. She curled into him, not able to get close enough.
God, this was dream. Or was it heaven?
She could not believe she was here with Hadrian. The happiness was overwhelming and she felt another round of tears coming.
His hands stroked her back. “This is what I wanted. You. In my arms and in my bed.” He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “Gods, I just need to hold you.”
“You fooled me,” she replied, her voice rough from her cries of pleasure. “Why did you insist I leave if you didn’t want me to go?”
“I thought you would not want to stay. You are finally free of the pack and…I know how much freedom means to you. I thought staying here and being my mate…” He shook his head. “That this would be a prison for you. I don’t want you feeling as if you are forced to stay here.”
Caressed by a Crimson Moon (Rulers of Darkness) Page 31
