“You've been reading my mind?” Nicole was mortified.
“Bits and pieces.” He admitted, opening the car door for her. “But don't worry. I don't gab.” Before closing the door, he gave her a wink.
Heat flooded her face. This was so not cool. After he got in and started the car, Nicole turned to look at Jared. “You need to stop doing that Jared.” Nicole groaned when he laughed. “Seriously, I don't want you in my head.”
“Well, believe me honey; I don't really want to be in there as much as you might think.” Pulling out in traffic, he maneuvered the streets to her apartment quickly. “Hearing your every thought about one of my partners in different modes of dress isn't as pleasing to me as it seems to be to you.”
“Oh. My. God!” Nicole's hands flew to her face.
Jared laughed. “Listen, you can block anyone from reading your mind.”
“How?” Nicole spoke through her hands not ready to uncover her flushed embarrassment. Talk about awkward.
“You can tell if someone is trying to power into your head. First, you'll feel a tingly pressure, a very nagging feeling in your head. When you start feeling it, you mentally throw a wall up of something. Since we all can pretty much read each other, we keep a permanent wall up.” Jared cruised up to a stop light. “Believe me; once you know the signs and start doing it, it becomes second nature. Usually, I think of myself naked and boy oh boy do the guys go flying out of my head.”
Nicole laughed, sliding her hands from her face. “No you don't.”
He chuckled. “Go ahead and try.” he urged, then threw a wicked grin her way. “I'll try to get in and you just think of yourself naked and....”
“Stop it.” She smacked his arm shaking her head. Closing her eyes, she concentrated. She loved dogs and always wanted a puppy, but was never able to get one.
“Very good.” Jared said after a few minutes. “All I can see are a bunch of puppies. Keep working on it around me and I'll keep testing you.”
They pulled in her parking lot and spotted Damon leaning against his bike waiting. Jared pulled up behind the bike leaving the car running. “Aren't you coming in?”
“Nope. You two need to talk.” Jared nodded toward Damon. “Give him a chance, Nicole. As much as he can piss me off he's one of the good guys and I think you both need alone time.”
Nicole watched Damon walk to her side of the car and then took his hand when he offered to help her out. “Thanks Jared...for everything.”
“Anytime honey, anytime.” Jared pulled away, leaving them alone in the parking lot.
Nerves fluttered in her stomach. “Hey.” was the only thing that popped into her head to say.
Staring down, he gave her that sexy crooked grin. “Hey.” Grabbing her hand he led her toward her apartment.
Once they were inside, Nicole didn't know what to do or say. Her apartment felt overcrowded with him in it, making it hard for her to breathe. Putting her small bag on the counter, she headed to the fridge and grabbed two beers. Handing one to Damon, she cleared her tight throat, but didn't know what to say, so she twisted her cap off taking a huge gulp.
“Thanks.” He followed suit and downed half the bottle. Then he said something that totally blew her mind. “So how have you been?”
“How have I been?” She repeated, eyes widening. Finding out she was a target of killers, having a mind blowing kiss from him, seeing him with one of the most beautiful women Nicole had ever seen a day after the mind blowing kiss, dressing for him and him alone tonight and being totally ignored until the end of the night; then topping all that off accusing her of wanting Jared and now he wanted to know how she had been. “Peachy. Just freakin peachy, Damon.” Nicole snorted shaking her head in disbelief.
Damon finished his beer in one more long swallow and set the bottle down. “Listen Nicole...”
Shaking her head, she set her bottle down next to his, hers unfinished. She needed to keep her head around him. No way did she need to get drunk. “No, you listen Damon. I'm not going to be that woman.”
Looking slightly puzzled, Damon asked, “What woman?”
“I am not competing with that woman.” Nicole reached up, unpinning her hair, missing the flare of heat blazing in Damon's golden eyes as she massaged her aching scalp. “As if I could even begin to compete with a woman like that.”
Damon was ready to explode in frustration. “I have no idea what you're talking about, Nicole.”
“The woman, Damon.” Nicole huffed, already tired of the conversation. “The woman at the gym you were with. I don't break up relationships and I couldn't imagine you wanting to end a relationship with someone like her. I didn't mean to kiss you that night. I guess it was all the excitement that happened. I had no idea you were attached. You don't need to apologize for the kiss, it was my fault. It was no big deal.” God, she was rambling. Realizing that fact, she sucked her lips between her teeth hoping that would help shut her big mouth.
Damon was shocked to say the least. Girlfriend, apologize, and the kiss not being a big fucking deal. He shook his head as if to clear it of her constant blabbing. He took a step closer to her. “First of all I was not going to apologize for kissing you, second of all I don't have a girlfriend and thirdly if it wasn't a big deal then I obviously didn't do it right.” He face was inches from hers, practically nose to nose.
“Oh...” Good one Nicole, she told herself. “Well, ah, I just wanted to let you know that you're off the hook. I'm not some chick who thinks a kiss is a proposal or something and I didn't want to make waves with your girlfriend.”
“I told you I didn't have a girlfriend.” Damon put both hands on the wall he had slowly backed her up against, caging her in with his massive arms. “If I had a girlfriend, I would not have kissed you.”
God he smelled so good, Nicole thought, taking a deep breath. She could hardly think straight with him so close. “I just assumed the woman was your girlfriend, at least it looked that way.” Okay, she had to get away from him, but dammit, she kept leaning closer. “So, as I said, I didn't want to cause problems, so I'm sorry. She is really beautiful and you guys look great together. Kind of like Ken and Barbie great.” Okay, she was rambling again.
Understanding flashed in his eyes and that sexy grin spread across his face. She was jealous. “She's a donor.” Damon chuckled. “Not my girlfriend.”
“A donor?” Nicole wondered if she really wanted to know what the knock out red head donated.
Damon leaned back and rubbed his hand down his face. “I'm a vampire Nicole. I need blood. She is a paid donor, hired by the council.”
“Are you kidding me?” Nicole was amazed. “You mean I could apply for a job as a blood donor?”
Okay, his blood just shot up a few degrees as did his cock at the thought of tasting her blood. Shaking his head, he changed the subject fast. “Are you and Jared involved?”
“No.” Nicole stared up into his eyes.
“You and red aren't involved?”
“No.” Damon answered her right back point blank without blinking.
“Then why have you been acting like you don't want to have anything to do with me? I mean, after we kissed you would hardly look at me.” She really tried to keep the hurt out of her voice. She failed. It had hurt...a lot.
“Truth?” When she nodded, he pushed his body closer leaning his head down, his lips mere inches from her ear. Goose bumps pimpled her skin. “Because I have never wanted anyone the way I want you. I can't promise you anything, Nicole. Just tonight. I can just promise you tonight.”
Nicole inhaled his scent deeply and with his body so close and his confession spoken so softly she decided she would take what he could give. Deep inside, she knew that wasn't going to be enough for her and it would be her heartbreaking in the end, but she had never depended on more than the present from anyone before, so why should it be different with him. Making a decision she knew would change her life, she lifted her hand and ran a finger across his full lips. “I want t
onight with you, Damon.”
With a sexy moan he dropped his fingers to the front of her dress and gently brushed against her breasts, cupping the soft mounds in his hand. He took his time, exploring each breast slowly, first one and then the other, massaging with intimate authority. "You are so beautiful."
Nicole's head fell back, and she moaned softly. He pushed the straps of her dress off of her shoulders and drew in a sharp breath as the gentle curves of her skin were exposed to his hungry gaze. "Damon.” Her voice came out husky and slow, like that of a temptress, surprising even to her own ears. She didn't know where the sound had come from, but his response was instantaneous...his thick erection rising, pressing against her stomach. He made no effort to conceal his arousal, grinding his hips in a slow circle, pressing firmly against her.
Wasting no time at all, he pushed the straps further down her shoulders; the gown fell to her waist, caught by the swell of her hips, both her shoulders and breasts exposed. He groaned when her nipples came out of the silk, bending his head to blow hot air over the erect peaks, gently circling one then the other with his tongue. “I have been dying to know what you taste like.”
Nicole arched into him, reveling in the sensations. She couldn't help herself...and she didn't want to. Her breasts felt incredibly heavy, the tips beginning to tingle, the mounds beginning to ache. She moaned when he tugged at a nipple with his teeth, flicked the sensitive bud with his tongue, and then took the entire tip vigorously into his mouth. The sensual heat engulfed her like a fire as his hands cupped, his fingers massaged, and his mouth sucked hotly. She clutched a fistful of beautiful blue-black hair, bringing him even closer. His mouth was creating an inferno between her legs, jolts of electricity sizzling through her body and cresting at the apex between her thighs. He was turning her core to liquid fire as he feasted on her breasts.
Moving down her body his tongue burned a path to her belly button dipping in and out before traveling just above where the dress stopped. Hooking his thumbs in the material it took every amount of self-control he had not to rip it from her body, from his prize. He stood back up his lips inches from hers. “Are you sure about this because once this dress comes off...” he glanced down at her bared breast his golden eyes almost black now. “I won't be able to stop.”
Placing both of her hands on his face she brought his gaze to her. “I'm sure.” Her husky whisper was all it took. He took her mouth in a kiss that was tender, yet commanding, claiming her with each sensual swipe of his tongue.
When he pulled back, there was something in his gaze, something stark and primitive and wild being unleashed; a fierce hunger...for her and that alone set her blood on fire. Never had a man looked at her with such intensity. God, this was such a mistake because with a certainty that scared her, no other man would ever compare to Damon...no moment would ever live up to this one, but even as it was the biggest mistake of her life it was going to be the best, mind blowing mistake she'd ever make.
Pressing his hard sex shamelessly against her she felt the gentle scraping of his fangs against her neck, the soft graze of two sharp edges moving lightly over her throat. He nibbled once, bit at her skin, and then he quickly pulled away...even as she relaxed into him. She found herself kissing the hollow of his throat, her hands reaching down to unbutton his shirt eager to feel skin to skin. He shrugged out of his shirt, exposing a rock-hard chest with astonishing definition, and as her eyes dropped lower, her breath caught in her throat, he had a sinfully gorgeous six-pack...row after row of flawless abdominal muscles rippling beneath smooth skin on a hairless, flat stomach.
Again he held her gaze for a fraction of a second...although it felt like an eternity. When he next took her mouth with his she could taste the increasing intensity of his need. His shaft jerked against her stomach. His hands reached down, pushing the dress from her hips, sending it to the floor as he cupped her bottom pulling her tightly against him. Nicole melted into his hard frame, lifting her leg to wrap it around his powerful thigh. She offered up her body. She strained and arched into him wanting more, needing more. She rubbed the uncomfortable heat between her legs over his hamstring as he stroked and explored her body. He kissed her with far more demand, while nipping at her bottom lip and swirling his tongue around hers. He tasted every part of her mouth with a growing, insistent hunger. With one hand still grasping her waist, he reached down to remove his pants, freeing his rigid length. Nicole caught her breath at the sight of his enormous arousal, now standing at full attention. He was pressed painfully against her belly, his sex, positively magnificent...smooth as silk yet hard as steel...an erotic promise of ecstasy just waiting to be thrust into her welcoming body.
She gasped as he ripped the pair of thin silk panties off her. “I'll buy you a new pair.” He growled, causing her sex to throb with rising need.
He inserted a finger then, deep into her hot, wet sheath, and began to gently knead the tight, soft folds, drawing liquid heat from her. “God, you're so wet.” A soft moan escaped her lips as she felt him insert a second finger, and then a third: stretching her, caressing her, stabbing deep in an erotic effort to push her over the edge and get her ready for him. Nicole couldn't stand it any longer. She fractured into a thousand pieces, her body trembling in violent waves of pleasure as the powerful orgasm shook her. She cried out, fisting her hands in his hair, tears streaming down her face at the power of her release. She felt completely exposed...vulnerable...entirely open to his command. “You are beautiful.”
He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, taking her to her room, and laid her gently on the bed. He grasped her thighs with his strong, firm hands and knelt between her legs, gently easing them apart. And then he took the length of his rigid, sex into his hand and pressed the head against her core. His erection felt enormous against her entrance—so much so that Nicole wondered if she would be able to take all of him inside her. But she wanted him. All of him. A low, throaty hiss escaped his lips as he thrust forward into her tight, hot sheath, stretching her with the heavy width of his sex. It had been years since she'd been with anyone and even then it was only twice. She started to moan as her body stretched to accommodate his size, her hands pushing against the muscular wall of his chest in an automatic response to the slight burning sensation of his dominant entry.
Damon started to pull away, concern shadowing his eyes. “No...please.” Nicole cried out. “I'm fine.”
Damon took her hands from his chest and held them down above her head, pinning both arms gently in one strong hand. “Relax.” He bent to taste her breasts again, easing up on the pressure while her body adjusted to his size. “That's it, honey, you were made for me...you can take more.” He groaned in sheer ecstasy when her body finally accepted the full length of him, and her answering groan told him all she couldn't say. Together, they slowly began to move in unison, her hips rising to meet his every thrust, his hard, flat pelvis lingering and rotating against her cleft to heighten her pleasure. “You feel so...damn...good.” Nicole reached up to cup his face and the rhythm picked up. Damon continued to bury himself deep inside of her, pulling back almost to the point of withdrawal only to thrust forward again and again, until the passion grew so intense between them he could no longer restrain his need. He began to plunge harder...faster...each stroke more urgent, more possessive than the last.
Nicole clutched at his shoulders, dug her fingernails into his back. She cried out, raising her hips to meet his...writhing beneath him. She took all he could give her and wanted even more...would always want more.
Damon felt her release and his soon followed. His body stilled savoring the last tremors of her body against his, his head buried in the crook of her neck, breathing her scent in and stopping short of biting her sweet neck arched for the taking. Knowing if he didn't get away he would do just that, he pushed himself up and away from her.
Not really knowing what to do or say, Nicole had a sudden fit of nerves and embarrassment. Pulling the sheet over her body, she glanced at Damon u
nder lowered lashes to see his reaction to what they just shared. She needed to say something instead of sitting here like some pitiful virgin waiting for words of love and worship. God, she was pathetic. “You hungry?” Her voice squeaked. Clearing her throat, she asked again. “You hungry?”
Damon (The Protectors Series) Book #1 Page 9
