by W.J. May
Chapter Twenty-Three
I woke up in a cool, dark bedroom. Candles lit up the room and rock music played softly in the background.
I sat up. “Duncan?” I mumbled, “Nathan?”
Someone sighed and I found Ethan watching me from the shadows. He sat in a leather club chair that had been pushed into the corner of the room.
“So, you’re finally awake,” he murmured.
I swallowed. “Where am I?”
“Welcome to my humble abode,” he chuckled. He was naked from the waist up and my mind turned traitor once again as I imagined running my fingers over his impressive pecs.
What in the hell was wrong with me?!
I forced my lustful thoughts aside and tried to concentrate on Duncan and whether or not he was safe.
“Take me home,” I demanded, scooting to the edge of the bed. “Please.”
His eyes studied me intently, but he didn’t respond.
I stood up and smoothed down my dress. “Seriously, take me home,” I said, lifting my chin.
Ethan stood up and walked towards me. His eyes lowered to my dress and I suddenly felt naked. I wondered if vampires had x-ray vision.
I put a hand to my chest and looked up at him. “Ethan?”
“You are home,” he replied, his voice husky. I backed away and he grinned. “Are we playing hard to get, now?”
I ignored the question. “Look, this is insane. You can’t just keep me here like a prisoner.”
His eyes hardened. “Prisoner? If you want to leave, you’re certainly free to go.” He then stood sideways so that I could move around him to the doorway.
Holding my breath, I decided to go for it. Before I could take two steps, however, he grabbed both of my hands and had them behind my back before I had a chance to exhale.
“You know you want to be with me,” he said, smiling darkly. “In every way.”
I stared up into eyes that hinted of things I’d only fantasized about, and shamefully, my resistance fell apart.
Yes, I wanted Ethan…
In fact, from the tingling sensation growing between my legs, I wanted him every way and everywhere.
One of his large hands slid into my hair, cupping the back of my head. “Let me,” he whispered seductively, his breath hinting of butterscotch once again, “please you.”
Oh, my God…
My eyes lowered to his mouth and I licked my lips, remembering how good they’d felt on my skin. The next thing I knew, he had me on the bed, pressing against me, and I surrendered all control, gasping in guilty pleasure. Within seconds I was returning his kisses as passionately as he was giving them.
“Yes,” he growled, against my mouth as my hands traveled along his back to his hair. I tightened my fingers around the strands and pulled him closer, kissing him deeper as hot waves of desire shot through my veins, urging me on.
More… I wanted more…
I wrapped my legs around his waist, this time holding him captive as our pelvises moved together in a rhythm that soon had me whimpering in pleasure.
Suddenly, he stopped and his body tensed up.
“What?” I asked, staring up at him.
He closed his eyes and his jaw tightened.
“What did I do?” I whispered, touching his cheek.
He opened his eyes and they seemed to burn right into my soul. I stared in awe as a fire ignited around his irises and grew into flames.
My eyes widened. “Are you okay?”
He touched my cheek with his finger, drawing circles. “I’m fine… and you’ve done nothing but… make me want you more than ever,” he whispered. “I just needed a second to regain my control.”
“Oh.”
“Now, where were we?” he asked as his fingers moved down my neck and across my chest. Before I could respond, the front of my dress was ripped open and his mouth was on my skin.
“Oh,” I moaned as his tongue trailed wet kisses to my nipples, teasing and driving me insane with desire.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, cupping my breasts as his mouth moved upwards. When I realized where he stopped, I tensed up, wondering what would happen next.
Was he actually going to bite me? And worse, would I care?
His tongue stroked the skin near my collarbone and then moved up towards my ear, nibbling and licking. As I began to relax, his right hand released my breast and his fingers moved down my ribcage, across my bellybutton to my panties, stopping right at the edge of the cotton.
“Invite me in,” he whispered against my neck.
“Yes…” I whispered, my legs trembling.
He ran one of his fingers over the top of the material and I gasped. “Say it…” he demanded.
“Come in, Ethan…”
Just as his fingers began to slide under the fabric, the door burst open and he shot up. His face was a mask of monstrous rage and my heart stopped as I saw his fangs for the first time. “What is the meaning of this?!” he growled.
Sheriff Caleb stood facing us while I pulled the blankets over my exposed body. His face was burning red, as were his homicidal eyes. “Why in the fuck did you bring her here?!”
