All amusement and charm disappeared.
Awareness slammed through her. She’d misjudged him. Sure, she’d seen him kill demons. And she’d known he was a vampire. But he’d seemed like an intellectual, somewhat safe. The male trusting her enough to reveal himself right now was nowhere near safe.
“You want the real me?”
She nodded slowly.
“Then say yes.”
Her mind spun. Rational thought whisked away. She should think about this. There was no doubt they’d be parting ways after she fulfilled her promise and helped him with Jase. She had to get Grandma Hilde to safety and off the demon radar. But she never wanted to look back on her life and wonder . . . what if? So they had one night. “Yes.”
At her acquiesce, she expected him to react. To delve deep, to pounce.
Instead, his eyes darkened to beyond black. A slow smile, wicked and sure, slid across his handsome face.
She shivered.
He tugged her sweatshirt over her head. His hands went to her bare shoulders, sliding down until reaching her wrists.
Then he tugged her to him and kissed her. Warmer than imaginable, his mouth slanted over hers, his lips firm and demanding. His tongue swept inside her mouth, sending her sliding full force into arousal. She tried to lift her hands to his chest, but they remained in place.
Strong hands banded around her wrists and trapped her hands on her thighs. She couldn’t move.
Shock, then fire ripped through her. Her panties dampened even more.
His mouth worked hers, taking. Long fingers threaded through hers, sliding her hands behind her back to press against her hips, dragging her clit along his shaft. Sparks flashed behind her eyes. She whimpered.
He lifted away, a dark flush across his high cheekbones, his nostrils flaring. Hunger glinted strong and bright in his eyes. “Now that’s a pretty sound. Make it again.” Pressing her hands against her butt, he rubbed his cock against her.
She whimpered again.
His smile revealed more of the animal he’d kept hidden.
Doubt broke through the clouds in her brain, and she opened her mouth to protest.
“Too late.” His mouth found her nipple, his strength easily keeping her in place.
Where he wanted her.
Sharp teeth nipped and then his tongue soothed. Electricity flared from nerve to nerve, making her nearly desperate to move against him. Yet his hold stayed firm, not allowing her to move an inch.
The helplessness compared to his strength rippled shivers of need down her spine. “Kane.”
The world tilted and she found herself lying on the blanket near the fire, the vampire kneeling between her legs. He ripped her pants and panties off. “Oh,” she protested, mind whirling, her hands suddenly free and reaching to push against his shoulders.
One dark look froze her in place.
“Hands down.” The set of his jaw hardened.
She couldn’t move . . . could only stare.
“Put them down or I’ll tie them down.” No mercy showed in his deep eyes.
Her hands dropped to the blanket as if gravity worked for him. She shook her head. “I don’t . . .”
“You do.” He plunged one finger inside her easily. Too easily.
She arched up in response, a strangled groan emerging. Internal muscles flared to life and clamped down on him. Her arousal was obvious. “Stop playing.”
“I’m not playing.” His finger found her G-spot, and she nearly shot off the blanket. With a deep chuckle, his mouth dropped to her clit.
No easing, no teasing . . . he sucked hard.
She exploded with a strangled cry, the entire room sheeting white. His fingers prolonged the orgasm until she wanted to beg. Whether for him to stop or keep going, she wasn’t sure. Finally, she came down, her entire body nowhere near sated and truly on fire. Her body protested when he removed his hand.
While it had been awhile, in the past, one orgasm did her just fine. Now one wasn’t nearly enough. Somehow Kane had driven her even higher, somehow he’d perched her entire body on the edge, waiting for him. “I hate you.”
He chuckled against her clit, sending her senses spiraling. “I’ll have to change your mind on that.” Slow, delicious licks had her squirming on the blanket, her hands itching to grab and take him. But she had no doubt he’d meant the sensual threat. He really would tie her down.
The idea almost sent her into another orgasm. She shifted to the side to get his mouth where she wanted it, and he clamped both hands on her thighs. “Hold still, darlin’.”
“ No. ”
The slap to her thigh made her gasp.
“Yes.” His shoulders settled into place, keeping her open to him. Whether she liked it or not. “You have quite the rebellious streak, don’t you? Let’s see what we can do about that.”
Who was this guy? She levered up to tell him off when his mouth got serious. Coughing out a sob, she dropped back to the blanket. Man, he was talented.
A rumble of pleasure echoed against her flesh as he went to work. Alternating between soft caresses and more intense licks, he had her mind spinning and her body gyrating within minutes. A bite to her thigh made her cry out. Then his mouth went back to her core. Minutes later she couldn’t tell the difference between pain and pleasure.
Minutes after that she was begging in incoherent sobs.
Finally, he lifted up, a pleased smile curving his lips. “Now that’s better.”
The words didn’t register. Her entire body was alight, in definite pain, in a craving too intense to be real. Yet it was. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, she knew she was going to kill him the next day. But for now, she almost sobbed in relief when he yanked off his briefs and settled against her. Finally.
He plunged inside her with one strong stroke.
Pain. Her entire body arched in denial. He was too big. She shoved against his shoulders, her breath catching.
“Give it a second,” he whispered against her neck, his heated breath sending shivers along her collarbone.
With a catch in her throat, she nodded, settling back down.
Her body relaxed, accepting him. Her eyes fluttered shut at the exquisite pleasure. Who knew?
Slowly, he drew out and then plunged back inside her.
She gasped, both hands clutching into his tight ass. “Again.”
Warning hinted in his sudden smile. She should’ve kept quiet. He shook his head, dark hair moving around his shoulders. “Giving orders, are we?”
“No.” Quick, her response burst out before she could think.
“Hmm.” Staying inside her, filling her beyond what she thought she could take, his mouth dropped to her right breast and engulfed her nipple in fire. His wet tongue flicked and teased the peak.
Her nails dug into his butt, trying to get him moving again.
His teeth closed and nipped.
The breath swooshed out of her lungs as she paused. Too fast to track, he grabbed both her hands and flattened them against the blanket under his. “Not that I mind wearing your marks, sweetheart, but a man does like to take his time.”
“I’m going to kill you.” She wrapped her legs around his hips, holding him in place. “Tomorrow.” After their one night.
His smile lightened something inside her. “Then I really should enjoy my last night on earth.” Deadly fangs dropped low. His eyebrows rose in question.
All instinct and without conscious thought, she turned and exposed her neck.
His low growl of satisfaction echoed throughout her body to where they remained joined.
Seconds later sharp points embedded in her flesh. A flash of pain was brushed away by intense satisfaction.
But the intense pleasure wasn’t hers. The feeling, dark and deep, came from Kane. Was this part of her gift? Or was this part of Kane’s talents? Either way, she relaxed into the sensation, letting the raw thrill take hold.