Then that dangerous hand ran up her torso to grip her neck, his thumb under her chin. Pressing up, he tilted her head. She couldn’t move. Controlled by one thumb.
Warmth brushed her spine as he covered her.
She tensed, expecting fangs. Instead, he licked the vulnerable area where neck met shoulder. The gentle touch pounded fire through her. Then his fangs dropped low.
Her head jerked, but he held fast. He drank, a groan of pleasure rumbling from him. The groan slid under her skin and into her heart. She could already feel his reactions. Opening herself, she tried for a connection.
A hard slap against her marking caught her unaware. She opened her mouth in shock as vibrations shot straight to her core.
His fangs retracted and a rough tongue laved her wound. “Stay out of my head.” The order held bite and a hint of fury. He grabbed her hips and slid out only to thrust back in.
Nerves flared inside her. God. Too much. Way too much. She pressed her face against the sofa.
Pleasure coiled tight inside her, climbing higher. His grip bruised as he yanked her bottom higher, driving his shaft deep. Harder and faster, he pounded until she forgot all thought. She forgot the world. The only thing that mattered was that edge she needed to scale.
His fingers tangled in her hair, drawing up her head. Arching her back. Controlling her so easily.
Muscled thighs pushed hers even farther apart. He thrust hard, his balls slapping against her butt. The hold on her hair tightened.
“Now, Brenna.”
A rush of energy gathered in one place inside her and detonated. Shock caught her at how quickly her body obeyed his order. She screamed his name as white-hot lava sprayed through her in cresting waves. Riding them, she could only shut her eyes and be swept along.
With a clenching of his hand and a growl of her name, he ground against her as he came.
They came down together, both panting.
His fingers spread along her scalp, rubbing gently. Slowly, he withdrew from her. She moaned as her internal walls protested.
He lifted her, tucking her head under his chin. Striding toward the bedroom, he crossed the darkness and slid her gently into bed. Turning, he headed for the doorway and stopped. The living room light illuminated him, a strong silhouette of maleness.
His shoulders straightened, his back to her. “Are you all right?”
The sheer number of emotions shooting from him nearly stole her breath. She could read him now, whether he liked it or not. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m fine.”
He gave a short nod. “Sleep now. I’ll be back later.”
Then he was gone.
Brenna worked all morning in her Dublin office, fingers tapping the computer keys, finishing the reports on Coven Nine grants. Several Dublin businesses would be able to climb out of debt now. The computer light spread softly across her pristine desk, while a snowstorm bombarded the windows.
Deb reached inside the office and flipped on the light. “Why in the world do you work in the dark?”
Brenna shrugged and shut down the computer. “It’s peaceful.” She’d placed rich oil paintings on the two side walls, and in the dusky light, the fighting figures came alive.
Deb followed her gaze. “I’ve always wondered why you chose battle scenes for your Coven Nine office.”
“Because we’re always at war.” Sad, but true. Even before the current war, the witch world was tumultuous. “Take a species that can manipulate space and matter . . .”
Deb loped inside to drop into one of two plush guest chairs. “So.”
“So.” Brenna studied her best friend. They’d become inseparable in kindergarten when Tommy McMannis had thrown a frog at Brenna’s head. Deb had instantly tackled him into a rosebush. “What have you heard?”
“I’ve heard you’re heading to America.” Deb’s brown eyes softened.
“So you’re here to talk me out of it?”
“Um, no.” Deb tangled her fingers together over her dress pants. “Here’s the thing. Mating is hard. I mean, marriage or mating or both . . . either way, combining lives isn’t easy. No matter what.”
Brenna frowned. “All right.”
“So, ah, well. I’m thinking you should go and maybe give it a try.” Deb flushed.
Surprise jerked up Brenna’s head. “You want me to go?”
“Of course not. I want you to stay here and have everything stay the same. But I don’t want you to ever wonder.”
“Wonder about what?”
“If you could’ve had something great. I know you. Already, you’re half in love with the guy . . . maybe all the way in love.” Deb leaned forward, her gaze earnest. “So give it a shot. You’ll never wonder if you should’ve gone.”
Brenna exhaled slowly. “If I get my heart demolished?”
Deb smiled. “Then come home. We’ll plot revenge of the quantum physics kind.” She eyed the storm outside. “Besides, now you have more bodyguards than ever before, and I practically got frisked just trying to get to your office. If you leave town, you might be safer.”
A shadow filled the doorway. Brenna’s breath caught. Jase stood, hands in faded jean pockets, strong face expressionless.
Deb turned her head. “Vampires know how to make an entrance, now don’t they?” She stood and sashayed her way to the door. She paused as Jase stepped to the side. “You hurt her—I’ll cut off your head myself.” Then she disappeared.
Jase raised both eyebrows, his gaze on Brenna. “I think I’m growing on her.”
Aye, like a fungus. “You’re a charming guy.” Brenna stacked files together in order to keep her hands busy.
“I used to be.” He glanced around the office, gaze lingering on the oil paintings. “Did I hurt you last night?”
Heat washed through her. “Of course not.”
“I was rough.” His shoulders hunched, and suddenly, she could see the boy he’d once been.
“I’m fine, Jase.” She pushed away from the desk. “Where did you stay last night?” After tucking her in, he hadn’t returned. She’d wanted to kick herself when she’d awakened at dawn and reached for him.
“Nowhere. I went running—got back an hour ago.”
The guy had run until dawn? “You do that a lot. Run, I mean.” Did he think he could outrun his own memories? She fought to keep sympathy from her face. That would just piss him off.
“Yes, I like to run. Have you packed?”
She stood. “No.”
“We leave today.” His jaw firmed.
“I haven’t decided to accompany you to America. If I do, I’ll fly over after the holidays.” Confrontation always dropped a rock in her stomach. The man would have to be reasonable.
“We leave today, Brenna,” he repeated very softly.
Why was it the deadlier the guy, the scarier he sounded when he quieted? Softness should offer comfort, not warning. The marking on her butt began to burn. Damn vampires.
She shook her head. “After Christmas.”
His chin lowered, while his gaze hardened. “The plane leaves at four this afternoon. You will be on it, packed or not.”
She’d already been lectured by her aunt Viv as well as her sister, Moira. Of course, Moira just wanted Brenna close enough to keep an eye on in case the demons attacked again. Aye, she needed to go. But why make it easy on him? “I’m surprised you fly since being inside makes you edgy.”
“You’ve noticed the claustrophobia?”
“It’s hard to miss.” Sure, she was sympathetic, but getting caught in a private jet with the guy if he had an attack would be suicide.