“Put me down.”
“No.” He strode past Kane typing busily in his office and past the guards into the star filled night. “I’m at war on three fronts, love. Ours gets settled tonight.” He shifted and she found herself cradled in strong arms. She smacked her fists against his chest.
“That wasn’t nice.” The silver of his eyes glowed in the near darkness.
“I don’t feel nice.” She settled into his chest, eyes widening at the expanse of stars in the sky.
“Me either.” Muscles vibrated around her with a tension she felt in her own body.
She cleared her throat. “I can feel what you’re feeling.”
Teeth flashed in the darkness. “I know. Probably not very comfortable right now.”
“No.” Anger, irritation, and a deadly determination filled the king, and Emma said a heartfelt thanks he wasn’t mad at her. She shrugged and bounced off a rock hard chest. “What am I feeling?”
“Scared.”
“No. I’m mad.”
“No. You’re scared to death.”
Acceptance settled onto her shoulders. “Yeah. I’m scared this virus will speed up. I’m scared for Cara and her baby.” And she was scared she might not be able to thwart death and save the king.
“I know.” He nodded at the guards posted at the residence, stalking inside the hallway. “It’s amazing. We’re immortal and the strongest beings on earth. Yet a bug too small to see may take us down.”
“No. I’ll wipe the stupid thing out.” Warmth began to hum throughout her blood. Tilting her head, she ran her tongue along the corded muscles of Dage’s neck. “Salty.” More than that. The king tasted of power and man combined.
He opened a door and began descending, his boots echoing against cement stairs. “Hold that thought.”
They were going the wrong way. “Where are you taking me?”
He twisted a knob and kicked another metal door open to reveal a shimmering indoor pool. “For a swim.” His voice echoed throughout the humid room. He dropped her to her feet and ripped her T-shirt over her head, reaching for his own.
A swim? Awesome. She toed off her tennis shoes and yanked her jeans to the ground. Her bra and panties followed suit. Turning, she dove into the deep end. Cool water washed over her and she broke the surface with an appreciative hum to swivel just as the king dove deep.
He gave a tug to her ankle before rising next to her. “You just jumped in.” Water caressed down the hard planes of his face and chest, making her mouth go dry.
She cleared her throat, treading water. “Sure.”
He shook his head, spraying droplets of water. “Scientists aren’t the ‘jump first and ask questions later’ type. The water could’ve been freezing. Or just chlorinated. You didn’t pause.” He raised an eyebrow, liquid gaze warming. “Why do you suppose that is?”
Hmm. Because the water appeared so inviting? She sighed. “Because I trust you.” She hadn’t stopped to consider why. If the king brought her to swim, then swimming was safe. Vulnerability rushed through her.
Twin dimples flashed and he grasped her by the waist, jerking her to him. Heat cascaded off the vampire in direct contrast to the cool water. “Don’t looked so pained.” He kissed the top of her nose and leaned back, a serious glint lighting his eyes. “I’m sorry trusting a man is foreign to you.”
She gave a short nod, her gaze dropping to his full lips. “I’m really strong, Dage.”
He grinned. “Saying the words takes something away from their impact, love.”
Laughter bubbled up. “So true.” Her hands flattened against his chest and she wrapped her legs around his waist. “Don’t let me fall.” Her breath hitched as she said the words.
“Never.” His hands dropped to cup her ass, tugging her closer. He gave a strong push and she ended up with an aroused male body pinning her to the side of the pool.
“We’re not at war, Dage.” Her voice pitched to a huskiness from the erection rubbing against her core. “I mean, you and me.” She slid both arms around his neck.
He quirked a lip. “We’re not?” His hands tightened. “Isn’t this where you tell me you’re leaving and not to get too attached?” The teasing words failed to mask the glint of challenge in his eyes.
An ache started to thrum to life somewhere in her chest. “I can’t stay.” Tears pricked her eyes and she forced them back. “You need to understand what I’m saying. Love and forever aren’t for us.” He needed to be prepared in case she wasn’t able to outmaneuver fate. She wanted to stay. She wanted that life full of fireworks and love. Could he unbend enough to trust her to keep herself safe?
“I don’t understand.” He lowered his head closer. “And it’s too late. You have my love and are my future.”
She shook her head, pain crushing into her heart. The brand on her shoulder began to burn with need. “No.” Grasping his hair, she yanked his mouth to hers.
He stilled, then plundered. No softness, no seduction, just pure, raw need. He tangled a hand in her curls and tilted her head to the side for better access, the hand on her ass clutching hard enough to bruise. One quick shift and he impaled her, driving in balls deep.
She cried out, arms tightening around his neck, her eyes opening wide. Ripples of pain slid into pleasure as her body softened and accepted his invasion.
He released her mouth, raising his head to pin her with a look so full of determination she forgot how to breathe. “Say it.”
Her lungs kicked in and she expelled air. Say what? She reached into his mind and quickly shook her head. No. Her mind rebelled against the raw demand of need echoing throughout his heart. A heart that she could feel within her own chest.
He widened his stance on the concrete slope, fully embedded in her. Fangs elongated in slow motion, wicked and sharp. “Need proof, love?”
“No.” She didn’t require proof. She knew what she felt and telling him would solve nothing. “You may not bite me.” The desire for him to sink those dangerous fangs into her neck was one she’d fight.
Too dangerous. For both of them.
Blue shards ripped through the silver of his eyes. “You’re my mate.” His voice lowered to a low rumble that almost had her orgasming. “I don’t need permission to taste you.” To prove his point, he kissed her neck, and slowly, so slowly sank those sharp points into her vein.
She exploded.
Lightning zapped through her. Stars imploded behind her eyelids and her entire body spasmed with something beyond an orgasm. Something that had her heart, body, and mind opening for him—for whatever he demanded. She plunged her own teeth into his flesh, biting until carbonated blood sizzled on her tongue, prolonging the crashing waves beating throughout her.
Releasing him, she threw her head back, her mouth opening on a silent scream as she rippled around the hard cock pulsing inside her. She slowly came down, her eyes wide on his dangerous face.
His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Jesus.” A flick of his tongue licked blood off her lips. With a groan, he pressed her against the wall, spasms shooting through his muscles and his head dropping to the nape of her neck as he came. His orgasm threw her into another whirlstorm of cresting waves. She tightened her entire body around him, crying out his name.
Soon only the harsh sound of their combined breathing echoed throughout the secluded pool room. He sucked in air and lifted his head. “Say it.”
Her heart fluttered. “I love you.” The words held a promise she didn’t intend to give, a promise that she’d fight fate to stay with him. A vow of trust in his ability to bend and accept her.
His smile rivaled the stars still sparking behind her eyelids. “I’ll give you a bit of time, love. But the shields stay down.”
Unease slithered beneath her skin. “Ah, no.”