Arand took his responsibilities seriously and right now, she was a big one.
He took off like a rocket being launched, disappearing into the thick brush. Sabrina hurried to the front door and yanked it open. Did he sense something out there? Was there a threat or was he leaving her?
That was her biggest fear. She knew it was totally unrealistic. Knew Arand couldn’t stay with her indefinitely. They’d only known one another for a matter of few hours. Once his debt to her was paid by keeping her alive until midnight, there would be no reason for him to stay. He’d return to his goddess and friends and live forever while her body aged and eventually died in a few decades.
Now that was depressing. She hoped at least one of those muffins Tilly had packed for them was chocolate. She could use some chocolate right about now.
She stepped out onto the porch and listened to the quiet. It was unnaturally silent, as though the entire swamp was holding its breath. Were all the animals in as much awe of Arand as she was? Of course they were. They’d sense him and realize he was special, powerful, something above and beyond normal.
The wind itself seemed to pause before resuming its path. A lock of her hair had escaped her braid and blew over her eyes. She hooked it behind her ear and kept her eyes on the spot where Arand had disappeared.
She’d always felt at home in the swamp and especially here at her granny’s house, but for the first time in her life, she was lonely. Arand had filled an empty space within her she hadn’t even known existed. She knew deep in her heart she’d feel his loss for years to come. That’s even assuming she survived the rest of the day.
And where was Hades? The longer time went without anything happening, the more nervous she became. Maybe she should call Jessica and Tilly. Maybe they’d learned something that could help her stay alive. There was no telling when or if Arand was coming back.
Sabrina straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath. She could do this. All she had to do was stay alive until midnight and she was off the hook. Whatever happened after that was between the gods, goddesses and immortal warriors. She’d go back to her friends, her painting and tarot reading and resume her life. These twenty-four hours would be nothing more than a bump in the road.
There was no sound, but Sabrina suddenly knew she was no longer alone. The short hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she slowly turned. She should have found something to use as a weapon. Granny kept an old shotgun in her bedroom closet to scare off alligators that got too close. She should have dug that out to have on hand.
The enormous black and gray wolf stood about ten feet away, his black eyes watching her.
“So you came back.” Her stomach settled and she’d never admit aloud that she was so damn glad to see him.
The wolf growled in displeasure, but she was past being intimidated.
“What did you expect me to think? You left without a word. Thought I was on my own.”
The pleasure that his short run through the woods had given him was lost. How could she think he would leave her? Because he had. Essentially, he’d left her without a word. What was she supposed to think? It wasn’t as if she knew him that well.
Still, Arand felt insulted. He would never leave her on her own, unprotected to face Hades’ wrath.
He gave thanks to his wolf and embraced the human side of himself once again. His limbs changed, bones cracking and reforming. His jaw broke and shortened. Fur disappeared and was replaced by smooth, tanned skin. Arand pushed himself upright and strode toward Sabrina.
Something of what he was feeling must have shown in his expression because she backed away until her spine hit the door. He didn’t stop until he was in front of her, his naked body crowding hers.
She slapped her hands on his chest. “What are you doing?”
What was he doing? He should clothe himself and start developing a defense strategy. That would be the wise thing, the prudent thing to do.
But he wasn’t feeling particularly wise or prudent. All he could think about was Sabrina’s fear that he’d leave her. Didn’t she understand she belonged to him? He would never leave her.
Both man and animal sides of him were in agreement—he needed to claim her, to mark her with his body so all would know she was his. He might have been caged for five thousand years, but he’d been alive since the dawn of mankind. For the first time in his life, he wanted a female to have expectations of him, to have a claim to his body and his soul.
That’s how he knew what he felt for Sabrina was special. In all the long centuries he’d been alive, he’d never once deviated from his path as warrior of the Lady. But now, now he wanted Sabrina as his own. Surely, if they survived the coming hours, the Lady would grant him the time to spend with Sabrina.
The thought of her dying and leaving him alone in the world pierced his heart. He threw back his head and howled his anger and sorrow. Only moments before, she’d been pushing him away. Now she slid her hands to his shoulders and locked them around his neck.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Her genuine concern humbled him. He should leave her alone. It wasn’t fair to her to get physically and emotionally involved, not before the threat was ended.
But right or wrong, Arand needed Sabrina more than he needed his next breath. “I must have you.” He cupped the back of her neck and dragged her mouth to his. The kiss wasn’t light or playful. It was all-consuming and deep.
Their tongues dueled and teeth clinked as he struggled to get closer. He couldn’t get deep enough. He slanted his face and tilted her head so they fit together better. His breath was hers as they battled for supremacy. Arand wasn’t sure who won, but when they parted, they were both struggling for breath.
“This is insane,” she gasped.
“I know.” He kissed her again. This time he allowed his hands to roam up and down her lithe frame. He caressed her arms, her shoulders and spine. It wasn’t enough, would never be enough.
He gripped the edge of her shirt and shoved it upward, exposing her smooth stomach and her lace-covered breasts. The impediment blocking him from her lush breasts had to go. He willed the nail of one finger to morph into a claw. Using it carefully, he slit the front of her bra open, careful not to damage her skin.
Arand breathed a sigh of relief when the lace parted and he could cup the two mounds of flesh. Her nipples stabbed at his palms. There was no denying the evidence. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
His wolf howled with pleasure as Arand continued to kiss her. He pulled away from her lips and kissed his way down her jaw and up to her ear. Three silver hoops hung from the lobe. Unlike the Loup Garou of legend, he wasn’t the least bit bothered by silver. He nibbled on the lobe, tugging the loops with his teeth. Sabrina moaned, her body struggling to get closer to his.
He would have her, but not here, not out in the open. He wanted to strip her naked and spread her across a bed where she’d be comfortable and he’d have time to taste and touch her everywhere.
“Give yourself to me.” He used his thumbs and forefingers to gently tug on her distended nipples. He inhaled deeply, drawing her spicy scent into his lungs. She was aroused. There was no mistaking the sweet perfume of her cream. He knew if he dragged down her pants and thrust his fingers between her thighs she’d be hot and wet.
He gripped the side of her neck with his mouth, carefully scraping his sharp teeth over the sensitive flesh. She shuddered and gave a soft cry of longing.
“Sabrina?” He could easily take her. Her body was ripe for the claiming. But he wanted more. He wanted her with him emotionally. He wanted her to want him as much as he did her. He wanted more than her body. He wanted her very soul.