“Maya,” Shane whispered. Closing the distance between them, he took her hands in his and pulled her to her feet, urging her to look at him. “Tell me, youngling. What has changed?”
“Me,” she whispered. Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at him. “I don’t want anyone else’s pain or memories. Maybe getting blood memories from others helped fill that void that I had, but now that my own memories are coming back, I don’t want anything to get in the way.” She swiped at the tears with the back of her hand and laughed. “If Olivia could see me now, she’d be so proud. She always hated that I liked live feeds and would lecture me about the dangers. I didn’t really understand why she felt that way until right this minute.”
“Bottle feeds would not give you others’ blood memories. Would you be satisfied with only bottle feeds from now on?” Shane asked with a hint of doubt. “Your appetite is sated?”
“Well,” Maya purred, stepping closer to Shane so that their bodies brushed against one another, “maybe not all of my appetites.”
A slow grin spread across Shane’s face as Maya’s hands found their way up to the buttons of his shirt and began to undo them one at a time.
“In fact, I doubt I’ll ever get enough, at least as far as you and I are concerned, but I have one problem right now.”
“What’s that?” Shane asked on a growl. His body hummed with tension, and his hands settled over the curve of her hips. “Tell me.”
Maya popped up on her toes and murmured against his lips, “You’re wearing too many clothes.”
With the scene of the river flickering around them, Maya ripped Shane’s shirt open and exposed his broad chest as she captured his lips with hers. She sighed contentedly as their tongues tangled and grinned when his strong hands slipped beneath her skirt before skimming up her thighs. They divested each other of the rest of their clothing, and Maya tangled her fingers in his hair as he gathered her nude body against his.
Shane’s mouth paid thorough attention to hers, and when his arms encircled her possessively, Maya knew she was no longer lost. With every touch, kiss, and caress, he discovered her and branded her as his. This must be what love feels like, Maya thought, with Shane trailing kisses down her throat.
But was it? Was this love she felt in his touch, or was it merely desire and lust?
Maya tangled her fingers in his smooth locks and stared up at the sunny sky.
The sky that wasn’t really there.
“Is all of this a mirage?” she whispered in a quivering voice. Shane lifted his head and his dark, passion-filled gaze settled over her, his fingers drifting lightly over her sensitized flesh. Her body shook with anticipation and the genuine fear that perhaps what Shane felt for her was as false as the river scene that surrounded them. “Is any of this real, Shane?”
“It feels quite real to me.” A wicked grin cracked his handsome face. Shane’s hand slid over the damp flesh of her hip, and his other arm tightened around her waist, holding her tightly to him. He kissed the corner of her mouth. “This feels real.”
“Yes.” Maya gasped when Shane’s hand drifted down and cupped the hot, swollen juncture between her legs.
“And this,” he rasped. She gripped his shoulders and held his heavy-lidded stare as one finger slipped into her slick folds and stroked the tiny nub gently. “Tell me, Maya. Tell me what you feel.”
Maya wanted to answer him, to scream how right it all felt. When another ripple of pleasure surged and stole her breath, talking was out of the question. Clinging to him, she held his gaze and cried out from the orgasm that started to coil deep inside.
“Not yet,” he growled. Shane hoisted Maya up and placed her on the table. Kissing her deeply, his strong hands running up and down the length of her thighs, he spread her wide and tugged her hips against his. The thick, hot length of his cock pressed between them, and it would have been so easy to help him slip inside. Maya reached in between to satisfy the throbbing ache between her legs, but Shane linked his hands around her wrist, preventing her from going further.
“If you put me inside of you, this will be over far too quickly.” Shane suckled her lower lip and brought her hands to his mouth. “First, I want to taste you.”
He stood between her legs in all his gorgeous, naked glory. Maya shivered and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer. Heat pressed enticingly against heat, and all she could think about was having him inside her. The muscles in his chest flexed and he grinned before releasing her wrists. Shane ran his hands over her thighs, stepped back, and spread her legs wider before dragging her bottom to the edge of the table.
Maya reached behind herself and grabbed the edge of the table, staring up at the blue sky flickering across the ceiling. Her body was taut with desire and anticipation.
Shane leaned down, placed both hands on either side of her shivering body, and flicked one of her nipples with his tongue, sending a wicked lick of fire over her flesh. The tip of his erection brushed over her swollen entrance, teasing and tempting her. She arched her back and wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him closer still.
Not yet, youngling. His mind touched hers with an erotic whisper while he kissed and licked his way down her belly. Shane dropped to his knees and wrapped his strong arms around her thighs, opening her to him even further. He kissed the tender flesh of her inner thigh. It seems you need more convincing, and I don’t want to leave any doubt in your mind about how real this is.
Maya was about to respond when Shane’s talented tongue found her most sensitive spot and stroked. He licked and suckled her clit, sending wave after wave of carnal heat thundering through her body, making Maya scream. His arms clamped over her legs, holding her there while he continued his wickedly erotic assault. The tension of the orgasm crested brightly, and just when she thought she’d explode, Shane rose to his feet and buried himself deep inside her.
Maya’s fangs erupted with the surge of primal need. Sitting up, she wrapped her arms around him as he pounded into her time and again. Tilting her head to gain access to her neck, Shane pierced her flesh, and while his hips pumped furiously, another toe-curling orgasm rippled through Maya. Locking her ankles behind his back, she held him to her, never wanting him to stop.
With his scent surrounding her, there was only one more thing Maya needed. Nuzzling his shoulder, she sank her fangs into his flesh, A deep guttural groan rumbled through him, and tightening his hold, he thrust even faster. Riding the final wave of pleasure, they could feel the now familiar beat of their hearts beginning to pound in unison, and Maya surrendered to it all. As their unified heartbeat thundered through their entwined bodies, she whispered into his mind, I love you, Shane.
Chapter 14
Shane and Maya had used every precious minute of their two hours in the private room, and when they left, two bottles of warmed blood were waiting for them in the hallway. Sebastian and Diego had provided the perfect experience, which didn’t surprise Shane. His friends had more than lived up to their reputation as the best hosts in the industry.
Flying through the dark Louisiana night with Maya at his side, Shane could barely contain the grin he’d had on his face since their tryst at Bayou Escape. Maya told him that she loved him. He didn’t think just a few small words could sound so sweet, but they did, and he doubted that he’d ever forget the surge of joy that bloomed in his heart when she whispered them.