A sharp pain, his mind shutting down. The memory, lost. For the most part. Once, hed led an army. Hed thought such a thing before, but now he knew. He had. Hed led them. Butan army of what? Other vampires? Mercenaries? Or had he been royally sanctioned?
The answers were not forthcoming, and he gritted his teeth in renewed frustration.
He focused on the here and now. On Jane. He was willing to fight for her. He wanted her in his life, and she might very well protest. If so, they would verbally brawl and he would do anything to keep her.
At last he smoothed the hair from her cheek and
She had a black eye.
Nicolai stiffened, rage blooming through him, stronger than ever before. Someone had hit her. Who had dared hit her?
The animal instinct roared to the surface, snarling, desperate for blood.
Calm, he had to remain calm. For now. Was she injured further? As tenderly as he was able, he rolled her to her back. There were no other bruises on her face. The long length of her lashes cast spiky shadows over her cheeks, and he traced them just to be sure. They were smooth, soft and warm. Her lips were puffy and red, as if shed chewed them from worry.
Didnt matter. She was beautifula priceless work of art.
There were several cuts on her hands, but those came from the making of the blades. He had borne those same cuts on multiple occasions. Another memory, and it came without pain. He did not pursue it. Jane was more important.
Bruises wrapped around her rib cage, stretching from her back, where shed been whipped. Thankfully, though, she possessed no other battle marks. So. How had she gotten the black eye?
She shifted in her sleep, and another pained groan left her.
Her back must agonize her in this position. He should have left her on her side. Could he never do the right thing where this woman was concerned? He eased back down and gently worked an arm under her shoulder. Then he lifted her until she was plastered to his side, her injuries free of all contact. She burrowed her head in the hollow of his neck and raised her top leg, fitting herself against him like the puzzle piece shed once praised.
She flattened her hand over his heart, as if measuring the erratic beat against her own. So trusting she was, so trustworthy. She hadnt left him when shed had the chance. So forgiving, too. Hed allowed her to be whipped, yet still shed taken care of him. Had even, he mused, cleaned his teeth. His mouth tasted fresh, like mint.
She groaned again, but this time, oh, this time, there was no pain in her voice. Only pleasure. Such a decadent sound. Instantly his cock stood at attention, filling, hardening, readying. He bit his tongue, his fangs sinking deep into the tissue.
Nicolai? Jane breathed sleepily.
All is well, Jane. Go back to sleep.
No, I
Youre right. You may sleep after you tell me who hit you, he interrupted before she could make a demand of her own.
You did. Warm breath trekked over his chest, tickling his skin.
What? he shouted. Me?
Accident. No worries. And I didnt mean to cuddle up to you. Im sorry.
She was sorry? Jane. I am sorry. Shame beat at him more stubbornly than any opponent ever had. Name a punishment and I will render it against myself immediately.
No punishment necessary, you silly man. I told you, it was an accident.
Even in this, she forgave him so easily. Her worth far surpassed his. I will never hurt you again, you have my word.
You were out of it. You couldnt help yourself. Im just glad youre finally awake. Ive been so worried.
She was going to roll away from him, he thought, feeling her muscles bunch, preparing for movement. He tightened his hold on her. No. I put you here. And here you will stay.
Oh, she said, and he couldnt decide if she was pleased or upset. Are you, uh, thirsty? For blood, I mean.
Yes. No. She was in no condition to feed him. But even the idea of tasting her had his fangs extending, moisture filling his mouth.
Okay. Well, you might be wondering about the number of times I bathed you, but I promise you I never touched you more than necessary. Okay, maybe I did, but not by much. And I cut up the hem of my gown to use as rags, so that you wouldnt have to endure skin-to-skin contact while you were out.
Endure? The thought of her delicate little hands on his body caused his testicles to draw up tight and his erection to throb, close to exploding. Thank you for taking care of me.
My pleas I mean, youre welcome. So how are you feeling?
Better. Now that she was relaxing against him. You?
My legs hurt.
Her legs, not her back. It was the first complaint she had ever uttered, yet shed cast no blame his way. Determination consumed him, suddenly and completely, blending with a sense of urgency. Hurt, from the walk?
From an old injury.
Tell me.
Car accident. She paused. A car is a vehicle used for traveling along roads at high speeds. Anyway, two of them smashed together. I was inside one. My family, too. I survived. They didnt.
He could not imagine what she described, but could identify with her pain. I will make you better. He eased her to the ground and sat up.
You cant. Only time can. I only just started walking again a few months ago.
You could not walk? When he turned and moved between her legs, a hot blush flooded her cheeks and she quickly covered her breasts and stomach. She also kept her gaze on the large emerald-and-white leaves forming a barrier between them and the sky.
Not for almost a year. So, hey, did I tell you that I washed my gown and thats why Im practically naked like this? The material wasnt dry, and I didnt want to wake you up if I accidentally rubbed against you and the gown was cold and wet. But I probably should have risked it, she babbled. My scars, I know how ugly they are and as perfect as you are, youre probably used to perfect women, too. I mean, not that you had a choice with Laila, and not that shes perfect. But before her you probably
Jane.
She licked her lips. Yes?
Lets tackle this one issue at a time. You think Im upset by your nakedness?
Well, yes. After what Laila did, I
You are not Laila. And every part of him knew it.
I know that, but you are a victim of sexual abuse and II just dont want to push the boundaries and upset you. Upset him? Him? Ive told you how much I crave you, Jane.
Well, you needed me to save you. You might have been buttering my toast, so to speak. When he looked at her blankly, she added, You know, softening me up so Id do what you wanted.
Indeed, that had been the plan. From the first moment hed spied her, however, everything had changed. Hed operated only on instinct. You are also too smart for your own good and convince yourself of the silliest notions.
Her eyes narrowed, just not enough to hide the fire inside them. Anything else you want to complain about, you lazy vampire?
His lips twitched. Even angry, the woman wasnt concerned with his new position. Her knees were poised at his hips, his erection lifting his loincloth and nearly brushing what was definitely the sweetest spot in this world or the other. Despite her insecurities, she trusted him completely.
She was uncomfortable about her nudity for reasons that had nothing to do with him, and that he couldnt allow. You know Iveclimaxed recently, he said.
Well, now I do, she replied cautiously.
The last time was the morning of your arrival. Mere hours before, in fact. And not once, but twice. Yet, look at my cock, Jane.
A slight gurgle was her only response.
Look at my cock, he repeated.
This time, she obeyed. Slowly, slowly, her gaze lowered. She gasped when she spotted the angle of his loincloth.
If I did not want you, I would not be hard.
I know. A heated sigh.
Any time you doubt your appeal, just look here. He fisted his length and moved his hand up and down, up and down, hissing in a breath at the painful but very necessary pressure. Youll remember how exquisite I find you. So much so you are in constant danger of being devoured.
But my scars
Your scars simply prove how strong and capable you are. They prove you survived a terrible accident. They are lovely.
Really? she squeaked, her cheeks brightening another degree.
Really. And just so you know, there are no boundaries with us.
There arent?
He stopped his assault on himself before he spilled. No.
Butbutthere are always boundaries.
Oh, really. Is there something you dont want me to do to you? Some place on your body you dont want me to touch? He was tense as he awaited her response. He could have misjudged. He could be wrong about her feelings.
She gulped. No.
He relaxed. It is the same for me. Therefore, no boundaries.
Okay, I believe you. But II dont think weve explored all the ramifications of this.
This. A sexual relationship? I think you think and reason too much. We will mate. One day. Not today, but soon.
Another sigh, her entire body sagging into the ground. I know that, too. Im too attracted to you not to give in.
He loved such an open, honest admission. Good. Now. Have I covered everything that worried you?
Well. She chewed at her lip until a tiny bead of blood formed. Ive been thinking.
I have already mentioned that you do that far too much. Before he realized what he was doing, he reached out, collected the blood with the tip of his finger and licked it away. Her flavor, as sweet as her scent, fizzed and crackled over his taste buds, and he moaned. Dark Abyss, nothing had ever tasted that good. The need for more grewgrewuntil he was sweating, panting, fighting for control.
He would not fall on her. He would not.
He had known she would delight him in this way, but he had not expected this.
I could return home at any second, she said, unaware of the change in him. I mean, youre free now and isnt that the reason you summoned me? So it stands to reason that the magic that brought me here will soon begin to fade, whether you want it to or not.
No, he practically roared, his hunger forgotten in the face of his sudden terror of losing her.
Her eyes widened. No?
I will not allow it. Not now, not ever.
Ever? Yes, he would keep her forever. Would never let her go.
Just like that? She snapped her fingers. You wont allow it, so it wont happen?
Sweat beaded on his brow as he sat back on his thighs. I am not safe yet. Therefore, you have not fulfilled all of your duties. He would remain in perpetual danger, if need be. Hed lost so many loved ones already. He could not bearthe pain. The damned pain, wiping his thoughts. That subject is now closed.
Fine, she grumbled. Are you always this grouchy in the semimorning?
Only when you talk of leaving me. Would a grouchy vampire tell you that you are the most beautiful female hes ever met? he asked, determined to soothe them both.
A luscious softening of her eyes, her mouth. No.
Then I am not grouchy. Now close your eyes and relax. If that ocher gaze met his, he would forget his purpose, lean down, kiss the breath right out of her, then work his way to her vein. And if his teeth sank inside her, his cock would expect equal measure. Im going to ease your hurts.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FEMALE hed ever seen? He must be seeing Odette, then, Jane thought. Thin might be in, at least where she was from, but there was such a thing as too thin and Jane was it. After the accident, shed been bed bound and tube fed. When shed finally woken up, able to feed herself, shed learned of her familys demise and hadnt had an appetite.
Now that her appetite had reasserted itself, shed been forced to exist on only fruits and nuts.
Fruitsnutshmm In that moment, she realized she was starving. For a juicy steak and a side of frieson top of another steak. The food could wait, though. She was also starving for a mans touch. A touch Nicolai gave her. Liberally. His strong fingers massaged her calves, deep and hard, hitting her just right. Moaning, she sagged against the moss beneath her.
Too much? he asked in a gravelly voice.
Perfect, she managed to gasp out. She kept her eyes closed, as hed demanded. Not because of his order, but because his fangs were still out. There was a slight slur to his words.
Those fangs scared her as much as they aroused her. Shed seen the harm they could do, ripping through flesh and bone, but also wondered about the pleasure they could bring. Every time she wondered, she shivered.
Hell, even now she shivered. If he was hungry, she was going to feed him, she decided. After this massage, she would owe him a kidney, anyway. Because, oh, sweet mercy, nothing had ever felt this good. Not even grinding on top of himin her fantasy and in realityand that had felt like heaven.
Okay, so, maybe the grinding had felt just as good.
He worked on her calves for over an hour, and by the time he moved up to her thighs, she stopped trying to conceal her breasts and scars. Why should she? Hed already seen them and had claimed to find them exquisite. Her arms slid to the ground, useless. God, the mans hands were magic.
Magic. Yes. Somehow, he was using magic. Warmth flowed from his skin and into hers, an unnatural warmth, a drugging warmth, intoxicating her, stealing into her muscles, her bones, until every part of her was tinglingand his property. Oh, yes. Whatever he touched instantly became his, existing for him and only him.
When his knuckles brushed the edge of her panties, every nerve ending she possessed roared to sudden life, reaching for him. Soon she was panting, groaning, trying to anticipate his next move. At her knee, he rubbed, then stroked up, gliding along her thigh, sweeping overyes, there, please there, almost, almostonly to pause, not quite stroking where she most needed, before reaching for her other thigh. She had to bite her lip to cut off her plaintive cries for more.
If he would prolong the contact, angle it just a little, she could climax. Oh, God. If she climaxed from thisit would be embarrassing.