“Hmmm. Interesting.” She rose from the couch, hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her yoga pants, and carefully slid them down her legs.
“What are you doing?” he asked hoarsely. He ran a hand through his hair, making his bed head even more pronounced. Damn, he was hot.
“Hang on. I’ll show you.” She stepped out of her pants, turned around, and showed him the side of her leg. From hip to knee was a long, bloody scrape. “I got this ugly raspberry during my fall from the balcony. I tried to clean it up, but you can see how it’s bled a little since then.” She held up the heels of her hands. “Here too, although not quite as bad. So let me point out, in case you’ve forgotten, we’ve been together non-stop since this happened, and not once have you tried to attack me.”
Something glimmered in his eyes, something that looked like hope, then, just as quickly, it was gone. “That doesn’t prove anything,” he said.
She spread her hands imploringly. “Mateo, you didn’t even notice. Not when you kissed me in the car. Not when we slept. And if on some level you did notice, your so-called dark nature clearly didn’t give a crap.”
His brows were two dark slashes, his expression guarded. It was obvious she wasn’t getting through to him. Maybe the real reason he wasn’t interested in moving past this was because he wasn’t interested in her. A lot could happen in four years. People changed. Priorities changed. Couples fell in and out of love all the time. Maybe she should just let it go.
“I never stopped thinking about us,” she said softly, turning on her heel to leave the room, “even when I wanted so desperately to forget you.”
* * *
“Selena, wait.” He grabbed her arm, and her eyes widened. He searched their depths for signs of fear, but saw none. Only the pain of rejection. And behind that, desire. He imagined she saw the same things in his. His throat had tightened so much, he wasn’t even sure he could speak. So he didn’t.
Pulling her close, he kissed her hard and deep, her body molding to his. Although his gums ached where his fangs were hidden, they stayed where they belonged and didn’t descend. Maybe she was right. Maybe he could control himself. Her abrasions were bloody, so if his dark nature really were uncontrollable when it came to her, he’d have already attacked by now. And probably killed her.
Hope sprang in his chest, and he kissed her with renewed passion. Maybe a future together was possible.
A soft, feminine moan escaped her as they fell onto the couch. Without breaking the kiss, he undid his jeans and cursed against her lips when the zipper got stuck. He felt, rather than saw, her smile. By the time he got it unzipped and shoved his jeans past his hips, she’d already shimmied out of her thong. Yay, elastic. A man’s best friend.
Grabbing a condom from his wallet, he quickly sheathed himself. Although a vampire couldn’t get a human pregnant or transmit disease, he hadn’t told her that yet and he sure as hell wasn’t going to stop to explain it now. He always carried them anyway. Expecting that a woman he’d just met would be okay with him going bareback had douchebag written all over it.
Brain fogged with desire, he slipped a finger into her liquid heat. Damn. She was slick enough for him already. Her breath hitched as she arched her hips, giving him easier access. “Ah, yes. That’s perfect, baby.” Adding a second finger, he then brought his thumb up and rubbed her sensitive flesh, loving the sounds she made as she moaned into his mouth. She rocked against him seeking her release, her inner muscles starting to clench and pulse around his fingers. He pressed her clit harder.
“Oh my God, Mateo,” she said breathlessly, digging her fingers into his shoulders.
She was coming already. Having forgotten how quickly she responded to him, he smiled as he nuzzled and licked and kissed her.
When her spasms stopped, he slipped his fingers out, reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. While that orgasm had been beautiful, he planned to give her another, more powerful one. She looked at him quizzically, but said nothing when he turned her around, placed her hands on the arm of the sofa and grabbed onto her hips. Although she knew he was a vampire, he still didn’t want to frighten her in case his fangs emerged in the heat of the moment.
Cock throbbing, he positioned himself at her slick entrance and nudged just the tip inside. “You okay with this, baby?” He wanted her to know that she could change her mind.
She glanced over her shoulder, lips parted, eyes at half mast.
Tangles of dark curls splayed across her shoulders, inviting him to pull her hair. Thank you very much. I think I will. He ran a hand up the lovely curve of her spine and grabbed a handful of silky locks.
Her gaze met his, and she nodded.
“Say it.” Especially now that she knew the truth about him. After he left, he didn’t want her to look back and have any doubts that she wasn’t one hundred percent on board with this.
“Yes, Mateo,” she whispered softly. Then she added, “Please.”
Christ. He nearly lost it right then and there. He loved how she instinctively responded to his more dominant nature. He nudged her legs wider. Then in one thrust, he shoved into her impossibly tight channel.
* * *
A strangled cryescaped her throat as Mateo entered her from behind, filling her completely. He was bigger than she remembered. And thicker. She let out a long, ragged breath as her body adjusted to this incredible intrusion. Once inside her, he held himself still and nuzzled the back of her neck, giving her inner muscles a chance to accept him. She felt a surge of molten heat as the ache inside her grew. Even though she’d just climaxed, her body craved more from him.
He gave a low chuckle and pushed deeper, taking advantage of her additional lubrication. “That’s it. Take me all in, baby. You’re almost there.”
A delicious tension, starting in her fingers and toes, rushed inward toward her core and sought release. Without any more from him than this, she could almost, almost have another orgasm. She was right there on the edge. Good Lord, the man had a lot of self-control. More than she did. She rocked against him, ready for him to break her into pieces.
“Impatient little thing, aren’t you, Selena?” he growled into her hair. “You’ll come when I tell you to come.” Strong fingers dug into her hip bones, holding her right where he wanted. Her body trembled with eager anticipation.
His dominant nature was unapologetic, and although she’d never admit it aloud to him, deep inside, she secretly loved it. But unlike the Subs from the books she read, she would never completely give in to him. She liked the friction between them too much.
