“Other than what I’ve already stated?”
“Yes.”
Looking at him, she decided it was probably best to keep from him the time she tried to escape and the Savages who caught her fondled her breasts. She had no fear he would hurt her, but he looked ready to go on a rampage, and she had no idea what he would do to anyone he encountered.
“No. They mostly left me alone.” It wasn’t entirely a lie, she’d saidmostly. “Even when they took me to the bathroom, they would chain me in there and leave me alone.”
Killean’s shoulders relaxed as some of his bloodlust eased. “Good. While you’re with me, you willneverhave to fear that I will try to rape you.” He’d already assured her of this, but it seemed she hadn’t believed him.
“I didn’t think you would,” she admitted.
He glanced pointedly at her hand on her throat again.
“I’ve… I’ve never…” Shedespisedthis blush she couldn’t control. “It’s not because I think you’ll do something!” she blurted. “I’ve never been so scantily dressed around a man before.”
“I assure you, Simone, you are more than properly covered. All I can see is your feet and your face; you don’t have to worry about exposing too much around me.”
“Ah, yeah,” she muttered.
“I’m going to leave the door to the bathroom cracked. If you hear anything unusual, scream, and I’ll be out here in an instant,” he told her.
“I will,” Simone promised.
Chapter Eighteen
Killean didn’t fallasleep until after the sun rose and the risk of Savages being out lessened. Before lying down, he’d considered calling Ronan but decided to hold off. He may not have a lot to tell Ronan that could help in their fight against Joseph, but he had to share the info he did have. However, he wasn’t ready to face the disappointment and distrust he knew he would receive, and deserved, from his mentor and friend yet.
Beside him, Simone had lain rigidly at the very edge of the bed. The covers were tucked up to her chin and only her face was exposed like she was a turtle. She’d remained that way until sleep claimed her an hour before sunrise. Then she’d relaxed enough for a hand to emerge over the covers.
After she slept, he’d rolled over from staring at the ceiling to watch her. Her face relaxed in sleep, and her soft breaths exhaled over her luscious lips. He found himself thinking less about Joseph finding them and more about what it would be like to run his hands over her enticing curves. He fell asleep with those happy imaginings in mind.
When he woke later in the day, he discovered his arm draped protectively around Simone’s waist and her back tucked against his chest. Her thick hair tickled his nose and lips as he inhaled the hotel shampoo and eucalyptus aroma she emitted. Somehow, his hand had slid beneath her robe to cup her breast, and her puckered nipple burned his palm.
He’d never been so hard in his life, and her ass rubbing against his dick did not help. And then, the enticing scent of her blood hit him, and saliva filled his mouth. He longed to sink his fangs into her while he parted her thighs and buried himself inside her.
She’s a hunter.But that reminder didn’t dim his lust. However, he’d promised her he wouldn’t do anything inappropriate with her, and he meant it. The lowest forms of life were the ones who took advantage of those weaker than them. He was about to pull his hand away when Simone shifted, so her breast filled his palm.
It was then he realized she was awake. Killean froze as he waited for her to tell him to get away, but she didn’t speak as her breath came a little faster. Killean rubbed her nipple and relished the sensation of it hardening beneath his touch. Larger than his hand, her breast spilled over his palm while he caressed her.
When Simone first woke to find his hand on her breast, she hadn’t known what to do, but she’d felt no apprehension. She’d only experienced a sense of rightness in his arms. She didn’t understand the feeling, but instead of pulling away from him, she’d remained where she was as she listened to his breathing while he slept.
Then he’d awoken, and she’d barely contained her excitement when instead of pulling away, he continued to hold her. Her head spun as Killean’s touch seared her flesh. She shouldn’t allow this; she was meant to be a hunter bride. It was the role she’d been born and trained for, and hunter brides were only supposed to know the touch of their husbands. But how many hunters would take a vampire as their bride?
Not many. Probably not any.
And how many of them could set her on fire the way Killean did? Most of the time, she wasn’t sure she liked this man. He was angry, distant, and sometimes cruel, but something about him called to her in a way no other had. Her attraction to him had been strong and surprising as a hunter, but now it was almost consuming.
Did vampires feel things more acutely than mortals, or was this something else entirely?
She found herself not caring about the answer as the next stroke of his thumb electrified her body. That awful aching was back between her thighs, and she found herself squirming against the rigid evidence of his arousal pressing against her butt.
When his hand slid from one breast to the other, Simone instinctively arched into his touch. Not only was the ache growing, but wetness spread between her legs when he leaned closer and his warm breath tickled her skin.
Killean slid his tongue over her ear before drawing it between his teeth and nipping it. “You are a walking temptation.” Rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, he tugged on it, and she moaned in response. “Do you like this, Simone?”
Embarrassment clogged her throat at his titillating words; she had no idea how to respond to him.
“Or do you like this more?”
