Page 64 of Rafe

“Sky, ah.” Rafe’s tongue brushed over her neck, tempting him.

“Bite me,” she begged. He’d be hers if only for one night. She’d regret it later. Wild with lust, she demanded to have him. My Alpha.

“Mine,” he growled as his fangs sliced deep into her flesh.

“Yes!” She screamed as her body trembled, her climax rolling through her. Lost within his embrace, Skylar writhed in orgasm.

Just friends. No matter the lies she’d told herself, her world would never be the same.

11

Rafe’s body relaxed against hers as she slept quietly in his arms. Though his conscience warned him he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life, his wolf howled in triumph. His body thrummed with her sweet blood, every cell in his body alert, humming with awareness. Her scent surrounded him, sweet like honeysuckle on a warm summer day.

“Hmm.” She stirred, wriggling toward him.

Rafe’s heart tightened in his chest. What did I do?

He’d bitten her. He’d attempted to resist her, but the temptation had been too great. The taste of her lingered in his thoughts. Though he didn’t class himself a vampire, no blood had sated him, the hunger ever present…until tonight.

Why did this human connect with him on a level no other woman had? He didn’t even know her well. One dance in New Orleans and now days later he couldn’t imagine his life without her. The reality of saying goodbye taunted him.

They’d justified their indulgence with a promise. Just friends. One night. Skylar had soothed his battered soul. Reality would set in later but for now, he’d steal a few peaceful moments. Tomorrow would come soon enough, and it would all be over. They’d go their separate ways…just friends.

Creak. Rafe instantly sprung from the bed and stilled, his senses on alert. Someone or something had entered the house. The ancient energy sent a chill over his skin. It was powerful. Supernatural.

Rafe’s heart pounded in his chest. He glanced at Skylar, who remained deep in slumber, and tugged the blanket over her shoulder.

He resisted the temptation to wake her. But there was no way in hell he was about to bring her into another bloody battle. Whatever this was, he’d deal with it himself.

Rafe sniffed, a familiar cologne drifted in the air. Rafe guessed Clive Christian. There weren’t too many people who wore such an expensive scent. Viktor?

Concerned the intruder had likely detected his presence, Rafe locked the bedroom door from the inside and closed it behind him. He transformed into his wolf, and stilled, listening. Another creak on the hardwood floor told him the intruder was still inside the house. The stealth animal loped down the hallway and peered down the wooden steps.

Rafe inhaled the heady cologne. His prey within reach, his heart pounded in his chest. Crouched, he listened, waiting for it to come to him. One footstep after another grew louder, closer and closer.

The magick in the air grew thick and Rafe readied to attack. No one would hurt Skylar. Not ever.

The cadence of the steps slowed. Silence lingered, but through it, Rafe heard the pulse. Without warning Rafe ran down the steps and lunged at the man standing in the family room. Instantly he disappeared and reappeared next to the fireplace.

“I see why my brother finds you entertaining,” said the blond stranger.

Rafe growled and approached with caution as he stalked toward him. He didn’t recognize this vampire, but there was no mistaking the ancient energy.

“I mean her no harm,” he said, arrogance in his tone. “You should be thanking me.”

The wolf growled as he observed the stranger. Refined, cultured, he reminded Rafe of Viktor. Why was he in Skylar’s home? Was he tied to New Orleans? Or Las Vegas? Zyaire?

“You need to keep a better eye on her, my friend. They will find her here.”

Rafe snarled, readying to attack.

“My brothers. Ah, they never learn how dangerous it’s become. It’s a cold, cold world. Thankfully, I was there.”

Rafe released a low growl. He knows Viktor? Greyson?

“Humans are like butterflies. So fragile. Such a shame really.” He sat on the end of the leather sofa and shot Rafe a cool smile. “Your beautiful human upstairs simply trusted me to take her to the airport. Serendipitous.”

Rafe’s wolf urged him to attack, to tear open the throat of the creature in front of him. Though the ancient was stronger, he’d underestimate the wolf’s ability to kill him. Arrogance would be his downfall. Patient, Rafe waited for his opportunity, for the ancient to display a slip in judgement.