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By keep a Shadow, he meant imprisoned. I wondered where the Shadow was in Project Hope. Maybe in that building that was mentioned in the Clover notebook. 1403. Was that what Zan and his family were doing? Trying to get the Shadows back?
“That’s all I’m telling you right now,” he stated, his voice firm. “You asked how I walk in the sun and about my black blood. Now you know.”
There was still so much I wanted to find out about Shadows and Kane blood, but one look at Zan’s face proved he was done spilling his secrets. I didn’t move, hoping we could stay out here longer even if the conversation was done.
He climbed to his feet, brushing the sand off his jeans. “Happy now that you know?”
“Happy?” I scoffed. “Being happy isn’t possible when I’m trapped here.”
A muscle in his jaw flexed. “You’re saying that you haven’t had one good moment since you came to Deadwood?”
I frowned. “Deadwood?”
“My father named this city when we came here. We don’t use it much, but it’s how other vampires keep track of locations. Just like humans, we name our cities.”
Interesting. How many other cities did the vampires have? I glanced at Zan, realizing he was still expecting my answer.
My eyes darted back to the waves. “I’ve been happy twice. Both times when you brought me out here.”
“Just twice?” He reached down and grabbed my arm, tugging me to my feet. “I think there was at least one other time.”
He wrapped his arm around me, tightening his hold until my chest was crushed to his. I lifted my chin, narrowing my eyes at him.
“The night we spent in your bed wasn’t a good memory?” he questioned, his voice low. “Because I distinctly remember you coming not once, but twice. And all the while, you were moaning my name. Are you going to lie and say you didn’t enjoy that night?”
A tingle ran down my spine, that night flashing through my head. There was no forgetting what we did that night. As much as I wanted to act like it meant nothing, I couldn’t.
“I gave you honesty today,” he murmured. “Have the decency to do the same.”
I arched an eyebrow, shooting him a mocking smile. “I mean, I guess that night was okay. Could have been better.”
Challenge brightened his eyes, and he chuckled. “Oh, Kali. You might be an exceptional liar, but right now? I can see right through you. However, if you want to act like this, I’ll gladly get on my knees and taste you again.” He lowered his head, putting his lips an inch from mine. “And now I don’t have to hold back. You had to be quiet that night. There is no one around us. I could have you screaming this time.”
I had no doubt he could do just that. Heat coiled through my lower stomach, but I managed to keep my face blank until he dropped his head lower and brushed his lips against the side of my throat. My breath caught in my chest, and I didn’t move a muscle when he kissed me again. His lips stayed on my skin even when he spoke again.
“The only time you can’t control your heartbeat is when my hands are on you.” He chuckled. “I affect you much more than you’ll ever admit, and if I’m being completely honest, that gives me more satisfaction than anything else.”
“Too bad I told you that what we did that night would never happen again.” My voice lacked conviction, and I internally cursed myself. This was why I’d been keeping my distance from Zan since he brought me back to his city. As much as I fought against it, he could easily get under my skin.
“I want you to be happy while you’re here.” He pulled back, meeting my gaze. “It’s a horrible existence to be miserable all the time. Hate me all you want. But while you’re doing that, let me give you the pleasure you’re obviously so desperately craving.”
On the outside, my expression didn’t change, but on the inside, my emotions were warring with each other. I knew who Zan was. A vampire who would never choose human life over his family. Yet here I was, struggling to come up with a list of reasons why I shouldn’t let him touch me. Because when I was near him, the outside world didn’t seem to matter, and it drove me crazy.
I didn’t want to enjoy a second with him. I wanted to look at him and feel the loathing I did when I was around any other vampire. But for some reason, I couldn’t. What I should be doing was planning to get that bag of weapons that Tim had told me about. Instead, I stayed in Zan’s hold, not making a move to get away from him.
“Come on, Kali,” he coaxed, a smug grin on his lips. “All you have to do is admit what you want, and I’ll oblige. We can spend the rest of the evening out here. I’d love to see exactly how loud I can make you scream.”
His arrogance had my heart strumming with defiance, and I smirked, finally pushing away from him. I kept my eyes locked on his as I grabbed the hem of my shirt and then tugged it over my head. His sharp intake of breath only spurred me on more, and before I could talk myself out of it, I unhooked my bra, letting it fall to the sand.
“Fuck,” he groaned out.
When he stepped toward me, I put my hand up, shaking my head. “I haven’t admitted anything, Zan. I’m just going for a swim.”
He went unnaturally still, his gaze dropping to my bare chest before trailing back up to my face. “Kali. Do not try to taunt me.”
“Or what?”
“Keep doing it, and you’ll find out.”
