Thunder and Lightning

To taste the very essence of her.

To drown in the velvety richness of her.

More than he’d ever wanted anything before—even absolution for what he’d done to Amy—Cane wanted to feel this woman’s warm breath on his skin. Feel her sensuous curves meld to his hard angles. Hear her moan deep in her throat as his fingers played the erotic instrument that was her body, strumming her clit, bringing her endless hours of pleasure.

Even now he could smell her arousal and it was nothing short of intoxicating. He could drown in the scent of her, but it would only increase, not satiate, his desire for her.

Forcing the fervor building within him to remain at bay just a bit longer, he asked, “Where are you from?”

Translation: Where have you been all my two hundred years of existence?

“Albany of late,” she said, her eyes barely blinking. They were glued to his face, completely transfixed on him.

“What brought you here?”

“I thought,” she said in a whisper of a voice, “a job.”

He took one big step and it closed the gap between them. “But not really?” he suggested.

Of course she had no idea they were destined to be. He could feel it to the core of his undead being. She could not experience the sort of ethereal revelation he’d come to, yet perhaps he could help her understand their meeting and this night were meant to be.

For whatever reason, he could not explain. For better or for worse.

Likely for worse, but they were long past heeding that warning.

She sucked in another quick intake of air, held it, then let it out slowly. The way she stared at him, held her ground against him with her bare feet planted firmly on the hardwood floor, she appeared stable and capable. Not the least bit malleable no matter what he said or did.

Yet there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes… Of wanting to believe something she couldn’t quite bring herself to believe.

He said, “You came looking for something.”

“Perhaps,” she countered.

“Or someone?” he offered. And Cane’s groin tightened further, as did the knot in his stomach that he hadn’t known existed. Had never felt before. Even his throat seemed to compress and burn with need.

For a moment he was lost in her dazzling green eyes. They hypnotized him, made him feel as though he were being pulled into a dark, sensual abyss that consumed him. Surrounded him completely. Made him feel like the rest of the world did not exist.

Only this moment. This woman. This incredible attraction that could not be denied.

He fought the urgency that welled within him. The need that gripped him. The powerful desire to grab her and press his mouth to hers. To let his tongue delve deep and discover the gifts she had to offer with just one kiss.

As his fangs ached and his body burned—every inch of him responding vehemently to her and demanding its hunger be fed—Cane tried to remain in check. To retain some self-control. When really all he wanted to do was give himself over to the primal passion she sparked so easily.

He felt the vampire nature within him stretch and hiss and prepare itself for a sensual attack. Seeking a fulfillment two centuries in the making.

“I can’t explain this,” he said, hearing in his voice the perplexity he still felt over this peculiar situation.

“Seems fairly self-explanatory to m

e.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. Of course she understood the sexual aspect of this peculiar seduction. Passion burned in her eyes as surely as it did in his.

Taking another step toward her, he was pleased she didn’t step backward. Away from him, as she’d done three nights ago. Rather, her chin lifted and her gaze met his. Holding it. Her enticing chest rose and fell with her excitement. He could practically breathe in her arousal. Wanted nothing more than to heighten it. To stimulate her senses to the point of driving her wild.

Even then, she’d still not know the intensity of his emotions. His desires. They were almost painful in nature, raw and prickly.

His cock swelled at the close proximity of her. The way she stared up at him, looking as needy as he felt, made him almost mad with the burning sensation that rose within him. He was desperate to touch her. Possess her.