As Twilight Falls

When he released her from his gaze, she wriggled out of his arms. Retreating several steps, she glanced at her surroundings. A fireplace large enough to hold a horse dominated the room. The tables were made of heavy wood, the sofas covered in a dark green fabric. Oriental rugs covered the floor. A tapestry, its colors faded by time, hung from one of the walls. An ornate bookcase took up space on another. She ran her hand over the suit of armor in the corner, wondering if he had worn it in the Crusades. A pair of crossed swords hung over the fireplace. She jumped back, startled, when flames sprang to life in the hearth.

Wrapping her arms around herself in an age-old feminine gesture, she dared a glance at Saintcrow. “What are you going to do with me?”

She had intended to speak boldly; instead, her voice came out sounding as frightened as she felt. Belonging to Darrick Vaughan was suddenly very appealing.

“What does any man want with a woman?”

She didn’t like the sound of that at all. Gathering her courage, she lifted her chin. “You’re not a man.”

“You think not?” He took a step toward her. “Shall I prove it to you here and now?”

“No!”

His deep black eyes lit up with amusement. “Would you rather be with Vaughan?”

“Yes.”

He lifted one brow. “What is it about him, I wonder, that the women find so appealing?”

Kadie stared up at him, mute, her heart racing like that of an animal caught in a trap. He towered over her, as solid as a block wall. He might not be a man in the usual sense of the word, but he was undeniably, blatantly male. Something primal deep within her responded to him.

He took another step toward her. As though hypnotized, she watched him lift his hand. Her heartbeat increased tenfold when his knuckles caressed her cheek, slid down the side of her neck. She shivered when his fingertips traced her collarbone, then rested lightly on the pulse throbbing wildly in the hollow of her throat.

Every nerve and cell in her body came to sudden, vibrant life at his touch.

He smiled at her, an insufferably smug, knowing smile. “You’re mine now.” His voice was like the low rumble of distant thunder. “No other shall have you.”

She nodded, unable to speak or object when he was looking at her like that. Unable to move as he lowered his head and claimed her lips with his in a long, searing kiss that threatened to turn her blood to fire and her bones to mush.

She felt bereft when he lifted his head.

He gazed down at her, noting her bruised lips, the two bright spots of color in her cheeks, the slightly dazed expression in her eyes. She was a remarkably pretty woman. Thick, dark brown hair fell in soft waves down her back, almost to her waist. Her eyes were a warm golden brown above a nose that tilted upward at the end. And her lips . . . ah, those lips. Pink and perfectly shaped; made for his kisses.

He could take her, here, now, but he didn’t want to compel this woman as he had so many others. When he made love to Kadie Andrews, he wanted it to be her idea, and he wanted her to remember every glorious moment of it.

“How old are you, Kadie?”

“Twenty-four.”

He nodded. She would serve him well for a good long time. “Why me?” Marti had told her that none of the others had ever even seen Saintcrow. Shirley had said that those who were taken by him were never seen again.

“Why not you?”

She crossed her arms over her chest again. “Are you going to kill me?”

His brows rushed together in a frown. “What kind of question is that?”

“I just want to know. I was told . . .” She bit down on her lower lip, her courage failing her. Maybe she didn’t want to know the answer.

“The women. They told you it wasn’t safe here, with me?”

She nodded. “They said you kill the women you bring here.”

“And you believe them?”

“What kind of question is that?” she exclaimed. “Of course I believe them. You’re a vampire. Isn’t killing humans what vampires do?”

“It is, indeed.”

His hands, large and strong, folded over her shoulders, pulling her closer, holding her immobile. Every instinct urged her to flee, but she couldn’t escape his hold. Fear coiled around her insides, colder than ice. Shirley was right, she thought frantically. He was going to kill her.

“Relax, Kadie,” he said soothingly. “You’re in no danger.” He stroked her cheek with the knuckles of one hand, then drew in a deep breath. “Have you any idea how delectable you smell? So fresh and clean.” He brushed a kiss across the top of her head, his lips moving in her hair. “So soft,” he said quietly. “No wonder Vaughan wanted you.” He drew back abruptly, his gaze suddenly fierce. “Did he have you?”

“I . . . I don’t know what you mean.”

“Did he take you to his bed?”

“No!”

“I always knew the man was a fool. But in this case, it likely saved his life.”

Kadie stared at him, horrified. It was bad enough that he wanted to drink from her. That, at least, she could endure. But to share his bed . . . Revulsion speared through her. She would rather die! Still, a little part of her mind couldn’t help wondering what making love to him would be like. Did vampires make love like other men? If his lovemaking was as mind-blowing as his kiss, how would she survive?

He smiled at her in a way that made her glad he couldn’t read her mind.

Taking her by the hand, he led her to the high-backed sofa in front of the fireplace and drew her down beside him, his arm sliding around her shoulders to hold her close.

“Time for a taste,” he said, and bent his head to her neck.

“No!” Panic surged through her. She tried to wriggle out of his hold, but his arm, as hard and unyielding as iron, held her fast.

She gasped when she felt the faint sting of his fangs at her throat. His mouth was incredibly hot against her skin. He was drinking from her. She expected to feel revulsion, disgust, horror. Instead, a delicious warmth spread through her whole body, pooling deep within her, culminating in a rush of unexpected sensual pleasure that stole the breath from her body. Hardly aware of what she was doing, she grabbed a handful of his hair to hold him in place, afraid he would take his mouth away.

She moaned softly, heard his soft chuckle as he ran his tongue along her neck, and then drank again. She was lost, she thought, lost in a world of sensation unlike anything she had ever imagined. It was almost beyond bearing.