As Twilight Falls

They reached the marina a short time later. Saintcrow parked the car, then they walked down to the water.

“This is such a pretty place,” Kadie remarked. “Have you ever been here?”

“Once, a long time ago.” He glanced at the Morro Rock, which was the town’s most famous feature. “Do you know how the rock got its name?”

“I seem to recall some explorer named it.”

Saintcrow nodded. “Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. He discovered it in 1542 while exploring the Pacific Ocean. It’s said he named it El Morro because it reminded him of the headwrap of a Moor.”

“I’ve lived here all my life and never knew that.”

“Well, that’s how it usually is. People don’t pay much attention to the attractions close to home.”

“I love this place,” Kadie said. Once surrounded by water, the northern channel had been filled in to create a harbor. The public wasn’t allowed to climb the rock, not only because it was dangerous, but because it was a reserve for the peregrine falcon. “We used to camp here a lot when I was younger. The only spanking I ever got was when my best friend dared me to climb the rock.”

Kicking off her sandals, she started to walk down the beach, which was deserted at this time of night. A short time later, she began to run.

Saintcrow watched her for several minutes, admiring her curvy bottom, the way the moon cast silver highlights in her hair, the sound of her heart as it began to beat fast. All his predatory instincts came to life as he watched her run away from him. Yanking off his boots and socks, he pursued her.

She let out a squeal when he grabbed her around the waist and carried her to the ground, twisting at the last minute so that she landed on top of him. She stared down at him, breathless, a hint of fear in her eyes.

He took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrance of her hair and skin, the tempting scent of her blood. Cupping the back of her head, he kissed her. The salty smells of sea and sand clung to her skin. He tasted it on her lips.

She moaned softly as he rolled over, tucking her beneath him. She wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer. And all the while, she made little hungry sounds deep in her throat.

Holding her close, he whisked them up into the hills above the bay. Removing his long leather coat, he held her to his chest with one arm while he spread his coat on the ground, then lowered her onto it. With hands that moved faster than her eyes could follow, he removed her clothing and his own, and then he gathered her body to his, his hunger for her blood, his longing for her body, merging in a maelstrom of desire that would not be ignored.

She writhed beneath him, as eager as he, her hands roaming over him, now caressing him, now raking her nails across his back, down his chest.

With a low growl, he buried himself deep within her, felt her answering cry of pleasure as desire engulfed them.

Loosing a contented sigh, Kadie ran her fingertips through Rylan’s hair. She never wanted to move, never wanted to let him go.

“I must be heavy,” he remarked, raising himself up on his elbows.

She wrapped her arms more tightly around him. “I don’t care.”

Chuckling softly, he quickly rolled over, carrying her with him so she was now on top. “That’s better.”

She smiled at him, thinking she had never been this happy. She started to tell him she loved him, but she bit back the words, her joy slipping away like a wave returning to the sea. There had been no words of love spoken between them. Right or wrong, silly or not, she wanted him to say it first.

Saintcrow stroked Kadie’s cheek, brushed a kiss across her lips. So, she wanted the words, did she? He kissed her again, longer and more deeply. He had never intended to fall in love with her. Relationships between humans and vampires rarely ended well. He didn’t want to hurt Kadie. Better to keep the words locked inside. Once spoken, they could not be taken back.

The fact that her father was a hunter only complicated matters. There was no way Andrews was ever going to welcome a vampire into the family, nor did Saintcrow trust the man. Kadie’s father might decide to try ridding the world of one more vampire regardless of his daughter’s feelings.

And there were other hunters in town. He had smelled them on the drive to the beach.

“What are you thinking about?” Kadie asked. “You look so far away.”

“Just thinking about you,” he admitted quietly, “and how lucky I am to have you in my life.”

Kadie stared at him, the words I love you begging to be said. But, again, she held them back.

Sitting up, he gathered her into his arms and held her close. I love you, too, he thought, stroking her hair. More than you’ll ever know.

“I wish you didn’t have to go.” They were parked in front of her house. “Where do you spend the day, anyway?”

“Nearby.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “It’s late. You should go to bed.”

She squeezed his hand. “Come with me.”

He laughed at that. Finding him in Kadie’s bed would give her father one more reason to take his head. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“It’s early yet,” she said, pouting.

“I know, but I need to feed.” It wasn’t a lie, just not the whole truth. Before he fed, he needed to meet with Ravenwood.

“All right. Good night, Rylan.”

“Sweet dreams, darlin’.”

She lifted her face for his kiss, closed her eyes as his mouth covered hers.

Drawing back, Saintcrow reached across her to open the door. “You’d best get in the house,” he said, “before I take you right here, right now.”

“I wouldn’t mind.” A saucy grin curved her lips as she got out of the car. On the sidewalk, she blew him a kiss, then, reluctantly, went up the walkway and into the house.

Kadie shut the door. On her way to her room, she paused when she heard voices coming from the back of the house. Without turning on any lights, she tiptoed down the hallway to her father’s den. Light shone beneath the closed door.

She was about to turn and tiptoe away when she heard the word vampire.

With all her senses suddenly alert, she placed her ear against the door.

“Are you sure it’s Saintcrow?” A man’s voice. One she didn’t recognize.

“I’m sure,” her father said.

Kadie smothered a gasp. Her father knew Rylan was a vampire? How was that even possible?

“Damn! That’ll be quite a feather in our cap, taking him out.” This from another man with a slight English accent.