His Dark Embrace

She had warned him that the sun would destroy him and silver would burn him. She admonished him to be wary of strangers with wooden stakes, and to maintain a secure lair. As an afterthought, she told him that most animals would recognize him as a predator and avoid his presence.

She had explained that he didn’t have to kill his prey to survive, but he had been young and angry then, and killing came naturally to his kind.

Lady Death, Thorne mused, staring at the fast-moving clouds, where are you now?

He was heading back to the house when he heard a knock at the front door. A single indrawn breath told him who it was.

Driven by an overwhelming need to make sure Kaiden was all right, Sky had changed into a pair of jeans and a bulky sweater, slipped on her raincoat and boots, and run across the street, Kaiden’s robe folded over her arm.

She had no sooner knocked on his door when she was overcome by doubts and second thoughts. What was she doing here? He obviously didn’t want her around, and if he was sick, he could call a doctor.

Muttering, “This was a bad idea,” she turned away from the door. She was halfway down the porch steps when the front door swung open.

“Sky, is something wrong?”

“The lights are out,” she said, pausing to look over her shoulder.

He stepped out onto the porch and glanced up and down the street. “So they are. Are you afraid of the dark?”

Sky shook her head. She hadn’t come here to tell him the lights were out. “No, I just ... I mean, you seemed so upset earlier ... I just wanted to make sure you were all right. And return your robe.”

He laughed softly. No one had worried about him or his health since he’d left home so many years ago. “I’m fine. Would you like to come in?”

His invitation confused her almost as much as his abrupt change of mood. He had practically thrown her out less than thirty minutes ago.

“I promise not to bite.”

“Oh, well, in that case.” Grinning faintly, she ascended the steps and followed him into the living room, stood there fidgeting with the collar of her jacket while he threw another log on the fire in the hearth. “You’re all wet,” she murmured, frowning.

“I was outside.”

“You do know it’s still raining, don’t you?”

He glanced at her over his shoulder. “A little water never hurt anyone.”

“Tell that to Noah.”

“You’re a little damp yourself,” he remarked, grinning. “Come, sit by the fire.”

Feeling suddenly nervous, Sky dropped his robe over the back of the sofa, then took a seat in the overstuffed chair near the hearth. So, what now? She had accomplished her mission. She had returned his robe and ascertained that he was all right.

“I’m sorry for the way I behaved earlier,” he said quietly.

She shrugged. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“Would you care for something to drink? I’ve a good bottle of wine just waiting to be sampled.”

“Sounds lovely.”

A carved wooden tray holding a bottle of Madeira and several crystal wineglasses sat on an ancient sideboard. After pouring two glasses, he handed her one, then sat on the edge of the sofa.

“What shall we drink to?” Sky asked.

“How about sunny skies and smiling blue eyes?”

She laughed, remembering the first time he had said that. It had been New Year’s Eve. Granda had invited Kaiden over to toast in the New Year. Granda had poured wine for himself and Kaiden, and a glass of sparkling apple cider for Sky. Sam hadn’t been home that night, having gone to a party at a friend’s house.

Granda had lifted his glass. “Will you give us a toast, Mr. Thorne?”

“I’d be honored,” he had replied. “May you have a prosperous New Year, Paddy, and may your fair granddaughter be blessed with sunny skies and smiling blue eyes.”

Thorne touched his glass to hers. “You’re thinking of Paddy, aren’t you?”

Blinking rapidly to keep from crying, Sky nodded.

“He was a good man, gone too soon.”

“Yes.” Sipping her drink, she gazed at the dancing flames, wondering if Kaiden was still going after the man who had broken into Granda’s lab, but reluctant to bring the subject up because it might mean leaving Vista Verde, and she didn’t want him to go.

Thorne drained his glass and put it aside. The wine warmed him, but it was as nothing compared to the heat Sky’s nearness aroused in him. How exquisite she looked, with the fire’s glow pinking her cheeks and gilding her hair. The steady beat of her heart was like music to his ears, the flowery scent of her perfume, the scent of the woman herself, sweetly alluring.

She was beautiful.

She was desirable.

She was here.

Alone.

In his house.

And she had what he so desperately craved.

Sky’s hand tightened around her glass as the atmosphere in the room, which had been cozy and relaxed, suddenly hummed with tension. The hair on her arms stood at attention when she met Kaiden’s gaze. Men had looked at her before, some with interest, some with lust, some with admiration, but never had a man looked at her like this, as if he were on the verge of certain destruction and only she could save him. With a hand that shook, she lifted her glass and took a long swallow.

“Skylynn ...”

There was no mistaking the undercurrent of need in his voice, or the blatant hunger in his eyes that sent a warning shiver down her spine. That was odd, she thought, because she wasn’t really afraid of him.

Was she?

She watched, suddenly wary, as he leaned toward her.

A low rumble of thunder made her jump. Wine sloshed out of her glass onto her jeans. The perfect excuse to make a hasty exit, she thought, and putting the goblet down, she quickly gained her feet.

“I should go wash this out right away,” she said, and without waiting for a reply, she hurried out of the room toward the front door.

A squeak, like that of a mouse caught by a cat, erupted from her throat when she felt his hand on her arm.

“Sky, don’t go.”

His voice trapped her as surely as a net.

He turned her around to face him, his dark eyes gazing deep into her own. “Relax, Skylynn, I’m not going to hurt you.”

She stared up at him, her insides churning with terror. “What are you going to do?”

“Nothing for you to worry about.” He stroked her cheek; then, pushing her hair behind her ear, he caressed her neck with his fingertips. He swallowed hard as he heard the whisper of her blood flowing through her veins. “You have something I need.”