His Dark Embrace

She turned as Kaiden entered the room, bemused that she had sensed his presence before he actually appeared in the doorway.

“He’ll be all right,” Thorne said, answering her unspoken question. For a moment, he considered telling her about Cassandra’s interest in Sam, but then decided against it. Sky had enough on her mind without worrying that a vampire wanted her brother. Besides, he was pretty sure that Cassandra wouldn’t bother Sam again. No matter what she said to the contrary, she had always adhered to the laws she had set for their kind.

“Thank you for finding him for me.”

“No problem,” he replied, taking her into his arms. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

She slid her arms up around his neck. “Anything?”

“Just name it and it’s yours.”

“A kiss?”

“Just one?”

“As many as you can spare.” She needed him. Needed to feel loved. Protected. Safe. Needed something to distract her thoughts from a brother who had problems she couldn’t fix, who might have deep psychological scars she would never understand.

She looked up at Kaiden, swamped by a sudden rush of guilt because she was using him to escape reality, and because she had prayed and prayed for her brother to come home and now that he was there, she didn’t know how to help him. One look into Kaiden’s eyes told her he knew exactly what she was doing.

Wordlessly, he swung her into his arms and carried her swiftly up the stairs to her room. A thought closed and locked the door. Still holding Sky, he pressed butterfly kisses to her brow, her cheeks, the hollow of her throat before he carried Skylynn to the bed.

She reached for him, but he gently swatted her hands away.

“Patience, love,” he murmured. “We have all night.”

She gazed up at him, lost in the dark depths of his eyes as he undressed her ever so slowly, his mouth like fire as he kissed each inch of exposed flesh.

He left her for a moment to remove his own clothing and then he stretched out beside Sky, his arms wrapping around her to draw Skylynn close as his lips claimed hers in a long, searing kiss that burned everything from her mind but her need for this man’s touch. The rest of the world seemed to fall away as he rose over her and there were only the two of them locked in each other’s arms.

She felt the brush of his mind against hers and the next thing she knew, they were lying on a blanket in a verdant meadow beneath a summer-blue sky. Birds sang in the trees that surrounded the meadow.

She writhed beneath him, his name a cry on her lips as their bodies moved in perfect rhythm, each one giving pleasure to the other.

She had only to think of what she wanted—a kiss here, a caress there, and it was hers.

She climaxed amid a burst of silver light that seemed to fill her entire being with pleasure almost beyond bearing and then, enveloped in a warmth unlike anything she had ever known, she slowly and deliciously drifted back to reality.

“I feel like I should thank you,” she murmured with a smile. “That was incredible.”

“You’re welcome.” He rolled onto his side, carrying her with him.

“How did you do that, make it seem like we were in a meadow?”

“A little vampire magic.”

She lay there, cocooned in his arms, spent and content, while the perspiration cooled on her body and her breathing returned to normal.

Thorne nuzzled the side of her neck and she felt the brush of his fangs against her skin.

“You didn’t bite me this time,” she said. “Why not?”

“I didn’t trust myself to stop while we were making love.” His tongue slid over her shoulder, making her shiver with delight. “But I wouldn’t mind taking a sip now, if you’re willing.”

“How can I refuse?” she asked with a lazy grin. “You certainly deserve a reward.”

He chuckled softly.

Moments later, she felt the faint sting of his fangs and then a rush of sensual heat that rivaled the pleasure she had enjoyed in his arms.

Closing her eyes, she tumbled into a warm red sea.

Thorne sensed the change in her, knew the instant sleep claimed her. He drew back, his gaze moving over her face and then, unable to resist the allure of her sweetness, he bent his head to her neck once again.

Chapter 30

Girard prowled the shadows outside the McNamara house. Why had he waited so long to embrace the dark side of life? The longer he was a vampire, the more he reveled in it. His physical strength and speed were incredible. He might look like an old man, but he had the vitality and staying power of a stud horse. His increased senses were remarkable.

He knew there were two mortals inside the house. He could hear the slow, steady beating of their hearts, the shallow breathing that told him they were sleeping soundly. A third heart—a vampire heart—beat more slowly. Thorne was also in the house.

Girard lifted his head. An indrawn breath carried the scent of musk and fresh blood. So, the vampire had used his whore and then fed on her.

Girard turned away from the house. Melting into the darkness, he reappeared several blocks away. He had never been a patient man, but time was no longer his enemy. No matter how much it galled him to do so, he would abide by Cassandra’s decree because he had no other choice, at least for now. He was not fool enough to pit his fledgling strength against that of an ancient vampire, and so he would not harm Kaiden Thorne in the foreseeable future.

Girard smiled into the darkness. There was no need to hurry. He had time to wait for the perfect opportunity to exact his revenge, and when it came, he would savor every delicious moment. He could picture it clearly in his mind, taste it on his tongue, as he imagined killing the woman. He would not make her suffer too long. He was not a monster, after all, and she was only a means to an end. He trembled with the realization that avenging Marie’s death was almost in reach. Only then would he find peace.

But there was no rush now. He would wait until Thorne and the woman lowered their guard. Wait until they thought the danger was past. And then, when the woman was alone and vulnerable, her defenses down, he would strike.

Retribution would be swift and final for the woman, but her death would torment Kaiden Thorne for the remainder of his existence.

Ah, vengeance was indeed a dish best served cold.

Whistling softly, Girard left the town in search of prey.

Chapter 31

An hour before dawn, Thorne dressed and left Skylynn’s place. Even though she had willingly allowed him to drink from her, the little he had taken had only whet his appetite for more. He was beginning to think that abstaining from his natural instincts for so long had made satisfying the return of his hellish thirst impossible.