“My sweet, sweet Stella. If only it were so simple.” He takes my hand, places a kiss on top, letting his lips linger, before he rises to his full height. “But I am afraid that as lucky as I would be to have you, a gentleman must always know right from wrong.” He bows. And I don’t mean like a little head dip. He literally bends his body in half. It’s the move of a courtly gentleman just like Neli said. “Good night, Stella. Sleep well.”
He turns and leaves me standing there, my head spinning and my body on fire. I have never wanted a man so badly that it hurt. The worst part is that something in his voice sounded so final. Was he saying goodbye just now?
In shock, I turn and go to my room. Once inside, I plop down on my bed and stare at the cream-colored wall. What just happened? In one fell swoop I was carried away in the hottest moment I’ve ever experienced, only to have it end with a bucket of ice water poured over my head. I know it wasn’t one sided. None of this makes sense. What am I missing?
I stand, planting my hands on my hips. We’re not done, Boz. I refuse to be shuffled off to my room without an explanation.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Boz
My loins burning with need, I quickly return to my suite on the top floor and begin running the shower. I will have to service myself tonight—something I have not done for, well, I cannot recall. When I have needs, it is never difficult to seduce a woman to my bed. Tonight, however, and possibly for the remainder of my existence, there is only one woman I desire.
Phew. That was close. There was a moment when I did not believe I could walk away from Stella. Her delicious scent lingers in my lungs and calls to me like none other. And when she looked up at me with pain in her eyes, I wanted only to make it disappear.
Damn that Neli. I grab the Summoner and tell her to come to my room immediately. She and I need to get on the same page. I cannot be placed in such tempting situations again. Also, we must devise a plan to take care of the hunter.
I hit send and strip my clothing to prepare for my shower. My cock is so hard, I fear it might never abate. I poke the thing. Like granite.
I turn to go into the bathroom and hear a light knock on the door. Ah, finally. For once Neli is being the obedient servant. She must know she is in the pigsty. I go to open the door. “Neli, we must talk—”
Stella is standing there, her eyes wide as she takes in my naked form, my cock jutting out like an arrow directed at her.
“I-I just came up to…” Her words fade, and she licks her lips while staring directly at my manhood.
My heart starts to beat once more like a loud drum, demanding action. Take her. Take her. Take her.
“Fuck it.” I grab her wrist and pull her inside, pressing her firmly to my body.
She says nothing with her mouth, but the desire in her eyes speaks volumes. I bow my head and press my mouth to her soft lips. The need inside me is overwhelming. But it is not for sex. It is for her blood.
No. You cannot do this. You will not be able to stop. But my mind is not in control any longer. It is my thirst, begging for one last taste of her virgin blood before I take her.
Stella
The nerves were racing through me as I made my way to the penthouse suite. I knew I could be facing a harsh rejection, but I deserved to know why. I didn’t mistake the desire flowing like an electric current between us, or the pain in his eyes when he turned from me. Whatever the problem is, I want to fix it together.
Then I knocked on his door to find him naked, fully erect. He pulled me inside and pressed his mouth to mine. Now I can’t remember what I came here to say, but I know it was important.
I push back and stare up at him. The way he’s looking at me takes my breath away. There are no words. There’s only primal need. I lift my face to his, my heart hammering against my rib cage. His dark silvery eyes smolder into mine for a crackling moment before he dips his head and presses his mouth to mine again. Yes, yes, yes. His hand grips my hair, tugging my head back as he deepens the kiss. I welcome the fiery heat, consumed by it. Desire unfurls within me, and I wrap my arms around his neck, urgently pressing all of my softness against his hard powerful body. I want with an intensity I’ve never felt before. I roam my hands over his broad back, a needy moan escaping.