Iris looked beautiful. Her hair was damp from her shower, and she wore it in the usual ponytail, which in turn framed her lovely features. She had angled cheekbones, a creamy complexion and full lips. She wore another snug, short-sleeved t-shirt, jeans and a pair of sturdy running shoes.
A calm came over him. A decision made. He knew exactly what he was going to do, what he’d been wanting to do for a long time. The time and place were right. After all, he was in Iris’s garden.
He unclipped his holster and the sword sheath, setting his weapons on the grass, then held out his hand to her. What needed to happen had to be with the approval of her owl, as well as the yellow cat now rubbing around her ankles.
She looked serious as she began walking toward him, her eyes wide. A soft flow of energy moved from plant to plant, following her as she took each step. He felt it all and it only increased his need for her.
“Connor?” She stood a couple of polite feet away. Her gaze flipped over his Glock and his sword, then back to him.
“I love your garden,” he said quietly. He glanced down at the cat, who sat and stared up at him. Approval? He looked up at the owl, who appeared to dip his head. Definitely approval.
He closed the distance and drew Iris into his arms.
He heard her gasp faintly. Would she reject him? Struggle against him?
He felt a tension in her, but he kissed her anyway, a firm demanding kiss. He teased the seam of her lips with his tongue, but she didn’t part for him.
A moment passed, then another and her tension remained. Yet still he kissed her.
When she didn’t respond, he finally drew back.
Her eyes were still wide, but she didn’t move away from him.
Had he offended her? Had he misunderstood the signs? Wasn’t she interested?
But her gaze fell to his lips and she uttered a soft, almost anguished cry. Then she was on him, her arms wrapped around his neck, almost as desperately as when she’d flown through the air with him. She kissed him fiercely, his lips, his cheeks, his chin. He’d never experienced anything like it.
All his concern fled, and he tightened his arms around her so he could feel the full length of her. He returned her kiss, dragging his tongue over her lips once more. When she opened for him, he uttered a heavy groan and drove inside.
How many times had he imagined being right here, in her garden, the woman in his arms. His doubts that she might not have the same need melted away. He gave himself to the kiss, his cock already hard and ready, his hands sliding over her back then her bottom, caressing her.
It would take so little to bring her the rest of the way. She was as ready for him as he was anxious to enter her body. It became his mission to bring her to a roaring orgasm.
But after a moment, when the initial wave passed, he released her just enough to meet her gaze. “I’ve wanted to do that for months now, ever since I saw you at the Tribunal comforting that woman.”
“Which woman?”
“I have no idea. But I’ve been hooked since.”
She rested her arms on his shoulders. “I want to be with you Connor. I do. Even though you’re a vampire. You’ve proven yourself in so many ways. You have a good, decent heart.”
His turn to dip his chin. “That’s part of it, isn’t it? Because I v
alue who you are as well, even though you’re a species I despise.”
“Exactly.”
No recriminations. They’d both lived in the world long enough to accept what each was. “But we have a job to do right now.”
She nodded.
He didn’t want to let go of her. He was afraid if he did, he’d never find his way back to this moment. And somehow, making love to her had become a critical part of his future, his life.
She released him. “Let me get my Sig.” She moved back into the house, returning with her sidearm clipped to her belt. “Gary’s place is still in Rotten Row, right?”
“Yep. And the Row has gotten worse in recent years. Just wanted you to know.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m allowed to carry a gun.”