Darkest Temptation (The Dark Ones Saga 4)

“Well…” She licked her lips. “…now’s your chance, Wolf.”

I smirked at that. “Well-played, female. You will do all of the above… please.”

She nodded. Her smile returned.

I looked away. I had no room for her smiles in my life.

The tub was filled. Now the difficult part.

A naked vampire.

I pulled on every ounce of strength I had as I very slowly peeled the shirt from her body and then tugged the soft cotton leggings from her legs.

She had no other clothing.

She was bare to me.

And I was salivating as my fangs tried to press through my gums with such agonizing want that I had to bite down on my lip to keep from biting, to keep from sniffing — everywhere.

She covered her breasts.

It made me angry. I had no idea why.

I simply knew that the lust was replaced with anger at her shame, when the human body was meant to be worshipped by wolf — sniffed, licked, satisfied beyond all measure.

My thoughts jerked me back to my mate.

Guilt intensified, stabbing me in the heart, the muscle in my chest I rarely had use for anymore.

“Get in!” It came out as demand, a bark, as anger toward her, when it was more toward myself, my own lack of control. I gulped. “Please.”

Serenity stood on shaky legs, and I knew the process would repeat. She’d faceplant into the water, drown, and it would be on me.

With a calm I didn’t know I possessed, I plucked her off her feet and set her gently into the water, laying her on her back as I slowly dipped her head back and ran my rough hands through her matted hair.

She closed her eyes. Her lips trembled as I tugged the knots loose and massaged shampoo into her scalp. I held her head with one hand and washed with the other. When I finished, I could actually see the true color of her hair, not pitch-black, but an autumn-brown with pieces of gold highlights that fell only near her face and at the tips. I added some conditioner Alex used for his ridiculous hair and called it good. I grabbed some soap and handed it to her.

“Do you need me to wash your soiled body as well?” I asked in a gruff voice.

Serenity looked away as her skin turned an attractive pink color. “No, but I’ll need your help getting out.”

I nodded and stood. “I’ll stand outside the door. Just let me know when you finish.”

The water was murky covering her sex.

I shouldn’t have stared.

I shouldn’t have searched.

I was more animal than man. I blamed my wolf side — the need to mate, to make her mine, to lick her into submission and suck her dry.

It was my wolf. He was all predator.

And she… she was

prey.

It was only natural.