Eternal Temptation (2 page)

He kept his gaze straight for the rest of the trip. When he reached the cabin, he set her down on his bed. She sighed a little and snuggled into his pillow. He bared his teeth at some unseen foe as his chest tightened.

Was living with the pain of Dana not enough? Did life really have to send another complication into his life right now? Of course it did, because life was a brutal bitch with a gun-wielding vendetta against wrongdoers.

Darien pulled a chair up next to the small cot. At once he wished he had a clean, big bed to put her in and not this lousy half-a-thing he’d dragged through the woods to get here.

Swallowing hard he quickly felt over her front pockets, then moved her side to side to feel her back ones. No wallet. No ID. Well, the one plan he’d had just kicked the bucket. So much for calling her family.

He’d have to wait until she woke up. The thought sent him pacing across the cabin.

Chapter 2

“Where do you think you’re going, Cassandra?” The cruel voice spiked her fear and made her run faster, blindly flying through the night and away from his voice. His laughter taunted her, staying so close behind her that no matter how hard she pushed herself, he was always there, one step behind. “You will never get away from me.”

“No.” Her hoarse whisper was drowned out by his laughter. The dark floor suddenly turned into stairs and she was falling down them, slamming her elbows and knees into the hard wood. She cried out and rolled over onto her knees, crawling and straining away. Away from him. His steps, coming closer. He stopped at her face, kicking up dust into her face, and making her hack and sneeze.

He grabbed her hair and jerked her to a stand. “Why do you make me do these things, Cassandra? Don’t you see how easy it will be when you just submit? Submit like you’re supposed to. Say the words right now and all of this will stop.”

His arm pulled back and she watched in terrified slow motion as his fingers curled into a fist that soared towards her face. It was too fast, she tried to turn her head, but it hit her. The blows came again and again, she desperately fought to turn her head to slide down the wall, to run away, but he held her by the hair on her head, the sharp pain of it bringing tears to her eyes.

As the last blow landed, he released his grip on her. Her knees gave out like they were made of jello, and she slid listlessly down the wall, hot tears spilling down her cheeks.

The walls around her shook. Her vision blurred to black and spun out of control like an old-time movie reel spinning too fast. The man before her faded, and then her eyes shot open, wild and frightened.

“Hey, it’s all right,” a deep voice said.

Cassandra’s scurried to a sitting position, pushing herself as far away from the deep voice as possible. She blinked quickly, frantically searching the room she was in. Where the hell was she? Who was he?

“Just take it easy,” the giant of a man said. She tensed as he stood and walked as far away from her as he could in the small house...bedroom...whatever this was. Giant was a good description of him too. She swallowed hard just looking at him and couldn’t help but wonder how someone grow so tall and wide and--she licked her lips--muscular. Someone fed this boy all the veggies and milk. She took deep breaths until finally her racing heart slowed to a normal speed.

“Who are you?” Her voice had seen better days, but then again screaming would do that to you.

He ignored her and said, “I’d like to know yours first.”

He lifted his dark eyebrows and she experienced a thread of desire. The man was...
sexy.
So tall that his head nearly touched the roof with skin dark from sunlight. His face was also covered in bruises.

The thought sent her hand fluttering to her own face. She cringed as she poked the painful spots around her eye and cheek. She hung her head and for a moment, wanted to curl up and cry.

“I asked who you are,” the giant repeated. His voice was so deep. He should be on radio or in movies because he could make women shiver with just a word.

“Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time, Goliath.” She kept her eyes on him as she sidled off the cot and came to a stand. She eyed the front door and briefly wondered if she should make a run for it. But then her gaze fell back to his very broad shoulders that spread his dark t-shirt so deliciously wide, and some small voice goaded her into staying where she was. “Why don’t you tell me who you are,” she countered.

He cracked his neck and it popped loudly. She had the distinct feeling that she was annoying him, and it was getting hard not to smile. “This,” he said flinging out his very big hand to encompass the room is all my land. So you will tell me why you are here on my land.” His voice was deep, though she supposed it had to be for a man as big as he was. She bit her lip, would he be big
everywhere
? Not that she knew anything about that!

“My name is Cassandra. What’s yours, cutie?” He looked disgusted at her nickname.

“I’m Darien Kategan.” The way he said it was as if he expected her to recognize it. Arrogant and almost cocky.

“A sexy name for a sexy man, I see.” She smiled at him but quickly lost it when a sharp jolt of pain shot through the bruised side of face. She laughed and said, “Guess it’s too early to smile.” When the throbbing hot pain finally faded, she raised her eyes to find him standing right there in front of her. “How did you—”

“Shh,” he commanded. Cassandra clamped her mouth shut as several things happened at once. His fingers touched her chin, the touch gentle and warm. He tilted her head to the left so he could inspect her face. She closed her eyes and let him look, unconsciously showing him a submissive side she’d always fought to show men before.

His fingers were so gentle on her face, cupping her as if he were afraid she’d break. No one had ever touched her so. Realizing she didn’t want to miss anymore of this moment, she opened her eyes to peer at him. But as she did, he let go of her and stepped away.

“I don’t have any ice here, but I can take you to town or to a hospital.”

Panic filled her. She grinned, making sure to use the side of her face that didn’t look like it’d been used as a punching bag. “No, thanks. I’ll be all right.” Several emotions flitted across his face too fast for her to catch. The one he settled with didn’t look too happy though. She wondered what he would say if she told him he looked cute when he was mad.

“You might have a concussion. How did you sustain your injuries? Did someone hit you?” His words cut through the air with a lethal edge. She had a brief flash in her mind of this big, strong man fighting for her. Silly thoughts, for a silly woman.

“Oh this,” she said waving at her face, “I got into a fight with a really strong girl. I told her I liked her moustache.” She whispered the last loudly. When he didn’t even crack a smile, she scoffed and crossed her arms, cocking her hip to the side.

“Let me take you into town.” No, no, no. He might be looking for her there. She didn’t even know where she was. He could be anywhere.

“You know, I really don’t feel so good. My head is throbbing like an SOB and my stomach hurts because I haven’t eaten in forever. Do you think it’d be okay if I stayed here for awhile?” Surprisingly, he stiffened so hard it was a wonder his spine didn’t snap. And while what she said was true, she held her breath on the last part. She needed to make a plan and for that, she needed time. Daniel wouldn’t find her out here. She made sure to cover her tracks.

For a moment, she thought he was going to say yes, but then he shook his head. “I can’t do that. I’m sorry. You’ll have to go.”

With a feminine sniffle, she pouted and softly stepped towards him. His body tensed harder, his eyes tracking her like a hawk. She stopped before him and rocked back on her heels unsteadily. Immediately he reached out and grabbed her. She took advantage of that touch and leaned into him, resting her unhurt cheek against his big chest.

“You’re so big,” she said into his shirt. “Please just let me stay for a little while. I really don’t feel good, Darien.” A part of her felt bad, he seemed like a genuinely nice guy and she was pretty good at reading people. But in her defense, it was only a partial lie. She didn’t exactly feel great after meeting a fist earlier that day. The nightmare she’d had was only a glimpse at how scary he was in person.

She felt a gentle pull on her hair, almost too soft to tell, but when she looked over at it; his hand was still at his side. A sudden, startling realization hit her. She gasped excitedly, wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her nose there. His arms came around her waist, his fingers digging into her. She didn’t know if it was to push her away or to keep her close, but she did know his touch sent a hot rush of pleasure through her body.

She inhaled his scent and had never in her life been so aware of the man in her arms. Each second was tense as she waited to see what he’d do. He had to let do this. She’d never smelled anything like it. When he did nothing, she smiled against his neck, her tongue peeking out and almost touching his warm, very warm skin.

There was no mistaking the way his hands dug into her waist then or of the way her heart fluttered like a bird in her chest. Suddenly, he was bending over her, his fingers gentled, cupping her closer, inexorably pulling her into the heat of his body. His breath wisped over her ear and down to her neck where she felt the warm press of his nose against her skin. The sensation had her head falling to the side and her pulse thudding rapidly.

She heard him inhale, filling those big lungs with air. Then he was exhaling slowly and she hoped he was savoring her scent like she was his. In a stunned voice he said, “Vampire.”

Her lips curled into a smile, the bruises on her face forgotten as she stood in this man’s arms. He smelled amazing, like nothing she’d ever smelled before. A mixture of animal, earthy rain, and spice. And this close, she knew he wasn’t human, yet he wasn’t vampire.

“What are you?” she whispered, afraid that her voice would break the spell that he held her in. His hand was so warm at her back, his breath tickled her neck and she wished he’d put his lips on her right there.

“I’m lykaen.” Giddy pleasure rushed through her. He started to straighten so she quickly brushed her fingers up his nape and through his hair. It was thick and slightly coarse and though she couldn’t tell from this position, she could feel its weight--he kept his hair long. She almost sighed; he was just trying to be sexy now.

He pushed her hips away and she let him, but she kept her hand in his hair, her back arched against his hard chest.

“I’ve never met a lykaen before.” Her eyes fell to his mouth. What would he taste like? Suddenly she had a dark, irresistible urge to lick his mouth.

Would he taste how he smelled—like rich decadence that reminded her of dark chocolate and fresh rain?

She reached for his lips with hers ‘till she was braced only on his chest and her tippy toes. His eyes darkened, fell to her lips, and her stomach clenched in pleasure. She’d never wanted a man to kiss her so much in her entire life.
Please.
She stayed a bare inch away and simply felt the breath from his parted lips mix with hers. He had nice lips, the kind she wanted to lick and nibble and tug on. Her hand flexed in his thick, dark hair and then she closed the last inch between them.

She was pushed away so quickly, it took her several moments to realize what had happened. Her quick gaze caught sight of his back leaving the cabin. The kiss had been so fast she almost could tell herself it didn’t happen. But as she ran her tongue over her lips and tasted him, she knew the kiss was real.

A small smile flirted around her lips as she stared at the empty, dark doorway. Why did her kiss send him running? She’d felt his heart pound against her hand when she kissed him—he must have liked it. Nibbling her lip, and feeling better than she had in ages, she followed her giant outside.

* * *

What the fuck was the matter with him?

I almost kissed her. Hell, I almost let her kiss me. Shit, he knew that was a bunch of bullshit. He did let her kiss him. It was short and... Sweet. Very sweet.

God dammit. He ran a rough hand through his hair and paced a path into the ground. This was the last thing he needed. Hell, beyond the last thing he needed. He’d take a beating every day before this.

His tongue darted out over his lips and he closed his eyes as her taste soared through him. Delicious, warm, sweet pleasure. Slowly, his eyes opened. She tasted like cherries or strawberries. Something fruity yet womanly. He sucked his lip in his mouth and licked it, savoring her essence. His beast snapped its teeth at him. Growled its need.
Her
, it said. His heart pounded in his chest. Impossible.

He smelled her a second before he heard her. Not meeting her eyes, he grabbed the pot he used to cook in over the fireplace and walked past her to get into the cabin. She had to go; there was no other choice.

She smelled too good. Looked so fresh and pretty. His heart throbbed painfully. He would not dishonor Dana’s memory.

Sorting through the groceries he’d bought earlier, he started making dinner. He kept his back to her, not caring how rude he was being. After he stirred everything together and set the cauldron-style pot on the hook, he turned it over the fire.