Rogue (Sons of Sangue Book 4) (10 page)

She turned, heading for her wardrobe to fetch a pair of her silky, shorty-pajamas when she ran into a solid wall. Not dry wall, mind you, but the warm solid wall of a chest, causing her to squeal like a little schoolgirl. Her heart damn near jumped from her chest.

Glancing up, she found Anton standing in her doorway, all six-feet-plus of him illuminated by the bathroom light. He glared down on her as if she had done something wrong when it was he who stood uninvited in her house.

“What the heck are you doing?” Kimber placed a palm over her pounding heart. “You scared the bejesus out of me. You could’ve given me a heart attack.”

His black gaze bore down on her. His normal vivid blue damn near nonexistent. “Do you have any idea how easy it was for me to walk in here?”

“Break-in.” She slapped a palm against his unmovable chest. “I locked my doors, you big oaf. Please tell me I don’t have to replace a busted lock or door because you felt the need to prove a point.”

“I wasn’t trying to prove a point.”

“Then what in God’s name are you doing?” Kimber harrumphed. “I don’t recall extending you an invite.”

Even though she had been entertaining the idea mere moments ago.

“I wanted to talk.” Anton shifted in his stance, the only indication she had that he might feel a bit sheepish for entering her home.

“So you broke in … at three in the morning.”

His gaze narrowed. “I didn’t break anything. Your door may have been locked but your windows were open. The screens easily lift out from the outside. I’d say that’s a serious security issue.”

“I’ll have you know, it’s never been an issue until now.” She crossed her arms beneath her chest, drawing his gaze downward. “Eyes up here, big guy.”

Anton chuckled. “Can I help it you have great breasts?”

She rolled her eyes. “You certainly don’t beat around the bush.”

“Honesty is always best.”

Not that she could argue with him. “So what brings you by for a talk at three in the morning?”

“I drove by and your lights were on.”

“One light.” She corrected. “And my bathroom light, to boot.”

His blue gaze twinkled in merriment. “It still indicated you were up.”

Kimber’s gaze flitted from his to the made bed behind him. Her heartbeat picked up again. Maybe it would be best to take him back downstairs for that chat. Her libido couldn’t be trusted standing so close to Mr. I’m-A-Ten and her waiting bed only a hop, skip and a jump away. All thoughts of a good night’s sleep were now gone, replaced with the desire to spend it heating up her cool cotton sheets with the Greek god standing uninvited before her. Yeah, she had it bad for the man.

Hopeless.

She didn’t have a prayer in the world against his sexual prowess. The man was sex on a stick and looked good enough to lick, every delectable inch.

“If you don’t quit that, I’m not going to be responsible for my actions,” his deep voice rumbled from somewhere within his impossibly thick chest.

Kimber knew for a fact she could not wrap her arms completely around him. “Quit what?”

“Looking at me like I might be your next meal.”

She chuckled, her cheeks quickly heating. Thankful for the darkened room, he wouldn’t see how embarrassed she was for having been caught ogling his magnificent form. “I didn’t realize I was.”

“You were.”

Though she knew better than to ask, she couldn’t help herself. “And what actions wouldn’t you be responsible for?”

His white teeth flashed against his tanned skin, appearing darker in the low lighting. He raised one brow. “Would you like to know? I could easily oblige.”

Her own merriment kicked up, maybe a result of feeling giddy that he wanted the same release she did. It was obvious in the way his gaze bore down on her. Had she any hope it would be more than just another one-night stand with him, she would’ve dragged him to the waiting bed herself. Knowing it wasn’t to be anything more, had her nudging his immovable form toward the stairs.

“We can
talk
downstairs.”

Her first indication of the stairwell met with his immovable form. Her second had him glancing at her in what might have been disappointment, then turning and heading back down the stairs. Kimber followed, her own regret nipping at her heels.

Once they hit the living room, she blew out a steady stream of frustration. Anton turned, his gaze traveling her body, down to her bare legs and back up, momentarily stopping on her breasts again. Anton didn’t even bother hiding his interest. He was no doubt a man used to getting his way.

Kimber cleared her throat and earned the attention from his eyes, along with a cocky grin on his handsome face.

“What?” He laughed. “Tell me you aren’t thinking about it.”

Her lips turned up. “I wouldn’t even pretend to deny it. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. Why are you here, Anton?”

“I need to head back down the coast.”

Her gaiety fled. “So you came to say good-bye? Or did you think you might get a farewell piece of ass?”

“If you’re offering…”

“Seriously?” Of all the damn nerve. “Get the hell out, Anton.”

He chuckled again. “Relax. It was a joke, sweetheart. Although I wouldn’t be opposed to it, it’s not why I’m here. I wanted to let you know I was leaving.”

“You would’ve left anyway.”

“Yes, but I had planned to stay a bit longer. I really wanted to get to know you … as a friend.”

Kimber toyed with the hem of her T-shirt, if nothing else than to still her trembling fingers. “You’re really not what I expected, you know.”

“I’m not sure I’m following. What did you expect, Kimber?”

She looked to her bare feet. “You’re a biker. A gang member.”

“I belong to a club,
tesoro
. Big difference.”

“I would’ve thought that you would have taken what you desired. I mean, you’re standing in my house. It’s late.”

Anton’s lush lips became a straight line. “So you think I would come in here and what? Take what I wanted, whether you asked for it or not?”

She shrugged.

Stepping forward, he gripped her chin firmly and tilted her gaze to meet his. The dim light coming in from the windows highlighted the seriousness of his expression. “I think you have a misconception of motorcycle clubs. Yes, some are made up of very bad men. But I’m not one of them. I would never take what’s not offered. I don’t need to. If getting laid is what I want, there are several who are willing to fill that position. You’re not like them. I know I’ve said I don’t need you in my life and that can’t change.”

He stepped back, pacing away several feet as if he no longer trusted himself. He stuffed his large hands into his jeans’ pockets, testifying further to the desire he held in check. “My life is really complicated at the moment. The last thing I need is a good girl complicating matters.”

He thought of her as a good girl?
The admission warmed her heart and oddly pleased her, given the number of women he likely took to his bed.

“And yet, here I stand when I should be heading down the coast.”

“Will you be gone long?”

“I don’t know.” He pulled one hand from his pocket and ran it through his mussed black hair. His action made her jealous of his hand, desiring to run her own fingers through his shorn locks. “In truth, I have no idea what my future holds.”

“Other than proving my house is easy to break into.” Kimber laughed nervously, but she needed an answer. “Why are you here, Anton?”

If he was here just to get laid, then the angel in her wanted to send his ass packing. The devil side reminded her they had already had sex, so what would it really hurt? After all, no one would know. It was as elemental as two people coveting the same end, mutual gratification. She definitely craved him, the wetness between her thighs a good indication. And she was pretty sure Anton desired her.

Maybe, instead of worrying about what people might think, maybe she’d leave him with a reason to return to Oregon.

“You’re right. It was unfair of me to come.” He shook his head. “I can’t even be dishonest about it. I came here to show you why you should stay away from Wolf.”

Kimber took a few steps toward him, putting herself within touching distance. “Why should I stay away from Wolf, Anton?”

He rocked back on his heels, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. “He’s not your type.”

“And you would know this because…?”

His nostrils flared. “I think it’s best if I got the hell out of here before I do something you’ll regret.”

She took another step and placed her palm over his pounding heart. “Why don’t you let me worry about my regrets, Anton.”

“You have no idea what you’re asking.”

“I do. I’m a grown woman.” Wrapping her hands about his nape, she pulled him down so their lips were but a hairsbreadth away. “I’m giving you permission.”

“Permission?”

“To take what you and I know we both want.”

* * *

The impact of her words hit Anton like a sledge hammer to his chest. He had shown up on her doorstep with the idea of fucking any other man from her thoughts, specifically Grigore. After coming to his senses, he realized Kimber wasn’t a piece of property he could stake his claim on, or slake his need with either. If she wanted Grigore, there was truly nothing he could do about it. So Anton had convinced himself that seeing her one last time before heading out of town would at least leave a lasting impression.

What he hadn’t counted on was Kimber’s proposition.

How the hell was he now to keep her at arm’s length?

His dick hardened. One part of him certainly wanted to partake. And it was getting more and more difficult to think with the head on his shoulders, when the one in his pants was starting to do the talking.

He wasn’t built to turn down sex.

Every part of his vampire DNA warred with his desire to do the right thing and get the hell out before he did something he’d later regret. And he would. Anton couldn’t think to keep her safe from the load of shit his life had become if he gave into his baser needs. He needed to make his excuses, get on his bike, and head for Santa Barbara.

He had a job to do.

Fucking Kimber was not part of that.

As a matter of fact, giving into his dick’s desires was completely against his need to protect her. Decision made, albeit not happily, he took a few steps back. If she continued to touch him, he wouldn’t have the willpower to walk away. Anton needed to do what was right.

“I have to go, Kimber.”

Her pretty little lips rounded, making him envision them wrapped about his cock. He shook the vision from his head.

“Are you turning me down?”

Anton rubbed his nape, trying to alleviate the muscles while his gaze began to heat. Much more and his vampire self would take over. “Not exactly.”

“Then tell me? I need to understand why I get the vibe you might want this, and yet I all but throw myself at you and you turn me down.” Kimber’s expression closed. He couldn’t tell if she were hurt or pissed. “Is it the pretty, dark-skinned woman from the club?”

“India?” His brow crinkled. “Hell, no.”

“You slept with her.”

“What? No.” Anton stepped forward and gripped her chin again, forcing her to look at him. “Am I saint? No. But I have never slept with India.”

“What were the two of you doing in the backroom of the bar? Am I’m supposed to believe you were talking over drinks?”

Yes, Anton, what were the two of you doing?
Not drinking … feeding.
The truth would freak her out. The desire he now scented on her would no doubt turn to revulsion.

“India’s a friend. Nothing more.”

Her gaze called him a liar.

“What do I have to do to prove India is not who I want?”

Her pink tongue darted out, wetting her very tempting lower lip.

His nostrils flared. The scent of her desire kicked up, wrapping about him tighter than a moth’s cocoon.

“Show me,” she said so softly even his keen vampire hearing barely picked it up.

Damn, just like that his willpower flew out the opened window. He could no more be blamed than the moth drawn to fire. Kimber had him by the balls. Even if his common sense waged a campaign against his hunger to have her, he was no longer listening. Anton cupped the back of her head and growled. He slanted his lips over her soft, pliant ones and took what he had wanted since stepping foot back into Oregon a day and a half ago.

If he were being truthful, though, way before then.

Kimber tangled her fingers in the short hair at his nape. His longish bangs fell forward, brushing his forehead. Pushing his tongue past her lips and into the silky cavern of her mouth, the answering sound of her moan fueled his desire. She met him thrust for thrust. His dick hardened, his balls tightened, and his gums ached. For the love of all that’s holy, he was a hairsbreadth away from the monster in him unleashing. No way in hell she wouldn’t detect the large, razor-sharp fangs about to fill his mouth.