ShadowsofNight (10 page)

“That’s a lot of blood for a graze. Or is that just my
imagination?” she asked sarcastically, trying to examine herself.

“It would take more than a prick for me to turn you into
what I am,” he said, licking the evidence from his lips. His voice sounded raw.

“I don’t care. This isn’t funny to me.”
I’m taking too
many risks. Next thing I know I’ll end up like him.

“Do I look like I’m laughing here? I’m
not
going to
hurt you and I wouldn’t turn you against your will.”

“I’m getting dressed. Move.” She tried to get up but he
grabbed her arm.

He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Please, Em, for God’s
sake.”

“Just so we’re clear, I’ll
never
be what you are,
Christian. Yes, I’ll acknowledge there’s this mutual attraction between us, and
I’m not quite sure what to do about that at the moment. But one thing I’m certain
about is
not
becoming like you.”

“I’m not asking you to change for me. I’ll stop if I think I’m
losing control. It won’t come to that, I swear to you.”

She saw sincerity in his eyes. He
hadn’t
hurt her. And
the chemistry between them was incredible, as was the sex. Mind-blowing,
actually. She sighed. “All right…but you need to keep those teeth to yourself.
Not even a ‘graze’,” she warned. He pulled her toward him.

“I promise.” His lips parted, descending on hers. She wound
her arms around his neck and let his tongue invade. He rolled on top of her,
and the feel of his bare skin against her breasts and stomach left her aching.

It was quickly becoming impossible to resist what he
offered. She enjoyed his touch, the way he made her feel consumed with need.
She trembled as his powerful body settled against hers. Every point of contact
was pure bliss.

“I want to feel you inside me again,” she whispered. Her
legs fell open and the swell of his erection teased her already sensitive clit.

He surged forward, filling her completely.

“Yesss!” she cried. He pulled out with a groan and drove
forward again, shuddering violently. She reached up to stroke his cheek and he
leaned into her touch.

“I could stay this way with you forever,” he said in a
hoarse voice.

Oh God, so could I. What does that mean?

Christian closed his eyes and moved inside her, slick walls
squeezing his cock like a fist with each pump of his hips. The pleasure
intensified, making it hard to breathe. “Emma,” he rasped against her ear.

“Harder, please!” she begged.

He closed his eyes and slammed into her again and again. She
cried out and he felt her body come apart around him, squeezing, clenching in
an unending ripple of pleasure. Her nails scored his back and he groaned,
filling her with his seed. She continued to writhe beneath him. Her vaginal
walls gripping, milking his flesh.

His carnal side fought to claim what it wanted. He needed to
sink his fangs deep into her neck and drink from her. Breath left his lungs and
he shuddered violently at the thought of taking from her vein while fucking
her.

Suddenly the hunger for this woman was too strong.

He pulled out and scrambled backward to get away. His body
ached, and the smell of her essence made it that much worse.

“Christian, what’s wrong?” She sat up, alarmed.

“Stay away from me.” He backed up farther and snarled,
baring his fangs aggressively.

Christian struggled to his feet, the smell of her sex about
to drive him over the edge, from where there would be no return. He was utterly
consumed by this woman, mind and body at odds, each competing to take over.

“I need space—it hurts to hold back my instincts.” His body
shook, the pain ripping through him. He needed her, but the realization that he
couldn’t fully control who he was tore at his heart.

“Go! Emma, get the fuck away from me before I do something I’ll
regret. I release you.”

He watched Emma scramble off the bed with the sheet wrapped
around her body and run into the bathroom. Christian cursed as she slammed the
door behind her. He took deep breaths, trying to calm down.

Fuck, this wasn’t how he’d planned for this to end. She was just
beginning to trust him and he’d fucked up again. He couldn’t fix this when he
had no control over that dark part of who he was.

It was time to accept the fact that it couldn’t work as long
as she remained human.

Christian sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his
hands. It pained him that he couldn’t control his instincts. He’d never wanted
to bite a human before. Why did discovering his mate have to be so difficult? Maybe
if he’d fed before lying with her it would have taken the edge off.

He had a bad feeling it wouldn’t have mattered. The desire
to mate her was too strong.

“Can’t change her, so what choice is left?” he mumbled.

His misery was interrupted when he heard a member of his
security detail yelling from somewhere in the house.

“Get back here, Fiona, I told you he’s not accepting
visitors!”

Oh hell no. Not now. I’m not dealing with this shit too
on top of everything else.

Christian looked up in time to see one of his guards instantly
appear with a woman, trying to keep her from entering the bedroom.
Shit!
Guess I have no choice now.
Christian stood up.

“What the hell is going on in here, Christian?” Fiona, a
vampire he’d dated a few times, sniffed the air—and paled.

“I tried to stop her, Christian, but you gave her permission
to enter,” his guard apologized.

“I’ll handle this.” He waved his guard away. “I’m busy,
Fiona. You need to leave,” he snarled.

“Doing what? Fucking another woman behind my back? She’s human!
Are you nuts?” She threw up her hands.

“I have company, and I don’t owe you an explanation for how
I spend my time. I’m not sure where you got the impression I did. We’re not
exclusive. It was a casual thing between us, remember?”

“Where’s the bitch? Did she go hiding in your bathroom when
she heard me coming?”

“You need to leave—now.” He reached for his boxers. “Before
I kick you out on your ass.”

“I’ll rip her fucking head off!”

He traced forward, lifting her off the ground by the throat.
“You don’t come into my house and threaten anyone,
especially
my female.
Are we clear?” He dropped her to the floor, where she coughed at his feet.

“How
dare
you treat me like this?” Fiona stood,
enraged.

“Get out!” he roared.

“Fucking bitch is dead,” she seethed.

“If you go near my mate, I swear I’ll kill you.”

“
Mate
—are you serious? She’s
human
! What about
us? I’m better suited for you.”

“You’re delusional. There is no
us
, never was. We
hung out. It was fun. That’s it, nothing more.”

The bathroom door creaked and both of them turned to watch
Emma enter the room. “I think he just told you to leave—so do it.” She crossed
her arms over her chest.

“I can’t believe I’m being passed over for a human.” The
female vampire glared at him.

“Believe it.” Emma cracked her knuckles.

“Oh please, bitch, you’re no match for me.” The female
almost looked amused.

“Never underestimate your opponent, sweetie. You might find
yourself flat on your ass.” Emma smiled.

“Leave.” Christian blocked Fiona’s path when she stepped
toward Emma. “Your invitation is revoked. Don’t come here again.”

“Fine, I’ll go.” She glared at Emma before disappearing.

“So was that your girlfriend?” Emma smirked, walking into
the room with the sheet still draped around her.

“No, she’s definitely not my girlfriend.”

“Then what would you call her?” She raised one eyebrow.

“We shared sex, so what?” He frowned at her.

I can relate.
“Oh nothing, she just seems a tad
pissed off for something you believe was a casual thing between you.”

“We were supposed to see each other this evening. But
apparently I forgot.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Still, it was nothing
more than what I stated before.”

“Whatever you say.”
He’s lying. It shouldn’t matter
though, should it?

“She’ll get over it.”

“Wow, I thought
I
was a cold bitch when I gave someone
the brush off, but
you
…you take the cake, buddy.” She drifted closer.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Forget it. So are you feeling more like yourself again?”
She winked.

“Yeah, I’m fine, why?” He still appeared tense but she
couldn’t blame him for that.

“I wasn’t sure if I should go back in the bathroom to give
you more time to cool off after that horse and pony show.”

“You’re a real smartass, you know that?” A slight grin
played across his lips.

“Yes, I do know that. Not to change the subject but can this
‘smart-ass’ borrow some more of your clothes perhaps?”

“Sure.” He walked over to the dresser and pulled out a clean
pair of sweats and another t-shirt. “Here.” He threw the garments at her.

“Thanks. By the way, I was wondering about something.” She
turned around to change.

“What?” His voice came out deeper than he’d intended as his
gaze traveled over an exquisite ass that made him hiss in a breath. He closed
his eyes and tried to ignore the lust coursing through his veins.

“Don’t get any ideas.”

“Then hurry and get dressed, please.”
God, this female is
going to be the death of me.

“I am. So why did you tell her I was your mate?” He heard
her turn around.

“I meant nothing by it.” He tried to keep his eyes closed
but couldn’t resist the temptation to peek. Too late. She had pulled the damn
t-shirt on before he could see anything. God, she was a sight to behold. Her
hips flared from a tiny waist. Even as she drowned in his baggy sweats, he
could see her beautiful form. His eyes traveled up to her nipples, budding
against the cotton t-shirt. He preferred heavy, full breasts and hers were
perfect. Christian stifled a groan, clearing his throat.

“Come on, I’m not stupid. Why would you say something like
that?” She crossed her arms over her chest, covering those perfect peaks.

He hoped he wasn’t going to regret it, but maybe it was time
she knew the truth. “It was explained to me long ago by the elders of my coven
that each vampire has their other half out there somewhere in the world. One
special soul who they’re meant to be with. They call it a blooded-mate. I don’t
really understand the strange bond but it’s a powerful one.” He sighed. “Some
of us find our blooded-mate early on in our immortal life, while others don’t
find their intended for centuries. None of us knows when that perfect fit will
cross our path until it happens.”

“You’re not implying that about us, are you? Because I’m not
a vampire.”

“Can we just drop it?” He rubbed his hands down his face,
wishing he’d kept his mouth shut.

“No. I want to know.” She placed her hands on her hips.

“It appears in our case, the intended doesn’t necessarily have
to be a vampire for the bond to exist—because I think you’re the one meant for
me.” Boy, this was going to be difficult, especially with her aversion to his
kind.

He met her gaze and by the expression on her face, it was
clear she was
not
happy about it. Why couldn’t his blooded already be a
vampire?

“
Meant
for you?”

“Imagine how I feel. Do you think I wanted a human for a
mate? No, I didn’t. My life’s complicated enough without throwing that monkey
wrench into the mix.” He sure didn’t see this one coming.

Emma flashed him a frown. “Don’t worry, it’s not going to
happen.”

“You’ve made that perfectly clear several times. I think I
got it.” He knew his tone sounded mocking but he didn’t care.

“I’m glad, because an eternal commitment wouldn’t work.
Shit, I have trouble dating
human
guys for any length of time. My track
record in that department hasn’t been very good.”

“Did you hear me ask you to be my mate? No, you didn’t. It wasn’t
part of my fucking plan either, you know. And if you recall, I
did
say I
release you.”

“I haven’t forgotten. But what I want to know is what
changed your mind.”

“I’m dangerous when it comes to you. If I keep screwing you,
I won’t be able to resist my instincts and you
will
end up like me, that’s
why,” he snarled.

Emma frowned at him. “I’m glad you’re seeing reason.”

“I need to get dressed,” he mumbled, grabbing some clothes
before heading to the bathroom to change.

“Christian, wait.”

He stopped. “I know what you’re thinking, and I’ve tried.
But the urge gets stronger each time were together. It’s too dangerous.”

“What about my parents’ killer? Would you still be willing
to help me find the one who’s responsible?” she whispered.

“I’ll see what I can do.” He went into the bathroom and
closed the door.

Emma walked over to the bed and took a seat on the edge. She
shook her head. Who was she kidding? She was crazy about him. Why keep lying to
herself?

She breathed in, her heart pounding wildly. Her thoughts
began to race. Their connection had changed. She knew that feelings were
beginning to develop, and it was more than just physical. She
did
care
about him. But the fact remained, Christian was a vampire. How could she
possibly overcome such an obstacle when she’d spent her whole life hating them?
She couldn’t.

“Because you’re human and he’s not,” she said bitterly,
knowing that an irrational part of her wanted to start a new life with Christian,
even if he
was
a vampire. The thought of walking away from that
possibility made her heart ache, even as her head told her it was necessary.

She couldn’t reconcile her conflicting emotions, no matter
how hard she tried.