Dante’s entire body tensed when he noticed the wolf slip out from behind some bushes and head towards Serena’s back porch, its head lowered as it slunk its way closer to the house, and Dante saw red. What the fuck?
It took him a moment to get over his disbelief before he took off towards the back of the house only to find the back door standing wide open. Shit, he cursed as he crept inside, his entire body vibrating with his anger.
He was about to make his way upstairs; following the Were’s scent, when he heard a loud crash, then Serena scream… and his blood ran cold.
Dante dashed up the stairs two at a time and ran to where the sound had come from. He burst into her bedroom his eyes ablaze with fury and quickly scanned the room.
The Were had shifted back into his human form and had Serena by the neck, slamming her head into the wall over and over; his mouth set into a gleeful, almost sadistic grin.
“Get your filthy hands off of her,” Dante roared, his hands clenching at his sides as the thirst for blood overwhelmed him.
The Were turned and gave him a smile, tossing Serena aside, where she hit the floor with a sickening thud and lay perfectly still, and Dante’s anger only intensified ten-fold.
He lunged for the bastard, his fangs descending as his eyes glowed red. They slammed into each other with a powerful smack and Dante’s fist connected with the Were’s jaw with a sound punch, knocking the mangy cur to the floor and stunning him.
Dante jumped on top of him, not even thinking, he was acting on pure adrenaline. The sight of Serena collapsing to the floor had put him in a blind rage and he wanted blood! Were blood.
The man beneath him shifted once again and snapped, his fangs dripping with saliva, and Dante wrapped his fingers around the animal’s throat. The wolf whined in pain as Dante squeezed, but when Serena moaned and Dante turned in that direction, it was the moment that the bastard needed to slip from his grasp and take off running out of the room in a flash of grey.
“Son of a bitch!” Dante bit out as the wolf took off down the stairs and ran off into the night. He thought about going after him, but the soft groan of pain coming from Serena just wouldn’t allow it. He moved over to where she lay and dropped down beside her, taking her into his arms.
“Serena,” he whispered, gently brushing the hair away from her face; and he noticed that his hand trembled. Odd, he thought with a shake of his head. He didn’t do worry… or fear. But, at that moment, he had to accept the fact that he had been scared shitless when he saw her fall to the floor. For all that was Holy, just what in the hell was this witch doing to him?
Serena’s lashes fluttered as a small moan passed her lips and Dante felt relief flood through him like a freaking tsunami. He could feel the goose-egg sized lump at the back of her head where his hand cradled her, and felt his fangs descend once again… he wanted that wolf dead!
He carefully lifted her into his arms and stood, carrying her over to the bed and gently laying her down. She wore only a thin tank top and loose shorts and he quickly covered her with the blankets to ward off any chill and to keep his thoughts from straying to anything other than taking care of her. Those long, shapely legs caused his chest to tighten, and he just couldn’t have that.
Suddenly she jerked up with a gasp, her gorgeous blue eyes wide and terrified. “Easy,” he murmured, sitting down beside her on the bed and placing his hand on her leg. Her gaze met his and he saw her visibly relax, but the fear he still saw in her expression just about killed him.
“What…?” she croaked, her eyes filling with tears as the realization of what had happened hit her with the force of a freight train. He could see her body beginning to tremble and worried that she was about to go into shock; and he didn’t have the slightest idea what to do if that happened.
In the next instant, Dante let instinct take over and he pulled her into his arms and he held her; his hands rubbing her back as he tried to soothe her. He felt her bury her face against his neck, and he could feel her warm tears on his skin as she sobbed quietly. Christ. This was killing him.
“Shh, sweetness,” he cooed softly, trying hard not to notice how good she felt in his embrace. How warm, soft… right. And, he didn’t even want to think about how damn good she smelled.
“Why?” She choked out, and the desperate confusion in that one word was like a stake right through his damn heart. “What did he want?”
“I don’t know, love. But, I swear to you that I will find out.”
Serena shook her head slowly from side to side, trying desperately to rein in her emotions. She couldn’t ask that of him. He had done the job that he had been hired to do. Well, almost anyway, they still needed to find that blasted key. But, she couldn’t expect him to become her body guard on top of everything. This was her nightmare. It wasn’t his. She would find out just what in the hell was happening.
“You can’t,” she whispered, although she had never felt so safe or protected before. The feeling of being held in this man’s arms was something completely foreign to her and it just about knocked the breath from her body. He was a damn Vampire for God’s sake! She didn’t trust his kind. But, even as the thought passed through her brain, that tiny little voice in her head whispered to her that she did trust this man… blood sucker or not. She did.
“Watch me,” he chuckled stubbornly as he laid her back down onto the pillows and made sure that the blankets and comforter were wrapped snugly around her. He propped his hands on either side of her shoulders and stared down into her questioning eyes and damn if he didn’t think that she was possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen once again. “Get some rest, Sweetheart. I’ll be right here.” When he saw her tense slightly, he gave her a gentle smile. “As in… I’ll be right over there in that chair,” he said with a flick of his head, indicating the winged back across the room and he saw her visibly relax. He felt a shiver run across him when he swore that he saw just a hint of disappointment flash across her eyes. Just wishful thinking, asshole.
He was fighting an internal battle with himself. He wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them and take her amazing mouth once again; to taste those full, perfect lips. Good God, he actually craved it! But, he knew that she needed to rest. She was going to have one hell of a headache in the morning.
“Do you have any aspirin?” He asked her softly, not taking his eyes from hers for a moment. He couldn’t if he had tried.
She nodded slowly. “In the bathroom. Top shelf of the medicine cabinet,” she husked, pointing a delicate hand. He could hear her heart pounding in her chest and her breath hitching in her throat, yet he just couldn’t move. Jesus, it was like he was captured by her gaze.
Giving himself a violent mental shake; he stood and headed to the bathroom. He was back only a moment later with aspirin and glass in hand. He handed them to her and she dutifully pulled herself up and popped them into her mouth, washing them down with a gulp of water.
“I’m going to make certain that the house is closed up and locked tight,” he said, moving toward the door. “Rest… just try not to fall asleep until I get back.”
Serena watched silently as Dante walked from the room, and finally let herself take a deep, calming breath. The man’s very presence made her body snap and crackle with awareness; and that was something that she just couldn’t have. He’s a Vampire! She reminded herself for what had to be the millionth time, and whether or not he had saved her sorry ass from being ripped apart by a damn Were- he was still a blood sucker! She had to ignore the fact that he had saved her life twice in as many days and she could not let his gentle concern for her cloud her judgement as it seemed to be doing. She just couldn’t!
Serena chewed at her bottom lip as she wondered why the Wolf had come after her to begin with. Could it have something to do with the crones, and this damn key that she was supposed to have? Her Grandmother had been an extremely powerful witch, but she had also kept a lot of secrets from Serena because of it.
&nbs
p; Before she had the chance to even begin to try and figure it all out, Dante was back; stealing her damn breath again. He walked with strength and confidence; and to say that it was sexy as hell was a severe understatement. The man was simply melt your panties hot.
“Everything is secure,” he said, settling down in the chair, and watching her. The intensity of his gaze should have made her uncomfortable; instead, it only served to heat her skin, as if his eyes were burning her wherever they happened to venture. She cleared her throat and snuggled down under the covers, wanting nothing more than to hide from the affect this man had on her.
“There’s a spare room across the hall,” she croaked. “You might be more comfortable there.”
She heard his low, throaty chuckle and felt her toes curl. “Then I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on you; now would I?”
Serena bristled slightly. “You really don’t need to watch me,” she huffed sourly.
“No, I suppose I don’t. But, I want to,” the words were spoken so softly, that at first she wasn’t even sure that she had heard him correctly. She had that moment when she thought it was just her mind playing tricks on her. But when she stole a look at him from beneath her cocoon of blankets and saw the grin on his face, she knew that she had heard him right, and her heart did a strange little flip inside of her chest. She didn’t know how to respond to that. So, instead, she decided to ignore it and try to get some sleep. She was suddenly completely drained.
“Whatever.” She closed her eyes and felt herself drifting off almost immediately.
Serena was jerked from her sleep and the nightmare assaulting her with a soft gasp. She sat up with a shiver, her teeth beginning to chatter as a thin film of perspiration covered her body. She must have kicked her covers off and was feeling the chill in the room with a vengeance.
“Serena?” Dante’s soft, silky voice came from the darkness, and she could sense him walking towards her. Her defense mode should have kicked in… but it didn’t. For some reason, she wanted him near her. Wanted so much for him to hold her and calm her pounding heart; to tell her that everything was all right. That she was safe from the monsters outside.
She tried to tell him that she was okay, but her throat was constricted from the tendrils of her nightmare as they clung to her, and she just couldn’t find her voice.
Glowing amber eyes and sharp fangs invaded her senses, and she shivered again. She felt the bed dip with his weight and suddenly those soothing arms were around her and pulling her up against his smooth, strong frame; and she felt safe… protected… cared for.
“Nightmare?” he whispered against her temple, rubbing the chill from her arms as he spoke, and she nodded. “Come on,” he said, adjusting himself back onto the bed and keeping her securely against him. “Get some sleep. You’re safe. I’m right here.” He covered them with the comforter, and pulled her snuggly against him.
She laid her head against his chest and sighed, torn between wanting to tell him to go; and letting him stay. I’ll just rest my eyes for a minute, and then tell him to go back to the chair…
Dante knew the instant that she had fallen back to sleep by her soft, even breathing; and finally allowed himself to just enjoy the feel and scent of this amazing woman in his arms. She felt so damn good. She seemed to fit against his body as if made for the sole purpose of being there. She was stirring up feelings in him that he had never before experienced. He wanted to make her feel safe… make her smile, and for some reason, that thought didn’t set him on edge as it should have. It actually seemed to comfort him, and before he could stop himself; his own eyes were closing.
Chapter 3
Dante reluctantly opened his eyes to the sensation of an angel snugly wrapped around him. Her tiny body curled against his; her leg thrown up over his thigh, and he swore that he had found his eternal death and had somehow made it to Heaven.
Thankfully, she had pulled the blinds in the room so the rising sun didn’t pose a problem for him; but he silently wondered how she was going to feel about being stuck with him now until the sun set tonight.
He glanced down at her sleeping so peacefully in his arms; her head snuggled against his shoulder, her arm slung over his chest, and he felt an onslaught of emotion unexpectedly rush over him. Damn, but this felt good. She was so warm and soft, and he found himself taking great joy in the gentle beating of her heart against his side. It seemed to echo through his entire being…right down to his very soul.
His brows furrowed when he noticed the scar on her wrist. He carefully lifted it and studied the vicious, jagged marks; his anger rising up in his gut. They crisscrossed her wrist and looked brutal. What in the hell?
“I was attacked by a blood-sucker,” she whispered, and he glanced down at her face only to find her eyes still closed. “I met him at an art gallery opening,” she went on, still not looking at him. “He was suave and good looking… and he treated me nice.” She took a shaky breath. “Well, at least at first he did. But, it wasn’t long after we started dating that I found out that his charm wasn’t all that he played it up to be. He was hoping to wine and dine me; then bed me and bleed me. He wanted Witch blood.” She took a slow, steady breath. “When I tried to leave him… he did this.” She lifted her arm and curled it under her chin, attempting to hide her scars, and Dante knew that they went much deeper than merely her flesh, and his entire body tensed with rage, his fangs descending in an instant.
Christ! No wonder she hated his kind! And, he really couldn’t say that he blamed her. Shit and damnation!
“What happened to him?” He asked as gently as possible, trying desperately to keep the anger from his voice, and she finally opened her eyes and looked at him, those blue depths holding his, and he could see a quiet strength in her expression. And, just her wonderful gaze caused his fangs to recede.
“I staked his sorry, arrogant ass.”
Dante burst out laughing, his chest rumbling. Yes, he could really like this woman! “Good. That was the least that he deserved.” Damn, this woman had Moxie! She never ceased to amaze him, and he was finding that the more time he spent with her, the more time he wanted.
Serena couldn’t help but smile back at him. Gods, he had a wonderful laugh. She could listen to it for hours…days…years.
She was painfully aware of her body pressing up so intimately against his, and tried to force herself to move away… but, she just couldn’t find the strength… or the desire. This just felt too darn nice. She hadn’t felt this relaxed since her Gran had been alive.
“Thank you… again, for coming to my rescue, Dante. I’m sure you didn’t sign on to become my babysitter.” She said the words softly, unable to look away from his gaze. Those eyes of his kept her firmly in their hold.
“I am going to find out what is going on, Serena,” he promised, right before he leaned forward and captured her mouth, damning himself for letting this woman break down every bit of resolve that he possessed, but he was just unable to fight it any longer. He was a strong man, but even he had his limits.
Dante’s mouth was incredibly soft, yet demanding and Serena couldn’t help but to respond to him with her entire being. Her hands slipped up into his thick hair and pulled him closer, deepening their kiss and she heard him groan, low and deep in his throat and it hit her directly at her core.
His hand cupped the back of her head as his mouth devoured hers; while the other slid down her body to the hem of the tank top that she wore. He effortlessly pulled it up and over her head, only giving up her lips for the barest of moments before claiming them once again.
“Christ, Serena,” he husked against her mouth. “I want you so bad that I ache.”
Serena smiled, unable to tell him that she wanted him just as badly, so instead her hand trailed down his chest to the waistband of his jeans and she tugged - needing to feel his skin against hers. His hips bobbed towards her as she pulled, and she could feel his smile against her lips.
She didn’t know what this man had done
to her, but she was experiencing things that she had never felt before. And, as much as she tried to fight it, she had to admit to herself that for some un-Godly reason… she trusted him. She wanted him. She… liked him… a lot.
Yes, she had made mistakes with men in the past, but there had always been the nagging feeling of mistrust with the others that she had just stupidly chosen to ignore. She didn’t feel that at all with Dante. All she felt with this man was need, desire… faith. Damn!
When she felt him deftly slip out of his jeans and t-shirt, all thoughts of the past went fleeing from her mind. The feel of that glorious skin against hers, his erection pressing so firmly against her thigh demanding to be noticed… extinguished any musings she might have had in an instant. All she was aware of now was the delightful sensation of his strong hands caressing her body, and ridding her of her shorts as he kissed her into a glorious delirium of sensation. Leaving her breathless and wanting like never before.
His hand slid up her thigh, skimming along her flesh and causing gooseflesh to rise up as his tongue teased and chased hers, and she thought that she had never enjoyed kissing someone so much. It was sublime.
Dante rolled her over onto her back as his hand made its way to the juncture of her thighs; only to find her hot and ready. Christ, he told himself… he had to take it slow. Every fiber of his body was demanding that he bury himself deep within this woman… but that just wouldn’t do. Not with her. He wanted to enjoy every single touch… every single sensation. Touching her was like touching a cloud in the Heavens, and he planned to enjoy every blessed moment of it.
He reluctantly broke away from her mouth and kissed his way down her neck, to her collarbone, and finally to her breasts; where he lavished each one with some much needed attention as his hand caressed her at her silky core. She purred as his mouth and tongue toyed and teased her aching peaks, and her hips moved and rolled against his probing fingers.
A Witch's Hearts Desire (The Anthology Novella Series Book 1) Page 3