“Still.” He pulled back and glanced down at her. “No one has the right to hurt you. Ever. And definitely not on my watch.”
She smiled up at him, not sure what to say.
He brushed a thumb over her bottom lip. “I want to be with you. Every day. All the time.”
“I want that, too.” She searched his eyes and knew he meant what he said. “It’s going to be complicated. People are going to talk. The Council, they might—”
“Don’t worry about them.” He shook his head. “Not right now. Let me just… look at you.”
Her skin tingled as he surveyed her body.
He chuckled. “You look good in my shirt.”
She glanced down, realizing that the button-down she’d snagged from the laundry room was several sizes too large. And the buttons were on the wrong side. With one hand, she drew the top together and stared up at him.
“No. Don’t do that.” He grabbed her hands gently and tugged them to her sides. “I want to see you.”
She turned her head away, embarrassed with the attention.
He tilted her chin up with a finger again, forcing her to look at him. His brow creased, as if he disapproved of her reaction. “Why do you look away from me like that?”
She tried to turn her head again but he held it in place. “Hey.” He shook his head, his gaze locked on hers. “You’re beautiful. Don’t ever think anything different.”
The sincerity in his voice broke her in half. She took a deep breath, thankful the bookshelf was holding her upright.
He stroked his thumb slowly along her neck. “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, Rho. Most of the time it won’t be. But I still want to be with you. That hasn’t changed.” His gaze softened. “I’m going to ask you again—do you want to give this thing a shot?”
She thought about their connection. She’d been in his mind and drank from his body, and he’d never rejected her once. Time and time again, he’d come to her, proving that she could take a part of him and he’d never push her away.
He accepted her. She had no family, no money of her own and so little to offer him compared to what he already had. To top it all off, she now had some weird ability that she had no idea how to summon or control. Plus a death mark. And through all that, he was still here. Asking her to give him a shot. Telling her they’d figure it out together.
Choking back the tears threatening to surface, she answered, “Yeah. Let’s give this a shot.”
He closed his eyes. A smile touched his lips.
“I’m not promising anything, though,” Rho interjected. “I’m strong and pushy and I like to do things my way. You’re not going to change that about me. Ever.”
He smiled and glanced down at her. “And I’m strong and pushy and I like to do things my way, too. So this should be interesting.” He dipped down and pressed a soft kiss against her neck. “But I wouldn’t change anything about you.”
She breathed him in, wanting him to touch her, but he didn’t move. He stood there, frozen, his eyes burning with hunger.
With a swift hand, she grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him into her. Her lips met his instantly as her hands found his hips and drew him closer.
His fingers lifted to the top button of her shirt. She gripped the bookshelf behind her as her breath caught in her throat. He drew away from her mouth to glance down at her and paused, as if waiting for her to give him the green light.
When she didn’t stop him, he unbuttoned the first button. He touched his lips to her sternum, kissing where the button had been. Then he moved to the second button, kissing between her breasts. She was absolutely frozen, caught somewhere between running away and wanting more.
He fell gently to his knees, unbuttoning and kissing as he traveled down the length of her shirt. His shirt. Whatever.
She stared down at him, incapable of rational thought. What had once been a simple want swiftly turned into a need, the lust burning her from the inside out, making her skin hot and itchy. He was everywhere and nowhere, and all she wanted was more.
With the final button released, Eldon reached up and shucked her shirt to the floor. Pressing a kiss to her belly, he glanced up at her with hungry eyes. “Let’s go somewhere more private.”
She barely nodded before he stood up and lifted her into his arms. Palming her ass in his hands, he lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around his waist and ran her fingers through his thick hair, relishing the warmth and feel of him. He supported her weight easily as he carried her toward the adjacent bookshelf.
“Where are we—”
Shifting her weight into one hand, Eldon reached out and pulled a dusty book on the third shelf. A round of clicks sounded off before the shelf slid back and opened completely. She gasped as he took her through the narrow opening.
“That’s how you knew to look for the passage,” she said softly. “You have one.”
“This is my private office,” he murmured as he hit a button on the wall.
The shelf slid shut, leaving a smooth wall in its place. A pang of fear shot through her and threatened to ruin the moment.
As if he could sense her tension, he drew back and met her eyes. “You hit the button on the wall when you want to leave. That’s it. You can come in here whenever you want, but don’t tell anyone where it is. Deal?”
Relief struck her and she nodded. She could do things on her terms. He wasn’t going to force her to stay here. This room and whatever they did in it could be their secret.
He pressed his lips to her ear, reassuring her. “I’ll never make you do anything you don’t want to do. Ever. Whatever you want, I’m on your schedule. I just thought you’d like some privacy.”
She smiled, knowing he meant it. “I like privacy.”
“Since we’re on your schedule, what do you want?” he asked, still holding her against his chest.
His neck was so close that she could hear his blood rushing beneath the surface. God, she wanted to drink from him. She wanted to experience all of him. Hell, she wanted both at the same time.
His chest rose and fell as he laughed softly. “I heard that.”
Shit. Their connection had opened again. She was busted.
Eldon paced across the room, still holding her close. “Tell me what you want, Rho.”
She smiled but didn’t answer.
He pressed her back against a wall, his massive arms supporting her. “Say it. Out loud.”
“I want you,” she answered.
He groaned as his lips met hers, the touch feathery at first but quickly building into a savage need. The heat of his body cranked her to a new level, his velvet hands brushing over her skin, leaving traces of warmth with every pass.
She needed more heat. Needed more of him.
Reaching behind him without breaking the kiss, she tugged his shirt higher. He took her cue, thrusting his hips forward to pin her to the wall. With one swift motion, he yanked his shirt off and threw it across the room.
Capturing her mouth again with urgency, he ran his hands up her sides and pulled her body forward. His tongue swept across her lips and she invited him in, parting to allow him access. With a quick turn of his wrist, he unclasped her black bra and tossed it into the same abyss as his shirt.
Her breasts sprang free and he pulled away from her mouth. He glanced down and closed his eyes slowly, then opened them again. “You’re beautiful.”
Rho smiled. “So are you.”
And he was. All soft skin pulled against lean, stacked muscles. His shoulders were broad and his arms were thick, the muscles rippling along his abdomen giving way to twin gentle dips at his hip bones. He was a beautifully made male.
He shifted her weight higher, lifting her as he kissed each swell then pulled her away from the wall a
s he moved his lips to her neck. “How about somewhere more comfortable?”
She nodded, lost in the smell of him, spices and clean sweat. The scent was entirely male and entirely him, growing stronger by the second.
With Rho clutched against him, he lowered her to the ground, laying her body on the floor with care. “Sorry, no bed in here.”
Like she gave a shit. She reached up and tugged at the button on his pants.
Eldon dropped his head for a second before lifting it again. His eyes were so blue she swore they were glowing. “Rho I want all of you. Right now, that’s what I want. If we start, I…” His voice trailed off.
She knew what he wanted. What they needed. Placing a hand on either side of Eldon’s face, she pulled his body on top of hers and brought him to her lips. “Then take me.”
He didn’t waste time.
Her pants joined the pile of discarded clothes, her socks following shortly after. He kissed her thoroughly, his tongue dancing with hers as she tried to absorb every detail of his beautiful mouth. His soft, wet lips were unlike anything she’d ever felt or tasted, a strange new addiction she couldn’t deny.
Eldon pulled away from her and stared down at her face. She reached a hand up and stroked his cheek, savoring the weight of his body on top of hers. Arms flexing and muscles rippling, he repositioned himself before lowering a kiss to her stomach. Then a little lower. And then—
Oh, God. His breath was hot against her core, her body even hotter. She felt like her skin was on fire, the heat of his body all around her, devouring her. Slowly, he drew her panties off her bare legs.
Another item tossed to the pile.
Parting her legs, he hovered over her, his wide shoulders and firm body towering over her with a raw strength she found intoxicating. He was beautiful like that. Dominant. Masculine. Hers.
With gentle care, he entered her, filling her completely in one swift motion. His breath left him in a rush. Rho arched against the hard ground, the invasion a sweet sting. He became completely still, his eyes closed.
Something passed between the two of them. Their connection reopened and flooded them both with the pleasure of the other, the sense of absolute purpose. This was right.
As he opened his eyes again, Rho gasped. She’d thought she’d seen it before, but this was different. They positively glowed.
He stared at her as he rocked his hips, his eyes penetrating her soul the way his body penetrated hers. Slowly at first, he built a rhythm, taking her faster and faster as he increased the tempo of his movements. She lifted her hips to accommodate all of him, groaning in satisfaction as he dug his fingers into her hips to hold her still.
Ignoring his hold on her, she brought her lips to his neck. She wanted to taste him. Needed to taste him.
She struck quickly, his blood hitting her tongue like a fine wine. One drag was all it took.
Rho shattered, melting into him as her body came apart, her brain unraveling into a million blessed fragments. Eldon stiffened. She moved beneath him, working him with her body until she took him over the edge right along with her. He shuddered, riding the waves of her pleasure.
His heavy body gave out, crushing her beneath him. She gladly accepted his weight, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders and pulling him closer. Sweat glistened over his skin, the smell of him permeating her nose and making her want him all over again.
“Sorry.” Eldon pulled back after a long moment and rolled off of her. “I didn’t mean to crush you.”
“I don’t mind.” She stared at the ceiling for a moment before shifting around to look at him.
He smiled and craned his head, locking his gaze on her breasts before lifting them to meet her eyes. “You’re amazing.”
“So are you.” She drank in the sight of him and ran a finger along the healing puncture wounds at his neck. “We just made things really complicated, didn’t we?”
“Does it matter?”
Watching him as he lay next to her, the light casting shadows along the ripples of muscle under tight skin, she asked herself the question. No way would this be easy. But that was nothing new. And like Eldon, she didn’t give up without a fight.
“No. It doesn’t.”
Chapter Thirty
Rho stepped out of the hidden office and into the library, Eldon trailing right behind her. The smell of him lingered on her skin, a reminder of what she’d done. What they’d done. For the first time in a long time, she’d let her walls down and let someone in. And she was glad he was there.
She glanced toward the ceiling, taking note of the lightening sky through the windows far above. They only had another hour or so until daybreak. “I love this room.”
Eldon tugged an old, leather-bound book on the shelf. The wall slid out in one fluid movement, sealing the office away once again. “I’m glad. It’s one of my favorite places.”
“That’s what Nick said.”
He sidled over and stared down at her before running a hand through her hair. “What else did he say?”
“Nothing much.” She shrugged a shoulder. “He told me… about myself. Kind of.”
“Jess mentioned they’d talked. She told me his theory.”
So everyone knew by now. “Great,” Rho muttered, pivoting on a heel and aiming for the door.
“Not so fast.” His hand caught her elbow. “Come here.” He pulled her against his body and peered down at her. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, except for being a freak.”
With a frown, he settled his hands on her shoulders. “You’re not a freak. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you.”
“Right. That’s why I’m some crazy rare half-breed.”
“Nothing that has happened to you in your life was your fault.” He shook her shoulders gently, but his eyes were hard. “None of it. You’ve had a different set of life circumstances than most people, but you’re perfect the way you are.”
“I’m not—”
He set a finger over her mouth. “Nope. I don’t want to hear you talk like that.”
“But—”
“Stop.” He tilted his head and leaned in closer. “Or I’ll have to figure out another way to keep you quiet.”
The sexual threat hung in the air between them, and she couldn’t help but smile at the challenge in his voice. She loved that he challenged her, even when it irritated the hell out of her. He leaned down and nudged her nose with his, then kissed her deeply. She gave in instantly, wrapping her arms around his waist. She may have a fucked-up life and no idea who or what she was, but this… this she could handle.
He pulled back then tilted his head toward the door. “We have company.”
“How do you know?”
He met her eyes. “Wards tripped. No need to worry, though, it’s just a vampire.”
No need to—vampire—what? What the hell was a vampire doing here? She cursed and glared at the door. Just one quiet moment. That’s all she wanted. If one more person tried to kill her this week, she’d go ape shit. “Who is it?”
Eldon squinted, as if to concentrate on something she couldn’t see. “Not sure, but judging by the way he misted here and the authority of his movements, I’d venture to say it’s your boss.”
Oh, God. The last person she needed to see right now was Frederick. So much had happened in the past few weeks, she’d completely forgotten to call him. Surely by now someone told him about what happened.
She spun toward the door, but Eldon’s warm hand gripped her arm. “Ouch!”
He released her immediately but stepped forward and pushed up the sleeve on her—his—white button-down shirt. “Does it hurt? I didn’t even ask, did I?” The green mark sat proudly, centered on her arm as it had been the night before. At l
east she didn’t feel any worse.
“No pain so far.”
“I still can’t believe you did that,” he said, tracing a finger lightly over her skin.
She yanked the shirt sleeve back into place. “And I can’t believe you can’t believe it. Don’t you know me at all?”
A smile touched his lips but didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I know you very well.” He leaned down to kiss her neck then spoke into her ear, “We’ll find a cure.”
“I know you’ll try.”
“I’ll succeed.” His eyes narrowed as he brushed a hand across her cheek. “I promise you. You won’t be forced to bear my burden. I’ll find a way.”
She lifted up on her tiptoes to brush a kiss over his lips.
His stomach growled and he shot her a sheepish smile. “The things you do to me, woman.”
“Go get something to eat while I get the door. I’m sure Frederick wants to talk to me alone, anyway.”
“You’re probably right.” He took her hand and guided her out of the office and toward the kitchen. “He doesn’t seem happy.”
“What, you have mood sensors on those wards?”
“Something like that.”
Seriously? She eyed him suspiciously then shrugged. “I’ll deal with him.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and bee-lined it for the kitchen.
Rho sauntered over and yanked the front door open. Frederick stood patiently on the porch, the smell of burned pine needles pouring off of him in waves. He’d been worried.
“Frederick?” Rho stepped aside and motioned toward the house. “Come on in.”
He stepped inside and studied the space. “Where is everyone?”
She shut the door and roamed into the living room, motioning for him to follow. “They’re eating and sleeping. It’s been a long few days.”
Still tired, she plopped on the couch. When she turned her head, she found Frederick still standing in the entryway, staring at her.
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