He was standing in front of her. His scent invading her senses, his nearness made her knees weak. He towered over her, all strong muscle and barely restrained need. “You don’t mean that.”
Yes. No? Maybe…? Jordan shook her head. “Look, just because you experienced a fit of jealousy, doesn’t mean—”
He laced an arm around her waist and pulled her hard against his body. His erection pressed against his pants and pulsed against her. “Feel that,” he commanded. “I want you. Is that in anyway unclear?”
“What’s changed?”
“Nothing. I’ve wanted you from the start. Even the night we met I battled my instinct to pin you against the wall and take you in the hall.”
She struggled to catch her breath, to find her voice. “So you want me, but for how long?”
His blond brows furrowed. “What?”
“I’ve heard about you and your…sexual preferences. Bang and bail. Never to repeat.” He didn’t deny it. As if he could, she thought. “I won’t let you use me like that and I won’t use you like that.”
“You’d want more from me?”
No! Yes! Ugh, she didn’t know. She pushed against his chest, but he refused to let her go.
“Answer the question.”
He was frustrating. Stubborn. “All I can say is, I like you. A lot. I know I shouldn’t, but there it is.” She dropped her gaze to his chest and nervously tugged on her bottom lip. Had his cock just gotten harder, hotter? It burned like a brand against her. Liquid heat flooded her. Focus. “I’m not interested in being one of the women you line up and knock down.”
“You’re saying you want…a bond with me?”
Did she? She knew if they slept together she’d likely become a stage five clinger and that wasn’t cool. She didn’t want to give her body and her heart to man that would turn around and be on to the next orgy tomorrow.
“I understand, that’s not you. You’ve probably never been in a serious, monogamous relationship.”
“I have.”
Her head snapped back and their eyes locked.
His lips were tight, his jaw set. “I was married once. It was a long time ago. When I was mortal.”
She waited for him to continue, but he remained silent. Was he still in love with his wife? Had something terrible happened to her? Or had his time as a slave triggered his need for a revolving door of women?
His gaze turned hard, distant for a moment before snapping back to her. His hold tightened as if she were his life line. “I tried to stay away. I thought keeping distance between us was for the best.”
It was. Wasn’t it? Yes, damn it. Distance was good. They were not compatible.
“I ignored it. Fought it.”
It? His attraction for her? His need for her? Yeah, she knew and it had hurt. It had angered and saddened her and…it still did. No, it didn’t. She didn’t care anymore.
“I told myself you were not for me, that we didn’t suit. That I wouldn’t be unable to be…gentle enough with you. My strength and need would be too much. That I needed to protect you, even from myself. But the truth is…” He released her and took a step back. His wide shoulders rose and fell with a straggled sigh. “The truth is, I’ve been protecting myself from you.”
Oh…my…god! Gabriel was opening up to her. The cold, stone hearted, unconquerable vampire king was lowering his walls. He was letting her in. The realization sent her reeling. Her heart pounding.
“I went to the club to see you. I…had to see you.”
Wasn’t that what Rowena had said? He had come for her. “Then why were you—”
“Those women were to distract me, to help me forget you.” He ran a hand over his jaw. “I was desperate to be free of you.” A deep laugh rumbled his chest. “Then you sang.” His enormous body trembled. “You’ve bewitched me…” He shook his head. “I can’t fight it anymore.”
His hands were on her, his lips a breath from hers, their bodies so close. Jordan gasped, not from fear, not from shock, but from pleasure. God, he felt amazing.
“I won’t.” He pinched her chin and turned her face up. Jordan’s breath left her on a hard gasp. His eyes, green with swirled with black. So deep. So clear, she could see not just the demon within but the man. She could see his torn soul and it called out to her own.
“You—make—me—feel.” His growl a mixture of unleashed desire long denied and pure aggression.
His mouth descended on hers, hard and hot then gentle and searing. He groaned. She sighed. The mere contact bringing so much pleasure. God, he tasted so good. Incredible and dark. All her worries and doubts faded (to be analyzed later) leaving only desperate need. She was starved for this, for him.
The kiss deepened and quickly burned out of control. What was it about the vampire? It was as if he knew exactly how to stoke the darkness within her, summon the wildness within her.
“Say yes,” he rasped against her lips.
“T-to what?” She didn’t want to think right now and, if he kept kissing her she wouldn’t be able to. She just wanted to feel.
“To me. Say yes.”
“I…”
He swallowed her protest with another deep kiss then nipped at her bottom lip. “Say yes.”
She gasped, “Yes.” Her mind clouded, her body consumed with need.
He trailed his mouth over her cheek and flicked her ear lobe with the tip of his tongue. “Say yes to us.”
She threw her arms around his neck and moaned, breathless, she surrendered. “Yes.”
Gabriel’s hands slipped down to cup her ass. He lifted her, she wound her legs around his waist barely noticed when he pressed her back against the mattress. His heavy, muscled body covered her. His hips forced her thighs wide.
Jordan’s fingers sifted through his silky hair, her nails scraped down his chest, over his nipple and lower. Her fingers brushed the glistening tip of his penis, which strained against the waistband of his pants.
He snatched her hands and leaned back. His tongue traced the letter of her tattoos on the insides of her wrist, his fangs teased her pulse points. Wicked. Would he bite her tonight? Would he latch on to her vein, claim her blood as he took her body? Her sex clenched from the thought and her hips rolled upward, seeking him. Grinding her center against his taught shaft. Yes! She was already so close to the edge of oblivion.
“Slow, love.”
Her head thrashed over the pillows. “No.”
With a harsh curse, Gabriel shackled her wrists with one hand and gripped her waist with the other, stilling her. Jordan mumbled inaudible protests.
“Sh, love.” He pressed a kiss to her brow, then to her cheeks before passing over her already swollen lips with a feather light caress. “I’ll take care of you. Such good care of you.” He licked the curve of her ear. “But we have to be careful.”
Careful? Why? Jordan struggled to think. Because he’s a vampire. He could easily hurt her. Break her. She swallowed hard, he could lose complete control and kill her. Talk about being hit was ice water.
She blinked up at him. His hair fell over his brow, casting shadows over his face. His eyes burned with desperate hunger, flickered like a candle’s frame between green and black, his fangs were sharp but not fully unsheathed, his bare chest rose and fell his every ragged breath. Power and need emanated from.
Sensing the sudden shift within her, he asked, “Do you trust me?” Lines of worry tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Jordan wriggled one hand free and traced the hard lines of his abdomen with her fingers then ran the back of her hand over his ridged shaft. He shuddered.
“Jordan?” His tone a warning, a threat, a plea.
“Yes.”
“This is your first time. I don’t want to frighten you.” His voice turned soft. “Couldn’t bare it if I hurt you.”
“You haven’t scared me in the times we’ve been together. I’ve felt no pain. Only pleasure.”
Those words were all he needed. He release her other wrist an
d eased his hold on her waist. “Hands over your head, grip your elbows and don’t let go.”
She obeyed and he made quick work her halter top and skirt, leaving only her black lacy panties. He paused, kneeling between her spread legs, he devoured her with his gaze. “Look at you, love.” He swallowed so hard his Adams’ apple bobbed. “Sweet heaven.” His fangs elongated, black consumed his eyes and a tiny flutter of fear sparked in her chest.
Jordan drew her knees together but he shoved them apart before she could blink. “Ah-ah. You are mine and you will never close yourself to me.”
She nodded and gasped as he ran his rough hands up the insides of her smooth thighs. His fingers brushed over her panties, but left them in place. His burn gaze was now locked on her hard, straining nipples.
“Beautiful.” His tongue swept over his lips. He pressed the tip against a fang, drawing blood. The act seemed to sober him, the black slowly began to recede from his eyes. Leaning toward her, he cupped her breasts. “Do you want me to lick them?”
Her pulse skipped and he smiled, his long fangs flashing. “Yes? Say it then. Ask me to lick them.”
“Gabriel, yes. I want your—” He squeezed and kneaded her tits, her words lodged in her throat.
“What do you want?”
“Y-your…oh, please.”
He caught her gaze and lowered his head. “You needn’t beg, love. Never.” His breath teased over one peak. “I’ll give you anything you want.” His tongue swirled around her aching nipple. A growl erupted from his chest. “They need to be sucked.”
His mouth closed on her and Jordan cried out. Helpless she arched up. He suckled and licked. Leaving it wet, he moved to other breast. He nipped at the point then soothed the sting with his tongue before drawing it fully into his mouth.
Sensation shot through her, curled her toes. God, would he make her come from this? She was already so wet, her clit swollen.
He tugged on her nipple and her pussy clenched, empty, needing him them there filling her.
“I can scent your need,” he rasped against her breast. “Tell me to—”
“Take me with your mouth.”
Gabriel snarled and nipped at her kiss swollen lips. “That’s it.” He gentle took her mouth, his kiss achingly tender. “Tell me what you want. What you crave.”
“More. I need…more.”
“Always.”
He returned to her breasts, driving her wild with his lips, his tongue. Then he left both nipples damp and swollen to trail white hot kisses down her torso. His tongue dipped into her navel and toyed with the tiny gem she wore there. Then he moved lower.
She already so close. So terribly close.
She heard Gabriel draw in a deep inhale, savoring the scent of her arousal. Her eyes rolled back. He tore at her panties and destroyed the crimson fish-net stockings. The sound of rending fabric sent bolts of lightning coursing through her. Her body sizzled.
Gabriel slipped his hands under her ass, he tilted her hips to his mouth. His possessive grip on her body aroused her beyond sanity. He licked up her center, flicked her swollen clit and the world around her splintered. She cried out his name, her nails digging into her elbows as she came in a hot rush. Lightheaded she heard him whisper, “Need you dripping.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gabriel massaged her inner thighs, spreading her legs wider for him. He watched her glistening sex clench as her orgasm claimed her.
“Again,” he demanded, burring his face against her. Driving his tongue in and out again, then he swirled the tip around her throbbing clit. The rhythm had her moaning his name, gasping for breath.
He glanced up her body. Her breasts quivered, her lips parted, her cries of pleasure roared in his ears. She strained under him, her back arched, her hips rocked against his mouth. Her head thrashed, her hair tangled.
“There you go, Jordan.” He sounded crazed and…he was. Jordan had made him her pleasure slave and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m…I’m coming…” she gasped.
The awe in her voice brought a smile to his lips and tightened his balls. Her honeyed taste had him grinding his cock against the mattress. Pressure building. He could feel his own orgasm mounting, but he viciously fought the pleasure. He’d come inside her.
Have to be sure she’s ready.
“Touch me,” he growled. Anchor me. “Touch me, Jordan.”
Her hands shot to his shoulders, her nails bit into his muscles. Then her fingers were in his hair, holding him to her as she writhed against his mouth.
“You’re so fucking addictive.”
“Oh…God!” She turned her face against the pillows and screamed with ecstasy.
Her knees closed around his ears, her body quaked, her orgasm slammed against his tongue and his eyes rolled back. Lost, he devoured her. Snarling, growling. He snapped at her fingers whenever she tried to push him away. He wasn’t finished and neither was she.
“Once more.”
He thrust two fingers inside her moving them in time with his kiss. He spread them, stretching her, preparing her. He pumped them harder, rougher. Warning her.
How was he going to hold back? How was he going to keep himself from ruthlessly shoving into her wet core?
Must be calm for her, he cautioned. Be gentle with her.
He released her clit and shifted up her body. Still fucking her with his fingers, he claimed her mouth with a slow, world stopping kiss.
Her hands sifted through his hair as her tongue greedily lapped at his. He groaned into her mouth. This was honest pleasure. Everything he’d experience in the past had been a lie. This was true. This was raw.
Jordan threw back her head and screamed. Her muscles clenched on his fingers. God, she felt so good. The pressure in his dick had him gnashing his teeth. His balls ached. Sweet, sweet agony.
He eased away from her and stood. The distance a reprieve for them both. Already on the verge of absolute madness, he feared he’d come with one thrust.
Her thighs were still parted, he stared at her drenched sex as he sucked her honey from his fingers. Her rose pink nipples, hard as pearls, taunted him as her breasts rose and fell with her hectic breath.
His cock punched against his zipper, the sharp pain bringing back his focus. Damn, he wanted to claim her. Hard. Wild. For the first time he regretted his strength he’d fought so hard for…the strength the Madame had forced upon him…the strength her blood had…No! He wouldn’t think about that night. He wouldn’t allow any of those memories to taint this moment. Tonight he was starting over. Tonight he would replace those hateful memories with something good—with someone good.
“Are you nervous?”
Her eyes boldly dipped down to his cock. “I’m excited.” She ran her tongue over her lips. “I want to taste it.”
So tempting. “You will, but not now.”
As he loomed over her every muscle in his body tensed, ready to strike, to attack. He shook with the effort to hold back. “I need…something from you.” His voice broke.
Jordan crawled to the edge of the bed. “Anything.”
“When I was a…slave,” Murderous intent burned in his eyes. “She…the Madame, she…was always on top.”
He didn’t meet Jordan’s gaze. He couldn’t. He’d never spoken a word of his past, didn’t dare give life to those memories. But he had to make her understand what she meant to him. How much he needed this. Needed her. So badly, he’d fight his fears, he’d tear open his scares, he’d surrender to her. Only her and no one else.
Gabriel heard her gasp then her shuddered exhale. “You want me to…”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
How could her words make his chest feel tight? It was the innocents in her whiskey voice, the emotion that flashed in her violet eyes. His heart slammed with new life. “Never been more certain of anything.” Gabriel hadn’t known his fingers had clenched into fists until he reached for her. Cupping her face, he stroked the line
of her delicate jaw with his thumbs. “I need to claim you. This is the only way I can think how.”
“But—”
“I’ll show you what to do.” He tenderly kissed her lips. “I told you, I’d take care of you. Until I know how I’ll react...”
Jordan nervously chewed on her bottom lip.
He stroked his fingers through her hair. “Not being able to pin you beneath me and claim you as I crave to,” he shuddered, “Oh, sweet, it will be the most excruciating torture I’ve ever endured.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m not made of porcelain. Take me as you like. You won’t hurt me. You can’t—”
Gabriel’s finger wrapped around her throat. His hold was gentle, but firm. Her pulse pounded, tapping a sensual rhythm against his hand. His fangs grew even longer, sharper, as his eyes clouded with darkness until she was staring into obsidian pools. The vampire unleashed. The beast was bare, towering over her, holding her life literally in his hand. She had some distant thought of terror, but arousal shut it down.
Jordan licked her lips and slowly, so slowly, came up to her knees. “You won’t hurt me,” she repeated.
When he spoke his voice was deep, unnaturally guttural, “I want to take you like a savage.” He drew her closer, tilting her head back. “Ravage you.” His tongue flicked at her lips. “Instinct demands I possess you.”
She shivered, the maddening scent of her arousal intensified. She doesn’t fear the vampire. She craves it. The realization was like a soothing balm to his worries, it calmed his mind.
“I trust you.” She licked him back and a deep, unholy growl echoed through the room.
The pressure of his hand tightened. He couldn’t say any more. The words wouldn’t come. Please, understand. She had given him back…everything, made him want everything and he had to repay her. Had to make her his in the most primal of ways. He’d fuck her, mate her, make-love to her, whatever label she wanted to put on it, that’s what he’d do. He’d give her something he’d refused to give another.
“I want you to have me in a way no one else has.” The deep timbre of his voice scraped his throat. God, he’d never felt so exposed in his life. Jordan’s eyes pierced him.
Caressed by the Edge of Darkness Page 26