Once Forbidden (The Hunted Series - 1) ((Book One))

by Hope Welsh

  “I want you,” he said huskily. “But now isn’t the time.”

  Sarah shivered. She touched his cheek. “I’m—not sure I want to make love.”

  His smile was sad. “No, I don’t imagine you do. Tell me about the attack, Sarah. Who hurt you?”

  Sarah sat up and leaned back against the headboard. “I don’t know who it was. He just said it was a warning for you.”

  “For me particularly?” he asked quickly.

  Sarah nodded. “He said ‘Tell Devlin, if you see him that is, that vampires are not to mix with humans.’”

  “Sarah, did you tell anyone about me?” he demanded. “How did anyone even know I’d been with you?”

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m sorry, that was all he said before he stabbed me.”

  Devlin shook his head. “That makes no sense, Sarah. How would the Hunters know about you? Are you a Hunter?”

  She shook her head. “Of course not! I don’t even know what exactly a Hunter is!”

  “They kill our kind. Then how could he possibly have known about us? About me? I don’t exactly make a habit of consorting with humans, you know.”

  Sarah clenched her fists. “I said I don’t know.”

  “And I’m not buying it!” he snapped. “No one knew about us—except us!”

  Chapter Nine

  Sarah felt an unaccustomed surge of rage. She pounded on him with her fists. “I said I don’t know! Who would I tell?” she shrieked. “Who would have believed me?”

  Devlin sighed. She was right. He’d barely left her alone since he’d gone to her. Had it really only been the night before? Devlin grabbed her pounding fists and kissed each one. “I am sorry, love. I almost lost you,” he said, mildly amused at the fire shooting from her eyes. This was the first time he’d seen her angry, and damned if it didn’t turn him on. Her blue eyes were narrowed and she was glaring at him.

  But it was the pain that caused all thoughts of amusement to fade. “Forgive me, Sarah. I have to figure this out—or I can’t protect you,” he explained. Sarah had finally stopped struggling and trying to pummel him, so he released her hands after kissing them again. “There is much I need to teach you, love.”

  Sarah was still glaring. “But you believe me?”

  “I believe you.”

  She nodded once jerkily. “So, what now, Devlin? What happens with me?”

  Devlin stood and moved away from her. He had to; otherwise, he’d not get more accomplished other than making love to her. “I need to teach you how to protect yourself, Sarah. You’re obviously a target—I’m sorry for that. I still don’t know how the Hunters found out about you.” He sighed and ran his hand through his dark hair. “But I promise you, I will find them. I will find the man responsible for hurting you.”

  “So, how long will it be until I’m safe on my own?”

  His head snapped up. “On your own?”

  “Of course. I have some semblance of a life to get back to, Devlin. I have a business to run. Bills to pay—the normal things,” she explained patiently. “Once the danger has passed, of course.”

  So she wasn’t going to forgive him for changing her. Once she was safe, she was going to leave him. He felt a wave of pain that nearly staggered him. No! He wasn’t going to let her go that easily. “It will take a while,” he said carefully, watching her. “I won’t leave you alone until I’m sure you’re safe and that you know all you need to know.”

  Sarah stood and walked over to him. She put her hand on his chest. “I do understand, Devlin. I might have done the same thing in the same circumstances,” she said quietly. “I just need time to figure out how to deal with this. With what I am. Then, I promise, I’ll be out of your life.”

  Perhaps when hell froze over, he thought grimly. “I came to you, remember? Who says I want you out of my life, Sarah? Did I even once suggest such a thing to you? I can understand if you do not wish to be with me after what I did—but do not fool yourself into believing that I no longer want you,” he snapped. “Perhaps a reminder.” He shoved aside the worry and concern. She needed to remember what was between them—that was important. Her well-being and his might depend on her knowing her worth.

  In a movement so fast it had her head spinning, he lifted her effortlessly in his arms and put her on her back in his bed. Where she belonged, damn it! He opened the knot in the robe and looked at her—seeing her totally without scars for the first time since the fire. He’d thought she’d been beautiful before—now, he knew she was that and more. Her skin was exquisite. He ran his fingers from her neck down to her breast.

  Sarah moaned. “We shouldn’t do this,” she said.

  His eyes were green fire. “We should.” He lowered his head and kissed her, driving his tongue into her mouth and literally taking possession. This wasn’t the time for hesitant explorations, that time had passed. It was time for Devlin to stake his claim on her. Leave him? Not bloody likely!

  Devlin wrapped his hands now into her long hair, threading his fingers through the silky mass. He held her head still and drank his fill of her sweetness. In only a moment, she responded. Soft hands wrapped around his back and he groaned. He lifted his lips from hers a fraction to speak “That’s right, Sarah. Touch me,” he groaned.

  Sarah’s senses were overwhelmed. Just one kiss and she was lost. She tore at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against her. Finally, she just reached beneath the shirt and held him to her.

  When Devlin lifted his head, his breathing was hard. “You’re mine, Sarah.” The feel of her small hands holding him to her made him smile. “Tell me.”

  Sarah froze, her hands stilled on his back. The air was literally filled with emotion, and she was unable to separate them. She loved him. But he spoke in words of possession and need. Finally, after a long tense moment, she met his gaze. “Love me, Devlin,” she whispered, her voice aching. If his passion was all she could have, she’d take it. Maybe it would be enough, though the thought of him not loving her hurt so much she wasn’t sure she could bear it.

  It hit Devlin suddenly. It was there clearly in her eyes. Mixed with the passion was the uncertainty.

  My God, she was afraid he didn’t love her? How could she not know? He lowered his head so their foreheads were touching. Need was riding him hard, but it was important too for him to let her know how he felt about her. “You’re my soul mate, Sarah,” Devlin explained, brushing his fingers down her cheek now. “I love you more than life itself.” He’d only needed to see her so near death to realize that he loved her. How could he have even wondered for a moment? She was his, just as he belonged to her.

  Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. “You love me?”

  Devlin reached his hand between them and freed himself from his slacks. He spread her thighs and flexed his hips, pausing just at her entrance. Ever muscle in his body was tight, and the urge to drive deep inside her was strong. But he held there, just poised at her soft folds, the heat of her enveloped him, but he didn’t enter. “I love you.”

  Now, he flexed his hips, entering her gently. Her soft inner muscles clenched around him instantly and he groaned. Once seated to the hilt, he paused again. “Tell me you’re mine,” he repeated. He needed the words.

  Sarah smiled through her tears. There were still many questions to be answered, problems to be solved—but all of that could come later—now that she knew he loved her. “I’m yours,” she whispered. He was long and hard inside her. It still amazed her a little how well they fit together. Her eyes closed and she arched her hips. She was rewarded by the quiver of him inside her.

  “What are you waiting for?” she asked.

  Devlin smiled. “For you.”

  Sarah moved her hands to his head and pulled his head down. She smiled against his lips and kissed him. She moved quickly then, testing her new strength as she flipped so he was beneath her.

  Devlin grinned. “Taking charge?”

  Sarah nodded and began to move, lifting her hips by excr
uciatingly slow increments, and then lowering them again. Her plan had been to tease him, but she was teasing herself instead. She groaned as she continued to move over him, faster now. Her hands splayed across the wide expanse of his chest.

  Devlin felt the bite of her nails, and was lost. He gripped her hips in his hands and moved, arching his hips on each of her downward strokes, taking her deeper. “Yes,” he groaned.

  Part of him wanted to move her beneath him again and simply drive them both to climax, but he was enjoying this too much. Even now, he could tell by the look on her beautiful face that this was again something new for her. It pleased him more than he could say.

  “Help me,” she said after several long moments.

  Devlin switched their positions once more, not moving from inside her. “Put your legs around my arms,” he ordered.

  Unhesitant, Sarah complied.

  Devlin braced his weight on his hands and drove inside her hard now. This position kept her open to him and allowed for the deepest penetration. He continued the powerful strokes, and she began to shudder with her climax. “That’s it, love. Come for me.” Devlin reached down between their bodies and found the hard nubbin of her clitoris and pinched it gently between his thumb and forefinger.

  “Oh God,” Sarah said on a moan. “Please, it’s too much.” He was so deep inside her, and her body jerked with the force of each powerful thrust. His fingers were working magic, but it was all too much.

  His lovemaking was always intense, but this was different. It was almost as if he was trying to brand her body with his own. The force of his determination was palpable and a little frightening in its intensity.

  Devlin ignored her, continuing to move strongly inside her while he rubbed her clitoris; first gently and then harder until she yelled with the force of her release.

  Her release brought him closer to his own, and he clenched his teeth and groaned as his seed shot inside her.

  Sarah was crying softly when Devlin gently eased her legs down and rolled to his side, keeping her with him.

  “What’s wrong, love?” Devlin asked, his voice filled with concern.

  “It was too much,” she whispered.

  Devlin frowned now. “I hurt you?”

  Sarah shook her head. “You didn’t hurt me.”

  Devlin kissed her now, very gently. “When two vampires make love, Sarah, it’s more intense than when humans make love. We have enhanced senses.” He should have made love to her slowly and gently, damn it. He cursed himself for frightening her. “I didn’t mean to overwhelm you, Sarah.”

  She smiled through the tears falling down her temples. “I liked being on top.”

  Devlin wrapped his arms around her and rolled to his back, automatically putting her on top with the move. He smiled at the shocked look on her face as he grew inside her again. Letting her test her wings would do more to center her than any words he could say. “You’re on top. What are you going to do now?” Devlin cupped a breast in each hand, flicking her nipples with his thumbs.

  Sarah arched her back. She loved his hands on her body. Sarah decided that if she liked her nipples touched, he might, too. She flicked one of his nipples with her nail, watching his face carefully, and saw his eyes dilate. She smiled and did it again.

  Devlin pulled her down so he could suckle at her breasts. He laved them gently with his tongue and drew one peak deeply into his mouth, sucking gently.

  Sarah felt the pull from her breasts to her core and moved then, slowly, over him.

  Chapter Ten

  Devlin and Sarah spent the next several days working on her new abilities. He knew that he had to teach her. Devlin told Sarah that he needed to teach her how to protect herself. To do that, she needed to understand her new abilities and learn to master them. They were now sitting in his living room. He was sitting next to her on a leather sofa, his feet propped on the table in front of them.

  “Devlin, I don’t understand,” she said irritably. “I am thinking of your kitchen, but I can’t make myself appear there!” Sarah was frustrated. She just couldn’t do this! “I can’t do it!” The lover of only hours before was now in the role of teacher, and she wanted to hit him!

  Devlin glared at her and put his hands on his hips. “You can do it, Sarah. You’re not concentrating hard enough. Close your eyes again,” he ordered.

  Sarah returned his glare with one of her own. “I might love you, Devlin, but I don’t like you very much right now!”

  Devlin grinned at that. “Tough. Do what I said. Close your eyes.”

  Sarah huffed out an irritated breath and closed her eyes. Instantly, she thought of taking a hammer to his thick skull, though—she was certain that wasn’t the image he wanted in her head.

  “Damn it, Sarah!” he roared.

  Sarah opened her eyes and gasped in horror. Devlin was holding a hammer in his hands. “What happened?”

  “Instead of the kitchen, you thought of braining me?” he said incredulously.

  Sarah suddenly giggled. She put her hands quickly to her mouth to stifle them, but her eyes were lit with humor. “I’m sorry,” she finally choked out between giggles.

  Devlin sat the hammer down very carefully on the table. “Sarah, you can obviously do this—if you get a hammer to materialize.” She didn’t know it, but making objects materialize was a skill some older vampires he knew had never mastered.

  Sarah stopped chuckling. “I really didn’t mean to hit you,” she said.

  Devlin sighed. “I know, love. Strong emotion is needed for this exercise, though. Close your eyes again, love,” he said gently.

  Sarah nodded and closed her eyes again. She heard his voice coming to her softly.

  “Think of opening the refrigerator, Sarah. You want a soda—you want it more than anything in this world. Go get it.”

  Sarah tried to concentrate, she really did. Where she really wanted to be, though, was back in his bed. She was tired of the teacher and wanted her lover back.

  Devlin smiled when she disappeared before his eyes. He closed his own and went to the kitchen, but was surprised that she wasn’t there? “Sarah!”

  “In here,” came the reply.

  Devlin stalked into his room and put his hands on his hips. “Well?” he said, his brow rose in inquiry.

  Sarah sighed. “I tried, Devlin. I thought about the silly kitchen, but then thought that I really wanted to be back in your bed.”

  Devlin walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down next to her. “Well, at least you got to another room. Enough of that lesson for now. He brushed his fingers over her brow, rubbing the crease of irritation away. “This is important, love. I only want to make sure that you’re safe.”

  “I know,” she grumbled. “But I didn’t think it would be so hard.”

  “Only at first,” he assured her. “Then it gets easier.” He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. “You’re doing well.”

  Sarah frowned at that. “You’ve been yelling at me for hours.”

  Devlin smiled and kissed her pouting lips. “No I haven’t—well, not much. I’m sure I only yelled when you tried to brain me with a hammer. Remind me never to make you truly angry with me,” he teased.

  Sarah smiled at that. “All right. What’s next on the agenda?”

  Devlin grew instantly serious. “I want to work on mind control for a little while. It’s one of the hardest things to master, but with the Hunters after you, it’s important. Let’s go back to the living room.”

  With a nod, Sarah stood. Devlin was still grasping her hand and she smiled at him. “Are you sure I can learn all this?”

  Devlin stood. “I’m sure. Think of the couch, and take me with you.”

  Much to her surprise, in the next instant, they were both standing next to the couch again. “Did I do that, or did you?”

  Devlin grinned. “You did.”

  “I did?” she asked, not quite sure she believed him.

  “You did,” he assured her. He sat down
and tugged her onto this lap. “Now, let’s talk a few minutes.” Sarah nodded and he continued. “You know I can get into your mind. It’s how we shared your dreams.”

  Sarah blushed. “Yes.”

  “It’s easier to get into a mind than it is to block a thought. What I want to work on first is blocking. You have to be able to block your thoughts. Vampires can always sense when someone is trying to read them.”

  “How do I block them?”

  “Think of it as a shield. You want to put a shield around your mind.”

  Sarah nodded. That made sense to her—but likely wouldn’t be as easy as it sounded. She felt him in her mind then. He was chuckling at her in her head. “What are you laughing at?”

  “That’s good, Sarah. I was going to move on to that next. We might need to communicate with our minds. Now, block me out of your mind.”

  Sarah tried a mental shove. Her head started to hurt as she tried to shove him out.

  “A shield, Sarah,” he reminded her gently. “You can’t shove me out, you need to keep me from thoughts you don’t want me to know. Shield them.”

  “My head hurts.”

  Devlin rubbed her temples gently. “I’m sorry, love. We have to do this.”

  He continued prodding inside her mind carefully. Sarah concentrated on a force field around her mind—an invisible barrier. Still, though, he was inside her head. “Get out!” she finally shouted.

  Devlin broke the connection. “Do you have a shield built?”

  Sarah rubbed her forehead, trying to ease the ache building there. “I don’t know. I don’t like this, Devlin.”

  “I know you don’t, Sarah. We’ll take a break soon, I promise.” He probed again gently into her mind. He got to the surface, then hit a wall and smiled. “That’s my girl.” He backed out and hugged her.

  “I did it?”

  He nodded. “You did indeed, love. You’re a quick study.”

  She relaxed against him. “So, now what?”