Caressed by the Edge of Darkness (Rulers of Darkness Book 5)

by Amanda J. Greene

  “You thought I just wanted sex from you.” He tugged his hands through his hair. Was he aggravated with himself or with her? The man had a reputation and he couldn’t fault her for being cautious and extra sure.

  Gabriel didn’t meet her gaze when he asked, “Do you have regrets?”

  She scrambled to the edge of the bed and came to her knees before him. “No.”

  “Are you happy about this? About us?”

  “Yes.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “It just wasn’t clear.”

  His green glacial eyes snapped back to her. “Then let’s be clear. I am your male. We are bound.”

  “Yes.” She pressed forward, her breasts brushed against his chest. The light sensation like a shock to her system. “It’s what I’ve wanted.” He was hers. The big, bad vampire king was her man.

  “Good.”

  “Shall we seal this deal with a kiss?”

  He leaned into her, closing the distance between their bodies. His shaft pressed against her hip. She shivered in anticipation.

  “There’s something I need to tell…” Gabriel’s words ended on a groan when she stroked her palm over his ridged cock. “Not now, love. We’ve got to talk.”

  Jordan caressed him again. “We can talk later.” She kissed his chin, then the line of his stern jaw and down to the collar of his button up. Her fingers began to play with his tie.

  “You’re not making this easy.”

  Her lips curled with a teasing grin. “Maybe I don’t want it easy.”

  He flashed her answering smile, his fangs peeking out. Damn, he was sexy and those dimples made her swoon.

  Jordan freed the button of his slacks and pinched the zipper. His hand circled her wrist, stopping her. Was he going to pull away, end this? No. He’d done that to her too many times, she wouldn’t let him deny her. Deny them.

  “Gabriel—”

  “Tell me how you want it.” The pitch of his voice, so masculine and gruff, so beautiful.

  She held his gaze and licked her lips, drawing another groan from him. Slowly, she pulled the zipper down, freeing his aching cock. “I’ll show you.”

  Jordan shifted until she sat on the edge of the mattress. Her thighs framing his legs. His breath stilled and his hands fists at his sides as he waited. And waited. She couldn’t believe she was about to do this. She didn’t have much experience.

  Suddenly self-conscious, she tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth. Her eyes rounded as she watched a tiny bead of moisture slip from his slit.

  “Have a care, love. You’re pretty eyes have set me on fire.” His large hand wrapped around the base, holding it for her like an offering. “Come, have a taste.”

  She tentatively flicked her tongue over the head. From just that little contact, Gabriel shuddered. His reaction spurred her on.

  Jordan slipped a hand under his shirt, her nails gently scratching over his abs. Looking up at him, locking their gaze, she swept her tongue over the broad crown then sucked the tip between her lips. All those chiseled muscles in his torso contracted under her fingers.

  “That’s it.”

  She kissed down the side of his length, teased his testicles, and then kissed her way back up. His large body trembled. Never had she felt so much power. To have a man like him, a beast with his strength, surrendering to her…Exhilaration spiked her pulse and heated her blood.

  She drew him deeper into her mouth. His hands tunneled through her hair to grip her head. He barely resisted the urge to thrust.

  “More,” he hissed.

  Jordan wrapped both hands around his cock and began pumping as she swirled her tongue around him. Her cheeks hollowed as she sucked. He grew even harder, hotter. His balls drew up tight. Gabriel was close and she wanted to taste him as he’d tasted her.

  Every muscle in his body was rigid and aching. God, she made him burn. His body surged, reacting with a wild urgency. His cock throbbed, his balls ached, and the need to mount her was overwhelming. He was about to come and he needed inside her. Now!

  His fingers tightened in her hair and he pulled her away. “Another time. I promise.” His hands slipped to her shoulders and he pressed her back to the bed.

  Ignoring her mewling protests, he leaned over her, covering her with his wide body. He flicked his tongue over one nipple then the other before claiming one. He suckled her gently at first as he skimmed a hand down her torso, his fingers tickled her hip before dipping lower. His mouth on her drew hard and he shoved two fingers into her tight sheath. Her back bowed, her hips bucked. He released her breast to nip and kiss his way to the other. Trusting his fingers, he massaged her clit with his thumb and he greedily sucked on her.

  She writhed beneath him, her legs falling wide, inviting him in deeper. He withdrew, leaving her on the edge of pleasure.

  “No, no, don’t stop,” she gasped, reaching for him.

  “Don’t fear, love.” He gathered in his arms and pulled her up off the mattress. “We aren’t stopping.”

  He took her mouth and she met his hungry kiss. His fangs sliced her lip and she stilled. He silently cursed. An eternity ticked by as he waited for her reaction. Jordan groaned, her hands framed his face and she pulled him even harder against her. Their kiss deepened as she shared her blood with him. She likes this. Her body rocked against him, her orgasm so close. God, she’s perfect. Heaven.

  There were no thoughts in his mind past that, just the roaring hunger for her body.

  Panting, broke the kiss and turned her around, placing her on hands and knees before him. He knelt down, craving a taste. His tongue thrust into her center and she came for him. Her arms gave out, her chest fell to the mattress. She whimpered his name again and again as she continued to feast on her honey. He worked her into another frenzy. As she climaxed, he rose behind her and thrust deep. Her muscles spasmed around him, clutching, hungry for his heat to flood her.

  Gritting his teeth, he withdrew. Leaving her on the tip as she rode out her tremors. His hands tightened on her hips, nearly to the point of pain, holding her in place for his thrusts. He started slow, building her fire once more.

  “Oh…Gabriel…Yes. Yes!” Her fingers tangled in the sheets, her hair spread out, her back arched.

  Beautiful.

  “Harder,” she pleaded, that dizzying intensity mounting, her body tightening.

  He reached down and scooped her up. Her back slammed against his chest, his arm fitting between her quivering breasts, the leather strap of his blade erotically rubbing against her.

  “I’ll give you whatever you want.”

  He pounded into her, his cock hitting the top of her sex again and again. Filling her, claiming her. His fangs scraped along the column of her throat.

  Bite. Mark my mate.

  Holding her jaw with one hand, he tilted her head to the side. Her pulse erotically danced for him, jumping with every powerful surge of his body into hers. He ran his tongue over the sensitive spot and she shattered. Her core clenched his every inch, tearing a strangled growl from his chest. Crashing into her, he came with hard, hot jets. He flooding her, it slipped out on her thighs as he languidly continued to pump.

  His fangs throbbed, his throat burned. He hadn’t bitten her, though every instinct he possessed demanded it. But he’d wait. After he explained everything, after she had time to accept their entwined fate, he’d mark her then. He had to know she wanted it. There had been nothing worse than when the Madame took his blood, not the torture or the starvation or the rape. Her fangs slicing into him, taking his life force into her—such an intimate act turned foul.

  No, he’d only take from Jordan when she asked him. When she begged for it. Yes, he’d make her beg for nothing else but he’d hear her sweet plea for his bite.

  He withdrew from her body and used the sheet to clean her then himself. Jordan rolled to her back and stretched, her arms reaching over head, her toes pointed. A woman well pleasured. He wanted to give her more.

  Her light laugh brought hi
s focus back to her and this moment. “What?” he asked, his tone light. He left…relaxed…relieved.

  “We just made love while you were dressed and fully armed.”

  He glanced down at himself and blinked. Yup, that’s what they’d done. He cringed at the possibility of one of his blades cutting her. “You worked me into a mindless frenzy. What was I to do?”

  “Exactly what you did,” she replied with a smile.

  Like flipping a switch. Damn, she knew exactly how to rile him. His shaft thickened and hardened again. It took every bit of control he had not shove her thighs wide and thrust into her. Groaning, he repositioned his cock and fixed his pants.

  “Only, I was kind of hoping you’d bite.” She turned her head slightly to the side and swept her hair over her shoulder, exposing the column of her throat. “Just the feel of your tongue and breath on my skin…made me come so hard.”

  Unexpected little mortal. “You want my bite?”

  “I shouldn’t. Hunter code an all. But,” she shrugged, “I’m not a hunter, in an official capacity away.” Her eyes closed, her body trembled, her nipples hardened and he hips adulated. “Just think about it…Yes. God, yes. To have even more of a connection to you…”

  A stronger bond between them, yes, he craved that too.

  “Isn’t it something vampires do during sex? Have you held back because you think you’ll hurt me? Or take too much? I’ve heard some vampire’s bloodlust is—”

  “I’ve never taken a lover’s vein.”

  She blinked, the desire clouding her eyes cleared. “But, I thought…You know.”

  Gabriel shook his head. Should he tell? Was he ready to tell her? “I’m not like…others, Jordan. I can count the times I’ve taken directly from another on one hand. The act isn’t…something I enjoy.” I hate it.

  Her lips rounded in an O she began to piece his meaning together. Yeah, he was all kinds of messed up, even by vampire standards.

  Needing to focus on something else, he straightened his clothes and checked his weapons. Then double checked his weapons.

  “And you don’t like to share your blood either.”

  Her words weren’t a question and for some reason, they stung. “No.” But he had with her—several times—and he’d do so again and again. Forever. He’d give her his bite, he’d take her blood and offer her the same. They were mated.

  “Gabriel, did the Madame change you?”

  He briefly closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. The scent of her intoxicating jasmine scent and sex settled deep in his lungs. Soothing. Comforting.

  He’d been prepared for the “you’re my mate” conversation but not this. He wasn’t ready for this. Should he answer? Should he tell her all? Could he? Those memories he locked away long ago, but they’d begun to seep out. After the first slave house raid, they would slink from the shadows.

  No, he wasn’t ready to share it all, didn’t know if he ever could, but he nodded his head and said the only words he could, “I escaped.”

  Jordan inched back to the edge of the bed. Her feet small feet dangled just above the floor. “Klein planned to change me. When the war over. He intended to keep me.”

  He stepped to the bed and cupped her face. “He’s dead. Never to rise again.”

  She nodded and placed her hands on his wrists. Her thumbs brushed gentle circles over the pulse in his veins, it matched hers. “We’re more alike than we realize, vampire.”

  Her words hit him hard. She didn’t pity him. She didn’t pity herself. She saw their similar circumstance as another connection, another thread to strengthen their bond. He decided to view it the same.

  Their eyes met and Gabriel sucked in a harsh breath. Love shimmered in her gaze and softened her expression. For the first time in his whole life he felt…blessed. “Jordan, I l—”

  A knock at the door cut off the declaration. His lips curled over his fangs, his demon snarled in his mind and he snapped, “If you value your life, don’t open that door.”

  He drew up a blanket and covered Jordan. Reluctantly, he left her to crack opened the threshold. He leaned against the wall, blocking the view of his room.

  Gannon’s knowing, grinning face greeted him and Gabriel muttered a curse.

  “Sorry, but the Doc is here and, in case you forgot, we have a war to attend to.”

  “I’ll meet you down stairs and tell Scott to cool it for fifteen before heading up.”

  Gannon winked. “Sure thing, boss.”

  Gabriel shut the door in his friend’s annoying face before he threw a punch. Turning back to Jordan he said, “I’ve got to go. Dr. Fredrick is here to check up on you.” He brushed her cheek with his fingers. “We’ve much to discuss, love, and next time, you won’t distract me.”

  He turned and headed for the door. As he stepped into the hall, he heard her husky whisper, “We’ll see about that.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “You look relaxed. Dare I say happy? That tension that had you coiled like cobra ready to strike, seems to have faded. Those worry lines on your face are gone. My guess is Diazepam and Botox?”

  Gabriel didn’t respond as he and Gannon entered the elevator. He punch the button that would take them down to the secret level below Ruin, the War Room.

  “No, neither of those work on vamps. I’ve tried the prescription pill route. Let me tell ya, seriously disappointing.”

  He shook his head and kept his eyes locked on the closed doors.

  “Sex, then?”

  Clenching his jaw Gabriel remained silent. He’d often shared stories of his exploits with Gannon. Hell, many of the woman who fucked him also went after Gannon and vice-versa. But Jordan wasn’t a random or casual hook up. What they shared had been special and he had an odd need to keep it private. As if talking about it would ruin their connection or shatter some illusion. As if he’d wake from a spell and she’d be gone.

  “Definitely sex,” Gannon laughed. “Finally caved, huh? Damn, I didn’t win the pool. I said you’d fold at least a day earlier.”

  The muscle along Gabriel’s jaw twitched and Gannon hollered, “You did! Score. Nothing like being a couple hundred dollars richer.”

  Gabriel pinned his friend with a cold, deadly stare and Gannon threw his hands up, palms out in surrender. “Just a joke. Murder isn’t necessary.”

  “It’s a stress reliever.”

  Gannon chuckled. “So you plan on keeping her around?”

  With a sigh, Gabriel hit another button and the elevator lurched to a stop. Taking a breath, he focused his mind and said the words out loud for the first time, “She’s my mate.”

  Gannon’s eyes went wide, his jaw slackened, and if vampires could pass out from shock, his head would’ve smacked the floor. “You’re certain?”

  “We both bare the mark,” he said, unconsciously rubbing his palm over his chest.

  “Holy, shit.” Gannon shook his head. “Did you know? I mean, did you suspect?”

  “No…Maybe.” Gabriel frowned. “I don’t know. I guess on some level I did.”

  “It’d explain your obsession with her. When you found her picture you…changed. I knew you had anger issues, my man, but you became fucking terrifying and went on a rampage.”

  “I had to save her. I couldn’t let what happened to me happen to her. And it would’ve of. You were there when Klein confessed, he was going to torture her with the poison until her body gave out. Then he’d change her…” Gabriel scrubbed his face hard with his hands. She’d have been locked away, forced to feed off rats that found their way into her cell or dying humans tossed in with her, their veins already cut and oozing blood. Torture, pain, humiliation, her own blood taken from her as he body was used repeatedly for another’s pleasure.

  “Gabriel.” Gannon shook his shoulder. “Deep breath. Come back to the light.”

  “I’m not fit…My mind isn’t…I need to be right for her.” Sudden doubt hammered him. “She’s already asking questions I can’t answer.”


  “She can help you heal. Just let her. You don’t have to lay everything out all at once. She’ll understand.” Gannon patted him on the back. “It’s finally happened for you, man. The Fates have blessed you with a woman of your own and a second chance. What I wouldn’t give…” Clearing his throat, Gannon asked, “Have you told her?”

  Thankfully, Gannon let that one go. “I tried, but she was…in need.”

  “What do you plan to do about her? If our intel is correct Boras and his allies on their way.”

  Gabriel hand his hands over his face again, the pressure bruising, but left no marks. He and Gannon had been mapping out a defense strategy and an attack plan when Zara called down the night before. He’d over heard one his soldiers on the phone with the bartender and his chest had swelled with pride when he’d heard Jordan had held her own in a brawl with one of the other servers. His little scrapper had blown her cover, but he knew Rowena would still protect her. Then Zara’s tone changed and Gabriel shot from across the room to take the phone. His heart had hit the floor as panic seized him. Blind obsession consumed. He didn’t remember what he said to Gannon when he left or what orders he’d given to his men. He to go to her.

  He’d almost lost her and though he’d vowed never to change another, he’d been about to. He had cut his wrist for her, forced his cursed blood down her throat, intent on damning her soul along with his. Everything had happened so quickly and now…He had his mate and the war he’d started in order to save her was about to boil over. His enemies had rallied, were marching on the city even now.

  Klein and the other guards had said Boras had a plan, but no matter how creative he and Gannon had been with their questioning, they didn’t share their knowledge. After word had circled that he’d used shifter territory for his shady dealings, many of Boras’s supports abandoned him, knowing his leadership was coming to an end. His only hope for victory was a ruthless attack on Gabriel’s strong hold and the death of the Outcast Chieftain. The bastard would fight dirty. Another reason to keep his mating with Jordan under wraps.