Claws and Fangs

by Laurann Dohner

  “I don’t date anyone I meet at Mooning.” His hand returned and he stroked her cheek with his thumb. “You’re much more attractive to me than any of those women.”

  Jasmine laughed. Her body didn’t ache anymore and she felt good. “Now I know this is a dream. That’s such a load of bullshit.”

  He grew solemn. “Never put yourself down.”

  “I’m not. My boobs are real, I like to eat, and no one is ever going to want to pay me to be on film without my clothes. I’m more of the girl-next-door type.”

  “Exactly. There’s a sweetness about you that I find very appealing. You fascinate me.”

  “I would say you must lead a very boring life but I know better. Your club has a reputation for being pretty wild.”

  “It’s not technically my club. I just work there, running security.”

  “Ah. Do you get tired of patting down all those super-skinny girls? Are they too bony?”

  He chuckled, his eye color fading to brown. “Let’s just say I prefer someone with curves and a personality. Those women didn’t last long the few times I attempted relationships.”

  “You dumped them?”

  He leaned back and stopped touching her. “No. They couldn’t handle my lifestyle.”

  “Jealousy.” She could understand that. “It would be tough knowing you were hanging around all those women with your looks. You must get hit on often.” She paused, unable to resist. “You admitted to being part dog.” She laughed at the joke. He didn’t.

  “You’re almost fully recovered.”

  He took her hand to study her wrist. Jasmine looked too, and the ugly injuries from the shackles she’d fought were gone. Pink, healthy skin appeared unmarred.

  “Very cool dream. I wonder if I can fly.”

  His gaze held hers. “No. That’s one thing you can’t do. You’ll be a little bit stronger, faster, and you’ll heal quickly from most injuries.”

  “Am I a vampire now?” The concept was intriguing.

  “No.”

  “You’re almost his mate!” The cold voice belonged to a rail-thin, tall blonde who stepped closer to the bed. Her eyes—fixed on Chase—resembled two chunks of jagged emeralds. “How could you?”

  He rose to his feet. “How did you even find this place, Arry?”

  “You were so worried about her that you didn’t notice my car trailing yours.” She glanced around. “Tell me you aren’t completing the bond. She’s human.”

  Jasmine could hear the insult in the other woman’s tone and she looked to Chase for answers. “Who is she? What is she talking about?”

  “Leave,” Chase ordered the blonde coldly, ignoring the questions. “You aren’t welcome here, Arry.” He took a threatening step forward. “I told you it wouldn’t happen when you showed up.”

  Arry planted her hands on her hips. “Everyone fears us and we’re both alone. It’s a given that we’ll mate!”

  “We’re not feared. We’re pitied. Vampires believe we’re inferior and werewolves think we’re unable to form tight bonds with others.” He paused. “I chose her. There’s nothing for you here.”

  Arry chewed on her bottom lip. “It’s easier if we mate.”

  “I want to be happy.”

  “Sex would be good between us.”

  “It’s not enough.”

  Arry glanced at Jasmine. “What can she give you that I can’t?”

  “Her thoughts are easy to read. She’s sweet and funny.” He paused. “Smart. Honest. She’s everything I want in a mate.”

  Jasmine slid out of bed and walked to Chase. One glance down her body revealed a frumpy, faded nightshirt that hit just above her knees. It was comfortable, covered her for the most part, though she’d never seen it before in her life. Her attention returned to Chase and she tapped his shoulder. He turned, peering down at her. His eyes were blue again.

  “You read my mind?”

  “It’s a vampire trait. I can only read surface thoughts, but yes.”

  “She isn’t even sure this is reality,” Arry said. “It’s too crazy to be real. That’s what she’s thinking. That, and something about infection from the bites...” She smirked. “I see the attraction is mutual. She thinks you’re hot but your eyes are confusing her.”

  Jasmine was stunned as she looked at the blonde. The dream was becoming more than a little disconcerting. “Stay out of my head.”

  “It’s real, honey. He saved you from that basement and healed your wounds. Vampires and werewolves do exist. His eyes change color when he’s angry, turned on, or using his special traits.” Arry opened her mouth, wicked fangs extending. “See? The better to bite with. You’re beginning to believe, aren’t you? You’re afraid now.”

  It was true. Everything seemed too real and denial was great, but it could only last for so long. Jasmine dropped her hand and backed away from Chase as fear crept up her spine until the hairs at the base of her neck stood on end. He reached for her but she jumped out of the way to avoid his touch.

  “Trouble in paradise.” The blonde snorted. “Wipe her memories and send her home.” She approached Chase. “Mate me. We’re the same!”

  His head snapped forward. “We aren’t. Leave, Arry. Return to wherever you came from. We’ll never be mates.”

  “We’re in a world that has no place for our kind,” she argued. “Your vampire friends don’t trust us completely, regardless of your faith in them. While your little wolf pack tempts me to try to find one of my own, you know you only rule them because they fear your strength. They’d chop you into pieces if given half the chance, because you aren’t truly one of them. I catch some of their thoughts, the way you must too when their guards are down. It has to be tiring to always worry they might come after you. I’d have your back, and you’d have mine.”

  “My friends and pack are none of your business. I’d be more worried, if I were you, that they’ll come after you. They swore allegiance to me. You’re just a visitor who refuses to follow orders. Watch your own back—and get out of my house. Never return here or reveal the location. I’ll hunt you down and kill you myself if you do.”

  Jasmine watched them stare at each other as more chills ran down her spine. It was obvious the two weren’t friends, not even close, and the dangerous vibes pouring from Chase were strong enough for her to feel. The room seemed to grow colder as the seconds passed.

  The blonde raised her hands in defeat. “I’ll go. But call me after this blows up in your face. No human is going to accept and love you for what you truly are. She’s already frightened, and it hasn’t even fully sunk in yet.”

  Arry spun around but hesitated by the open doorway, turning her head to peer at him. “Your den is safe. I’d never betray you, regardless of the stupid mistakes I believe you make.” She glared at Jasmine, and then retreated.

  Chase watched Arry go before facing Jasmine. She’d backed into the corner by the fireplace. He knew her thoughts centered on using the fire poker as a weapon if he attacked. He wanted to assure that wouldn’t happen.

  “I’d never hurt you.”

  “You’re really part vampire and werewolf?”

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  She was too cute. Part of her wanted to bolt but she was also very curious. Her strong attraction to him helped. She’d fantasized about him often since they’d met. He could read all that as he concentrated on her thoughts. It would be easy to force her to agree to mating him, but once the bond took, she’d have free will. It would be a bad way to start their future together. It was also forbidden.

  “My parents had sex.”

  She frowned, not appreciating his attempt at humor.

  “My father was a vampire, my mother a werewolf and vampire half-breed.”

  “Vampires don’t have kids. They can’t.”

  “You read that in a book?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t sparkle or burst into flames in the sun. I bet you read that, too.” He continued before she could
voice her thoughts. “I don’t shift into a wolf. My bloodlines aren’t pure enough. I don’t have a tail, nor do I howl at the moon when it’s full. I don’t kill people to drink blood, but yes, I need it. Blood banks are willing to make some extra income by selling contaminated blood instead of destroying it.”

  “Contaminated?”

  “We can’t catch human diseases. Contaminated blood doesn’t affect us. They can’t use it on humans, so they believe they’re helping medical research by selling it and reinvesting the profit.”

  Her lips parted.

  “We set up a fake medical research company with a small office for deliveries. It avoids suspicion.”

  “You really drink blood?”

  “Yes. You will too after we mate.”

  “That’s gross.”

  He fought to hide his amusement when she purposely refused to acknowledge the part about mating. “You’d only drink mine. I promise you’ll enjoy it.” His dick hardened thinking about her at his neck or chest, taking from him while he fucked her.

  “Why? I mean, if you want to turn me into a vampire, couldn’t I drink anyone’s blood?”

  She was so enchanting and had inner strength he respected. His words disturbed her, she was afraid, but she was attempting to be brave. “I don’t want you to be fully vampire. You couldn’t withstand the sun. My blood will protect you from having that weakness.”

  “Because you’re also a werewolf.”

  It was difficult to follow her thoughts. Many of them were streaming so quickly he could only catch a word or two. Jasmine was smart, something he already knew. She was trying to make sense of it all, using books she’d read and logical guesses to fill in the blanks.

  “Exactly.”

  Mate. That word kept popping into her thoughts, and he concentrated harder, attempting to focus on just the ones on that subject.

  Mate. Sex. God, he’s hot. It wouldn’t be so bad. Who am I kidding? The guy would probably blow my mind with sex if he didn’t suck me dry of blood and kill me first.

  “I barely know you. I need to think about this,” came out of her mouth.

  I love his eyes, regardless of what color they are. And his chest. He’s so big. I wonder if he’s one of those guys who are all muscle because he uses steroids. Did it shrink his package to a tiny size? Don’t you dare glance at his crotch. He’s watching and he’d notice. That would be so embarrassing. Are you kidding? Who cares about that? He says he’s a vampire who’s also a werewolf. Of course, I’d have to be attracted to him, right? Of all the men to pick to obsess over. Good going, Jas. Oh my god. How can this be real? Do I run? Scream? Fight? What the hell do I do? I’m so out of my league. Shit! He’s staring at me and his eyes are glowing again. Can he really read my mind? That disturbs the hell out of me. Who could date someone like that? There’d be no privacy at all. What relationship could survive that? Shit. I think he is reading my mind. La, la, la, la, la. Does that even work? Maybe I should start singing nursery rhymes. I know I’d want to get the hell out of my head if I had to hear my singing.

  Chase shielded her thoughts to prevent any more from reaching him. He had expected her reservations about becoming his mate, but not how bothered she’d be by his ability to read her mind. He decided to make it clear there really wasn’t a choice. She was logical. “Your life was already taken, Jasmine. It belongs to me now.”

  He regretted the words instantly when she lunged at the weapon, waving the curved point of the poker at him. It was the wrong approach.

  “Get back!”

  “Sweetheart, you couldn’t hurt me with that.” To prove his point, he moved fast, removing it from her hold before she could even gasp. One arm wrapped around her waist and hoisted her off her feet to pin her against the wall. “The important part is that we’ll be together.”

  She flattened her hands on his chest as her eyes widened with fear. He hated her reaction but could understand. He dropped the poker and slid his fingers into her hair to protect her head from the bricks if she attempted to pull back.

  “Let me go.”

  “I can’t. You’re mine, Jasmine. I wanted you when we met, but I didn’t want to introduce you to the darker side of life. Someone else did that when you were taken.”

  “You could make me forget it all, couldn’t you?”

  “Yes.” He lowered his gaze to her mouth, wanting to kiss it. “But you were almost killed. It could happen again. I’m not willing to risk that. I wanted you, and destiny brought us together for a second time for a reason.” His gaze held hers.

  “Destiny? You believe in that?”

  “Yes.” He was tempted to read her again but resisted. It made him feel guilty, considering she was probably singing “Old McDonald” or some other childhood song inside her head right now, believing it would protect her from that invasion of privacy.

  “I don’t.”

  “Not yet, but I’ll convince you.”

  “I don’t think you can.”

  “Kiss me.”

  He’d show her there was passion between them. It had always been there, but he’d resisted it when they’d spent those four evenings together viewing properties. Seeing her in that basement, understanding how close she’d come to death, changed that. She was everything he’d always wanted, and she deserved better than living in a dark world. But she could have died—and good intentions be damned.

  The second her mouth parted to voice a protest, he was there.

  Jasmine’s lips were as soft as they looked when he covered them. She gasped but his tongue muffled the sound as he asserted his dominance to his mate. White-hot fervor rolled through him when she kissed him back, her hands fisting his shirt. The animal side of him snarled, wanting to claim her.

  Chapter Three

  No one had ever kissed Jasmine the way Chase did. It wasn’t just lips coming together. Her entire body seemed affected by each thrust of his tongue against hers. A spark of warmth turned into a burning need that flared to life and slowly spread to her lower belly. His fingers tangled in the hair at the base of her neck and tugged her head back to gain better access. Carnal images were forced into her mind.

  She clawed at his shirt, tearing at the fabric in desperate need to feel skin. One of her legs wrapped around his waist to hook over his muscular ass. It was as if pure lust poured out of him and into her. Jasmine couldn’t get close enough—rubbing against him, she moaned. She’d gone from frightened to burning alive with sexual need.

  Her back flattened against the wall as Chase’s body pressed tighter to her front. His pelvis ground between her thighs, rubbing his trapped, stiff cock along the seam of her panties.

  The nightshirt she wore rode up, only the barriers of her panties and his jeans separating them. The rigid length of his cock brushed back and forth, heightening her desire to feel him inside her. It was insane yet it all made sense. She didn’t want to question—just feel.

  This was the guy she’d fantasized about almost nightly. He had been a gentleman, holding her hand while they’d traipsed around woods in the dark, and he’d always opened her car door when she’d met him. He made her laugh with his quick wit. Chase had been mysterious with his short replies about his personal life but he was a good man. She’d known the difference after dealing with a lot of clients who hit on her at the first opportunity. Not once had he made her feel uncomfortable or afraid.

  It had been the complete opposite instead. She’d felt safe with Chase—protected and comfortable. He was smart, talking about books he’d read and current events. They had things in common. He loved to watch the same action films she did and enjoyed cooking. He’d listened to her as if what she said mattered, and he was attentive. She’d just really liked him. It had been disappointing when he hadn’t asked her out after she’d dropped hints that she’d welcome more time spent together.

  And his package was impressive—not small at all.

  His hips slowly rocked against her clit, drawing her closer to climax. It felt so good she
almost bit him when the pleasure grew too strong. He seemed to know it too, as he tore his mouth away to shift attention to the column of her neck instead. Hot, wet kisses trailed from under her ear to the top of her shoulder, where the nightshirt stopped him from going lower.

  His teeth raked her sensitive skin and she moaned louder. She was pretty sure those were fangs, and they felt amazing. He could bite her, but no fear rose over that thought. Instead, she almost wanted to feel them just for the sake of knowing any part of him was inside her.

  He untangled his hand from her hair, gripped the nightshirt, and shoved it higher as he adjusted his body to put space between their hips. A slight tug was the only warning before her panties were ripped away. She opened her eyes to watch them sail across the room. It was a speak-now-or-this-is-happening moment as he worked his zipper open to free his cock. She wasn’t a virgin, and she knew silence implied consent.

  She wanted Chase Woods. Right or wrong, crazy or not, she wasn’t going to say no.

  He didn’t do what she expected. Instead of entering her, his fingers explored her sex. She was wet and ready but he pressed his thumb over the bundle of nerves, drawing circles over her clit. She moaned louder as the pleasure grew more intense, digging her fingernails into his shirt where she clutched at his shoulders to help support her weight, which he held with one arm. It seemed easy for him.

  “Jasmine,” he rasped, slightly out of breath. “Say yes.”

  “Yes!”

  She had wanted him for a long time—too long. It had taken months for her to abandon all hope that he’d call to ask her on a date. It had been depressing. He wanted her now though, and it wasn’t just a one-night stand. He was looking for a mate.

  “Wait,” she panted, suddenly filled with questions before they went any further. The memory of their past gave her pause.

  He growled in frustration but stopped kissing her, and his thumb stilled as he pulled his face back until their gazes met. “What?” His eyes narrowed as he peered deeply into hers. “Yes,” he said, obviously reading her mind. “I’m serious about the mating. We’ll live together here, where you’ll be safe. I’ll still have my job but you’ll never have to worry about me cheating. You’ll be it for me, the only one I want, Jasmine.” He paused. “How can you be sure? Mates are bonded. You’ll be able to read my thoughts and feelings. We’ll feel a type of addiction to each other that nothing else can compare to.”