Lisa laughed, unconcerned as always with what she said and who she said it around or to. “The girl had me and that’s it. I think the rest of them sucked, so I was damn happy she moved here. She was a breath of fresh air, even if she’s really weird sometimes.”
Sabrina bit her inner cheek.
“Wendy Stilz pisses me off to this day when I think about her putting that dead pigeon in your locker and spray painting freak on the front of the locker door.” Lisa grinned. “When you hauled off and decked her a good one, yelling at her for hurting a bird, it was so beautiful. Man, I wish I would have recorded that. What a bitch.”
Gardelle gasped and looked at her. “They put dead animals in your locker?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“This is common for high school children to do?” he asked, his gaze going to Lazar.
Lazar shrugged. “I know not. Is it?”
Lisa stared at them both like they were nuts. “Uh, no.”
“Then why would they do such a thing to Brina?” questioned Gardelle with a sincerity in his voice that could not be missed.
Sabrina tapped her thigh gently. “Because they called me bird girl. I’d feed the pigeons at lunch and sit alone, away from everyone. Wendy knew I liked them, and she hated me for some reason. So, in order to get a rise out of me, she had her boyfriend of the hour kill one and put it in my locker.”
“Joke was on that bitch when you knocked her spoiled ass over the lunch table,” Lisa supplied proudly. “Such a beautiful moment.”
“She shouldn’t have hurt the bird. He didn’t do anything to her, and I don’t care that people call them the rats of the sky. Pigeons have feelings too.”
Lisa laughed. “Honey, you’re kind of adorable. You know that, right?”
“I broke the girl’s nose,” Sabrina said with a sigh. She deplored violence yet had so quickly resorted to it in that instance. What had been even stranger was how strong she’d seemed when she’d set her mind to harming Wendy.
“I know. Fabulous, right?”
She snickered, and some of her guilt eased away. “It did feel kind of good. Your dad was a gem when he came to school to smooth things over for me.”
“Yeah, a high-priced lawyer that makes the school system quake in their boots is always nice to have at your disposal.”
Gardelle took a seat, his hands going to his knees. “I should have been more attentive, Brina. I should have learned the ways and customs better before raising you here. I thought I was doing everything correctly. I tried to instill some of what I was raised to believe as well.”
Taking pity on him, she went to her uncle and bent, hugging him around the neck. She kissed his cheek. “I have no complaints. I love you.”
He put an arm over hers and his temple to hers. “I left you feeling alone in all of this and then lash out when you do not share with me all that happens in your life. I cannot fault you for keeping the truth of Latravis from me when your need to keep me worry and stress-free has left you keeping much from me over your life.”
“Man, he’s hard to stay mad at,” Lisa said with a snort. “Sexy guy over here even looks a little less like he might blow now. For a minute, it was touch and go.”
Lazar had appeared to calm somewhat. Oddly, she found herself going to him as well. She stepped close to him and went as far as to slide her arms around his waist, as if she’d known him for years. The strange heat sensation returned as she made contact with him. She half-expected him to push her away. He wrapped his powerful arms around her and dragged her against his body.
He put his lips to her ear. “Brina, I know you have no reason to believe me or respect my wishes, but your uncle is correct. Latravis is a dangerous man. I am unsure if he has ever shown that side of himself to you, but I can promise you that it is there—lurking just below the surface. If I were to ask you to consider staying away from him, would you?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say no, but that wasn’t what came out. “Yes.”
He rubbed her back, keeping his mouth to her ear and continuing to whisper, “He is cruel and sadistic and when pushed too far, he will strike without warning or reason. I have no wish to see you harmed by him. Already I wonder why it is he has not acted—why he has not harmed you. He enjoys games, but even this game would be long for him to play without reward.” He tensed.
She put her mouth to his ear, needing to go to her tiptoes in the process. “If you’re wondering if I’ve had sex with him, I haven’t.”
Lazar’s body relaxed, and he kissed her temple. The act should have been totally bizarre. So should holding on to a man she barely knew. It wasn’t. It was the exact opposite. Like it was the most normal thing she’d done all day.
“Um, Brina,” Lisa interrupted. “When did you get a boyfriend and not tell me?”
She was about to turn and tell her friend that Lazar wasn’t her boyfriend, when he reached down and took her hand in his. He then stepped back slightly and looked to Lisa. “Around two hours ago. Is that a problem?”
Lisa smiled wide. “I like you. You know that with her you just have to hop in there and lay claim, or she’ll run the other way like a scared little mouse.”
For some reason being referred to as a mouse around Lazar seemed very wrong. Like he was made to be a hunter and being prey wasn’t something you wanted to be.
He leaned in closer to her. “Fear not, my little mouse. I am full for now.”
She gulped and tried to, in fact, run the other way. It didn’t work out as planned with him holding her hand and all. Lisa and Lazar laughed.
Gardelle merely smiled at her. He looked between her and Lazar. “I do hope you manage to keep him on the run, Brina. He should have to work for your affections. You are a special young woman, and Lazar should be aware of as much.”
“I am,” Lazar said thoughtfully, his thumb caressing her inner wrist.
Lisa clapped her hands. “Ohmygod, he’s so incredibly perfect for you, Brina. He’s like Latravis minus the creepy vibe he sometimes lets off. Oh, and Lazar seems slightly less full of himself too.”
Lazar’s entire body tensed as he was compared to Latravis.
Sabrina stepped to him, putting her free hand to his chest. Her fingers skimmed his rippled form just like she’d done hundreds of times before in her dreams. “I don’t think he’s anything like Latravis.”
“Honey, have you noticed the eyes? I thought Latravis’s were contacts or something. Who would have thought two guys would naturally have eyes that color. And come on, the facial features are even close. Very close. Like brother kind of close. Hair too.”
Sabrina stared harder at Lazar. She shook her head. “I’m not seeing it.”
“Are you blind?” Lisa demanded.
She kept staring up at Lazar. She wanted to kiss him, and it took all she had to control her urges. She wasn’t the type of girl who threw herself at a man. Ever. “I honestly don’t see what you’re talking about.”
“Geesh, at least admit the same-color-eyes thing is there. Who else do you know with eyes that shade? What do you even call it?”
“Burnt umber,” Sabrina said softly. “And, yes, Latravis’s are the same shade, but they’re very different too.”
“How do you mean?” Lisa asked.
Sabrina lost herself for a moment in Lazar’s gaze. “There is a certain coldness in Latravis’s eyes. Like he’s hiding something big. Really big, and there are times you wonder if he’s registering the same emotions as everyone else around him. Lazar’s eyes have a certain mysterious quality to them. Like he’s got a secret too, but like he’s just waiting for the right second to tell you. And most importantly, there isn’t anything cold about them.”
If anything, they made her burn.
“Honey, you’ve known the guy two hours and you’re analyzing his eyes to that degree?”
Sheepishly, Sabrina grinned. It felt like she’d known him forever and a day. “You’re the one who brought it up. Not me. I was pretty
much stuck on his lips for the first hour.”
Lisa burst into laughter. “I have never seen you behave this way. Normally you’re rolling your eyes at all the guys who try to come on to you. And most of the time, you dodge them entirely. This one lays on the charm in a heavy way and you’re practically glued to him. Can I be your maid of honor at the wedding? Oh, can I be your kid’s godmother?”
That did it.
Sabrina leapt back from Lazar and nearly tripped over her uncle in the process of putting distance between her and Lazar.
Lisa laughed harder. “I will pull for you, Lazar. But looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you if you are expecting any sort of commitment out of the girl.”
Sabrina waited for Lazar to freak too.
He grinned at her, his gaze raking over her slowly. “You will find I can be most patient when called for.”
She sat down fast next to her uncle.
Gardelle chuckled and put an arm around her. “Fear not, Brina. I will beat him with a stick should he attempt to whisk you away and claim you for himself before the time is right.”
She gasped and looked at her uncle. “Don’t you mean at all? You’ll beat him period. Like for good. As in, never letting him whisk me away?”
Gardelle’s laugh was loud and long. He even teared up. “I sat here worrying that I was too controlling and that I held too tight to you, only to have you now insist I hold tighter. Lazar is a good man, and from the way the ladies speak of him—he is very handsome.”
She stilled and lifted a defined brow. “Ladies? How many ladies we talking here, because I have this sinking feeling I’m not going to like the number.”
Gardelle patted her shoulder. “I guarantee you will not. But something tells me Lazar’s days of countless women are numbered…” He looked to Lazar. “…if not already over. If I was to guess, I would think only one woman will do for him now.”
Lisa approached Lazar and looped her arm through his. “Buddy, that one woman better be my friend, or I’ll rip your nuts off and cram them down your throat.” She smiled sweetly.
Sabrina sucked in a fast breath.
Lazar offered a sexy smile. “It would appear my body will remain intact.”
It took Sabrina a second to catch on to what he was saying. She was the one woman her uncle was referring to.
A tiny squeak came from her.
Lazar winked. “Are you well, little mouse? You look pale.”
She pressed tight against her uncle’s side.
Gardelle chuckled more. “Continue, Lazar, and your little mouse will flee. The hunt may be exciting, but I am guessing she is quicker than you believe her to be.”
Lazar appeared to welcome the idea of pursuing her.
She gulped.
Lisa grinned. “Man, I am so enjoying this night. Hey, Gardelle, wanna go make out and give Lazar and Sabrina some time alone?”
It was Gardelle’s turn to press against Sabrina. “Do not dare leave her alone with me.”
Sabrina laughed. “The mere mortal scares the heck out of you, doesn’t she?”
“Wanna take me out on the town?” Lisa asked. “It’s either do it, or you and me sneak in some alone time.”
Gardelle’s eyes widened more. “Out. Out is good. Out works.”
Chapter Six
The lights of the club weren’t exactly doing much in the way of providing adequate lighting. Sabrina stayed close to Lazar. Lisa had dragged Gardelle out onto the dance floor the moment they arrived and had attempted to do the same to Sabrina. Thankfully, Lazar had saved her, sliding an arm around her waist and tugging her tight to him.
The club scene was Lisa’s idea of fun. Sabrina had never completely taken to it. Still, she came all the same, happy to be out of the house.
Lazar held a drink in his free hand but kept his other arm around her. He’d managed to keep her close from the word go. He leaned against the bar, sipping his drink as he pulled her closer. She was left no choice but to lean against him. She didn’t mind.
His lips pressed to her ear. “It is very loud here.”
It was.
He’d been talking directly into her ear since their arrival. Each time he did, his deep voice reverberated through her. Her entire body was on overdrive this close to him.
She shut her eyes and sank against his embrace. She’d done the very same thing in more than one of her erotic dreams. Her hand went to his, the one on her hip. She considered moving his hand off her and stepping away, but the thought vanished quickly as Lazar’s lips skimmed her earlobe. “The music has slowed. We shall dance now.”
“No,” she protested, but he ignored her. He set his empty glass on the bar and guided her to the dance floor. She caught sight of Lisa through the crowd. Gardelle seemed to have surrendered to the inevitable with her and was dancing near her.
Lazar turned Sabrina to face him. He jerked her closer. She stared at the muscular chest before her. The snug-fitting black T-shirt did nothing to take from just how ripped the guy was—in fact, all it did was outline every rippling muscle and bulge.
Darn man meat.
Gulping, Sabrina forced her gaze higher. Her mouth watered at the size of his neck.
Lazar swayed their bodies to the beat. She danced with him, allowing him to lead. His powerful frame flexed against her, and she couldn’t stop the whimper of desire that fell from her lips.
Lazar’s hands eased down her back, lower and lower. Finally, they settled on the top of her backside. Sabrina would have normally slapped a man across the face for being so bold. She didn’t with him. Instead, she touched his neck, her thumbs caressing his jawline as she stared up at him. He moved with a fluid motion that was almost inhuman, yet totally hypnotic.
Never had she been so fascinated with a man before. Sure, she’d found more than her fair share pleasing on the eyes, but this was different. Carnal.
The slow song ended too soon. A faster song came on. She went to walk away from Lazar, but he held firm to her. He began to move once more, his thigh pushing between her legs. Sabrina rocked with him, countering his semi-thrusts that matched the driving beat of the techno music.
His lips found her ear again as his thigh ground against her mound. Pleasure began to build, and she gripped his forearms as best she could, tipping her head, wanting his lips on her neck. He seemed to read her mind, his mouth sampling the tender skin just behind her ear.
She melted against him.
Shockingly, she made the next move. She turned her head, and their lips touched. Sabrina half-thought he might pull away. He didn’t. His tongue darted into her mouth, and she opened to him. Her tongue danced around his, letting him lead just as her body did on the dance floor.
She’d never made out on a dance floor with a man she’d only met a few hours earlier. This was out of character yet felt completely right, as if she should have been doing this with him from the moment they met.
She had to go to her tiptoes to keep her lips locked with his. He bent more, as if sensing her strain. He lifted her like she weighed nothing. She yelped into his mouth, and he chuckled, keeping hold of her. Their tongues locked once more, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. His kisses were familiar. Just as they’d been in her dreams.
She ate at his mouth, eager for more. He gave her what she wanted, and moisture pooled at the apex of her thighs. Startled by her raw need for him, she broke the kiss and panted in his embrace. “Lazar.”
He closed his eyes and seemed to compose himself. He didn’t set her down though. “My apologies. You are a lady, and I take far too many liberties with you.”
She stared into his eyes for the longest time before kissing the tip of his nose. “Find a creative way to shake my uncle and you can take far more with me.”
Lazar’s expression changed to one of shock. He glanced in the direction she’d last seen her uncle in. He set Sabrina down gently but kept her close. “You have no idea how much I wish to accept what you offer, but, Sabrina, you deserve
better.”
She bit her lower lip. “That may be so but—”
He dipped his head and kissed her tenderly. When he drew back, her lips stayed puckered for a moment, plump from his kisses. “Know that I want you. More than I’ve ever wanted any woman, but we’ll do this right. Proper.”
She wanted to argue with him but couldn’t. He was treating her with respect, something every woman wanted. With a pout, she nodded.
He grinned and drew her close, dancing with her again. Song after song went by too fast for her liking. Before Sabrina knew it, the night was over. She didn’t want it to be. She wanted to stay forever in his embrace, as strange as that sounded.
Every ounce of restraint was called for within Lazar. Sabrina was so close, tempting and so willing. Damned be the bird gods. He wasn’t what she deserved. She deserved more. Better than him, yet he couldn’t fathom walking away from her.
Her tiny frame begged to be protected, loved, sampled for all eternity. Already he’d confirmed her kisses were identical to those he’d dreamed of. Would being in her feel the same?
His cock throbbed with need.
He didn’t want proper. He wanted to be balls-deep in her. He wanted to release so much seed in her there was no question she carried his offspring. He wanted more than he had a right to ask from her. He’d lain with so many women. He’d used countless cunts to try to satisfy his manly needs. None worked.
Now, when he finally had the one woman created for him, he felt like a fraud before her. A whore. One who should be king of his people and Sabrina his queen. Now she was simply the mate to the whore traitor.
Chapter Seven
Lazar, still damp from his shower, finished dressing in a different set of clothing Gardelle had provided him with for the new day and headed out of one of the guestrooms just as Lisa was leaving the other. She caught his eye and smiled. While the smile held the temptation of sex, he didn’t get the sense she was offering, and even if she was, he wasn’t interested. Only Sabrina interested him.
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