She readied herself to charge, but he was prepared this time, anticipating her attack, eager for it.
Anticipate this.
She swiped the knife off the side table and launched it at his heart.
He barely moved aside in time, and the knife cut the flesh of his arm instead of lodging in his chest.
He glanced at the darkening fabric of his shirtsleeve. “If you wanted my blood, all you had to do was—”
She barreled into him, her speed and strength knocking him off his feet.
He landed on his back. She was on top, but his arm looped around her, holding her close. She couldn’t get the leverage she needed to bash a hole in his head.
She took a swing at him anyway. He caught her fist, then flipped their positions, pinning her beneath them.
She could shift. She’d be able to get away from him, no problem, but she’d have to ditch her friends. She would also have to taste him when she ripped into his flesh. She wanted that enough to know it was a very bad idea to have his blood on her tongue.
He held her down long enough to demonstrate his power over her, then he rose in one smooth movement.
She was back on her feet the next instant.
“I will hunt down your vampires,” she snarled. “I will kill them one by one.”
“Do not assume all my people will be baited as easily as Laila.”
“Don’t overestimate your people’s self-control.” She held out her healed palm. He’d almost tasted her blood. “Even you were baited.”
He glanced at her hand. “True.”
The admission silenced her retort.
“Yes, I am drawn to you. As you are drawn to me.”
She laughed. “The only reason I would want to be near you is to see you turn to ash.”
Something resembling a smile pulled at his mouth. “If you wanted me dead, your wolf would have come out to play. Unless you are worried about returning to this form unclothed? Although that should not be a concern as I have already seen you.”
“We were half-dressed,” she said, dismissing an experience that would not be repeated.
“We could remedy that.”
Her body pulsed with a resounding yes, but her wolf growled, demanding to be set free. Jared stepped toward her, his gaze on hers, undoubtedly seeing the yellow in her eyes, the tension running through her muscles. He was waiting for her to shift, expecting it even, because werewolves and vampires were natural rivals, lethal and power-hungry.
But Nora was not weak. She would not be provoked. “I’m not int—”
“I have a proposal.”
Her wolf leaped against her cage. She did not like to be interrupted.
Jared stepped closer. Lowered his voice. “You will scream my name.”
His aura seeped into her, warm and intoxicating. She laughed. “It will never happen, bloodsucker.”
“I wager it will. Before the next full moon, my name will be on your lips when you come.”
It took effort not to react to his words and the low rumble of his voice. “I am not sleeping with you again.”
“You are afraid.”
