Silence descended upon us–even the bugs chirping in the night ceased their calls. The only sound was the thundering of our hearts, and the rasps of our breaths.
Minutes passed as we stared at each other. His grip on my wrists loosened.
Pieces clicked into place in my brain. The picture became clear.
“Say that again,” I whispered.
“I care about you,” He breathed. “I care about you, Fiella. I want you. I want to be with you. Gods, I just want to benearyou. All the time. You have captured me–mind, body, and soul.” He stayed where he was, caging me against the tree. My hands pressed harder into to his chest as we breathed in sync.
Slowly, the strange sense of guilt that had been clouding me began to drift away.
There was nothing to feel guilty about.
While I had been growing attached to my penpal, my friend, I had also been growing attached to Redd in the flesh. I craved his presence, I desired his company, I ached for his touch.
When I didn’t say anything in response, Redd spoke again. “I know you care about me too.”
“I do,” I breathed, barely a whisper. Barely loud enough to be heard. He inhaled sharply, pressing ever so slightly closer to me.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you,” he taunted.
I snorted. I spoke with more force this time. “I do. I care about you, too. More than I ever expected to. You’ve taken me by surprise.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “See, it feels good to say it, doesn’t it? It feelsright.”
I allowed his words to wash over me, the tension finally leaving my body. Desire took its place, thrumming through my veins. My heart quickened.
This vampire, this gorgeous, kind, helpful soul, could bemine.He wanted to be.
I slid my hands up his chest, over his shoulders, around to the back of his neck. He let me, his hands releasing my wrists and sliding around to my waist.
“Don’t fight it. I know you’re shocked right now. Hells, I’m shocked too. But this isgood,” he murmured.
I nodded. “It is,” I said quietly. I pulled his head down to mine and pressed my lips to his. Hard. The lingering adrenaline of the chase reignited in my veins and heat pooled in my stomach.
His fingers dug into my waist, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer.
He deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding into my mouth in a caress that boiled my blood. I dug my fingers into his hair and relished his sharp intake of breath.
“Well,” I murmured when I finally pulled away. His mouth traveled to my jaw before settling over my throat, his lips teasing my sensitive skin. “You caught me. What are you going to do with me now?”
He laughed wickedly against my skin. “I have a few ideas.”
In a flash, he ducked, tearing my trousers from my legs with a harsh yank. I squealed in surprise. Before I could react further, he lifted me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist on instinct. He kept my back shoved against the tree as he pressed his body into mine, erasing every inch between us.
“I hope there are no other folk around to hear,” I gasped, winding my arms around his shoulders to help hold myself up.
“Let them listen. Let them hear you scream while I make you mine,” he growled.
He dove back for my mouth in a frenzy, his fangs clashing against mine. He ground his clothed erection against my center, the heat radiating through the fabric. I moaned low in my throat.
“You know, that doesn’t work so well with trousers on,” I panted against his mouth.
I felt his smile against my mouth. “Patient as ever, I see.”
He reached down with one hand to unbutton his trousers, only pulling them down far enough to free his cock.
Then he tore my undergarments from my body. I gasped in outrage. “Again? Seriously? You’re going to need to buy me–”
