She bit back a whimper at the unreal thirst, fighting the very real urge to pin him with her thighs and rub against him to find relief. Any relief from the fierce demand gripping her body.
His hardness shut down her brain, and she needed to think. To focus and plan. “Let go of me,” she breathed out.
“No.” He lifted his head to pin her with a hungry gaze. “I hadn’t wanted to talk this way, but here we are.”
Oh yeah? She blinked and tried to wake up in Oregon. Frustration welled through her when she remained in place. Worse yet, a horrible relief loosened her muscles as her body remained enveloped by his.
“I have as much power as you here since I took your blood.” Pure fact and no triumph colored his words. “And you’re going to goddamn stay here and talk this out whether you like it or not.”
Okay. A bit of a vampiric ego there.
Janie glared up at him. So much for two decades of training. Against a vampire/demon, her human strength didn’t amount to much. But she had more tricks up her sleeve. Flashing him a smile, she slightly spread her legs, wiggling her butt in the sand.
His erection jumped against her, while his eyes darkened and his chest hitched.
“Problem, Zane?” she whispered, throwing challenge into every syllable. The sensations coursing through her threatened to reduce her to a begging mass of nerves, and she had to fight herself as much as him. Yeah, fury filled her, but even so, he felt so damn good. She’d always wondered, and now she wanted more. So much more.
His gaze dropped to her mouth. “You’ve pushed enough, Belle.” His voice lowered to a guttural tone that licked right across her skin. Demon low and far too sexy.
If he didn’t get his hard body off her, she just might explode. She slowly licked her bottom lip in one last desperate attempt to force his retreat. “I’m just getting started.”
He sucked in air. “You want to play, baby? Fine.” His hard shaft slid against her, and even through their clothing, she could feel him pulse. His chest flattened hers with restrained strength.
She swallowed, bombarded with instant hunger. “This isn’t real.”
His heated breath brushed her face. “Feels real though, doesn’t it?”
Yes. God yes, and she was seconds away from offering him everything. “No. Although you weigh a ton. Get off.”
His upper lip quirked. “I’d love to.”
She rolled her eyes and tried to struggle, but he’d effectively pinned her in place. The wet sand cooled her backside, while the heated male warmed her front. Too much. “Say your piece and get the hell off me.”
He settled into place, his jaw hardening. “I appreciate your need for the smart-ass attitude, and usually I rather enjoy it, but I suggest you refrain for the moment.”
“Or what?” she asked, meeting his gaze evenly.
“Don’t push.”
She tried to focus on anything but the desire uncoiling too fast inside her. He covered her head-to-toe, and each nerve begged for movement. For release. “I don’t need to be a smart-ass.”
“Sure you do.” His gaze finally gentled. “You’re a small human surrounded by vampires who think you’re going to save them all. The smart-ass attitude reassures them and keeps you from spiraling into fear.”
She blinked. Twice. How was it possible he could see her so clearly when they’d only met in person once across a deep cavern? Nobody knew her that well. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” The rain continued to batter the sand around them, while the tree boughs protected them for now. “You lied to me.” As hard as she tried, she failed to keep a tendril of hurt from her words.
He sighed, his gaze softening. “I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you I’m a demon.”
“Half-demon,” she muttered.
His smile broke out, a flash of white against his bronze skin. “Half-demon.” The hold on her hands relaxed. “My uncle ordered me not to tell you, but I wouldn’t have anyway.”
She frowned. He didn’t trust her? Hurt competed with desire inside her. “Why not?” she whispered.
He lifted an eyebrow. “Because you would’ve told the king, and he would’ve figured out a way to use it to his advantage. Like I would in his place.”
True. Janie flexed her hands. Nope. Still couldn’t move. “Did you know about my uncle Jase?” she asked.
“No.” Sympathy twisted Zane’s lip. “I was fighting in Iceland for years and had no clue Suri had taken your uncle or was torturing him. Once I did find out, I tried to discover where, but Suri kept the truth from me. I am sorry.”
