The calm statement burned his ears and sped up the blood in his veins. She was braver than any soldier he’d ever met. Lifting his hand, he allowed himself one moment to touch the smooth skin along her cheekbone, humming at the delicate structure. “You’re so soft, Belle,” he rumbled.
She swallowed and leaned into his touch.
Heat flowed into his torso, expanding him into somebody strong enough to protect her. Determination slid just beneath his skin.
As if reading him, sadness filled her eyes. “You’re not listening.”
He helped her up and stood, backing her into the wall. “I listened.” One knuckle under her stubborn chin lifted her face. Her scent surrounded him, driving him to follow his plan. “I just didn’t agree.”
Temper brushed a muted red across her cheeks.
Ah, the pretty one usually got her way, now didn’t she? He grinned, even knowing he played with fire. “Thanks for the suggestion, though. For the record, any time you want to get on your knees, I’m there.”
The punch to the gut was expected and thus didn’t hurt. But it did deserve a response.
His mouth connected beneath her jaw, pressing a hard kiss to her neck. The simple touch nearly knocked him back on his heels. Soft and sweet, her skin felt too smooth to be real. Her head fell back, anchored by the wall, her legs parting to grant him access.
He’d conquered before, and the urge now held a resemblance to battle. To triumph and take. So badly he wanted her under him, pinned for good. Sighing his name.
He kissed down her jugular, feeling the pulse pounding. She slid her hands up into his hair, holding him in place as she plastered her soft body against his. The soft tug awoke the beast inside him. The one who scented his mate. Those incredible curves molded to his hardness, giving way and cushioning him. The driving urge to pleasure her forced him to slow down and explore. To taste and tempt, wandering up to the soft spot behind her ear.
He wouldn’t go near her mouth, because if he kissed her, he wouldn’t stop. One taste of that mouth, of her, would seal his fate.
Drawing back, he took a moment to remember her. Dazed blue eyes, smooth skin, pursed lips. As if waiting for his kiss. So damn perfect he’d do anything to protect her. To defend her from what wanted to hurt her.
He stepped back, allowing his face to harden. “Stay warm until I return.” His hoarse voice sounded more demon than vampire, and he fought a wince.
“Don’t leave,” she breathed.
“I’m sorry, Belle.” Drawing on the universe and controlling her dimensions, he teleported out of Alaska.
Chapter 8
Zane landed hard outside the back entrance to the old whorehouse. Pain ratcheted up his spine. A green laser beam whizzed by his head, morphing into a bullet as it impacted the warped wooden siding. Two more bullets slammed into his upper shoulder.
Shit.
He ducked and dove through a damaged window, hitting the ground and rolling. Pain rode him hard, and he shoved all feeling down to deal with later.
Nick Veis nodded from a crouched position in the thick smoke. Blood covered his face and poured from several wounds along his neck. He grunted before straightening to shoot through the window. “Nice of you to join us.” A bomb went off in the distance, and wooden beams dropped from the ceiling.
Zane ducked and crab-walked closer to the shards of glass. He smelledKurjan. “Gun.”
Nick spun a laser weapon through burned embers on the floor.
Zane clasped the handle, rose up, and fired a volley of shots toward the tree line. “How badly are you hurt?”
“Not bad,” Nick groaned, leaning against a side wall. “Just need a minute to repair the damage.”
“Humph.” Metal glinted in the forest, and Zane took aim, neatly hitting his target. Kurjan blood sprayed. “Status?” Zane asked.
Nick grunted as a bullet hole closed next to his trachea. “Status? Our status is that a holy fuck of a shit-storm has descended upon the demon nation.”
Zane nodded and took aim again. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t shut the bullet wounds in his shoulder after having just teleported. The best he could accomplish was stemming the blood flow. “Kalin didn’t like Suri’s double-cross today?”
“No.” Nick kept low and took position on the other side of the destroyed window. “The second we attacked the vampire helicopters and tried to kill Janet Kayrs, the Kurjans figured out our double-cross and attacked us here.” He dodged as a series of green bullets ripped by his chest. “Suri promised Kalin delivery of Janet Kayrs on a platter, and the Kurjan wants to feast.”
Zane grimaced. “Gross.”
