“I’d like to.” His gaze dropped to her lips, and with a small groan, he brushed his mouth against hers.
The contact was soft and sweet, the result explosive. Every nerve in her body sprang to attention, clamoring for release. Impossibly demanding. “What are you doing?” she breathed.
“This.” His mouth covered hers, pressing her back, driving into her with a desperation she felt in her own bones. He stroked her cheek, his thumb pushing against her jaw, forcing her mouth to open.
The second she granted him entrance, he dove in. Deep and hard, all consuming, his mouth worked hers.
She thought she’d been kissed before. Hell no. This was carnal, animalistic . . . everything. A flush of heat sparked her nipples and cascaded down to her sex, opening her legs. For him. Only for him. He moved against her, mimicking the sex act, rubbing her nearly into a frenzy. Finally, he whipped his head up, freeing her lips.
His breath panted out, his rock-hard chest moving against hers. “I want this.” His direct gaze held no subterfuge and allowed for no evasion. “I want you. Just once and before all hell breaks loose again. Our odds aren’t good.” He blinked and pressed a soft kiss to her nose. “Just you and me. Us. For once, in case this is all we have.”
She moved restlessly against him, needing relief.
“Janie.” Firm. Commanding. A tone that made her still. In the dream worlds, he’d hidden this side of himself. The side demanding control—pure Zane.
She blinked. “I know our odds of survival stink.” The war had just strengthened, and Zane had now defied the demon leader. Or rather, he was about to. “I don’t want to miss this night.” It was the truth, and he deserved to hear it. No matter what happened. For so many years she’d hoped for a future with him, and then as she’d grown, she’d seen the destruction of hope and dreams. Those with destinies often had to sacrifice.
She had a hell of a destiny. “I want this time.”
“You’re sure?” He loosened his hold on her wrists. “I can’t decide for you.”
She met his gaze levelly, too much emotion roaring through her to find the right words. Even if they ended up on opposite sides of the world or worse, she’d take this night for herself. Something just for her. “I’m sure. You and me. Now.”
His eyes flashed a sparkling black through the green. Ah. A vampire’s secondary color brought out only when he was seriously pissed or dangerously aroused. She’d done that. Brought out his hidden colors. The black signified a purebred demon, and it made sense it’d be his color.
He released her to nimbly unbutton her shirt, a low growl rolling from his chest.
The sound surged through her and ignited a darker desire. “Do demons growl like vampires?” she breathed.
His fangs flashed to be quickly withdrawn. “I don’t know.” He flicked open the clasp on her bra. “You’re beautiful, Belle.” Lowering his mouth, he flicked a nipple.
“Ohh.” She arched into him, digging her head into the pillow. Sensations bombarded her—electric and sparking fast. Those fangs. She’d never been bitten by a vampire. Ever.
He turned his attention to her other breast, nipping, tugging, and teasing. Janie spread her hands over his shoulders, marveling at the undulating muscles. She caressed down his back, digging into ridges, trying to memorize his body. Just in case this was their only chance, she wanted to remember everything.
Her shirt and bra flew across the room, even while he kept loving her chest. Bedclothes rustled when he sat up and unzipped her jeans.
Her breath caught. He pulled her clothing off, leaving her nude.
Vulnerability flushed through her. “I, ah—”
“Perfect.” His eyes flashed full black with a rim of green around the cornea. All primal being. “You’re perfect.”
Heat slammed into her along with a rare feminine confidence. At her small height, she had no choice but to be curvy, no matter how many hours she logged on the training field. Those extra ten pounds she’d wanted to lose weren’t going anywhere—ever. But Zane thought she was beautiful.
Half-sitting up, she reached for the buckle of his belt. Her hands trembled as she slid the tough leather free and unzipped his cargo pants. His cock sprang free. She stilled, her gaze caught. Huge. Unbearably huge. The small giggle that escaped her was full of nerves.
Zane grinned and shoved off the bed to drop his pants and kick off his shoes. “It’ll be okay, Belle.” He rested a knee on the bed.
Gingerly, she reached out and ran a finger along the hard ridges of his penis. His breath hitched. The skin was softer than she’d expected, but the overall shaft much harder. She hummed as she explored. “I should, ah, probably tell you something.” She tore her gaze from his dick to see his face.
Desire glittered in his eyes, and a masculine tension vibrated along his arms. But his expression. Full of hunger. “What’s that?” His voice lowered to demon guttural.
She swallowed. He needed to know the truth to make his decision, and she’d rather not get hurt too badly. “I haven’t done this before.”
The world stilled. Or maybe just Zane stilled, but everything else stopped moving, too. He kept her gaze, the black overtaking the green but leaving enough to be him. To be Zane. “Why not?” he murmured.
She coughed out air, not expecting the question. Zane always was a head-on type of guy. “Bodyguards, dangerous destiny, busy life.” She wanted to look away, but he wouldn’t let her.
