At the thought, he threw his arm over his brow, a rough sigh escaping him. How the hell could he keep her safe from the worst danger she might face? She’d soon start to feel the pull of their mating bond, and it had tragedy written all overit.
A moan drifted to him…followed byclattering.
He lowered his arm. Frowning, Dagan pushed off the bed and, using the connecting door, entered his room. It was like stepping into an icebox. The windows stood open. With a thought, he shut them and crossed to the bed. Shae huddled beneath the thin cover, trembling. He never used anything when he slept, even in this high altitude and with the freezing temperatures at night. But she was human. Her teeth clacked together, forcing him toact.
He glanced down at himself. Naked would be asking for trouble. He got out sweats from his closet, pulled them on, then fed the dying embers in the fireplace more wood before heading to the bed. “Moveover.”
She peered out from beneath the covers. “I-I’mokay.”
“Sure, you are.” He lifted the thin sheet. She wore a black t-shirt and sweats…his. Damn, he should have gotten her clothes, some damn warm pajamas at least, and she wouldn’t be freezing now. He got in and drew her close. She shuddered as her icy body slid alongside his. “You should have calledme.”
She didn’t say anything, burrowing deeply into him as if searching for every bit of heat he possessed. He willed his warmth into her, stroking her back. As the shivering eased, her body loosened. Soon, a soft sigh caressed his skin as sleep took herover.
Or so hethought.
“Did you…feed?”
A sigh barreled out of him. “Go tosleep.”
“Didyou?”
“Yes.”
Her entire body went taut. She rolled away and curled up on the other end of themattress.
“How the hell will you get warm on thatside?”
She remained silent. He reached forher.
“Don’t.” She flung out a hand, stoppinghim.
Dagan glared at the ceiling. He should just go back to the other room, get some sleep. Then it hit him—his taunting her earlier. Hell, she thought he’d fed and fucked another woman, then came toher?
Scowling, he leaped off the bed. Sure, he could be an asshole at times, but he did have a few ethics he abided by. One of which was, he didn’t cheat, never had…unlike his oldman.
He stalked around the bed and crouched at her side. A swathe of red hair covered her face. “If it eases your mind, I fed from ananimal.”
She appeared so still, he was sure she’d stopped breathing. After a second, maybe several, she said, “You don’t have to explain. It’s none of my business what youdo.”
“Then whyask?”
When she didn’t answer, frustrated to his eyeballs, he gritted out, “You’re shivering, and I won’t have you falling ill. It’s been a long damn night, so moveover.”
When she stubbornly remained where she was, he picked her up, repositioned her, and lay down again. This time, he kept her locked at his side. She squirmed, trying to put space between them or probably wanting to leave and go find another bed. But her movements were having a serious effect on hisbody.
“For hellssake,” he snapped. “I swear by every damn star in the sky, you wriggle again, I’ll have you beneath me and my cock inside you in a heartbeat—is that what youwant?”
She went utterlystill.
Yeah, thoughtnot.
Several minutes later, when she finally relaxed in sleep, her hand slid over his chest as if to keep him there. Yeah,right.
Dagan shut his eyes, his dick a throbbing ache between his thighs. Hell, he’d fucked-up spectacularly keeping her at a distance. He shouldn’t have bothered with an explanation. She didn’t believe himanyway.
Yet, in spite of what his brain theorized—it was safer this way—his heart overruled, wantingher.
The rhythmic thudding of her heart soon filled his ears, the gentle flow of blood in her veins a compelling lure. Fuck! He shut his eyes, trying to shut off the sounds as need wired his body to a razor’sedge.
