She managed to extricate herself from Eclipse’s grip and make a quick trip to the bathroom. Once she’d relieved herself and washed her hands, she took a moment to look at the woman in the mirror. Her attention was drawn to the puncture wounds on her neck as she reached up and brushed her fingers over them. She remembered the instant when Eclipse had sunk those razor-sharp teeth into her flesh. A heat so powerful had surged through her entire body, along with a liquid ecstasy that had sent her free-falling. Not even the best orgasm had ever compared to that one overwhelming moment.
Odd how she could reflect on it now and not be scared. She should’ve been, she figured. The man she’d shared a bed with, the one who’d been inside her, had fed from her vein. It should’ve had her panicking; instead, she was wondering when he would do it again.
Perhaps she was in shock.
Yes, that made perfect sense. She was in shock. She had learned some very disturbing news last night, and the only way for her brain to process was to pretend it was all okay. Not only had she learned her sister was dead, but she’d also discovered some disturbing news about the world in general. According to what she’d seen with her own two eyes, vampires did exist. And if Eclipse was telling her the truth, so did angels. Since she had no reason to doubt his word, she was forced to view everything differently.
Running her hand over her hair to tame the mess, she gave those bite marks one last look before heading back into the bedroom.
Her original intention had been to get dressed and slip out, but as she stood there staring at the sleeping … angel, there was a strange pull deep inside that told her leaving was not the best thing right now. Never having been the sort to ignore her gut instinct, Orianna decided now was not the time to start.
So rather than fumble for her clothes, she returned to the bed, slipping beneath the thick down comforter and back into Eclipse’s arms.
“You stayed,” he said softly, his hand sliding down her spine to cup her ass.
His skin was so warm and smooth, she let her hands do the walking, gliding across the thick contours of his shoulder, over his bicep, down his ropy forearm and back up, shifting closer.
“I stayed,” she agreed, urging him onto his back.
As for why she was still there, why she didn’t want to leave him, Orianna didn’t know. But she would have plenty of time to ponder that later. Right now, the only thing she wanted was to feel him inside her again. To have those big, strong hands running over every inch of her, to taste his kiss. More importantly, she wanted Eclipse to remind her she was alive. She’d felt like nothing more than a shell of herself for so long, but last night, he’d reminded her she was still here, and she could still feel.
Straddling his thighs, Orianna continued to peer down at him when his eyes opened, the molten silver cutting through the darkness. She’d never seen anything quite so intriguing as the way his eyes shimmied and swirled, as though lit from within. It was another thing that should’ve scared her, but when it came to Eclipse, there was no fear. Only intrigue and a blossoming warmth that she wanted to explore further.
As she sat astride him, she dragged her fingertips over the smooth flesh covering rock-hard muscle, outlining the planes and angles, working her way lower as his eyes remained locked on her face. Almost as though he didn’t want to look away. Orianna knew the feeling. There was an undeniable connection between them.
Running her fingers over the rigid contours of his abdomen, she stopped when she reached the thick shaft resting against his belly. The memory of him pushing inside her had a chill teasing her skin. He’d been bigger than she had expected, thicker than her body could easily handle, yet she had acclimated after a moment, taking him fully. She was eager to feel him inside her once more.
Orianna stroked him firmly as she straightened her spine, using the glow of his eyes to see his reaction. The light disappeared momentarily when he closed them, his back arching, hips thrusting upward, driving that steely length into her hand.
In a daring act, Orianna slid her other hand between her legs, teasing her sensitive flesh. When Eclipse turned his attention to the movements, she heard the rasp of his breath, felt the anticipation in his body.
“Keep doing that,” he uttered hoarsely.
“What?” Orianna teased her flesh, ensuring he could see her movements. “This?”
“Yes. Touch yourself.”
She immediately thought about those fantasies she’d had, hearing him say that same thing before, only he hadn’t been there with her at the time.
But I was.
The words sounded in her mind, her eyes locking on his. He was inside her head. She could feel him there.
“How?” she asked, stroking them both in tandem, ensuring the pleasure didn’t fade.
“Telepathy,” he replied, his big hands sliding over her thighs. “It was the only way I could be with you.”
“I tried to find you,” she admitted. “After the night in the alley.”
Something passed over his face. Regret? Fear?
“I was worried you’d be scared of me.”
Because he’d killed that man.
Orianna shook her head. “It takes more than that to scare me.”
Are you scared of me now?
