Page 44

His fingers caught hers. Tightened. “My beast and I? We’re one and the same, baby. You’ve got to understand that.”

“I do.”

He’d just told her that he was a cold-blooded killer. Why did she still look at him like—like⁠—

Like he was a good man?

Oh, damn.

At that moment, he knew he’d just lost a battle he hadn’t even realized he’d been fighting.

Miranda.

No fear.

Want.

Need.

His.

Cain swallowed down the lump that rose in his throat. “I need to be with you.” Truer words he’d never spoken. And he didn’t mean just for the night.

Forever.

Her lips curved in a smile. “Then what are you waiting for? We’ve got a bed, a room, and all night long.”

He felt it then. A strange warmth in his chest. Something he hadn’t really felt in so long that it took him by surprise.

Happiness.

His lips lifted as he stared down at her. “That’s just the answer I was hoping for.” Then he took her mouth with his and tasted the honeysuckle on his tongue.

Cain pushed her back onto the bed, his cock already hard with hunger.

When he’d walked into that feeding room and he’d seen the vamps sizing Miranda up like she was some kind of dream meal, a flash of possessive rage had burned through him. Then when those two blond jerks had cornered her, it had been all he could do not to unleash his anger.

Possession. Jealousy. From the man and the jaguar.

His fingers tightened around her hips. They should take it slow now. They had the bed. Soft mattresses. Sweet-smelling sheets. Yes, now should be the time when he took her like a gentleman. Kissing every inch of her body, murmuring those sweet words that women liked to hear.

It should have been the time, but it wasn’t.

Possession.

Still kissing her, he fumbled for her shirt. Only managed to rip off one button. Okay, two. He shoved the edges of material aside. Cain Touched her breasts through the cups of her lacy white bra.

She arched against him, and his hand slid under her back. He yanked the hook of her bra, and the garment loosened in his grip.

Perfect.

Cain ripped his mouth from hers. Kissed a hot path down her throat. Marked her lightly with his teeth.

The bra fell away completely. Her breasts thrust toward him, nipples pink and tight, and he bent his head, catching one tip with his lips. Laving it with his tongue. When she moaned, his cock jerked in hungry response.

But he wanted to taste more.

He kissed his way to the other breast. Showed the nipple the same sensual attention. And let her feel the edge of his teeth.