Chapter 5 #3
She shook her head. “Yeah, I don’t, uh, go to those places. I’m spiritual and all that. Love a good tarot card read, but that’s not my scene.”
“But you’ve seen a wolf.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’ve never seen a…” Skylar’s words dropped off as she raised her gaze to meet his.
Rafe watched the confusion in her eyes as she came to the realization. In that moment, he knew for certain, he was her first. Her only. Her Alpha.
“It’s okay, Sky,” he smiled.
“You’re a wolf? You’re Adonis?” She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling.
“I am indeed.” Lying was never in his nature. The truth would set him free…or at least sail him in the right direction. His conscience wouldn’t allow him to deceive her.
“But you’re a…a guy?” The corners of her lips ticked upward.
“Yes.” Reality warred with his arousal, her sexy smile melting him from the inside out.
“A hot guy who turns into a wolf?” She laughed with disbelief.
“I am wolf.” A low sexy growl permeated his voice, his wolf craving its prey.
“Are you dangerous?” She gave him the side eye, cautious, clutching her blanket.
“I can be.” No lie detected.
“Those things back there. Last night. The vampires.” Panic crept into her voice. “Did you kill them?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Anger radiated in her glare.
“Those guys were doing some very awful things.”
“Are you going to hurt me?” she asked.
Rafe hesitated to answer, weighing his next words. It was the one promise he couldn’t keep. Disciplined, he fought the thirst, but his restraint was tenuous at best. Craving, loving someone he’d watch die, or worse, meeting his true mate and crushing her one day wasn’t an option.
“I will never attack you.” Rafe evaded full disclosure.
“Will you kill me?”
“Never. But I’m going to need your help.” Rafe changed the subject. “About last night…”
“I don’t want to talk about it. I want to go home to New Orleans.” Skylar stared at the ceiling.
“It’s going to be okay.” Rafe’s heart tightened as tears brimmed her eyes. He settled in next to her, hoping to calm her worries. They lay side by side, mere inches apart, close but not touching. “I know last night was scary.”
“They killed Tina. Scott almost killed me. But I got the feeling there’s more of them.”
“We’re going to find whoever is behind this,” he promised.
“Tina and I worked together. She was an actress.” She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “Someone drugged us. I don’t remember. I was at this bar in the hotel. There must have been something in my drink. I can’t believe she’s dead. They tortured her. He was going to bite me. Kill me.”
“I’m so sorry.” His fingers intertwined with hers, the instant connection rocking him.
Rafe struggled not to respond as she curled into him, resting her head against his chest. He stroked her hair as she cried. “I promise you. I’ll get you back home. We don’t need to talk about this now.”
“Rafe,” she whispered. “What if there’s more vampires? What if they come here?”
“You’re safe now.”
“I never thought I’d see you again. That night at your house.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t text you back. I know it was a dick move, but you were leaving, and I’m a wolf. I didn’t want to hurt you.” It was best to make a clean break. “That night.” The kiss. “Life is complicated.”
“What happened between us? I guess we were meant to meet again.”
“With you captured by a nest of vampires?”
“You came to my rescue yet again.” She lifted her head and caught his gaze. “Here we are all the way from New Orleans. It almost seems like fate. Or something. I just believe that things happen for a reason. We don’t always know why. And here you are.”
“There’s things you don’t know about me, Sky. This thing between us…” Deep in his soul, something told him this woman belonged to him.
“Show me,” she whispered.
Rafe’s body lit on fire with arousal as her fingers brushed his bare chest. His beast inside released a low growl, urging him to take her. Reality warred with desire. No matter his wolf, he was helpless to resist.
One kiss. He knew better, yet the craving for the human tore him inside out with desire. This is a terrible idea. Just a taste.
His lips crushed onto hers, his body ignited with fire. Consumed in their kiss, Rafe had lost control. His cock ached to be deep inside the human he shouldn’t want.
“Hmm, Rafe,” she moaned.
Without warning, he flipped her onto her back, his hand caging her head. Tasting, seeking, his tongue swept against hers. His hardened cock rocked up between her legs. She responded, her pelvis tilting up to his.
It had been over a year since he’d been with a woman he hadn’t bitten. The urge would grow stronger. Still, he couldn’t resist as his hand slid under her tank top.
“Ah, yes,” she cried, her body trembling under his touch.
Rafe tore her shirt over her head, and his mouth claimed her breast. Sucking, his tongue grazed over its ripe tip. Her pulse drummed a beat in his ears, her subtle moans urging him to take her.
There would be no going back. His beast would take its bounty. The human woman drove him mad with desire; his craving could no longer be ignored.