Provoked (27 page)

Authors: Rebecca Zanetti

BOOK: Provoked

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Logic, damn it. Logic. “I can shield myself, and if I remember correctly, I can help shield you. Maybe if I shield you, you’ll be able to attack and protect us and your brothers. If you’re attacking, the demons will concentrate on defense and not on making the brains of your brothers bleed.”

Kane’s nostrils flared. “That’s quite an image you created.”

“I find visuals help in arguments.” Man, now she was starting to talk like the guy.

He shook his head. “I can’t be worrying about you while also trying to keep Dage from going crazy.”

Dage? The breath swooshed out of Amber’s lungs. “You really do think Jase will figure out a way to die.”

“I really do,” Kane said softly, the words full of pain. “And it’s my job to help my brothers deal with that fact and get out of demon headquarters in one piece while saving your granny.”

She studied him, reality smacking her hard in the face. He didn’t want to believe Jase was going to kill himself—Kane held as much hope as the rest of them. But as usual, he was trying to be the voice of reason and prepare everyone. “Who covers your back, Kane? Who protects you?” Her heart warmed for the man.

He shrugged. “I’m not emotional and don’t need protection.”

But he was, and he did. “Let me help shield you and find my grandmother. She’s my grandmother, and I have to be there. I just know I have to be there.”

He gazed at her, no expression on his face.

Logic wasn’t really working. She’d go over his head to the king, but Dage would probably follow Kane’s advice, especially since Amber and Kane had mated. “I know you don’t trust fate or intuition, but I do. And I need to be a part of the rescue for my grandmother. It’s my risk and my chance.”

He blinked and rubbed both hands down his face. “I don’t know.”

Three words the scientist probably hadn’t muttered very often in his long life.

Amber sighed. “I do know. You’re going to have to trust me at some point, Kane—no matter what happens between us.”

His hands dropped to his lap. Calculation entered his gaze. “Okay. We strike a deal. You’re my mate, Amber. I let you go into danger against every logical reason I have, and you give us a hundred years as mates.”

Surprise shot her shoulders back. “You want a formal contract regarding our relationship?”

“Yes.”

What an ass. Temper nearly had steam shooting from her ears. Plus, the thought spiraled through her brain that Kane had always planned to take her on the mission. This was just manipulation. “So, does this contract of yours detail how many times a day I seek your advice? How many times a year we have dinner together? How many times in a century we fuck like jackalopes?”

He huffed out a chuckle. “I told you, there are no jackalopes. And no, all I want you to agree to is to spend the next century living with me as mates. The rest of your list is totally up to you.”

A hundred years in exchange for him allowing her to do something she had every right to do anyway. Even so, what was a century compared to her grandmother’s life? Amber knew, deep down, she had to be on the raid to rescue Hilde. “It’s a deal with one caveat.”

“Just one?” One dark eyebrow rose.

“Yes. You can release me from the hundred years at any time. The second you do, I have the choice whether to go or stay.” The man had no idea of what she’d do for freedom. He’d want her gone within a month.

He sighed. “Amber, I need to concentrate on curing the virus after we get your grandmother back. The last thing I’ll have time for is you playing a bunch of silly games so I let you go.”

“Take the deal, Kane.”

“Fine. Just so long as you understand that I’ll handle immature behavior as I see fit.”

She frowned. “Meaning what?”

“You act like a brat, and I’ll treat you like a brat.”

Oh, the vampire had no idea who he was messing with. She held out her hand. “It’s a deal.”

His hand enveloped her in a warm, firm grip. “Deal.”

A smile flashed to her lips, and she couldn’t help the challenging curve.

Someone knocked on the door.

Kane froze. Releasing her, he stood. “Stay here.”

Not in a million years. She followed his long strides through the living area to the door.

The king stood on the other side, his face blank, his eyes a burning blue. “We reactivated Hilde’s tracker—she’s on her way to Scotland. We should have her final location within a few hours, and then we’ll go.”

Kane’s shoulders straightened as if he were bracing himself. “And?”

“We intercepted a second video. The demons cut off Jase’s head—he’s dead.”

C
HAPTER
30

A
mber cleaned up the breakfast dishes, her heart hurting, her mind spinning. Kane had left with the king to create battle plans without saying another word.

The rage and pain in his eyes would haunt her forever.

Everything that happened to his family, to his people, wasn’t his fault just because he was so smart. Why did he have to take all the responsibility on himself?

She wanted to help him. Truth be told, she wanted to soothe him.

Worst truth? She loved him. Had since he’d rescued her on the side of a wintery road.

Why couldn’t he love her back?

Maybe he did and just didn’t know it.

She snorted. That kind of thinking belonged in junior high. Yet still . . .

After cleaning the kitchen, she went through the already tidy quarters and tidied up some more. Finally, she made the bed—not that they’d slept much. Her heart beat faster as she straightened the heavy down comforter into smooth lines. The dark gray color was somehow sexy. Or maybe what had happened on the bed made the bedspread look sexy.

Her marking began to burn.

“We go in an hour,” Kane said from the doorway.

She yelped, her heart racing as she whirled toward him. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I’m quiet that way.” His smile didn’t come close to being genuine.

“I’m so sorry about Jase.” Tears filled her eyes, and she tried to blink them back.

“Me, too.” Kane sat on the bed, still wearing his loose sweats and no shirt. “I really wanted to be wrong—but I saw the video. He sure looked dead.”

Kane’s pain made the air heavier.

Going on instinct, she moved between his knees, cradling his head to her chest. “Maybe the video is wrong.”

“That’s what Talen said.” Kane sighed, relaxing, his breath warming her skin. “I’m not sure. I watched it three times just to make sure . . . until I couldn’t watch it again.”

“Tell me what happened.”

His shoulders stiffened. “Jase was in the cell, on the ground, and Suri plunged a knife into his neck. Then he twisted.”

Okay, there wasn’t a decent way to ask the next question. “Did you see . . . um . . .”

“No. I didn’t see Jase’s head roll free.”

“So there’s hope.”

“God, I don’t think so. But maybe.” Kane’s lips wandered along her flesh.

Desire slid through her veins like warm silk. She swallowed, trying to force it away. Now wasn’t the time for sex.

Kane lifted his head, dark eyes full of need. “When we go after your grandmother, some of us may not be coming back. If anything happens to me, you listen to Talen. He’s promised to get you to safety.”

“You think you’re not coming back?” she asked softly, tangling both hands in Kane’s thick hair.

He shrugged. “I’ll do my best.”

Holding him, she leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his straight nose. “I’ll make sure you survive, Kane.”

His rueful grin seemed more natural. “It’s my job to protect you, mate.”

A logical man shouldn’t be so old-fashioned. “I think it goes both ways these days, vampire.”

“Not to my people, sweetheart.” His hands slid over the silk robe to cup her ass. “No matter how much we plan, how prepared we make ourselves, things go wrong in battle. The demons are waiting for us, and they’ll be prepared.”

His palms burned through the thin material. She shifted her weight, trying to concentrate on his words and not her need. “I know.”

His hands moved to the tie of the robe. Drawing the material apart, he studied her, eyes flaring. “You are incredibly beautiful.” The reverence in his voice humbled her. Gently, he pressed a kiss to her abdomen.

Her knees trembled. “Um, I’m not sure—” Then she yelped as the room spun and she ended up flat on her back.

“I’m sure.” Kane kissed his way up her torso, nipping and licking in between kisses. The bed groaned in protest. “We’re heading into hell. Right now, I want a slice of heaven before we go.”

His knee forced hers apart, and she arched against him. For a scientist, the man often sounded like a poet. “You have a romantic nature, you know.”

“Right.” He nipped the underside of her jaw.

She gasped, stretching up into his hard body. “Trust me.”

“I do.” His large hand flattened against her abdomen, moving frustratingly slow toward where she burned.

She closed her eyes, sliding into desire. The man needed to stop thinking, to stop hurting, to stop worrying about everybody else. For this moment in time, she could comfort him. She could help him escape, if only for a little while.

She tilted into his exploring hands.

He grinned against her skin. “Will I find you wet for me?”

“Only one way to find out.” She dug her nails into his shoulders, her breath panting out.

“Good point.” One finger ran along her clit, sliding inside her. “Ah, very wet.”

Wet and in serious need. Nerves flared in demand. “I don’t want slow.”

“Too bad.” His tongue traced the shell of her ear. His other fingers rolled her nipple, pinching just enough to have her gasping for breath.

The man was intoxicating. Devastating. Addictive. No other man would ever come close.

Could passion have an owner? If so, he owned hers. She ran her hands down his broad back, reaching his tight ass. She sank her fingers into the hard muscles, grinning at his groan. Oh yeah. Two could play at torture.

This moment was hers. The man needed her. He needed to forget pain, war, and reality for a brief time. That she could help him with.

He lifted his head. A dangerous, wicked smile curved his lips and made her thighs tingle. He slid his finger free, his smile broadening at her whimper of protest. Then slowly, keeping her gaze captive, he slid his hand around her hip to tap on the marking.

Fire shot from the brand through her entire body. She cried out, biting her lip to keep from moaning.

His hand flattened out, his heated palm pressing against the brand.

Her eyes fluttered closed as raw need filled her in a painful demand. His thigh pressed against her core. He plucked a nipple.

A climax bore down on her, so intense her eyelids snapped open to see the world in a haze. Uncaring of any decorum, she rode his thigh, tears pricking her eyes, sweat blooming across her chest. Shuddering violently, she came down, her body relaxing. Almost.

He planted a hard kiss on her lips. “You’re sexy as hell. I very well may adore you.” His forehead wrinkled as if he pondered a tough physics question.

Well, it was a start. “You’re overdressed.” Lifting her knees, she curled her toes in the waistband of his sweats and shoved down.

He chuckled and assisted her by shimmying out of the sweats.

An engorged, fully ready, pulsing erection instantly settled against her stomach.

She grinned. “Oh my.”

“Indeed.” He levered up on one elbow, leaning to the side and tracing gentle fingers up her torso. “Your skin is softer than petals.”

“Poet.” She reached for him, running her fingers along his shaft. “You’re very well endowed.”

He smirked. “You talk too much.”

“Look who’s talking.”

Hard hands grabbed her hips and rolled them over until she straddled him. He put his arms behind his head. “You wanted to be in charge.”

She might be on top, but by no means was she in charge. They both knew it. Even so, she relished the opportunity to drive him wild. No matter what happened, she’d make sure he never forgot her.

“You’re looking awfully determined,” he said.

“You have no idea.”

“Show me,” he whispered.

Taking him in her hand, she poised above him, slowly working him inside her body. Several times she had to stop and take a deep breath to accommodate his girth. Minutes later, she finally rested against him.

Sweat beaded his upper lip while a dark flush had crossed his hard cheekbones. Beneath her, his body vibrated with need.

She smiled. “How’s that for determination?”

His lids half closed. “Watch how you play, little one. My control only goes so far.”

“Is that a fact?” She flattened her palms against his pecs, leaning forward to take more of him. Control? The man was about to lose his. For a brief slice of time, she was yanking him out of his head.

He groaned, eyes darkening. “That’s a fact.”

“Hmm.” She lifted her butt and slammed back down hard.

He stiffened, drawing air through clenched teeth. “Amber.”

Ignoring the warning, she did it again.

Triumph rushed through her when his hands clamped on her hips. He lifted her, the muscles in his arms rippling with the effort. Then he yanked her down while thrusting up with his groin.

She gave a strangled cry. He filled her completely, almost too much so. Hard, pulsing, his cock laid claim to her internal walls, forcing them to clamp hard around him.

Ripples of raw need spiraled inside her.

He ground against her, nostrils flaring at her small moan.

Then he lifted her, surging inside her, forcing her to ride him with the rhythm he chose. One hand cupped her thigh, opening her wider so he could thrust even deeper. He was ruthless and dangerously skilled.

He went faster, his arms seeming tireless, forcing her to take all of him.

Need went beyond dare. She needed to come. Allowing her body to go lax, she let him set the rhythm, let him take what he wanted. With a low growl, he pinched her clit.

She broke with a cry of his name. The room disappeared, her mind shut down, and pleasure too intense to be real shot through her body in waves of excruciating ecstasy. He pumped harder, prolonging her orgasm until she couldn’t breathe. Finally, as she came down, he paused.

Panting for air, she shoved her wild hair out of her eyes. Every breath caused little ripples to shoot through her core.

She felt . . .
claimed
.

Realization came back with a slap. He was still inside her, impossibly hard.

And he’d waited for her to realize that fact.

Her eyes widened.

His narrowed.

Quicker than a thought, he rolled them over, remaining inside her. Both arms slid against the back of her thighs, shoving her legs up and opening her to him.

Then he started to pound.

Hard, fast, completely out of control.

She gripped the comforter to keep her head from smacking against the headboard.

He thrust harder.

Faster.

A spiraling started deep inside her, catching her breath. Her eyes widened. It wasn’t possible.

He angled higher.

She arched with a silent cry, her body shooting into a climax so powerful she forgot how to think. The waves ripped through her, relentless in their intensity.

His mouth found her neck, his fangs dropping deep.

With a low growl, he ground against her, his body tightening as he came.

Their bodies relaxed as one, slowly sinking back to reality.

He licked the wound and placed a soft kiss against her jugular before raising up.

She gasped for air, smoothing his hair away from his face. “I love you, Kane. No matter what happens later, I need you to know that. I do love you.”

He blinked twice, surprise filling his eyes. Then he opened his mouth.

“No.” She pressed a finger to his heated lips. The last thing she needed was a half-assed attempt to make her feel better. She was getting to know him, and he didn’t believe in love. Yet. “Sometimes no words are better than the wrong ones.”

Puzzlement filled his frown. He shook his head and tried to speak again.

A phone buzzed from the nightstand.

Surprise lifted his eyebrows.

Yeah. She’d made him forget the bad stuff for a short while. Triumph heated through her.

Keeping his cock inside her, his gaze on her, Kane reached for the phone. “What?”

He listened and then hung up. “We leave in thirty minutes.”