ShadowsofNight (7 page)

He climbed off the bed, flipped the switch and leaned
against the wall. Damn, Christian Voss stole her breath away. The guy made her seriously
question her own sanity. He was the enemy. Yet she found herself completely
mesmerized by this monster.

“I
do
apologize for my actions earlier. You affect me
and I don’t understand why.” He watched her warily.

“I can relate,” she sighed. He didn’t try to bite her again,
at least. Maybe he could control that other side of his nature when he wanted
to. That was good, wasn’t it?

Don’t fall for it, Hayes.

“I’ve never bitten a human. You’re the first one who’s ever
even tempted me enough to try.” He gave her a bemused glance.

Now
that
caught her by surprise. “Should I give you a
medal for abstaining? I don’t buy it.”

“Contrary to popular belief, it
is
possible to
control our bloodlust. That’s what blood banks are for. Only Rogues go after
humans.”

“There’s a difference?” Now she was really curious. Maybe
these “Rogues” were the actual targets.

“Your father never explained it to you?” He raised an
eyebrow questioningly.

“No, it wasn’t a topic we discussed. He didn’t want me
around your world.”

“I see.” He ground his teeth.

“Explain it to me.” Maybe he wasn’t a monster after all. Her
heart squeezed.

“My coven doesn’t
hunt
humans, we protect them. Well,
most of us do anyway. I prefer to stay out of the whole mess, if you want to
know the truth.”

“Your coven—does it have a name?”

“I belong to the Order of the Dragon.”

“And Rogues are part of another coven that hunts humans?”

“Yes.”

“I always believed you were all a bunch of bloodsuckers.”
He’s
playing me. Why am I falling for it?

“You’re not particularly fond of my kind, are you?”

“Oh, what gave you that impression?” She rolled her eyes.

“That’s why I’m confused by your willingness to work in a
place that’s full of them.”

“It was a job and I needed one.” It was the only excuse she
could think of quickly.

“Will you just stop with the lies?” Christian’s expression
hardened.

“Everyone has secrets, why should I be any different?” She
pressed her lips together.

“If you’re going to continue to work for me, I want the
truth.”

“All right, fine. I quit. So there’s nothing else I need to
say. You can go now.” She knew it was just a matter of time before agents
arrived and the desire to protect him became an overwhelming urge that overrode
reason.

“All I’m asking for is the truth.” He frowned, obviously
unhappy with her reply.

Shit, he wasn’t going to leave. Damn him.

“I can’t tell you. Please, you must go now before it’s too
late!”

“You might as well spill because I’m not going anywhere
until you do.” He crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

“Shit.” Emma hopped from the bed and flipped off the light.

“Who’s here?” he growled when the room went dark. He quickly
went over to the window and peered out before turning his attention back to
her. If there was someone out there, they’d probably already spotted him.

“You’re right. I’m not who you think I am,” she said
quietly, placing a finger to her lips.

“No shit. How about you enlighten me?”

“There’s no time.” Her heart raced and fear rode up her
spine. She might be able to protect him from her team—but she couldn’t protect
him from himself.

Christian heard the floor creak beneath them. “You’re right.”

“Wait here, I’ll tell them you stopped by and I accidently
triggered the alarm and forgot to shut it off.”

“Who’s down there?” He grabbed her by the shoulders.

“The people I work for. They’ve come because they think I’m
in trouble.”

“Who are they?”

“It’s a long story.” She tried to wiggle out of his hold.

“You’re coming with me.” He held on tight.

“The hell I am!” She began to fight him—

Just as several men dressed in black came storming into the
room.

“Close your eyes!” he snarled.

He instantly traced to his home and dumped her unceremoniously
on the couch.

“You asshole,” she choked out.

He couldn’t believe it. The men who entered her bedroom were
militia. No wonder she knew how to fight. “The dizziness will pass. Give it a
minute.”

“Where am I?” She glared at him angrily.

“You’re at my country estate in Ascot.” He stood by the
window and looked out.

“Take me back.” She rose to her feet and staggered,
immediately sitting again.

“Not a chance. Who are you really?”

“Fine, you want to know the truth? I’m an undercover agent
working for a secret organization funded by my country’s government,
that’s
who I am. I was sent here to find out more about your kind.”

“Go on. I’m listening.” He glared at her.

“We’ve been keeping tabs on vampire activity for quite some
time. In recent months, we learned of your coven’s existence. My superiors
decided to do an undercover sting and I was sent in.”

“What’s the name of your organization?” he asked.

“I’m sorry, that’s classified.” She raised her chin
defiantly.

He’d get it out of her eventually. “Interesting, most humans
don’t know we exist.”

“We’ve known for a while, actually.”

“So are you finally going to tell me your real name? And don’t
lie. You’re not that good at it anyway.”

“My real name is Emma Hayes.” She frowned. It was her job to
be a good liar, and here he was, telling her she sucked at it.
Great…

“Your government isn’t very original when it comes to
aliases are they? Your real name is pretty though,” he smirked.

“Very funny,” she sighed.

“So what did you uncover?” He turned to face her.

“Not much. You run a large corporation. Honestly, the
assignment was rather boring. I was beginning to think we’d made a mistake
until this evening, when—well, you know.” She started to fidget.

“I didn’t plan for that to happen between us. My attraction
to you isn’t something I’ve experienced before with a human.”

“I find that hard to believe.”
Great, my freak-of-nature
personality draws them in.

“It’s the truth. Normally I stay away from humans as much as
possible.”

“I guess it’s my lucky day.” She leaned forward and placed
her elbows on her knees.

“You fight well for a human.”

“It didn’t seem that way. Most people don’t get the upper
hand with me.”

“I’m not human, remember?”

“I could’ve fought harder. But at the time I didn’t want to
blow my cover.”
Yeah, keep telling yourself that and maybe eventually you’ll
believe it too.

“So you let me fuck you because you didn’t want to blow your
cover? Nice,” he hissed.

Emma felt a shiver skate down her spine, along with
irritation. “That’s right. I’ll fuck a target if it gets me closer to my
objective.” She became defiant.

He drew closer. “And if I wanted to fuck you now, would you
fight me?”

“Probably. I don’t have to pretend anymore.” She knew he
wasn’t fooled, not with her accelerated heartbeat and the rush of heat between
her legs.

“Your body and mind are at odds.” He regarded her with a
raised brow.

She swallowed hard as he drew closer. They were definitely
at odds. “I can resist.” She scowled at him.

“Let’s test that theory.” He reached for her.

“Forget it. That’s not going to happen again.” Emma jumped
over the couch to put something between them. He already knew she wanted him.
But she wasn’t going to give in this time. It was wrong. He was the enemy. Not
her lover.

“Why do you keep resisting what you feel for me?” he asked.

“It’s not natural. I’m human. We’re too different. Can’t you
see that?” It was the closest she could get to the truth without causing
herself pain.

“You can’t deny the chemistry between us. What we shared was
good.”

“Yeah, up until the part where you tried to sink your fangs
into me.” He was right. It was
very
good between them. He made her feel
alive. But it didn’t matter. She closed her eyes.
Please quit reminding me.
She didn’t want to remember what it felt like to have him inside her.

“Emma, look at me.”

“How did you…” He was standing in front of her and she
hadn’t even heard him move.

He lifted her chin. “That was an accident. If you want, I’ll
wear a muzzle.”

“A dog muzzle?” His enchanting eyes met hers. She tried not
to grin. Why was he being so damn sweet?

“Whatever it takes.”

His mouth came down hard, tongues colliding in a swirling
dance that had her melting against him
.
She had no idea why her
attraction toward this male was so strong. A bond was forming between them that
she couldn’t deny. It felt right to be in his arms.

He backed her up against the wall as he continued to explore
her body. His hands slowly inched their way up her rib cage toward her breasts,
and covered them in a warm caress that had her arching against him. The
intensity of his kiss continued down her throat and along her collarbone. Her
fingers combed through his hair as he explored her heated flesh. She felt
fabric tear, and then cool air. His head dipped lower, slowly tracing her
nipple with his tongue before his lips closed around it.

She couldn’t breathe, too consumed by the exquisite
sensations as he released one nipple and set to work on the other. Each tug
sent ripples of pleasure that teased her core.

“I want you,” he growled against her flesh as his hand slid
under the waistband of her shorts and cupped her mound. “You’re wet for me.”
His fingers dipped deeper, circling the sensitive bud.

She clenched her teeth, trying to bite back a moan. She
tensed when his fangs nipped at the column of her neck. The pleasure it brought
was almost too much to take.

Oh God. I have to stop.
“I can’t do this.” She tried
to push him away.

“Relax…” He slid his fingers inside her, delving deep,
swirling, tempting. Her belly clenched tighter and her hips rocked hard as his
thick digits started to pump in and out.

One minute he had her pushed up against the wall and the
next she was flat on her back on his bed, clothes gone, Christian hovering
above her. His hungry expression as he stared at her was intoxicating.

“Touch me.” She reached up to caress his face.

“Will you let me have you again?” He rubbed his arousal
against her clit, stroking her with the thick crown.

When did we get naked?
Her juices coated his cock
head. There was no way to deny she wanted him.

He leaned forward, pressing his lips against her ear. “Say
it.”

“I know I shouldn’t do this with you again.” In the past, it
had been easy to say no. She hated that it was futile to resist this powerful
male.

“I’m not a monster and you know it.”

“What difference does it make what I think?” She was going
to get fucked any way she looked at it. And really enjoy it too. How sick was
that?

“It matters to
me
. Your opinion means something.” He
caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.

“What are you doing?” Emma gasped for air when his thighs
shoved her legs apart with ease and the thick press of his length continued to
torment her pussy. He slid his hands beneath her as he pushed his erection
tighter against the seam. His scent seemed to fog her mind and fill her with
lust so powerful, she had no choice but to let it consume her.

“Readying you—say yes to me.” He brushed a soft kiss against
her lips. She turned her head and moaned, ready to come.

“Yes,” she heard herself say. And before she could take back
the word, he slid down the bed.

“Where are you going?” She was beginning to feel a tad
frustrated. Foreplay was wonderful but she wanted him inside her more.

“Not until I taste you again.” He nuzzled her sex. Her
breath froze and her head fell back on the pillow. Yeah, he was really good at
that. Why protest? He put his hands on her thighs and pushed them wider apart,
opening her farther as he continued to lick her seam.

“Oh God,” she moaned.

“Come here.” He flipped her over, spread her cheeks and
buried his tongue against her bottom with a snarl. Another breathless gasp
escaped her lips as he slid a hand forward, lightly pinching her clit between
his thumb and forefinger.

“Christian!” She pushed her ass against his mouth as he
slowly circled her anus.
Damn, this guy does wicked things with that tongue.

“Mm…you like that don’t you?”

“Oh, yesss…” Her mind went blank from sensation overload and
she climaxed hard. He continued his assault with light flicks. It was just enough
to keep the orgasm from completely subsiding.

“Please…I’m done…can’t take more.” She tried to pull away as
her core twitched.

“Not yet. I want to taste more of you.” He tossed her on her
back with ease and buried his face between her drenched folds. There was no
saying no to this exquisite kind of torture as he zeroed in on her sensitive flesh,
tugging and nuzzling, and then sucking again. He slid two fingers inside her
pussy and moved them in a rhythmic motion that matched his tongue’s play, and
that did it. Emma arched off the bed as her vaginal walls seized again and she
bucked against his mouth. The orgasm was powerful, relentless. It left her
boneless.

When the last tremor subsided, he stared down at her. “I
want to feel you clenching around me, Em.” His lips parted and she got a
glimpse of his fangs.

It was like ice water being dumped on her.

“No way. Your fangs are showing. Let me up me.”

Christian reared back. The pain he saw in Emma’s eyes cooled
his attempts at seduction. He’d gone through hell resisting his urges, so it
confused him why seeing his fangs upset her so much. He hadn’t hurt her, only
brought her pleasure. He released Emma and watched as she scrambled off the
bed. He wanted her so badly. It was torture to let her go.