Turn to Darkness (Offspring 5.6) (7 page)

Darius morphed back to Darkness, pausing in front of Shea. “You need a man who can commit to you, who doesn’t go through women like he does towels. I haven’t been with anyone in all that time. You’re the only woman I’ve been around, really. I’ve waited for you to wake up and see me. And you did, because this son of a bitch did something to you.”

Greer started to say something, but she put her hand out to stop him.
My argument.
“He walked in on me in the bathroom. By accident. That’s all he did.” She was uncomfortable with the fact that Darius had been interested in her all that time. God, she hadn’t even noticed, she’d been so wrapped up in her own life and inner misery.

“Don’t tell me that’s the only thing that put you on edge,” Darius said. “There were some heavy feelings, and not good ones, directed at him. You sat down next to me. Whether you want to admit it or not, you came to me for a reason. Now I can see why you pushed me away, why you moved out. I’m sorry I didn’t get that part of the conversation. I was thinking about what kind of evidence I might have left, but remember, Shea, I did it for you.” He flicked an angry glare at Greer, who was only inches away. “I wish you hadn’t told him.” He focused on her again with his black eyes. “I killed that man to protect you, and I’ll do it again. I’m not the tender kind of guy. I get things done.” That he directed at Greer.

Then he turned to smoke and slid beneath the door.

D
ARIUS MORPHED BACK
to man in his room. Damn Greer. Always playing the hero, when he was the one who had done the dirty work. Had she looked at
him
with relief and gratitude in her eyes? Hell, no.

The only explanation was that Greer had some supernatural talent to sway women. To make them fall into his bed. That would explain why he seemed to have so many, because despite Darius’s earlier words, just being good-looking and a firefighter wasn’t going to do it.

Yeah, that’s what it was, as he had suspected before: Greer put them under his spell. Now Shea was his victim. Hell, hadn’t she been whispering Greer’s name in her sleep before he silenced her?

Darius had known Greer was a threat on a deep, instinctual level. It’s why he’d set the fire that morning, why he felt so compelled to take him out.

Greer was stronger than he’d assumed. More clever, too. That they were being hunted by the enemy was a perfect cover. Greer would die and the D’Rats—Tucker’s nickname for their group—would be none the wiser. Once Greer was out of the picture, Shea would be free of his spell, and then he would be free of Greer, too, with his strong, able body.

But he would not be breaking Shea’s heart, not be tossing her aside once he’d won her into his bed. Something very bad was going to happen to their hero. And something very Darius was going to happen to Shea.

Chapter Eight

S
HEA SHIVERED AS
she watched the smoke that was Darius slide beneath the door, thinking how easy it was for him to come in anytime he wanted. Like . . . that time in the shower when she’d felt someone there.

“You all right?” Greer asked, watching her.

She didn’t dare share her suspicions. “It just creeps me out.”

“I’m sorry. I had no idea he’d pull something like this.”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”

He was still shaking his head. “The guy’s such a . . . beyond a bonehead. I should have—”

She put her hands on his chest. “It wasn’t your responsibility. I’m not your responsibility.” She hadn’t thought about having her hands on his bare skin until she touched him.

“I know.” He took one of those stray strands of her hair and twirled it around his finger like she usually did. “I can’t help it; I have a need to protect you. Maybe because you’re so much smaller than me. Especially now that I know what happened to you. I’m not going to apologize for that. It’s my nature.”

“No, I wouldn’t expect you to. It’s one of the things I . . . like about you.” She stared at her fingers splayed against his chest, light skin against olive. She felt herself weaken, as she had in the yard.

Or become stronger.

She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I feel safe with you.”

He touched her cheek. “That’s a start. I want you to feel more than that, but like I said, we can work through that. I’m a patient man.”

Yeah, he was way too good for her.

She started to turn her face away from his touch, but as usual he wouldn’t let her. “What do you feel when I touch you? Fear?”

“No.” She shook her head, almost laughing at the notion. The smile quickly faded. “Well, not fear that you’ll hurt me. That if you knew me, you wouldn’t want to touch me.”

“What would change my mind about you? What would make me not want you?”

She did shift her gaze away, though he still held her chin.

“You think that whatever it is, I’m going to be disgusted and go away, right? Isn’t that what you want? So what do you have to lose?”

He had her. Would he say the same accusing things her mother had said, look at her the same way?

She let her hands drop but again resisted the urge to cross her arms in front of her. Yes, let him know so he’d back away and she wouldn’t have to be so conflicted. “I never had a father figure in my life. All I knew was my mom had an affair with a married man, and he left her before I was born. A mostly bitter woman, she worked all the time trying to make ends meet. I was bored, lonely. When I was fifteen, I started looking for company. I wanted love, and I thought sex was love. Or I was led to by the first—the only—guy I was ever with. Frankie said he loved me, treated me with what I thought was love. I know now it was only lust.”

She gestured to her breasts. “I was overdeveloped for my age and frame, and I dressed, well, pretty sexy.” If she was going to be honest, she should use the word her mother used. “I dressed like a slut, okay. I needed attention.” She laughed. “I know, hard to believe. Frankie was in love with my boobs for sure. He loved a part of me, so I gave him whatever he wanted. He wanted me. After a while, though, I realized I didn’t feel good about myself. I guess the sex felt good, but I started drifting away from him. That last time . . .”

He slid his hand down her arm, sliding his fingers between hers. Giving her encouragement.

“We had sex as usual, and I realized how empty I felt. I knew I had to end things. I started to tell him, but two of his friends stopped by his apartment. They sat around getting high, and I was really stupid. I got high, too. I’d never done it before, but I felt so lost and conflicted and thought it would help. I knew I had to end it but I didn’t want to be alone.”

“No one wants to be alone, Shea.”

“But I sold myself out just to have someone who I thought loved me. And then they started doing these pills, I don’t even know what kind of drug it was. I didn’t do that. Afterward, I went home and told my mom what happened. She didn’t believe it was rape. She thought I’d just gotten myself into a ‘lurid situation.’ ” Shea crooked her fingers in quotes. “That’s what she said. She did take me to the police station, but that’s what the officer thought, too.” Tears blurred her vision. She would not look away from Greer, would face his disgust or the evidence that he believed the same thing she did. “By the way I was dressed, I couldn’t really blame him. Or my mom.” But she had anyway.

He rubbed away a tear that dared stray down her cheek. “Shea, we all want love. We want a connection, and yeah, sometimes we do things we shouldn’t to get it. But if you think I’m going to shun you, you’re wrong.” He left his thumb there to stroke her skin. “Why do you think I bring those women to my bedroom? I can’t even let myself care about any of them, but I use them because I need that connection. And so do they. I don’t feel good about it either, not on a soul level, so I know exactly how you feel. Forgive yourself for being human.”

He really didn’t see her as some kind of slut, or damaged, or anything. She opened her mouth to say something, not even sure what would come out. Instead, she put her hands to his face and brought his mouth down to hers.

He made a sound deep in his throat, joining her kiss instantly. She felt something inside her unfurl like a rose that had been in a tight bud for years. His hands went to her face, and then he tunneled his fingers into her hair. Just that felt heavenly, as the tips of his fingers rubbed her scalp. She slid her hands around his waist, rubbing up and down his bare back, down the indent of his spine.

She’d never felt this way with Frankie, knowing she was safe and cherished, and yet feeling hunger clawing through her. She drew her nails down his skin, letting him know that she wanted to take this to the next level. Her body pressed against his, and oh, yeah, he knew.

He made that little sound again, a growl like his panther was waking up. He finished the kiss, cupping her face and looking into her eyes. “Shea, we’re going down a path here that I’m not sure you’re ready for.”

She stepped back and pulled off the big T-shirt. “I am. For you, I am.”

He released a long breath, desire heating his eyes as he took her in. “You are gorgeous, Shea.”

She warmed under his compliment, given from genuine appreciation. From someone who cared about her. “So are you.”

He was so perfect, strong but not overly muscular in that phony way bodybuilders were. He wore only jeans, and he still smelled faintly of smoke and soap. He smiled at her words, as though he hadn’t heard them a million times.

“Shea, you have to know something. If we do this, I’m going to feel that you’re mine. I have never felt that way about a woman before, but I already feel it for you.” He fisted his big hand. “It’s a fierceness, a knowing that I will do anything in my power to protect you. From what Tuck told me, it’s hard to pull that back. Making love seals the deal.”

“He said he went crazy on that guy who grabbed Del. It scared him.”

“Yeah, it did. And I can feel that, how I could lose control in that kind of situation, because I wanted to kill Darius just now. You’re not even mine, and I could have killed the son of a bitch. That’s how it’s going to be. You know what I am. What I become.”

“A beautiful supernatural creature. I’m okay with that.”

His body relaxed the slightest bit, as though he inwardly sighed in relief. She wanted to be his. She couldn’t quite push out those words. One step at a time.

He placed his hand on her collarbone, his fingers flexing slightly against her skin. “I’m going to let you direct everything. You move my hands wherever you want them. You’re in control. Take it as far as you want.”

Her breath hitched at his surrender. She still didn’t feel she deserved him, but she was going to take what he offered anyway. She placed her hand over his, sliding her fingers between his. His heat sank into her chest, filling her heart with a warmth she hadn’t felt for so long.

His gray-brown eyes held hers, and she saw both his hunger for her and his control as he reined it in. She drew his hand down over her breast. She took his other hand and did the same, closing her eyes for a moment at the feel of his hands covering them, gently squeezing.

She leaned her head back, absorbing. Only Greer’s hands. No other memories crept in, only the here and now. He kneaded her softly, his thumbs grazing her nipples. Her body came alive, electrified like she’d never experienced. His gaze moved from his hands, her body, to her eyes. Checking to see if she was comfortable. She was far from comfortable, but in a good way. She wanted to feel his hands on more of her.

Then she remembered he wasn’t doing anything that she didn’t direct. She drew his hand down across her stomach, feeling it tremble beneath his touch. His hand nearly reached across the span of her. His pinky finger grazed the top of her black panties, dipping just below the lacy edge. Heat pooled lower, pushing her hand to slide his down beneath the material. His fingers slid through her hair, moving now of their own volition. She’d given him permission; he needed no guidance.

He stepped closer, so their thighs touched, and he kissed her. While his mouth loved on hers, his fingers hooked the side of her panties and pushed them down over her hips. She shimmied, feeling them drop to her feet, and stepped out of them. He grasped her butt and pulled her against him, and she heard that deep groan as he continued to kiss her. His erection pressed hard against her, even through his jeans.

Panic fluttered through her stomach, and like a butterfly, flew away again. This was Greer. He would stop at her request.

“You okay?” he asked, proving the point. He’d picked up her hesitation.

“Perfectly fine.”

His fingers found her again, and he gently nudged her legs apart so he could access her better. And he did just that, sliding his fingers through her folds and making her gasp. She was wet, giving away just how aroused she was. He turned and laid her down on the bed, continuing to touch her. His mouth covered hers, his thigh stroked hers, and he slid his finger inside her. At the same time, he stroked her nub, and the twin sensations of pleasure swirled through her.

She jammed her fingers into his hair, soft and thick, trying to stay afloat. He could so easily do crazy things to her body with his fingers at the same time as he toyed with her tongue, running his tongue over her teeth, nibbling at her lower lip.

He slid in a second finger, stretching her . . . readying her, she realized. He knew she’d be tight. She clutched his shoulders as that realization sent her over the edge. She bucked, arched as the orgasm claimed her. She could tell, even as he continued kissing her, that he was smiling.

“Ready for more?” he asked, his fingers also continuing to stroke her.

She could hardly stand the intense feeling of his touch, her whole body stiffening. “I don’t think—”

“Don’t think.” He chuckled against her neck. “Just feel.”

The second orgasm rocked her even harder, and then he kept touching and playing, and when she couldn’t even breathe, he pushed her right over the edge again.

“Oh, my God, that’s crazy,” she said, flopping back onto the bed, breathless.

“You’ve never gone more than once?”

She shook her head.

He grinned. “Maybe women have to go through the monthly thing, but they also get multiple orgasms. I think that evens it up.”

She found the strength to hit his arm. Well, maybe it did.

He shifted to the side, running his hand across her stomach while she came back to herself. “We can leave it at that, if you want. You’re in control.”

She laughed, making him raise his eyebrows at her. “Leave it at this? Are you freakin’ kidding?”

His mouth twisted into a smile. “No, but I was hoping you wouldn’t take me up on it.”

He would let her take her satisfaction so she could not venture into more dangerous territory. When she could damn well see how aroused he was. Why did he have to be so
good
?

He skimmed his fingers across her cheek. “Why the shadow across your face?”

She shook it away. “You would never just toss me aside.”

She hadn’t asked it as a question, but he shook his head in answer anyway. “Not you, Shea. Never.”

He hadn’t even been with another girl since he walked in on her. He’d been faithful when they weren’t even involved.

That’s when the affection she felt for him all these years as more of a brotherly like guy she lived with morphed, like Darkness, into something much more fierce. She reached up to his face. “Make love to me.”

He gave her a soft kiss that quickly became more intense. Then he rolled off the bed and shucked his jeans. He pulled out his wallet and extracted a condom. “I have always used protection. Just so you know.”

“Of course you would.”

His eyebrow quirked at her statement. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s just the way you are, Greer.” She twisted her fingers in the sheets, the rush of feelings washing over her as strong as the orgasms had.

He rolled the condom down over his erection with a practiced hand, then got back into bed. But he didn’t get right down to it. He pulled her against him, sliding his thigh between hers, holding her close.

She’d never had someone hold her like this, with sex imminent. But it wasn’t going to be just sex with Greer. And he seemed in no hurry, tracing his fingers over her curves. And once she got used to that idea, she took the opportunity to touch him, too, to feel the body she’d been admiring for a while now.

“
You
are gorgeous,” she said, watching her fingers slide over his ridged abdomen, over the paler skin of his hip. He had great thighs, the lines of muscling and shadow of dark hairs defining them.

They explored each other’s bodies, and she reveled in all the sensations of him, the friction of his hairs against the pads of her fingers, the dip of his belly button, the curves of his pecs. The way he touched her, she might believe he hadn’t touched a woman before. He took her in, every inch, with a wonder she didn’t understand.