Dead After Dark (Companion #6.5)(94)

She shook her head, the disappointment on her face too similar to the day he’d left her sitting on the porch. That cut deeper than he’d have thought.

When she started to walk away, Trey grabbed her arm gently, drawing her to him so that he could whisper in her ear. “I was born under a star, chosen at birth to . . . to receive powers upon adulthood if I accepted my destiny, which I did. But I’ve taken an oath that includes not sharing anything about this group, my tribe. It’s not that I don’t trust you with the information. Not even my dad knows as much as you do at this moment and I trust him with my life.”

Sasha leaned back to face him. Her eyes lost all anger and softened. His heartbeats punctuated the wait while she studied his face, then gave a little nod and lifted a hand to brush a lock of hair from his forehead. The sweet gesture soothed the sharp edge of his nerves. She whispered, “I understand.”

One look into her eyes and he could tell she did understand. She’d always accepted him as he was, not trying to change him. No other woman had ever reached so far inside Trey the way Sasha had. If only they could be together, but now there were more hurdles than the telepathy. Brina was difficult on a good day. Fat chance she’d approve a match with a witch.

“When will backup arrive?” Sasha asked.

“Probably not before dawn.”

“You didn’t finish what you started in the park.” Sasha lifted toward him and Trey gave up the battle not to kiss her. He cupped her chin and lowered his head. Her arms entwined his neck, her lips meeting his. Before he knew it, she was in his arms, shifting her hips erotically against him. The heat that had flamed between them threatened to incinerate him from the inside out. Desire raged through every nerve in his body, fanning a hot ember of want so strong he shook with need.

He’d never stopped wanting this woman, but after hurting her once by walking away, he couldn’t allow this to get out of hand then disappear again.

She broke away from his mouth and whispered, “Don’t leave me tonight.” With two fingers to his lips, she silenced him when he started to speak. “I know you’re leaving Atlanta—and me—when this is over. I’ll let you go, but I need you now. I want you now.” Her amber eyes flared with determination.

He wavered on the threshold of a decision he might regret for many years . . . no matter which choice he made.

She licked her lips and mouthed the word “please.”

He closed his eyes and tried to convince himself to back away. He really did. Instead, when Trey opened his eyes, he captured her lips. Pleasure burst in his chest. She wanted him. Would understand when he had to leave again.

How could he back away after that?

When he scooped a hand under her bottom, Sasha’s legs came up around his waist. She reached down and stroked his raging erection. He hissed at the contact, sure his growl shook the rafters. Not a wise move with her sister upstairs. The one who went into anti-Christ mode with no warning. Blood keened in his ears.

“My room,” Sasha breathed between kisses.

“What about Rowan?”

“Sleeps with headphones on . . . music helps.”

“What about Tarq?”

“On a sabbatical somewhere. Trey, you’re not moving.”

His feet heard her and strode to the rear of the house. When he carried her into the dark bedroom, her lips never left his as she waved a hand. Flames danced on candles arranged on a silver tray resting upon her dresser and soft rock music began to play. Trey shut the door with his foot, then crossed the room to her four-poster bed where he lowered her to the deep blue satin coverlet. Of all the places he’d made love to her indoors and outdoors, he’d never touched her in this room.

Trey paused and smoothed a hand over her cheek. “I don’t deserve this—or you—and the last thing I want to do is hurt you . . . again.”

“I know. Stop worrying. I mean it when I say I’m okay with this and you leaving.” Sasha rose up, unsnapped his pants, then unzipped the fly. She reached inside to grasp him then took him into her mouth.

Trey sucked in a breath and croaked out a muttered curse at how close she came to sending him into oblivion. “Not yet, baby, or this won’t be the long drawn-out affair I have in mind.” He eased her back, shaking his head at her wicked grin, then shed his clothes with ruthless efficiency. Leaning a knee down beside her, he lifted the edge of her lacy top and worked it up the slender arms Sasha stretched above her head.

“I’m so ready,” she breathed out, but he was taking his sweet time.

No bra. Just pure woman. His woman.

When he had the filmy material at her shoulders he stopped, leaving her eyes covered and her arms bound, vulnerable. She purred in anticipation. Trey lowered his mouth to her breast, licking the tip then the soft underside with his tongue. Sweet.

Sasha shivered and sucked in sharply.

He slowly peeled off her snug pants, kissing the inside of her legs, which tasted salty where the warm scent of leather lingered on her thighs. So fitting for his wild woman who could be like buttery leather—tough and soft at the same time. He went back for the sliver of black underwear, lightly scraping his finger across the tight silk material shielding her folds.

She quivered. Her fingers locked around the downy pillow beneath her head. Her chest curved up with the motion.

Oh yeah, baby.

Trey stretched out alongside her and grazed his fingers beneath the underside of her other breast, barely caressing the skin, gliding along the curves . . . near the beading tip, but not touching it. Her back arched, feet digging in, toes curling, but she hadn’t cried uncle yet. He grinned, enjoying every sweet minute of taking her closer to the edge.