On the Prowl (Bad Things #2)(25)

She wanted what he could give to her because a vampire’s needs were so much darker than a human’s. She didn’t even realize how things could be between them.

She would. Soon enough.

He wrapped her hands around the post. “Hold tight.” Then his gaze slid to her neck. It was bared to him. Her neck, the sweet curve of her shoulder. Just the spot he wanted.

His hand trailed over her back. His claws slid over her skin. He didn’t cut her. Wouldn’t. But…

He would bite.

He spread her legs and pulled her hips back against him. He drove into her from behind, and she arched against him, rocking her hips.

Julian’s mouth pressed to the curve of her shoulder. His teeth raked her skin. He withdrew. He plunged deep. She moaned. She arched.

He bit.

A marking…because that was the way of his kind. His teeth punctured her, his two canines sinking deep.

“Julian!”

The cry wasn’t one of pain. And the pleasure was just beginning. He lapped at her skin even as he drove into her. There was no control now. He took her deep and hard, getting lost in her as the beast and the man claimed the woman he’d always wanted for a mate.

Even if she didn’t realize it.

She came again—came with a scream this time. He didn’t stop. He couldn’t. He thrust and withdrew, thrust and growled. His hands caught hers once more. He held her up against that post and he took her. Soon the pleasure was slamming into him and he roared his release. The climax was so intense his whole body shuddered. Pleasure filled every cell of his body. Pleasure that just went on and on, until he felt absolutely wrung out.

Distantly, he became aware of a dull thudding. His heartbeat—slowing down. Finally. Sweat coated his body and when he looked at his hands—his claws were disappearing. Soon he was just holding his hands over hers. Holding her.

She was so small next to him. Seemed so fragile.

Her head turned. She stared at him. And then she smiled.

Not so fragile now.

“I like it when you don’t hold back.”

He’d never hold back again.

She pressed her lips to his and the kiss was…oddly sweet. Tender. When he’d never been the tender type, except with her.

But then she turned her head away. She stiffened.

“OhmyGod…” Now Rose sounded horrified. “Tell me…please tell me…we didn’t just leave that door open while we had sex.”

His gaze shot to the door. To the open door. He’d left it open when he carried her to bed because he hadn’t wanted her to feel like a prisoner.

And he couldn’t help it. For the first time in longer than he could remember, Julian roared with laughter.

***

Simon put Keri on the boat. Her boat. Helpful human. He smiled at her and his index finger slid under her chin as he tipped her head up. “You remember what to do?”

She smiled back at him. “Yes.”

“Good…good…do exactly what Simon says and you’ll get to live another day.”

Maybe.

Highly doubtful.

“I’ll go to the island,” she whispered.

Keri had turned out to be full of surprises. She owned her own boat, a nineteen-footer that she often took out on snorkeling trips. She knew the area well and…

She was going to be his perfect distraction.

He jumped off the vessel and untied the lines for her as she stood at the wheel. He looped the rope into his hand as he watched her. “You’ll go to the island. You’ll be my distraction.”

Her hands curled around the wheel. “I’ll find the lost girl for you.”

Rose wasn’t a girl and she wasn’t exactly lost. But, yes, that was the general plan.

“And I’ll kill anyone who gets in my way.” Keri smiled at him as the boat’s engine growled. She looked so innocent. So carefree.

She looked absolutely perfect. A human, heading right into a den of paranormals. Would they kill her on sight? Perhaps. That would be Keri’s bad luck. But, if they didn’t kill her, if they thought she was just an innocent human who’d gotten lost and wandered into their den…

Then maybe she’d have a chance to find his vampire.

Until he had Rose, his collection just wouldn’t be complete.





Chapter Seven


She didn’t like interrogations. She didn’t like prison cells. And she didn’t like the hard, predatory stare that Julian was giving to the human.

Rose was afraid that Francis might wet himself at any moment.

“This is…some kind of really big mistake.” Francis paced in the cell. “I don’t know what I did wrong, but I swear…I won’t do it again.”

Rayce choked out a laugh. He was watching from a few feet away. Her gaze jerked to him and when his stare met hers, she felt heat lance her cheeks.

The damn door was open! She knew the guy had heard every humiliating sound she’d made. Even if the door had been closed, though, he probably would have heard her. Stupid shifter hearing.

“Just let me go,” Francis pleaded. Julian was in the cell with him. “I won’t ever bother you again, man.” He rushed toward Julian. “I swear, I—”

Julian’s hand clamped around the guy’s throat. Sighing, Julian lifted the kid up into the air, as if Francis weighed nothing. “I need to know about Simon.”