Vengeance (The Captive #6)(91)

Her head jerked up, her hand instinctively went to the stake at her side as she prepared to destroy anyone who came near him. A low chuckle caused her eyes to shoot to him. She froze when his sparkling blue eyes met hers. “Easy tiger,” he said.

“You’re awake!” she cried, tears bursting free and sliding down her face. “You’re awake!”

His lips skimmed back in a smile as he pulled her head toward him. “I’m awake,” he murmured against her lips before taking possession of her mouth in a kiss she’d craved and missed these past couple of days.

Her fingers curled into his shirt. She tried to pull him closer, but it was impossible to get as close as she wanted to right now. She longed to tear the clothes away from him and lose herself in him. Her body shook with the restraint it took to keep her from doing just that.

Pulling away from her, he wiped the tears from her face with his thumb. “Don’t cry.”

“I was so frightened,” she admitted. “I thought you were going to die on me.”

“Never.” His finger caressed her full bottom lip. “I’ll stay with you always, Tempest.” She threw herself into his arms, clinging to him as he rocked her against him. “Will you stay with me?” he murmured against her ear.

“Always,” she vowed.

His arms tightened around her; he pulled back to kiss her again. Her fingers slid past the buttons of his shirt to press against the heated flesh of his chest. Excitement grew within her as his tongue swept around her mouth in hungry thrusts. Her eager acceptance and return of his kisses caused a low rumble to escape him.

She became so lost in him that she completely forgot about anyone else being in the room, until a discreet cough sounded from behind her. William didn’t notice as he continued his possession of her mouth. His hands slid over her face to cradle the back of her neck. He’d angled her in such a way she was now half on and half off the couch.

“Ahem!” Not so discreet now, the noise broke through her passion-filled haze.

Blinking dazedly, she reluctantly pulled away from William when she recalled they had an audience. A dull flush stained her cheeks at the reminder. He swung his feet to the floor, lifting her up and settling her onto the couch beside him. She’d thought he would turn to greet his brother and friends, but his attention remained on her.

His gaze ran over her body. A muscle in his cheek twitched as he surveyed her still swollen but nearly healed nose and bruised eyes. She barely felt the brush of his fingers over the small burn holes and blood that had ruined her clothes. Turning so his shoulder blocked her from the rest of the room, he pulled back a piece of her torn shirt to reveal the faint bruises still marring her ribs and breastplate.

“William,” she whispered. His eyes were the color of fire when they met hers. “I’m fine.” She wrapped her hand reassuringly around his and pressed it against her chest. “Believe me, I’m fine. I’m the one who has been awake these past three days.”

“Three days?”

“Yes, but we’re safe now.”

Some of the tension eased from his shoulders, he leaned into her and pressed a tender kiss against her nose. When he pulled away again, his eyes were blue once more and he grinned at her. “You should have told me we had company when I first woke.” He tugged playfully on her hair before pulling her against his chest and holding her there.

“You didn’t give her much of a chance to,” Daniel replied with a smile.

“Honestly, I’d hoped you’d take the hint and leave us to some privacy for a bit,” he retorted before releasing her and rising to his feet.

“You were never getting that beast to move.” Daniel thrust his thumb over his shoulder at Timber’s slumbering form. “You knew we were here?”

“I smelled you when I woke, and believe me I’ve spent enough time with all of you to know your smells well. I also heard your heartbeats.”

“Oh, you vampires, always so freaking creepy,” Max muttered.

William laughed and walked over to meet his brother in the middle of the room. They slapped each other on the back as they embraced. “It’s good to see you,” Daniel said.

“It’s good to see you too,” William said and released him. He turned to hug Max as Timber gave another inelegant snort and rolled over to face the back of the sofa. “Max,” he greeted.

Max grinned at him before embracing him. “Creepy or not, we missed you.” Max placed a hand on his shoulder and stepped away to survey him. “And you’re smiling again.”

William shot him an irritated look before shrugging; he fought against it, but Tempest could see a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Did Aria send you?”

“We sent us,” Daniel replied. “We were afraid you were going to get yourself killed. Aria didn’t give us much of a fight though.”

“Did she put up any?”

Daniel smiled ruefully. “No. It took us more time to find you than I’d expected. You’ve already found Kane,” he stared.

“I did.” Tempest watched him carefully but she saw no lingering rage on his face as he spoke of Kane. “He’s been taken care of.” William turned back to her and walked over to take hold of her hand. “You’ve heard what’s going on?”

All of Daniel’s humor vanished in an instant. “Yes. How bad is it?”