“But that’s it! That’s the only option!”
“Would you rather suffer? Would you rather become a danger to others? Another Hartzler lost to feeishness? You know what the right choice is. Why won’t you make it?”
“Because I can’t do it! I can’t bear to be touched!”
“You have to trust that it will be different between us.” He pressed his lips to hers, and she drew back.
“Don’t.”
“You know the risks of ignoring the call. The outcome is inevitable. This is your chance to decide for yourself.”
He kissed her again, hard and demanding. She jerked her mouth away, dragging the back of her hand against her lips. “What are you doing?”
“Give in, little mouse.”
“I’m not a mouse.”
“Prove it. Not because you have to, but because you want to. Take charge. Be a lioness. I’ll hand over control. I know you sense our chemistry. You can’t fool me into thinking you’re cold, not when I can scent the heat pooling between your thighs.”
Her eyes widened, completely dilated, and her skin flushed. “Stop it!”
He toppled her to her back, caging her with his aroused body. “I’m not ashamed and you shouldn’t be either.”
She shoved at his chest, but he only settled his body more firmly over hers. “Look at me, Larissa. I’m not hurting you. We’re barely touching. Let the weight of my body sink in. Eventually, you’ll be as familiar with it as you are with your own.”
“I don’t want that.”
“Liar,” he hissed, breathing deep. “Your scent fills the air and your eyes give you away. Are you afraid you might like it?”
She stiffened. “You swore you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“And I’m not. You’re in control.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.”
“Kiss me. You will see.”
When she didn’t move, he lowered his mouth and initiated. This time, rather than pull away, she pushed back.
She nipped at his lips with her sharp, little fangs, and he grinned when he tasted blood. “There’s that lioness.”
He leaned down and licked the fullness of her lower lip, and a low purr hummed from deep within her throat. Her scent thickened, threatening to snap the fine thread of control he still held. He rocked into her and she moaned, her body softening beneath his and her thighs falling open. That was his cue.
With a final, teasing kiss, he licked over her luscious mouth and stood. Startled by his retreat, she gasped and stared up at him with a look of confusion.
“Like I said, I’ll leave the choice up to you. You can be a tame little mouse or a proud and powerful lioness. I can be patient while you find your courage. But try not to make us wait too long. I’ll make no secret of wanting you.” He eyed his groin then sent her a pointed look. “What would be the point when the proof’s clear to see?”
Chapter 18
As night fell, the temperature continued to drop. Cain moved farther into the forest. He purchased some items in town—enough to stage a vulnerable campsite and lure whatever lurked in the woods out of hiding.
He lit a fire, but its heat did nothing to warm him as he was several yards away in the shadows. The area was purposefully littered with mortal items, from food packages to women’s perfume. He even purchased women’s clothing from a thrift store because the lingering scent of a mortal remained in the fibers. He waited silently for hours and was convinced he would be there the following night because nothing had happened yet.
Then a branch snapped in the distance, bringing his body to full attention. The slight crunch of leaves caught his ear. A rush of fast movement circling the faux camp, and his muscles bunched with anticipation.
Finally, it was here.
His limbs loosened in preparation for whatever was out there. His hands flexed and curled, claws extending.
The forest grew eerily quiet, a sign that a predator was near. Cain scanned the nearby shadows for any unnatural movement. To his left, another branch snapped. He was not alone.
A low growl rumbled. Cain grinned and growled back at the intruder. The rumble grew in volume and intensity, rushing past him with a gust of wind. Shutting his eyes, he sniffed the air.
Pungent and unmistakably male.
Cain dropped lower, prepared to battle the bloodthirsty killer to the death. No doubt his opponent was out for his life as well. The creature enjoyed the game of cat and mouse; only it remained undetermined who was the predator and who was the prey.
Cain remained alert, braced in the center of what they determined to be the arena, and allowed the other male to have his fun. The beast hissed, circling Cain too fast for him to set eyes on, but the scent was unmistakable. Vampire.
High above in the canopy of dried branches and withering autumn leaves, a limb creaked. Cain whirled toward the sound. There, about a hundred feet up, was his prey.