Provoked (11 page)

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Authors: Rebecca Zanetti

BOOK: Provoked
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His eyebrow lifted. “Did you just say
lay
?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Darlin’, I’m all brain, no heart. That should make you happy considering the pleasure centers are in the brain.”
“No.” She shoved against his chest, the movement rubbing her suddenly aching sex against a hardened cock too impressive to easily ignore. “This isn’t about thinking. This is about feeling.” Staring him right in the eyes, she tried to penetrate to his hard brain. “We both know you can feel, whether you like that fact or not.”
Irritation flashed bright in those eyes to be quickly blanketed with humor. “That was a secret.”
Her hands dropped along with her gaze. “Whatever.”
He sighed. Running both hands through her hair, he gently tugged her head back until her eyes met his. “Amber, I like you. Against all rational thought, I like the way you think, the way you move, even the way you feel everything too strongly. And I want to have one night with you—not to relieve some stress, although it would—not to cement your help, although it might—and not to further any of my rather pressing goals. I just want to get inside you and drive you crazy until you scream my name.”
She opened her mouth but no words formed.
His hold tightened. “But you should be very careful what you ask for.” The predator he’d been hiding rose to the surface.
All amusement and charm disappeared.
Awareness slammed through her. She’d misjudged him. Sure, she’d seen him kill demons. And she’d known he was a vampire. But he’d seemed like an intellectual, somewhat safe. The male trusting her enough to reveal himself right now was nowhere near safe.
“You want the real me?”
She nodded slowly.
“Then say yes.”
Her mind spun. Rational thought whisked away. She should think about this. There was no doubt they’d be parting ways after she fulfilled her promise and helped him with Jase. She had to get Grandma Hilde to safety and off the demon radar. But she never wanted to look back on her life and wonder . . . what if? So they had one night. “Yes.”
At her acquiesce, she expected him to react. To delve deep, to pounce.
Instead, his eyes darkened to beyond black. A slow smile, wicked and sure, slid across his handsome face.
She shivered.
He tugged her sweatshirt over her head. His hands went to her bare shoulders, sliding down until reaching her wrists.
Then he tugged her to him and kissed her. Warmer than imaginable, his mouth slanted over hers, his lips firm and demanding. His tongue swept inside her mouth, sending her sliding full force into arousal. She tried to lift her hands to his chest, but they remained in place.
Strong hands banded around her wrists and trapped her hands on her thighs. She couldn’t move.
Shock, then fire ripped through her. Her panties dampened even more.
His mouth worked hers, taking. Long fingers threaded through hers, sliding her hands behind her back to press against her hips, dragging her clit along his shaft. Sparks flashed behind her eyes. She whimpered.
He lifted away, a dark flush across his high cheekbones, his nostrils flaring. Hunger glinted strong and bright in his eyes. “Now that’s a pretty sound. Make it again.” Pressing her hands against her butt, he rubbed his cock against her.
She whimpered again.
His smile revealed more of the animal he’d kept hidden.
Doubt broke through the clouds in her brain, and she opened her mouth to protest.
“Too late.” His mouth found her nipple, his strength easily keeping her in place.
Where he wanted her.
Sharp teeth nipped and then his tongue soothed. Electricity flared from nerve to nerve, making her nearly desperate to move against him. Yet his hold stayed firm, not allowing her to move an inch.
The helplessness compared to his strength rippled shivers of need down her spine. “Kane.”
The world tilted and she found herself lying on the blanket near the fire, the vampire kneeling between her legs. He ripped her pants and panties off. “Oh,” she protested, mind whirling, her hands suddenly free and reaching to push against his shoulders.
One dark look froze her in place.
“Hands down.” The set of his jaw hardened.
She couldn’t move . . . could only stare.
“Put them down or I’ll tie them down.” No mercy showed in his deep eyes.
Her hands dropped to the blanket as if gravity worked for him. She shook her head. “I don’t . . .”
“You do.” He plunged one finger inside her easily. Too easily.
She arched up in response, a strangled groan emerging. Internal muscles flared to life and clamped down on him. Her arousal was obvious. “Stop playing.”
“I’m not playing.” His finger found her G-spot, and she nearly shot off the blanket. With a deep chuckle, his mouth dropped to her clit.
No easing, no teasing . . . he sucked hard.
She exploded with a strangled cry, the entire room sheeting white. His fingers prolonged the orgasm until she wanted to beg. Whether for him to stop or keep going, she wasn’t sure. Finally, she came down, her entire body nowhere near sated and truly on fire. Her body protested when he removed his hand.
While it had been awhile, in the past, one orgasm did her just fine. Now one wasn’t nearly enough. Somehow Kane had driven her even higher, somehow he’d perched her entire body on the edge, waiting for him. “I hate you.”
He chuckled against her clit, sending her senses spiraling. “I’ll have to change your mind on that.” Slow, delicious licks had her squirming on the blanket, her hands itching to grab and take him. But she had no doubt he’d meant the sensual threat. He really would tie her down.
The idea almost sent her into another orgasm. She shifted to the side to get his mouth where she wanted it, and he clamped both hands on her thighs. “Hold still, darlin’.”
“ No. ”
The slap to her thigh made her gasp.
“Yes.” His shoulders settled into place, keeping her open to him. Whether she liked it or not. “You have quite the rebellious streak, don’t you? Let’s see what we can do about that.”
Who was this guy? She levered up to tell him off when his mouth got serious. Coughing out a sob, she dropped back to the blanket. Man, he was talented.
A rumble of pleasure echoed against her flesh as he went to work. Alternating between soft caresses and more intense licks, he had her mind spinning and her body gyrating within minutes. A bite to her thigh made her cry out. Then his mouth went back to her core. Minutes later she couldn’t tell the difference between pain and pleasure.
Minutes after that she was begging in incoherent sobs.
Finally, he lifted up, a pleased smile curving his lips. “Now that’s better.”
The words didn’t register. Her entire body was alight, in definite pain, in a craving too intense to be real. Yet it was. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, she knew she was going to kill him the next day. But for now, she almost sobbed in relief when he yanked off his briefs and settled against her. Finally.
He plunged inside her with one strong stroke.
Pain. Her entire body arched in denial. He was too big. She shoved against his shoulders, her breath catching.
“Give it a second,” he whispered against her neck, his heated breath sending shivers along her collarbone.
With a catch in her throat, she nodded, settling back down.
Her body relaxed, accepting him. Her eyes fluttered shut at the exquisite pleasure. Who knew?
Slowly, he drew out and then plunged back inside her.
She gasped, both hands clutching into his tight ass. “Again.”
Warning hinted in his sudden smile. She should’ve kept quiet. He shook his head, dark hair moving around his shoulders. “Giving orders, are we?”
“No.” Quick, her response burst out before she could think.
“Hmm.” Staying inside her, filling her beyond what she thought she could take, his mouth dropped to her right breast and engulfed her nipple in fire. His wet tongue flicked and teased the peak.
Her nails dug into his butt, trying to get him moving again.
His teeth closed and nipped.
The breath swooshed out of her lungs as she paused. Too fast to track, he grabbed both her hands and flattened them against the blanket under his. “Not that I mind wearing your marks, sweetheart, but a man does like to take his time.”
“I’m going to kill you.” She wrapped her legs around his hips, holding him in place. “Tomorrow.” After their one night.
His smile lightened something inside her. “Then I really should enjoy my last night on earth.” Deadly fangs dropped low. His eyebrows rose in question.
All instinct and without conscious thought, she turned and exposed her neck.
His low growl of satisfaction echoed throughout her body to where they remained joined.
Seconds later sharp points embedded in her flesh. A flash of pain was brushed away by intense satisfaction.
But the intense pleasure wasn’t hers. The feeling, dark and deep, came from Kane. Was this part of her gift? Or was this part of Kane’s talents? Either way, she relaxed into the sensation, letting the raw thrill take hold.
She’d accidentally taken some mushrooms once that apparently were as strong as LSD. That was nothing compared to the feeling shooting her neurons into flight as Kane Kayrs took her blood.
Giving a low groan, Kane released her hand to grab her butt, moving out and in. His fangs retracted and he licked her neck. Increasing his speed, he began to pound in a fierce rhythm.
The pounding matched the wildness pouring through Amber’s veins. Her thighs tightened as she clasped her ankles together, meeting his thrusts. A spiraling started deep inside her. Breathing became impossible. Then breath became unnecessary.
The only thing that mattered was where that spiraling sensation wanted to take her.
His cock was hard, pulsing, somehow demanding. He thrust harder, angling over her clit.
She broke with a cry, tidal waves of pleasure crashing through her. Her internal muscles spasmed around him as he continued to thrust, sharp fangs embedding in her neck again.
With a low growl, he stiffened against her as he came.
Sighing, her entire body went limp against the blanket.
Kane licked her collarbone, raising up to flash a satisfied smile.
She smiled back. “That was well worth the one night.”
His grin turned wicked through the firelight. “Ah, darlin’. We’re nowhere near done.”
A
weak morning sun tried to filter through the swirling snow outside the small cabin. Amber had been awake for about ten minutes, listening to the crazy storm and wondering where Kane had gone. She gathered the blanket closer and stumbled toward the window. Multiple muscles flared to life in protest.
She had been well and truly fucked.
Kane Kayrs, vampire, now knew her body better than she did. He hadn’t missed a millimeter in his exploration.
Like the scientist he was, he’d discovered her every secret. And then some.
Jesus. She could barely walk.
Stifling a whimper, she glared out at the still raging storm. Just how long could Mother Nature keep up the violence? No way could Amber survive another night with Kane, and no way would she keep her hands off him if left alone into the darkness again. Her well-used body needed a doggone rest.
Closing her eyes, she repeated her grandmother’s chants. Never again would she forget that morning ritual.
The door opened with a bang. Kane stalked inside, raking her with that serious gaze. “Are you all right?”
She straightened and forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
“Good. Get dressed.” He turned and began gathering the weapons he’d left on a sofa table. “The storm is still raging, but we need to get out of here. The Kurjans will have been watching Talen’s house and are not smart enough to wait for the storm to pass.”
“I’m not going back in that boat.” She reached for the clothes Kane had laid out on the mantel to dry the night before. Holding them against the blanket, she shifted her feet. “Um, turn around.”
Sinful and quick, his smile flashed. “No.”
“Yes.” The urge to stomp her foot tightened her leg muscles.
“Amber, I know every inch of your body,” he drawled. “It’s a little late for shyness.”
Some scientist. The guy was actually a rake. Vulnerability lifted her chin. “The night is over. Now turn around.”
He prowled toward her and covered her hands with his. Dropping his head, his mouth pressed hard against her lips, his tongue sweeping inside. Taking. Warm, sure, and demanding, his mouth took hers like he owned it. Maybe after the previous night, he did.
She was gasping for breath when he lifted his head to survey her neck. A slow glide of his thumb along her jugular sent electricity zapping through her veins.
He smiled. “The puncture wounds haven’t quite healed. Interesting.” Raising his head, he pierced her with a dark gaze, intrigue filling his eyes.
“Why is that interesting?” she asked, her voice hoarse.
“Usually when we lick a wound,
if
we lick a wound, it disappears. You’re still wearing my mark, darlin’.”
She lifted her chin farther. “Why does that please you?”
He started. “I have no idea.” Both eyebrows slashed down. “Though I have to admit, the fact pleases me greatly.” His frown intensified.
She drew back. “Last night was a one-shot deal.” If she ever recovered, she was running fast in the other direction. One more night like that, and the vampire would own her. Without question, he’d claimed her in a way she’d never forget, probably never find again. But she couldn’t stay with him. “I believe, remember?”
He growled low. “Yes. Happily-ever-after and all of that. Love and emotion.” Then he sighed. “Okay, get dressed. There’s an old truck in the shed outside. We’ll head to town and find a land phone that actually works.” Releasing her, he moved to blanket out the fire.
She hurried to dress, scrambling to yank on slightly wet jeans. A warm shower would be heaven.
Kane finished and reached the door. “Do you want a gun?”
“Yes.” Well, actually she didn’t want a gun. But she took the one he offered and shoved it in her waistband. The metal chilled her flesh.
He held out a hand. “The storm is pretty bad, so hold on and we’ll get to the shed.”
She hesitated only a second before sliding her hand into his. Warmth enveloped her fingers.
Tugging her outside, he led her over the deck and around a small side yard. There he stopped cold and lifted his head into the wind.
Two tall figures rushed around the faded shed, guns drawn.
Amber gasped. They were the stuff of nightmares. Blood-red hair with black tips, swirling purple eyes, crimson lips, and skin bleached of any possible color. Beyond white.
Dressed in all black, they stopped and pointed weapons.
Kane shoved her behind him. “Damn Kurjans. Don’t move, Amber.”
She couldn’t move if she wanted to. Her feet grew heavy, fear weighing down her limbs. Monsters. True monsters existed.
Kane held his hands up, body relaxed. “You need to get out of here. The entire property is land mined, and only I know where the explosives are located.” He yelled to be heard.
The monster in the lead threw back his head and laughed, the grating sound echoing even through the storm. “We’ve had this entire lake under surveillance for years, and you can bet we conducted satellite imagery of the ground. Nice bluff.” He yelled louder than Kane.
Amber wasn’t going out like this—not with creepy, white-faced monsters. Sliding forward an inch, she pressed the side of her gun into Kane’s back, tucking the barrel in his waistband. Everything she’d ever been taught centered around the fact of not hurting another being. She couldn’t shoot them.
But she could hand the gun to Kane. Yeah, it was a moral gray line, one she’d worry about later.
Movement sounded behind her. She whirled around to find a tree spinning by in the storm. Holy Mother Earth. An entire tree.
Kane blocked her completely from the Kurjans. “Maybe so, but there’s no way you have reinforcements coming in this storm. You’re all alone out here—and will be until morning.”
“And everyone says you’re the smart one,” one of the monsters yelled.
Kane partially turned his head. “In two seconds, you hit the ground. Understand?”
“Yes,” she stuttered, her mouth almost too cold to make sound.
“Now!”
She dropped, covering her neck with her arms and making herself as small as possible. Snow slid down her shirt, freezing her skin. Cold pierced her eyes, but she kept her gaze on Kane.
Quicker than she could track, he grabbed the gun and fired. The odd
ping
of those green bullets echoed. They slammed into the closest Kurjan, throwing the wide-eyed monster three feet back.
Fangs flashing in his nightmarish face, the other guy charged.
 
Kane crouched for the blow, waiting until the Kurjan reached him before throwing his weight to the right and away from Amber. The guy hit like a truck. They landed hard, sending snow spraying. Kane grunted as his ribs protested.
All emotion shut into a box, he jabbed his knuckles under the soldier’s throat, impacting the larynx. Leaping up and back, he calculated the Kurjan’s weight and arm span—about an inch shorter than Kane’s. Interesting. Most Kurjans reached almost seven feet tall. Not this guy.
The guy rolled backward through the snow to his feet, purple eyes swirling with fury and pain.
He charged again.
Kane waited until the last second and kicked out, breaking the guy’s jaw. Even through the furious storm, a painful
crack
echoed.
The soldier staggered back.
Tuning in his senses, Kane counted the Kurjan’s breaths. Yeah, he was panting. One more blow to the face should do it.
Darting forward, he punched for the nose and karate-chopped the throat of his opponent. The Kurjan dropped to the ground.
Yanking his knife from his boot, Kane dropped to his haunches and jammed the blade in the Kurjan’s sternohy-oid muscle to the side of the jaw. Shoving in harder, he yanked to the right, slicing through bone.
Blood sprayed along his chest.
With a grunt, he forced the knife the other way, effectively decapitating the soldier.
Pushing the body away, he hustled to the man he’d shot, plunging the blade in the unconscious body. His aim was off this time, and he had to fight the hyoid bone. He was the one panting when the Kurjan’s head slid free.
Wiping the Kurjan’s blood on the snow-covered body, Kane stood to face Amber.
Her skin was whiter than the snow.
Standing, she swayed in place, the storm battering her. Those black eyes were wide, the pupils huge as she stared at the dead Kurjans.
She was going into shock.
“Amber!” He lowered his voice to command and slid the knife back in his boot.
Her head jerked up, and she stumbled back.
Wind blistered his face, but he leapt forward and grabbed her arms. He shook her. “Snap out of it. Now.”
He was such an asshole. But they didn’t have time for her to fall apart right now. Pulling her to him, he gave her a quick kiss to the top of the head. “Hold it together.”
 
Amber looked up at the fierce warrior. Had he just kissed her on the head?
Two more Kurjans ran up the embankment from the lake, and Kane pivoted to shield her.
Movement echoed behind her and she spun around. Fear rammed into her gut. More monsters.
Scooting so her back settled against Kane’s, she dropped into what seemed like a fighting stance. Maybe.
“How many?” Kane ground out.
“Three.” So, five more scary monster freaks against two good guys, one of whom was a pacifist. Life sucked sometimes. Odd that her mind had blanked and was thinking rational thoughts instead of her heart stopping in a huge attack. Maybe it was the adrenaline ripping through her veins yelling at her to flee. But there was nowhere to go.
The Kurjan closest to her sniffed the snow-filled air and then frowned. He sniffed again. “Destroyer?”
Kane stiffened against her.
Instantly the other Kurjans focused on her, all sniffing the air.
Okay, that was just weird. What in the world did she smell like to these guys?
“Amber,” Kane hissed in a hoarse whisper, “as soon as you feel me move, hit the ground.”
“You can’t take out all five of them,” she muttered back, panic threatening to send her to the ground anyway.
“Not much of a choice.” Hopefully the wind camouflaged his voice from the Kurjans. “Drop, I’ll take these two guys out and then flip over you for those three.”
Maybe she should’ve kept a gun. She could’ve at least threatened them with a weapon. Evened the odds at least.
“This is crazy.” How many times had she said those words since meeting Kane? “What if I charge these guys—try to throw them off balance?”
Kane paused before answering. “No.”
Too bad the guy hadn’t realized she wasn’t very good at taking orders. She bunched her muscles to leap—
And a helicopter spiraled out of nowhere to drop next to the shed. Snow scattered in all four directions, completely obscuring the area. Two huge men jumped out, bullets already spraying. The Kurjans dropped to their bellies, returning fire from the safety of the snow.
Kane whirled and tossed her over his shoulder, running full bore for the open door of the ’copter. Leaping inside, he shoved her behind him, gun out and already firing.
The massive bird lifted into the air. The two men from the ’copter sprayed bullets and kept their opponents on the ground as they ran and jumped for the seat facing her. The door shut, and the helicopter rose into the storm.
Gasping, she plastered herself to Kane’s side.
One of the men leaned a gun out an open weapon and continued firing until they were roaring away. Then he leaned back with a grim smile. “Nice morning.”
The wind beat against the machine, sending it rocking.
Kane shook snow from his hair. “Good timing. How?”
“Satellite. Saw the Kurjans send a force this way, figured the soldiers were coming for you.” The guy’s golden eyes swirled with emotion—maybe anger, maybe fear. Perhaps both.
Kane nodded. “Amber, this is my brother Talen.” He pointed at an equally large guy with deep green eyes. “And my brother Conn.”
“Ma’am,” they said in unison.
They were as big as Kane and had metallic eyes. And she had been dead wrong about Talen being a pacifist. He was all massive soldier, intense and deadly. She coughed out air. “More vampires.”
Conn nodded. Talen let fangs flash, his eyes glowing. Oh, for goodness’ sake. For some reason, Amber had figured it was just Kane having odd eyes. “Thanks for the rescue.”
Talen cocked his head to the side, and he studied her like a wolf considering dinner. “I’m getting very faint vibrations from her, but nothing that would lead a pack of shifters to her door. Are you sure she’s a destroyer?”

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