"Please—"
"No," he snapped. "Now get the hell out of here."
She started to shake, fear surging. "I can't be alone. Please let me stay with you. I need to…" She needed him specifically, but didn't think he'd respond well to that "I need to be with someone."
Zsadist ran his hand over his head. A number of times. Then his chest expanded.
"Please," she whispered. "Don't make me go."
He cursed. "I have to put some pants on."
That was as close to a
yes
as she was going to get, she thought.
Bella stepped inside and closed the door, lowering her eyes only for a moment When she looked up again, he'd turned away and was pulling a pair of black nylon sweats up his thighs.
His back, with its streaks of scars, flexed as he bent over. Seeing the evidence of old wounds, she was struck with the need to know exactly what he'd been through. All of it. Each and every lash. The idea that he knew what it was like to be at the mercy of someone cruel was a powerful common thread.
He'd survived. So had she. They were… linked.
Zsadist walked over to the bed and pulled the covers back. Then he stood to one side. Awkwardly.
"Get in," he told her.
As she came forward, she noticed that he wore something around his neck—
Oh, my God…
"My necklace. You're wearing my necklace."
She reached out to touch it against his skin, but he flinched away and removed the thing.
He dropped it in her hand. "Here. Take it back."
She looked down at the fragile gold and the little diamonds that were set every couple of inches. Diamonds by the Yard. By Tiffany. She'd worn it for years and now couldn't remember what it felt like against her throat.
Such a symbol of the normal life she'd led, she thought. And an opportunity to get back to herself.
She put it into the pocket of the robe, hiding it.
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
She moved a little closer to him. She wanted to throw her arms around him, but he wasn't looking at her. He was staring at the floor.
"Yes, Phury brought me food."
A flicker of expression passed over Zsadist's face. But it was gone so fast she couldn't read it.
"Are you in pain?" he demanded.
"Not particularly."
Please look at me, she thought.
Except he didn't, so she got into the bed. When he leaned down, she scooched over to make room for him.
All he did was pull the covers over her and then go back to the corner, to the pallet on the floor.
Bella closed her eyes for a few minutes. Then she grabbed a pillow, slid out of die bed, and went over to him.
"What are you doing?" His voice was high. Alarmed.
She dropped her pillow next to him and lay down, easing onto the floor beside his big body. His scent was so much stronger now, smelling of evergreen and pine and distilled male power, and she sought the heat of him, inching closer until her forehead hit the back of his arm. He was so hard, like a stone wall that had been warmed by the sun.
Her body relaxed. Next to him she was able to feel the weight of her own bones, the hard floor underneath her, the currents in the room as the heat came on: His presence somehow helped her connect to the world around her again.
She pushed herself forward with her feet until she was flush against the side of him, from breast to heel. As he trembled, she recalled that he couldn't bear to be touched, but she couldn't help herself. Not this day. Maybe tomorrow.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I need this from you. My body needs…"
You
. "Something warm."
Z shifted, moving away until he hit the wall. Then he abruptly leapt to his feet.
Oh, no. He was going to kick her out.
"Come on," he said gruffly. "We're going to the bed. I can't stand the idea of you on the floor."
J.R. Ward
DARK LOVER
The Debut Novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series
In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race.
Vet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago.
But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed—leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate—Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead—a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.
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"A midnight whirlwind of dangerous characters and mesmerizing erotic romance. The Black Dagger Brotherhood owns me now.
—Lynn Viehl, author of
The Darkyn
novels Available wherever books are sold or at penguin.com
Seductive vampire romance from
Lynn Viehl
If Angels Burn
The first novel of the Darky n
Alexandra Keller is Chicago's most brilliant reconstructive surgeon. Michael Cyprien is
New Orleans' most reclusive millionaire—and in desperate need of Dr. Keller's skills.
In the heart of the Garden District, Alex encounters the extraordinary Cyprien, uncovering a love Alex is willing to embrace—even if she must sacrifice her heart and soul.
"Darker than sin, erotic as hell, and better
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Holly Lisle
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