She was done talking about herself. It was his turn. “How about you, Dane, have you ever been in love?”
“Me? No, I never have.” He snorted.
“You make it sound like a dirty word. Why?” She took another long sip.
Great, he’s a player.
He shrugged. “It’s not. I guess it wasn’t important to me.”
No more wine for me.
“I see.” She set the glass down again. A charged silence followed. It was probably time to go.
“Does that bother you?”
“Yeah, it does,” she said, her voice laden with sarcasm.
I should definitely go.
“You’re angry.” A muscle in Dane’s cheek twitched as if he was trying to hold back a smile.
Was this amusing to him? “I am, a little.”
“Why?”
“Most men your age who’ve never found love are usually players and I don’t date players.”
“Men my age?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, men your age.”
“What’s your definition of a player?”
Great, you’re going to make me spell it out for you. What an ass.
“You know…”
“No, I don’t know. Enlighten me.” He was either amused or irritated, it was hard to tell, but it only served to make her angrier. She didn’t like being toyed with.
Fine, you asked for it.
“It’s a guy who dates a girl a few times, has his fun and then moves on.”
“That’s an interesting way of putting it. Are you hungry?” He shook his head, about to get up.
That’s it, I’m outta here.
“I’ve lost my appetite.” She stood. “I’d better go.”
“I’m not a player, Jenny, so sit.” He seemed almost angry as she met his gaze.
She eased back against the couch, almost sorry she had gotten angry.
I shouldn’t judge him because of my own personal baggage.
“I’m sorry. That was rude of me to judge you like that.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He relaxed. “I guess I never made it a priority. I figured there would be time for a relationship somewhere down the road. Then something happened…”
Maybe he’s got some skeletons too.
“What happened?”
“It’s not something I can really talk about except to say that it changed me. I stayed away from women after that and focused on work. I spent my time building an empire until you crossed my path.” He smiled.
“I don’t know how to respond to that last part.” She picked up the glass of wine. Her mind raced. He was intoxicating like the wine that had gone straight to her brain. One sip just wasn’t enough. Her heart pounded and her skin flushed.
“What if I said part of my conflict stems from the fact that I’m drawn to you and I can’t seem to make myself stay away?” He scooted closer.
“I thought you said it was a bad idea?” she whispered. Would he try to kiss her again? Those lips probably had plenty of practice and getting involved with this guy was a risk she worried would only lead to heartbreak.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“In truth, we are worlds apart and I’m crazy for even being here. If I fall for you and it doesn’t work out…I don’t want to get my heart broken. That’s what I’m thinking.”
Damn wine’s like a truth serum. I’m spilling more information than I normally do. Even to my best friend.
“There’s always a chance of that in any relationship, Miss Jenny.” His tone was sympathetic.
“Is that what this is—the beginning of a relationship?”
“Do you want it to be?” His voice was low and husky.
What am I doing?
“You move rather fast, Mr. Voss.”
“I want you, Jenny, and I go after what I want,” he growled. The atmosphere in the room changed as he pulled her against him. “And right now I want to kiss you again.”
She gasped when his lips descended on hers in an open-mouth kiss that stole her breath away. She moaned as the kiss deepened. Her breasts felt oversensitive, aching for his touch. It was a warm night and she hadn’t worn a bra under her slip dress. Her nipples pearled in response to the hard planes of his chest rubbing against the straining peaks.
He kissed her with more ferocity as his thumbs brushed the sides of her breasts, straying ever closer to her nipples, his exploration excruciatingly slow. Her fingers knotted in his hair, the ponytail now gone. He ran the tip of his tongue along her jawline, nipping at her chin. She heard a low rumbling in his throat. Dane’s lips seduced her hungrily, making her pulse race to new heights. Her dress inched up her thighs as he pinned her beneath him on the couch.
“Dane,” she panted, feeling the solid length of his erection brush against her thigh. He pushed her skirt up and settled between her legs, kissing her neck, her throat and her shoulder.
“You smell so good. I want you naked,” he said as he kissed a path down her neck, making her legs go weak. He slid the straps of her dress down to expose her breasts. He stroked a hardened nipple before drawing it into his mouth to suckle.
Her back bowed from the erotic sensation as each strong tug sent a jolt of pleasure straight to her clit.
God, if he keeps this up, I’m going to come.
“Oh yesss!” she hissed as he sucked harder. Her knees clenched his hips.
He lifted up, his eyes wild and unrestrained. “I want to take this off you. May I?”
She nodded, lifting up to let him pull off her dress. Even though she normally wouldn’t do this on the first date, there was no stopping it.
“You’re so beautiful…”
“Take off your shirt.” She wanted him naked too.
He smiled as he sat up and unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. She sucked in air at the sight of his rippled chest. A trail of dark hair lightly dusted his pecs and abdomen. He slid down, focused on her black silk panties.
“Open your legs for me.” He rubbed her thighs with his powerful hands. “I want to kiss you there,” he rasped, pushing her legs farther apart. The passion in his heated gaze turned her on as he gripped her hips and scooted her closer to his lips. Jenny closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his breath inches from her slick heat. The only barrier between them was a thin piece of black silk.
He inhaled deeply and a groan escaped his lips. “I smell your desire.”
“You what?” She tried to sit up.
Oh damn, I’m so wet.
What if this is a mistake?
“Don’t stop me, Jenny, please…” His voice was deep and incredibly sexy.
She met his hungry gaze with uncertainty. Things were moving fast. But she didn’t have the ability to protest as desire took over and she settled back against the couch. He reached between her legs and ripped the panties free.
“Dane, those were—oh god!” She moaned as his hot tongue licked the seam of her pussy, her mind in a daze.
He spread her outer lips, exposing her clitoris, and fastened his mouth on to the sensitive nub. She gasped from the overwhelming sensation of pleasure. He forced her legs farther apart as he nuzzled her sex.
Her back arched. It felt so good. He increased the pressure, dragging his tongue back and forth against her pussy. Her hips jerked and another moan tore from her throat as Dane slipped two fingers inside her core. Her vaginal walls twitched and fluttered as he fucked her with his tongue and fingers.
“Oh Dane!” She writhed beneath his expert lips. She clawed the arm of the couch and arched against his relentless mouth. She couldn’t think as the pleasure became too intense.
“I want to feel your release.”
Jenny’s eyes rolled back in her head and she climaxed hard, her vaginal walls squeezing around his fingers. He drew out her orgasm by continuing his assault, building on it until she thought she couldn’t take anymore.
Dane’s fangs extended and the need to drink from her nearly undid him. He had to get control. She could not see his true nature. Her body shuddered and convulsed then finally stilled. He withdrew his fingers and slipped them into his mouth, savoring the flavor of her essence. Her taste on his tongue overwhelmed him. He swallowed a groan of pleasure as he fought the instincts that roared through him.
Her eyes were closed and a smile spread across her lovely features. He quickly climbed off the couch and walked over to the bar to put some space between them. Her heady taste tormented him. He wanted more.
“Dane, is everything okay?”
He heard her sit up.
Get control. Breathe.
No, he wasn’t okay. He’d nearly bitten her down there, damn it. “Yeah, I’m fine. Give me a minute.” He closed his eyes and drew air into his lungs. His fangs receded and his bloodlust finally tapered off. He had to get control. Problem was, her taste still lingered on his tongue, delicious and enticing.
Two slender arms slid around his waist. Her taut nipples grazed his back as she kissed his shoulder blade, causing his cock to ache.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” He turned and their gazes met. Desire hit him hard. He’d never wanted anyone as much as he wanted this woman. His fingers brushed across her cheek, causing her to tremble. Could he make love to her without giving in to his carnal need to claim her?
“You seem a little tense.” She eyed him cautiously.
“My control slips whenever I’m near you,” he whispered. Why did he admit that to her? Last night’s events sped through his mind. Possessive feelings and an overpowering urge to protect what his instincts told him was his coursed through him. He’d already given the guards a thorough tongue lashing for the breach in security, because it shouldn’t have been that easy to get into his garage. He’d need to investigate the matter further to find out if there was a plant inside his organization.
Dane closed his eyes, torn between what he wanted and the reality of exposing Jenny to his world. Her life would be in constant danger around his kind, unless she was like him. He’d never ask anyone to suffer this fate if they had a choice. It was the reason he had joined the Order and given an oath to protect human life, so to take hers would be wrong.
“You don’t always have to be in control with me. I actually kind of like it when you’re not.” She trailed her fingertips along his back.
“Are you hungry?” He needed a distraction because the desire to fuck her was becoming too tempting to resist.
“I’m only hungry for you, babe.” She grinned. “What you did a few minutes ago with those lips of yours. There should be a warning label on them.”
His body tensed. Her words hit him like a two-by-four and he had to fight back a growl, he wanted her so badly. “You enjoyed that, did you?” If he kissed her again, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from taking her.
“Mm…hmmm.” She licked her lips, her tongue darting out, wetting their perfect fullness. Damn, he was in trouble.
“So did I, my beauty.” He caressed her cheek. She slid her arms around his neck. The light brush of her swollen peaks against his chest was the last straw. He had to have this woman. If only this once, he wanted to know what it was like to be with his mate.
Her lips parted in surprise as he lifted her in his arms. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her legs around his waist. He cupped her bottom and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Will you stay the night with me?” He wanted to hear her consent before he gave in to his need.
“If you take me to bed, I’ll stay.” She ran her tongue along his bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth.
He groaned, kissing her back. His tongue thrusting between her parted lips, devouring her as he carried her to his bedroom and kicked the door closed. She ground her sex against him and his body responded in full force.
My god, she’s tempting…
He suddenly broke from the kiss and deposited her naked form on the bed. His pulse raced and his dick throbbed with the need for release. Shit, this wasn’t going to be easy. His gaze followed the graceful curves of her legs to the juncture between her thighs as she scooted back on the bed. He knew her creamy taste and wanted more.
She bit her lower lip, watching him. He shuddered slightly, not sure which urge was stronger—to fuck or feast on her again. He took off his pants and his cock sprang free. She released her breath in a rush and her eyes widened as she focused on his heavy length.
“If you’re not sure you want to do this, we can stop,” he offered, giving her one last opportunity to change her mind.
“Make love to me, Dane.” She lay back against the pillows.
He moved toward her, keeping his carnal side tightly leashed. It wasn’t going to be easy but he could do it. He was a strong male.
Her nails raked across his chest and over his shoulders, pulling him toward her as he returned for another kiss. His tongue swept over her lips and down her throat. He bent forward to lick a path along the hollow base of her throat and then drifted over to suck on a nipple.
“You have no idea what you do to me.” He nuzzled his face against her perfect swells. She arched upward, her moans of pleasure spurring him on. He let out a deep groan when his rigid length separated her slick folds, stroking her clit with the underside of his shaft.
“Please…” she begged.
“Is this what you want?” He guided his cock to her moist entrance.
“Yessss….” She gave him an answering moan as he sank into her with one powerful stroke. She gripped his back, scoring him with her nails.