“It’s been an emotional day,” he answered, not even bothering to try to lie to her. It was as pointless as trying to stop breathing. She would just keep at him until he told her everything she wanted to know. For the thousandth time he wondered why he was incapable to getting rid of her… not that he wanted to, but he had always marvelled at her ability to reach him when no one else could.
“You have a wonderful family, Day. This pack is truly amazing, so intriguing in their make-up.”
He smiled slightly and had to concede her point. The pack was indeed an amazing place to be. Despite the emotional maelstrom he’d been forced to weather, he felt a sense of belonging–something that had been missing from his life for so many years. He watched his friend carefully and then, at long last, voiced the question that had plagued him for decades.
“Who are you, Rayne?”
He watched her eyes narrow slightly as she pondered his question; then her lips curled in a sad smile.
“I don’t know,” she admitted honestly. “I’m different, have abilities that no Were should ever have. I know that much. As to who or what I am, I couldn’t tell you. I’m just me.”
She sounded so alone, so wistful, that he reached out and pulled at her hand until she moved and settled herself against him on top of the covers. Her head rested against his chest and his lips brushed the top of her head gently.
“You don’t have to be alone, Rayne,” he said softly. “It doesn’t matter to me what you are. I’ll always be here for you just as you’ve always been there for me.” He pushed down the ironic amusement that bubbled up inside him.
He’d gone from pushing everyone away to opening up his heart to his family and Rayne in the blink of an eye. He was under no illusion that he was healed: he knew there was a long road to travel before the pain would ease enough to make life anything more than tolerable. But he was on the right track and a lot of it was down to his friend. If he could repay even a fraction of the help she had given him then he would try his hardest.
He felt relaxed with her at his side, so relaxed that his eyelids began to droop. His last waking thought wasn’t of Rayne, though. Instead a pair of green eyes taunted him, the feel of soft lips pressing against his filled his senses. Denial fought within him as Freya Eriksson’s beautiful face swam in front of his closed eyes; his wolf stirred restlessly as he slipped into sleep.
The moment Dayton gave in to his exhaustion, Rayne smiled against his chest and pressed her lips tenderly to him. She opened herself to his emotions, sensing confusion, anger, denial and also the little tendrils of love. Finally, he was starting to mend. It had been a slow road but he was on it now, no longer fighting it, even if he was only taking his first baby steps.
Satisfied, she rose carefully from the bed and walked to the large window, looking out into the dark forest. Was her vampire out there somewhere? Did he lurk around the compound, constantly watching over this eclectic mix of inhabitants?
Smiling, she shook her head and returned to the room she had been allocated for her stay. She was in two minds as to whether to go hunting or to rest. She didn’t need as much sleep as normal Weres but allowing others’ emotions into her soul always tired her.
She stiffened at a faint sound behind her, then slowly turned to look up into the face of the glorious male she had met a few days earlier. He was resting his back against the closed door, arms folded, as his lavender eyes travelled slowly over her before coming back to her face. He was dressed completely in black, the only splash of colour his auburn hair, which was loose and falling in silky waves over his body. He looked so delicious she felt herself tremble slightly.
Her hands were at the lace bodice of her basque and they hovered there unmoving as she watched him warily.
“Don’t let me to stop you,” he chuckled lightly, his deep voice full of amusement and something else she couldn’t quite place.
“Come to drop me from another tree?” she countered, a slight smile curving her lips as she saw his gaze drop to her hands again as if he were patiently waiting to see what lay beneath her top.
“They’ve given you a room to sleep in, so you’re here by invitation.” Another light laugh escaped him as he pushed off the door and walked towards her. “I was serious,” he murmured his gazed fixed on her hands once more. “Don’t let me stop you.”
His words sent a shiver down her spine as she watched him slowly stalk towards her. He really was the most beautiful male she had ever encountered. His sensual lips promised pleasures untold and she couldn’t deny the physical attraction she felt for him. It was obvious the attraction was mutual.
There was something about this vampire that made her stop thinking coherently. He made her feel vulnerable in a way no one else ever had. He took her breath away and made her want to surrender to the hot coil of desire sweeping through her body. A tumble in bed with this stunning vampire would be a pleasurable experience indeed.
Smiling, she threw good sense out the window. Her hands moved of their own accord, pulling the laces free to reveal her full breasts to his suddenly hungry gaze. Her breath caught at the sheer need that danced across his face as his eyes raked her body intently.
“Exquisite,” he breathed softly as the basque dropped to the floor and his hands touched her waist almost reverently. She shivered as he slid them slowly upwards until his thumbs lazily brushed her taut peaks as he gently cupped her flesh.
A soft moan escaped her as his thumbs brushed over her nipples again, heat spreading through her body like wildfire to pool between her legs. Rayne knew she had to be out of her mind letting him touch her but she didn’t stop him. His hands on her naked body felt too damned good.
Gard smiled, inhaling deeply and scenting the hot, heady scent of a woman in heat. It made his mouth water and he had to struggle to keep his touch gentle against the lush flesh filling his palms. “So responsive,” he breathed softly. “Your scent is intoxicating, Kitty. You make me want to rip your jeans off and bury my mouth hard between you legs and lick you all up.”
Rayne whimpered and then her cat purred so loudly deep within her that she was sure the sound was going to explode from her mouth. Sweet Jesus, her vampire was potent . It was on the tip of her tongue to say ‘Yes, please.’ Just the thought of his sexy mouth licking at her was almost enough to send her crashing into a violent climax.
“You sound like a cat.” Was what she finally said as she struggled to contain the lust boiling through her veins.
“You make me feel like a cat,” he chuckled softly, all the while brushing her aching nipples with the rough pads of his thumbs. “I’ve never wanted to lick someone all over before. I would quite happily make an exception for you.”
“Should I be honoured?” she quipped, her back arching into the amazing hands that were driving her insane with need.
“You can answer that when I’m done licking you, Kitty,” he laughed softly, bending his head as he raised her slightly off the floor to bring her breasts level with his mouth. His tongue snaked out and he licked at one swollen nipple. He barely grazed it, just enough to send a shudder through her body and force a moan to escape her lips.