He'd barely touched her. And now that he was, she couldn't control her reaction. She wanted him again.
'Concentrate, baby.'
'People do not think in sequential ways,' she said, forcing her mind on the task at hand. 'I want to help them because of this reason and that reason.'
He cursed under his breath. 'You're right. I'd feel a lot better knowing his motives, though.'
'Yes.' Her hands itched to slide up his chest, to have his hands slide down hers. 'His men are keeping the Mers and demons away from us. He wants us to stay here.'
'Are you certain he won't hurt you? You can't predict danger against yourself.'
'I'm sure about this. Very sure.'
He shifted, his erection pressing between her legs. She gasped. He wasn't immune to their contact, either. 'All right,' he said. 'We'll wait for him.'
She brushed her lips over his jaw line, tingling erotically when his beard stubble teased her. Hands climbing up his back, she spread her legs and welcomed him deeper.
He stopped her action with a shake of his head. 'Don't. We can't do that here.' 'We're perfectly safe.'
'Doesn't matter. I don't want to get caught with my pants down and besides that, our physical relationship is over.'
'Why?' she whispered, freezing inside. A hollow beat drummed in her chest. 'You're touching me now.' 'You know what I mean.' His stark tone lashed out.
'No, I don't.'
His teeth ground together, and he remained silent for a long while. Finally, he snapped, 'I'll hurt you, damn it.'
Hurt her? 'The only way you'll hurt me is by
His mouth twisted in a scowl. 'Things are different now.
Her eyes widened. He expected her to be horrified, scared. Disgusted. How could he know she was not like the women of his acquaintance? She had been raised in this world, where vampires were the norm.
His desire excited her.
She'd never been bitten before, but she wanted to share a deeper part of herself with Gray, wanted to be the first and only woman he drank from. Perhaps it would link them, far stronger than they were already linked.
'I want you to bite me.' Not giving him a chance to protest, Jewel meshed her lips into his. He groaned then opened eagerly, without protest, his tongue quickly taking control. His flavor, male and heat, invaded her mouth, a welcome conqueror. Their teeth scraped together as their bodies strained for closer contact. Her breasts pressed into his chest. His hands cupped her bottom and jerked her hard against his erection.
Desire rocked her, hot and hungry.
'You taste so good,' he muttered raggedly. 'We shouldn't be doing this.' 'I want you so much,' she breathed.
He kissed his way down her face, her chin, her neck, and his tongue flicked out, laving the sensitive skin. She felt his teeth elongating, readying for insertion. '
'Please, do it now.' Her body was crying out for all of him. She'd loved him for so long, desired him for so long. Craved him. 'Maybe my blood will ease the changes inside you and help you conquer them.'
'Stop me if I hurt you.' He opened his mouth against her neck and applied a slight pressure. Just about...
'Now, now, children.' The flap covering them was whipped aside. 'You should take that somewhere private.'
Gray sprang up, facing the intruder with a feral growl. Everything about him, from his posture, to his clenched fists and his glowering red eyes, screamed his intention to attack. His breathing was quick, shallow.
Jewel drew in a shaky breath and hopped beside him, her legs almost buckling under her weight. She curled her hand around his forearm. Instantly he relaxed.
'Layel,' she said, straightening her shoulders.
The vampire king inclined his head in acknowledgement. His handsome features were so perfect they could have been chiseled from stone. 'Leave the Inner City,' he said. A drop of black blood trickled from the side of his mouth. He licked it away with a shudder of distaste. 'The demons always taste sour.' He flicked Gray a glance. 'I don't recommend them.'
Another low growl purred from Gray. 'State your purpose, vampire.'
Layel arched an uncaring brow. 'Marina is determined to have the girl back.'
'She's mine.'
Layel chuckled, the sound filled with rich masculine humor. 'Neither of us wants the queen to recapture her. For different reasons, I'm sure. My men will see you to safety.'
Jewel opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off. 'You know you can trust me in this.' She nodded. 'However, it is your motives I question.'
'You do not have to fear for your human,' Layel said. 'While I'm sure he would make a tasty snack, I'm quite full. And besides that, he has a bit of demon blood, does he not? I'm only interested in dessert at the moment, not more of the same rotten meal.'
'Give me your hand,' she persisted, 'so that I can assure myself—' He backed away hastily. 'You will not touch me.'
And in that moment, Jewel felt his fear. He was hiding something and did not want her to know it, but she sensed that it had nothing to do Gray. She dropped her hand to her side. 'Very well.'
'I don't trust him,' Gray said, stating the words loudly. He struggled to get himself under control, to dim the bloodlust rushing through him. He'd almost bitten Jewel, had almost drunk her blood after he'd fought so hard to ignore the craving.
He should have been disgusted with himself. He wasn't.
He was only enraged that he'd been interrupted.
He didn't like this vampire king and didn't like the way the man watched Jewel, as if inviting her to be his friend. But more than that, he didn't like the fact that the evil creature was swooping in and becoming the hero. Irrational, yes. But it was Gray's job to protect Jewel, and he'd be damned if he'd allow anyone else to get near her. Especially a vampire.
The irony of that didn't escape him.
The woman was hunted like a prized twenty-point buck during deer season, and he didn't dare trust anyone with her.
'Without me, you'll lose her,' the vampire said.
'I will allow your men to see us out of the city.' Better to keep them close and use them to escape the demons. 'After that, they must leave.'
'Or what?' Layel asked with amusement.
'Or I'll do to your men what I did to the demon castle.'
Layel lost his smile. His ice-blue gaze narrowed menacingly. 'Very well. If Marina captures you, however, I will kill you both before I allow her to use the—'
'Layel!' Jewel shouted, nervousness blasting from her voice. 'You cannot kill me, and you know it. Now be on your way. Marina is looking for you and she is not pleased.'
The vampire actually grimaced. 'Until next time.'
And then he was gone, two other vampires standing in his place. 'Let's go,' one of them said. 'We don't have much time.'
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Three hours later, Gray found himself alone with Jewel and safe in the forest. True to their word, the vampires escorted them safely through the city and left them in peace.
