her to get physically and emotionally involved, not before the threat was ended.
But right or wrong, Arand needed Sabrina more than he needed his next breath. “I must have you.” He cupped the back of her neck and dragged her mouth to his. The kiss wasn’t light or playful. It was all-consuming and deep.
Their tongues dueled and teeth clinked as he struggled to get closer. He couldn’t get deep enough. He slanted his face and tilted her head so they fit together better. His breath was hers as they battled for supremacy. Arand wasn’t sure who won, but when they parted, they were both struggling for breath.
“This is insane,” she gasped.
“I know.” He kissed her again. This time he allowed his hands to roam up and down her lithe frame. He caressed her arms, her shoulders and spine. It wasn’t enough, would never be enough.
He gripped the edge of her shirt and shoved it upward, exposing her smooth stomach and her lace-covered breasts. The impediment blocking him from her lush breasts had to go. He willed the nail of one finger to morph into a claw. Using it carefully, he slit the front of her bra open, careful not to damage her skin.
Arand breathed a sigh of relief when the lace parted and he could cup the two mounds of flesh. Her nipples stabbed at his palms. There was no denying the evidence. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
His wolf howled with pleasure as Arand continued to kiss her. He pulled away from her lips and kissed his way down her jaw and up to her ear. Three silver hoops hung from the lobe. Unlike the
He would have her, but not here, not out in the open. He wanted to strip her naked and spread her across a bed where she’d be comfortable and he’d have time to taste and touch her everywhere.
“Give yourself to me.” He used his thumbs and forefingers to gently tug on her distended nipples. He inhaled deeply, drawing her spicy scent into his lungs. She was aroused. There was no mistaking the sweet perfume of her cream. He knew if he dragged down her pants and thrust his fingers between her thighs she’d be hot and wet.
He gripped the side of her neck with his mouth, carefully scraping his sharp teeth over the sensitive flesh. She shuddered and gave a soft cry of longing.
“Sabrina?” He could easily take her. Her body was ripe for the claiming. But he wanted more. He wanted her with him emotionally. He wanted her to want him as much as he did her. He wanted more than her body. He wanted her very soul.
Arand wanted her to belong to him in every way a woman could belong to a man. And he wanted to belong to her in the same manner.
How had his fellow warriors felt about the women who’d released them? Was this a product of their being bound together by the curse or was it something more? And why had Hades been so quiet? It was as though he was toying with them, letting them think they were safe.
But Arand knew better. He expected Hades was giving them time to bond so Arand would be more likely to bargain for her life. He could have told the devil it was a waste of time. He’d do anything to save Sabrina, including giving his life for her. But he would not bargain with Hades. That way led to nothing but torture for all times. Hades could not be trusted. Better they both die than end up in his clutches.
She moved her lips over his, using her tongue to tease his. He forgot all about the curse. None of those other things mattered, only Sabrina and what was happening between them.
When he was with her, he felt stronger, more powerful. It was as though she somehow recharged him after years of being starved for companionship and touch.
He released her breasts and gripped her braid in one hand, yanking her head back until she was looking at him. “Tell me you want me,” he commanded. “Tell me I can have you.”
She stared at him for the longest time, her green eyes mysterious and filled with wisdom far beyond her years. “Yes.”
Chapter Twelve
Arand’s dark-black eyes seemed to swallow her whole as she stared at him. He tightened his grip on her hair and he tugged, not to the point of pain, but there was no denying his dominance. His lips were parted slightly, giving her a glimpse of white, sharp teeth. Every muscle in his body was taut with expectation.
Then he swore and slammed his mouth back down on hers. Heat, glorious heat, filled her as he claimed her mouth. She clung to him, scoring her fingernails on his shoulders and back as she struggled to get closer to him. Insanity or not, she had to have him.
She rubbed her bare breasts against his massive chest, her nipples puckering into tight buds of desire. He cupped her ass and pulled her hard against his groin. His hard shaft pulsed and his heat scorched her even through her jeans.
A light breeze wafted over her arms, a reminder they were still outside, exposed, vulnerable. She tore her mouth from his. “Inside.” She panted, desperately trying to catch her breath.
He hoisted her into his arms and she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. His eyes never left her, but he said nothing as he stepped into the house and kicked the door shut. She heard the sound of the lock catching.
He turned and carried her down the short hallway into her bedroom. It hadn’t changed much since she’d left it to go live in the city. Granny had kept it the same, telling her she always had a home here.
Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back before they could fall. She missed her granny something awful. Wished she could talk to her about everything she was experiencing and feeling.
Arand stopped beside the bed. “What’s wrong?”
She should have known she couldn’t hide anything from him. Unlike most men, Arand seemed to be very much in tune with her emotional state of mind. She shook her head. “Nothing.” She wanted to forget the sad memories and cling to the hot, mindless pleasure that he gave her.
His heavy sigh ruffled the top of her hair. “You are lying. Have you changed your mind?”
His muscles were like iron around her, but she knew he’d release her if she said yes. But that would be a lie. “I was thinking about my granny and how much I miss her.” She caught Arand’s face between her palms, memorizing every harsh masculine plane of his face. “Never doubt I want you.”
Arand released her and she let her legs slide down his flanks until she was standing in front of him. He grabbed the hem of her shirt and yanked it over her head. Her bra was ruined so it didn’t take her long to be rid of it. Naked from the waist up, she felt his hot gaze on her.
A low growl rumbled from deep in his chest and then he dropped to his knees in front of her. He plucked open the button of her jeans before lowering the zipper. Sabrina shifted impatiently, wanting to be as naked as he was.
Arand was all bronzed flesh and thick, sharply delineated muscle. Every inch of him was perfectly proportioned. Sabrina licked her lips as she glanced down to catch a glimpse of his cock. That too was perfect— long and thick. Her inner muscles clenched hard, demanding she take him into her.
He skimmed his hands inside her jeans, inserting them beneath the silky barrier of her panties. He brushed his callused fingertips over her butt, bringing a moan from deep inside her. “Hurry,” she encouraged.
He gave another growl and shoved both jeans and panties down until they were around her ankles. “Lift.” His voice was guttural and almost unrecognizable. This was no mere man asking her to strip for him. This was an immortal shapeshifting warrior.
Sabrina lifted her foot and allowed him to pull off her shoe, sock and clothing. Then he did the same to the other side. Naked, she stood before him. His face was level with her stomach and he leaned in and sniffed her skin. “You are aroused.”
Heat crept up her face. There was no way to hide that from him. Not that she wanted to, but it was a bit weird to know he could smell whenever she was aroused. She’d never have any secrets around Arand.
And she was doing it again. Thinking long term when all they had was now.
She ran her fingers though his shaggy black and gray hair, loving the softness and how it fell around his
