Veso

  Tomorrow night she hoped they were wherever it was that Veso lived. She would be able to go home.

  And then what? Shit.

  She’d be on her own. Her life would need to change. She’d have to move right away. The Vampires had already taken her from her apartment once so they knew where she lived. There wasn’t a lot of money in her savings account but she had good credit. She could take an emergency loan and use her credit cards to get a new place. It would probably be a good idea to give notice at her job too. They could control humans so she wouldn’t even be safe during the day.

  It would also mean saying goodbye to Veso.

  A tightness filled her chest and she had to breathe through it. He might be happy to be rid of her, but she would miss him.

  Veso paced the small living space, his gaze going up to the loft. It bothered him that Glenda wouldn’t allow him to see her injuries. It was possible she was lying about the extent of them. He hadn’t smelled blood and she hadn’t seemed to be in pain when she’d rushed to get away from him.

  He had a lot on his mind. First though, he needed to contact his father. He didn’t remember his phone number. Modern technology wasn’t always a good thing, the ease to place calls done by electronics storing information at a touch. He’d have to call the lodge. That number would be listed. Davis would have to relay the message or give him his dad’s number.

  He walked toward the backpack but then paused. His father would come. He’d ask Lavos, Garson, and Kar to join him, and he doubted his father would wait until morning. Their group would take on any Vampires who tried to stop them, and arrive within hours. It would mean assistance—but it would also put an end to his alone time with Glenda.

  He bit his lip. His father would try to talk him into sending her back to the human world, despite the danger it would put her in.

  He resumed pacing, battling it out inside his head. Glenda would be safer if he had the backup of his father and friends. But no way would he let her return to Oregon. The master would send his nest after her and she’d be recaptured. Once word spread that he’d kidnapped Veso, other clans would be on the alert, their members warned. It would mean the crazy bastard would try to breed her with a Lycan.

  He wouldn’t allow that to happen.

  He stopped pacing, staring up at the loft. His father and friends would try to talk him into letting Glenda go. She wouldn’t be safe yet with his clan. Some of them really hated humans. Nabby and his friends would target her, forcing Veso to fight them to defend her, and they tended to have no honor. They’d attack him in a small group instead of one on one.

  Damn, damn, damn! He wasn’t sure what to do yet so he put off making the call and seeking assistance getting home. It was better to focus on the night ahead. First off, that meant dealing with Glenda’s injuries.

  He strode over to the ladder and climbed it. She’d fight him but he didn’t give a damn. Plus, it bothered him that she might be in pain.

  She lay on her side as he approached the bed. Her eyes opened and she stared at him. “Is someone outside?”

  “No, but they could be.” He kept his voice as low as hers. “You need to remain very quiet.”

  “I was trying to sleep until you came up here. You told me not to talk.”

  “Show me your injuries.”

  Her mouth parted.

  “I was just reminding you why you can’t argue with me,” he said. “Humans get infections easily, and this isn’t me asking. It’s an order. Show me where you’re sore.”

  Her eyes narrowed and her mouth sealed shut. She didn’t move.

  He sat down on the edge of the bed, twisted, and yanked off the blanket she’d used to cover her legs. He expected her to hit him or at the very least attempt to roll away. She just stared at him with a scowl.

  “Where?”

  “Fine,” she breathed.

  She rolled onto her back and wiggled up the bed a bit, putting her head more toward the other side. He held still, watching as she gripped the hems of the boxers she wore and pulled them up, parting her legs slightly to expose her inner thighs. He looked down, seeing the red, tender skin.

  He couldn’t help but swallow hard. She had sexy thighs, and the bunched material covered her sex but not much else. The lower edges of her ass were bared.

  “Happy? I told you they were fine.”

  He turned more to face her and gently gripped her knees. He pushed her legs farther apart and leaned in, getting a better look. There were no cuts but the skin seemed a little inflamed. “I can fix this.”

  “Pass.”

  He lifted his gaze. “I’m not hitting on you.”

  “I meant I’m fine. I’ll pass on you forcing me to drink your blood.”

  “You won’t have to.”

  He released her, slid off the bed and went to his knees, facing her again. He reached out, hooked her behind her knees with both hands and pulled her toward him. She softly gasped but didn’t fight as he settled her legs on each side of him and maneuvered her so her knees were bent up. He spread her thighs and got comfortable.

  “What are you doing?” She stared at his chest, lifting her head to glance lower, to his waist.

  “Not fucking you, if that’s what you’re worried about. I know the position is intimate but keep your thighs spread.”

  “What are you going to do, Veso?”

  He released her legs. “Keep the material out of my way. I’m going to bite my tongue and lick the sore spots. They’ll heal fast. Hold still, Glenda.”

  “Train wreck,” she muttered but threw her head back, closing her eyes. “Just reminding you of that. This is a really bad idea.”

  He agreed but let his fangs extend. It wasn’t hard to do, staring at her thighs and her legs spread in front of him. His dick hardened but he tried to ignore it. He bit down on the tip of his tongue, the pain a welcome distraction. The coopery taste assured him he bled. He put his hands on her legs just above her knees in case she tried to get away from him and bent forward, opening his mouth.

  He licked her skin, running his tongue high. Glenda sucked in a sharp breath but held still under him. He liked the way her skin tasted, as well as the softness against his tongue. He pulled back a little, licked over the same area, and moved one hand to use his thumb to clean off his red-tinged saliva. Her skin healed as he watched.

  “That tingles.”

  “It’s working. Just relax.” He bit his tongue once more and began licking at her other leg, going up high on her thigh to get all the red areas. It put his nose right at the seam of her sex. The material of the boxers wasn’t much of a barrier. His dick hardened even more.

  Focus, he ordered himself. It was difficult to do though when all he really wanted was to tug off those boxers and place his mouth on her sex. She’d want him as much as he wanted her if he could just gain access to her clit.

  He made sure to lick all the skin that looked sore, pulled back, and used his hand to clean her off again, watching her heal. Perfect, pale skin was his reward. All the irritation and redness faded fast. He looked up at her when she lifted her head, their gazes locking.

  “Did it work?”

  “Yes.” His voice came out too deep. He cleared his throat. “You won’t be in any pain now.”

  “Right.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing. We should probably get some sleep.”

  “Yes.” His gaze lowered to her thighs.

  “Um, Veso?”

  “What?” He let his hand caress her skin. It was so soft.

  “What are you doing now?”

  “I want you.”

  “This can’t work.”

  “I don’t care.” He straightened and gripped under her knees, jerking her down the bed so her legs were parted around his hips. Then he bent again, pinning her under him, bracing his arms next to hers. He trapped her head between his hands and went for her mouth.

  She gasped when he kissed her, giving him a chance to delve inside. She ta
sted like minty freshness, what it had said on the toothpaste she’d left out in the bathroom that he’d used too. She clutched at his arms and he expected her to claw at him, to fight, but she just clung—and kissed him back. Then her legs lifted and wrapped around his hips.

  He pressed his pelvis forward, rubbing his stiff shaft along the seam of her pussy.

  Her moans urged him on, not that he needed it. She ground her sex against his and he growled, jerking his face away so he could stare into her eyes. “Say yes.”

  “I…”

  “I don’t know how much longer we have together. This might be our last night left.”

  She licked her lips and nodded.

  “Take off your clothes.” He lifted up and backed away when she released him. He shoved down his shorts and watched her struggle out of the shirt. Her breasts were perfect to him. Not too big or small. Her nipples were beaded and taut. He wanted to play with them, but instead hooked his fingers in the waist of her boxers, tugging them down. She helped by lifting her hips. He threw them across the room. They sailed off the edge of the loft and disappeared below.

  He lunged, pinning her to the bed and taking possession of her mouth.

  Chapter Twelve

  Glen couldn’t think. Veso’s body pressed her against the mattress, his skin hot and firm. She ran her hands up his arms and wrapped them around his neck, clutching at his back. He had fangs. Her tongue scraped against them but she didn’t care. Her body felt on fire and she ached everywhere. Nothing mattered but him. Not the fact that he wasn’t human or that he’d probably break her heart later.

  He reached between them, his thumb rubbing against her clit. She twisted her head away from his mouth to moan louder. He stopped, ran his thumb lower, and she could feel how wet she’d become. He lifted up and moved his hand away. She hiked her legs higher around his waist, urging him closer. His hips surged forward and she wiggled frantically when his cock pressed against the opening of her pussy. He felt big and she wanted him inside her.

  He snarled, the sound animalistic, and he used one of his hands to fist her hair, jerking it out of his way. His mouth found her throat and she arched, giving him access. It was possible he’d bite her but she was willing to risk it. It was all about need and wanting Veso.

  He entered her slow. She sucked in a sharp breath when he paused.

  “Relax. Damn, you’re tight.”

  “You’re thick.”

  He pushed in more, withdrew a little, then surged forward, making her take all of him. She squeezed her eyes closed and dug her nails in. He was big and extremely hard. He adjusted his body over hers, one of his huge hands grabbing her ass and lifting her a little off the mattress. He began to slowly thrust in and out, making growling noises deep within his throat. His chest vibrated against hers.

  He drove in deep, thrusting faster, and pressed his pelvis tight against her clit, forcing her legs wider apart. Glen moaned louder, close to climax. A thumping sounded but she ignored it. All that existed was Veso and pleasure. He moved faster over her, his chest rubbing and vibrating against her breasts. He pulled her hair again, forcing her to turn her face toward him. He covered her mouth but didn’t kiss her, probably trying to muffle some of the sounds she made.

  Ecstasy exploded and she cried out. He kept fucking her fast, drawing it out, and then he tensed over her, holding still. A heartbeat later he moved slow, groaning. She felt him inside her, coming. He held still again and pulled his mouth away from hers. Both of them panted and she could feel the muscles relaxing under her hands on his back.

  Glenda opened her eyes and found him watching her. His eyes were glowing that beautiful golden color. She forgot to be afraid of him trying to control her mind or that he was so different from her. She cupped his cheek.

  He blinked, glanced at her mouth, and then stunned her by lowering his head and brushing his lips against hers. He stopped when she opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. He pulled back and stared down at her again, an odd expression on his face.

  “What?” She was almost afraid to ask. He might already regret what they’d done, and that would hurt. Not that she’d admit it to him.

  “I cut your mouth while we kissed.”

  “It doesn’t hurt.”

  “It wouldn’t. I cut myself too. I healed you as fast as I caused the damage.”

  “It’s okay. No pain, no foul. Or something like that.”

  His lips curved upward and he actually smiled. It reminded her of how handsome he could be. But his next words where grim ones for them both.

  “We exchanged more blood.”

  “It couldn’t have been much. I didn’t taste blood.”

  “Or you didn’t notice. I was distracted and so were you. We do sex well together. You’re a bit tight but you’ll adjust to my body the more we do this.”

  “Who says we’ll ever do this again?”

  “We will.” He turned his face a little, pressing his cheek tighter against her palm. It was a sweet thing, so unlike him, as if he liked her touch and wasn’t about to hide that fact. “I knew you slept with humans with small dicks.”

  Glen didn’t know if she should slap him or laugh. She settled on a middle ground. “You’re terrible.”

  “I’m honest.”

  She felt heat spread up her neck to her face. “You don’t know that for sure.”

  “I do. Your body resisted me at first because you’ve never taken someone my size.”

  “Well, you’re abnormally large all over.”

  “True. I’m a VampLycan.” He unfisted her hair and stroked it, spreading it out on the bed with his fingers.

  They stopped talking but he didn’t lift up or withdraw from her. He kept her pinned under him, their bodies intimately connected, as he played with her hair. He seemed very interested in doing that, not meeting her gaze anymore. She stroked his cheek.

  “Veso?”

  “What?”

  “What are you thinking?”

  He stilled his hand. “I’m debating about what to do.”

  “We should get some sleep.”

  He looked at her then, his eyes less bright and more brown than golden. “I’m battling logic and instinct right now. I haven’t decided which one should win.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I know. You’d be struggling to get out from under me if you did.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Logic tells me how bad it would be to take you as my mate. My clan hates humans. I don’t know how well I could protect you there, so we’d have to flee to another clan. They might not welcome us because of who my clan leader is. Instincts are telling me to bite into you because you’re my mate and drink more of your blood. You’d have to drink mine too. I’m certain you’d fight me on that but it’s how mates bond. And I’d demand a deep bond with you if I took you for my mate. I don’t trust that you wouldn’t run away from me one day otherwise. Humans have a horrible history of disloyalty.”

  Glen decided she wanted to punch him but resisted. His words hurt deep. He was admitting he believed she was his mate, but he’d made it clear he didn’t think much of her kind. She could see past their differences but it was still a big deal to him. He had a way of insulting her and hurting her feelings while flattering her at the same time. “I don’t want to be your mate, so stop thinking about it. You really are terribly prejudiced and right now you’re being a jerk.”

  “How so?”

  “I’m human.”

  “I’m more than aware of your flaws.”

  His words were another verbal slap. She was good enough to have sex with but not to make a commitment to. “Get off me.”

  He scowled.

  She could deny what they’d just done had meant anything to her, too, if he wanted to act that way. “We just had sex. That’s all it was. We’re both stressed out after all the shit we’ve been through. We were attracted to each other so this was bound to happen. No big deal. Not to mention, we just met. This isn’t
the time to make life-altering decisions. We’re both exhausted and out of sorts.”

  “It was more than sex.”

  That soothed the pain a little but not by much. “You’d regret it if you mated with me, Veso.” A small part of her hated saying that; she was already falling for him. But it was probably true. He’d grow to hate her one day, not able to overlook her being human. “We come from two different worlds. And we’d be a train wreck, remember?”

  “I do.”

  “We’re going to survive these stupid Vampires hunting us, get to safety, and then our lives will return to normal. We had sex because we only had each other to turn to. That’s all.” Keep saying it. Maybe one day I’ll even believe it if I keep telling myself that.

  He smiled. “Little human liar.”

  She had pride. Maybe his was injured because she wasn’t in tears, pleading with him to mate with someone he thought of as flawed and weak. He did have a superiority complex. She refused to feed into it. “Everything I’ve said is the truth. What part isn’t?”

  “I wouldn’t have fucked just any human. You mean something to me, Glenda. And you’re as drawn to me as I am to you.”

  Damn you, Veso. Stop saying things like that. It only hurts more. Is he trying to break me? See if he can make me cry? I refuse. “It was just sex. It meant nothing.”

  He chuckled. “Liar.”

  She glanced down his body. He really had a great one. Plenty of women went to bed with guys for their looks, just to have casual sex. “You’re muscular and really hot. You look like a regular guy. That’s all. I forgot what you are.”

  “Another lie. You rode on my back after I shifted. That’s not something you’d forget, even in passion. Yet you still got naked for me and accepted me inside your body.” He lifted his upper body all the way up but didn’t let go of her ass, holding her in place with his hips firmly pressed between her thighs. He placed his free hand on her stomach. “My sperm could be breaching one of your eggs and implanting my child inside you right now. We should mate.”