“So you just walk everywhere?”
“You’re so human.” He grinned.
“I am.” She didn’t feel sorry about that, but she glanced at Veso’s body. No wonder he was so in shape. Just traveling from the lodge to his cabin was giving her a workout. Her calf and ass muscles were feeling the burn.
“We’re almost there.”
“Good.” She was a little out of breath and her throat was dry. “Next time I’ll bring some water for the long hike.”
Veso halted and made her gasp when he just scooped her up in his arms. She hesitated but wrapped her arms around his neck. They passed a stream, then he carried her up a small hill. He stopped and put her on her feet at the top.
“There it is.”
She turned her head and stared at the cute A-frame cabin. It looked like something out of a magazine, only without a garage, driveway, or sidewalk. The trees had been cut back around the structure to make a clearing where the cabin sat in the middle. “You built this?”
“My father helped.”
“It’s impressive.” She peered at him.
His features showed his uncertainty and he frowned.
“I’m serious. It’s beautiful.” She turned her head, staring at his home again. “It looks as if a professional built it.”
He grumbled low.
She met his gaze. “What?”
“We don’t hire construction crews like you do in your world to build homes. We do it ourselves.”
“To keep humans away?”
“We just don’t need them.”
She sealed her lips and nodded. Sometimes when he acted sweet, she forgot about how much he held a grudge against her kind. He began to walk again so she followed him to the front door. He just gripped the handle and pushed it open.
“You don’t lock your doors?”
“I wasn’t home. There was no reason to do so. VampLycans don’t steal from each other.” He moved out of the way and jerked his head, his gaze scanning the area. “Go inside.”
She stepped into his living room and openly admired the log beams overhead. She glanced down. “Hardwood floors. Don’t tell me you made those too?”
He snorted, closing the doors. “I installed them but no, I didn’t make them. I ordered them online and we picked them up from the lodge. We do buy things from your world. I didn’t make the glass for the windows either.”
The room was open from the living room to the kitchen. The fireplace was large, all gray stones. “Those look real.” She pointed.
“They are. I handpicked each rock from the creek. Are we going to discuss every feature of my cabin?”
She faced him. “I’m nervous.”
“Why?”
Yeah, why, Glen? She swallowed hard. They were alone inside his home and it was nicer than she’d imagined. She could even picture herself living there. She could also imagine how much it would break her heart if Veso talked her into staying, then one day regretted it. Love would turn to hate. “Go shower.”
He titled his head, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “Are you trying to be rid of me?”
“No. You’re covered in…whatever that is. You should wash it off and put on clean clothes.” She glanced down at herself. “Luckily it’s dry since it’s not on me too.”
“Blood and ash doesn’t make you nervous. You’ve seen both on me before.”
That was true. He’d killed to get them out of that mine. She lifted her gaze to his. “Fine. We’re alone.”
“So?”
“We’re not running for our lives anymore. I remember the last time we were in a cabin together and what happened between us. Are you going to try to seduce me again?”
He nodded, not denying it.
“That’s why I’m nervous. Go shower. I’d like a little time.”
“To do what?”
“I don’t know. I just want some space and time to think.”
“You’re my mate. This is where you belong. I’ll be in the bedroom. You could join me in the shower.”
“Time,” she repeated softly, hoping he’d take the hint.
Irritation flashed over his features but he turned, stomping toward the back of the cabin. “Lock the door and don’t go outside.”
“Okay.”
He gazed back at her with a scow, hesitating.
“I’m not going to run outdoors. I’d never find my way back to the lodge, and besides, I’m human. I understand that’s not exactly a good thing to be here.”
“No one would dare harm you. I’d kill them.”
He disappeared and she walked over to his front door. It did have a few locks. She twisted them, tested to make certain they worked, then slowly let herself glance at every inch of the room. It wasn’t a big home but it was comfortable. A stairwell led up to a loft over the kitchen.
She just stood there instead of exploring what lay out of sight though.
Veso had made it clear he planned to make her his mate. Just how far will he go? That unanswered question had her biting her lip and hugging her waist, worried.
He might say he was certain they should mate but what if he was wrong? All the things he’d said about humans replayed through her head. Would he always see her as weak? Less than? Inferior to a VampLycan? She paced, deep in thought. She couldn’t do all the nifty things he could. She’d just be plain old human.
Trust your instincts.
She held still, just breathing, and closed her eyes. Her heart wanted to stay with Veso. She was falling in love with him. The idea of sleeping with him every night and being with him every day was something she desperately wanted. Her head warned her that it would be the worst mistake she could ever make. They were so different. The gap might be too wide to bridge.
“Shit,” she rasped. “I don’t know what to do.”
Chapter Nineteen
“I didn’t know you were evil.”
Veso arched his eyebrows, looking confused.
Glen cut another bite off the steak and slowly chewed. Veso had taken his shower, thawed out a few steaks from his freezer, and then proceeded to fry them up in cast iron skillets. He’d made side dishes too. They now sat across from each other at his dining room table tucked to the side of the kitchen.
“You’re an excellent cook. It was a joke,” she explained.
“I don’t see the humor in that kind of accusation.”
“You’re not going to play fair to get your way, are you?”
He said nothing, just cutting a bite off his own steak and shoving it into his mouth.
“This is the best steak I’ve ever had,” she admitted.
He swallowed, taking a sip of his soda. “Thank you. I’m better in the bedroom than I am in the kitchen.”
She gaped at him, surprised that he’d boasted that. He was so cocky.
“Stop fighting me, Glen. We’re meant to be together.”
It took her a second to respond. “You didn’t call me Glenda for once.”
“I’m aware. I still believe it’s a man’s name but you like it. I can compromise. I want you to be happy.”
“Who are you and have you done with the real Veso?”
He chuckled. “I have you inside my home and you’re safe. This is me relaxed.”
“Now you’re purposely trying to freak me out, aren’t you?”
He put his silverware down. “I’m trying to show you I can be a good mate to you, Glen. I want you to stay with me.”
“I got that.”
“I’ll protect you, make certain you’re happy, and we can add more bedrooms onto my cabin. It only has two bedrooms but we can build them as needed.”
“For what?”
“Our children.”
Her mouth hung open.
“What? Was that the wrong thing to say? You can’t control your ovaries the way a Lycan does. It means I’ll probably get you pregnant. I never wanted to be a father but I’m willing to face that to be with you.”
She stood, getting out of her c
hair. The urge to flee to the door was strong but she just stared at him. “What kind of game are you playing?”
He slowly rose to his feet. “No games.”
“You hate humans.”
“Not you. I’ve stated that many times. Don’t you believe me?”
“You’ll regret it if we do this mate thing.”
“I won’t.”
“You can’t be sure of that. People get married and divorced all the time.”
“I’m VampLycan. We don’t divorce.” He looked and sounded insulted by the very prospect.
“So you’re saying every VampLycan relationship works out?”
“I wish I could say that but it wouldn’t be true. Though it’s rare for mates to want to end their bonds.”
She’d have scoffed at him for saying something like that but the world as she’d known it wasn’t the same anymore. “How rare?”
“I’ve only seen bad matings when emotions weren’t part of the reason for the mating.”
“Can you say that in a way I’d understand?”
“Sometimes matings have been arranged to forge alliances. The couple has no emotional attachment to each other and it never grows between them. That isn’t going to happen with us. We have feelings for each other.”
Her heart sped up and she stepped closer to him, watching his eyes. “Lust isn’t enough to be the glue to keep a relationship together.”
“Is that all you think I feel?”
“We don’t really know each other.”
“I’ve learned enough about you to be certain you’re my mate.”
“Like what? I’m less annoying to you than other humans?”
He stepped around the table and came even closer, stopping when they almost bumped into each other. “You’re brave, smart, and make me laugh.”
“Yeah. That’s so you. Always laughing.”
He smiled. “Your sarcasm is noted.”
“Which if I remember correctly, you don’t find attractive.”
“It is on you.” He lifted his hand and gently brushed her hair back from her face. “I don’t want to let you go. I look forward to arguing with you and I find our differences fun.”
“I find you irritating.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. You’re a bully, Veso.”
“It’s not such a bad thing.”
She opened her mouth to protest but he lowered his face, kissing her.
Glen closed her eyes and leaned into him. He was a bully, but he was also sexy and had an amazing mouth. His tongue swept between her lips and he wrapped his arm around her, lifting her off her feet.
She wrapped her arms and legs around him, clinging. He made it impossible to think when he devoured her mouth as if their very lives depended upon it. The soft growls coming from him turned her on more. She barely noticed he was walking until he stopped, lowering her. Their mouths parted, both of them breathing hard, and she realized she lay on his bed.
He lifted up and she released him, letting him go. He tore off his shirt, stepped back, and unfastened his pants.
“Get those clothes off.”
She glanced around his bedroom. It wasn’t the biggest master bedroom she’d ever seen but it was large enough to accommodate his bed. “King-sized? Why am I not surprised?”
“Don’t ever mention the word ‘king’ while we’re about to have sex.” He grimaced, shoving down his pants. He didn’t wear underwear, and he was aroused. She openly admired his cock. That part of him seemed to be growing as she watched.
“Right. Sorry. Good plan.”
“Glenda?” He cleared his throat. “Glen, take off the clothes.”
She sat up and edged off the bed, stripping fast. Her gaze traveled to the doorway he’d carried her through but she didn’t feel like running. She wanted Veso. It was probably a big mistake to do this with him again but life, she knew, was too short. If there was anyone she was willing to take a chance with, it would be him.
Veso stretched out on the bed naked as she hurried to climb on there with him, her gaze traveling over every tan, muscled inch. She swallowed hard. “Have I ever told you that you’re incredibly hot?”
“So are you.”
“You must want to get laid badly.”
He scooted across the bed when she joined him. He grabbed her by her wrist and yanked. It didn’t hurt but it left her gasping, falling on top of him. Veso rolled, pinning her under him. She knew he was being careful not to squish her with his big body. He had to weigh twice what she did.
“Don’t ever put yourself down.”
“I wasn’t.”
“I watch your human films and shows. It gets boring here in the winters. Your body does this to mine.” He adjusted over her, pressing his erection against her thigh. There was no missing the feel of that. “Spread your thighs wider.”
She did, liking the way his voice deepened. “I turn you on too.”
“You drive me insane. I like it.” He scooted down a bit, cupping her breast with one hand. “Now it’s my turn.”
“To do what?”
He just smiled, then lowered his head. She moaned when his hot, wet mouth clamped onto the breast he wasn’t using his fingers to torment.
She understood. He planned to drive her insane.
She grabbed hold of his broad shoulders, closed her eyes, and threw her head back. He wasn’t gentle but it didn’t hurt when he sucked hard on her nipple, using his teeth to lightly nip the tip. It just made her quiver and a longing surfaced to have him inside her.
“Veso!”
He released her breasts with his hand and mouth. The bed moved when he shifted his weight. She thought he’d climb back up her but he never did anything she guessed he’d do. He slid his big hands under her thighs and shoved them up, apart. She jerked her eyes open and lifted her head, just in time to see him bury his face. That mouth of his latched onto her clit. She moaned, then did lose her mind as the pleasure hit.
“That’s not fair,” she got out.
He began to growl, adding vibrations to his tongue tormenting her clit. She clawed at the bedding. It didn’t take long before the orgasm tore through her and she cried out his name. She panted, eyes closed.
Veso rose up and closed her legs. He then rolled her over onto her stomach. Glen opened her eyes when he let her legs go, sliding his hands under her hips. He pulled her up to her knees, held her there, and she flipped her hair out of the way to stare at him over her shoulder. He moved behind her and spread his legs to make their hips line up.
“You’re mine,” he snarled.
She moaned as entered her from behind. She braced her arms, enjoying the feel of him taking her. His cock was so hard and thick, breaching her slow. He felt amazing.
“My mate.” His voice deepened. “I’m never letting you go.”
She wasn’t about to argue with him when he began to withdraw, then thrust forward. That would have implied she could talk.
He moved faster, adjusted his hips a little, and she moaned louder.
“My Glen,” he snarled.
He came down over her, wrapping his front along her back. He eased his hold on her waist to pull her hair of the way, and then his mouth was on her neck. He nibbled, licked, and nipped at her skin.
“Oh God!”
He fucked her harder, faster. The second climax built, then slammed through her. She didn’t cry out that time, too breathless from her heavy breathing. Veso groaned and ground his hips against her ass, slowing his movements. She swore she could feel him coming inside her.
The pain when he bit her actually felt good, had her arms shaking, almost collapsing.
Veso slid his arm under her before she face-planted onto his bedding and held her up. It was so hard to think but she knew what he was doing. Kira had told her all about the mating habits of VampLycans.
He groaned again and kept pumping his hips, his cock still hard inside her. His body trembled over hers and he suddenly threw himself to the left, taking her w
ith him, since he had his arm locked around her chest. They hit the mattress on their sides.
Veso let go of her throat, licking the throbbing area he’d bitten. “You’re mine. Mate me. Say yes.” He reached up and she turned her head, unable to see his face since he lay flat on his side. He suddenly shoved his arm in front of her and she gawked at the bloody bite on his inner arm, almost at his wrist.
“Drink my blood, Glen,” he urged.
She hesitated. It would mate them for life if they exchanged blood during sex. He was buried inside her pussy still. That technically had to count, despite both of them just getting off. She moaned when he used the arm wrapped around her, trapped under her ribs, to cup one of her breasts, playing with it. Her nipples were sensitive, and she shivered.
“Drink. Mate me.”
Blood from his arm dripped onto the bed inches in front of her face.
“Please, Glenda…”
It was the pleading in his voice that did it. He really wanted to make her his.
She squeezed her eyes closed and leaned forward a little. Wet warmth touched her lips as she pressed them against his arm.
Blood.
She couldn’t look.
Veso adjusted his body on the bed, pressing his arm more firmly against her open mouth.
“Drink,” he gasped, starting to slowly fuck her again. His voice deepened to an inhuman tone and he breathed on her throat. “Swallow for me.”
He was great at distracting her from the fact that she had a mouthful of blood. She almost expected to gag as she drank some down, but didn’t. He lifted a leg, pinning her on her side better, and drove his cock into her deeper.
He bit her again, in the same spot. It felt even better that time, and a new sensation filled her. Heat began in her throat, spreading down to her stomach and quickly to her sex. Her clit throbbed and she moaned, sucking on his skin to get more blood. Whatever weird thing was happening to her body, she suddenly wanted more.
Veso thrust slowly, in and out, and she rolled her hips, desperately wanting to come. He understood and fucked her faster. A third climax struck so suddenly that she jerked in his hold. He pulled his arm away from her mouth and hugged her as he snarled. His body tensed along her back and he released her shoulder.