Like a street cop with confidential informants.
“I have a few I can tap,” Marco assured him. “Anything else?”
“Have the Sentinels scout around the lab,” Fane said, pushing the photos back into Marco’s hand. “If things go to hell we’ll need to be able to get in and use those inside as leverage.” Fane didn’t have to spell out that he didn’t care what methods they had to use to gain that leverage. He was willing to sacrifice anyone and everything to protect his woman. “The bastard is going to remove the poison from Serra one way or another.”
Marco nodded without hesitation. “We’ll be waiting for your signal.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a burner phone and gave it to Fane. “My number is already programmed in. Call me when you want us to move.”
“You got it.”
Marco narrowed his eyes. “Keep her safe, Fane,” the hunter warned. “You aren’t the only one who loves her.”
“I’ll protect her with my life,” Fane assured his fellow Sentinel before turning to head back into the hotel.
He’d left Serra unguarded too long.
He thought he heard Marco warn him to be careful, but he was already focused on making his way back to the hotel suite. Bas’s spy wouldn’t stay asleep for long. The last thing he wanted was the bastard realizing that Fane had the ability to slip in and out when he wanted.
Moving with a stealth that marked him as a Sentinel, he used his key card to unlock the door to his hotel suite and stepped inside. He had closed it silently behind him when a fist connected with his upper arm.
“Damn you,” Serra growled, rearing back her fist for another punch.
Fane gently grasped her hand, pressing it to his lips. She hadn’t hurt him, but he was afraid she might have bruised her knuckles.
“I missed you too,” he murmured.
“How would you like it if I snuck out while you were sleeping?”
He grimaced, his gaze sweeping over her flushed cheeks and the pale green eyes that sparkled with anger. Her hair was disheveled and her lush body covered by a plain hotel robe, but she’d never looked more beautiful.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” His thumb brushed her inner wrist, a renegade surge of satisfaction racing through him when he felt her pulse leap at the small caress. “I thought I would return before you woke up.”
She was far from appeased. “So your theory is what I don’t know won’t hurt me?”
Hmm. He hesitated.
“I sense a trap.”
“No more sneaking out.”
“I promise.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. This was exactly why he’d always dreaded becoming involved with this female. His job would always put him in danger. Which meant Serra would spend her life constantly in fear. “I didn’t mean for you to worry.”
She stilled, her anger abruptly melting as she realized that she’d reminded him exactly why he’d kept his distance from her.
“There’s always going to be times when I’m worried,” she said softly. “It’s an unavoidable part of life.”
“Serra—”
“No.” She pressed her fingers against his lips, halting his instinctive concern. “Have you been worried about me?”
Fane frowned at the ridiculous question.
“Christ, of course I’m worried.” His fingers tightened on her wrist, the heat from his body filling the air. “I’ve never been so fucking scared in my life.”
Her fingers gently traced his lips. “Would it be better for you if I pushed you away so you didn’t have to go through the pain of knowing I’m in danger?”
He hissed as she threw his logic back in his face, the mere thought of being denied the right to protect this female enough to make his blood run cold.
Oh hell, no.
No matter what the fear or pain or even grief he was forced to endure, nothing could be worse than not having a place in her life.
“Don’t,” he muttered.
“Then don’t push me away.”
“I’m trying, milaya moya, but I’m a male. It takes me a while to accept I might be wrong.”
She rolled her eyes, but she didn’t press. He hoped it was because she understood he was truly doing the best he could, but he was betting it was because she wanted to punch him in the face.
“Where did you go?” she asked, her steady gaze daring him to refuse to answer.
Yeah. That wasn’t a dare he was taking.
He’d already reached his quota of dumb-ass decisions for one night.
“I met Marco on the roof.”
“And?”
“And they managed to locate at least one of Bas’s secret lairs.”
She lifted a brow. “Lairs?”
“He’s a villain,” Fane said with a shrug. “Don’t they have lairs?”
There was a startled beat before Serra gave a choked laugh. “Oh my God. Was that a joke?”
His expression remained bland. “I have my moments.”
Without warning, she went onto the tips of her toes to press a teasing kiss to his lips.
“Yes, you do.”
His reaction was explosive. One second he was counting his blessings she hadn’t been waiting at the door with a baseball bat, and the next his body was humming with a darkly erotic anticipation.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice suddenly rough with need.
A slow smile of temptation curled her lips. “The headache is all gone.”
He brushed his fingers over her still pale cheek. “Your powers are back?”
“Yes, thank God.” There was no missing the sincerity in her voice. “I’m not used to feeling completely vulnerable. I don’t know how norms can stand it.”
His gaze lowered to the plump temptation of her lips, he was not particularly interested in humans or their petty problems.
“I assume it’s their sense of vulnerability that provokes their prejudice against high-bloods,” he said, his distraction obvious.
“Yes.” Her eyes darkened to emerald, the rich scent of chamomile filling the air. “How do you feel?”
He lowered her hand to press it over his thundering heart, peering deep into her wide eyes.
“You tell me.”
Her lips twitched. “I was asking if you’ve recovered.”
“All healed. But—”
“But what?”
Using his speed to his advantage, he scooped her off her feet and headed toward the bedroom.
“I should probably return to bed to make sure I’m fully rested.”
“I don’t think you intend to rest,” she accused, the sparkle in her eyes assuring him that she wasn’t opposed to delaying sleep.
“I might.” He lowered her onto the bed, swiftly ridding himself of his cargo pants. “Eventually.”
Holding his darkened gaze, Serra tugged on the belt of her robe. Slowly the terry cloth fabric parted and then fell aside, revealing her naked body.
He choked back a groan as his cock hardened in response to the beautiful vision below him.
He wanted to kiss every inch of her pale, ivory skin. To sink between her thighs and taste of her heat. To watch her eyes squeeze closed with pleasure as he entered her and pounded them both into mindless bliss.
Placing a knee on the edge of the bed, he leaned down to slide the robe off her shoulders and down her arms, allowing her beauty to be fully exposed.
Now the only question was where to touch first.
He settled on the delicate curve of her throat, brushing his fingers down to the pulse racing at the base of her neck. He smiled, savoring the sensation of her soft skin beneath his fingertips.
“I thought you would still be asleep,” he murmured.
She studied him from beneath half-lowered lids. “You have the temperature down to sixty degrees. I was cold without you wrapped around me like a human heater.”
Fane gave a soft chuckle. “I promise to warm you up.”
Her eyes sparkled as a smile of wicked temptation curv
ed her lips.
“I don’t know.” Her gaze traced the tattoos on his bare chest. “I’m awfully cold.”
Without hesitation, Fane joined her on the wide bed. The warm scent of chamomile and woman wrapped around him, arousing the hunter that always lurked just beneath the surface.
Growling in anticipation, Fane pulled her into his arms and performed a smooth roll. She gave a tiny gasp of surprise as he anchored her on top of his aching body with her legs straddling his hips.
He smiled into her startled eyes, his hands gripping her hips.
“Milaya, I’m going to have you burning before I’m done.”
She planted her hands on his chest as his fingers skimmed around the curve of her hips to cup her ass, pressing her firmly against his throbbing shaft.
“Promises, promises” she breathed.
Fane chuckled as he lifted his head to nibble at the base of her throat.
“I’m more than willing to turn my promises into reality.”
“I . . .” Her head tilted to the side, her hair tumbling over her shoulder as he gave her a small nip. At the same time her hips moved backward and forward in silent encouragement. “Oh.”
Fane groaned. Her skin fascinated him. Like ivory satin.
He licked a hungry path to her breast.
A part of him longed to simply thrust deep inside her and find his release. What male didn’t enjoy a swift, sweaty orgasm?
But a greater part was determined to relish a slow, heated bout of lovemaking.
And it was lovemaking with Serra.
Not mindless coupling.
Not a quick fuck.
A beautiful joining that could feel right to the center of his soul.
Delighting in the sweet taste of her, Fane circled her tightening nipple with the tip of his tongue. With light strokes he teased her until her nails dug into the flesh of his chest.
“More,” she whispered.
“Like this?” he demanded, closing his lips around the peak to suckle her with gentle urgency.
“Yes.”
A sigh of pleasure tumbled from her lips, her legs spreading until she could rub herself against the length of his cock.
Fane closed his eyes at the staggering shock of pleasure that jolted through him. Damn. He was on the brink of an orgasm and he wasn’t even inside her.
The heat from his body warmed the air, adding to the erotic sensations. He arched his hips upward, his hands stroking up the curve of her spine. Aimlessly, he traced patterns on her soft skin, simply enjoying the freedom to touch her.
Christ. He’d deliberately denied himself this heaven.
How stupid could a man be?
Still teasing the puckered nipple, he slid his hands down to grasp her thighs. Giving them a gentle tug, he trailed a finger between her soft folds.
“Fane,” she moaned.
He kissed a path to her neglected breast, using his teeth on the sensitive tip even as his finger slipped into her sleek heat.
Serra breathed out a rough sigh, her hands exploring the hard muscles of his chest. He lowered his head to the mattress to watch the flush of arousal darken the skin over her cheekbones.
God almighty, but she was magnificent. A powerful, exotic female who could have any man in the world. And yet had chosen him.
At least for tonight.
With a slow expertise he stroked his finger deep within her. At the same time he used his thumb to caress her tiny nub of pleasure.
“I’ll never have enough of you,” he muttered, his tongue flicking over her tightly budded nipple. “Never.”
“Don’t stop,” she gasped.
Fane gave a choked groan. “Not a chance in hell.”
Serra allowed her hands to smooth up the length of his neck and over the muscles of his shoulders. Her touch was light but a trail of fire followed in the wake of her fingers.
Bolts of pleasure shot through his body. Oh hell. His cock twitched, anxious to surge into the tight heat of her body.
He hadn’t been entirely celibate over the years.
There’d been occasional females who’d shared his physical needs without emotional complications.
Now he realized just how meaningless those exchanges had been.
There’d been no soft, lingering touches.
No delicious foreplay that made him tremble with bone-deep need.
As if sensing his vulnerability, Serra lowered her head to press her lips to the center of his chest. With open-mouthed kisses she moved to tease his sensitive nipple, her hands roaming down the washboard muscles of his stomach.
“Christ, milaya,” he groaned as she boldly reached down to grasp his straining erection in a firm grip.
“Maybe you’re not the only one who can create heat, Sentinel,” she teased as she stroked him from top to bottom and back again.
Fane hissed at the brutal pleasure that seared through him. Heat? Oh, hell no. Her touch was burning him alive.
His hips instinctively rocked upward to thrust his cock in her grip. Damn. It felt so good.
Too good.
Gritting his teeth against the looming climax, Fane focused his attention on her flushed face as he slid his finger in and out of her body, quickening his strokes as she gave a low moan.
“Come for me, Serra,” he commanded softly.
Her breath hissed between her teeth. “Fane . . .”
“Yes,” he encouraged, using his thumb to bring her to the edge.
Bewitched by the pleasure that softened her features and parted her lips as her breath came out in soft pants, Fane was unprepared when she suddenly reached down to grab his wrist.
“Serra?” he questioned softly.
Her smile widened as she tugged his hand to one side and used her other hand to place his aching cock at the entrance to her moist heat.
The world halted as he stared into mesmerizing eyes, and he knew that this moment would be engraved on his memory for all of eternity.
Slowly, deliberately, she impaled herself on his rigid shaft.
“You were right. I’m starting to get warm,” she murmured with a gleam in her eyes. “Burning hot, in fact.”
Fane groaned as she tossed his teasing words back into his face.
Oh yes.
They were going up in flames.
To both their satisfaction.
He gave another groan as he pressed himself into her welcoming body. At the same time she ground her hips down to meet his thrust.
Damn.
She was surely going to be the death of him.
Chapter Seventeen
Serra struggled to breathe as Fane placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and rolled off her quivering body.
“God almighty,” she muttered, not entirely sure she hadn’t briefly blacked out during the last orgasm.
She’d always known sex with Fane would be fantastic. The minute he walked into a room she was hot and bothered. And those small, accidental touches over the years had nearly made her self-combust.
So, yeah.
She’d expected good.
But this . . .
This was mind-blowing, I’m-not-sure-I-can-ever-walk-again sex.
Nuzzling his lips down the curve of her cheek, Fane tugged her liquid body tight against his chest.
“Is that good or bad?”
She shook her head. “Don’t try to fish for compliments. You don’t need me to feed your outrageous ego.”
“Ego?” Fane lifted his head to study her with a faux expression of outrage. “I’m a Sentinel. We are trained to be humble.”
Serra felt her heart melt to another level of mush.
She’d thought she knew everything there was to know about Fane. After all, she’d been obsessed with him for years. But who the hell could ever have suspected that beneath his grim demeanor was a secret, mischievous man who loved to tease?
The tangible sensation of just how vulnerable she remained to the man she swore would never hurt her again had Serra instinctively
scrambling to repair her defenses.
Great sex was great sex.
But offering up her heart to have it stomped on was a level of self-masochism she wasn’t prepared to suffer through.
Not again.
“You really are hysterical,” she murmured.
His dark gaze studied her suddenly guarded expression. “You can ask the monks if you don’t believe me.”
“I believe they tried to teach you humility, but I’ve yet to meet a Sentinel who isn’t impossibly arrogant.” She lowered her lashes to cover her expressive eyes. “Except for Arel. He has more charm and less ego than most.”
She’d deliberately used the name of the one Sentinel she knew got under Fane’s skin.
Anything to shatter this dangerous sense of intimacy.
She just hadn’t expected his reaction to be quite so . . . epic.
With a low growl he was perched above her, his fists by her head and his knees on either side of her hips.
A rational part of her brain understood he was caging her without using any force that might make her feel trapped. Fane would die before he used his strength against her. But a less rational part understood that she might have struck a nerve that was better to avoid.
His expression was stark as he glared down at her wide eyes.
“Don’t say his name again.”
She met his fierce gaze, ignoring the ruthless beauty of his face. It’d been petty to mention Arel, but dammit, he kept slipping beneath the walls of her defense.
“You pushed me into his arms.”
His jaw tightened, a blast of heat from his body searing over her naked body.
“Do you think that it didn’t destroy something deep inside me every time I saw you together?”
“You made me feel unwanted.”
He sucked in a harsh breath at the low words that were wrenched from her heart.
“Never again,” he swore, lowering his head to seal his pledge with a tender kiss. “Trust me.”
And that was the problem in a nutshell, she silently acknowledged, readily parting her mouth to deepen the kiss.
She trusted this man with her body and with her very life.
But her heart . . .
As if sensing her reluctance, Fane gave her bottom lip a punishing nip before soothing it with the tip of his tongue.
Serra moaned, a ready heat spreading through her body. Christ. One kiss and her legs were parting in open need for his possession.