He hesitated, carefully regarding my question. “Are you frightened of me?” It wasn’t an answer, but his tone was smooth, gentle.
“No,” I replied much too easily. But I wasn’t afraid of him. I felt . . . safe, somehow.
His purplish-blue eyes seemed to be glowing, and an almost feral smile raised on the edges of his lips. Lips I envisioned against mine.
Well defined arms crossed over a broad chest as he leaned against the door, one foot casually crossing over the other. “Tonight, is about you, Calla. And I’ll remain here, fixed to this spot, unless . . .” His head inclined to the side with a lopsided grin. “Unless you want me to come closer.”
If it were possible, my heart thumped louder inside my chest. My unspoken answer was yes, but it terrified me to say it out loud. I’d never been so carefree or reckless in all my life, never one to throw caution to the wind. But there was something about him. Something mysterious and intriguing. Something every part of me was attracted to. Maybe it was lust, but whatever it was, he had me fully wrapped in it.
Brynna had boasted about her one-night flings. No attachments. Just a single night of fun that was forgotten the next day. If she could manage it, why couldn’t I? It was my birthday after all, and I was now an adult.
But . . .
“Why me?” I repeated. “When you could’ve had any one of those girls downstairs.” It was a sincere question of which I expected an honest answer.
His eyes darkened with an obvious want. “I didn’t come for any girl, Calla. I came for you.”
Butterflies whirled inside my belly, but he still didn’t answer my question. “Why?”
His eyes flashed, assessing me. Gods, he was gorgeous.
“We are somehow connected, you and I.” He seemed as if he was going to take a step forward, but he stopped, remaining in place. “I don’t understand it myself, but I feel tied to you,” he crooned, his gaze narrowed. “You feel it too, don’t you?”
“I—” I hesitated. I did feel something between us but wasn’t sure what it was. There was an undeniable physical attraction and having him so close caused every cell in my body to hum. But I wasn’t about to admit that to a stranger . . . no matter how attractive he was. For all I knew, he could have been a pervert or a murderer. But as the thought crossed my mind, I didn’t sense he was either. “I’m not certain what I feel.”
His smile grew and with it a need pulsed heavily inside me, melting my core, awakening my deprived desires.
“Just say the word,” he purred. His voice was low and dripping with seduction, quietly waiting until I recovered my voice. “Tell me to come or tell me to leave. I will willingly do either. The choice is yours.”
In my mind, I considered the risks. All the risks. But hell, it was my birthday, and I was technically an adult. Besides, he was giving me a choice, and I wasn’t under any influence of alcohol, although around him I felt like it. And I wasn’t being pushed to do anything I didn’t want to.
My choice.
I peered deep into those darkened eyes and offered him a nod, tossing my conscience to the wind.
“Come.”
Chapter Two
In a split second, he was inches away, splaying his palm over the middle of my chest, leaning forward as if seeking my heartbeat. Closing his eyes, a grin unfurled on his full lips. “Can you hear it? It sings for me.”
Good gods.
In one sudden move—so fast it caused my head to whirl—I was in his arms, my back pressed against the far wall, his body tight against mine. His breath was sweet, his lips drifting precariously close to mine. “Tell me you feel it, Calla. The link between us.”
All I could do was nod because all speech was failing me.
His scent was delicious. A wild mix of blends I couldn’t describe. Maybe a touch of earth and wind and spice, but also a hint of something sweet. Perhaps it was all those elements combined and melded together. A perfect blend.
“Calla,” he breathed. “I’m going to kiss you.”
I wanted him to kiss me.
With a nod of approval, he pressed a tender kiss to my lips.
Slow, soft, thoughtful. Not rough or wild. And that kiss took my breath away. It made my brain numb and sent tingles surging through my entire body. But I wanted more. Craved more. I opened my mouth to him, letting him deepen the kiss. And he moaned in approval.
His mouth ravaged mine, this time unrestrained. Our mouths and tongues moved like they were meant to be together. A primal need was drawing us closer. His kiss was so deep, so passionate, that I started swimming in that sea of starlight I’d been admiring moments ago.
I wanted him, like I’d never wanted anyone or anything before, and that awareness both frightened and thrilled me.
His cold hands trailed down my collar and over my shoulders, but his lingering touch felt like fire, setting my skin ablaze. There was electricity around us, between us, through us. If his arms weren’t folded around me, holding me up, my knees would have buckled.
While I had some common sense left, I drew away from his kiss.
“Who are you?” I breathed. This was something I needed to know before things went any further.
His forehead relaxed against mine, his breath heavy. “A dark knight come to protect you. A knight who can pleasure you beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.”
I abruptly forgot my question and didn’t care. Those soft-spoken words added fuel to the already roaring fire inside me.
He leaned back, his azure gaze capturing mine. “But you have to want me too.”
His voice was pure seduction, like a balm instantly soothing my insecurities. How could he do that? This man had placed me under a spell so powerful, I wasn’t capable of breaking free. My body craved more. More of him. Desperate for whatever he could give me.
“Do you want me, Calla?” His words resounded through my very core.
“Yes,” I returned in a breathless whisper.
I was suddenly on the bed, his powerful frame hovering above me.
“I’d never harm you,” he breathed.
I don’t know why he said it, but I believed him.
He paused, those alluring eyes studying mine. No one had ever looked at me the way he was looking at me. He’d enchanted me, and I knew after tonight, I’d never be the same.
His name. I was about to ask his name when his lips crashed against mine. This time with a powerful, primal possessiveness that made me gasp and clutch his shoulders.
My mind was gone. Lost to reason. Lost to this stranger with a handsome face I most definitely felt a connection with.
He tugged off his shirt and flung it to the floor, the darkness swallowing it up. I ran my palms down his back and felt nothing but solid muscle. His tongue swirled on my neck, making my fingers clasp him tighter.
He stiffened.
Everything stopped as he drew back from me, his expression one of bewilderment.
What happened?
Regret and insecurity oozed into me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. His eyes shifted to my left hand.
Clasping my wrist, he examined the silver purity ring on my finger. And just like that, the moment came to a plunging, icy stop.
His eyes scrutinized me. A curious look emblazed within them. “Are you a virgin?”