What was that undercurrent of raw sensuality and animalistic power?
She wasn’t a shifter or any kind of immortal that I’d ever met. The Intel said she was merely human. Yet, something was different. I couldn’t quite place it and that alone was intriguing.
Confused, I couldn’t resist the urge to move in closer and observe her before making my presence known. With a giant leap, my body flipped through the air and landed on the roof of her building. Each of the dorm rooms on the upper floors had a balcony that extended from the bedroom. The one attached to hers was filled with plants, patio furniture, and dainty little tealights that weren’t currently glowing as I dropped down without a sound.
I remained in the shadows as I lurked, listening and waiting for some crucial piece of this puzzle to be revealed. Oddly enough, I wasn’t the only immortal on campus. At this late hour, only vampires or ghouls roamed the barren expanse of pathways that led from one building to the next. There was the occasional dhampir like me. Possibly a daemon if they were hungry enough. Lilith liked to send her lackeys for midnight snacks. I didn’t particularly care for the daemon queen but kept the truce between our kind.
The wind shifted and snatched at the human’s natural fragrance, dangling the tempting scent beneath my nose. My fangs extended as I inhaled slowly, taking in every last morsel until I trembled with both lust and the primal response that all hunters understood.
Mouthwatering. That was what she was. A temptation that was nearly impossible to refuse.
Sensations and urges bubbled under the surface and raced up my spine, flooding my senses again and into my throat where I ached for a taste, burning with the desire to drink every last drop from her veins. The pointed tips of my canines brushed my bottom lip and I hissed, knowing the sound was muffled by the music she turned on inside.
My thoughts became consumed with thirst. I wanted her. No, I needed her. And not just once.
Swallowing hard, I realized that I desired more than the simple fling tonight that would end her life and fulfill my contract. There was no stipulation upon completion. I had a full month to complete the task. I only needed an hour.
Before now, I was never tempted to breach a contract. For the first time, I selfishly wanted to explore the delicate human and her intoxicating scent, sweep my fingers across her skin, and bury my fangs in her delicate throat before I buried my cock between her sweet thighs. Arousal beat like a steady drum through my body and I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied until I had her in every way.
The music was stopped as my prey shut off the light. I’d lost track of time as I simply breathed her in. Painful, yet addictive. A combination of lustful denial and blissful anticipation.
The musky air was humid all day and hadn’t decreased. It must be dousing her skin in perspiration. She didn’t close the doors. The sweet sound of her voice filled the air as she complained about the heat under her breath.
Frowning, I was immediately distracted when the sheets were rustled with her movements. Her flesh settled over the heavy comforter and she uttered a soft groan. A fan from inside blew her aroma steadily in my direction as I stiffened. Pure torture. Every cell in my body was suddenly alive like an electric current jolted through and then sank all the way into my bones. In the aftershocks, I heard her gentle breathing slow and ease until she was asleep. Would she sense my presence?
I licked my lips in anticipation. She was far too tempting.
Did I want to enter her room? To play with my sweet little prize?
Fuck yes!
To hell with my contract, I needed to know more about her . . .
Moonlight surrounded my body in a timid and hazy glow the color of silvery tinsel that shimmered like holiday decorations on a tree. Lifting my hand, I glanced at the luminescence that danced across the surface of my skin while marveling at the perfect peace that descended over my soul.
My eyes closed briefly as my shoulders relaxed. I wanted to bathe in the serenity of the moment and hoped it would last forever.
There was a rustle of movement behind me and I turned, opening my eyes as I gazed upon the handsome and darkly intriguing features of a stranger. He wore black from head to toe and the only discernable details were the strength he exuded and the hypnotic glow of his eyes. A hood blocked the ability to clearly see his features, but I knew deep inside that he was almost too beautiful to be revealed. There was no rational explanation for the attraction that I felt or these feelings, but I didn’t seem to care.
Oddly enough, I didn’t feel afraid. Maybe he was weaving some magic spell because I felt drawn to his rich amber gaze and the broad width of his shoulders, wanting instantly sheltered within his embrace.
As if he heard my thoughts, the man walked forward briskly and then paused, a sensual and seductive growl issuing from deep in his throat. He leaned in and inhaled, his body mere inches from my own. Some random pulse of energy flickered between us and I sensed the danger he represented. Somehow, I still yearned for his touch.
I was circled like a predator assessing his next victim. The stranger circled my body and kept the distance of several inches between us. He invaded my personal space without permission but seemed completely oblivious to the fact. His powerful aura clashed with my own and his dominance tried to assert over my own strong will.
When he wasn’t successful, a rumbled sounded from deep within his chest. I wasn’t sure if he approved or not, but he moved closer and one hand lifted to caress a strand of my hair. Rubbing the tresses between two fingers, he uttered words I wasn’t able to understand.
“Who are you?” I asked, nearly breathless.
There was no answer.
Moments later, I was completely alone . . .
The dream ended as I sat upright in bed. My thoughts were overwhelmed by the stranger’s presence and his seductive and alluring eyes. That honey color beckoned to some primitive part of my soul and I instantly wanted to close my eyes in order to see him again.
The following night he appeared again, this time in my room.
“You’re here,” I whispered, sitting up as the comforter fell away and I blinked, watching as the dark stranger stood about a foot from my bed.
“Yes.” The deep timbre of his voice was so intoxicating that I shivered.
“Why?”
“You intrigue me,” he answered, moving slowly forward until his knees bumped the mattress.
“I keep wondering who you are,” I admitted, “But when I wake up the details are fuzzy, and I can’t remember.”
“That is intentional.”
“You don’t want me to know how you are. Is that why you wear a hood?”
“Partially.”
He sucked in a breath as I climbed forward and rose to my knees, lifting my hands to place them on his chest. It was a bold move. Too intimate and yet not enough.
“Tell me who you are. I need to know.”
“That’s impossible, precious.”
“But you came back,” I pointed out.
“Foolish,” he hissed in that seductive voice. “I won’t come back.”
“What if I want you to return?”
“You don’t know what you ask. This is dangerous for us both.”
“You’ll protect me.” I could feel the urge deep inside him to make sure I was safe. That alone should have sent warning bells into my brain, but I brushed it aside. Right now, all I wanted was his presence. “Don’t leave.”