He was seducing her with words alone. Her insides had turned to molten lava, clenching tight with need as his words reached deep into her core. Sliding her feet apart, she reached between her thighs and spread the wet lips of her sex, exposing the damp pink flesh to him.

  Stefan licked his lips, his sharp teeth gleaming, a slow smile crossing his face. He reached out and brushed a finger over her clitoris. Laurel Rose gasped as her entire body clenched once again and then moaned when he removed his hand. Every sensation was intensified. Her new vampire senses ensured she felt everything more keenly.

  “You want me, don’t you?”

  There was no thought of denying him anything. “Yes. I want you.” Whatever he needed, she wanted to give it to him.

  Reaching around her, he cupped her behind in his hands and squeezed the two mounds. “I love your ass. So firm, yet so soft.”

  He held her steady and lowered his head back between her spread thighs. “First I’m going to eat you. Then I’m going to fuck you long and hard, marking you forever as mine. Then I’m going to pleasure you until you scream my name. Your body belongs to me now. You belong to me.”

  Laurel Rose quivered at his words. Desire, hot and potent, flowed through her veins. She could picture everything in her mind, his words creating a sensual picture of the two of them together. She wanted to experience all of it.

  His breath was hot against her slick flesh, his tongue tracing the folds, up one side and down the other. He circled the entrance to her core before stroking his tongue inside. “Stefan.” She groaned and grabbed his shoulders for support. The muscles beneath her fingers flexed and rolled as he gripped her behind tighter in his hands. But he didn’t stop.

  There was no inch of her that he didn’t taste, stroke, or explore with his tongue and mouth. Her inner muscles clenched and released as her juices flowed freely. She was so close to coming. She rotated her hips, swinging them in a small circle, always trying to appease the ache growing within her.

  “Now!” Gripping his hair, she tugged him to her clitoris. He gently gripped the throbbing bud of nerves between his teeth and flicked it. Once. Twice. That was all it took.

  Laurel Rose trusted him to hold her upright as she came apart. Her pussy clenched down hard as the contractions hit her. Stefan continued to pleasure her with his mouth as the spasms shook her. But still, she wanted more. Needed more. It never seemed to be enough with this man. Instead of appeasing her sexual appetite, her orgasm had only whetted it.

  “Not enough,” she gasped. “I need you, Stefan. I want you inside me.”

  His hands flexed and his fingers tightened around her behind, his grip almost painful. His hair was damp with sweat and his chest heaved as he gasped for breath. But it was his lips that drew her, for they were moist with her juices, and as she watched, he licked them. A huge shudder shot through her body, the need almost a living being within her.

  “I can’t be gentle,” he growled. “I want you too damned much.”

  Even now, he was still trying to protect her. Love swelled within her heart as great as the desire flooding her body. Only she could give him what he needed. And she gave it freely and with love. “I don’t want gentle. Not this time.” His brilliant green eyes were tinged with red as he stared up at her. “Take me, Stefan, like you said you would. Fuck me long and hard. Make me yours forever. Let me feed all your hungers.”

  He yanked her down onto his lap, impaling her on his cock in one hard stroke. The sensitive inner muscles, still swollen, protested slightly as he shoved his huge shaft to the hilt. But she wanted this. Wanted him. Her body immediately accepted him, softening and stretching to accommodate his girth.

  He cupped her face in her strong hands and stared at her. His eyes were such bottomless wells of emotion it was almost painful to look at them. But Laurel Rose returned his gaze, gently pushing the damp strands of his hair out of his face and caressing his cheek.

  “You are my heart and my very soul. I will protect you with my entire being for as long as we both live. There is no other man living or yet to be born who will love you as I will. Your happiness and safety are my life’s work and my life’s joy.”

  Tears filled her eyes as the beauty of his pledge filled her soul with love. There was no doubting the sincerity of his words. This was a man well worth any sacrifice she had to make in order for them to be together.

  Staring deep into his eyes, she gave him her own vow in return. “I love you. You have given me more than I ever imagined I could ever have in my life. I will love you and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”

  A tear slipped from the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek. Stefan leaned forward and licked the salty liquid from her face. His tongue traced her mouth and she could taste herself. She parted her lips for him, inviting him inside, and he slipped past the entrance, deepening their kiss. His thumbs caressed her cheeks, wiping away the tears that continued to seep from her closed eyes. The beauty of the moment was something Laurel Rose knew she would never forget.

  The tone of the kiss changed. The playful teasing of his tongue quickly gave way to an increasing ardor. She slid her hands down the strong column of his neck and onto his muscular shoulders. An unfamiliar hunger welled up inside her. The intensity of it was frightening.

  Stefan immediately sensed the change in her and ended their kiss. “It is natural, my love.” He nipped at her earlobe, biting down gently. Her inner muscles clenched around his cock. “You feel the bloodlust rising within you. Do not fight it.” His tongue swirled around the outside of her ear as he whispered, “Embrace it.”

  A wild and overwhelming yearning filled her, echoing throughout every cell in her body.

  “Yes,” he praised. “That’s it. Feel it, Laurel Rose.”

  It was as if every sense was magnified a hundredfold. She dug her fingers into his shoulders and held on tight. He was her only anchor in this storm of emotion and need.

  “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

  The motion drove his cock even deeper than she’d thought possible. He seemed bigger than he ever had, but still her body took him.

  Stefan wrapped his arms around, came up on his knees, and laid her back against the soft, mossy ground. The smell of dark, rich earth and pungent sex enveloped them. He pulled his hips back so that only the tip of his shaft was still within her, then plunged back inside her in one hard stroke. Only his grip kept her from being pushed away as he thrust harder and faster.

  Laurel Rose locked her ankles at the small of his back and held on tight as he hammered into her. She thought she might have cried out, but she didn’t know if it was just in her head or if she’d actually screamed aloud. Her entire being was focused on the hunger beating at her. She arched up against Stefan as he drove deep.

  She swore she saw the stars in the night sky above them explode as the intense climax rocked her. Stefan yelled, his body heaving as he emptied himself into her. Her entire body clenched and she struggled for breath. She clung to Stefan’s slick shoulders.

  She gasped when he pulled her upright in his lap and sank his teeth deep into her neck. The sucking motion of his mouth sent tingles racing through her. Her body continued to spasm around his cock. Laurel Rose began to feel light-headed. She leaned closer to Stefan, her arms coming up to cradle his head against her. “Drink, my love. Take what you need.” Aftershocks continued to shimmer though her as he fed from her body.

  The human part of her knew she should be appalled by what he was doing, but she was not. The exchange between them was beautiful. She was giving him what he needed and that filled her with joy.

  The smell of sex filled the air around them, but then she smelled something else, something delicious. She felt two of her front teeth changing as fangs descended from her mouth. Without thought, she leaned forward and licked at the salty skin of his neck. He was whispering inside her head, urging her to take what she needed. Urging her to feed.

  She scraped her sharpened teeth over his skin and allowed them to pierce his flesh. Blood gushed into her mouth, filling it instantly. She swallowed automatically, but then began to suck hard. She’d never tasted anything like this in her life. It was amazing, fantastic, intoxicating. Like a woman who’d been lost in the desert for weeks, she drank deep and long.

  Stefan fed from her as she fed from him. With their bodies still joined in the most intimate of ways, she felt totally connected to him. She sensed his every emotion and knew he was experiencing hers as well. It was a deep sharing, a communion of souls. His pleasure and love for her filled her as she shared her own with him. She might have stayed there forever if Stefan hadn’t finally broken away.

  Withdrawing his fangs, he licked the tender spot on her neck, closing the small pinpricks with his tongue. Gripping her head, he gently urged her away from him. She gave a soft cry, but he murmured soothingly. She gave way and lapped at his neck, closing the small wound that she’d made.

  “It is done now. We are truly one.” He shifted her in his embrace, easing his still-erect cock from her body. “But it is only the beginning.” Standing easily with her still in his arms, he carried her back toward the house. Exhausted both physically and emotionally, Laurel Rose snuggled closer to his body, wrapped her arms around his neck and enjoyed the ride home.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Stefan felt odd as he walked back to the house with Laurel Rose clasped snugly in his arms. He immediately scanned the area, searching out any danger that might be lurking there, but felt nothing.

  A quick scan of the house insured that it was empty. Stefan found he was grateful to his family for tactfully leaving them alone for the evening to sort out their problems. He knew they’d planned to be there this evening, to meet Laurel Rose and spend time with them. All their plans had changed.

  Most likely his brothers had heard them in the woods and tactfully withdrawn to give them privacy. He expected his family to be back in full force tomorrow.

  Stefan scanned the area again. They were completely alone, but he couldn’t shake the unfamiliar feeling. It persisted and he studied it carefully, trying to understand the cause. It was only when he was climbing up the steps to the porch that he realized what it was.

  For the first time in his life, he felt utterly content.

  Stopping by the back door, he took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet, cool scent of the forest. Intermingled with the fragrance of the trees, flowers and rich, dark earth was the sweet smell of sex and blood. But underneath it all was the one scent that he found more intoxicating than them all. It was the unique perfume of Laurel Rose.

  “Is everything all right?” Her soft voice, filled with concern, whispered in his ear.

  He shifted her higher in his arms and mentally commanded the door to open. The thick panel swung open and he carried her inside. He didn’t pause as he strode toward the stairs. The door slammed shut behind him.

  “You’ve got to teach me how to do that.” Her breathy laugh tickled his skin, making him smile.

  “I will teach you everything. There is so much you can do now that you could not before.” He carried her into the bedroom and tossed her lightly onto the bed. She bounced once and laughed. “But that is for another night. I still have things to do this night.”

  “And what things might that be?” She playfully batted her eyelashes at him. He loved this teasing side of her.

  “I plan to fuck you senseless,” he promised.

  She licked her lips and her breathing got faster and shallower. She was excited and willing to try whatever he wanted. Her willingness had his cock throbbing and his balls aching. No matter how many times he had her, he would never have enough of Laurel Rose. He wanted to claim her in every way possible. Wanted to touch and stroke her, bring her pleasure.

  Sprawled across the plain white sheets, she was pure temptation. Her black hair flowed long and free, framing her beautiful face. Her blue eyes, a dark indigo, shone with desire and some mysterious feminine power that drew him. She licked her lips again in a nervous gesture, coating her plump mouth with moisture. Her long legs moved restlessly on the mattress. He could smell her rising need, tinged with a minute amount of fear. She wanted him but, as much as she did not want to admit it, she was still afraid. Not of him so much as of the intensity, the yearning that flowed between them.

  The connection between them was so deep he sensed all of this without her having to voice a single concern.

  Now that his immediate cravings had been satisfied, Stefan felt more relaxed. Laurel Rose was his and he would cherish her forever. He wanted to introduce her to all kinds of pleasures they could share together. His body was as hard as steel as he watched a pretty pink blush steal up her pale face, giving color to her otherwise white skin. Her eyelashes fluttered downward, the dark lashes resting against her cheeks like soft black fans.

  To him, she was simply the most perfect woman in the world.

  He wanted to wrap her in satin sheets and give her everything she’d ever desired. But he knew it wouldn’t be easy. Laurel Rose was not a greedy woman. How did you spoil a woman who was content with what she had? Stefan was looking forward to many long years of discovering her desires and making sure every last one of them was filled. Happiness and pleasure had been in short supply in her life, but he planned to remedy that.

  “I can bring you such pleasure, Laurel Rose, but only if it is what you desire. I will never do anything to harm you.”

  Leashing the beast within him and ignoring the desire thrumming through his body, screaming for release, Stefan sat down on the bed next to her. Placing his hand over her stomach, he stared in fascination at the sight of his large fingers resting on her soft, silky skin. He could feel the muscles jump beneath his palm.

  “Let me pleasure you.” His voice wove around them, pure seduction in its tone. Stefan was not opposed to using what skills he possessed to get what he wanted. He could see her visibly relaxing as his words washed over her.

  She stared up at him and smiled. “I want to please you too.”

  “You please me simply by existing, my love.” Stefan captured her fingers in his and raised them to his lips, placing a soft kiss on each knuckle. But he didn’t stop there. Stroking his tongue over her hand, he licked between each of her fingers, paying careful attention to the slightly webbed skin at the base of each. Laurel Rose’s low moan made the hair on his body stand on end. Her pleasure fed his, multiplying it tenfold.

  Moisture seeped from the tip of his cock. He was hard and ready for her. His balls were hanging low, heavy with need and aching for release. But this time, he would go slower and draw out the experience for both of them. “Roll over onto your stomach.”

  She glanced down at his lap and licked her lips. She almost undid all his good intentions with that one simple gesture. He wasn’t even sure she realized what she’d done. Or perhaps she did. Her lips curved up in a satisfied smile as his cock flexed toward her.

  Tugging her hand from his grasp, she rolled over onto her belly. But it wasn’t quite right yet, not for what he had in mind. He grabbed one of the pillows, lifted her slightly, and stuffed the pillow underneath her. Sitting back, he appraised his handiwork, but shook his head. He took another pillow and tucked it under the first. That raised her luscious bottom higher in the air.

  Stefan knelt behind her, wrapped his hands around her ankles, and slowly slid them up the backs of her legs until he was gripping her thighs. Ever so slowly, he separated them, widening her legs and pushing her knees slightly forward. Sitting back on his haunches, he stared at the pretty picture she made lying facedown on the bed. The white globes of her behind were spread wide, exposing her completely. Perfect.

  He leaned forward and gently blew on her sex. She shivered and then moaned when he dipped one of his fingers into her slick passage. His balls clenched when her inner muscles tightened around it. Growling deep in his throat, he carefully inserted another finger and then a third.

  Stefan closed his eyes and savored the feeling of her body gripping him. His hand was wet with her juices. The perfume of her arousal filled the air, leaving him no doubt she enjoyed what he was doing. It was with great reluctance that he drew his fingers away. He could touch her for hours, never tiring of watching her reactions. He loved the sounds of her moans, the tiny cries she made when he touched a sweet spot, but he needed more. Already desire had dug its claws into him, demanding he take her once again.

  He withdrew his hand and shifted closer, making a space for himself between her spread legs. He gripped her hips to hold her steady as he stroked the hard length of his shaft over her slick folds, coating himself in her cream.

  He growled with satisfaction when even more juices slipped from her core. He slid one of his hands around to her front and found the small nub of nerves at the apex of her legs. He teased her clit as he continued to rub his cock over her.

  She was whimpering now. Her hips rocked as he stroked his cock over her heated flesh. He ached to bury his shaft in her welcoming heat but held off. He wanted to make Laurel Rose climax and coat his cock in her essence. She was close if her frantic movements were any indication. She bucked against him with each stroke.

  “This isn’t fair,” she wailed.

  “You don’t like it?” he teased. He squeezed her hip with his free hand while he continued to use the other to play with her clit.

  She was panting hard now. “It’s not enough.” She shoved her bottom against him and this time he drove his cock deep. Laurel Rose screamed and shattered when her orgasm struck.

  Stefan gritted his teeth, his fingers digging into her hips. Her inner muscles grabbed his shaft, squeezing and rippling around it, desperately enticing him to join her in her release. It took all his concentration not to come inside her then.

  • • •

  Laurel Rose wanted to sink into the mattress. Maybe melt into it was a better description. She hadn’t known her body was capable of having so many orgasms in such a short period of time. Every touch, every stroke of Stefan’s fingers or tongue, the rub of his cock against her heated flesh, was exaggerated a hundred times more than it had been before.