Resolutely, she closed the door and barred it for the night—another practice she’d recently started. “It’s just delayed reaction to what happened. That’s all.” She leaned the rifle in the corner by the door so it was handy if she needed it again. She’d also started keeping another loaded rifle upstairs in her bedroom. Better to be safe than sorry.

  “It certainly has nothing at all to do with that big wolf or half-breed dog or whatever he is.” She limped toward the stairs and gripped the railing for support. Taking her time, she half walked, half hauled herself up the stairs, desperately trying to convince herself that her reaction had nothing to do with the amazing animal who’d saved her tonight.

  Laurel Rose took a deep breath at the top of the stairs before making her way into her bedroom. The window curtains fluttered in the light breeze as the night air, sweet and moist, filled the room, and she paused to look out at the night. The moon illuminated a small hill in the distance, and as she watched, a silhouette appeared. The lonely howl reached her ears. The sound broke her heart, echoing her own profound loneliness.

  Unable to bear the heartrending sound a moment longer, she slammed the window shut. She turned away and collapsed across the bed. The soft feather mattress embraced her, and she wrapped her arms around her pillow and cried.

  Chapter Five

  Laurel Rose moved restlessly against the sheets, locked in an unsettled state somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. The fresh scent of the surrounding forest wafted through the window, sweetening the air around her. It was a familiar smell, earthy and strong, and never failed to comfort her.

  A thought nagged in the back of her mind. Hadn’t she closed the window?

  Snuggling her pillow closer, she rolled onto her side and opened her eyes a crack. The sheer lace curtains were fluttering slightly in the night breeze. She should have been alarmed by that fact, but instead she closed her eyes again and relaxed, enjoying the feel of the moist air against her skin.

  A slight rustling caught her ears. It wasn’t the drapes brushing against the window frame or anything moving around outside. It was in the room with her. And it was close.

  Still, she felt no sense of alarm, which in itself was slightly alarming. The dichotomy of her thoughts made her frown and she struggled to make sense of things. Perhaps she was dreaming.

  Again, she opened her eyes. It was much harder to do than it should have been. Her entire body felt heavy and she was content to just lie there on the bed, caught in a web of lethargy.

  A large shadow moved in front of the window, blocking the sliver of moonlight that shone through it.

  Her heart jumped and began a pounding rhythm against her chest. Adrenaline surged through her body. There was someone in the room with her. Had Aaron and Clem returned?

  In a desperate effort to protect herself, she lunged over the side of the bed, reaching for the rifle that was leaning against her nightstand. She ignored the shaft of pain that shot up her right leg as she hit the floor so hard her teeth rattled.

  She grabbed the rifle even as she kept rolling, pulling herself up into a sitting position. She gripped it in her hands and aimed at . . . nothing.

  Scooting into the corner, she blinked hard and tried to peer into the deep shadows of the room. “I know you’re there.” She licked her lips, moistening her dry mouth. “Come out.” She listened hard but could hear nothing.

  She sat there for the longest time, waiting, listening. Nothing moved. Nothing stirred. In fact, it was too quiet. There were no sounds from outside. No tree branches blowing in the wind, no owls hooting in the forest, no music from the wind chimes hanging on the front porch below her bedroom window. The air was now still, the earlier breeze gone.

  Her cramped position was beginning to get more than a little uncomfortable and Laurel Rose knew she had to move. Keeping her eyes on the corner, she used the bedside table to drag herself upright.

  Maybe she’d been dreaming. Maybe some large bird had flown by the window and made it look as if someone was standing in her bedroom. Maybe.

  Her knee-length white cotton nightgown stuck to her back and a bead of sweat rolled down her neck. The metallic tang of fear filled her mouth. She knew she’d never rest until she checked her room.

  Slowly and cautiously, she went around the foot of the bed, careful to avoid the old cedar chest that sat there. The large armoire was pushed against the far wall and was the most likely spot for an intruder to hide. Laurel Rose kept close to the side of the bed as she inched toward it.

  She was so scared.

  Suddenly anger washed over her. She was sick and tired of being scared. Her life had spun out of control lately and she wanted things to go back to the way they’d been. It had taken her years to get to the point where she was even remotely content, and she was fed up with feeling as if her whole way of life was being threatened.

  Adrenaline continued to pump through her veins, giving her the impetus to push forward. In a rush, she moved, swinging her entire body around to face the shadows on the far side of the big armoire.

  Nothing.

  The letdown was tremendous. It must have just been a dream. Her legs were trembling, so she lowered herself back onto the bed with the rifle still cradled in her arms. Realizing she was still holding it, she propped it up against the wall next to the headboard.

  Laurel Rose buried her face in her hands and took several deep breaths. She was not losing her mind. There was a logical explanation for what she saw. There had to be.

  The murmur in her mind started so low that she didn’t pay attention to it at first. The deep, calm voice enveloped her, wrapping her in its warmth and strength much like she wrapped herself in a favorite old quilt on a cold winter’s day.

  The words were hard to make out, but the longer she sensed the presence in her mind, the clearer they became. She pressed her hands over her ears, trying to block out the unfamiliar voice. She was too tired to concentrate properly and none of her normal mental blocks worked. Soon she no longer wanted them to.

  The voice was hypnotic and definitely male. It called to her in a way that nothing else ever had in her life. She felt a connection to it that was instantaneous and incredibly strong. Even though she’d never heard it before, she somehow knew that voice. She felt it on a level so deep that it spoke to her very soul.

  He was reassuring her over and over that he meant her no harm. Indeed, he was there solely to protect her and would kill anyone who threatened her. The very precise and calm way he stated that fact shook her to her very core. He was deadly serious.

  How is it that I can hear you in my mind?

  We have a bond, you and I. You are special.

  Sometimes Laurel Rose hated that word. She didn’t want to be special. All she’d ever wanted was to be normal and live an ordinary life. She hesitated as a thought occurred to her. Are you like me?

  No, not like you. His laughter was low and tinged with bitterness. I do have abilities that are much the same as yours. But mine go further than you can even imagine.

  His words both intrigued and frightened her at the same time. It would be fascinating to talk to someone who shared her special gifts. To be able to ask questions and to not have her abilities questioned or ridiculed.

  It didn’t seem at all odd to be having an entire conversation in her mind with a man she’d never met. Laurel Rose shook her head. Maybe she really was dreaming. But she didn’t think so.

  “Who are you?” she murmured into the darkness.

  I am Stefan Dalakis, he immediately replied. And I am your destiny.

  That made her smile slightly. He sounded so arrogantly male and sure of himself. Are you now? Don’t I have any say in the matter?

  Of course you do. Now he sounded affronted. But that does not mean that I will not use everything at my disposal to make you see my way in this matter.

  And what exactly is my destiny? This conversation was getting stranger by the minute.

  You will be mine. My woman for all eternity.

  Laurel Rose swallowed hard. This situation was getting way out of hand. This conversation was getting out of hand, going way beyond just talking with someone who might be able to teach her more about her psychic gifts. As much as she craved the chance to talk to him face-to-face, she wasn’t sure that was such a smart idea. He was way too intense. Although she wanted to continue their strange communication, she knew it was time to cut it off.

  Finding the determination to say it out loud was much harder than she’d expected it to be. She broke out into a sweat and her heart began to race at the thought of losing contact with his voice. She didn’t know him, for heaven’s sake. It shouldn’t have been so hard to say goodbye.

  “I don’t know who you are, but I want you out of my head now.” Her heart skipped a beat as another thought occurred to her. “That was you earlier, wasn’t it? You were here in my room.”

  Yes. No hesitation. No evasion. Just a simple, straightforward answer.

  “You had no right to be here.” Her home. Her sanctuary had been invaded. “You scared me.”

  She sensed his discomfort and a tinge of sadness. For that I ask your forgiveness. It was never my intention to frighten you.

  “Then what was your intention?” She continued to speak aloud even though she heard his answers in her mind.

  To see you. To pleasure you.

  Now her heart was pounding and it had nothing to do with fear. Her fingers curled into the bedcovers on either side of her. “What do you mean?” Her voice was barely a whisper, but his reply was quick and clear.

  I want to strip your nightgown from your body and lay you back against the sheets. Then I want to taste every inch of your sweet skin. His voice grew hoarse as he continued. I want to seek out and lick every hill and valley and discover what gives you pleasure.

  Her stomach clenched tight as he spoke. The images he evoked were making it hard for her to breathe. But he wasn’t finished yet, and God help her, she wanted to hear more. His voice was like the whisper of a caress against her skin. All the fine hairs on her body stood on end and goose bumps covered her arms.

  I want to spread your legs wide and feast upon your sweet, pink flesh. When I thrust my fingers deep into your body, I want to hear your screams of pleasure. I want to lick the soft mounds of your breasts and stroke the tips into hard points. I want to nourish myself on your very essence.

  Heat. Laurel Rose had never felt such heat in her life. Her body was on fire. Her breasts felt heavy as they rose and fell with every breath. Her nipples were hard, brushing against the cotton of her gown in a way that made her want to moan aloud. She clamped her legs together, desperately trying to stop the ache that throbbed between her thighs. But it did no good. She could still feel the pulse of need throughout her entire body.

  This wasn’t like her. Yes, she’d had sex, but only one time and more than ten years ago. It had been while she was in high school, just before the accident that had changed her life. Back when she was still a fresh young girl of seventeen filled with hopes and dreams of a husband and family of her own.

  The boy had been Johnny Mills and she’d been so in love with him, she hadn’t hesitated to give him her virginity. They’d already made a promise between them to be married as soon as high school was over. But then the accident had happened and Johnny had been unable to handle her disfigurement or her limitations. He had gone away to college, and when she’d gotten out of the hospital, she’d returned to the mountain alone. She’d packed up her girlish dreams and concentrated on just surviving one day at a time. She thought she’d lost her sexual drive. Until now.

  As if it had been dormant, just waiting for the right man to set it free, her body was now screaming for sexual release. But that was impossible. Laurel Rose was not about to have sex with a stranger who was little more than a voice in her head.

  “Stop that.” Her voice was sharper than she intended, but darn it altogether, she ached in places that hadn’t ached in years. She could feel the dampness between her legs as her cream slipped from inside her to coat her sex.

  Why? She sensed his confusion. He really had no idea.

  “Because you’re a complete stranger.” Deciding she’d had enough, she crawled back into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. “Now go away.” Closing her eyes, she concentrated on ignoring him.

  But I am no stranger. His voice was low and seductive, but she could still hear a touch of amusement. I thought I explained to you that I am your destiny. You are mine. It is my right—indeed, my privilege— to pleasure you.

  Laurel Rose couldn’t think when he said things like that. What woman could? “You’re not here.” She slapped a hand over her mouth. What was she saying? She was more or less inviting him, goading him to come to her.

  Perhaps I am, perhaps I am not. It does not matter. Even his laugh was sexy and she felt it right to the tips of her toes. I do not need to be there to pleasure you. You could just close your eyes and enjoy. Pretend it is no more than a wonderful erotic dream.

  Could she do that?

  The covers slipped from her fingers as if withdrawn by an invisible hand. They were pulled slowly but relentlessly downward until she was totally uncovered. Her nightgown was bunched up around the top of her thighs and her legs were sprawled wide in invitation.

  Or. His voice seduced her with every word. I can come to you and you can watch as I touch you. Taste you. An invisible hand stroked her leg from ankle to thigh, and she sighed even as her hips tilted up in silent invitation.

  Her life was filled with uncertainty. Who knew what tomorrow would bring? For the first time in years, she felt truly alive. Her entire body was thrumming with need. Every cell screamed at her to just go for it. She’d never wanted anything this much in her life.

  Right or wrong, she wanted this stranger’s hands on her body. She felt a connection to him that she couldn’t explain. Perhaps it was because they seemed to share many of the same abilities. Perhaps it was because she’d had such a fright earlier tonight and needed to connect with another human being.

  Still, a small, niggling concern in the back of her brain urged her to caution. She wasn’t quite sure she was ready to have sex with a stranger.

  She knew he had been monitoring her thoughts when he hurried to reassure her. We won’t have sex until you’re ready. This is all about you. All about your pleasure.

  Now, what living, breathing woman could resist an offer like that?

  Relaxing into the mattress, she licked her dry lips. Opening her mouth, she said the one small word that would change her life forever. “Yes.”

  Chapter Six

  Stefan almost howled at the primal pleasure her capitulation brought him. He felt like a conqueror claiming the spoils of war. She was his now, even if she didn’t quite know it yet.

  Still, he reined in his passions. This was all about her. He still had much to learn about Laurel Rose and didn’t want to do anything that might alarm her. The fact that she seemed to so easily accept his presence in her mind and in her home was nothing short of astonishing.

  He was confident that in time she would eagerly take him into her body, but right now he wanted to give her so much pleasure that she would welcome him into her bed and her life with open arms.

  Slowly, he emerged from the shadows that had concealed him. Stefan sensed her confusion when he walked from the very corner that she’d searched only moments before. It had been easy for him to cloak his presence from her.

  “Where did you come from? You weren’t there.” Her chest rose and fell quickly as her rising fear made it difficult for her to breathe. He needed to calm her before she began to hyperventilate.

  “I have many abilities, Laurel Rose.” He kept his voice as gentle as possible. “Being able to speak mind-to-mind is just one of them. I was there, but it was my choice to remain hidden from you.” In spite of her fear, he could sense her fascination with him, her wonder at his abilities. He would use that fact and any talent he had to lure her closer to him.

  When the light from the window hit him, she gasped. “You’re naked.”

  “Yes.” What could he tell her? That he was the wolf she’d petted so eagerly earlier this evening. That certainly wouldn’t help her calm down. “You have nothing to fear from me,” he assured her. He would never do anything to harm her.

  He clenched his hands by his sides and took several deep breaths. His lust was a raging beast barely under his control. He longed to flip Laurel Rose onto her stomach, toss up her nightgown, and fuck her from behind. His cock throbbed at the very thought of being buried in her hot core. He wanted to pound into her until she screamed his name in pleasure and begged him to fuck her harder.

  His balls clenched tight and he gritted his teeth. This slight woman lying sprawled on the bed in front of him was playing havoc with his self-discipline. He wanted her more than he’d ever desired anything in his entire existence. He’d inwardly thought his brothers were fools to allow their women so much power over their lives. Now he realized that they had no choice in the matter. The emotions she engendered within him were volatile and unstable at best. His self-control was hanging by a thread.

  He could easily imagine her on her hands and knees with her plump, pale ass in the air. He’d hold her legs apart with his hands and tease her delicate flesh with the head of his cock, coating himself in her cream until she was begging and pleading with him to fuck her long and hard. He’d drive himself deep and fuck them both senseless. Then he’d feast of her blood, drinking in the very essence of her.

  In spite of his best efforts to remain in control, his fangs elongated and he licked his lips in anticipation. He felt his eyes changing, knew they were glowing through the darkness.

  Laurel Rose gasped in surprise as he approached the bed and, when he reached out a hand to her, she cringed away from him before he could touch her.