After hundreds of years alone, most of them spent wondering if he’d ever find that one special woman, it was difficult to believe he’d finally found her. And there was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect her.

  “Your room is ready.” Stefan ignored Lucian’s threatening demeanor. “I changed the sheets on your bed and drew a hot bath. I didn’t know if she’d need it or not.”

  Lucian took a deep breath and slowly released it. This was his brother, whom he trusted above all others. Like a shadow in his consciousness, his brother was aware of Lucian’s state of mind at any given time. They didn’t intrude on each other’s thoughts. It was more of an awareness. They constantly remained connected for the sake of safety, and also because it made them feel less alone in the world. Still, it was hard to release the fury of his emotions. No one would take Delight from him and live.

  Sensing his unsettled emotions, Stefan stepped back, giving him plenty of room. Lucian felt his brother scanning his mind, silently asking for details. All of it came flooding back with the destructive force of a tsunami—the all-encompassing anger quickly followed by the fear that he wouldn’t be in time to save Delight from harm, and then the unholy satisfaction when he’d killed her tormentors and fed on their blood.

  Stefan processed it all, including the location of the alley where he’d left the dead men, and then headed for the front door. “Take care of your woman. I’ll dispose of the bodies.”

  “Thank you.” His words were softly spoken, but he knew that his brother heard him. With one hand on the doorknob, Stefan hesitated and then turned to face him.

  “It is no more or less than you would do for me.” Again, Stefan stared at Delight with a deep yearning in his eyes. “Hold her close and kill all who would threaten her. If you did any less you would not be a Dalakis.” Then Stefan was gone, swallowed up into the darkness of the night. The door slammed shut and bolted behind him.

  Knowing his brother would clean up the mess he’d left behind, Lucian was free to tend to Delight. He climbed the stairs and strode down the hall, carrying his precious bundle into the master suite. He didn’t want to release her but forced himself to place her on the plush comforter. Was it only a few hours ago he’d dreamed of having her in his bed? Now that she was here in the flesh it was almost too much for him to comprehend. Delight was no longer just a dream, but a flesh-and-blood woman, and she was his.

  He’d found her much faster than he’d ever expected, but it had come at a great cost. If she hadn’t called out to him in her fear— He refused to think any more about what might have happened. That way only led to madness.

  He unhooked the purse that was still slung around her neck and tossed it on the floor. Then he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and went to work. Taking care not to hurt her, he stripped her dirty, torn clothing from her body. He felt no guilt or unease at doing so, even though she was unconscious. It was his right, his duty and pleasure to care for her.

  Bruises marred her pale white flesh, stoking the fire of his anger once again. With great difficulty, he buried his fury, focusing his total concentration on Delight. Nothing mattered beyond her comfort and well-being.

  When she was totally naked, he lifted her into his arms once again and carried her to the master bath, where a steaming tub of water was waiting for them. Silently thanking his brother for his foresight and thoughtfulness, he lowered Delight into the water.

  Her eyelids fluttered and then her eyes shot open, large and fearful. Frantically, she pushed against his chest, splashing water everywhere, but he kept one arm wrapped around her shoulders until he was certain she was settled safely in the tub. He sat on the floor and leaned over the smooth marble edge that rimmed the large tub. “You are safe now,” he assured her. “Nothing can harm you here.” He purposely made his voice soft and nonthreatening.

  “You saved me.” Her panic eased as soon as he’d released her. He feared she’d thought herself back in the alley with those men. She seemed a little dazed and uncertain. Her blue eyes looked enormous in her pale face.

  “Yes.” Lucian soaped a soft sea sponge and began to draw it over her shoulders, washing away the filth and fear of her ordeal. The skin on her knees was red and raw from where she’d stumbled, but they hadn’t bled. Her hands had taken the brunt. He carefully soaped one and then the other, cleaning away the embedded dirt and dried blood.

  She winced and the pain seemed to make her aware of her situation. Uttering a small cry of distress, Delight crossed her arms over her chest even as she curled her body into a tight little ball. “I’m naked.” She seemed shocked and embarrassed. “How did that happen? Go away.”

  The sight of her in such distress cut him to the bone, but her feisty words assured him that she would be fine in time. Her body and spirit were injured but not broken. Lucian carefully cupped her chin and tilted her face up to meet his.

  She was stubborn and tried to keep her face averted, but he was more determined than she and kept up a steady pressure until she finally relented. Scowling, she lifted her eyes to his. “Well?”

  He tried desperately not to laugh. Sitting naked in the tub, she resembled a bedraggled kitten more than a tiger, complete with claws and attitude. But Lucian was no fool when it came to women. She would not appreciate the analogy. “There is no need to hide your body from me. To fear me.”

  “You’re a complete stranger, so you’ll excuse me if we have a difference of opinion over that.” Delight spoke calmly, but he sensed her discomfort and rising fear. “How did I even get here? And where is here exactly?”

  “I brought you here to my home in the Quarter. And I am no stranger. I am the other half of you. The part that has been missing your entire life.” Lucian released her face, picked up the sponge, and began to run it gently up and down her legs.

  Delight shifted in the tub but didn’t completely pull away from him. “You know me,” he reminded her, using his mesmerizing voice to help ease her fear and calm her. “You dreamed of me. Of the pleasure I can bring you.” He dropped the sponge and traced his fingers over her hipbone. “Of the pleasure we can bring one another.”

  The heavy thud of her heart echoed in his ears, the beat picking up speed as he glided his hand up her side and over her shoulder, until he was cupping the back of her neck. Keeping his large hand wrapped around her fragile nape, he tilted up her chin with his thumb. He captured her gaze with his and slowly lowered his mouth.

  Lucian didn’t kiss her right away. He didn’t want to rush her or scare her. He wanted her to want him as much as he wanted her, not to fear him. So he bent all his considerable skills to the pleasurable task of seducing her.

  He traced the contours of her mouth, using his tongue to memorize its shape, reveling in the soft texture. Delight tasted faintly of cherries and he knew it was from the translucent lip gloss she wore. He nibbled at the corners of her lips and ran his tongue along the seam where they met. Like a petal opening to the sun, they slowly parted and he slipped just inside. Not far, just enough for him to taste the honey of her mouth.

  His patience was rewarded when her tongue darted out to touch his before quickly withdrawing. The game of advance and retreat was played out over and over until Lucian thought he’d go mad with desire. His own lungs were pumping hard and his entire body throbbed with growing need. The press of his cock against the zipper of his pants was almost painful, urging him to bury himself in her warmth and ride her until they were both sated. Yet, he did nothing more than gently kiss her.

  It was Delight who finally deepened their embrace. Her hands, which had been clasped tight over her breasts, gradually slid up his chest, leaving a damp trail on his shirt. He groaned when she sifted her fingers through the long strands of his hair, cupped the back of his head, and urged him closer to her. He never wanted her to release him.

  Lucian wrapped both his hands around the edge of the tub to keep from touching her. She was pure temptation and he was starved for her taste, her touch. He didn’t want to do anything that might break the tentative connection they had. Delight had to set the pace.

  Using only his mouth, Lucian plunged into Delight. He angled his head so he could get deeper. All the while their tongues stroked and dueled in a sensual battle for supremacy. It was one neither of them could lose.

  Now that she was here with him, some of his impatience faded, and he immersed himself in the unique texture and flavor of Delight. He was still aroused, but it was tempered by his overriding need to care for her.

  He’d lived for hundreds of years and was a warrior at heart. He knew that to win a war a man sometimes had to retreat and concede a battle. Like the clever hunter he was, Lucian gradually withdrew from her mouth and lightly skimmed his lips against hers, silently inviting her to follow, luring her to him.

  And Delight followed.

  This time it was she who thrust her tongue into his waiting warmth. Satisfaction filled him as she took the lead in their sensual play. Her mouth was warm and sweet. It took every ounce of control he had to keep his fangs at bay when she urged his tongue to play with hers.

  He’d made love to many different women over the course of his long life, fleeting sexual encounters that had for a brief time filled a yearning. But never had any of his romantic trysts come anywhere near to what he was experiencing with Delight. And all they were doing was kissing.

  She clutched his hair and tugged on the strands to bring him closer. Lucian reveled in the sensual delight she gave him as she used her mouth and hands to touch him, to learn the contours of his face.

  Delight arched her back, the action unconscious on her part, silently offering her breasts to him. She even unclenched her legs and they relaxed and parted slightly. Like a sexy water nymph, she tempted him to take her.

  Lucian’s blood surged through his veins. Spiked with all the emotion of the evening, it was a dangerous cocktail of lust, anger, possession, and tenderness, all vying for control of his mind and body. Bloodlust roared through him, the scent of her blood and arousal enticing him.

  Want and need came to a boil. Lust rode him hard, demanding satisfaction. He pulled away from Delight before he did something they would both regret.

  She cried out and tried to bring his mouth back to hers, but he forced himself to be strong. “I want you.” The words were blunt. Pretty speech of any kind was beyond him.

  “Yes,” she murmured as she lolled back against the tub.

  He almost grabbed her then, but he had to be sure. “Delight?” He knew what he was asking of her even if she didn’t. His voice was harsh, but need was riding him hard and there was no gentleness left in him.

  “I want you.” His words were raw and unadorned. “I want to bury my cock so deep you won’t know where I end and you begin. I want to fuck you so many times you won’t remember what it was like before me. I want to touch you, taste you, and take you every way possible. I want to make you mine in every way.” He paused for a moment, his eyes burning with desire as he stared at her. “Do you understand?”

  Delight opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He’d shocked her, no doubt about it. Fine shivers racked her entire body and her eyes widened.

  He tipped back his head and closed his eyes, unwilling to see her denial. It was his fault for pushing her so hard and fast. But he was fighting his own instincts as well. And they were screaming at him to bind her to him using any methods possible. Right now that meant sexually. His cock was throbbing in rhythm to the blood pumping through his veins. He wanted to pound into her soft, welcoming body until they both came over and over.

  But the clock was ticking forward and time was running out. There were only a few hours left in the night and he wanted to spend them fucking Delight.

  Her touch was so light he didn’t feel it at first over the raging desire that racked his body. He sensed it more than he felt it. Almost afraid that it wasn’t real, he slowly lowered his head and opened his eyes. Her small hand covered his where it gripped the edge of the tile surround. He absently noted that some of the marble tile had crumbled under his punishing grip.

  Her face was solemn as she nodded at him. It wasn’t enough. He needed the words. “Tell me what you want.”

  She flinched slightly at his order but never faltered. “You. I want you, Lucian.” Giving him a small, hesitant smile, she patted his hand. “I don’t know why I trust you, but I do. And I’ve never wanted a man the way I want you.”

  “You’re sure? Because once you are mine there is no going back.” He knew his expression had to be as fierce as his words. He imagined he looked formidable, if not downright scary, but she didn’t look away. “I am a Dalakis. What is mine, I hold.” Leaning down, he brought his lips close to hers. “Forever.” It was a promise that he sealed with a searing kiss.

  In response to his possessive claim, Delight threw her arms around his neck. Not giving her time to change her mind, he plucked her out of the tub. Water sluiced from her body, soaking both the floor and his clothing, but he didn’t care. She’d dry soon enough and he wouldn’t be dressed much longer.

  His lips never leaving hers, he carried her back to his bedroom and his bed.

  Chapter Six

  Delight hardly recognized herself. She wasn’t the type of woman who slept with a man she hardly knew. In fact, she’d only slept with two men in her entire life. Well, really one boy and one man.

  The first had been a one-night stand with a male friend a few nights after her mother had died. Delight had been looking for comfort and Brad had been only too happy to oblige. Their friendship hadn’t survived the experience, which hadn’t been that great for either one of them. Delight had been emotionally fragile and a virgin, and Brad had lacked the necessary restraint and finesse to make the experience enjoyable.

  Her second attempt at a romantic relationship had been with a man she’d dated for a while in her early twenties. It wasn’t easy for a young single woman who was raising a child on her own to get many dates. Most guys didn’t want a woman who was tied down so much, so it had been a surprise when Mason Dean had asked her out. Older and more sophisticated, Mason was a banker. Delight had been flattered by his attention. It was unfortunate that she hadn’t found out about his wife until after they’d slept together.

  Since that debacle Delight had dated, but very infrequently, and had stopped completely these past couple of years. She’d been burned twice and wasn’t willing to risk her heart or self-respect again. Then there was work that kept her busy most days and nights.

  That’s why her behavior around Lucian surprised her. She barely knew him, but she trusted him implicitly.

  She peeked up at him as he carried her into his bedroom. The man was beautiful in a harsh and wholly masculine way. With his high cheekbones and forehead, and thin lips, his face had no softness. Even his eyes were hard, their green depths as piercing and sharp as emeralds. Yet the man oozed a sensuality that would attract women to him like bees to nectar.

  He’d been formidable in her dream. The reality of him was even more impressive. He knew who he was and what he wanted. His arms were like steel bands around her, his grip unbreakable. There wasn’t an ounce of flab anywhere on the man. There would be no escaping him.

  Delight had never felt safer in her life.

  A shiver racked her body as the memories of the evening assaulted her mind. She’d watched a man be murdered right in front of her. Then she’d run for her very life and faced the real fear of being raped and murdered.

  “Shh,” his deep voice washed over her, helping to heal her wounded soul. “Nothing can harm you here.”

  “I need to call the police.” Delight was surprised by the hoarseness of her voice. She gently rubbed her throat and winced when the action caused her pain. Her palms ached where they were scraped. There were bruises on her knees and other parts of her body. Considering everything, she’d gotten off lightly with only superficial injuries. The mental scars would take a lot longer to heal than the physical ones. “I need to call home.”

  How could she have forgotten to do such a basic thing as contact the authorities? Her family? She blamed it on the shock of the situation. Her boss had been killed in front of her. Then there were the bodies in the alley.

  She shivered as a chill washed over her. God, she was completely naked.

  “It’s all being taken care of,” he assured her as he stepped up onto the platform and laid her on the bed. He yanked the plush comforter over her and tucked it around her.

  Delight sighed as her aching body hit the soft mattress. She felt better having something covering her. No matter how attracted she was to Lucian, regardless of the fact he’d not only invaded her dream but actually saved her life, he was still a stranger in almost every way.

  It was so tempting to sink back into the luxurious softness and fall asleep so she wouldn’t have to deal with any of this. She thought about doing just that for all of two seconds, but it wasn’t an option. Deverauxes didn’t shirk their responsibilities.

  “I’ll need to give the police a statement.” She propped herself up on her elbows and scanned the room, searching for her clothing. Deciding that the dirty heap by the bed must be what was left of the torn and dirty garments, she sighed and began to tug back the cover. As much as she didn’t want to put on the soiled and bloodstained clothes, she really didn’t have any choice. And lying there thinking about it wasn’t going to make it any easier.

  “What do you think you are doing?” His eyebrows came together in a scowl, making him appear even more austere. The tone of his voice was clipped and his accent was more pronounced.

  “I told you.” Delight eased herself into a sitting position and swung her legs over the side of the bed while managing to keep the comforter covering most of her. The bed was huge, king-sized or larger. It sat high off the floor on a platform and her feet dangled in the air. “I have to speak to the police.”