Lucian clamped one large hand over her shoulder, stopping her from climbing off the bed. “The bodies are being taken care of and the appropriate authorities are being contacted.” Gently, but steadily, he pushed her until she was lying back on the bed with her legs still dangling over the side. “Tomorrow is time enough to deal with them.”

  “But . . .” Her voice trailed off as he loomed over her, large and fierce. She really should be afraid of him, but she was not. Instead, she found herself becoming unbearably aroused by his mere presence. Her reaction to him was completely out of character, and she found it utterly confusing.

  Lucian was a very large man. She figured he had to be at least six-foot-four and all of it was solid, rippling muscle. As she watched him, he casually unbuttoned his shirt, one button at a time. With each button that was undone, the silk fabric of his shirt parted a little more, revealing a wide, thick chest that tapered down to a rippling washboard stomach. Delight licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry.

  She’d admitted to wanting him and nothing had changed. There was a momentary pang of guilt over not dealing with the police herself, but she let it go, willing to let someone else take the responsibility for handling things for a change. She was tired. Just this once, she wanted someone else to be in charge.

  Lucian shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it aside. Bending down, he removed his shoes and socks before straightening once again. His green-eyed gaze never left her as his hands went to the opening of his black pants.

  He was giving her time to object if she wanted to. It was crazy to be contemplating having sex with a man she barely knew but she didn’t want him to stop. She’d almost died tonight. Would have if he hadn’t found her. She still wasn’t sure how he’d managed to come to her rescue but he had. Now she wanted to celebrate life.

  Delight shifted her legs restlessly. Her sex felt hot and needy. Her breasts were swollen, her nipples taut buds. The thought of his hands caressing her made her entire body clench.

  In one part of her mind, Delight felt the aches and bruises from her attack, but they seemed incidental when weighed against her growing need for Lucian. Almost like a background noise. You knew it was there, but it no longer mattered. And it didn’t. Right now, the only thing she cared about was making love with Lucian. And that frightened her almost as much as what had happened early tonight. She made a slight noise of denial, trying to refute her need for him.

  Lucian’s pants were unzipped but he was still wearing them when he stepped between her spread legs. There was no way to miss the large bulge filling his underwear, straining to escape the confining fabric. He tossed aside the comforter so there was nothing hiding her body from him.

  “You are so beautiful.” He grazed his fingers up and down her inner thighs, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

  After what those men had tried to do to her, Lucian’s touch should have repulsed her, or at the very least made her anxious. Instead, she wanted him even more. What would occur between them was something totally different. This was consensual between two people who were attracted to one another. Their coming together would wipe away the memory of those other men’s hands on her.

  He continued to touch her, the strokes of his hands getting firmer as they skimmed up and down her legs. Delight felt flushed, as if she was running a fever. But she knew it was no temperature. It was Lucian and the way he made her feel inside. Her body was on fire with desire for him.

  Her hips arched up to meet his fingers as they lingered at the creases at the tops of her legs. She felt like a prisoner to her own desire. Wanting him. Needing him. “Lucian,” she moaned as he sifted his fingers through the soft thatch of her pubic hair.

  He gave a low growl of frustration and stepped away long enough to shuck his pants and underwear in one quick motion. Totally naked, he stood in front of her and let her look her fill. Lord, he was gorgeous. His cock jutted out in front of him, large and hard. Delight bit her lip. She wanted him buried deep inside her but didn’t know if she was going to be able to take all of him. Her sexual experience was limited and neither of her previous lovers had been built like Lucian.

  “I’ll fit.” His words startled her. How had he read her mind?

  “Your eyes are so huge and concerned,” he explained. He grasped his cock and skimmed his hand over its length. “But don’t worry. We’ll keep working until we get it right.” His grin was wicked as he moved back between her legs.

  Delight tried to scrabble back on the bed, but he gripped a knee in each hand, holding her captive. Slowly, he moved his hands apart, spreading her legs wide, until she was totally exposed to his view. Heat crept up her cheeks as he gazed at her wet, swollen sex. Just knowing he was watching her increased her arousal. She was getting wetter by the second, and Lucian knew it.

  His laugh was low and sexy as he leaned inward and inhaled deeply. “You belong to me. Every part of you is mine.” He dipped his tongue into her belly button and swirled it around. “That includes your smell. And, baby—” He paused and nipped at her hipbone. “You smell hot.”

  She brought her hand to her mouth, trying desperately to swallow back a whimper of need. He slid his fingers around her wrists, manacling them before raising them both over her head. His hands were so big, he easily held both hers in one of his. She was his sensual captive, chained by his touch.

  With his free hand, he tilted her chin up and waited until she gave him her full attention. “Don’t try and hold anything back from me, Delight. I want it all.”

  Lucian kissed her lips lightly until they parted of their own accord. Instead of deepening the kiss, he nibbled his way across her cheek and down the curve of her jaw.

  He bit down lightly on her neck. She gasped and then moaned when his teeth scraped over the sensitive skin. Delight arched her neck, giving him better access. She didn’t know what she wanted from him, but a deep pulsing started deep in her core and grew until it filled her entire body. It felt as if every hair on her body was standing on end and she was poised to explode. Pushing her neck closer, she offered herself to him. Instinctively, she knew he needed something from her, but would not take it without her approval.

  “Take what you need.” Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough.

  His sharp teeth pierced her flesh, making her arch even harder toward him. He was biting her. She should be appalled but she was too turned on to care what he was doing. There was a burning at her throat that went straight to her breasts and her sex. Moaning, she arched her head back even further as Lucian continued to suckle.

  Delight was on fire with a need that was more than sexual. She wanted to give Lucian whatever he wanted, whatever he needed. His fingers tightened around her wrists, keeping her arms stretched over her head. He used his gentle hold on her chin to keep her head tilted back. Every cell in her body quivered in readiness.

  She came in a rush of pleasure so sweet, yet so powerful it hardly seemed real. She called out his name, the sound echoing through the room. Her entire body convulsed in an orgasm so intense lights flashed before her eyes. She didn’t just feel it between her legs but also at her throat. It should have been impossible for her to react this way to him simply sucking on her neck. But he was doing more than that, wasn’t he?

  Honestly, Delight didn’t know. All she could do was ride out the storm until it finally passed. She melted into the mattress, totally relaxed and adrift in a sensual haze.

  Lucian released her arms but they felt as though they were weighted with lead. It was far too much trouble to muster the energy to move them, so they remained stretched above her head.

  Lucian stroked his tongue over her neck. It sent tingles down her spine. She was totally pliant and completely exhausted.

  He kissed her lips. She tasted something warm and metallic before he pulled away. She sucked in a breath when he lowered her arms back down by her sides. The pain of her injuries jolted her, a tangible reminder of all she’d been through this evening.

  She blinked, trying to bring his face into focus, but it was impossible. Everything was a blur. Her eyelids fluttered shut. Lucian lifted her until her face was settled against his chest. He was warm and vibrant, an oasis amid the confusion and exhaustion that threatened to swamp her.

  Delight nuzzled his skin, wanting to get closer to the heat radiating from him. He supported her neck and head and urged her to drink. She tried to make sense of what he was asking of her. Why did he want her to drink, and what? Fatigue pulled at her and she started to drift off.

  “Drink,” he commanded. His voice was more insistent now. She started to tell him to leave her alone, to let her sleep.

  Then she tasted it.

  Warm and rich and slightly salty, her tongue lapped at the liquid that wet her lips. Whatever it was, it was delicious, like nothing she’d ever tasted before. Her entire body began to buzz like she’d just tossed back a double espresso. Wanting more of the tasty treat, she opened her mouth and sucked hard. Liquid rushed into her mouth and she swallowed with a satisfied moan.

  It was like a fine red wine and rich dark chocolate all rolled into one.

  “Enough.” Delight ignored Lucian. She didn’t want to stop. How could he give her something this delightful and not let her drink her fill? His laughter was dark and sensual as he easily pried her mouth from his chest. “Enough for now.”

  His eyes seemed to pierce her very soul as he watched her. “Close it with your tongue.” Not really knowing what she was doing, she ran her tongue over his flesh, whimpering when she got another taste of him.

  Lucian gripped her head in his hands and held her gaze with his. “You will not remember this in the morning.”

  That didn’t seem right to her. “Yes, I will.” But what had just happened was already fading, like a dream often did upon waking.

  Her stubbornness seemed to amuse him further. “No, you won’t.” He shifted so that he was standing back between her legs. “But you will remember this.”

  Bending down, he stroked his tongue over the wet folds of her sex, up one side and down the other. Arousal flared hot and hard, and Delight arched her hips, wanting more. She felt lethargic and wanton spread out before him. For the first time in her life she felt powerful and sexy.

  He placed her hands on the backs of her legs behind her knees and pushed her legs apart. “Keep your legs like that. I want to see you.” He held his hands over hers for a moment before letting go.

  Delight used her grip on her legs to open them wider. Her earlier aches and pains had miraculously disappeared as though they’d never been. It had to be an adrenaline high brought on by sexual arousal. She felt wonderful and that made her frown. He’d given her something to drink. Why couldn’t she remember what it was?

  “Delight.” The depth of longing in that one word made her heart hurt. She eyed his throbbing erection. The flared head of his shaft was so red it appeared almost purple, and the blue veins that ran up and down the sides pulsed with barely leashed power.

  She licked her lips. She wanted every inch of him inside her.

  His warm breath caressed her swollen flesh before his tongue flicked at her clit. She tilted her hips upward, but he was already gone, leaving her frustrated. He kissed a path up her torso toward her breasts, leaving heat in his wake. She tried to close her legs around him, but there was no way to hold him.

  “If you want me to pleasure you, then you have to keep your legs spread for me.” He blew on one of her nipples and it beaded even tighter. “Now, open them wide.”

  Delight wanted the pleasure he promised. Reason had left and she’d become a creature of sensation and growing need.

  She not only spread her legs wide, she arched upward and rubbed herself against his cock, pleasuring herself on his length.

  He laughed, pleased with her boldness. Not to be denied, he took her nipple deep into his mouth and sucked hard. He propped his forearms on either side of her body to keep himself balanced while he pleasured both of her breasts. He took his time, laving both soft mounds with his tongue before flicking each swollen nub. Delight pressed her sex more firmly against his erection and rocked harder.

  Without warning, Lucian reared back, gripped her under her arms and lifted her so she was lying crossways on the large bed with her feet no longer hanging off the end. He grabbed one of the pillows, lifted her head, and shoved it beneath her. In this position her chin almost touched her chest and she was looking down at her torso. Her breasts were wet and swollen, her nipples red and distended.

  When he was satisfied with her position, he straddled her, supporting his weight on his knees. She had no idea what he was doing, what he wanted from her. He picked up her hands and placed a kiss in the center of each palm before wrapping them around the outside of her breasts and pushing them together. “Keep your breasts just like that.”

  He moved forward and slipped his cock between her breasts, sandwiching his hard length. This was something she’d never done before, and she found the idea exciting. He pulled back and surged forward until the tip of his cock brushed her lips. Automatically, Delight opened her mouth and took the flared head inside.

  His skin was velvety soft, but it covered pure steel. She tasted the salty warm liquid that seeped from the tip. The next time he pulled back, she licked her lips and opened her mouth wider. He thrust back harder and deeper.

  “You have such a sexy, sassy mouth, Delight. Just perfect for fucking.” He kept thrusting as he spoke. His testicles, heavy and full, brushed against her chest.

  This time when he surged inside her mouth, she ran her tongue along the length of his cock, stroking wherever she could reach. His groan was music to her ears and made her even hotter.

  Keeping her breasts pressed together, she used her thumbs to play with her own nipples. The sensation was pleasing, so she did it again, this time rubbing a little harder. She moaned and the sound vibrated around his shaft.

  Sucking as hard as she could, Delight tried to keep him inside her mouth. She wanted Lucian to come in her mouth. Wanted to taste him, hear him, see him as it happened.

  The image sent shivers racing to every nerve ending of her body. Everything with Lucian was new and exciting. Her core was wet and aching. They were both so close.

  Lucian shouted like a man in pain and pulled his cock from her mouth. His green eyes glowed almost eerily in the dimness of the bedroom, almost luminous. His lungs worked like bellows in his chest. She could see the sheen of sweat on his skin as he sat back on his haunches.

  He shifted his body until he was kneeling beside her with his large hand resting possessively on her stomach. His face was hard, almost unrecognizable as he struggled with some inner demon. This was the man who had ruthlessly killed two men in a dirty alleyway tonight. Power and danger seeped from every pore in his body until she was surrounded by it, submerged in it.

  Still, she was not afraid.

  When she moved restlessly on the bed, he opened his mouth on a growl. Two of his teeth seemed to elongate and shine in the moonlight pouring in through the window. This whole encounter was like something from a dream. She was having a hard time remembering if she was truly awake or if this was all a sleep-induced fantasy.

  “I am a Dalakis,” he began, his accent more pronounced. She couldn’t quite place it—maybe Eastern European—but it was sexy. “We have always been different. You must choose now.”

  He seemed to be waiting for some sort of acknowledgment, so she nodded her head.

  “If you wish to leave, run now while there is still a choice. If you stay, I will take you and make you mine.” He closed his eyes and tilted back his head. His hands clenched into fists by his sides. “I cannot be gentle this time. I have waited too long. My need is too great.”

  Dream or reality, she wanted this man. Maybe in the light of day she’d regret her choice, but right now there didn’t seem to be any other option. She didn’t want to walk away. Just the thought of leaving him made her heart hurt.

  Delight could hear the apology in his words even as she sensed his mounting anger with himself. She knew he felt he needed to be gentle with her, but she was no hothouse flower. Granted, she looked small and delicate compared to him, but in reality she was strong and hearty. He could be gentle later. Right now he needed something from her that she could give him—acceptance and sexual release.

  She reached out and placed her hand over his heart. The muscles of his chest rippled beneath her fingers. He did not look at her, but kept his shuttered gaze on the ceiling. Delight rolled onto her knees beside him. She slipped her fingers through his long, silky black hair, tugging on it until he lowered his face to hers. His eyes were dark and fathomless. He was totally still now, like an animal waiting to pounce on its prey.

  Delight swallowed hard. Tonight had shown her that her life could change in an instant. Nothing was guaranteed. She’d come close to dying. If that had happened she never would have had the chance to explore this attraction to Lucian. She wasn’t sure where it was going or where it would lead, but she did know that she would regret it to her dying day if she didn’t take a chance and explore it. For better or for worse, she was a different person now and there was no going back to her safe, predictable life.

  Gathering all her courage, Delight looked Lucian straight in the eye. She took a deep breath and spoke the words that would alter the course of her life. “I want to stay.”

  Chapter Seven

  Lucian stared at Delight, hardly able to believe her words. He had been so certain she would run from him, and not all that sure he would have let her. Like a wild beast that had scented his mate, all his instincts were beating at him to take her and bind her to him.

  He had already taken her blood. The rich, heady taste still tingled on his tongue. Never in his life had he tasted anything as sweet and satisfying as Delight’s blood. It made him feel like a god among immortals, alive and powerful as never before. It also connected them for all time. She was truly a part of him now.