Images flickered through his brain in an unending loop. Sensual pictures of him and Laurel Rose tangled together as they made love in every way imaginable. His thoughts ran the entire gamut as he imagined himself taking his time and pleasuring her slowly and thoroughly and then fucking her hard and fast. His blood pumped through his veins and his cock throbbed in response to his thoughts, making his black jeans feel much too tight. Grunting, he reached down and adjusted his erection, trying to alleviate some of the throbbing ache. He’d been as hard as a rock since he’d awakened at dusk, and daydreaming about Laurel Rose certainly wasn’t helping matters.

  He’d taken the time to bathe in a small stream not far from where he’d parked his truck. It wasn’t an ideal setup. Usually he rented a motel room, using the facilities to clean up even if he didn’t stay there. But there were no motels around the area and he didn’t want to waste time driving until he found one.

  He pushed away from the tree he’d been leaning against and sauntered toward the house. He went straight up the three steps that led to the back door, gave the handle a quick twist, and pushed the door open.

  “I wasn’t sure you’d come in.” Her soft voice touched him like a caress. She had her back to him and didn’t bother turning around. Instead, she calmly continued to slice tomatoes on a cutting board by the sink. It startled him to realize that she had known he was outside watching her.

  “I told you I’d be back.” He resisted the urge to kick the door closed and drag her upstairs to the bedroom to continue what they’d started last night. Instead, he carefully pushed the door shut, crossed his arms over his chest, and waited, trying to gauge her mood.

  She shrugged, seemingly unconcerned as she moved the slices of tomato onto the sandwich she was making. “I know you said you would, but you never know when plans might change.”

  Stefan sensed that something was very wrong with Laurel Rose, but he couldn’t quite get a fix on what it was. Her mind was closed to him. If he pushed hard, he knew he could probably gain access to her thoughts, but he was loath to do so. That wasn’t the way to build a lasting relationship. Besides which, he didn’t know if her psychic abilities would enable her to feel the intrusion, and right now the last thing he wanted to do was frighten her or make her angry with him.

  He cocked his head to one side and studied her. Her movements were jerky as she slapped a slice of wheat bread on top of the mound of ham, cheese, and tomato she’d layered onto another slice. She cut the sandwich in half, her movements quick and economical, and transferred it to a plate. She grabbed both the plate and a glass of milk and set them on the kitchen table. Seating herself, she began to eat.

  Laurel Rose was doing her best to ignore him. Stefan wasn’t sure if he should be pissed off or amused by her actions. “Why would my plans change?”

  She’d picked up her glass of milk, but instead of taking a sip she slammed the glass back onto the table. Milk sloshed over the sides of the glass. “I don’t know. I thought perhaps you might have plans with your friend Karen.”

  Who the hell was Karen? Laurel Rose was glaring at him, and Stefan racked his brain, trying to figure out what she was talking about. It took him a minute, mostly because he found it hard to concentrate on anything but Laurel Rose. With her eyes blazing and her cheeks rosy red, she looked good enough to eat.

  He tried to hide his growing smile when he finally remembered who Karen was. But obviously he didn’t do a good enough job. Laurel Rose shoved her chair away from the table and stood. Her chair tipped over, clattering to the floor behind her, but she ignored it. Stefan expected to see steam flowing out her ears, she was so angry. He was so delighted, he felt like laughing. She was jealous. And that had to mean that she felt something for him.

  “You don’t even remember, do you?”

  Stefan had enough experience with women to know he had to deal with this quickly and cautiously before it escalated and got completely out of hand. “Yes. I remember Karen.”

  His honesty seemed to take her aback. “Oh.” She shrugged and tried to look unconcerned. “I thought you might have plans with her. She’s very pretty.”

  All Stefan’s good humor fled. The anger had drained from her, leaving hurt in its wake. It was one thing for her to be angry with him, but he could not bear the thought of causing her pain. “She is pretty, but you are beautiful.”

  She snorted. “Yeah, right.” Bending down, she picked up her chair and righted it. “You don’t owe me any explanations.”

  His brows snapped together and he frowned at her. She didn’t believe him. Uncrossing his arms, he stalked across the room. Laurel Rose backed away from him until she hit the kitchen counter. There was nowhere else for her to go. No way to escape him.

  Stopping right in front of her, he placed a hand on the counter on either side of her, effectively caging her in his embrace. Her eyes widened as he crowded closer to her, and she shifted uneasily as if sensing his growing anger. He wasn’t touching her anywhere, yet he could feel the heat from her body.

  He leaned down until his face was close to hers. She parted her lips, her tongue darting out to lick them. “Obviously, I do owe you an explanation.”

  “No, you don’t. Really, it’s none of my business.” She shifted from one leg to another.

  “Everything about me is your business.” Her big eyes grew even wider at his pronouncement. “Just as everything about you is my business.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but he placed his finger over her lips to stop the argument before it had a chance to begin. “I met Karen and her friend at a bar last night before I came to you. They were both very pretty and very eager and more than willing to have sex with me.”

  She jerked back as if she’d been struck. “Both of them,” she squeaked before quickly averting her eyes.

  Stefan nudged her chin back up with the edge of his hand. At first she resisted, but suddenly she tipped her head back and glared at him.

  “Yes, both of them.” Unable to resist her lips any longer, he brushed them with his. They’d barely touched when she pulled her mouth from his.

  Sighing, he continued, even though he’d much rather be kissing her. “I didn’t know you when I first saw them. And I wanted them. Both of them. It’s been a very long time since I had sex, Laurel Rose.” There was no way he could make her understand the endless bleak years that he’d lived through. “I’d planned to spend the rest of the night fucking both of them in any and every way I could think of until I was totally sated.”

  Her breath was coming in short, hard gasps, as if she couldn’t get enough air into her lungs. She put both of her hands on his chest and tried to push him away. “I don’t want to hear any more.”

  Stefan crowded closer until his body was covering hers. His cock was hard and straining against the zipper of his jeans, so there was no hiding his arousal as it pushed against her soft stomach. This time when she opened her mouth to protest, he captured her lips with his. He thrust his tongue inside, searching the heated depths of her mouth, wanting to map and explore every texture, every taste.

  The hands that had only moments before tried to push him away now curled into his shirt, tugging him closer. She went up on her toes, the movement making him groan when it caused her stomach to press harder against his erection. He scented her growing arousal and knew that in spite of her anger, she wanted him.

  He forced himself to pull away from the kiss when all he wanted to do was strip her naked, lower her to the floor, and fuck her until she was screaming her release. But this was too important. To her. To them. It had to be settled now so that no questions or doubts remained.

  They were both panting hard, but he cupped her face in his hands and tilted her head upward until he was sure he had her full attention. “Then I heard someone in the bar speak your name. I didn’t even know you, but just the sound of your name on his lips made me want you. And even though I went outside with Karen and her friend with every intention of having sex with them, I couldn’t. I didn’t want them any longer.”

  Her hands slid up his arms and she clutched at his wrists. Her fingers weren’t long enough to wrap all the way around and she dug her fingernails into his skin. “Is that true?”

  “I will never lie to you, Laurel Rose.” She licked her lips and studied him intently, obviously trying to gauge his sincerity. He refused to even blink as she searched his face. “From the first moment I heard your name, I knew that no other woman would ever satisfy me. From the first moment I saw your face, I knew that you were meant to be mine.”

  She closed her eyes as if to shut out his words. She released her hold on him and shook her head. “I don’t understand any of this. You’re practically a stranger, yet I feel as if I know you deep in my heart and soul. I sense that you’re a dangerous man, yet I’m not afraid of you.” Laurel Rose opened her eyes and stared up at him, her dark blue gaze pleading for reassurance. “Why is this happening?”

  He ran his hands over her shoulders, urging her even closer to him, offering her unspoken reassurance. With one hand on her back and the other cupping her head, he cradled her close to his heart. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him, silently accepting his presence in her life.

  “Why is this happening now? I honestly don’t know, Laurel Rose.” He kissed the top of her head and buried his face in her hair, taking a deep breath. It smelled like sunshine and lemons. “All I know is that we are connected. We are meant to be together. You are mine. I have searched for you my entire life. I will never hurt you, but I will allow nothing and no one to come between us.”

  He took a step back and her arms dropped to her sides. “I want you. Make your choice.” Stefan knew he was taking a chance by allowing her the opportunity to refuse him. It was a calculated gamble, allowing her to feel as if she had some control in this situation. But Stefan was nothing if not honest with himself and he knew if she said no this time, he would not stop his campaign to seduce her.

  She stared at him, her face solemn. She said nothing, but gave a quick nod and turned, moving toward the kitchen door. He watched in disbelief as she walked away. He’d been so sure that she wanted him. Every muscle in his body clenched in denial, urging him to grab her and claim her. But he was rooted to the spot as she got farther from him.

  At the doorway, she paused and turned. Ever so slowly, she turned the lock. Then she held out her hand to him. Satisfaction surged through him when he realized that she wasn’t kicking him out, she was inviting him upstairs with her. She would be his.

  Stefan stalked across the room, not pausing as he scooped her up into his arms and took the stairs two at a time.

  Chapter Ten

  Laurel Rose barely stifled a scream when Stefan pounced. He was little more than a blur of motion as he swooped across the kitchen, plucked her into his arms, and bounded up the stairs. It was as if by simply holding out her hand she had unleashed a sleeping tiger.

  Even though she didn’t consider herself a small woman, he carried her with astounding ease. The muscles in his chest rippled and his arms were like steel bands around her. Stefan was still a mystery to her. He was different. Like her, he possessed psychic abilities that set him apart from others. But she also sensed his loneliness, his sheer isolation from the world around him.

  She might not know much about this man, but she knew she trusted him. She intuitively knew that he was hiding much of himself from her, but she didn’t fault him for that, as she did the same thing. It was a protective mechanism. He might not be telling her everything about himself, but what he did tell her was the truth. He’d surprised her tonight with his easy admission about Karen. She’d half expected him to lie. It’s what a lot of men would have done.

  The top two buttons of his black cotton shirt were undone and Laurel Rose couldn’t resist rubbing her nose against the crisp dark hairs that peeked out from beneath the fabric. The scent of fresh air, pine trees, and earth filled her nostrils. There was something very elemental and basic about this man that touched her deeply and, for her, that was all that mattered.

  She wanted Stefan Dalakis. She wanted him in a way that she’d never wanted any other man in her life. In a way she’d never expected to want any man. So whatever the consequences, she would enjoy their time together with no regrets.

  She didn’t know where he came from or when he would leave, but right now he was here with her. She planned to take advantage of the situation and let the chips fall where they would. She’d done a lot of thinking today, in between serving customers at the market. There was no guarantee she’d be able to hang on to her home and land, no guarantee that someone might not decide to do her bodily harm. She could die tomorrow without really living.

  That was all about to change tonight. She wanted Stefan and she would have him.

  Without any hesitation, he carried her straight to her room and lowered her until she was standing next to the bed. She gazed up at him and once again was struck by the depth of passion in his emerald green eyes. They seemed to almost glow in the growing gloom. The shadows were lengthening, and although it wasn’t completely dark yet, there was a feeling of intimacy around them, as if they were the only two people in the entire world.

  She felt no fear. In fact, there was a growing anticipation firing her blood and her body. Tonight would change her in some unfathomable way, but she was not only ready for it, she embraced it.

  This man would not be an easy lover. There was a harshness about him that went straight to his very bones. This was a man who would take what he wanted, but she had no doubt that he was generous with his lovers. Any woman who gave herself to him would not come away unsatisfied. But there would be no poetry, flowers, or soft caresses from Stefan. Instead there would be an intensity and an earthiness that would overwhelm a woman even as it pleased her. He would demand everything from her.

  But would he give everything in return?

  His eyes never left her face as he tugged the ends of her blouse out from the waistband of her jeans. His nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons and pushed the fabric off her shoulders and down her arms, letting it fall on the floor behind her. Her bra was plain white cotton, unadorned, and she found herself wishing that she had something silky and lacy to wear for him.

  “You look beautiful as you are,” he whispered. He traced a finger over the sloping cups of her bra before stopping at the front hook. “But you would look ravishing in silk and lace.” With a flick of his fingers the bra was open. He whisked the straps down her arms and tossed the garment aside.

  She automatically crossed her arms over her chest, covering herself. The instinct was automatic. “How did you know what I was thinking?” It was very disconcerting to know that he could reach into her mind at will and pluck out her thoughts.

  He wrapped his large hand around the back of her neck, caressing it with his fingers. It occurred to her that he was more than strong enough to snap it with one quick twist.

  His features hardened and he scowled at her. “I would never hurt you. My strength is for your protection.” Using his thumb, he traced a line up and down the slender column of her neck. “As for your thoughts.” He shrugged. “I am trying not to pry, but you are broadcasting loud and clear to me. I cannot ignore such information.”

  Laurel Rose thought about that even as her body continued to react to his slow and steady caress. He was only touching her neck, but he might as well have been stroking her entire body. She felt his touch everywhere. Her nipples were hard buds, pushing against her arms where they were crossed over her chest. Her sex was moist and her panties were getting wetter with each passing moment as her inner muscles pulsed in a deep rhythm. Her limbs felt heavy and her mouth was dry. His gaze was almost hypnotic, drawing her under his sensual spell. He was like some dark sorcerer seducing her with little more than a look and a touch to her neck.

  The slow smile that crossed his face was wickedly sexy, and she knew that he’d just read her thoughts again. “If I am a sorcerer, then you are a witch who has cast her spell upon me.”

  She cringed at his words. Witch. She’d been called that many times in her life and it had always been said with varying degrees of scorn and anger. Stefan stopped her before she could pull away from him. He reacted so quickly she didn’t have time to do more than think about pulling back.

  He wrapped his fingers around her wrists and slowly lowered her arms from her chest until her breasts were totally exposed to him. He licked his lips as he stared at her. A shiver raced down her spine, making her tremble. Even though she was still wearing her jeans, she felt more vulnerable than she had last night when he’d had her spread naked on the bed.

  “It is just a word.” His voice was low, deep, and mesmeric. He lowered his head toward her breast. His breath was warm, teasing her skin as he moved closer and closer. “Spoken by ignorant fools who do not understand you or your worth.” She swallowed hard, barely able to follow his words. “They do not matter.” He licked the white flesh around the tip, his tongue rough against her skin. “Nothing matters but this. Us. Now.”

  Even though she’d been expecting it, when he finally closed his lips over the tip of her breast and sucked, she cried out. He clasped his hands around her waist and rubbed small circles into her torso with his thumbs. Now that her fingers were free from his grasp, she threaded them though his long dark hair, holding him to her breast, wanting more of the pleasure he was giving her.

  He laughed and pulled away, but before she could protest, he nuzzled his way to her other breast and began to suckle the swollen mound. As if there was a direct connection between her breast and her sex, Laurel Rose could feel every pull of his mouth deep in her core. Her inner muscles clenched hard, making her aware of how empty she was.

  “No,” she moaned when he moved his mouth from her breast and began to kiss his way down her torso. He ignored her protest and began to taste, nibble, and lick his way over her flesh. His hands moved to the front of her jeans, quickly opening both the button and the zipper. Slipping his hands inside her panties, he pushed both jeans and panties down her hips. The flesh of his hands was hard and calloused against her skin even though his touch was gentle. The contrast sent goose bumps skating down her legs.