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He grasped her upper arms. “I wish I could give you more time. You barely understand what it means to be a vampire. Unfortunately, this can’t wait. The mating bond will lend you the control you need.”

“What do you mean?”

“The ritual will connect our souls, binding us for eternity. We’ll share each other’s thoughts and emotions. I’ll be inside of you, and you inside of me.”

Color washed from her face. “You mean you’ll share my pain, my insanity?” Her voice pitched higher, and her slim arms tensed in his grasp. “No. It’s too big of a sacrifice.”

“Alex,” he growled. “This is the only way. I refuse to watch you suffer.” She’d suffered enough, thanks to him.

“I won’t allow you to bind yourself to a crazy woman for all of eternity, especially not out of some misplaced sense of responsibility.”

“Responsibility?” he snapped. “Don’t pretend you can’t feel what you mean to me. I want you, Alex. I want to claim you as my Bride, mark you as my mate.”

“Jericho.” She struggled weakly, trying to turn away.

He grabbed her hand and pinned it to his chest, forcing her to see the truth. “Listen to our hearts.Duo corda, amor unus. Hear how they beat as one? Even our souls understand we belong together. I love you, Alexandra. If the bond drives me mad, I’ll gladly spend eternity crazy for you.”

Tears gathered in her eyes, and her bottom lip quivered. Her body softened, bending to his will.

She brushed the back of her fingers against his jaw. “I love you too.”

The knots in his stomach unraveled, doubts melting. Perhaps they were going to do this the easy way after all.

Beneath his palm, her fingers curled into a fist. “And that’s why I can’t let you do this.”

Twenty-Seven

Rejection.Damn, but it stung. Even though it was what Jericho expected.

Alex was fiercely protective of those she loved. He’d predicted her first instinct would be to protect him from what she perceived as a threat.

An instinct they shared.

“I suppose you leave me with little choice,” he said with a resigned exhale, careful to keep his mind blank, his emotions in check.

He pulled her resistant body against his chest. Instead of curling into him, she remained stiff. Wary.Calm. Think calm thoughts.He ran his hand through the length of her hair, finger-combing the damp snarls with slow, soothing strokes.

After a moment, she exhaled a sigh, tension easing from her muscles. “You’re not angry,” she stated, sounding confused.

“No.” He slid his fingers beneath her hair to massage her nape. A soft sound rose from her throat, one that told him he was on the right track.

“Should I stop?” he asked as if he didn’t already know the answer.

“No, it feels nice,” she murmured, leaning closer.

“The pain and stiffness caused by your transition should fade in a few days.” He rolled his thumbs into the knots in her shoulders. With a throaty purr, she melted against him. He feathered a touch over theglyphat the base of her neck, and she gasped with pleasure. That gasp shot straight through him, hardening his cock.

Easy now. Focus. Soothing thoughts.

He stroked tiny circles over herglyph. “This marking… Have I ever told you I find the thought of touching you here irresistible?” he asked, pressing his lips against the top of her head.

“Mmm, no,” she murmured, though he suspected she hadn’t heard a word he’d said.

He massaged lower, moving in teasing increments that had her holding her breath. “I seem to remember you enjoyed it when I touched you…right here.” He rubbed the spot between her shoulder blades.

“Jericho,” she said, an edge of need in her voice. Her arms circled his waist, hands clinging to his back.

With deft fingers, he freed the corner of her towel. The damp fabric dropped to the floor, and he swallowed a strangled groan. Her pebbled nipples grazed his chest. Naked curves filled his arms, and the scent of her sweet arousal surrounded him.