Page 69

She paused, gathering the courage to continue. “All I know is when I touch you, I feelpeace. It’s like all the chaos swirling inside of me settles, and I can breathe.”

His low growl rumbled at her back. Of course, he wouldn’t like hearing she’d formed some mystical attachment to him. She rushed to finish, eager to make a hasty retreat.

“I’m sorry I need you in that way. I realize you had just as much say in this as I did. I know you don’t want a Chosen.” A dull ache burned beneath her ribs. She’d blame it on thebondsince any other explanation was just too terrifying to consider. “From now on, I promise to try to behave myself and give you some space.”

Scraping together the broken remains of her dignity, she slid to the side of the bed. Somehow, she would find a way to keep that promise, even if it killed her. Because, dammit, sheenjoyedtouching the man.

The dipping mattress was her only warning.

“Oh!”

Jericho’s arm clamped around her stomach. He dragged her across the sheets and pinned her on her back. Eyes wide, she stared up at his face, stunned at the powder keg of emotion revealed in his expression.

“You thinkyou know what I want, do you?” Anger pounded in Jericho’s veins, anger and something much more dangerous.

Alex struggled beneath his weight, her green eyes flaring wide. Fear tainted her strawberry scent. He pinned her arms above her head in one hand, easily subduing her.

“Jericho, what, what are you doing?” She twisted in his grasp, trying to break free.

No. He’d let her say her piece, though he’d almost bit through his tongue.

He’d listened while she apologized for her deception. Listened as sheapologizedfor needing him. Now it was Alex’s turn to listen.

“You honestly believe I don’t want you?” The thought infuriated him. “Don’t you know what your touch does to me? The warmth of your skin, the way your body feels when it’s pressed against mine? So many times, I was tempted to bury myself inside of you, to take what I wanted. Turn my back on my honor and disrespect the male who saved my life.”

He cupped his hand over her throat, and her pulse thrummed against his fingers. “Gods, Alex. Your taste alone is enough to drive a male mad. Do you have any idea what it does to me to see my mark upon your neck? To know that you are mine, and yet I am forced to keep my desires in check?”

“I… I didn’t know.” Confusion darkened her expressive face.

No, she didn’t. He’d held so much back from her. Hell, back from himself, refusing to acknowledge the disturbing emotions she stirred in him. Perhaps he should give her a glimpse of what he’d hidden. Then she wouldn’t slip quietly from his bed.

No, then she would run.

Instincts rose to the surface, provoked by the prey he’d captured.

Though she admitted she had no defenses against him, he refused to shield her. For the first time in centuries, he allowed himself tolet go.The need to possess, to devour, to control. He laid all of it at her feet.

“Oh, God.” She gasped, arching her back. Her lush body strained, overcome by the full force of his emotions. He kept her trapped, a prisoner to the raw edge of his desires. She moaned in discomfort, and he clenched his jaw, forcing back the urge to withdraw, to protect her from the darkness rising inside of him.

She needed to understand. To see the monster he’d concealed behind his mental armor.

His vampire senses locked on the female he caged. Summer strawberries and honeyed skin filled his lungs with every ragged breath. The predator’s vision brought delicate features into heart-stopping detail. He narrowed his focus to her full bottom lip. Envisioned ravaging her mouth. How his teeth would pierce the plump flesh to savor the sweetness on her lips.

Want her.All of her.

“Jericho,” she pleaded, turning away, unnerved by his penetrating stare.

Her pulse fluttered in her neck. The rapid staccato teased his sensitive ears. Sharp fangs punched from his gums, and the predator within tested its leash. Eyes squeezing shut, she recoiled from the surge of hunger that roared through his system.

“That’s right. Feel what you do to me. Feel the darkness flooding your senses. Now, imagine the amount of energy it takes to keep it in check.”

It was important she understand—and protect herself. Because he couldn’t go on like this. It was reckless of her to think him immune to her innocent touch. He wanted her to witness the hell he went through every time she’d lost herself in his arms. To face the demon inside of him, urging him to claim her. He wasn’t some weak human male she could toy with and walk away from unscathed.

“Look at me, Alex.”

Her breath rasped in harsh pants, and he braced for the fear and horror he would see reflected on her beautiful face. Then he would finally let her go—and watch as she ran.

Slow, hesitant, she turned her head. Thick lashes fluttered against her cheeks, then lifted to reveal tumultuous eyes. In their depths…