Page 65 of Fighting for Her Heart

“That I love you,” I respond. “I have no doubt that I love you with all of my heart.”

“Zuben.”

My name comes out on a soft breath and her heart rate accelerates. Grabbing my face, she kisses me with so much fervor I fear my lips, or hers, will be torn right off.

Breaking our kiss, she pants as if she hasn’t taken a breath for years.

“Did I hear you correctly?” She looks deep into my eyes with wonder and worry.

I still can’t believe I said it, or felt it, myself. “I love you, Ember.”

She reaches for my rod, but I pull away from her and leap from the broken bed.

“Whaaat?” She looks at me with hurt and dismay.

“The sun will set soon.” I struggle to find the control on which I relied for so many years, but the amount of control I need now is greater. Not even moderately the same.

“I would love nothing more than to spend every moment of every day and night making love to you, but the sun will set soon, and I have not yet gone outside to see if I can take sunlight.”

She shifts to kneel on the bed. “But ofcourseyou’ll be able to. You took my vein. Several times as I recall.” Her fingers caress her throat as she tips her head to the side and her hips swivel slightly, punctuating her arousal.

I must resist.

“That is true, but to fully understand all the limitations…”

Shaking her head she laughs and lies back on the bed. “Fine, Mr. Scientist.” She draws one leg against the other, seductively. “But if you’re not back when the sun goes down, I’m coming out to find you.”

She sits up sharply. “Oh shit. The others. Why aren’t they back?” Worry overtakes her, completely wiping out all other emotions.

I sit next to her on the bed, wrapping my arm around her trembling body.

“Do not fret. It may take some time to find the information, which they seek. They want to be certain that you are safe. Please do not be concerned.” But unease creeps inside me too.

Logic says that, with the combined powers of a vampire, a hybrid and a witch, there would be few things that would pose danger to the trio, but I too will feel more at ease when they return.

Head against my chest, she sighs.

I am a disciplined person, more disciplined than anyone else I have known, but it takes every ounce of willpower I possess to release her warm body.

“The sun will set soon,” I say gently. “Come out to join me as soon as it does. We will work on your ability to track my location.”

Pouting slightly, she nods, then she dons the amulet Evanora gave her to amplify her magic. She follows that with the rest of her clothing as I dress too.

I stop by the bedroom door. “Focus on me now, my love.”

“That’s not hard.” She smiles.

I shake my head, unable to keep a smile from overtaking my face either. “I meant that you should focus your hearing and all your senses on me, so that when you come out of the house you can locate me.”

“Hide and seek.” Her grin quickly turns to worry. “What if I can’t find you?”

“Then you must try harder.” I cup her face. “Find me and I promise you will be rewarded.”

Her chest swells and I sense her arousal expanding along with it. “Adult hide and seek?” She raises her eyebrows again. “Are you promising me what I hope you are?”

“Yes.” My voice is hoarse. “I promise you our game of hide and seek will be positively pornographic.”

Reluctantly, I leave her behind, exit the house and venture into the light of the soon to set sun.