Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark #3)(65)
Author: Gena Showalter

“I wasn’t angry when I did it.”

“I disagree. I think you did it because you were seething with anger over something.”

He frowned.

“But we don’t have to discuss that now,” she rushed to say. “I’m more interested in whether or not your desires have changed again. Do you now want to hurt me?”

His relief was palpable, his determination so strong it vibrated from him. “No.”

“Do you want to chain me?”

“No.”

“But not too long ago, you wanted to do those things to the siren.”

Guilt replaced the relief in his eyes. “I brought this on myself. I really did. The past is colliding with the present, trying to make a mess of my future.” He breathed in, out. “She was a last-ditch effort to forget you, and I’m so sorry I took things so far. But I swear to you, I didn’t want her, and nothing like that will ever happen again. You are the only woman I desire.”

If he doesn’t stop, I’m going to do more than fall under his enchantment. Feeling suddenly bashful, she fiddled with the collar of his robe. “Then what do you want to do with me?”

“Tomorrow, I’ll show you,” he said, husky promise in his voice.

She tried to pull him down for a kiss. “Show me now, too.”

He resisted, gently breaking her hold. “No, kulta. Not now.”

But…why not? To leave her hungry, the way she’d left him? “We only have a limited time together, and I want us to make the most of every second of it.”

He went still, not even seeming to breathe. “Limited time?”

“Yeah. You’re getting me an ID, remember, and I’m going to go back to the human world, where I’ll have a semi-human life. I’ve even got new goals! I’ve abandoned my bakery plan, because let’s be serious, that was never going to work, and now plan to help others, halflings just like me. No one will ever be unwanted again.” It was going to be legend—wait for it—dary.

So, why is a sense of depression settling over my shoulders?

It wasn’t. That was an alcohol-soaked imagination only.

“You won’t consider staying with me?” he asked quietly.

“No, but I’ll consider stripping you,” she replied, trying again to pull him on top of her.

Though his electric blues glowed with an odd mix of anger and yearning, he once again resisted. “You need to rest, kulta.”

The sense of depression took root and grew. If he desired her even half as much as she desired him, he would be inside her right now. “Thane.”

“I won’t take you like this. Sleep, Elin,” he commanded—and walked away, leaving her alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY

ELIN SAT UP with a jolt. Disoriented, she scanned her surroundings. Spacious bedroom, barren walls. A window with bright morning light slanting through. Very little furniture. A bed—empty, except for her.

Thane’s room. One he’d never shared with another female. And apparently hadn’t actually shared with her. Where was he?

Memories of her drunken behavior came back in a rush, and she groaned, burying her head in her hands. She’d asked Thane to be her lover, and he’d agreed. Hadn’t he? But then, he’d left her, saying he refused to take her, anger clearly riding him.

Did he still want her?

Maybe not. Did she still want him?

She pictured his smoldering eyes and his wicked smile. Those glorious wings. Those smoking-hot abs. The jumbotron.

And she didn’t have to rack her brain for his other admirable attributes. Strength. Sweetness that seemed to be reserved for her, and her alone. Intelligence. Resourcefulness. Protective instincts. A vulnerability he tried to hide but couldn’t. A fierce savagery both on and off the battlefield.

So, did she really need to think about it? No.

Elin still wanted Thane. Badly.

Determined to find him, she threw her legs over the mattress and stood. Steadiness wasn’t a problem. Not once, in all of her years, had she ever experienced a hangover. No matter how much she’d drunk. Besides a slight twinge in her temples, she was fine today, too. She padded to the bathroom, where she planned to wash away last night’s funk, and stripped. Thane must have anticipated her needs because he’d left a toothbrush, soaps, and toiletries, as well as clean clothing he must have taken from her room.

Had he personally picked the items or had he sent someone else to do it?

After a quick shower and blow-dry, she tugged on the clothes. A white T-shirt, paired with hip-hugging jeans and a matching bra-and-panty set. In red, with peekaboo lace. Well, she now had the answer to her question. Thane had picked. The bright color of the bra showed through the shirt, something a man wouldn’t have considered. Or maybe he’d chosen accordingly, for that exact reason.

“Why did you dress?”

The smoky voice came from behind her. Blood heating, she whipped around. Her heart almost stopped. Thane stood in the doorway, a tower of beauty and menace— Wait, menace? Yes, she realized. A fire blazed in his eyes, evidence of a ruffled temper.

She wasn’t afraid.

His beautiful white-and-gold wings were tucked into his back, a glimmering robe draping his muscled frame. His blond curls stuck out in spikes, as if he’d plowed his hands through again and again.

“You…” she said, tremors of desire laying siege to her. “The outfit was—”

“For later. After.”

Her heart sped into a too-fast beat. “But you refused me last night.”

“You were drunk, and that’s not the way I want you. Strip,” he ordered softly.

Sweet fancy. He wasn’t worked into a temper. He seethed with sexual need.

But…but…this was happening now? “I,” she began, unsure what she planned to say.

Apparently that was enough. He stalked toward her, every inch the predator. For once, she was happy to be the prey. His mouth crashed against hers, his tongue thrusting inside with a savage intensity that took her from simmer to boil in a single heartbeat.

Her mind tried to play catch-up with her body. Yes, this was happening. No, they weren’t going to stop this time. They were going all the way. It was going to be wild, earthy, and animalistic.

“I told you I wouldn’t hurt you, and I won’t.” He nipped his way to her neck, his breath warm and his tongue hot. “But I can’t give you gentle, Elin. Not this time. I’m too desperate. I’ve waited too long. For weeks I’ve thought about how I’ll take you, how you’ll feel and look and sound. And last night was the worst. Or the best. I need to be inside you.” As he spoke, he walked forward, urging her backward until she hit the bathroom wall.