Eternal Hunter (Night Watch #1)(9)
Author: Cynthia Eden

Then the soft squeak of the old floorboards as he closed the distance between them.

Erin turned to him, tilted her head back—

He kissed her.

She heard a growl. Not from him—no, from her own throat.

The hunger.

Sure, he made the first move, he brought his lips crashing down on hers, but…she kissed him right back.

Her hands locked around his shoulders, her nails dug into his flesh. Oh, damn, but his flesh…Strong, hot.

Her mouth was open, lips parted for the thrust of his tongue. She’d tried to play the good girl and walk away, but there was no denying she wanted this— wanted him.

Tongues met. Took. Tasted.

And he tasted good. Even better than the chocolate she craved in the middle of the day. Erin realized she wanted more. So much more.

She rose on her tiptoes. Widened her mouth, and this time, the growl that she heard came from him.

His hands clenched around her hips, and he jerked her even closer to him. The hard bulge of his arousal pressed against her. Long and hard and promising such fierce pleasure. She could have him, thrusting deep and hard into her, and Erin knew the ride would be fantastic. The sex great.

She could have him.

His fingers cupped her ass.

Take him. Take him.

He ripped his mouth from hers. She sucked in a sharp breath and tried to clear the lust from her mind. She needed—

His mouth pressed against her neck. Right over her pulse.

Her weak spot.

His tongue laved her and her knees trembled. Then Jude bit her, a light, teasing bite.

A marking, nonetheless. She knew the way of shifters.

But that didn’t stop the heat that swept through her. Erin’s ni**les swelled against him, her sex moistened.

Freaking animal response.

So much need.

“You want me, Erin, just as much as I want you.” The words rumbled against her flesh.

She wouldn’t deny it. She wouldn’t give in to the furious desire, either. With one serious effort, Erin made her hands stop clutching him and she pushed against his chest instead.

Nice chest.

He didn’t move.

She pushed harder, letting some of her enhanced strength flex. “Let me go.”

His head rose and he stared down at her with eyes shining brightly. So blue it almost hurt to look into them.

“Shifter.” He said this again, but it wasn’t so much a question. Too certain. “I can see it in your eyes.”

No, no that couldn’t be possible. She always controlled her body. No claws. No glowing eyes. No too-sharp teeth. The guy was guessing, trying to trip her up.

“Sweet little shifter. You can’t hide your beast from me.”

There was no beast. “Let. Me. Go.” Her voice was huskier than she would have liked, but she meant the words. Being near him right then, not really an option.

Running, yeah, that was the best option. Not because she was afraid, but—

Shit, okay, she was afraid.

So there were a few things that scared her.

Jude dropped his hold.

Erin spun around and fumbled with the door. Her purse, all but forgotten, banged against her hip. Then she was outside, stumbling onto the porch and putting some much needed space between them.

Now if her heart would just slow its frantic beat.

“This isn’t over.” His voice followed her down the steps.

“Damn right.” She tossed him a glare over her shoulder. “You’ve got to find my killer—”

“Not that.” His steps were slow and heavy on the porch. “Us. We’re not over. We’re just getting started.” He licked his lips. “I can still taste you.”

She could taste him. And her panties were wet. Just from a kiss.

What would happen when they were both naked?

She would not find out.

“We’re gonna happen, sweetheart. Deal with it.”

Arrogant ass**le.

Sexy beast.

“No, we’re not.” Some temptations had to be denied. “You deal with that. ” She opened her car door and climbed inside.

“Why do you hide your animal side?” He raised a hand to his shoulder and ran his fingertips over the small wounds that she could see even in the dim light from the porch.

Because some of her senses were enhanced, too.

Thanks, Mother.

She’d marked him. The way of the beast.

“I have no animal side,” she said quietly.

“Bullshit. There’s an animal in you, just growling to get out.” He motioned to the wild land around them. “Wanna shift and run with me?”

Ice froze her blood. “You’re mistaken about me, Donovan.” Flawed. Broken. “There’s no animal inside for you to play with—sorry.” Then she slammed her door. Seconds later, she shoved the gear shift into reverse and spun out of his drive.

Some temptations had to be denied.

No matter how much pleasure they promised.

He was dreaming about her when the phone rang. A hot, sexy dream that had him aching. Erin wore two thin strips of black lace. Her eyes were shining. Her lips moist.

She wanted him.

His hands couldn’t touch her enough. Couldn’t enjoy the feel of that satiny skin enough and—

And then the phone rang.

Jude reached for the receiver near his bed, ready to give someone a serious ass-chewing. “What the hell do you—”

“Jude.” Erin’s voice.

Not breathy with desire like in his fading dream. Sharper, tinged with fear.

The lady had said she didn’t fear much.

Jude sat up in an instant and his fingers tightened around the phone. “What’s wrong?” A call in the middle of the night was never a good thing.

“I need you.”

Okay, she’d said that in his dream, but not quite the same way.

“408 St. Charles Avenue. Come as fast as you can, okay?”

Click.

For one second, two, he stared down at the phone.

Then he ran for the door.

Because Erin was afraid.

There weren’t any police cars in front of the old house on St. Charles. No swirling blue lights.

Jude had expected to see them, or at least some sign of trouble.

The antebellum house sat quietly, time having ravaged the once beautiful frame. Azaleas did their part to hide the house, nestling it in perfumed security from curious eyes. But the beauty of the place had faded and only a whisper of glory remained.

A fixer-upper. There were plenty of old houses like it in the city.

But only one that had his Erin inside.

Jude’s gaze scanned the yard. His nostrils twitched. There was another scent in the air. Heavy. Drifting just under the azaleas and their sweet fragrance.