Dark Desire After Dark

16

When she woke near sundown, Cadeon was exiting the bathroom wearing only a towel, displaying far too much of that muscular body. Her lips parted with appreciation.

His tanned skin was taut and smooth over his rigid muscles, showing no signs of being shot just yesterday. His broad chest and back were damp from his shower.

Acting as if she still slept, she watched him moving about the room. She'd just been dreaming about him, the same vivid dream she'd had before. She swallowed, eyes riveted to that intriguing bulge behind his towel that swayed when he bent for his bag—

He abruptly turned, catching her staring at that part of his anatomy before she yanked her gaze up. He gave her a grin, and the blond stubble on his strong jaw glinted in the low light.

Even with the horns, he was too gorgeous for his own good. Worse, he knew it.

She resolved then that he'd never know that she found him handsome.

"Good, you're awake. I'm in need of your services."

"Pardon?"

"I need you to extract a bullet from me. I haven't been able to shed it."

She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "How would I do that?"

"Dig it out with your claws."

For all her phobias, she wasn't afraid of blood. But helping him would entail touching him. No way. It was too soon after their kiss this morning.

As she'd tossed and turned, trying to get to sleep, she'd decided that she would stay as far away from him as possible, biding her time until they stopped sharing rooms. "This is just one of your ploys to seduce me, isn't it?"

"Look, I wouldn't ask, but it's high on the back of my thigh and I can't easily reach it. Hurts like hell." He held her gaze as he said, "And, pet, I did catch it saving your life."

Guilt flared. He was in pain and needed her help. "You're right." She reached for her glasses, then tightened her robe. "Of course, I'll see if I can help." She hastily added, "But you have to keep your towel on."

"I will," he said, adding in a mutter, "but it won't do any good."

She frowned. Of course it would. He'd be covered.

When he stretched his massive body out on the bed, she sat beside him, trying not to stare at the muscled expanse of his back.

With a trembling hand, she eased the towel up, brushing it over the blond-tipped hair that covered his legs. "Where is it?" she asked, her voice unaccountably throaty.

"Farther up."

With a swallow, she tugged the towel higher. She glanced down to find that her claws were already curling.

Those thoughts began to suffuse her mind. She wanted to lick each droplet from his damp skin, to dip her tongue to the slight collection at the base of his spine….

She shook her head hard, trying to jar loose the unwelcome images.

"Higher," he said.

"Yes, yes—"

When she uncovered the wound, she gasped. But not at the injury. His penis hung down between his legs. Turn away. Turn—away. Turn away!

Face burning, she finally did.

"Told you it wouldn't do any good."

She was furious, as much at his actions as at her own reaction—the mere site of his privates made her feel hot and flustered. "You could have arranged yourself differently!"

"You would've seen some or all. What's the difference?"

"I…there's a difference!"

Unable to help herself, she let her gaze flit to it again. Had it grown? Her lips parted. "You're…you're getting aroused!"

He looked up at her. "So?" With what sounded like a stifled groan, he adjusted himself until he lay on it. "Males do that." Seeming uncomfortable in that position as well, he turned to his back.

He'd gotten even bigger! "What do you intend to do about…with…Are you just going to walk around like that?" She'd wondered what he'd done with his previous erection as well.

"I'll grin and bear it, till my next shower."

"Next shower?"

He gave her a leer.

"Oh!" Her face flushed. He was utterly unembarrassed to divulge that he masturbated, and that he'd be doing it again at their next hotel stop.

Had he done it earlier while she slept? Don't imagine that, Holly! "You admit to it?"

"You don't?" he asked.

"No, I don't…." She trailed off, that haze beginning to suffuse her mind.

As she stared, his breaths grew harsh, and his shaft distended under the towel even more. "You keep watching me like this, and my leg's not going to be the only thing aching." Their eyes met. "You've never seen a male aroused, have you?" he asked softly, with seeming tenderness in his tone. As if she'd charmed him.

Holly had caught maybe one or two stolen glimpses, but she'd never had sustained viewing. She couldn't, else she risked a loss of control. So why couldn't she turn away now?

She had for so long before…

With his hand at the edge of the towel, he said, "Do you want this off of me?"

She was shaking, she wanted it so badly. "Why would I?" Impulses were riding her hard.

"So you can see. You've got to be curious."

He took her hand. At first she thought he was going to place it on his shaft, and didn't know how she felt about that.

Instead, he put it at the edge of the towel. "Pull it off, Holly. Take a look. You don't have to do anything else."

One look. What would it hurt? Her curiosity goaded her. With a swallow, she tugged the towel loose. "That's it." His voice was husky, mesmerizing.

Once she'd uncovered his erection, it jerked as if excited to have her eyes on it. She stared, transfixed.

"Look all you like." He drew his knee up to give her a better view. "Or do you want to touch it?"

She did! So much. Her fingers itched to explore his length.

What would that smooth skin feel like? Earlier, she'd imagined sliding down his shaft, but hadn't known how to truly envision it.

Now she did.

I wonder what it would taste like? She flushed at her thoughts.

As her shaking hand reached forward, his stomach muscles clenched in sharp ridges.

When his erection pulsed again, a bead of moisture arose on the broad head. He gave a low groan, as if that had felt incredible.

How fascinating….

She would rub the pad of her forefinger there and see how he liked that. Inches away…about to feel it—

Out of the corner of her vision, she spied his hand oh-so-subtly slipping toward her.

Comprehension hit.

The demon had baited a trap for her, using his erection as a lure for a gullible female.

She snatched her hand back as if from a flame, breaking her stare to meet his gaze. His eyes were growing black, yet somehow glowing. His horns were bigger and duskier than normal. His fangs were longer.

Oh, yes, this was clearly all about her—her curiosity. How could she be so naïve?

The demon was systematically breaking down her barriers. The dark side, lulling her, drawing her away. Everything was conspiring against her efforts.

Lulling me from what I know, from where I want to be…

Now she understood his words from earlier. He'd gotten further with her than he'd expected, and believed he'd get even further next time.

What was so bad—he probably would. And that made her fearful. If only she weren't so attracted to him, then she'd be safe. She'd never go into the shadows with him.

Reasoning trail: No demon, no temptation, no thinking about going to the dark side.

He planned to wear her down? "Cadeon, I believe you want services that aren't included." She stood, heading for the bathroom. Over her shoulder, she said, "But best of luck with that bullet."