Chapter 15

Ryder ascended the stairs to Gabriela’s suite. Stopping on the red-tiled veranda, he took a slow sweep of the estate. He wanted to make sure Raúl and his crew knew he was here. If Raúl had anything to say about it, Ryder was more than ready to confront the bastard. He’d gladly take the first swing. Breaking the motherfucker’s face would give him great pleasure.

Hitting a woman was uncalled for.

Abusing his own flesh and blood?

Yeah, Ryder wanted to take Raúl’s head clean off his shoulders, make sure he’d never manhandle another woman. Too bad he had to await the Tepes brothers’ arrival and their own need for revenge, or he’d end this tonight. The son of a bitch didn’t deserve to live, let alone the deserve house he lived in, or the beautiful niece who shared his space.

He spotted a gunman on one of the top balconies overlooking the pool, watching him. Ryder saluted the man, made sure the fuck would report back to his boss. Cocky? Maybe. But he didn’t give two shits what they thought. They’d need an army to take him down and her uncle didn’t keep that many men underfoot. Raúl’s soldiers were extremely loyal. He could count on them announcing his arrival. Exactly what he was hoping for.

Ryder was sporting for a fight.

He might not be able to take out the vampire per the mission, but he’d put a world of hurt on him if he so much as sneezed in Gabby or his direction. He’d make sure he got his point across.

Touch Gabby again and you’re a dead man, Tepes brothers be damned.

Stepping up to the French double doors, he was about to knock when Gabby swung the doors inward. Her large smile washed over him, making him completely forget about his need to fuck up Raúl. Christ, he could get lost in her deep brown gaze. Her happiness to see him was like a kick to his gut, though. Once she found out about his duplicity, forgiveness would be hard-won. Getting her to believe he actually liked her and that he wasn’t fucking her to get to Raúl, yeah … that wasn’t happening either. Ryder was pretty sure Gabriela Trevino Caballero would despise him, never want to see his sorry ass again.

Not that he could blame her.

In a few short days, he’d be heading north anyway. No matter what his heart or libido had to say on the matter, this woman was not his and never would be. They came from two different worlds. When the Tepes brothers were finished, this would all be hers. Not the business side of things, but the estate and fortune the man had amassed. This was her home. Hell, he lived in a tiny bedroom in the Sons of Sangue clubhouse, for crying out loud. No way he could ever hope to compete. But he’d damn well make sure she’d never forget him.

“Glad you could make it.”

Her smile warmed the part of his heart that had frozen over, making him shelve his negative thoughts. He could put them away for a night, show her what it was like to be cherished.

And cherish her he did.

Ryder ran a knuckle down her bruised cheek, keeping his darkness at bay, not wanting Gabby to see the other side of him. But it was there. Just waiting to pay back Raúl.

“I always keep my promises.” His smile turned feral. “And my promise that you won’t get much sleep tonight? Still holds true.”

A small shiver passed over her shoulders, easily visible with her strapless, ankle-length dress. The red color accented her warm skin tone while the silk hugged her curves. Her light brown, highlighted hair cascaded freely down her back, brushing her shoulders. His fingers itched to sift through the sleek strands. Ryder advanced a step, noting a hint of jasmine and vanilla, the scent of her desire a pleasant undertone.

“Can I get you something to drink? Iced coffee? Tea? A beer?”

Her nerves were quite apparent. Each step he advanced, she retreated. And although they had already done the vertical bump, he found her shyness endearing.

“Nothing for me. Thank you.”

What Ryder thirsted for he had no intention of quenching. An undercurrent to the delicate scent of her perfume was the sweet and spicy bouquet of her blood. The tang of it burned within his memory. Shaking his temptation for another sip would be arduous at best. Taking sustenance from her, though, was not going to happen. Crossing the line and sleeping with her had been careless enough, though he’d be damned if he regretted a second of it. Partaking of her life’s blood and having to erase her memory of it would be extremely callous.

Gabby picked up a glass of what appeared to be iced coffee, and took a sip. Her full lips closed around the straw and his mind went straight to those ruby-red lips encircling his erection. His cock went instantly hard at the thought of Gabby, in her ridiculously sexy dress, on her knees in front of him. Fuck, that was one fantasy he hoped would come to life before the night was over.

“Does your uncle know I’m here?”

She grimaced. “If he didn’t hear the arrival of your motorcycle, I’m sure one of his men has informed him.”

“You have no worries, ángel. I won’t let him touch you again. I promise you that.”

Ryder closed the gap between them, stopping just inches away from the shell of her ear. He whispered, “He’ll have the opportunity to confront me at breakfast.”

Gabby laughed, a sound he had grown quite fond of. “I wasn’t aware you were invited.”

“I wasn’t. But I did promise to keep you up all night, meaning I’ll likely be famished come morning.”

And he would, but not for what Raúl or his staff might be serving. His gaze dropped to the pulse of her neck. Denying himself was going to take some serious fucking willpower.

He quirked a brow. “Are we not of the same mind?”

Her pink tongue traced her lower lip. “Same mind?”

Ryder chuckled. “I didn’t exactly come by for a gab session. But if that’s what you’re wanting, ángel, I’ll sit right here by your side until the sun comes up. We won’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with.”

He wanted to make sure he wasn’t overstepping her boundaries. “What will it be, ángel? A night of watching the stars over the ocean, or white-hot fireworks from your bed?”

Gabby laughed again, shaking her head. “You’re pretty sure of your abilities.”

“I think I’ve already proven my abilities.” His gaze went back to her bruise, his fingertips smoothing over the downy skin. “If you want the truth? I’m spending the night so your uncle doesn’t think he can hurt you again because I dared another visit. You’re not his personal punching bag. If he so much as tries, he’ll answer to me.”

“Ryder, his men—”

He shushed her with a finger against her lips. “You let me worry about your uncle and his men. I can take care of myself, ángel. I’ve been doing it for a good long time.”

“I wish I could believe you, but I’ve seen what my uncle is capable of.”

One side of Ryder’s lips curled up. “But you haven’t seen what I’m capable of.”

Snaking one hand around her waist, he pulled her flush against him. There would be no mistaking his hard desire. “How about we drop all of this talk about your uncle? I can think of more pleasant things to converse with you about. That is, if you wish to talk.”

She slid her palms up his cotton T-shirt and threaded her fingers through the overlong hair at his nape. “Talking is overrated.”

Slanting his lips over hers, Ryder wasted no time taking possession. He slipped his tongue past her lips and tasted her, deepening the kiss. Her silky tongue entangling with his left him wanting … wanting the kiss to go on forever, and yet wanting so much more. He tightened his hold while his free hand smoothed up the satiny side of her dress, past her hip and the curve of her waist, stopping just beneath the swell of her breasts.

The last time they had come together had been fast and furious. Hell, he hadn’t even taken time to worship her properly let alone get a gander at her ample tits. Tonight, he’d make no such faux pas. Tonight, he planned on getting up close and personal with every inch of her. Ryder had every intention of taking his fill. His memories would have to last him a lifetime. And being a vampire, lasting a lifetime took on a whole new meaning.

Once the Tepes twins arrived, he’d be giving up Gabby forever.

Her moan fueled his desire. Gliding his hand over her silk-covered breast, he felt her nipple pebble beneath his palm. He teased the taut bud with the pad his thump through the thin material. Arching her back, she pressed against his hand, giving him the go-ahead. Ryder wasted little time, pulling down the bodice of the strapless gown, finding she wore no bra.

Breaking the kiss, he glanced downward, seeing her dusky rose-colored nipples for the first time. Perfection. His eyes heated, and his gums ached. Ryder knew he could go no further without hypnotizing her. His vampire DNA was quickly taking over. He palmed her cheeks and brought her heavy-lidded gaze to his eyes.

“Gabby.” She nodded slowly, misunderstanding his need for her attention. “Hear me now. You’ll not remember what you see. You’ll feel me, know me, but my face will remain a shadow. Nod if you understand.”

Gabby did as he instructed, her eyes more glazed than before. Fuck, he hated hypnotizing her. He wanted her to remember, wanted her to know who he really was, what he became. A part of him wanted her to love all of him, not just the man but the monster hidden within.

His fangs punched through his gum, filling his mouth, aching with the need to sink into her carotid. Not happening. Instead, he ran his tongue along the soft flesh of her neck from her ear to the hollow of her throat. Her hands fisted his hair as he continued south. Palming the undersides of both breasts, Ryder used his tongue to circle one of the nipples, teasing the taut bud before drawing it between his teeth and tugging gently.

So fucking tempting.

Her blood rushed just beneath the surface, calling to him. Never had he been so motivated to take something not given. He could almost taste the sweetness as the scent tickled his senses. Ignoring the calling, he released her nipple to lavish the other. After all, he was all about equal opportunity.

Fuck, she had a nice set of tits.

Definitely, more than a mouthful.

Ryder could spend all day paying homage to what God had given her. They were a perfect fit for his large hands, and the thought of someone else touching them put him in a murderous state of mind.

If only things were different.

There was no way on God’s green Earth, though, that Gabriela would forgive him once she discovered the truth, his real reason for coming to La Paz. The good guy in him warred for a change of plans. Talk to her, watch the sunrise together. Don’t make things worse.

The bad guy placed an arm beneath her silk-covered knees and easily lifted her off the floor. No way in hell the vampire was listening. That good guy? He was long gone for the night. He’d give her one hell of a reason to remember him, regardless of how pissed she’d be once the Tepes brothers left their carnage, altering her life forever.

Laying her on the king-sized bed and its white with blue-trimmed duvet, the red of her dress stood out in stark contrast, reminding him of his favorite beverage. Funny, but after his turning, he didn’t think he’d have the stomach for blood, cringed at the very thought of drinking it. Now, he fucking craved it.

Gabby did her best to wiggle up the mattress, making little progress as her legs tangled in the crimson-colored fabric. Grabbing the collar of his T-shirt from between his shoulder blades, he pulled the cotton over his head. Her eyes dipped to his chest, spending little time on the ugly scar marring his flesh before continuing down his abs, to the bulge in the front of his jeans. She licked her lips again, reminding him of what he had wanted her to do with those brightly painted lips.

Ryder slowly lowered his zipper, careful not to pinch his skin. He hadn’t worn boxer briefs, preferring to go commando. Reaching inside the taut pants, he withdrew his cock, smoothing his hand over the stone-like flesh as he held her fevered gaze. Christ, what a fucking turn-on, seeing her hunger rise as she watched him.

Mind-blowing.

Widening his stance, and anchoring his jeans on his hips, he stroked his cock from root to tip and back. A small droplet of pre-come beaded at the surface. Before he had a chance to spread the natural lubricant, Gabby scooted to the edge of the mattress, replacing his hand with hers.

He hissed as she fully encircled his cock and mimicked his earlier ministrations. After dropping from the bed to her knees, she worked his erection like a pro. He bristled at the thought of any other man having enjoyed her touch before him.

Jealous? He never got jealous.

Ryder growled, wanting proprietorship, knowing he had no right to it.

Her gaze went to his. Gabby leaned forward, her tongue capturing the small bead of fluid resting on his tip.

His balls tightened, and his need to be inside her increased ten-fold, but before he could pull her from her knees and spread her beneath him on the bed, her lips closed around his erection. She licked the underside of his shaft before fully sucking him into her mouth. Much more and he’d not be a gentleman. Ryder fisted her head, meaning to stop her, but her hands went to his jeans-clad ass and held tight.

It was the only approval he needed. He thrust deep into her mouth, the soft flesh surrounding his cock … so damn good. His ass muscles tightened. He gritted his teeth, holding his climax at bay. Gabby continued to work him. The vision he had of her on her knees earlier now come to life, driving him to a state of frenzy. His gaze held fixed on her red-painted lips tending to his cock. Her free hand now caressed his balls. Ryder couldn’t hold out. When she gave him another squeeze, he was a goner.

“Fuck!” he roared as his climax reverberated through him.

Gabby took him deep, drawing from him until he had nothing left to give. With a final lick of her lips and an impish smile, she rose to her feet and shimmied out of the thin red fabric, wearing nothing but a pair of red strappy heels. Apparently, Gabby hadn’t felt the need to wear undergarments either.

Mind-blown for the second time in the span of an hour.

She sat on the bed and scooted toward the headboard, crooking her finger. “I do believe you promised me an all-nighter.”

Ryder laughed, quickly shucking his jeans. “Gabriela Trevino Caballero, you are my fantasy come to life. I’m pretty fucking sure one night won’t nearly be enough.”

“I hope not. I’m afraid I might be growing quite fond of you.”

Red flag.

At least it should have been. The last thing he wanted to steal was Gabby’s heart. He could ill afford their emotions getting tangled up in the mess their lives were about to become.

She quirked a brow. “Do you need a bit of time?”

His hand indicated his already heavy cock. “Does it look like I need time to recuperate?”

Her humor greeted him as he knelt on the mattress, dipping beneath his added weight. Placing a hand on each side of her legs, he smoothed his palms up her shins to her knees.

“Ángel, you’re going to be my downfall.”

Gabby bit her lower lip, her teeth stark white against the red lipstick. Ryder smoothed his hands up her thighs, opening her legs to him. Her sex glistened; her pheromones called to him like a beacon. Lord, if he wasn’t careful, his useless heart was going to open up. He had tried love once and that hadn’t ended so well. Ryder had no intention of doing so ever again.

His nostrils flared at her alluring scent, drawing him forward. He slipped his tongue along her folds, tasting her. “So fucking good.”

The only thing that could trump the sweet sampling was the piquancy of her blood pulsing through her veins. The thundering of her heart had the warm, vital fluid pulsing close to the surface. It would be so easy to sink his fangs into her thigh, to partake of the smallest fraction of her blood. But to do so, even the tiniest of samplings, would fuck any willpower he had left.

Ignoring the craving, he slipped two fingers into her heat while using his tongue to encircle the tight knot of nerves. Gabby arched her back, gripping the duvet at her sides. Fuck, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever had the chance to pleasure. Why the hell she was giving his ugly, scarred ass the time of day, he didn’t know.

Gabriela was the epitome of grace and class, putting her completely out of his league. And yet, as she lay before him in the throes of the oncoming orgasm, he was exactly what she needed.

It didn’t take class, style, or money to please a woman.

Using his hands to ease her legs farther apart, he dipped his tongue into her hot core. Fuck, her sweetness came in a close second only to the taste of her blood. Her femoral artery pulsed near his ear. With his enhanced hearing, the sound thundered through his brain, making it hard to concentrate on anything other than how easily it would be to sink his fangs into the soft flesh of her inner thigh.

Not that she wouldn’t enjoy it.

Had he bowed to the temptation, her oncoming orgasm would be immediate and far more intense … not that she’d ever know because he couldn’t allow it to happen.

Her thighs trembled; her knuckles whitened as she squeezed the cotton spread. Holding her fast to the bed, he slid his fingers back into her core, using his thumb on her clit for added pressure.

Ryder lightly dragged the sharp points of his fangs over her smooth flesh, careful not to break the skin. Gabby sucked in air, his name tumbling from her lips as her climax washed over her.

Smiling, Ryder sat up and wiped a palm down his beard. Hell, she was so fucking sweet he’d been tempted to go another round. His erection wasn’t about to be denied, though. He was hard enough he could damn near drive through a cement block wall. This time, though, he planned to take his good ol’ time, show her what it was like to be cherished by a man and not just used for his gain.

Ryder’s conscience warred with him, smacked him right upside the head.

Wasn’t that what he was doing? Using her?

Hell. To. The. No.

He was using her to get to her uncle, that much was true. But this? No, this was all him, the Tepes brothers and their need for revenge had nothing to do with his present actions. He hadn’t needed to sleep with Gabby to complete his mission. He’d already found Raúl. Making love to her wasn’t a part of that equation.

Crawling up the mattress, seeing her lying there languid with a moony smile that he had put there, Ryder knew exactly what it felt like to have the walls he erected around his heart kicked down, brick by brick. Christ, he was in danger of falling, even if he had thought it wasn’t in his DNA to love again.

Pretty fucking stupid, Ryder.

When Gabby kicked him to the curb, which she no doubt would, he’d be leaving a piece of himself right here in La Paz. Ryder shook his head; now was not the time for making any death-bed declarations. Hell, he still needed to come out of this sordid affair with his head intact.

Ryder settled himself between her thighs, carefully displacing his weight as he braced his arms on each side of her head. “Ready for round two?”

Lacing her fingers at the base of his skull, Gabby brought him down, meeting his lips with hers. It was the only answer he needed. He returned her kiss with the passion and desperation of a starving man. His hunger for her bordered on out-of-fucking-control. He fit perfectly between her thighs, like the ying to her yang.

Gabby wrapped her legs around his waist, crossing her ankles at the base of his spine and trapping his erection between their bodies. She slid deliciously along the naked length, one hell of a turn-on. Damn, but he needed to be inside her heat, feel her fitting him like a tightly worn glove.

Breaking the kiss, Ryder growled, the sound more animal than human. He guided the tip of his cock to her center. Their gazes held as he pushed forward, slowly sliding into her heat. Her mouth opened; her breath caught.

Her dark eyes were like windows to her soul.

She held nothing back.

Somehow, this connection became far more than just a romp in the sack. Ryder could feel it in the way she gave herself to him, in the way she opened herself. And if he was being fucking truthful, it was already too late for him as well. He could easily see himself spending the rest of his days with her, making his miserable life worth living. Too bad she had no idea she was fucking an immortal, a vampire … one who was bent on destroying the only life she knew.

Ryder slowly thrust into her, not wanting to rush the moment, and yet the animal part of him wanted to quicken the pace, to fuck so hard she’d never be able to forget him, regardless of how much she might hate him in the end.

Gabby traced her fingers along the scar tissue, the ugly reminder of how cruel life could be. Shivers danced along his flesh at the delicate touch. But when she brought her head from the pillow and placed a tender kiss where her fingers had been, the last brick fell and his heart opened up.

It was then he knew it was too late. He was already a goner.

His thrusts increased; his muscles contracted. Her head tilted into the pillow as she cried his name, music to his ears, reaching her own culmination.

“Fuck!” he roared, just before his climax took possession and ripped through him.

It was then he knew that he loved her.