Sienna’s vision grew hazy as the light built within her again. The world was fuzzy at the edges, but then someone grabbed ahold of her hand, squeezing hard. Jace. This time, the vision hadn’t drained her as much. She still had a little physical strength, but her heart wasn’t in it. Her anger had washed away, leaving her with a deep pit of sadness. But she didn’t want to leave him again, didn’t want to be by herself in the whirling blackness anymore. She squeezed back. “All this stuff keeps going through my head, tugging and pulling at me. I can’t control it.”

“You will.” He was so close his breath whispered against her skin. “It’s not just about you and your mom anymore.” He tilted his head back in the direction of the house. “You’ve got every one of the girls in that house behind you. Hell, you’ve got me wherever you want me. You don’t have to do any of this alone.”

She shook her head. “My mom said I was the key. I was the one who had to stop it all.” The haze swam in her vision again. “She didn’t tell me a fucking thing. I’m out here in the desert with no answers, and I’m so angry that even my damn thoughts are taking over the world!”

“She loved you, Sienna. I’m sure of that. We all make mistakes, but in the end, I think she was trying to protect you.” He shrugged. “Was it misguided? Maybe. But it was done out of love.”

She closed her eyes, allowing the warmth from the sun, and from Jace’s body pressed against her, to keep her grounded. “I know. It’s just—I—Jace, it’s too much. I don’t want to feel like this, the grief and anger, but I can’t switch it off.”

“Then keep it, but use it. Use it to fight back, to survive.”

She tensed. The swirling vortex of clouds was still hovering on the edges of her mind. Disappearing back inside there scared the crap out of her. She’d wanted to retreat, to just go back to where everything was safe again. It had backfired, big time. Her mind had been so full of anger, so full of grief, that she would likely have lost herself inside her own head if Jace hadn’t been able to push his way through. She stared out to the skyline, clenching her jaw. There wasn’t anywhere to hide in the real world. She’d run, thinking she hadn’t left a single trail, and yet Keila had found her, followed swiftly by the men in the car. They’d been waiting for her in her motel room! By some miracle she’d managed to fight them off. That only meant that the blonde woman wouldn’t be far behind.

Isobel.

Sienna forced herself to think her name. If she was going to face her head-on, if she really was what her mother had intended, then she at least had to be able to think the bitch’s name.

“Imagine if you could use all that pain,” Jace whispered. “Don’t let it beat you, but take it, ball it, up and shoot it out. They wouldn’t stand a chance.”

The energy whirled in Sienna’s head, spinning and whipping around until she saw sparks crackle and fizz in the evening light. She closed her eyes and, forcing her mind to focus, reached out and grabbed at it. The ball of energy stopped directly in front of her eyes, hovering in place. She tugged on it, pushing and folding until it collapsed into an impossibly tight ball. It shimmered right in front of her eyes like a tiny star, the light reflecting back onto her. Could Jace see it too, or was all of this in her mind?

“There you go, Sweetheart. I knew you could do it.” His words made her jolt and Jace chuckled, tapping her on the side of her head. “Just don’t get so lost in there that I can’t find you. I need you, Sienna.”

His words shocked her, pushing into her gut. They stayed there, settling in slowly until she pushed aside some of the darkness that had lived inside her ever since the day she found her mom. His lips brushed the top of her head, then her ear, trailing down her neck. Each touch added a little more light, until a burning grew deep inside her. His mouth licked and nibbled at her as his hands moved over her, stroking her arms leisurely, then across her shoulders, her back. A shiver ran through her and the heat grew again. They sat there, Jace’s mouth and hands never leaving her body as the sun fell down, mixing with the baby blue of the sky. First a soft orange glow, then a blazing procession that faded into lavender and finally navy blue. The air temperature dropped, but the heat inside Sienna’s body blazed. She turned her head, looking into his eyes. “Let’s go back to your room.”

“Okay.” He took her hand, guiding her across the rocky field until they reached the grass path. Jace slung an arm around her shoulders and they walked back to the house. Her skin tingled wherever it touched his body and she smiled. They were like any normal couple, taking a walk at sunset before . . . she bit her lip. Was she ready for this? Jace had made it more than clear that he was interested in sticking around, but as her lover? Had he changed his mind since the big reveal earlier? Was the arm around her shoulders nothing but him playing at protective big brother?

As if he heard her thoughts, he leaned over and dropped a kiss on her temple. His hand tightened on her shoulder, turning her around to face him. Cupping her face in his hands, his gaze burned into hers before he dropped his mouth to hers, taking her lips in a swift kiss. She moaned and he pulled her tightly against him, pushing his tongue inside her mouth even as his erection pushed against her belly. Her body was trembling again, but this time the light bathing her mind was warm, welcoming. It made her feel comforted, even safe. Jace ground his hips into hers, thrusting his tongue and swirling with hers. In her mind, Sienna pictured him naked, proud and erect, thrusting into her. Before the thought was even fully formed, Jace shuddered, his lips pulling away from hers, and he let out a load groan. “Sienna, my God. Do that again.”

What? She opened her eyes and fell against him, her knees nearly buckling with surprise. The air around their bodies twinkled, as if lit by a thousand fireflies. It pulsed, and a gentle warmth flowed over her. Her eyebrows hitched in confusion. “Jace?”

“I saw it, Sienna.” He groaned again, taking her mouth again. He kissed her deeply, sucking on her lip and then biting before finally releasing her. “I saw every damn thing you want to do with my body, and Baby, I’m all yours.”

At his words, an entire erotic movie played out in her mind. Every time she’d pushed him away, or wouldn’t let herself take even the smallest hint of pleasure—that hadn’t meant she’d reined in her imagination. And by the look on his face, Jace was seeing it all. Him kissing her, stripping her, then laying her down. Would he take his time, kissing every inch of her before finally taking her under him and thrusting deep? Maybe he’d take her hard and fast from behind or against a wall? Her heart pounded as the images flashed through her mind, her body quivering with desire.

Suddenly, the world tilted and the ground disappeared beneath her. “Oh, no you don’t, Sweetheart,” Jace said. His hands were under her ass, holding her firmly to him as he wrapped her legs around his waist. The position put her core directly over the hard bulge in his jeans, and wetness slicked her sex. “You’re not disappearing into your mind again, even if I’m sure we’d enjoy it a hell of a lot more this time.” He strode forward, bypassing the front door altogether and walking around the back. Removing one hand from her only to twist the doorknob on the glass patio doors leading to his bedroom, he walked inside and dropped her on the bed. His hands landed next to her on the quilt as he slid himself down until their gaze met again. “This is going to be for real.”

His hands touched the bed on either side of her head, his muscular arms caging her in. She bit her lip. Jace would do nothing to hurt her; he’d proven that many times over. Still, lying over her, his hard cock pressing into her body even as his hands moved to cradle her head . . . was she ready for this? Back in the field, he’d been inside her damn head, and yet this seemed more intimate, more real. If she let him inside her, there’d be no going back. He’d be by her side for whatever came next, and she would be making the choice to let him. She shifted, breathing in sharply when her core brushed over his erection. The drag of the rough fabric sent sparks and shivers through her. She gazed at him, searching his face. He looked so self-assured, so confident. Was he nervous about what was coming next at all? Not the sex—the way he was touching her, she wanted him inside her more than she wanted her next breath. But what came after that? A killer could be stalking her right at this moment.

A gentle kiss landed on her cheek, followed by Jace trailing his tongue back to her ear, pulling the lobe between his teeth and sucking lightly. “Stay out of your head, Sienna. I want you here.”

She looked up into his eyes. Desire and arousal were dancing in them, almost making them glow. Her eyes widened at the heat contained within them. “Jace, I don’t know how to do this—to let you see all of me.” She didn’t mean her body, and from the expression on his face, he knew it, too. His hand moved to caress her hair as his lips trailing over her neck, before moving to whisper in her ear. “Let me show you.”

His hand moved from her head, drifting over her collarbone, before settling on her breast. He stroked it, once, twice, before brushing his thumb over her nipple. The touch went straight to her sex and Sienna arched her hips, pressing against him. She didn’t know why, maybe their earlier connection in the field had changed things, but everything was stronger now. Every touch sent heat spiraling through her.

Jace growled against her neck, but his lips never left her skin. His hand continued lower, giving her only seconds’ reprieve before he reached the hem of her shirt. Without pausing, he slid his hand under, pressing his warm palm against the bare skin of her belly. She jolted at the touch and he responded by moving back to her mouth for another dragging, all-consuming kiss. His tongue tangled with hers, sucking it into his mouth as his hand moved against her skin, caressing her before cupping her breast and squeezing. He kissed her, long and deep, while teasing her breast until her nipple was a hard nub, then he moved to the other. Jace took his time, working her into a writhing mess beneath him.

This wasn’t about orgasming as quickly as possible, or even about rushing to get inside her. No—the man was enjoying every moment as much as she. With every touch, every kiss, he was dragging her out of her carefully constructed hiding place and back out into the real world. But this time, she wasn’t alone. If Jace had his way, she’d never be alone again.

He maneuvered his body down over hers, breathing deeply as if inhaling her scent, memorizing her every curve as his hands traced her body. As she arched into him again, his hand sneaked around to her back and unhooked her bra, then pulled her T-shirt roughly, exposing the top of her breast. His head dropped and he sucked an already sensitive nipple into his mouth, lathing it with his tongue until Sienna moaned beneath him. Her voice stuttered as he took her other breast into his mouth, enveloping it. “God . . . Jace . . . I need you. Now.”

He lifted his head, eyes sparkling, before leaning down again and licking up and over her breast. “I could spend all night just tasting you.”

She shivered. “No.”

His mouth left her breast immediately, his head shooting up to meet her gaze. “No? Sienna, what’s wrong?”

Sienna grabbed the back of his head, wrapping the ends of his hair in her fingers, tugging lightly. “I want you, Jace. I want you inside me.” His eyes widened for just a moment before heat flared in them again and he sank to his knees at the foot of the bed. “First, I get to taste you some more.”

Oh my God. She was going to die, combust with the heat his touch was cultivating. But oh, what a way to go.

He placed his hands on her hips, brushing over her skin before grabbing both sides of her jeans and dragging them over her hips. He quickly returned, pressing his face into her panties and inhaling, a shaky groan leaving him. Her core pulsed at the sound and Sienna felt moisture flood her panties. He grabbed the thin fabric that lay between him and her sex and in seconds that too was gone. Jace returned, nuzzling at her lower stomach. “Jace . . . too many clothes.” He looked up and grinned, sat back for just long enough to grab his T-shirt behind his head and yank it off. Before she could gasp in another breath, his face was back at her sex. His fingers brushed over her lips, opening her to him before his tongue swept through her, igniting every nerve ending before swirling around her clit. She bucked into his face. “Oh, God.”

Jace chuckled, low and deep, the vibrations echoing against her clit. “That’s the spot, huh?” He swirled his tongue against her again before replacing it with his hands, pressing just hard enough to make her eyes roll back in her head. He licked her, his tongue circling her entrance as his fingers stroked her. “Jace. Fuck me.”

“No. Not until you come all over my face.” His tongue drove into her core and her body shook with pleasure. He was unrelenting, thrusting with his tongue before moving back up to suck at her clit while his fingers took over, moving inside her. The sensations built, coiling tighter inside her until he flicked her clit with his tongue and she exploded. Waves of bliss rippled through her in time with the contractions of her core around his fingers. Jace groaned low, but kept stroking her, finding that perfect spot inside that renewed the ecstasy all over again. Finally, the waves of pleasure receded, leaving her flopped on the bed, boneless and extremely satisfied.

Jace withdrew his fingers and sucked them into his mouth, sending a new shiver through her. She couldn’t possibly want more. Her clit tingled in response. Apparently with Jace, it was going to take more than one orgasm before she’d had enough. He stood, looking down at her. His eyes were hooded and his erection obvious through the fabric of his jeans. His gaze burned into her, but Sienna didn’t feel any need to move or cover herself with the sheet. His gaze made her feel powerful, desired.

She lay back, enjoying the view as his hands moved to his waist, sliding his belt buckle undone before shoving his jeans down. Her eyes widened at the sight and she felt a new rush of wetness against her thighs. Holy crap—the man went commando. His cock was heavy and hard, pressing against his stomach. She licked her lips and Jace grinned, chuckling low. “Like what you see, Darlin’?”

Sienna raised up onto her knees, running her hands across his chest, stroking across the flat discs of his nipples, then caressing his stomach before she reached down, gripping his cock in her hand. She pumped him slowly, moving her hand over the head. Jace shuddered. “Fuck, yeah,” he growled. She lowered her head to lick across the head, but he reached out and stopped her. “Sweetheart, I’m about five seconds from bursting and I want to be buried deep inside you when I come.”

Sienna squeezed him once more before falling back on the bed, widening her legs. God, this man made her feel so sexy. “Come and take me, then.”

“With pleasure, Darlin’” Jace laid himself down next to her, rolling quickly to one side to snag a condom from his bedside drawer. He rolled it over his cock, stroking himself as Sienna watched. Damn, could she get any more aroused? She’d never felt this way before, let alone when she’d already come once. What was this man doing to her? He moved again, rolling her under him and positioning his hands on either side of her head. His hair fell forward over his forehead as he looked down at her. “Ready?” Sienna thrust her hips upward, brushing the tip of him against her core. Jace groaned, one of his arms trembling slightly. “God, you gotta come quick, Sienna. I’m not going to last.” He moved one hand and guided himself to her pussy entrance, then thrust forward, filling her entirely.

She gasped, her hips thrusting upward again. God, he felt so damn good! He waited just a moment for her to adjust, before pulling back out almost all the way then thrust back inside, even deeper than before. Her breath hitched as he picked up one of her legs and moved it to his shoulder. He thrust forward again, moving even deeper inside her with the new position. There was that spot again. Gentle shudders overtook her, growing in intensity as his cock moved over the same spot over and over again with every thrust. She lifted her other leg, wrapping it around his waist, locking him deep within her. The licks of fire were building and growing inside her again, and her sex contracted around him.

“That’s it, come with me.” Jace’s pace increased, stoking the flames inside her to white hot. She pushed back against him, grinding herself against him as pleasure sparked all over her skin. With every thrust the pleasure grew, until there was nothing left in the world except Jace moving above her, inside her. Her sex fluttered then gripped him tight. Jace pushed into her, circling his hips against her as she shattered a second time. He swore under his breath, thrusting twice more and pulsing inside her. He collapsed next to her on the bed, sweat dotted on his forehead. “God, Sienna.” He took care of the condom and then gathered her up in his arms.

She grinned. “We are so doing that again, just as soon as I can move.”

Jace chuckled against her neck, his breath tickling her. “Sweetheart, if I had my way, you’d never be leaving my bed.” He kissed her once more, then pulled a quilt up over them both. She lay there in his arms as his breath evened out then slowed as he fell asleep. Still, sleep eluded her. Were the others still out there? Her cheeks warmed at the thought. They hadn’t exactly been quiet. Jace moved in his sleep, pulling her closer to him, and Sienna forced herself to stop thinking about it—all of it. There’d be plenty of time in the morning for hunting monsters. Tonight, she wanted to rest here in Jace’s arms and pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist.