Chapter Nine
Jordan’s body was heavy, her heart struggled to beat.
Was she dying? She gasped for breath. His scent hit her like a shot, filled her lungs, and spread heat through her body.
The vampire’s lips brushed her brow. “Hold on, sweet.” Oh, god, that sexy, sexy voice. Deep and rough.
Gabriel’s arms tightened around her as he sat on the edge of a bed.
She wasn’t dying, she was drifting in and out of the most erotic dream she’d ever had. He held her immobile, pressing her mouth to a gash in his throat. His blood slipped over her tongue and down her throat. She knew this was wrong but, damn, his taste…ecstasy. A decadent dessert.
Jordan shifted, fitting herself more firmly against his naked chest. He felt so good and she wanted to be closer. Skin to skin. She wiggled her hips, waves of excitement resonated through her when she felt his erection. Long and thick, it throbbed against her. She flicked her tongue over his wound then sucked hard, drawing more of his blood into her mouth and sighed.
Gabriel cupped her nape and pulled her away. Jordan tried to protest, but no words came. He laid her on the bed. For a moment, she woke fully and peered up at her dark angel. His face was shadowed and his brilliant eyes glowed. He gazed down upon her and she watched his brow crease with a frown as his thoughts seemed to grow distant. Then he turned from the bed.
Her lips parted as she attempted to call his name, but darkness clouded her vision and she felt her mind float back into the twilight realm of dreams. In her fantasy, he hadn’t pulled her away from his throat and she’d wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him captive. Gabriel shifted her on his lap and she straddled him, his hard length nestled against her core. His hands framed her hips as she began to rock against him. His blood continued to flow and she increased the pressure on his vein. His cock twitched with her every swallow.
Whispers danced around the room as consciousness tugged at her. She fought against the allure, not wanting to wake up. Gabriel’s hands were now roaming her back. He bunched the material of…whatever she was wearing, and exposed her shoulder. His tongue skipped over her skin, causing her to shudder. Then his lips pulled back from his long, lethal fangs and…
Consciousness teamed with self-preservation and shattered her erotic illusion. She wasn’t in her cell. No, she was in a strange bedroom and she wasn’t alone. Hushed voices drifted through the room, both male but one was powerful. Intimidating. Gabriel.
“Do you understand, doctor?”
Scott quickly replied, “Yes, my king. It will be administered only if necessary.”
Then came a woman’s voice, her words were gentle, but firm. “My spell will ensure no one will use it without your consent or knowledge,” she promised.
Spell?
“And I’ll see that it is safely locked away,” Scott added.
She heard the shuffling of multiple footsteps and more muffled words before a door softly closed.
“I apologize if we woke you,” Gabriel said, his luxurious, velvet voice filled the room and Jordan shivered. They were in a bedroom. Alone.
Jordan searched the candle light room for the hero of her erotic dreams. Gabriel leaned against a set of double doors, his shoulders nearly spanning their width. His dark golden hair was tousled. His intense green eyes were shadowed. He folded his arms over his wide, bare chest. He gripped a gray t-shirt in one fist, the material covering his left pectoral. Pity, the vampire didn’t provide her with an unobstructed view of his roped muscled torso. His black slacks teased her imagination with how low they hung on his hips. Gabriel’s lips curled up at the edges with a cocky smile. She blinked, unable to believe she was gazing at her darkest, sexiest, fantasy brought to life.
On some level it occurred to her that she should be embarrassed since she was staring at him like an idiot. Her tongue practically hanging out, her eyes probably wide and round, like a love struck cartoon character, but she didn’t care. Hell, if he didn’t want women drooling over him then he should wear a freak’in shirt.
A disappointed groan deflated her chest when he slipped the gray material over his head. Could he read her thoughts? She’d heard old, strong vampires had power of the mind and after he’d taken out the guards at the auction house, she knew he must be among the elite.
“How do you feel?” he asked once the shirt was in place.
Jordan’s eyes closed. Every cell in her body hummed with delicious vibrations triggered by the rich baritone in his voice.
“Jordan?”
He sounded closer. Opening her eyes, she gasped. She hadn’t heard him move, hadn’t perceived any shift in the air around her like she’d been taught to sense by her aunt. Gabriel stood an arm’s length from the side of the bed. Her fingers trembled as she contemplated reaching out. Would he let her touch him? Would he move closer? Sink down on the bed beside her?
Gabriel’s tranquil green eyes flickered with shadows of darkness. Dangerous. Exciting. She’d been raised and trained as a hunter and knew the signs of a vampire attack: their fangs would lengthen, their claws sharpened, and their eyes became as black as the pits of Hell—empty and soulless. But not this vampire. Gabriel’s eyes shimmered with lust. The knowledge sent heat spiraling through her, setting her every nerve ending on fire. This powerful alpha wanted her and his blatant desire awakened a craving deep within her.
Clearing his throat, Gabriel dropped his gaze to the floor. “Do you need anything?”
Jordan’s lips parted, ready to respond when he turned away from her to pour her a glass of water. Had he sensed her thirst?
She flashed him a smile when he returned, offering it to her. She took a sip.
“Are you hungry?” he asked next.
A wave of nausea rolled through her stomach at the mere thought of food. Strange. She should be starving. “No.”
Of their own accord her eyes shifted to the pulse of Gabriel’s throat. Her tongue darted out to wet her suddenly too dry lips. What she wanted, she couldn’t have.
Whoa. Had she just thought of taking his blood? That dream had really gotten her going.
“A bath, then?” he offered.
She sighed, “Yes.” It’d been so long since she’d had the privilege to lounge in a tub. When she’d first been captured, she was bathed with the other humans: lined up, stripped, and hosed off. After she’d revealed her strength and skill as a hunter, she’d been drugged and received rough sponge baths twice a week from a cruel, ham-fisted female vampire.
“I’ll start the water.”
Jordan watched him cross to a door to the right of the bed. He disappeared and the sound of rushing water quickly followed. Sucking in a breath, Jordan pushed herself up to a sitting position. The room spun, but she didn’t topple over like she had on the plane. Awesome. She also noted she no longer wore the baby doll lingerie either. Thank god. Turning her head, she sniffed at her shoulder and smiled as Gabriel’s scent tickled her nose. She was wearing one of his shirts.
With some light shifting, she slipped her legs off the mattress. Totally prepared to hit the floor, she gave it to faith and forced herself up. Her knees were weak, her entire body shook but she remained standing. Closing her eyes, she drew in one steadying breath after another until the sharp pain in her head subsided.
“Almost ready.”
Her eyes snapped opened. Gabriel stood in the doorway of the bathroom. His brows locked together with concern. Jordan took one step. Two. Three. Then her legs gave out. Gabriel scooped her up in his arms.
She blinked in shock. “Wow, you’re fast.”
He grunted in response as he carried her into the oversized bathroom. She whistled low. “I bet my entire apartment could fit in this room.”
Gabriel set her on the edge of the tub before turning to the cupboards lining one of the walls. He began to rummage through their contents, searching for something.
Steam rose from the water and Jordan couldn’t resist dipping her fingers into the warmth. Bad idea. She tumbled and fully anticipated to meet the water. A large hand gripped her shoulder and pulled her upright.
“Can’t leave you for a second.” Though Gabriel’s tone was sharp, his eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Sorry, I haven’t recovered my balance yet.”
He shrugged then tossed two pink discs in the water. They instantly began to fizz and the room filled with the scent of midnight blooming jasmine. The water foamed over, billowing clouds of bubbles took shape.
Gabriel reached over and turned the faucet off. “I should give you some privacy, but I’m afraid of leaving you alone.”
She smiled. “I promise to stay in the shallow end.”
That earned her a chuckle. “See that you do. I’ll be right back. Try not to slip or drown in my absence. I’d hate to have spent so much energy saving you only to have you perish from an accident in my home.”
How is a girl supposed to respond to that? She shrugged. He’s a sweetheart.
Jordan’s fingers trembled as she unsuccessfully worked the buttons of the shirt. This was going to take forever. After another futile moment ticked by, frustration got the best of her. Gripping the material with both hands, Jordan tore it apart. Buttons flew like tiny missiles, some binged off the mirror over the double sinks while others bounced and rolled across the floor.
Once free of the shirt, she scooted her bottom back and gingerly slipped into the welcoming heat of the water. “Oh, yes,” she sighed, her eyes closing. This was exactly what she needed. She sank further under the bubbles and rested her head on the rim. The warmth eased her aches and twinges and chased away the cold that had seemed permanently settled in her bones.
“Good. You survived while I was gone.”
Jordan’s eyelids snapped open. “Y-your back already.” Did she just squeak like a mouse?
The edge of his lips twitched, but he didn’t smile.
She cleared her throat and eased into a sitting position. Stretching her arms wide, she drew a mass of bubbles to her chest to conceal her breasts. “Not going to lie, it was touch and go there for a minute.”
Again he resisted a smile. Why? He’d be beyond gorgeous if he smiled.
Gabriel set a way too large black robe on the counter then headed back to the wall of cupboards to pull out a stack of fluffy white towels. After placing the pile beside the tub, he said, “That should be everything you need. I’ll remain in the room to grant you privacy.”
“No.” The force of her tone even caught her off guard and the panic that had laced that one word struck her like a blow to the gut.
“Jordan?”
“Sorry.” She flashed her best I’m-fine smile. “For the last few days…weeks? Damn, it could’ve been months, I’ve been locked away. Isolated. I missed having someone to talk to.”
Anger flashed in Gabriel’s eyes but vanished as quickly as it appeared. He gave her a tight nod then crossed to the counter. Leaning against the granite edge, he folded his arms over his wide chest.
“You’re staying?” she asked, trying her hardest to hold back her surprise.
“Warning, I’m not one for chatting.”
“A man of few words, uh? I like that.” Jordan smiled then dipped below the water’s surface. Slicking her matted hair back, she reached for the bottle of shampoo. Her fingers still trembled. She cursed when the bottle slipped from her grip and banged to the floor. Gabriel abandoned his post to retrieve it.
Studying her hands, she curled and uncurled her fingers. Was it the shock of the night’s experiences, the remnants of adrenaline? Or was it withdrawals? How long ago was her last dose?
“What time is it?”
“A little past eight.”
Her eyes went wide. “In the morning?”
He answered with a nod.
“Shouldn’t you be dreaming of nocturnal rainbows and blood fountains right now?”
Gabriel arched a single golden brow. “Nocturnal rainbows?”
“Yeah, or…whatever vampires like.”
“Such as unicorns.”
Jordan gaped. Had the rough and gruff vampire made a joke?
“The sun doesn’t rule us all,” he added with a shrug.
“In other words, you’re old and very strong.”
Again, a silent nod was her answer. How interesting, she thought. Her aunt had explained that powerful vampires could resist the call of the sun. Rumor was some could even walk under its rays without becoming as crispy and chard as burnt fried chicken. Could he chill on the beach and not burst into flame?
Gabriel offered her the shampoo. This time, Jordan reach for it with both hands, but still couldn’t hold on to it. The bottle dropped into the tub and water splashed across Gabriel’s shirt. “Sorry. My hands won’t stop shaking.”
He dipped his arm into the water and retrieved the bottle. “Would you like me to help you?”
Heat stung her cheeks. His hands in her hair? Oh, yes. Lord, please! A simple touch could lead to so much more. Did she want more? Was she ready for more? Never had she been so completely attracted to a man. Her interest in the opposite sex normally rated next her love for oral surgery—seriously low. But Gabriel Erhard, the Chief of the misfit Outcast Society, was no ordinary guy a girl would meet walking in the mall. He was a warrior to the bone: lethal, powerful, and sexy as sin. His dangerous aura and I’ll-protect-you-from-everything-but-me gaze called to her wild, base instincts. She wanted him with a ferocity she never knew existed inside her. Since the night they’d met at the bar, she’d been infatuated with him and while she languished away in Hell, her desire to see him, to hear his voice, to feel his touch one more time was torturous. Gabriel Erhard, the enemy of her enemy, the male who dared to break the laws of his society to save the humans and bring peace to the realm of darkness, was a man she’d fight to possess.
Jordan mentally shook herself. She’d never been the brazen type and short of throwing her naked body at him, she wasn’t sure how to seduce the big, bad vampire. Was he single? Did he find her attractive? She’d seen the desire in his eyes earlier, she’s felt his erection—hadn’t she?—when she drank his blood.
That had been a dream. Jordan’s brows pinched into a frown and she began nibbling on her bottom lip. That hadn’t happened. Right? Her hopes dwindled as she realized she’d likely imagined his reaction to her when he placed her on the bed.
“Jordan?”
At the sound of his forceful voice, she violently flinched, sending water cascading over the side.
“Are you feeling well?”
She met his gaze and the concern she saw there made her heart melt. “I just got lost in here,” she tapped her temple, “and I’m not used to having company.”
Gabriel’s eyes flickered black with rage then return to their serene, normal green. “You’re here now and you’ll never experience that again.” He went to his knees beside the tube. “Turn around. I’ll wash your hair.”
Mouth suddenly dry, Jordan gave a silent nod of her own. She turned in the water and dunked her head under again. When she came back up, Gabriel was ready. His large hands worked the shampoo into her matted hair. His touch was so light, so gentle, and welcome. Her eyes drifted closed and she swore she heard purring, from him or her?
Clearing his throat, he asked, “Why were you quarantined?”
Jordan tensed. She preferred to keep her skills as a hunter secret, a deadly surprise. Should she tell him she’d fought her captors, tried multiple times to escape and killed two of her guards? The result: solitary confinement and sedation. Would Gabriel view her as a threat? Could she trust him? Up to this point, he hadn’t given her any reason to doubt him and Scott could’ve already told him about her past. Keep it short or give detail?
“I didn’t mean to pry—”
“No. It’s okay.” She took in a breath, tried not to fidget and failed. She ran her fingers through the bubbles.
“Is it safe to assume you don’t play well with others?”
His bland tone made her smile and instantly her nerves and doubt dissolved. “Something like that.”
“Tell me.”
“Scott may have already mentioned this but, I grew up with hunters. Until my aunt passed, I lived as one.” Her throat grew tight, her eyes suddenly burned with unshed tears. Shaking her head, she continued, “Anyway, I took down two guards and that landed me in some deep crap.”
“Took down?”
She sheepishly nodded. “Yeah, you know, ended them.”
Gabriel whistled low. Was he impressed?
“Little scrapper,” he chuckled.
He picked up the hand-held shower head, flipped the water on and rinsed her hair. Then he started with the conditioner, lathering it on layer after layer to ease the mass of tangles. A tiny moan parted her lips when his fingers began to massage her scalp. His hands moved lower, kneading the tight muscles of her neck. Nothing had ever felt so amazing.
“Tilt your head back.” His rough voice, shiver inducing.
Jordan complied and he rinsed her hair clean. She sensed him shift behind her. His head dipped down, his cool breath fanned over the heated, slick skin of her neck. Gabriel’s long fingers smoothly stroked through her hair. “Like silk.”
Her eyes fluttered open. His fingers brushed her throat, gently skipped over her pulse. Desire shot through her, making her toes curl.
“Done.”
“Thank you.”
He grumbled in response and came to his feet. Jordan spun and—Oh, god—his gaze burned. Deep black flickered with shimmering green. Was he just as affected as she was?
“Relax and soak as long as you like.” He exhaled a deep breath, his eyes returning to their natural color. “This room adjoins mine. I’ll be just a shout away.”
He was leaving? But she hadn’t asked any of her questions. She’d been too caught up, savoring his touch, her brain had stopped working. Damn it. Get your head in the game, Jordan.
“Wait.” She shifted and lunged for his hand, water sloshed over the side to slap the floor. Her fingers laced around his wrist. He could’ve easily pulled out of her weak grasp, but he froze and slowly pivoted. His gaze fell to her hand, his expression hard and the muscle along his jaw ticked.
Jordan tightened her grip and his eyes snapped back to her. Was he angry? She released him and settled back in the water. Her legs could barely support her, yet she’d shot through the water like a torpedo to stop him. Where had the energy and strength come from?
Silence thickened the air.
Jordan nervously cleared her throat and said, “Please, stay. I’ve so many questions.” When he didn’t respond, she added, “I’d like us to talk and…I don’t want to be alone right now.”
Gabriel’s wide shoulders tensed, his chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh. “I’ll stay.”
The hard edge of his voice caused her to have second thoughts, but she wouldn’t back down. She had to know. The questions had been slowly driving her mad, circling on an endless loop as she sat alone in her cell. Now that she had the mysterious male within reach, all she could think of was brushing her fingers up his arms and over his shoulders. What would he taste like?
Focus! Jordan opened her mouth then closed it. Opened it again and said nothing. Where to start? Why did you come to the bar? Did you know I was a target? After I was taken, did you search for me or was my rescue a happy accident? She dropped her gaze to the bubbles and nervously began to draw designs in the foam.
As if reading her mind, Gabriel grunted, “We didn’t meet by chance. I knew you were on my enemy’s list.”
Jordan swallowed hard. One fear confirmed and one question answered. She’d had a feeling the Slave Handlers had been tracking her for a while before they’d made their move. If she’d been paying attention, as she’d been taught, she would’ve seen them coming.
“What was your plan? I mean, was the music bit legit?”
“You needn’t doubt my motives.”
“So, you own a record label and fully intended on signing me?”
He gave a short nod.
Okay, seems this vamp is on the straight. “Did you know I was going to be taken that night?”