Chapter Ten
Gabriel’s gaze shifted to the side then quickly returned. “No.”
He’d been blinded by her beauty and awestruck by her voice. His uncharacteristic and maddening obsession had impaired his judgement. Jordan’s capture, her imprisonment, torture, and impending death was his fault. But he’d make it right. Gabriel would find a way to cross her off the shadowy Specter’s most wanted list and, if possible, he’d rid her of her nightmarish memories.
“If I’d known they planned to take you that night, I wouldn’t have left you alone,” he declared.
Her pupils dilated, a blush rushed to her cheeks. “In the hall, you mean?”
Gabriel responded with another simple nod. He didn’t know how to answer that question without revealing too much. That night he’d denied his instincts and fought the need to pin her to the wall, to kiss her, to take her. If he’d surrendered to his dark desires and ignored his no humans’ policy, he’d have been with her. Boras’s men wouldn’t have dared to strike in his presence. But he’d disregarded the primal whisper that begged him to touch her. I have her now, that’s what matters.
Jordan stared at his mouth. Was she thinking of the moment they’d shared that night? Had she wanted to know his kiss as much as he craved to know hers? Would she have let him push her against the wall?
She ran her tongue over her top lip before drawing on her bottom lip with her teeth.
Damn. How could such a simple action be so unbearably sexy?
“I thought about you,” she confessed, her words breathy. “In the beginning, I wondered if you’d been a part of my abduction. As time pasted I started to question if you were even real. Maybe I’d dreamed you up to help cope with…Then I heard rumors. Your name was spoken like a curse by the guards. And the slave houses were destroyed.”
She traced her fingers through the fragrant foam, drawing little designs once more. Gabriel remained perfectly still as he waited silently for her to continue. Jordan was perceptive and he knew where her thoughts were heading. But Gabriel wasn’t going to volunteer information.
“In the purchasing room, Klein, the lead Slave Handler, he asked if you’d been searching for me.” She boldly met his stare. “Were you?”
I was obsessed with finding you. “With every raid, I hoped to find you.”
She swallowed hard. “Last night, did you release any other humans?”
He shook his head. “The security was tight. We had to go in undercover,” he explained.
Jordan inched toward the edge of the tub, her fingers gripped the rim. The bubbles gathered around her, concealing her breasts, her trim waist and rounded hips. Her eyes narrowed as she slowly looked him up and down—studying him—her gaze burning him straight to his soul.
“Jordan, I’m no hero. Don’t confuse me with being a chivalrous knight.”
Her tempting lips curled with a sweet smile. “I know. I just want the truth,” she replied.
Gabriel knelt beside the tub. His voice dropped an octave as he stated, “You know the truth.”
Jordan’s eyes rounded with understanding. “That night, you came to the bar to protect me.”
He bit back a menacing growl, hating his failure. “Yes.”
“Why?”
You belong to me. Gabriel’s head snapped back as if he’d been slapped. Jordan didn’t belong to him. Hell, she didn’t even belong with him. She was mortal, a being meant for the light and he was steeped in darkness.
“Gabriel?”
He briefly closed his eyes, savoring the sound of her honeyed voice whispering his name. He’d dreamed of her sighing his name as he kissed her, calling out his name as he brought her to orgasm. His blood heated to a dangerous degree as his gaze roamed her face, drinking in every detail. Jordan was so close. He could grip her upper arms and draw her against him. He could lay claim to her luscious lips. Inhaling deeply, he scented her desire, and shuddered. Yes, she’d let him kiss her and he’d have her moaning, begging for more.
Yes, more.
Gabriel shook his head. What the hell was he thinking? She’s human and so easily breakable. Every caress would have to be tempered, every kiss reserved, every thrust controlled. He could never have more with Jordan. The fantasies had to end.
He tugged a hand through his hair. There was no point in torturing himself. He’d accomplished his goal: rescue the mortal. Jordan was safe. It was time for his life to return to normal, first thing, he had to end his monkish ways. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had sex, not that any of his bed partners were ever memorable. He shared pleasure with countless, nameless women. His recent lack of sex must be why Jordan was having such an effect on him. Once back in the city, he’d find an eager vampiress or two.
“I’ll leave you to your bath.”
Gabriel shifted and began to stand when Jordan’s hands settled atop his shoulders. His body became immobile, his limbs heavy as boulders. He couldn’t pull way even if he’d wanted to and he knew he should want to break free of her hold.
He leaned into her touch.
“Please, wait. One more question.”
He sighed, trying to appear exasperated. “What is it?”
“Did you know I was going to be at the auction house?”
He reluctantly provided the truth and muttered a curse when she smiled. Jordan was beautiful, but when she smiled her violet eyes brightened and Gabriel’s thoughts turned hazy.
“You infiltrated your enemy’s camp to rescue me.”
Her breathless whisper sent shock waves through his system, igniting his blood and stiffening his cock. Damn it.
“Thank you.”
Gabriel gave her a quick nod in response. He would’ve pulled away then, but Jordan’s arms wound around his neck and she tugged his head down. Their lips met. Automatically, Gabriel’s entire frame tensed. The pressure of her lips was gentle and innocent at first, but this wasn’t like the chaste kiss they shared on the plane. Jordan thrust her tongue into his mouth and…god damn, she was delicious, like fresh berries. He should pull away. He should make her stop. End this now, he told himself. But her kiss was electrifying and he was completely enraptured.
More. Just a little more.
“Yes,” she sighed. Had he spoken aloud?
Her fingers dug into his shoulders and she raised herself out of the water. His breath slammed from his chest when Jordan pressed her wet body against him. Soft, full breasts crushed against his solid pectorals.
Gabriel’s hands fisted at his sides. He couldn’t touch her. Shouldn’t touch her. He’d lose control. He’d pull her from the tub, pin her to the floor and drive his cock into her. Oh, fuck. His entire frame shook from the thought.
Jordan deepened the kiss, dancing her tongue along his. Demanding more, she began to rub against him. Her stiffened nipples abraded him despite his shirt. She moaned and he felt the vibration all the way down to his hardened shaft.
He should stop this. Jordan was: mortal, injured, and weak.
Gabriel took command of the kiss, twining their tongues together again and again. Licking. Sucking. He’d kiss her until she could only gasp his name, delirious from pleasure.
Her fingers tunneled through his hair, tugging. “Mmm. More.”
God, her voice, her lips, her taste—drugging. Maddening.
“P-Please,” she gasped, mindless.
Gabriel’s control shattered. More. Yes, he’d give her more. His woman didn’t need to beg. Gabriel released his fists, his fingers greedy for the feel of her silken hair, to feel the weight of her breasts in his palms and to explore the silken heat between her thighs.
His ears twitched, was that a knock on the bedroom door?
“My king!” Gannon called.
Gabriel wrenched away from her. Panting, he shot to his feet. Anger incinerated his lust, but it did nothing to stop his gaze from roaming over her. Jordan’s skin was flushed, glowing. Her pouting, alluring lips were swollen. She gazed up at him, her eyes hooded, their violet depths darkened with desire.
He spun around before his eyes dropped to her exposed breasts. He ran shaking hands through his hair. “You shouldn’t have done that,” he rasped, his voice rougher than he’d like. God, the little mortal had him trembling in his boots.
“Gabriel!”
He snapped, “Fuck, Gannon, I’ll be right there.” Keeping his gaze averted, Gabriel grabbed a towel and thrust it at Jordan. “Here. Dry off.”
She mumbled a thank you and stood. Gabriel crossed to the counter and snatched the robe. He handed it to her and ground his teeth as he silently waited for her to secure the oversized garment around her waist.
Without a word, he turned back to her, scooped her up and carried her from the bathroom to the bed. He set her down and quickly backed away, not trusting himself. He was tempted to join her, to reclaim her lips, to bury his cock and fangs deep in her, to show her just how dishonorable he was. He’d told her he was no knight, no savior. And too powerful. Mortals are off limits.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he repeated, flashing his fangs.
Jordan straightened her shoulders and met his hard gaze with challenge. “Why?”
Gabriel tilted her chin up with an index finger. “I’m a beast, Jordan. A vampire.”
She swallowed hard, but didn’t glance away. “I know.”
“You shouldn’t test my control.”
“You could’ve stopped me.” Her lips curled with a seductive smile that set fire to his blood. “But we both know you liked it.”
Damn, she was bold. He liked it. None of his lovers would ever dare speak to him that way. Then again, they were all vampires and understood his strength, his capability and respected his title. Her teasing was refreshing, but not welcome.
“Fact, I could crush you.” He drew his finger from her chin up her jaw line. She shivered when he lightly tickled her ear. Her breath hitched when he skimmed his fingers down her neck. Her pulse leapt beneath his caress. “You’re so very…mortal.”
Jordan’s vivid gaze shimmered with desire. Her need called to him, her pulse beckoned him to have a taste. His vampire stirred, restless, and his hunger for her sharpened along with his anger. He shouldn’t be here. He should be down in the dungeon interrogating Boras’s guards and slowly killing the Slave Handler. He shouldn’t be kissing the human and he definitely shouldn’t be touching her or threatening her as he was now.
Dosing the flames she ignited within him, Gabriel dropped his hand and stepped away from the bed. Pinning her with a cold stare he snapped, “Don’t do that again.” He turned his back to her and went for the door. As he stepped out into the hall, Gabriel heard her whisper, “I can’t and won’t make any guarantees.”