Текст книги "Eternal Temptation"

Автор книги: T. A. Grey

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Eternal Temptation
 The Kategan Alphas 4
By T. A. Grey

Chapter 1

Most people wouldn’t have noticed the change in the air. The switch from comfortable silence to sharp anger. But Darien Kategan felt it as sure as he felt the weight of the grocery bags in his arms. He didn’t have to turn around to know who had walked up behind him.

“Thanks, Joe.”

“See you next week, Darien.”

Darien shouldered open the door and caught his reason for anxiety swiftly pursuing him out the corner of his eye. The bell above the door jingled brightly as the door slammed shut behind him. He headed towards his truck and wondered if he’d at least have time to set his supplies down before they got him.

He wasn’t so lucky.

The bell above the door banged loudly and footsteps bounded hard on the concrete behind him. The first shove at his back sent him spiraling into the back of his truck like he was trying to kiss it. He tightened his hold on his groceries and clamped his teeth together as he slowly turned around.

“Darien fucking Kategan.”

Darien bowed his head. “Tom.” Anger flared in the other’s eyes, white-hot and raw.

“Don’t use my fucking name, you piece of shit. Don’t you ever use my name. You have no right.” Deep breaths. There everything was all good.

Tom came closer, eyeing him up and down, assessing, as his two friends circled in closer. Darien stood up straight and hefted his groceries against his chest. He peered straight into the eyes of the man taunting him–the same eyes she’d had. A beautiful mixture of gray and blue, like God had made a special mixture just for her when she’d been born. Of course, her brother had been blessed with the same color. God was a son of a bitch like that.

Darien saw the fist coming and didn’t move. If anything, he lifted his chin enough to help the punch to catch. The first blow was like a balm to him. The second came from his right in a fast arch that caught his cheekbone. The flare of pain was hot and quick and slammed him back against the truck.

He sighed it felt so good. The next blow hit his lip and the sharp biting pain reminded him of the time he’d fallen as a kid and bit down on his lip so hard it bled. Only this hurt worse, split his lip open with burning pain.

Hit after hit assaulted him. Catching his eyes, his nose, the corner of his mouth. His grip on the groceries loosened, he couldn’t command his fingers to hold on to them anymore. They sagged then fell to the ground.

The blows pounded into his stomach and chest. Wonderful pain, delirious hurt bloomed across his pecks and deep into his ribs and organs. The bell above the door jingled and he almost sighed with regret. Light footsteps bounded close.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Tom?”

“Giving him what he deserves.”

“That’s a load of bull and you know it. Now get away from him. I said get back now!” Gentle hands wrapped around his chest and lifted him from his slouched bend against his truck. “Alright I got you now, Darien. Do you want me to call the cops?” Joe the cashier was half his height and weighed less than that. Darien wasn’t surprised when Joe’s arms started shaking trying to keep him up right.

With a sigh, Darien braced his feet and stood up straight, shaking away Joe’s thin arms. “No need to call the police, Joe. We were just taking care of some old business.”

“Yeah, right,” Tom said. He gave one last hateful glance then walked away, his friends trailing behind.

Darien bit back his sigh and bent to retrieve his groceries. The brown paper bags were torn so he just started chucking his groceries into the bed of his truck. He crumpled the paper into a big ball and handed it to Joe.

As he started for the driver’s side door, Joe sputtered, “Wait, where are you going? You need a doctor. You’re bleeding. Don’t you want to press charges?” Humans. Joe had no idea that in a few days, his face and this fleeting pain would be just a happy memory.

“Would you mind throwing that away for me? Thanks, Joe. I appreciate the help. See you next week.” Darien climbed into his truck, turned the key in the ignition, and took off.

It took him under half an hour to find the dirt road he needed. He slowed and the road into the forest. Parking the truck under a large canopy of trees, he took a second to catch his breath. His chest felt like it’d had a hammer taken to it. Each breath was like a knife jabbing between his ribs over and over again.

Wincing, he leaned across the seat and snatched a plastic bag from under the passenger seat. By the time he finished loading the groceries into the bag, a sheen of sweat covered his forehead and his breathing was labored.

He pressed his teeth together and marched into the woods. Normally the chirping of birds and the pattering feet of squirrels and deer calmed him, but today it only deepened the throbbing tempo beating at his temples.

Sometime later, he passed through the thick layers of trees and into a small clearing with a small cabin. It was a tiny, one-bedroom cabin. About the size of his bedroom and bathroom combined back at his real house. He opened the door that he never locked and set his groceries on the table.

The restlessness that had been riding him for so long itched at him, clawing its way into him until he stomped outside and picked up the axe leaning against the cabin. Walking over to a fallen tree near the cabin, he eyed the wood, looking for the perfect spots to make even cuts.

Darien lifted the axe over his head and let it fall in a hard arch, cracking into the waiting log and splitting it halfway down the middle. He lifted the axe and let it fly again and again. Until sweat dampened his shirt like a wet rag and his hand cramped around the axe’s wooden handle. When the last blow fell he stopped.

Pulling his shirt off he used it to wipe the sweat off his face. The pain in his arms was just dull enough now that he could feel it every time he bent his elbows. His stomach and abs felt battered and his face burned swollen and hot where he’d been hit. The burn was better than any amount of relief whiskey or drugs could ever provide.

Inside the cabin he tossed his dirty shirt in the bin and grabbed a bottle of water from the counter. He downed the entire bottled until it crinkled in his hand.

Suddenly, he stilled, his head cocking to the side. The water bottle crinkled loudly as he set it back on the counter. There it was again. The mush of leaves and dirt...like steps.

Darien snatched his knife off the table and silently sprinted through the trees. Hunching down against a tree, he was grateful nighttime was pouring in and darkening the forest. It’d be hell for anyone to see through, except he had fantastic night vision. With a deep breath, he let his beast out to the surface.

More of that noise like the soft rustling of leaves but constant and with weight to it. And it was headed his way. Sprinting to the right, Darien turned left and headed north with the intent to box in whoever it was. The steps grew slower and slower, and he followed, too far back to see who it was. Though now he was certain it was a person and not a deer. He wished like hell there was some wind tonight, something to send their sent to him, but damn if he wasn’t an unlucky son of a bitch.

Darien crept closer, but it was unnecessary because a loud curse blew through the forest and then a solid thump. He kept his ear poised towards the sound. Had the person walking just dropped something heavy or did they just drop? He listened but heard no other sound except for the voices of insects.

Darien tightened his grip on his knife and tracked down the perpetrator. He broke through a low canopy of branches and his gut tightened at what he saw. Sniffing the air, he caught the person’s scent. Goosebumps shivered over him at the smell. Flowers.

“Fuck.”

What the hell was a damned woman doing out here in the middle of nowhere? A woman with a full head of dark hair and an ass that had him quickly looking away from it. Double fuck.

Crouching down at the woman, Darien gently pushed the hair back from the side of her face. His eyes narrowed on the dark circle surrounding her eye and the dark red sheen on her cheek. He gnashed his teeth together. It wasn’t any of his business. Yeah, right, like he could ignore the shiner someone had given her.

She’d fallen on her stomach and face for that matter. He pressed his fingers to her throat and found a steady pulse. It wasn’t until that moment that he realized a pressure had been wrapped around his heart. It eased more and more at the feel of her skin pulsing against his fingertip.

He rolled her over gently and went to inspect her for wounds. He didn’t get any further than her face.

The black and red bruises that marred the side of her face couldn’t begin to take away from her beauty. Fuck, he felt like he’d just been punched in the gut again. Her jaw was soft and pointed, her lips pink with perfect points on her top lip, and her brows and nose were dainty. Talk about the last thing he needed.

Gently he wrapped his arms underneath her and lifted her to his chest. She was so damned light; the woman must not eat a thing. Yet as he looked down at her in his arms, he saw the full flush of her curves, rounded thighs, and press of her breasts against her shirt.

His cock twitched in his pants. The sensation was so shocking that he stumbled a step and nearly dropped her. Breathing erratic, he closed his eyes until he had his body back under control. It was just a fluke. His body was just having a spasm—it wasn’t her. He hadn’t been sexually attracted to a woman since Dana. He couldn’t be, even if he wanted to.

He kept his gaze forward as he carried her back to the cabin. What the hell should he do with her? If he trekked with her to his truck, he could take her to a hospital. His gaze slowly lowered to her face and he jerked it back up. He had no business looking at a woman when she was unconscious, and he certainly had no fucking right eyeing a woman who’d been hurt. Guilt nagged at him. And doesn’t Dana have a right to be in your thoughts?

He kept his gaze straight for the rest of the trip. When he reached the cabin, he set her down on his bed. She sighed a little and snuggled into his pillow. He bared his teeth at some unseen foe as his chest tightened.

Was living with the pain of Dana not enough? Did life really have to send another complication into his life right now? Of course it did, because life was a brutal bitch with a gun-wielding vendetta against wrongdoers.

Darien pulled a chair up next to the small cot. At once he wished he had a clean, big bed to put her in and not this lousy half-a-thing he’d dragged through the woods to get here.

Swallowing hard he quickly felt over her front pockets, then moved her side to side to feel her back ones. No wallet. No ID. Well, the one plan he’d had just kicked the bucket. So much for calling her family.

He’d have to wait until she woke up. The thought sent him pacing across the cabin.

Chapter 2

“Where do you think you’re going, Cassandra?” The cruel voice spiked her fear and made her run faster, blindly flying through the night and away from his voice. His laughter taunted her, staying so close behind her that no matter how hard she pushed herself, he was always there, one step behind. “You will never get away from me.”

“No.” Her hoarse whisper was drowned out by his laughter. The dark floor suddenly turned into stairs and she was falling down them, slamming her elbows and knees into the hard wood. She cried out and rolled over onto her knees, crawling and straining away. Away from him. His steps, coming closer. He stopped at her face, kicking up dust into her face, and making her hack and sneeze.

He grabbed her hair and jerked her to a stand. “Why do you make me do these things, Cassandra? Don’t you see how easy it will be when you just submit? Submit like you’re supposed to. Say the words right now and all of this will stop.”

His arm pulled back and she watched in terrified slow motion as his fingers curled into a fist that soared towards her face. It was too fast, she tried to turn her head, but it hit her. The blows came again and again, she desperately fought to turn her head to slide down the wall, to run away, but he held her by the hair on her head, the sharp pain of it bringing tears to her eyes.

As the last blow landed, he released his grip on her. Her knees gave out like they were made of jello, and she slid listlessly down the wall, hot tears spilling down her cheeks.

The walls around her shook. Her vision blurred to black and spun out of control like an old-time movie reel spinning too fast. The man before her faded, and then her eyes shot open, wild and frightened.

“Hey, it’s all right,” a deep voice said.

Cassandra’s scurried to a sitting position, pushing herself as far away from the deep voice as possible. She blinked quickly, frantically searching the room she was in. Where the hell was she? Who was he?

“Just take it easy,” the giant of a man said. She tensed as he stood and walked as far away from her as he could in the small house...bedroom...whatever this was. Giant was a good description of him too. She swallowed hard just looking at him and couldn’t help but wonder how someone grow so tall and wide and–she licked her lips–muscular. Someone fed this boy all the veggies and milk. She took deep breaths until finally her racing heart slowed to a normal speed.

“Who are you?” Her voice had seen better days, but then again screaming would do that to you.

He ignored her and said, “I’d like to know yours first.”

He lifted his dark eyebrows and she experienced a thread of desire. The man was...sexy. So tall that his head nearly touched the roof with skin dark from sunlight. His face was also covered in bruises.

The thought sent her hand fluttering to her own face. She cringed as she poked the painful spots around her eye and cheek. She hung her head and for a moment, wanted to curl up and cry.

“I asked who you are,” the giant repeated. His voice was so deep. He should be on radio or in movies because he could make women shiver with just a word.

“Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time, Goliath.” She kept her eyes on him as she sidled off the cot and came to a stand. She eyed the front door and briefly wondered if she should make a run for it. But then her gaze fell back to his very broad shoulders that spread his dark t-shirt so deliciously wide, and some small voice goaded her into staying where she was. “Why don’t you tell me who you are,” she countered.

He cracked his neck and it popped loudly. She had the distinct feeling that she was annoying him, and it was getting hard not to smile. “This,” he said flinging out his very big hand to encompass the room is all my land. So you will tell me why you are here on my land.” His voice was deep, though she supposed it had to be for a man as big as he was. She bit her lip, would he be big everywhere? Not that she knew anything about that!

“My name is Cassandra. What’s yours, cutie?” He looked disgusted at her nickname.

“I’m Darien Kategan.” The way he said it was as if he expected her to recognize it. Arrogant and almost cocky.

“A sexy name for a sexy man, I see.” She smiled at him but quickly lost it when a sharp jolt of pain shot through the bruised side of face. She laughed and said, “Guess it’s too early to smile.” When the throbbing hot pain finally faded, she raised her eyes to find him standing right there in front of her. “How did you—”

“Shh,” he commanded. Cassandra clamped her mouth shut as several things happened at once. His fingers touched her chin, the touch gentle and warm. He tilted her head to the left so he could inspect her face. She closed her eyes and let him look, unconsciously showing him a submissive side she’d always fought to show men before.

His fingers were so gentle on her face, cupping her as if he were afraid she’d break. No one had ever touched her so. Realizing she didn’t want to miss anymore of this moment, she opened her eyes to peer at him. But as she did, he let go of her and stepped away.

“I don’t have any ice here, but I can take you to town or to a hospital.”

Panic filled her. She grinned, making sure to use the side of her face that didn’t look like it’d been used as a punching bag. “No, thanks. I’ll be all right.” Several emotions flitted across his face too fast for her to catch. The one he settled with didn’t look too happy though. She wondered what he would say if she told him he looked cute when he was mad.

“You might have a concussion. How did you sustain your injuries? Did someone hit you?” His words cut through the air with a lethal edge. She had a brief flash in her mind of this big, strong man fighting for her. Silly thoughts, for a silly woman.

“Oh this,” she said waving at her face, “I got into a fight with a really strong girl. I told her I liked her moustache.” She whispered the last loudly. When he didn’t even crack a smile, she scoffed and crossed her arms, cocking her hip to the side.

“Let me take you into town.” No, no, no. He might be looking for her there. She didn’t even know where she was. He could be anywhere.

“You know, I really don’t feel so good. My head is throbbing like an SOB and my stomach hurts because I haven’t eaten in forever. Do you think it’d be okay if I stayed here for awhile?” Surprisingly, he stiffened so hard it was a wonder his spine didn’t snap. And while what she said was true, she held her breath on the last part. She needed to make a plan and for that, she needed time. Daniel wouldn’t find her out here. She made sure to cover her tracks.

For a moment, she thought he was going to say yes, but then he shook his head. “I can’t do that. I’m sorry. You’ll have to go.”

With a feminine sniffle, she pouted and softly stepped towards him. His body tensed harder, his eyes tracking her like a hawk. She stopped before him and rocked back on her heels unsteadily. Immediately he reached out and grabbed her. She took advantage of that touch and leaned into him, resting her unhurt cheek against his big chest.

“You’re so big,” she said into his shirt. “Please just let me stay for a little while. I really don’t feel good, Darien.” A part of her felt bad, he seemed like a genuinely nice guy and she was pretty good at reading people. But in her defense, it was only a partial lie. She didn’t exactly feel great after meeting a fist earlier that day. The nightmare she’d had was only a glimpse at how scary he was in person.

She felt a gentle pull on her hair, almost too soft to tell, but when she looked over at it; his hand was still at his side. A sudden, startling realization hit her. She gasped excitedly, wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her nose there. His arms came around her waist, his fingers digging into her. She didn’t know if it was to push her away or to keep her close, but she did know his touch sent a hot rush of pleasure through her body.

She inhaled his scent and had never in her life been so aware of the man in her arms. Each second was tense as she waited to see what he’d do. He had to let do this. She’d never smelled anything like it. When he did nothing, she smiled against his neck, her tongue peeking out and almost touching his warm, very warm skin.

There was no mistaking the way his hands dug into her waist then or of the way her heart fluttered like a bird in her chest. Suddenly, he was bending over her, his fingers gentled, cupping her closer, inexorably pulling her into the heat of his body. His breath wisped over her ear and down to her neck where she felt the warm press of his nose against her skin. The sensation had her head falling to the side and her pulse thudding rapidly.

She heard him inhale, filling those big lungs with air. Then he was exhaling slowly and she hoped he was savoring her scent like she was his. In a stunned voice he said, “Vampire.”

Her lips curled into a smile, the bruises on her face forgotten as she stood in this man’s arms. He smelled amazing, like nothing she’d ever smelled before. A mixture of animal, earthy rain, and spice. And this close, she knew he wasn’t human, yet he wasn’t vampire.

“What are you?” she whispered, afraid that her voice would break the spell that he held her in. His hand was so warm at her back, his breath tickled her neck and she wished he’d put his lips on her right there.

“I’m lykaen.” Giddy pleasure rushed through her. He started to straighten so she quickly brushed her fingers up his nape and through his hair. It was thick and slightly coarse and though she couldn’t tell from this position, she could feel its weight–he kept his hair long. She almost sighed; he was just trying to be sexy now.

He pushed her hips away and she let him, but she kept her hand in his hair, her back arched against his hard chest.

“I’ve never met a lykaen before.” Her eyes fell to his mouth. What would he taste like? Suddenly she had a dark, irresistible urge to lick his mouth.

Would he taste how he smelled—like rich decadence that reminded her of dark chocolate and fresh rain?

She reached for his lips with hers ‘till she was braced only on his chest and her tippy toes. His eyes darkened, fell to her lips, and her stomach clenched in pleasure. She’d never wanted a man to kiss her so much in her entire life. Please. She stayed a bare inch away and simply felt the breath from his parted lips mix with hers. He had nice lips, the kind she wanted to lick and nibble and tug on. Her hand flexed in his thick, dark hair and then she closed the last inch between them.

She was pushed away so quickly, it took her several moments to realize what had happened. Her quick gaze caught sight of his back leaving the cabin. The kiss had been so fast she almost could tell herself it didn’t happen. But as she ran her tongue over her lips and tasted him, she knew the kiss was real.

A small smile flirted around her lips as she stared at the empty, dark doorway. Why did her kiss send him running? She’d felt his heart pound against her hand when she kissed him—he must have liked it. Nibbling her lip, and feeling better than she had in ages, she followed her giant outside.

* * *

What the fuck was the matter with him?

I almost kissed her. Hell, I almost let her kiss me. Shit, he knew that was a bunch of bullshit. He did let her kiss him. It was short and... Sweet. Very sweet.

God dammit. He ran a rough hand through his hair and paced a path into the ground. This was the last thing he needed. Hell, beyond the last thing he needed. He’d take a beating every day before this.

His tongue darted out over his lips and he closed his eyes as her taste soared through him. Delicious, warm, sweet pleasure. Slowly, his eyes opened. She tasted like cherries or strawberries. Something fruity yet womanly. He sucked his lip in his mouth and licked it, savoring her essence. His beast snapped its teeth at him. Growled its need. Her, it said. His heart pounded in his chest. Impossible.

He smelled her a second before he heard her. Not meeting her eyes, he grabbed the pot he used to cook in over the fireplace and walked past her to get into the cabin. She had to go; there was no other choice.

She smelled too good. Looked so fresh and pretty. His heart throbbed painfully. He would not dishonor Dana’s memory.

Sorting through the groceries he’d bought earlier, he started making dinner. He kept his back to her, not caring how rude he was being. After he stirred everything together and set the cauldron-style pot on the hook, he turned it over the fire.

Good, just keep busy. He had to get rid of her. Already his cabin was beginning to smell like her. He hardly slept as it was, the last thing he needed was to have more sleepless nights–dreaming of a red-haired flirt. His beast growled in warning. Fine, it wasn’t red. It was dark copper with shades of blonde and brown thrown in. Finally, his beast nodded in contentment.

“So Darien, what do you do?”

He set logs into the fireplace, doused them with lighter fluid, then lit them. The smell of charring wood filled the cabin and he sighed, not entirely happy, as it drowned out her scent.

“Nothing,” he said finally. He took the only chair in the cabin and faced it towards the fire.

She snorted. “Nothing. I doubt that. You look like a man who likes to keep busy. So don’t be shy, tell me what you do.” He closed his eyes and counted back from ten.

“I work with wood.” He had to get her out of here.

“Like a carpenter?” She sat up on the side of the bed and kicked her legs back and forth over the side. “Yeah,” he said gruffly. He wanted to turn his chair away from her, but that would be too obvious and something told him that that would hurt her feelings. And some very stupid, too soft part of him didn’t want that.

“Do you have a woman?”

The abrupt change in topic had him faltering for an answer. He wasn’t a liar, but he almost did.

“No.” Shit, should have lied. Her smile was sweet and way too sexy. He turned away from her. “After dinner, you’re leaving.” The cot dipped as she stood up. He watched her wearily; he never knew what this woman was up to. She took a seat against the wall near the fireplace, stretching her legs out before her. He’d always enjoyed tall women, the kind that could wrap their legs around him as he rode them, but this little thing would be lucky to do that.

Guilt flared hot and deep. He was a fucking disgrace. Spitting on Dana’s memory as he sat here with a semi-hard dick wondering how far this little vampire’s legs would spread for him. Shit. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“I can’t leave after dinner. I’m hurt and I need your help.” Darien’s gaze shot to hers. She sounded almost desperate. He didn’t believe that shitty story she told him about fighting a moustache-wearing woman. No, a man did that. She was probably on the run, too. His chest swelled in pride–good for her. Seeing her delicate face covered in dark, ugly bruises made his own fists curl. He’d love to show the motherfucker who did that a thing or two.

He shook his head and stared into the fire, much safer than looking at her eyes—blue. “Then after we eat, I’ll take you to town. Or the hospital. I’ll pay for whatever you need.” She frowned, her eyes glazing over with a look of such raw pain that Darien’s breath caught. Suddenly she smiled and crawled towards him. God her smile alone could knock a man dead.

“How about this, lykaen. I’ll leave tomorrow if you feed me.” His eyes narrowed.

“I’ve already offered to feed you. It’s just rabbit stew, but it’s good.” She threw back her head and laughed. The sound was soft and wily, just like her.

“What?” Unease filled his gut.

Her eyes widened as she smiled. She stopped crawling scant inches from his leg. He had the urge to move his leg away from her...and an even stronger one to open up wider and put her between them where she belonged. Damn. Not once in the days since Dana and the baby’s death had he even gotten hard for a woman. Yet this one had him going hard and soft in a minute+. The sooner she got out, the better.

“Have you forgotten what I am, Darien?” She laughed softly and smiled up at him with another naughty look.

“Shit.” Yeah, he’d forgotten. His head hasn’t been screwed on right since he carried her back here. A mistake—most definitely. He’d met a couple of vampires, but he didn’t exactly hang with them. “How much would you need?”

“Not too much, but you’re a big man. I’m sure you could fill me up.” He almost groaned aloud at the thought of doing just that. His lips suddenly felt dry and he envisioned sinking his cock deep into her. She’d be wet and so soft.

“If I feed you, then you’ll leave? My offer still stands to drive you to town.” Sometimes he really hated his soft spot for women, especially troubled women and this one had it in spades.

“Yes, but not until tomorrow.” He stood and went to stand at the doorway. Fresh chilled air swept into the cabin but did nothing to douse the scent of stew and vampire.

“Why can’t you leave tonight? I don’t want you here.” Truer words had never been spoken. Several moments of silence passed and he turned to look at her. She was staring into the fire, that raw look in her eyes. Seeing that look felt like having his heart set on fire while it still beat in his chest. She turned back to him though and smiled, the glimpse of pain wiped away.

“Honestly I’m afraid I might have a concussion, but I don’t have insurance either, and well, I’ve never been a fan of hospitals. They start to see you regenerate fast and they kind of freak out,” she said, tossing her hands in the air with a shrug. “I’ll make a deal with you, Darien. Let me take a bite from you and I’ll leave nice and quietly tomorrow.” Her pink lips curled up on her unbruised side.

He thought about it, weighing the odds, then finally, nodded slowly. She smiled brilliantly like he’d just given her a gift. He turned away so he didn’t have to see it. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest.

“So when can I have my snack? I’m starving.” Her words were soft and husky.

Against every instinct, every nagging sensation inside him, he turned to her. The impact of seeing lust in her eyes was harder than he thought. He took a deep breath and brought his beast to the surface. It helped to steady himself, to bring his warring body back under control.

“Let’s get this over with.”