Bond of Darkness by Diane Whiteside

denim-clad leg rasping her thigh. "Must we talk about him?"
    "Not if you don't want to." He unlocked an isolated villa and stood back, the porch light striking sparks from his golden hair.
    She sauntered in, trying to breathe through a throat grown suddenly tight.
    The villa was a modernistic vision of what an Easterner thought Texas style should be, with lots of overstuffed leather furniture, woven rugs, and tile floors. It looked comfortable, though, and there was a door which promised a bedroom.
    He kicked the front door shut and kissed her neck, lightly scraping his teeth over her skin. Steve rose up on her toes with a little moan, steam sizzling through her veins.
    "How long will you be here?"
    "What does that matter?" she snapped and tried to turn around.
    He stopped her with an arm around her waist. "Tell me, Steve. Are we talking about a night, a week, or longer?"
    Oh shit, he was stroking his hands up and down her arms, his callused fingers somehow striking sparks from her satiny smooth skin.
    He locked his fingers in hers and hauled her closer to him. She squirmed against him and over him, driving herself frantic, heat rising through her bones and rippling across her skin.
    All she wanted was to forget about everything and just take comfort from him. Why did they have to talk?
    "Steve?" he prompted.
    She wriggled again, but he wouldn't slip his leg between hers. Her heart was pounding, blocking thought from her brain.
    "At least a week. Maybe a month." For the first time, her exile to Austin sounded enjoyable.
    "Very good," he approved and kissed her cheek, close but not close enough to her mouth.
    Ethan's voice sounded a little tight but she ignored that, pleased his mouth had moved lower to explore her jaw and throat. She immediately tilted her head, moaning encouragement, her skin growing taut and flushed.
    He turned her to face him, never lifting his head. She stroked his head, savoring how his hair's thick silk rippled through her fingers.
    His strong fingers slipped inside her dress, fondling and kneading her breast. She groaned and arched, pressing herself shamelessly into their expert enticement, shuddering under every heated spike of her blood.
    He stroked her thighs, teasing her under her skirt. She moaned, her legs squeezing his hand, her hips twisting and writhing in encouragement. Passion pulsed and heated through her veins, sizzling like steam on an overheated skillet.
    She snarled in frustration, cream spilling to follow his lead. "Damn you, Ethan!"
    "Tut-tut! Such language from a lady," he mocked lightly.
    "I want to be fucked, Ethan, not seduced. It's been nine months since I've had a man!" She and Fred had been seeing a marriage counselor months before the final breakup—although Fred had started his first affair days after their wedding. It'd be a long time before she forgot that discovery.
    But Ethan wasn't a marriage candidate, since he was a vampiro. He'd never offer a gold ring or a family. She could relax with him and simply enjoy herself.
    He stilled for a moment, his hands falling silent on her.
    "Ethan, dammit!" She pushed against him, demanding his full attention again.
    He chuckled, long and low, silky and dangerous. She shivered, recognizing the promise of eventual fulfillment—but not necessarily in the gentlest fashion.
    He flipped up her skirt, half-tearing her panties to bare her. Hot cream from her core gushed to follow, sliding down her thighs, scenting the air.
    "Feeling eager? Feeling ready?" he queried, his voice harsh and demanding.
    "Yes, dammit!" How often did she have to tell him?
    A single, callused finger slipped between her legs and played with her. Rough, blunt, dragging through her slick folds, playing with her clit, teasing her, circling, probing and withdrawing until she was nearly insane. She rode it, adapted, fought to keep it. Her breath caught in her lungs, her legs rose and sank down to match its rise and fall, her heartbeat drummed in her ears. She clutched at