Taming the Darkness: Love & Monsters, Book 2 by Devin Harnois

looked away. “It’s about an hour and half to sunrise, right?”
    He consulted his internal clock. “Yeah.”
    Claire cleared her throat. “I thought we could…spend some time together.”
    He tilted his head. “Now? But it’s still dark.” His heart beat faster as he caught the change in her scent.
    “That’s the point. I want…oh hell, just get in the back.” She went to the AV and pulled open the doors.
    Victor followed hesitantly. The human part of him tried to hold back, but the monster didn’t have any problem with the idea of fucking her. That was the problem. He’d barely been able to control himself after sunrise, had actually lost it for a minute, and he would have even less control now. Claire hopped into the back of the AV and he stopped, rocking with indecision. “I can’t,” he finally said.
    She stared at him for a moment, frowning. Then she moved deeper inside and dug in the supply trunk. She came out with a little flask of whiskey. It was there to help stranded soldiers keep warm in winter while they waited for help, or to take the edge off a bad injury. She shoved the flask toward him. “Rinse your mouth out. I don’t even want to know what you put in it tonight.”
    He laughed despite himself and took the flask. It was awkward with his claws, so he retracted them. He took a mouthful, spit, then took a swallow. It burned as it went down his throat, and he realized he hadn’t had alcohol since he’d been altered. He took another sip for good measure and handed it back to Claire. She gave the flask a long look then screwed the cap back on. “Now, get in here.”
    He jumped into the back before he could stop himself. Just inside, he paused, struggling to keep control of himself. “This is a bad idea. Wait ’til sunrise.”
    “Close the doors.” Claire’s heart hammered.
    He shook his head, clenching his fists. Step back, get out of the AV. His feet wouldn’t move.
    “Fine, I’ll do it.” She brushed past him and slammed the strong doors shut. She’d set up one flashlight which was plenty of light for him, but it had to be dark for her. She brushed past him again and he clenched his fists tighter. Desire and fear rose off her, filling the small space. It wasn’t the same kind of fear he’d smelled those first few days, fear of him and what he might do to her. Not an animal kind of fear. She was afraid of herself, of what she wanted.
    Him.
    “Here.” She tossed him a blanket and the bottle of disinfectant.
    Yes, he had to get clean. Sitting down against the doors, he soaked a corner of the blanket. The sharp scent invaded his nose as he started scrubbing his hands. He shouldn’t consider this at all, should just get out of the AV. Distantly, he heard her digging around and the light changed as she turned on two more flashlights. After his hands, he moved to his arms, his neck, his face. Clean, every inch of him had to be clean…so he could touch her.
    What they’d done yesterday flared across his mind and he squeezed his eyes shut tight. He wanted her so much, but this was a bad, bad idea. He’d almost gathered the willpower to turn and get out of there. Only an hour and half to sunrise, he could wait that long.
    “Victor.”
    He opened his eyes. Claire stood silhouetted against the flashlight beams, one hand lifted. She was holding a condom. He whimpered as his willpower fell away. Victor rushed forward and pulled her into a rough kiss. A little sound of surprise escaped her before she returned the kiss, just as fierce. If she had hesitated, tried to pull back, he might have been able to stop himself. But she leaned into him, digging fingers into his short hair, lips and tongue matching him need for need. She pulled back, tugging at her armor. His head cleared just a little.
    “Wait for sunrise. I can’t control it.” If she decided halfway through that she didn’t want to anymore…
    “No. I want you now.” She dropped her armor to the floor.
    “Why?” There was