Twilight's Eternal Embrace by Karen Michelle Nutt Page B

of his kind. He settl ed behind her and drew her near so her back lay against his chest. His hand moved the wet strands of hair away from her neck and he placed a kiss on the tender flesh. Warmth spread through her at his mere touch. She turned in his arms and he lifted her so she sat on his lap. His lips found hers, taking her under his charm with a slide of tongue and teeth. His hand moved beneath the mantle and froze as he touched skin and not her underclothes. He pulled away and searched her eyes.
    She didn ' t want him to stop. She let go of the mantle and put her arms around his neck. " It will be all right. I trust you. "

Chapter Twenty
    The little fool , Bram thought. She trusted him? Did she not know how much he wanted to feel every inch of her? How he wanted to make her his? All his blood pooled to one spot which throbbed against her behind with demanding insistence. His fangs lengthened to sharp points. He wanted a taste of her blood. As if she sensed this, she moved her head to the side, giving him access to the tender flesh where her heartbeat throbbed in the vein with temptation. His finger caressed the area with reverence before he sunk his teeth into her skin.
    Her sharp intake of breath eased into a sigh as he drank. His hand slid over her breasts, not daring to go lower to where her womanhood begged for his touch. Her arousal wafted around him like a tease. She moaned as his fingers caressed her. Her sounds of encouragement guided his hand down, past her stomach and lower still.
    He couldn ' t do this.
    He reluctantly pulled his mouth away from her neck, closing the wound. He gently laid her down upon his mantle. His gaze slid over her in appreciation. The Heavens above, he wanted her more than anything he had ever wanted.
    She reached for him, tugging on his waistband. He helped her along and removed his clothes. Her gaze skated over his bare chest then lower before her hand followed the same path. He thought he ' d die if she didn ' t continue her soft caresses. But stop, they must. His hand held hers as he lay down beside her.
    " I want you, Adryanna, but I must not take you. I will not be able to hold back. I will — "
    She placed a finger over his lips, halting his words. " I understand. Just hold me. "
    He pulled her into his arms. How could the feel of her warm flesh against his seem so right when such an illicit act would be sanctioned as a violation of the rules? He held her tighter as if he feared one of the elders would rip her from his grasp.
    To befriend a Lathe Sith was forbidden. The rule was drummed into his head at a young age. What Adryanna and he did now proved why the rules were put forth. If he just held her, he could control the bloodlust , or so he fooled himself into thinking , when in truth he ached to drink her blood as he took her. Could they find a way to change their destinies?
    Sheerin believed it possible. Why else would he have broached the subject to the elders? " Adryanna? "
    " Hmm. " She purred with contentment, his sweet lass.
    " My cousin is good with potions and understands the body and the way it reacts to ailments and such. "
    His statement caught her attention and she turned in his arms to face him. " He does? "
    He nodded. " He may know of a way for us to be together. "
    Her eyes lit up. " How? Whatever it is, I shall do it. "
    His lips curved. It warmed his heart to know her resolve to be with him was as strong as his was to be with her. " I do not know. My cousin does not trust me. He wants to know the reasons why I search for a way. I did not want to reveal our time together without your permission. If I am wrong to trust him, then you will be in danger. "
    " Do you trust him? "
    " Aye , I do. "
    " Then tell him about us. You want this too, do you not? "
    He kissed her long and hard before he let her breathe again. " I want you so badly I cannot bear to let you return to your dwelling when we part each coming of the dawn. " His hands were in her hair as he took