Unclaimed by Sara Humphreys Page B

their energy waves merged with a jolt.
    Tatiana cried out in surprise and stepped back, but Dominic linked one arm around her waist and pulled her up against him. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and although she didn’t push him away, she gaped at him like a deer in the headlights.
    â€œWha—what was that?” she asked breathlessly, her voice edged with fear. “I don’t think I can handle this.”
    â€œI’m not entirely sure, but I think our energy signatures merged, and we’ve imprinted on each other. There is one thing I am sure of.” Dominic kissed the corner of her mouth and murmured against her cheek. “The only woman I’m looking to handle … is you.”
    Tatiana’s fingers dug into his shoulders, and her body trembled against his as she leaned into him. He knew she wanted him. Her energy waves, now clearly joined with his, were thick with lust but wavered with fear. She was afraid of him, his people, and their way of life.
    â€œMan, this place is freaking awesome,” Matt said, but the smile fell from his face when he saw the two of them. Dominic stepped back, abruptly releasing her. “Sorry to interrupt,” Matt said tightly.
    Dominic put his hands in his pockets and leveled a glare at Matt, who gave him his best dirty look right back.
    â€œDon’t be silly,” Tatiana said, waving off Matt’s comment. She glanced briefly at Dominic before turning to face the mountains. “We were admiring the view.”
    â€œIs that what they’re calling it these days?” Layla said in a teasing tone as she sidled up next to her sister.
    Tatiana elbowed her sister and shot her a look.
    â€œI’ll be on my way.” Dominic strode past them without sparing a glance at anyone and trotted down the steps.
    â€œGood night, Dominic.” Tatiana’s tentative voice was edged with a promise to continue what they both knew had already started.
    â€œYeah. It’s a real shame you have to go, but I guess you have security stuff to do.” Matt moved in on the other side of Tatiana. “Bye.”
    â€œI won’t be far away.” Dominic stopped and turned to face them. He jutted a thumb toward the cabin next door. “I live right over there.”
    â€œThat’s awesome,” Matt mumbled under his breath before going into the house. “This place has like a million acres, and his cabin is right next door.”
    â€œThanks for your help today, Dom,” Layla said. “And I, for one, am glad my sister has you nearby. A girl can never have too much security, especially this girl. If I know her, she’s gonna stumble out here in the middle of the night to take a midnight dip in the pool.”
    â€œNo, I won’t,” Tatiana said. She gave Layla a playful smack on the butt as her sister brushed past and went inside. “I have to be up early to check on the horses.”
    â€œThen you better get some sleep.” Dominic winked before heading toward his cabin. As he strode through the tall grass, he touched her mind easily. Sweet dreams, Doc.
    ***
    The fog of the dream realm rolled gently around Tatiana in billowy gray and lavender clouds flickering with light. She had dream-walked many times over the years, though most of them had been spent avoiding Dominic—but not tonight.
    Tonight she would face him head on.
    There was no denying she was attracted to him. She rolled her eyes at the enormous understatement. Attracted. Right. That didn’t cover the half of it. It was like her body was genetically programmed to respond to his, and Dominic had become an itch she had to scratch. So she would—but only if he agreed that’s all it would be.
    Just sex.
    Sex with no strings attached.
    It was possible. Layla told her about the binding rite. Amoveo weren’t really mated until those words were spoken. So why not go ahead and scratch the itch, as long as neither of them said those