Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [27]
“Please don’t let his insults upset you.” She strode toward Connor. “Demons are notorious deceivers. Darafer probably wants to drive a wedge between us, make me doubt you so I’ll reject you and lose your protection. He knows we’ll be easier to defeat if he can separate us.”
“Ye just tried to separate us.”
“Yes.” She stopped in front of him. “Because I’m worried about your safety. I really should insist you leave.” She hung her head. “I’m being selfish to keep you.”
“Nay, lass. I stay because I want to.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his. “You were willing to fight a demon to keep me safe. You stood by my side and believed in me. You’re a good, brave, noble man, Connor Buchanan. You rescued me tonight, and I will always be grateful for your courage and strength of character.”
He stood still, watching her with a stunned look.
She smiled. Not only was he honorable, but modest, too. She reached up, placed her hands on his temples, and tugged his head down. “God bless you.” She kissed his brow, then released him.
She turned away to resume her pacing, but he grabbed her wrist and halted her. She gasped when he shoved her against a wall, her wrist still gripped in his fist and now pinned against the wall close to her ear.
Her heart lurched. “What—what are you doing?”
He planted his other hand on the wall and leaned toward her. His eyes blazed a brilliant blue. “When ye kiss a man, ye should do it properly.”
Her pulse raced. “I did give you a proper kiss.”
“For a child.” He leaned forward till his mouth was close to her ear. His breath feathered against her skin, causing tiny tingles. “I’m a man. I believe ye noticed that.”
“Hardly noticed it.” She shivered when his nose nuzzled her ear. “And I apologized. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Do I seem offended to you?”
“I—I—” Good heavens, was that his tongue? “You were offended earlier when I was uncovered. So it seems . . . logical to assume . . .” She couldn’t remember what she was trying to say when his tongue was tickling her ear.
“I was never offended,” he whispered. “I’ve been dying to touch you again.”
Her mind swirled, leaving her dizzy. She trembled as his lips moved down her neck.
“Yer pulse is jumping,” he murmured.
“I know.” She struggled to breathe. “I think this heart must be defective. It’s not working right.”
He chuckled. “Ye’re working perfectly. Ye’re so beautiful. So sweet.” He kissed a trail to her jaw.
Her heart pounded. Was he headed to her mouth? She should stop him. Angels didn’t behave like this. They simply didn’t have the desire.
But she did. It had to be this human body. It was so finely tuned to enjoying the nuance of his every touch. The pressure of his lips, the moistness of his tongue. The nibbling. The tickling. The rough scrape of his whiskers made her knees grow weak. And his sweet words made her heart swell with longing.
“Connor,” she whispered, her eyes flickering shut.
She felt his breath against her lips. So close. Her heart raced with anticipation.
Good heavens, this had to be lust. No wonder it was a sin. It was so powerful. She opened her mouth to say no, but his lips touched hers. Softly, then he pulled away.
She froze. That was it? Surely there was nothing sinful in that. It had seemed rather . . . sweet.
His mouth met hers again, lingering this time, pressing gently. Yes, definitely sweet. He seemed to be tasting her, sipping from her. He drew her bottom lip into his mouth and suckled gently.
She moaned.
He pulled her into his arms and scattered kisses over her cheeks, her nose, her neck. With her eyes still closed, she wrapped her arms around his neck. It felt so good to be wanted. And by Connor. Such a good, brave, noble man.
He returned to her mouth for another kiss. She tried to return it, mimicking his gentle sucking and nipping motions. A groan rumbled deep in his throat, and the sound reverberated through her, settling between her thighs with a curious sensation.
That was . . . odd. Uncomfortable, somehow, as if she were aching for