Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [60]
“I’m calling the police!”
Marielle gasped. “Are we in trouble?”
He jumped down from his horse and grabbed her. “Trust me.” He teleported, taking her with him.
They materialized eighty yards away. The carousel instantly went dark. The music and motion ground to a stop.
The security guard stared. “What the hell?”
Connor shot a surge of vampire mind control at him. Nothing happened. Ye’ll go home, remembering nothing.
The guard wandered off toward the front gate. Connor smiled at Marielle and led her farther into the park. His heightened senses had picked up the scent of roses. Sure enough, they were soon in the midst of a rose garden.
Marielle pivoted to look around. “It’s a piece of heaven.” She faced him and grinned. “Thank you. I’ll always remember this night.”
“So will I.” He plucked a budding rose and handed it to her.
With a laugh, she accepted it. The bud unfurled into a large, beautiful blossom. But then it withered and turned brown. She dropped it with a horrified gasp.
Bugger. He should have known that would happen.
She stepped back. “I killed it. I’m sorry.”
“Nay, I killed it the minute I picked it.”
She shook her head. “I hate being a Deliverer. I hate it.” Tears glimmered in her eyes. “All I ever wanted was to be a Healer.”
“Ye are a Healer.” He stepped toward her. “Ye’re healing me.”
Her eyes widened.
He moved closer. And closer. Her gaze held steady, never wavering from his face.
Holy Christ Almighty, he shouldn’t do this. It would give her a chance to see into the black pit in his soul. She might learn what a rotten, coldhearted bastard he really was.
He touched her cheek. She didn’t pull away.
Doona do it! He slid his hand around the back of her neck. “Are ye going to stop me?”
“No,” she whispered, and touched his chest.
And he was lost.
Chapter Thirteen
Marielle’s heart was pounding and melting at the same time. Her mind considered that unlikely, but she couldn’t deny something was happening to her. Something different from last night.
Those kisses had been demanding, and Connor’s passion had left her weak in the knees and hardly able to think. She’d been instantly swept into a storm of glorious sensations, making her intensely aware of her new human body.
Now, somewhere in her bedazzled mind, she knew this kiss was different. He was tender. Hesitant. Almost . . . fearful. And in every gentle movement of his lips, she could sense why. He cares for you.
With a moan, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She wanted him to know how much she cared, too. When he deepened the kiss, she melted into it. When he ran the tip of his tongue against her lips, she opened and let him inside.
Her intent had been to give, but with a small shock, she realized she was receiving, too. With each invasion of his tongue, she felt a spark sizzle down her body. It made her tremble. It made her want more.
She dug her fingers into his shoulders and pressed against him.
“Marielle,” he whispered, and trailed kisses down her neck.
More sparks tingled down her body. With another small shock, she realized all the sizzles were gathering between her legs, and a desperate need was building inside her. An empty ache that begged to be filled.
His hands cupped her rear end, and he pulled her against him.
She gasped. His groin was hard. And large. The empty ache inside her could only mean her human body wanted to join with his. And the two shall become one.
Good heavens! She pulled away. “What am I doing?”
Connor blinked, his eyes red and glowing. “I— ’Tis called making love.”
She stepped back. “Do these things really happen so quickly? We only met last night.”
He frowned. “I thought ye were beautiful the minute I saw you. And we’ve been through a hell of a lot together. Are ye denying there is something between us?”
“No. I—” Her emotions were all jumbled up, but there were a few things she knew for certain. She squared her shoulders. “I care deeply for you, Connor Buchanan.”
The red glow in his eyes intensified.
“But I intend to