Part 9 (1/2)

Sydney was too stunned to do anything but stare at him as he pulled off his T-s.h.i.+rt and then tugged down his jeans. He isn't wearing boxers this time. Nor was he turned on at the moment. His girth was still impressive, she noted with a blush.

He climbed into bed, leaving her standing next to it, feeling oddly deflated because she expected a fight. She had been relis.h.i.+ng the idea, because she needed an outlet for her anger and frustration.

How dare he keep her out of an important matter that she knew, she just knew concerned her? He had no right to lock her in her bedroom while he told everyone else what was going on. She was so angry she didn't even want to crawl into the bed with him. Which angered her even more because it was her bed. He should be the one to sleep on the floor. Or out in the garage, for all she cared. Aruba was looking better and better by the minute.

”Yes, it concerns you, Sydney.”

She blinked and focused on him. He lay in the bed, on his back, with the blankets pulled up to his waist. One arm was thrown across his eyes, presumably to block out the glare of the lamp she'd left turned on.

”And I didn't want you in there because I didn't think you really wanted to hear all the gory details of what happened to that kid. But if you really want to know, I'll tell you.”

”You will?” she asked uncertainly.

”I hope you have a strong stomach.”

”Just tell me why.” She inched closer. ”Why did you show up on my doorstep, dragging a half-dead s.h.i.+fter with you?”

Gavin was silent for a moment, and then he blew out a breath. ”He was on his way here to court you. Just like, it seems, every d.a.m.ned Light One in the frigging universe.” He moved his arm so he could look at her. His eyes glowed when he said, ”They know about you, Sydney. Your life is now in imminent danger.”

”Oh, G.o.d.” She sank onto the side of the bed. As real as it had all become, it still hadn't really felt truly real. Not until now. She lifted her gaze and looked at him. ”I'm going to die, aren't I?”

In a flash, Gavin reached out and hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her down on top of him. He put his hand on the back of her head and pressed her face into his chest.

”No,” he said, infusing the one word with every bit of determination he likely possessed.

She lifted her head so she could look at him. ”I don't want to die.”

Gavin offered a half-smile. ”You won't. You have me for a mate, remember? I used to be their leader. I know how they think. They won't get past me.”

”But you aren't my mate. Not yet.” But he could be. Only one thing stood in their way. It was her choice. She could make it happen. She only needed to decide if she wanted to.

No, she didn't need to decide. She knew.

So she needed to decide if she was ready.

No, she didn't. She was ready. She was more than ready. With that man and his overheated, sharply defined body sleeping next to her night after night, she was frankly surprised she hadn't yet attacked him.

Really, there was no question, no reason they shouldn't make it official. No reason at all.

None.

She scrambled to climb under the covers. ”Make love to me, Gavin.”

”What?” His voice lifted high enough to rival William's when he sang karaoke. He suddenly sounded far less sure of himself.

”Make me your mate. Right now. Let's make it official. It will only strengthen the bond between us, and that will make it easier to protect me.”

”Uh . . . okay,” he said as his slow-functioning brain seemed to struggle with what she said.

Sydney reached into the drawer in bedside table and lifted a square piece of foil out of the box she had tucked in there. She held it up for his inspection. ”But only if we use this. I know you believe my purpose is to produce children, but you're going to have to go at my pace, Gavin. I'm not there yet. And I don't want to worry about being pregnant while we're fighting this battle.”

He hesitated, then wrapped his arms around her waist. ”I don't believe that is your purpose, Sydney. You have a far greater purpose than I can even comprehend. I just want you. I just want to feel you and to please you.”

”Oh, Gavin,” she whispered, as her eyes welled with tears.

Gavin groaned. ”Don't cry. I hate it when women cry.”

She sniffled and choked on a half-sob, half-laugh. ”You're such a romantic.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist and flipped her onto her back, covering her with his body. She felt his erection pressing into the juncture of her thighs and she sucked in a ragged breath.

”I'm not romantic, Sydney. Not even remotely. I hope you can live with that.”

She wrapped her arms around his back and brought him closer. ”I can live with that,” she a.s.sured him, and then she kissed him.

Gavin's first s.e.xual experience came back in a rush, like a crazy dream, except he was wide-awake. He couldn't decide if that was bad or good. While it had barely lasted five minutes, he had still enjoyed himself.

Holy s.h.i.+t, he hoped he could last more than five minutes this time. This was Sydney, his Chala, the woman he'd come to, er, like. Maybe care for. Certainly appreciate. And respect. He wanted, no needed, this to be spectacular, for her sake. She deserved no less.

”Are you going to partic.i.p.ate here?”

She had pulled away, broken the kiss, and he hadn't realized it. He was too busy mentally preparing himself to impress her.

”Oh. Uh, yeah. Are you sure about this?”

”You ask almost like you want me to change my mind.”

He cupped her face and stared into her eyes. ”No. I don't want you to change your mind. I just . . .”

”Are you worried I'll regret my decision in the morning?”

He shook his head. ”I'm afraid I'll disappoint you.” What the h.e.l.l was wrong with him? He had well over three hundred years' worth of s.e.xual experience under his belt. He knew how to please a woman.

”That's so sweet.” She kissed his nose and smiled, his beautiful blond imp.

Now she was calling him sweet. If he didn't get this situation under control soon, he would have to turn in his man card.

”f.u.c.k me, I don't even know where to start.”

”Here. How about if I do this.” She wiggled out of her top. He stared at her bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s, milky white and peaked with roses. When he continued to stare, she grabbed his head and maneuvered it toward one of those tempting buds.

And he'd been worried she wouldn't know her way around a bedroom?

He obligingly licked, and she arched her back, her mouth forming a silent O, her fingers tangling in his hair. When he suckled, her hands squeezed to the point of pain.

”Like that?” he asked, finally relaxing enough to realize it was like riding a horse. Okay, no, this was nothing like riding a horse. But he was back on top of his game. He knew what to do. He knew what she wanted.