Dark Challenge. Christine Feehan. Dark Series – book 5

His hand moved up and over her rib cage to cup the soft weight of her breast.

“And I changed into jeans for you,” Desari admitted. “I think you look sexy in jeans.” She pressed her bottom snugly into the curve of his body. “But I must admit you are dynamite dressed up.”

He pushed aside the sweep of silken hair to brush his mouth over the nape of her neck. It was extraordinary to be able to touch her like this. “Dynamite is an interesting word, cara.”

His voice sounded so distracted, Desari turned her head to look at him. His golden eyes were burning hot, moving over the length of her. She felt the heat searing her insides despite the cool breeze. She was very aware of his hand caressing the soft roundness of her breast. “We have to think, Julian. You know we do.”

“I have already made up my mind, Desari,” he answered her, a purr of menace creeping into his voice. “You have no other choice but to stay with me. We are lifemates. I could allow you to go back to your family without me so that you would know that I speak the truth, but it would be painful for you. I can do no other than to ensure your comfort.”

Desari sighed, her long lashes sweeping down to cover the sudden pain in her dark eyes. She needed more time with Julian, to savor this night with him. To end such a beautiful interlude with an argument was the last thing she wanted.

“There is no need for an argument,” he murmured gently, obviously still nestled in her mind. “I have no choice but to ensure your well-being at all times. You are hunted. Aside from the discomfort of separation, I would never leave your side without first eliminating the danger to you.” And what of the danger he had brought with him?

“Julian.” She turned over, shivering a little as flames danced unbidden over her skin where his fingertips trailed. “If you believe what you say, then you must see that I cannot bear a fight between you and my brother. I have never defied him before, and he is responsible for my safety, the safety of all of my family. What I have done is truly wrong.” She held up a hand. “I am not sorry, Julian. Please do not misunderstand me. I would not trade this night with you for all my days.”

Julian bunched a mass of ebony strands in his fist and crushed it to his face, inhaling the fresh, clean scent of her. “I will deal with Darius.”

“That is the point I am trying to make. I do not want you to do so,” she objected patiently.

“So what do you want, Desari?” he inquired between his white teeth. “A one-night stand? This is it?” Instead of the anger she expected, his voice was slightly mocking, and his male amusement set her teeth on edge.

Her charcoal eyes went black with smoldering fire. “You know that is not so. But I do think it best to ease into things.”

He laughed out loud, then rolled over to stare up at the ceiling, his broad shoulders shaking with humor. Desari glared at him, coming up on her knees, heedless of her bare skin gleaming so invitingly in the night. “What is so funny?” she demanded.

He touched her face, a tender caress meant to soothe. “I would not call this night easing into anything, piccola. It was more along the lines of a wildfire consuming both of us.” His smile was all male satisfaction.

“Wipe that smirk off your face.” Desari touched his perfect lips with a fingertip.

“I deserve to wear it,” he contradicted her solemnly. “You know I do.” His eyes were hot and molten again, touching her so deep inside that Desari nearly forgot what had been so important just moments earlier.

“You are deliberately distracting me,” she chided, but her hand found his heavy chest muscles and lay directly over his heart. “We should settle this.”

His hand covered hers so that her palm was pressed tightly to his skin. “We have settled it. I go where you go. You go where I go. You are no longer under Darius’s protection, although all male Carpathians guard our women as the treasures we know them to be. He will understand.”