She lay curled beside him, taking comfort from the heat of his body when hers was so cold. Listening to the sound of his voice, Destiny closed her eyes. She loved his voice, the one anchor she could cling to in every storm. “Do you think I don’t know that, Nicolae, that I don’t feel the same things you do? I know making love with you is the most natural thing in the world. My body…” She trailed off. Was on fire. A liquid cauldron of heat and fire spinning almost out of control. She wanted him more than she had ever thought possible. Her fist clenched. Tears burned her eyes and clogged her throat. She felt completely out of control, when she so desperately needed to be in control.
He lifted the heavy mass of hair from the nape of her neck and pressed his lips to her skin. “Why did you withdraw from me? I could have aided you when you were panicking.”
“Don’t use the word panic. It’s so humiliating.” She was very aware of his hand at her waist, his fingers splayed wide over her skin. His palm was a brand, burning into her stomach, right through to the hot, wet core of her desire. She shifted so that his fingers came in contact with the underside of her breast. The slight brush of sensation shook her, left her trembling for more. She wanted him. Wanted him with every fiber of her being. Her very cells were crying out for him. Yet there was that terrible knot in her gut, that block in her mind.
“I want to disappear.” She murmured the words softly. “Just disappear so I never have to face you again.”
“Destiny. Do not say that. Do not ever feel that way.” His teeth grazed her neck, a small punishment, a seduction of already drugged senses. “I do not need the physical expression of love as much as you seem to think I do. I can wait. Come on. You are not going to lie here crying and shatter my heart into a million pieces. That I cannot take.” It was the first time he had ever deliberately told her a lie. He hoped he would never again need to do so. He needed the physical expression of love more than he needed to breathe. His body was hot and uncomfortable, so hot he was afraid he might spontaneously combust. His features remained impassive, his mind serene, while his belly knotted with frustration.
Nicolae was on his feet, easily lifting her so that she had no choice but to wrap her arms around his neck. Her vivid gaze met his. “What are you doing?” They were locked skin to skin. Her awareness of him heightened immediately.
There was a small silence while their hearts beat out a rhythm of hunger. His gaze roamed her face possessively, dropped to view the lush enticement of her full breasts. “A woman’s body is a miracle.”
“You’re embarrassing me.” Her breasts were embarrassing her, jutting up at him, aching for attention.
Her nipples were hard peaks, so sensitive his breath alone sent desire spiraling through her body.
“It is a miracle. You can carry life in your body.” He bent his head to her, giving her no choice but to meet him halfway.
She lifted her face to his, drawn by shared desire, drawn by need beyond her knowledge, as elemental as time. His mouth fastened on hers. He said there was life in her body; if it were so, he gave it to her. She wanted to be everything he needed. She had been inside his mind so many times in the past. She’d lived there, sought refuge there, and she knew him inside and out.
Nicolae. She sent his name fluttering like a butterfly through his mind. A whisper of sound, of aching love. Of commitment. Just the touch of his mouth, his hands, weakened her, sent her soaring. Dreaming.
“Why do you feel such sorrow, Destiny?” He kissed her chin, his teeth scraping gently over her skin. “I feel tears in your heart.”
Because she carried death in her body. Disease. A corruption not meant for the earth. How could she say that to him when he was looking at her with such love? Instead, she swallowed the words and buried her face against his throat to prevent him from reading her expression. “I want to be what you need, Nicolae. I want to be your lifemate.”