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  She moaned and pressed against him, her free hand spreading across the hard muscles in his chest. They vibrated beneath her palm, sending matching vibrations straight to her sex.

  The hand in her hair tangled, tightened, angling her head to the side. His tongue swept inside her mouth, tasting of mint and male. All Caleb.

  Timidly, she brushed her tongue against his.

  His chest drew in a deep breath, rising against her hand. With a low growl, he went deeper, sending her senses reeling. His body met hers, trapping her hand, as he leaned her against the armrest of the sofa.

  Her head spun, while liquid need spread through her. Want and need combusted into a hunger that caught her unaware. Unprepared.

  All she could do was feel.

  Her head hit the armrest, and he yanked her hips under him, covering her, groin to groin.

  Fire unfurled in her abdomen, and her sex clenched.

  Hard. He was so hard. Neither her pants nor his jeans were a barrier to his heated shaft. He pulsed against her, so full, so ready. Every movement sent electricity through her, making her crave him with a desperation she’d never felt.

  He tore his mouth from hers, placing heated kisses along her jawline to her ear, where he bit down.

  She gasped, her eyes widening.

  Pausing, he levered himself above her, his eyes now bright with metallic colors. Brighter than normal. “I can’t treat you like some breakable doll, Lily. If you want me to stop, tell me now.”

  Hope and need flushed through her. “Please don’t treat me like I’m breakable.” The plea came from deeper than the moment, deeper than her consciousness. For once in her life, she needed to be real. To be a woman. A woman with Caleb.

  A dark flush highlighted his dangerous cheekbones. Then a smile full of sin curved his lips. “I promise.” Twin fangs dropped low, and quick as a whip, he sank them into her neck.

  She cried out, her body arching, an unbelievable need reducing her to a craving too dark to withstand. Yanking her hand free, she reached around him to caress his flanks. So strong, so male, so muscled. Even for a vampire, the rebel’s hardness was extraordinary.

  The fleeting thought occurred to her that by biting her, he could mate her. If they were joined, and if she wasn’t suffering from the devastating virus. As things stood, there’d be no mating, and that was a good thing. Talk about complications.

  Even so, as he drank, such need cascaded from him that her breath deserted her. He rolled his hips against her cleft, and she bit her lip to keep from begging. The devastating ache between her legs overwhelmed her.

  Slowly, with a hum of appreciation, he retracted his fangs and licked the wound closed. “You really do taste like strawberries.” Wonder and a deep hunger roughened his voice.

  For the first time, she wished she could be a vampire. Could taste him. So she settled for the next best thing and licked her way up the corded muscles in his neck. Man and salt . . . all Caleb. She’d had dreams of him, of licking him, of tasting him. The reality was better than any dream.

  He kissed her again, going deep, spiraling her body into overdrive. Finally, he released her. Quickly standing with the grace of any shifter, he leaned down and lifted her.

  The world spun and then settled in incredibly strong arms.

  His lips wandered over her forehead. “Please stay, Lily.”

  She gulped in air, mentally listing the reasons she should return to her suite. Not only was this a bad idea, but the timing stank. She’d always been proper, always been a lady. Ladies didn’t do this kind of thing. But the urgent cloud of doubt and despair that had been swirling around her had finally abated. For the briefest of moments, she felt peace. For once, destiny quieted and allowed her to be a real, flesh-and-blood woman. In Caleb’s arms.

  As he awaited her acquiescence, his eyes remained bright, swirling with secondary colors, the color a vampire’s eyes turned when he was furious or aroused, and only one answer came to Lily’s mind.

  “I’ll stay,” she whispered.

  Chapter Six

  At the simple words, a rush of energy burst through Caleb with more force than an angry storm. Lily Sotheby, the woman he’d wanted for centuries, had just said yes. The untouchable just became touchable.

  He strode toward the bedroom before she could change her mind. Oh, if she did, he’d let her go. But he’d probably combust at that point.

  At least he wouldn’t have to be a prophet any longer if he exploded. His lips twitched.

  Intrigue filled her eyes as a slight smile curved her lips. “What’s amusing you?”

  He glanced down, his chest hitching at her open smile. “The last time I felt this desperate for a woman, I was young—barely an adult.”

  She hummed and ran a soft hand across his chest. “Lucky woman.”

  He started, his heart beating hard enough she had to be able to feel it. “It was you, Lil. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted badly enough to burn.”

  Her eyes widened and then softened. “The things you say.”

  “Always the truth. For you.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead, trying to be gentle.

  “I know,” she murmured, leaning into him. “I’m, ah . . .”

  He frowned, gently laying her on the bed. “Second thoughts?” God, please don’t let her want to leave. Not now. Not when they were finally so close.

  “ No.”

  At the one word, an unnoticed constriction around his chest released. “Then what?”

  Her gaze wandered down his torso and seemed to hitch at his jeans. “It’s been a while, Caleb. And frankly, I mean, I never . . .” The blush blooming across her delicate features moved down her neck. “But I want to,” she said in a rush of energy as if trying to reassure him.

  How was it possible that a woman who’d seen war, who’d counseled so many victims, could be so damn sweetly innocent? He took a deep breath. “You’re not a virgin, Lily. It’s okay.”

  “I know. But my marriage was short, and while Sotheby was a good man, he wasn’t”—her hand swept along Caleb’s body—“you.”

  Yeah, he had a bit of an ego, because that warmed him throughout. He almost felt like it was his first time. “I won’t hurt you.”

  “But you could.” She sat up, her blond hair swishing around. “And I don’t mean physically.” Her head tilting down, those delicate hands reaching for the zipper of his jeans. “You’re in my heart, rebel. Always have been.” Slowly, she released his zipper. “We could hurt each other, and you know it.”

  The second she released his cock, it became too late to consider consequences. “I know.” He tilted up her chin to meet her gaze. “All hell is about to break loose with the peace talks, and I want this night. I want you.”

  Her pink tongue flicked out to lick her bottom lip, and he groaned. “Why do hell and peace go together?” she asked softly.

  The philosophical question was beyond him. Slowly, so as not to spook her, he reached down and slid her shirt over her head, his thumbs gliding along her smooth skin. Heat spiraled down his spine, stealing his breath.

  Small and firm, her breasts were created for his palms. Planting his hand between the tempting mounds, he pushed. She fell onto her back with a small chuckle that hitched when he yanked off her yoga pants.

  Her gaze flew to his.

  With a smile he tried to gentle, he ripped his jeans off. From the wariness crossing her high cheekbones, he missed his mark with gentle. “Don’t be afraid.”

  “I’m not.” She blinked twice. “You just look like you want to consume me.”

  “I plan to.” He wanted to joke, but his voice emerged guttural and full of truth. He fully intended to taste every inch of her.

  She murmured low, and sparks lit her eyes. “Prove it.”

  Ah. There she was. The real woman behind the proper prophet. He’d give his life to see the real Lily Sotheby. To have her. So he slid up her body, pressing his skin against hers.

  Electricity sparked his nerve e
ndings, careening straight for his balls. His groan mixed with her sigh.

  She reached around him, skimming her hands down his back. “I love how strong you are, Caleb.”

  It was like she wanted to take his heart forever. He silenced her with his mouth covering hers, careful to keep his weight balanced on his elbows. The need to plant himself inside her roared through him, and he settled for the moment with sweeping inside her mouth.

  Strawberries.

  She returned his kiss, her tongue playing with his, her sharp little nails digging into his back. Her legs widened, and the warmth of her cleft slid along his cock. Fire roared between his ears.

  He reared back, trying not to pant.

  “I’m ready, Caleb,” she said softly, her thighs pressing on his hips.

  “No, you’re not.” Heat. Liquid heat was spilling from her, and he shoved back the primal beast inside him who wanted to take.

  She frowned, her expression disgruntled. “Yes, I am. Do you want me to beg?”

  The image of Lily begging nearly made him come right then. “Not this time, but someday, you will.” Yeah. He loved the fire that shot into her eyes at that statement. But her body wasn’t ready for his, and he wished he could go back and punch Sotheby in the face for not teaching her about foreplay. But then again . . . it’d be Caleb’s pleasure.

  So he ducked his head and sucked a pink nipple into his mouth.

  She gasped and arched against him.

  Grinning around her diamond-hard point, he flicked his tongue against her. Her surprise made him enjoy the moment even more. The idea of the things he could show her flared through him.

  “Ahhh,” she moaned, her nails piercing deeper into his flesh. More wetness spilled from her and coated his balls.

  He played with her breasts, his mouth working her nipples, giving each one equal attention until she writhed beneath him, incoherent murmurs emerging on her sighs. Then he kissed a path down her stomach, impressed by the small but tight muscles shifting beneath his lips. Lily worked out.

  Then he reached his goal.

  She released him to dig her fingers through his hair, and he groaned at the contact. Then she tried to tug his head back up. “Caleb, no—”

  Oh yeah. He licked her slit, tasting strawberries and woman.

  Her entire body stilled. “Ah, I think, um—”

  Amusement warred with the hunger ripping through him, and he raised his head, making sure his heated breath warmed her clit when he spoke. “What do you think?”

  Her eyes crossed, and he bit his lip to keep from laughing out loud. How could sex be fun and hard-edged at the same time? “Stop talking.” He went back to playing before she could protest, paying close attention to the way her body moved and her breath hitched.

  The beast inside him shoved harder against the chains. He wanted to savor her, to enjoy her sexual awakening. But the beast was about to take control. Enough playing.

  He slid a finger inside her. Damn. Hot, wet, and tight. Too tight. He slipped another finger inside, crisscrossing them, brushing her G-spot. Then, with a growl, he sucked her entire clit into his mouth.

  She cried out, arching against him, waves rippling through her abdomen. The orgasm shook her entire body, her internal walls gripping his fingers and then finally softening.

  There. Now she was ready. With one last soft kiss to her sex, he wandered up her body, pressing against her entrance.

  Wide eyes met his.

  He blinked. “What?”

  She swallowed. “Nothing.” Yet she appeared both flushed and bewildered.

  He nipped her jaw. “You’ve had an orgasm before.” Right?

  “Yes. But not quite so powerful,” she breathed out.

  He levered himself up and grinned. “Then hold on, baby.” Using every ounce of control he owned, he pressed inside her inch by inch, giving her body time to accommodate his size.

  Even so, he couldn’t keep himself from shoving the last couple of inches in hard.

  She stilled and slowly exhaled. “You’re so big.”

  Male ego swelled within him, and he laughed. “Stop being fun.”

  She tilted her head on the pillow to study him. “Why not?”

  Because fun and sweet would rip out his heart and keep it forever. This was a quick release, a way to burn off tension and deal with a curiosity he’d had for centuries. He had to explain that to her, even while his body bellowed with the need to pound. “I can’t love you and be who I need to be,” he said softly, his heart giving her the truth even while his brain yelled for him to shut up.

  Her sweet smile shocked the hell out of him. “You’re not expendable, Caleb. No matter how badly you think you’re the final shield.”

  Only Lily Sotheby would see that far into his soul. He had no answer for her, so he wrapped a hand around her hip, and slid out and then back in.

  Her mouth opened in a silent O.

  Yeah. Keeping her gaze, not allowing her to look away, he did it again, slowly increasing the strength of his thrusts. Desire burned bright across her face, a female demand in every breath she exhaled.

  Lava slid through his veins, burning down his spine. His balls pulled tight. She wrapped her legs around his hips, and he thrust harder, the fire burning him from within.

  Reaching between them, he plucked her clit.

  She cried out, the orgasm taking her, those glorious eyes shutting. She rippled around his cock, holding with such force he was almost shoved out of her heavenly body. So he thrust harder to stay inside, the one place made only for him.

  Without any thought, his fangs dropped low, and he sank them into her neck. Strawberries exploded on his tongue, and he pressed inside her, staying deep, as the orgasm ripped through him, stronger than any force found in nature.

  Energy rippled through him and into her. She took everything he had and then some, leaving him panting and shocked. Even so, as his fangs retracted, he licked her wound to seal her skin.

  He lifted his head to meet her bemused gaze.

  His knees were actually weak, and his heart pounded. He’d had no idea. A fierceness he’d never expected rose in him—a primal demand to protect and keep her safe. Forever.

  She smiled, her soothing hands sliding along his shoulders. “That was wonderful. Stop worrying. I’m not asking anything of you.” Her tone remained breathless and reassuring.

  Oh, she so did not get it. He finally allowed his baser nature to rise and shine bright in his gaze. “Then start asking, Lily. After this, there’s no way in hell I’m letting you go. Ever.”

  Chapter Seven

  Lily finished her yoga pose in her peaceful suite, finally giving up on breathing evenly. The night with Caleb had been more than a physical awakening; it had been an emotional beginning. A realization that she was more than a prophet, more than duty-bound. She was alive. Yet peace through yoga wouldn’t come, so she focused on the moment. The fire crackled in the spacious living room, while the tumultuous Pacific churned gray and dangerous outside.

  Surely Caleb had been caught up in the moment when making his statement the previous night. Except . . . the statement had been all vampire. Possessive and positive.

  Her heart wanted to hear the declaration, while her mind knew better. The visions that came with her prophet marking had never lied, nor had they ever sugarcoated reality. She’d omitted part of her nightmares from Caleb the previous night, and he could never know the truth.

  At least not until she figured out a way to outmaneuver a fate that declared either Janie or Lily would die. Lily had thought she would simply sacrifice herself for her friend, but destiny was never that simple, now was it?

  The Realm Rebel was a man who loved once and completely. If Lily allowed their tryst to go any further, he’d declare the love they both had felt for centuries. Her death would kill him, and she couldn’t allow that. She also couldn’t let him shield her from the king’s wrath if she did the impossible.

  If she’d been whole and uninfected by th
e virus the previous night, when Caleb had bitten her, he would’ve mated her. But the virus had prevented that.

  Sorrow wound through her, deeper than her skin, and she allowed herself to accept it.

  Suddenly, she found herself in the darkened forest.

  Wait a minute. She was awake.

  “Awake, asleep . . . Fate can find you anywhere.” The ageless voice came to her in a high pitch more frightening than a deep growl. “Now is not the time to turn from your destiny, Prophet.”

  Lily glanced down at her bare feet on the rough trail. Dirt squished between her toes and marred her pedicure. The darkness even found her toes. Swallowing, she glanced around at the jumble of silent trees on either side. They stood so closely together, she couldn’t differentiate one from the next. “Fate can’t want Janie to die.”

  “Janet Isabella Kayrs was marked long before birth to destroy the vampire race. Why do you think all of the species with prophecies have warned of her coming?” the voice hissed.

  Fear tasted like dirt, while anger heated Lily’s ears. She whirled on the trail to face more darkness. “Enough of this, coward. If you’re Fate, show yourself.” Lifting her chin, she took a stand she’d never imagined against the forces she’d blindly followed for centuries.

  The air shimmered, and a woman materialized in front of Lily. Long ebony hair, silver eyes, a light from within.

  Fear exploded in Lily’s stomach. Even so, she lifted her chin. “From the creepy voice, I was expecting a man. An old one.”

  The woman shimmered and smiled. “You know it always comes down to us women, right?”

  Now that was a true statement. “Are you Fate?” Could Fate actually have a face? A body? More importantly, if Fate were making these unreasonable demands, could Fate be killed?

  The woman lifted an eyebrow. “You can’t kill Fate.”

  “Are you positive about that?” Lily forced a smile and kept her thoughts clear. If the creature in front of her could read minds, Lily could shield.

  “Yes. I’m fate, destiny, and the future . . . and I can’t be killed.” The woman gestured to the right, and a path glimmered through the trees. “Let me show you a future.”