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  His finger barely grazed her swollen flesh before it was gone and he was bringing his arm across her body. She was momentarily confused until he wrapped his sensuous lips around his finger tip and closed his eyes in ecstasy, tasting her. A low growl marked his pleasure, making her groan; making her hotter and wetter. Instead of embarrassment, she felt empowered.

  “Touch me,” she whispered and watched as he opened his eyes, which were almost black with desire. A slight smile curved his lips once more as he finally – finally – cupped her breasts in his hands. The sight of his golden hands against her paler flesh was very erotic, his long, beautiful fingers curving over her swollen breasts. His thumbs slowly moved over her turgid nipples and waves of pleasure shot straight to her womb. She clenched her thighs together to ease the growing ache between her legs.

  He growled and suddenly she was spinning around and he was bending his head. Within a heartbeat his mouth was latched onto her nipple and he drew it deep into the moist depths, forming her flesh to his soft palate. Her breath hitched and she cried out as the intense sensation of teeth and tongue playing with the firm flesh made her stomach convulse. Her hands flew to his shoulders as her knees disappeared and her legs gave out. Muscles shifted beneath her fingers and she had to see him, had to feel him.

  As he continued to tease her nipples, her breasts, she reached down and tugged at his shirt, pulling the tail from his pants. She was only able to lift it a few inches before her hands found silken flesh and she flattened her palms against his stomach. He was so warm, so alive. Her hands moved upwards, over the hills and vales of his sculpted abs, the sinewy ridges of his ribs; she clutched his rock-solid waist as his mouth moved to the other nipple.

  Her fingers curled into his flesh as he lightly bit down. She cried out once more as a jolt of pain danced with an arc of pleasure. She felt him smile against her skin before his tongue darted out and soothed the stinging nipple. With one hand, he grabbed the hem of his shirt, breaking contact with her just long enough to yank it over his head and tossing it down. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he lifted her up, his solid chest burning the mounds of her breasts that were flattened between them.

  He took a step forwards so that her butt was resting on the edge of the cool counter, his skin never leaving hers. He moved his mouth along her throat, tracing the fluttering pulse with his tongue. His lips were firm, tender, as they teased the lobe of her ear. Using one hand, he reached between them and tugged at the fastenings of his pants, kissing along the underside of her jaw.

  Her hands fluttered over his hard body, joining the hand that was already working on freeing his erection. Pushing his hand out of the way, she was able to unbutton the fly, unzip the zipper. His hands moved to her head, his fingers brushing through the tangled mess of her hair; but she didn’t care, he was this close to being naked. Eager to feel all of him, she pushed his pants and his briefs just over his hips before wrapping her hands around his cock. It was hot and hard and perfect; it was satin over burning steel.

  She felt his moan against her throat as she stroked her hands up and down the length of his penis. He was deliciously large and she wanted him in her, now. Gently, urgently, she tugged him forward, trying to bring him into her body. His resistance was remarkable and frustrating, making her whimper. “Please.”

  “Patience,” he murmured, lifting his head and talking against her lips just before he kissed her. Expertly, his mouth moved over hers, tasting her, familiarizing her with his lips. He sucked her lower lip into his mouth and her hands fell away from his cock, drifting to his chest once more. Taking a step forward, he closed the small distance between their bodies, pressing his erection against her swollen and aching sex.

  Grinding against her, he deepened the kiss, running his tongue along the seam of her lips, silently asking for admittance. Her mouth opened, eagerly allowing him in. He even tasted of headiness and luxury, of heat and fulfillment. His tongue moved along hers, thrusting in and out of her mouth, tasting, teasing.

  Hesitantly at first, than with greater boldness, she moved her tongue along his, losing herself in the kiss. Trailing his fingers over her stomach, the lace of her panties, he pressed a thumb against her clit, “Yes?”

  “God, yes,” she breathed, pressing against his hand, feeling the rasp of lace against her swollen flesh. Her thighs shook, falling open even further, practically begging him to enter her.

  The whimpers coming from her destroyed any illusion of control he may have had. Grabbing the panties, he tore them from her body, needing to be in her. Holding onto her hips, he positioned the head of his straining cock at her entrance, “Yes?”

  “Yes!” she cried, her hips flexing towards him. “Please, yes!”

  He thrust into her, filling her, impaling her. Releasing his breath in a long, drawn-out sigh of exaltation, he paused, savoring the first moment of having his cock embraced by the hot, tight passage of her feminine flesh. His eyes slid shut as she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him all the way into her. It was rare to find a woman capable of taking so much in such a short time; it was pleasure almost beyond endurance and he wanted more. His mouth possessed hers in a desperate mating of tongues and teeth and lips.

  Her fingers tunneled through his thick, golden head of hair, holding his mouth against hers, wrapping him in her body, around her body. Crossing her ankles behind his back, pressing her heels into his butt, she wanted to climb all the way into him. The pain of being impaled was nothing compared to the rapture. And when he started to move, everything coalesced into the one spot between her legs until she was a vessel of pure ecstasy.

  Matching his rhythm, pushing down as he pushed up and taking him ever deeper, she could feel the beginnings of an orgasm, one that was centered deep within. Breathing quickly, it was too much and she wasn’t going to survive, she knew it. Tightening her hold around his neck, she tore her mouth away from his, gasping for breath. “Please.”

  “Hold on, my love,” he rasped, his hips flexing faster and faster, demanding more and more. His hands moved to her ass; cupping her, holding her, he moved her ever closer to the precipice.

  Pain erupted into exquisite pleasure that radiated outwards from where they were joined. Her back arched and she screamed as the world came to an end. He continued to thrust, prolonging her death, her rebirth. Then his body stiffened and he growled out his release. As her muscles contracted, she felt the pulsing of his orgasm against her womb. From far away, she realized that the counter no longer supported her, that he held her entire weight in his arms.

  Breathing heavily, he continued to hold her in his arms, even as her body collapsed onto his, boneless. Weightless. Although her hold on him loosened, she did not let go. He was the only real thing in the world, the only thing. Pressing her lips against the strong column of his neck, she tasted his salty skin; she wanted to feast on him forever.

  Realizing once more that he held her in his arms, a blush stole across her face and she started to squirm, “I must be heavy.”

  “Not at all.” He smiled at her and she doubted she would be able to stand if he were to put her down. Tightening his hold on her, his grin turned slightly wicked, “In fact, I could hold you for eternity and not tire.”

  “Still,” she protested feebly. She didn’t know how nice it was to be held like this, to be connected like this. Swallowing, she bit her lower lip even as she tightened her arms around his neck, hugging him closer. “Are you sure?”

  “Sweetheart, I’m sure,” he assured her, flexing his hips and sending an aftershock of pleasure through both of their bodies. Pressing a soft kiss against her lips, he murmured, “I think we missed the countdown.”

  She laughed, the bubbly joy of unexpected bliss bursting within her and around her. “I think we did a pretty good job welcoming in the New Year. I thought I had wanted a gargoyle but as it turns out, I just wanted you.”

  “A… gargoyle?” he asked softly, tilting his head back and looking at her with a quizzical express
ion.

  Feeling awkward and exposed for having admitted so much, she disentangled her limbs, somehow managing to dislodge herself from his body and find her footing. Awkwardly, she looked around the floor for her discarded clothing, trying to hide the burn of her blush with the fall of her hair. “Well, yeah.; like a mythical guardian, you know?”

  Tenderly, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face, cupping her cheek and making her look at him. “I’m honored.”

  With her fingers clutching her blouse, she paused and looked up ,at him disconcerted by his response. It was honest and heartfelt and not at all mocking. He brushed his thumb over her lower lip and smiled, “I want to see you again.”

  “You want to see me again?” she asked dazedly, very pleasantly surprised by him; her lips tingling where he touched them. Reaching up, she wrapped her fingers around his wrist, needing to touch him to make sure he was really there, that she wasn’t dreaming.

  “Very much so,” he breathed, bending his head and replacing his hand with his mouth. Holding on, she kissed him back, enjoying the feel of his tongue as it leisurely stroked hers. Before they could lose themselves in a kiss, he reluctantly pulled away. Resting his forehead against hers, he clenched his jaw, “I have to go.”

  “I understand,” she whispered, surprised to find that she did understand. Kissing his knuckles, she smiled, “Your brothers are probably looking for you and I suppose my friends are wondering where I am, as well. But first tell me your last name.”

  His gaze swept over her face but it took him a long, drawn-out heartbeat to answer. “Nosuntres.”

  “Vaughn Nosuntres.” She let his name roll over her tongue, tasting it with her mouth, liking the way it felt. Smiling, she looked up at him, “I like it.”

  Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her against him, resting his cheek against the top of her head and he held her close. There was something almost desperate in his hug and his voice rasped when he murmured, “I don’t want to leave you.”

  “But I’ll see you again, right?” she asked, returning his hug, wanting to hold on for a while longer as well.

  He closed his eyes for a moment before meeting his gaze in the mirror. Patches of naked skin peeked out at him from beneath the dark strands of her hair. Her slender waist and the curve of her butt were completely exposed, her ass enhanced by the straps of her garter belt. How was he expected to give her up? “Yes, you will.”

  But if Armand had his way, she wouldn’t recognize him. He knew it was the right thing to do, but his body didn’t agree. His heart didn’t agree. Kissing the top of her head, he whispered, “Happy New Year, Melanie.”

  She kissed the skin over his heart before turning her head and resting her cheek against his chest, “Happy New Year, Vaughn.”

  Four

  At three in the morning, Vaughn leaned against the door jam, his arms crossed over his broad chest as he frowned at his brother Armand, who sat on the floor, his long legs folded beneath his butt. The black haired bastard was wearing the silk ceremonial robes in order to cast the spell that would erase Melanie’s memory. Had he been thinking, he would have cast the spell after her had made love to her, when she was open and vulnerable; what he had planned on doing. But then she told him she wanted a gargoyle and his brain blanked as surprised joy slammed him upside his head, piercing his heart.

  Even if he had cast the spell, he doubted it would have worked; his heart wouldn’t have been in it. He had no choice but to allow Armand to do what needed to be done, for her sake. It was too dangerous for a human to live in such close proximity to the creatures of their world, no matter how infatuated with her he was, not unless he was willing to give up his night and he wasn’t. Yet. At least his brother wouldn’t be able to erase his memory; he’d be able to relive his time with Melanie and no one could take that away.

  “I told you it had to be taken care of; she has proven impervious to our other, less invasive methods; this is the only way.” Armand opened an eye and looked at Vaughn, “Every moment she spends in this building the risks increase; what if she sees something that her human brain cannot comprehend? Given enough time this place will drive her mad.”

  “It is not necessary to explain it to me,” Vaughn growled. “I know the reasons and I agree with you, it is necessary to keep her safe. I just wish there were another way.”

  Armand’s teeth ground together as he bit out, “I will not allow you to give up your nights for a human; they are fickle and treacherous.”

  Vaughn’s brows drew together as he shook his head no in automatic denial, even if he briefly weighed the possibility. “If I made that choice you wouldn’t have a say in the matter.”

  “You’re too optimistic for your own good, Vaughn,” Armand said calmly, which only emphasized the seriousness of his words. “You’ll lose fifty, sixty years of your life just when things are starting to get interesting.”

  “I know,” Vaughn swallowed, not wanting to consider the probable outcome of giving up his nights. But how could he convince Armand that Melanie was different based on nothing more than a… a feeling? He knew the dangers, and there were many, yet he was willing to risk it all because he was captivated by a human. It was madness and yet, he didn’t care. He wanted Melanie.

  Armand arched a perfect brow, “Are you prepared to give up everything for her?” At Vaughn’s marked hesitation, he smiled, “I thought not.”

  “I didn’t say no,” Vaughn growled. “I barely know the girl; I’m not going to act rashly only to regret my decision for two hundred years like you did.”

  Armand’s lips lifted in a rueful smile, “I was young and impetuous; you don’t have the same excuse.”

  Vaughn looked away, regretting the spiteful words he uttered as they hit the mark. But as Armand shrugged out of the silk robes, revealing his naked body, Vaughn growled and pushed himself off the wall. It took everything in him to stop himself from walking over and grabbing Armand by the short hairs. “Is it necessary to cast the spell using sex?”

  “She is resilient,” Armand said coolly, the flame of the candle bathing his hard body in golden light. “In orgasm, she will be vulnerable and the spell will be more… effective. Besides, there will be no actual intercourse; it is in the spiritual plane.”

  “Then it’s even more insidious,” Vaughn sneered, not wanting his brother to know Melanie in such an intimate manner, even if it wasn’t truly physical. “Try something less… invasive.”

  Armand’s smile was dark as he looked at Vaughn, belying the seriousness of the threat. “If you had done the spell when you fucked her this night it wouldn’t be necessary for me to do this now.”

  Vaughn closed his eyes in remorse; what Armand had said was true; he had failed to protect his family’s best interests when it came to the girl; he had failed to safeguard the girl. After she was safely back where she belonged, maybe he would take a few days and find a place where he could spread his wings and fly for more than a few minutes at a time. He would get his thoughts back in order, remember where his loyalties lay.

  * * * * *

  Armand watched his brother go, wishing there was more he could do for him but there was no way he could allow a human to remain aware of them, of their home. He remembered the madness of falling in lust with a human female and he also remembered the fall out. It had been a painful lesson, one he wouldn’t wish on anyone, especially his brother.

  He hadn’t been completely honest with Vaughn, though. The girl was an anomaly, that much was true, but she was also intriguing. She had been able to withstand his powerful hypnosis. No one, not even Katrina, had been able to do that. There was no choice but to invoke the power of sex. He could justify himself by saying it wasn’t truly sex, that it was necessary to ensure the girl’s compliance, but that wouldn’t be the entire truth, either. Armand wasn’t sure a less intimate spell wouldn’t have worked, but he wanted to discover for himself the unique girl.

  Picturing her in his head, he felt the power
ebb and flow around him. She was a pretty, little thing with a classic oval face and a small, tip-tilted nose. A smattering of freckles danced across the bridge of her nose and the apples of her cheeks, giving her an air of freshness and sweetness. Her eyes were blue; it had surprised when he had stared directly into her blue eyes. Her damnable blue eyes. The color reminded him of the summer sky, of a brief moment in time he still dreamed about. He could feel the heat of the sun on his flesh; see it behind his closed eyelids. It had been so long since he had seen that color….

  He forced himself back to the present and forced the memories away. Concentrating on Melanie, he conjured her face once again, her eyes, her nose, her lips…. She had a wicked, seductive mouth, with full, blush-colored lips. It was a mouth made to fuck.

  He had actually liked the girl when he had danced with her; she had made him laugh with her irreverence and determination. If things were different, if he and his brothers weren’t who they were, he would have encouraged Vaughn to pursue her. But they were what they were and when all was said and done the girl was only a human and she would never choose Vaughn; Armand would rather carve out his own heart than see his brother suffer. So he had no choice but to invoke sex to erase her memory, he didn’t want to take the chance of a lesser spell failing.

  His only regret was that he wouldn’t be able to see her face when he brought her to orgasm. He was still a male and could appreciate a beautiful woman, even if she belonged to Vaughn.

  Closing his eyes, he blew out his breath and started to chant. The physical world fell away as he entered the ether between realities. Perception was so skewered in the mists surrounding him; he had to rely on memory to find the girl’s essence. In a short time, she had filled her entire apartment with her energy, with the strongest concentration coming from the bed.

  He let his conscious mind fade, letting the magic course through him to create a proxy with which to cast the spell. In her dreams, she would see him as he appeared in human form. If the girl were to wake, all she would see was a nebulous mist hovering over her, clinging to her skin; she would believe she was still sleeping. It didn’t matter; after she came and the spell was cast, she wouldn’t remember anything.