Free Vampire Trouble by Sara Humphreys Page B

brushed her lips against Shane’s. The kiss was gentle at first, tentative, and she sighed when his firm lips parted and she swept her tongue inside the welcoming cavern of his mouth. He tasted fresh and cool, and reminded Maya of New York City at its best.
    Wild and dark.
    Maya’s tongue touched Shane’s, making him groan with pleasure, and the kiss quickly grew in intensity. The desperate need to feel something other than fear burned Maya from the inside out. She tore her hands from his and tangled her fingers in his thick, wavy hair, sighing when the silky strands slid through her hands in such a familiar way, it was like she’d done it a thousand times before. His hands wandered up her arms and over her shoulders, and skimmed down her back. He finally settled them on her hips, gripping her, doing his best to keep some kind of distance between them, but it was no use. Maya couldn’t get close enough and doubted she ever would.
    Breaking the kiss, Shane pressed his lips against her forehead and Maya closed her eyes. With her arms linked around his neck, she fiddled with the ends of his hair and rested her head against his chest, watching the waves lap gently at the shore. Maya smiled, noticing how easily her body fit with his. Every plane and curve seemed to go together with absolute ease; his body had been made just for her. She reveled in the safety of his embrace and the tranquility that surrounded them. It was as if they were the only two creatures in the universe.
    It’s time to wake up, youngling. Shane’s voice rumbled in his chest and whispered through Maya’s body seductively. I can feel the sun beginning to set.
    How can you tell? Maya leaned back and looked him in the eye. Is it because you’re so old?
    Old? Shane laughed loudly and kissed the top of her head before brushing her hair off her shoulder. I suppose it is. With time, you’ll learn to recognize the rising and setting of the sun, but that is a lesson for another time.
    Fine . Maya rolled her eyes and placed a kiss at the corner of his mouth. I do have a big night with my new job and everything. Shane’s expression grew dark. Relax, I’m just going to tend bar so your bodyguard job with the wolves should be super easy. It’s not like I have any plans to strip.
    Now his eyes were downright stormy and she noticed that a bank of clouds swept in, swallowing the sun. She wondered if that was on purpose or a side effect of his emotions. She made a note to herself to ask the girls about this dreamscape stuff and see if anything like this happened to them before they stopped dreaming.
    S-stripping? he sputtered. You will do no such thing. I forbid it.
    Shane’s command slammed into her like a ton of bricks, sending anger and frustration up Maya’s back. She set her jaw, and in a flash she shoved at him, instantly extricating herself from his embrace. You forbid it? Fangs bared, eyes wild, she glared at Shane with outright fury.
    I am your bloodmate, and it is my right. The words spilled out in a rush, and Shane looked almost as shocked that he’d said it as she did. You will not do it.
    Your what? Maya took another step back while disbelief and confusion whipped through her like a tornado. Like Olivia and Doug? She shook her head and clutched the pendant. We are not bloodmates. No way.
    How else do you explain the fact that I’ve been pulled into your dreams after not dreaming for more than three centuries? Shane folded his arms over his chest, and that calm, arrogant look settled over his face once again. I will not have my bloodmate prancing around half naked in front of a pack of drooling wolves—or humans, for that matter. It’s unacceptable.
    Oh, really? First of all, this whole dream thing could be a fluke. Hands on her hips, she closed the distance between them while Shane held his ground. Secondly, I don’t care who you are or who you think you are. You have no right to tell