Free Immortal Wounds: Book #1 in the Immortal Wounds Vampire Series-Paranormal Romance/Vampire Romance/Romantic Fantasy by Nicole Grane Page A

eyes . . . please.”
    “I can’t.” His voice was shaky. “I’ll scare you.”
    I stared at his unprotected lips and decided to take a chance. I pressed my lips against his. It was like a surge of electricity had run through us. My mouth touching his seemed to jump-start his heart. My hands held his face as he kissed me intensely, almost wildly. It was as if he’d been waiting all his life for this moment, our lips were finally touching and he couldn’t deny himself any longer.
    His mouth fit mine perfectly. Our lips seemed to know each other. They moved together, anticipating every touch. His hand was moving down my waist and around my thigh now. Instinctively I wrapped my leg around his hip and gave him a gentle squeeze, my battered body long forgotten.
    That seemed to be all the encouragement he needed. He put his arm under my back sharply and pulled my body tighter to his. His kissing was much more aggressive; I knew I’d won him over.
    I held onto him, meeting every kiss eagerly. My heart pounded erratically, I had never expected our first kiss to be so powerful. I didn’t want it to end.
    His lips drifted from my mouth, leaving me gasping for air as they traveled over every inch of my neck, searching for the perfect spot to rest, but they never did. He worked his way down the base of my throat, pausing momentarily to watch my chest rise up and down with each breath I longed for. He glanced at me with dark amber eyes. My mouth popped open; a feeling of fear washed over me once again. He didn’t let it linger. He quickly pulled me back to him. His lips claiming mine with such ferocity, I melted into his embrace. I wanted him desperately; the way I felt he wanted me.
    I couldn’t breathe . . . I put my hands up to his shoulders, my fingers digging into his skin. I tried to push him away. He misunderstood my heart’s sudden reaction; his kisses became more passionate as he pulled me closer still.
    My legs loosened their hold around him. The ringing in my ears was the only sound I could hear . . .
    “Phoebe! Phoebe, can you hear me?” I could feel my body being shaken softly as Marcus anxiously called out my name. “PHOEBE!” he shouted out again, slightly louder now.
    My eyes flickered slowly, trying to regain focus. I could just barely make out his silhouette hovering over me. I could see his troubled face now as he moved my head from side to side examining my neck, searching for something. He looked at my shoulders, frantically searching. His eyes darted back to mine—they were full of fear. “Are you alright?” he asked urgently.
    “I think so.” I still felt disoriented.
    “You scared me. I thought I . . .” his voice trailed off as he looked my body over once again.
    “What are you looking for?” I asked a little annoyed.
    He put his hands around my face, cupping it gently. “Never scare me like that again!” he commanded.
    “I’m sorry,” a tear leaked out the corner of my eye.
    “No, no. It’s alright,” he assured quickly. “I didn’t hurt you.”
    “Didn’t hurt me?” I was so embarrassed. “What are you talking about? I ruined everything,” I said through tears. His face looked completely shocked. “I couldn’t breathe right. My heart was pounding so fast, I . . .”
    He drew me up into his arms and gently rocked me like a child. “I’m sorry I took your breath away,” he mused.
    I shook my head. “I didn’t do that right,” I cried. “I’ve never been with anyone like that before. I wanted you to be my first . . .” I cried into his chest, overcome with embarrassment.
    He stopped rocking me.
    I glanced up into his face. He had a blank expression. His eyes drifted down to meet mine.
    “You’ve never . . . been with anyone . . . intimately?” He spoke each word slowly so that I couldn’t misunderstand the question.
    “No,” I squeaked. I was mortified. Marcus had to think I was an emotional wreck. I expected him to run out the door any minute.
    He stared at