Free Shadowed (Dark Protectors) by Rebecca Zanetti Page A

emotion. One she wasn’t powerful enough to protect against. So she did the only thing she could—she opened herself completely to him.
    She ran her hand along the side of his face, her heart breaking when he turned into her palm. As if a gentle touch was too much for him to resist. Tears pricked the back of her eyes. “I won’t hurt you,” she whispered from somewhere deeper than the moment.
    “Don’t let me hurt you.” The gentle plea matched his devastated tone.
    Grasping his chin, she leaned in and wandered her lips over his. Memorizing the firmness. The strength. The very maleness of his mouth. She’d worry about her heart later. It was much too late now.
    His fingers spread through her hair, cupping her head, subtly taking over the kiss as if he couldn’t help it. Gentle and seeking, he explored her, conveying more than a kiss. The need for touch, the need for connection lived in every stroke of his tongue, every slant of his lips.
    She lost herself in the maelstrom, her mouth opening, accepting all he could give.
    Whether he liked it or not, he was giving. To her. The Dunnes’ youngest, freakiest, almost plain daughter. In this moment and in this vampire’s arms, she was invincible. Stronger even than he.
    The truth of that sparked shards of demanding need through every nerve. Sighing deep in her throat, she rubbed against his erection. Hard and full, he pulsed beneath his slacks. Through her flimsy thong, his heat all but demanded entrance.
    He broke the kiss, and they both breathed heavily.
    She yanked his shirt down his arms. More scars and more muscle. Her hands caressed him, and she marveled at his strength. Vampires were naturally cut and hard. This one had worked beyond a gifted biology to create a body of pure steel. Her sex quivered with the knowledge, while her heart ached. This was a body ready for battle.
    “Jase,” she whispered.
    “Shhh.” He stood and waited until she’d wrapped her legs around his hips before carrying her to the bedroom. He laid her on the bed and removed her dangling dress. His eyelids dropping, he reached down and slid her panties free. “You’re beautiful, Brenna.” His gaze ran over her, softness lighting his eyes.
    For the first time, she felt beautiful. She’d carry the look on his face into forever, no matter what happened. She forced a smile. “You’re still dressed.”
    His nostrils flared. Sure fingers unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned his slacks, and shoved them to the ground. He stepped out of them and out of his shoes, resting one knee on the bed.
    God, he was huge. Huge-huge. Not just kinda huge. She licked her suddenly dry lips, and he groaned low.
    Feminine panic swept through her. Okay. They were meant to fit. Somehow, they’d fit.
    His half smirk proved he’d seen the panic. Flattening his hand on her abdomen, he watched his hand trace up between her breasts. She reached for him.
    “No. Let me play.” He leaned down and flicked a nipple with his tongue.
    “I want to play, too,” she gasped, her fingers curling over his shoulders.
    “Wait your turn,” he rumbled as he stretched over her, settled between her legs, and drew a nipple into his mouth.
    Lava surrounded her. Good God, his mouth was on fire. She shifted restlessly against him, her mind swirling, her body aching. He paid attention to both breasts, nipping, licking, and sucking. Finally, he lifted his head. “I thought you’d taste like candy. You don’t. Sweet raspberries—all the way.” He reached down and slid a finger inside her.
    She gasped and arched her back. Mini explosions ripped through her sex.
    Pleasure curved his smile. “You’re wet.”
    “Of course.” She flashed him a challenging smile.
    His eyebrow lifted, and he scraped his thumbnail along her clit.
    She stopped breathing and her eyes slammed shut.
    Warm lips wandered across her stomach, his breath heating her skin. Her abdominal muscles shifted, and her internal walls clenched. His broad hands curled around