Guarding Valentina [Paladin Protection Agency 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Susan Hayes Page A

her shoulders and up to her neck, until his thumbs were just at the base of her hairline, working into the thick muscles. “How could you have known there was going to be trouble? Are you psychic? Did you know there was a vampire hunting you?” His questions hit home just as firmly as his fingers.
    “No.”
    “You didn’t know, but I did, so if it was anyone’s fault, it was mine.” His hands stilled, the warmth of his touch seeping into her muscles as he just held her. “I am sorry, Val. I’ll never let him hurt you again.”
    “I’m not your responsibility.” She turned her head slowly, ignoring the tug of her bandage as she twisted around to make eye contact with him. “I can take care of myself.”
    “This isn’t about responsibility.” He took a half step to the side so she could see him better, his hands still resting on her neck. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” His hazel eyes had lost their usual sparkle as he met her gaze. “This is what I was born to do, Val. It’s all I’m good at. Let me protect you. Please?”
    Her eyes dropped to his mouth, and she tried to ignore her burning desire to lean in and kiss him. He was so close, it would only take the slightest move to—
    He took the choice away from her as he closed the distance between them and slowly drew his lips over hers. She felt his fingers slide into her hair to cradle her head as he drew her in close and kissed her again. Heat flooded her pussy, and she felt tingles of arousal spread like wildfire through her body.
    “Aedan,” she whispered his name, not sure if she wanted to tell him to let her go or kiss her again.
    “I like the way you say my name.” He closed the last, small space between them and kissed her again. His lips tasted of peppermint, and she could smell the faint trace of soap on his skin. It was citrus and spice, very different from the musky cologne scent most men wore. She reached up and pressed her hands to his chest, her fingers curling into the soft fabric of his shirt as she tugged him even closer.
    Her lips parted against his, and she took their kiss deeper. His mouth was warm and welcoming, and she teased him with her tongue. His hands tightened in her hair, holding her still as he took back the control she’d briefly stolen. He explored her mouth slowly, claiming it a piece at a time. Her blood roared in her ears, and she rubbed herself up against him, their lips still mated.
    His heart was beating hard enough she could feel the tattoo beneath her fingers, and she knew it was racing as quickly as her own. It had been a long time since she’d felt like this, like her skin was too tight and her blood was blazing with erotic heat.
    When he finally dragged his mouth from hers to lay a line of feather-soft kisses down her jaw to her ear, she groaned in protest.
    “I know,” he murmured against her skin. “I feel it, too.”
    His teeth teased and then nipped at her earlobe, and a spike of raw need went through her, followed immediately by a thought that acted like an ice-cold shower to her overheated libido.
    “Dhampir don’t bite, do they?”
    She felt him pause and then a rumble of laughter rose from his chest. “No, luv. At least not in the way I think you mean. If I bite you, it will be purely for pleasure.” He lifted his head and smiled broadly. “No fangs.”
    “Sorry, dumb question.”
    “Given what you’re going through, I think it was a reasonable thing to ask.” Aedan let one hand slip from her hair to cup her cheek, his thumb stroking over her lips. “I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you last night. You were standing in the rain, so brave and so beautiful.” He grinned a little. “I don’t even have to duck my head to kiss you. You’re a perfect fit.”
    Val couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Is that your only dating criteria? Must be tall enough to kiss without stooping?”
    Aedan just blinked at her, silent for once.
    “Did I say something wrong?”
    “No.”