Runes by Em Petrova Page B

answering his thought. Her voice carried through the room and dizzied him. “Just… Will… don’t you see how much I need you?”
    Her words were fire to kindling, and he was instantly aflame. With a growl of desperation, he scooped her off her feet and dipped his mouth to her tattoo. The shock sent their minds reeling, but he brought her so near they were one again. His mouth touched each tiny rune and star, and moved up her throat. At her ear, he paused to whisper, “You beautiful, beautiful woman. My mate. Mine. Feel it? It’s us.”
    A cry escaped her, and she threw her arms around his neck and ground her body against his. “I feel it, Will. Oh, God, won’t you. . . ?”
    He briefly tasted the final star at the corner of her eye before she grabbed his jaw and kissed him. At the first contact of their mouths, they went completely still. Though their shaking wouldn’t cease until their blood was shared, it eased. She stopped breathing.
    I want you, he said into her soul, raising another shiver from her. He cupped her face, angled her head, and thrust his tongue into the sweet recesses of her mouth. For long minutes they searched each other, kissing and nibbling. The feel of her in his arms roused his tenderness, but his body demanded more.
    Yes, she begged him. Please stop this shaking.
    Dragging his mouth from hers, he stared into her gaze, fighting for control. He forced his fingers to relax and gently released her. She stumbled backward, confusion stamped on her features.
    At once her burning blush and angry tears stole all sense from Will, and he yanked her back to him. Against her throat, he rasped, “We can’t continue. You need time, Evangeline.”
    Time to recover from her love for Sean. But he couldn’t keep an image of her mortal lover shuttered from her mind, and he saw the instant she read it.
    She straightened as if she’d been stabbed, lifted her hands to his chest, and shoved him away. Her heat left him and his arms fell limply to his sides, aching at the sudden emptiness. He watched her submerge herself into the sea of granite sculpture.
    She tripped through them, her obvious anger hastening her steps, which were as graceful and complex as a minuet. Returning to face him, she drew up before him with eyes blazing.
    He reached for her, but she sidestepped him. He jammed a hand through his hair. How to proceed with her? A light rain pattered on the roof.
    “You understand about 'The Calling'?” he asked.
    Her blue eyes flashed. “Yes.”
    “And. . . that I made you immortal?”
    Again her eyes flashed, brighter with tears. “That, too.”
    “So you understand that we cannot disregard this link,” he said, striding across the room, his body screaming for her. If he didn’t distance himself from her, he’d grab her and take her, and damn the consequences.
    Near the small wood-burning stove, he stopped and looked at her again. Her short hair lay in flat waves against her head rather than her usual spikes, giving her a soft, ethereal appearance. Her mouth fell open with a sigh, inflaming him further.
    She nodded that she understood.
    “To finish the imprint, we must share our bodies and blood,” he said, seeing her wince. “But I refuse to lay a hand on you unless you tell me the truth, Evangeline.” His voice sounded harsh to him.
    “I don’t lie, Will. And never to you.”
    He suddenly realized every preconceived notion about her had been struck down by a glimpse of her true self. Sweet and caring and his.
    Give me strength. I cannot resist this perfect woman.
    “Why did you come?” he asked.
    Her brow wrinkled. “I came for you. Because you’ve been driving me mad for months, and I can’t bear to be parted from you anymore.” She almost sobbed.
    “And what about Sean? You’re in love with him,” he said, choking.
    He felt her heart plummet. Spinning on the heel of her boot, she paced away. He watched the ramrod set of her back and felt her muscles quiver within his own. At the