Undying Embrace by Jessica Lee Page A

worked over the tops of his thighs.
    “You’re evading the question. Again.” She tilted her head. “Enlighten me.”
    The tips of his fangs glimmered beneath his lip. She couldn’t help but stare as they flashed in the glare of her car headlights. Callous fingertips lifted her chin to his gaze, one that flashed with an unholy red glow.
    “You tend to forget they exist.” He raised one brow. “You want to ignore them, pretend I’m not a vampire.” He slowly shook his head and dropped his hand.
    “I know who you are, Arran MacLain.” She lifted her hand to his face, despite the devilish glare he wore to frighten her away. The desire to feel the texture of his stubble across her skin was way more powerful. She half expected him to flinch from her touch, but for a moment, as she followed the curve of his jaw with her palm, he leaned into her caress before pulling back. “We lived in the same house for more than five years.” She lowered her hand. “I’m not some kind of head case.”
    “You don’t know me.” The deep timbre of his voice wrapped his words in an ominous package.
    “How am I supposed to know more about you, when you won’t allow anyone close enough to learn?”
    “I’m a killer, Gabrielle.” He snarled the words at her. “That’s all you need to know. Is that what you want sliding into your bed every night, lass? Touching your body with hands that were soaked in blood minutes before?”
    “Stop it!” She couldn’t stand where he was going with this. Why did he always think the worst of himself? “You kill because you have to…to protect.”
    Arran clutched her face with both hands; his gaze bored into her soul. “I kill the same creatures that I am, the ones who’ve lost control of their bloodlust. What separates the vampires of the Enclave and the ones we put down is a fine line, kitten.” His thumbs stroked her cheeks. “Don’t think for a moment I’ve forgotten the night I found you with a DEAD at your throat. The terror in your eyes…” He lowered his eyelids, as if reliving that horrible night. His throat worked once, before he opened them again. She clutched his hands, not wanting to remember that night. He shook his head before continuing. “Do you want that at your neck again? Because if you take this any further, that’s exactly where I’ll be. I’ll want all of you, and I won’t be able to stop.”
    A shiver ripped up her spine, and she dug her teeth into her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. Part of what he said hit a nerve. She did keep the fact he was a vampire locked away in the back of her mind. To her, he was Arran. That was all she ever saw. If she didn’t think about him as a vampire, she wouldn’t have to deal with it. But the time to wake up and face the fact was here. Now.
    She released her lip and gave his hands a squeeze. “That was seven years ago. And like I told you before, I’ve changed. Grown up.”
    His hands fell to his sides, and he leaned back, a swirl of red circling his irises. “Because of Logan? Is he a part of why you’re so grown up now?”
    “Oh my God.” She glared. “Not that it’s any of your business, since you were the one who walked out. But for your information—no, he’s not.”
    Lifting his arms, he rubbed his fingers across his eyes and then along his chin. “Gabrielle…” He groaned and shook his head.
    Elle reached out and buried her fists into the hair at the back of his neck, pulling herself closer. “Seven years is a long time. Give me a chance. Give us a chance.” Her mouth covered his, and she nipped his lower lip before licking away whatever sting she’d left behind. Damn, he tasted so delicious. Like hot, sweetened spice that made your mouth water for more.
    Strong hands clutched the sides of her head and peeled her mouth from his. “You don’t want me, kitten.” His words rumbled an inch above her lips.
    “Yes, I do,” she breathed.
    Arran growled and then seized her mouth, kissing her as