Im losing my damn mind.
Dragging in a lungful of air, she forced herself to relax. No Morphs stalked the streets. Only people, out for a good time. And one lone werewolf named Damian.
Jamie froze in shocked fear.
Wind ruffled his short, dark hair. His elegant good looks made him stand out in the crowd like a sleek sports car among sedate sedans. He prowled with lithe grace toward her, his muscled body moving like a well-honed machine. Oblivious to the crowd, the artists, everything.
Everything but her. His hard green gaze riveted to her like a laser beam. Jamies heart raced.
Instinct urged flight. She turned, pushed past the crowd. Fast, faster, as she raced beneath the balconies of the Pontalba Apartments, feeling his breath on her like a warm caress of air.
A hand latched onto her upper arm, jerked her to a stop. Jamie gulped, panic racing through her veins, his muscled chest pressing against her as he herded her out of the crowds way against the brick building. Damian swung her into a faded doorway. Intensity radiated in his gaze.
Jamie, ah, finally, I found you, he said softly, her name rolling off his tongue in his whiskey-smooth accent.
Let me go, Draicon. Let me go, now.
She struggled against his steely grip. A hysterical sob rose in her throat. He was going to punish her for trying to assassinate him. Damian crowded her against the doorway, his legs pinning her against the wood. Trapped.
As she opened her mouth to scream for help, he pulled her against his hard body.
His lips descended on hers, cutting off her cry with a kiss.
Chapter 2
His kiss shocked Jamie into immobility. It was gentle, barely a brushing of lips. Damian raised his head, his expression softened. Hysteria fled as he cupped her face with his warm hands.
Dont scream, chère. I promise, I wont hurt you, ma petite.
With a mere touch, he extinguished her panic. Damn it, what was this? Draicon magick?
Im not going to hurt you, Jamie. Thats the last thing I want. I want to help you. His expression grew fierce and intent. But first damn "
He kissed her again.
Jamie sagged in his arms. Feeling the current sparking between them as it had on that night when theyd first met. Her head fell back as he cradled her neck in his palm. Her hands slid up around his neck, feeling rock-hard muscle beneath warm skin. Jamie hung on for dear life like a drowning woman. Tasting him as his tongue boldly invaded her mouth, flicked against hers. Challenging him in return, her tongue tangling in a duet of hot desire and lost passion. It felt as magical and crazy and uncontrollable as when hed first taken her.
This wasnt real. Or right. Or anything, but the moment, the succulent taste of him in her mouth, claiming it with each firm thrust of his tongue.
Jamie clutched fistfuls of his shirt, drawing him closer. Only then did Damian break the kiss. A low groan rumbled from him as he stepped back, never losing his grip on her. Intent burned in his gaze.
Alarmed and dismayed, Jamie licked her lips. I just kissed my brothers murderer. The Draicon I tried to kill.
Damian laid a palm against her cheek. Hush, he murmured. I wont hurt you.
Then lift that damn spell of yours. Jamie stopped moving, stricken by the calming feel of his touch. She stared at him, taking in his strong, square chin, straight nose and high cheekbones. Classical good looks. And a werewolf lurking inside.
She had tried to kill him in New Mexico, but Nicolas, his beta, had healed Damian. And then Damian had cast a binding spell, prohibiting her from doing magick. The dark powers Kane, the Morph leader, had bestowed on her had vanished. Damian had said it was because the Morphs wouldnt want her without her powers.
But he lied. She knew it.
She then had escaped, but hed found her. No matter. She would escape him once more.
I cant. The magick in you is dark. Until I can erase it, the spell remains.
Ill find a way around it. I can defeat you, Draicon.
A shadow crossed his face. There are things you must know, Jamie. Youre in danger. You need my help.
Your help? Id rather kiss a Morph. At least they gave me power.
He gave her a pensive look. What did Kane do to give you magick?"
I had sex with him, she taunted.
Now that full mouth flattened into a thin slash. He looked dangerous and edgy. Leaning closer, he seemed to nuzzle her neck. No, he was sniffing her, like a wolf scenting a rabbit. Damian drew back. Male satisfaction gleamed in his eyes.
You didnt. I cant smell him on you. You havent been with another male since me.
Her chin rose. I could. Probably someone would trade me sex for a way to release your binding spell.
A dark look draped his features. Damian offered a thin smile, but his green eyes spoke volumes. Rage and male possessiveness.
Dont sell yourself short, Jamie. Your body is worth much more. And if you try it, Ill find the male and make him regret he ever laid eyes on you. He paused, his strokes against her neck gentle compared to the murderous fury flashing in his eyes. Ill rip him apart. Slowly.
White canines flashed in his dark smile the teeth elongating as if he were shape-shifting. Jamie tilted her chin up, refusing to show fear.
And me? What would you do with me?
Damians expression shifted. The intensity of his look was strong enough to melt steel.
What Id do with you? Id rip off your clothing and Id put my mouth all over your body and make you come until you screamed for mercy. Thered never be another male for you, ever, because every time youd try to get close to another Id be there, my scent in your nostrils, my taste in your mouth and the feel of my cock inside you.
He released her neck and gave her nose a light, almost affectionate tap. Understand?"
Jamie moistened her kiss-swollen mouth. A deep, primitive urge rose at the way he stared at her lips. His muscles locked as his pupils got larger, nearly overriding the jade-green irises. Damian might have some odd sexual hold over her, but damn, she had the same over him. She had the odd feeling if she had the courage, she could wield a much greater power. But her lack of experience and inner terror of Damians power held her back.
I get it. You stripped my powers to punish me. Fine. Lets deal. Ill make up for it if you get rid of this damn spell. If you dont, Ill find another way. Like a hidden book of magick, Draicon.
Damian lightly trailed long fingertips over her cheek. My name is Damian, not Draicon. His voice suddenly softened. Was there a note of regret there? She couldnt tell. Theres no need to make up for anything, Jamie. The binding spell is there for your own protection. Trust me, its best.
I know whats best for me. I dont need you or anyone else.
Torment flashed in his eyes, then he closed them. Bemused, she stared at the long sweep of dark lashes against his tanned cheeks. Damian opened his eyes, the emotion gone. Walk with me. We need to talk. Its urgent.
She didnt want to, but the warm palm he cupped on her elbow suggested otherwise. Damian began steering her toward the river.
Let me go. I dont trust you.
He stopped, giving her a solemn look. I havent given you good reason to trust me, either. But we must talk. Well go to Café du Monde. Very public, so if you feel threatened, theres people around and you can scream for help. Okay?"
The devil offered her an irresistibly sweet deal. Hunger pulled with the image of a crisp beignet coated with layers of glistening powdered sugar.
People crowded the green-and-white-striped canopied café. Damian guided her to a quiet table outside. He pulled a chair out for her.
Torn between wanting to flee and hunger, Jamie sat. Damian took the seat beside her, so close his leg touched hers. She shuffled over; he followed. He seemed determined to stay close. Damian frowned as he examined her dejected expression. Reaching over, he cupped her chin, lifted it to his scrutinizing gaze.
Hey, he said softly. Relax. It will get better. The world hasnt collapsed.
My world has, she wanted to say, feeling her throat constrict. Instead she offered a brave shrug that hid her emotions.
Damian gave her a long, thoughtful look. He didnt question her further, but released his grip and gave their order to a tired-looking waitress. Barely had she left when Jamie ripped a paper napkin out of the holder and spread it over on the tabletop. She shook the glass sugar container over the napkin, then unscrewed it, dumping out the contents onto the napkin.
His green eyes widened as she dug into the snowy mountain with her spoon and gulped down mouthfuls. Easy, he murmured.
Ignoring him, she continued eating. The rush kicked in, giving her a flood of energy. The spoon clattered to the table. The scarred tabletop resembled a white powder explosion. Damian looked deeply troubled.
Wow, I knew sugar was supposed to give you a rush. Ive been so tired lately. She wiped her fingers with a fresh napkin.
His dark, heavy brows drew together. Jamie, why did you ask the Morphs to grant you the power of flight when there were other powers you could have received?"
I didnt. Kane infected me with dark magick and told me it would shift to whatever natural form I desired.
Damians gaze riveted to a fly landing near the sugar on the table. With amazing speed, his palm smacked down, killed the insect. She gave him a bemused look.
Just a fly, he mused, flicking it away. But you cant be certain. Not here.
The waitress brought over plates of beignets and steaming cups of coffee. Behind horn-rimmed glasses, her eyes widened at the empty sugar container. Are you guys nuts? I just filled that, the woman snapped.
His eyes narrowed. Then get another.
Jamie sank back, watching as he sipped his black coffee. You wanted to talk, so talk. Then Im gone.
Jade-green eyes met hers. How long have you been eating like this, Jamie?"
Since I dropped Weight Watchers. Any more questions? Are we done?"
Jamie, how long have you eaten sugar like this?
Obstinate Draicon. Jamie frowned, bemused at her bizarre behavior. Today I guess.
Youre certain this is the first craving youve had? His voice sounded thick.
Jamie nodded and glanced at her coffee. She stared into the blackness. Black, like her soul had been. Once she would have done anything to hurt Damian. Now the desire for revenge fled, leaving only emptiness. Something inside remained as dark as the beings shed lived among.
Why are you here, Draicon? she whispered. To make me pay for what I did to you?"
His expression was blank, but he stroked her hand with his fingers as if he couldnt bear not to touch her. I told you, Jamie, my name is Damian. Im here to keep you safe.
Doubtful. He wanted something more. She could feel it.
But, since youve broached the topic, why did you try to kill me? Most women dont kill their lovers when they walk out.
His voice was absolutely gentle, yet his laser green gaze demanded answers. Jamie plucked out a napkin and began twisting it into the shape of a small bird.
Im not most women.
Theres something more, isnt there? What?
Trust no one. Jamie dodged the truth.
You lied to me, Draicon. At least with the Morphs, I knew what they were. Dark, powerful "
Evil.
But not two-faced. I played along. I thought you, what you did after we that night She struggled with the words. I went back the next day to find you and you were gone. You broke your promise to teach me magick.
The napkin twisted in her hands. Words hung unspoken between them.
He clasped her hands in his. The simple touch felt soothing. She stared down at his long, elegant fingers. Hands that crushed, killed.
I left you a note, telling you where to meet me later.
There was no note. Jamie wrenched free.
Damians mouth tightened. Your brother probably got to it first. I had to leave. I needed to get rid of a very large problem threatening you. I sent Nicolas, my best warrior, to find and guard you. I was going to teach you magick, but this other matter was more urgent. Now, answer my question. Why did you try to kill me, Jamie?"
Why did you ground me? she challenged. This nonsense about me being your mate is a lie.
Its not. You are my draicara, my destined mate, which makes no sense because youre human and Im an Alpha Draicon. We dont bond with human women. Damian looked grim.
Im human, so I cant be your mate? Fine. Were done here. Sorry I tried to kill you. Have a nice life.
She pushed back from the table. He hooked an ankle around the chair leg. Jamie stared at his thigh muscles bunching beneath faded denim as he dragged her chair forward. Such power She quivered, remembering his legs nestled inside hers, the soft hair rubbing against her skin as he thrust inside her.
Her startled gaze lifted to meet his. Damian gave a knowing smile. Little wrinkles fanned out from the corners of his eyes. He touched her hand, frowned.
I cant read you, even when we touch. Tell me, how did Kane infect you? Did he say anything?"
She glanced away, her stomach knotting. Kane bit me. Like the bite of the loup garou. And he mumbled some words in a strange language.
It had hurt, a lot. And more than the pain and the ecstasy of knowing she had power at last was an underlying shroud of evil. Jamie shivered.
He was reciting a spell. The magick of a purebred Alpha may help. He gave her a steady look. My magick, Jamie.
So if you bite me, it will counter everything inside me? No thanks. One bite is bad enough.
There are other ways, he said softly. Much more enjoyable. I can make it very enjoyable.
The meaning became clear in his heated gaze. Jamie drew back.
Never again. Im not having sex with you and what we had was just sex. Biology. Afraid to look at him, lest she see a reflection of her own hidden desire.
It wasnt and will never be just sex between us, chère. You know it and I do, as well. Its something neither of us can ignore. But I promise, I will never leave you again.
Damian stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. What was it like, Jamie? When the darkness came over you?"
Against her better judgment, she slid her fingers up to lace with his. He looked startled. His smile chased the dark shadows beneath his eyes. Just as quickly, it vanished. She raised her gaze, saw his curiosity and worry.