Carpathian 05 - Dark Challenge

mile wide. Desari had never before heard of a lifemate. She didn't even know if she believed in the concept, but Julian did.
    Julian lay stretched out on the bed, propped up on one elbow so that he could study every expression that crossed Desari's face, taking it into his being like the very air he breathed. It was incredible to him that this woman, so beautiful, could be his. It seemed a dream, a fantasy he had somehow brought to life.

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    He had never allowed himself the luxury of wishing or hoping. From the beginning he had known he would make the choice to walk into the sun. This was a priceless gift of life itself, a treasure beyond the realm of his imagination. And he had brought her into a world of darkness and danger when she had only known light .
    Desari could hear the steady rhythm of his heart. She was very aware of his hard muscles close to her, his posture somehow protective and possessive at the same time. Skin to skin. The door was still open, allowing the night breeze to swirl through the room, to cool the heat of their skin. She smiled, her breath stirring the fine golden hairs roughening the roped muscles along his arm. "You changed your clothes for me." He had come to meet her at the tavern elegantly dressed.
    His hand moved over the line of her back, unhurried, his palm simply savoring the feel of her. "You were so beautiful in your white dress, and I was in jeans and a T-shirt. I thought I should come up to your standards."
    His hand moved up and over her rib cage to cup the soft weight of her breast.
    "And I changed into jeans for you," Desari admitted. "I think you look sexy in jeans." She pressed her bottom snugly into the curve of his body. "But I must admit you are dynamite dressed up."
    He pushed aside the sweep of silken hair to brush his mouth over the nape of her neck. It was extraordinary to be able to touch her like this. " Dynamite is an interesting word, cara ."
    His voice sounded so distracted, Desari turned her head to look at him. His golden eyes were burning hot, moving over the length of her. She felt the heat searing her insides despite the cool breeze. She was very aware of his hand caressing the soft roundness of her breast. "We have to think, Julian. You know we do."
    "I have already made up my mind, Desari," he answered her, a purr of menace creeping into his voice.
    "You have no other choice but to stay with me. We are lifemates. I could allow you to go back to your family without me so that you would know that I speak the truth, but it would be painful for you. I can do no other than to ensure your comfort."
    Desari sighed, her long lashes sweeping down to cover the sudden pain in her dark eyes. She needed more time with Julian, to savor this night with him. To end such a beautiful interlude with an argument was the last thing she wanted.
    "There is no need for an argument," he murmured gently, obviously still nestled in her mind. "I have no choice but to ensure your well-being at all times. You are hunted. Aside from the discomfort of separation, I would never leave your side without first eliminating the danger to you." And what of the danger he had brought with him ?
    "Julian." She turned over, shivering a little as flames danced unbidden over her skin where his fingertips trailed. "If you believe what you say, then you must see that I cannot bear a fight between you and my brother. I have never defied him before, and he is responsible for my safety, the safety of all of my family.
    What I have done is truly wrong." She held up a hand. "I am not sorry, Julian. Please do not misunderstand me. I would not trade this night with you for all my days."
    Julian bunched a mass of ebony strands in his fist and crushed it to his face, inhaling the fresh, clean scent of her. "I will deal with Darius."

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    "That is the point I am trying to make. I do not want you to do so," she objected patiently.
    "So what do you want, Desari?" he inquired between his white teeth. "A one-night stand? This is it?"
    Instead of the anger she expected, his voice was slightly mocking, and his male amusement set her teeth on edge.
    Her charcoal eyes went black with smoldering fire. "You know that is not so. But I do think it best to ease into things."
    He laughed out loud, then rolled over to stare up at the ceiling, his broad shoulders shaking with