Carpathian 05 - Dark Challenge

casual, fluid way he moved when he approached the two campers, his friendly smile and softly spoken words hiding the instant enthrallment. He bent his head to drink. She noticed that he was careful and respectful, almost gentle with the first man as he helped him to sit beneath the tree before turning to the second man waiting so patiently for his turn to provide what the soft voice had commanded.
    Desari found herself marveling at the way Julian treated the humans, almost as if some part of him liked Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    them.
    She liked humans. There were many good people in the world. Darius and the other men considered each of them a potential threat, even though Carpathians had the ability to control human thoughts and even implant or wipe away memories if need be. Desari assumed all the males were similarly distrustful. It was nice to realize Julian felt gentleness toward the human race.
    Do not credit your lifemate so much , cara mia. I do not feel the compassion and camaraderie you are capable of feeling. I wish it were so, but I am primarily a predator .
    Desari found herself smiling even within the body of the bird. Julian was a shadow in her mind, monitoring her thoughts.
    It is the only way I ever hear good of myself , he explained. Aloud, you prefer to lecture me at every turn. Your thoughts are much more to my liking .
    I should be more careful. You are arrogant enough.
    You are crazy about me . A wealth of smug male satisfaction filled his voice.
    Desari tried to keep herself from laughing, but it was impossible. Julian Savage was everything she ever could have wanted. Even his warped sense of humor and overbearing self-confidence were too endearing to pretend otherwise. You wish I were .
    You cannot help yourself. Doubtless it is my good looks.
    And your charming manner . She laughed again, this time dislodging herself from the tree branch. The owl circled lazily over the canyon before settling to earth, shape-shifting as she did so. It is particularly your modesty that attracts me .
    Walk farther into the trees while I release these two from my command. I will not have them near you.
    Desari's head snapped up, and her dark eyes smoldered dangerously. She walked away, but she was tired of all the orders the males of her race seemed determined to toss out as fast as they were able. Has it occurred to you, Julian, that I can sing a binding song and leave you trapped in the body of a bird the next time you choose to shape-shift ?
    Julian laughed softly in answer, that same male smugness that made her want to wring his neck. He had moved with his incredible speed and was keeping pace beside her with his easy, fluid strides. His arm circled her waist, and he bent to brush the side of her neck with the warmth of his mouth. "You might do so, cara mia , but you would not leave me in such a state for long. Your need of my company would be my freedom."
    Excitement was rushing through her body at the touch of his. He smelled clean and fresh, his clothes immaculate, as if they had not been covered by earth these last few days. His veins were bursting with life, his heartbeat calling to hers. "Arrogant man," she sniffed with pretended indignation. All at once his playful boasting didn't matter. She hungered, her body crying out for sustenance, and mixed with that need was a bolt of lightning streaking through her, turning her insides to molten lava, spreading its heat low and wickedly.

    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    Julian caught her up in strong arms and took her, airborne, through the forest, far from any other being, to a deserted emerald island in the middle of a small lake. He was already finding her mouth with his own, a fiery domination that was met with hot demands from Desari's silken lips. Her hands were everywhere, pushing at his clothes, insisting he be rid of them. She traced his shoulders, his chest muscles and ribs, the broad expanse of his back. Her fingertips explored his skin, assuring herself there were no lingering signs of his battle with the undead, that he was completely healed.
    Her clothes felt heavy and cumbersome, an irritant to her suddenly sensitive skin. At once she rid herself of them so that nothing was between her and Julian's hard frame. He felt so right, his arms locking her close. She burrowed closer, needing to feel him, wanting to crawl inside him, wanting him buried