Carpathian 21 - Dark Peril

shook his head. “You are trying to find a reason to run because you’re afraid, Solange. Why would you be afraid of me?”

    “Because,” she said, feeling desperate. “I don’t know what to do.” The moment the words were out, she wanted to take them back. She sounded so silly. She was a grown woman and she should be able to handle a simple conversation with a man, but that was the trouble. She’d never been a woman. She didn’t know how to be. She knew she could not be the woman he wanted and sooner or later he’d walk away from her.

    She would be shattered. Completely and utterly broken. It was too much of a risk. She could be a coward in this one instance, because it was self-preservation. She waited for his disgust, for him to simply disappear as Carpathians could.

    Dominic stepped forward and framed her face, forcing her gaze to meet his. “All you have to do, kessake , is ask me to take us back to our lair—our home. Is that really so difficult?”

    He used that voice, the one that crept inside and wrapped around her heart, squeezing until she wanted to cry. She wanted him so much. She wanted to belong to him. How could she ever believe she was worthy of him? That he would really choose her over all the women he could have? How could he love a woman like her?

    He didn’t prompt her again and she knew he wouldn’t. He would just stand there until she acquiesced. She knew he could hear her heart pounding. She tasted fear in her mouth. Why wasn’t this easy? She took a breath. Let it out.

    “Will you take us home, Dominic?” With that one sentence, she risked everything she was or would ever be.

    The approval in his eyes sent heat rushing through her body. She was so lost in him already. It didn’t matter what happened in the future. It was already too late for her, she could tell by her reaction to that look on his face. She wanted to please him when she’d never cared about pleasing anyone. And that told her it was far too late for her.

    11

    When you meet me,
    You complete me.
    You bring me back to life again.

    DOMINIC TO SOLANGE

    T he cavern was lit with torches, sending a soft glow dancing over the ceiling. Spiderwebs of glittering silver adorned the walls in various patterns. Woven rugs lay on the floor and two high-backed, overstuffed armchairs sat on either side of a small table. A basket of fresh fruit looked inviting on the table beside a platter with cheese and bread on it. Solange looked around at the small enhancements Dominic had added to her sanctuary. The food made her stomach growl, but she was too busy looking at the shimmering pool of water in the rock basin.

    The water glowed in the middle with a flickering orange-red flame. The colors made the water seem even more inviting, and she walked over to the pool to give herself time to collect her thoughts. She had made the decision to see this through, now she just had to figure out how to maneuver her way through the pitfalls. If only he weren’t so sexy. Or such a good warrior. If she could find a balance with him she could handle this.

    “Do you like the changes?” he asked.

    She nodded. “Very much.” He hadn’t touched anything of hers, simply added to what she already had, and that made her feel a little better. She wanted him to like the few things she’d gathered over the years.

    “How in the world do you make the water look like there’s a flame inside of it?” She turned to face him and jumped when her body nearly bumped against his.

    He was so close. Silent. And his scent didn’t reach her until he chose. She took a breath and breathed him into her lungs. His body heat surrounded her. He was close enough that the heavy erection brushed her stomach. She could barely force herself to look up his tall body, her gaze resting on his tempting mouth, not daring to go any higher to see the look in his eyes.

    Her body reacted to him, going soft and pliant, her nerve endings close to the surface. She never reacted physically to men, not even when her cat was in heat. The need rode her hard, her cat feeding her drive to procreate, but the moment she was near a man, she just couldn’t feel physically ready. Not even her snarling, edgy cat could overcome her distaste for males. But with Dominic, she couldn’t seem to keep her raging hormones under control.

    She knew he was aware of her body’s reaction, just as she was aware of his, but somehow her lack of control embarrassed her. Wanting a mate was