Immortals After Dark 09 - Pleasure of a Dark Prince

never ally with the witches.”
    “My cousin has since married one, and I approached them about this. I did it
for you
.”
    Against her will, she felt herself softening. She knew what that must have cost him. “How long have you had it?”
    “About ten months. Why?”
    “How’d you stay away from me during the first two full moons?”
    “I figured out a way,” he said with a shrug.
    “Did you… hurt yourself?”
    “Would you care?”
    “I’m not unfeeling, MacRieve.”
    “I figured it out. That’s all you need to know.”
    By using other women?
Lucia could just imagine his clan bringing females to satisfy him. She didn’t evenwant to contemplate why the thought burned her, like acid seething on tender skin. “Are you sure that cuff will keep you from going all… wolfy?”
    He raised a brow. “It’s worked for the better part of a year.” When she still looked doubtful, he added, “They put a House of Witches guarantee on it.”
    Then it
would
work.
    “
Wolfy
, is it? And what do you know about my turning?”
    “I asked around when I figured out I was your… mate.”
    He stood, crossing to her. “Well, let’s hear it.”
    “Basically, you’ll lose your mind, turning animalistic, hunting me down until you claim me repeatedly, biting my neck and marking me as your possession. Nothing will stop you—no cage can hold you. Did I miss anything?”
    “Aye, Lousha.” His gaze raked over her and his voice deepened. “The fact that you’re going to like it.”
    Merely talking about marking her flesh made Garreth grow hard as steel. It was a burning need within him. “Do you want to know the rules or no’?” At her glare, he said, “Now, I’m sure you want your bow back. And every indication from you says you want my… knowledge. So you’re going to let me have my way with you each night we’re aboard. And also whenever there’s a storm with lightning to disguise yours—”
    “It won’t happen! Does what I need or want count for nothing in your mixed-up idea of a relationship?”
    “Aye, if you’ll admit what you
truly
need and want.My Instinct’s screaming that you need
me,
that you
ache
. I sense it in you—hell, I’m sensing it right now. I canna rest until I ease you.”
    “I didn’t ask for this! For you—”
    “You ask for it every goddamned time you’re near me, beauty.” He closed in on her, until their bodies were only inches apart. “Doona ever doubt that.”
    She gazed up at him, lips parted, her breaths shallowing.
    “Do you know what it’s been like to scent your desire for me? I’m lured by it, wanting it so badly, and then you lash out at me. Can you imagine the frustration, Lousha? I’ve got a year of it pent up inside me.” He leaned down, and against her neck, he murmured, “Or what it was like to find my female after so many centuries and then to be a heartbeat away from being inside her?” At her ear, he said, “I canna count how many times I re-imagined that night, fantasizing I’d sunk into your trembling body. In my mind, I’ve claimed you a thousand times. And from your expression, lass, I am no’ the only one who’s imagined us together.”
    “No!” she cried, even as she stared at his lips and moistened her own. Her hips had begun subtly rocking toward him. Her hardened nipples were jutting points against her red shirt. “Let me go!”
    “Damn you, Lousha!” He twisted away, launching his fist at the exterior wall, punching a hole straight through. “What do you want from me? Tell me why your words never match your actions! Why you respond so sweetly, then grow afraid?” He exhaled, regretting his show of temper. “It’s making me crazed.”
    She backed away. “I can’t. Because you wouldn’t understand.”
    —Soothe her. Be gentle. She knows fear.—
    Lucia looked woebegone and fragile. And as much as Garreth talked a big game, the Instinct was driving him not only to claim her, but also to please her.
    When she dropped her head into her hands, his brows drew together. “Come now, doona fret like this.” He curled his forefinger under her chin, lifting her face. “Vow to the Lore that you never want to see me again. And I’ll go,” he said. “That’s all you have to do to end this running.” What a gamble.
    What a lie…

TWENTY-FIVE

    Say it!
Lucia’s lips parted to answer, to tell MacRieve that she wanted him gone from her life, never to return. To tell him she didn’t desire him and never would.
    But