Immortals After Dark 10 - Demon From the Dark

this morning, she couldn't pay attention to his lesson, was racking her brain for any alternative to deceiving him. Maybe she should have set out on her second day here to find other demons to help her.
    But at that time, Malkom had been so brutal, so incomprehensible to her. Betraying him would've been nothing to her. She'd had no idea she could ever come to care for him.
    What would Ripley do? She'd definitely rescue the orphaned girl from the island.
    Break down the facts, Carrow. Even if she could communicate with Malkom, revealing her plot would have to decrease her chances of getting him to the portal. He might balk. After all, she'd only known him for the better part of a week.
    She decided then that revealing everything was an unacceptable risk.
    And even if she were certain he'd do it, she'd never be able to convey all the inherent dangers for him. He'd go into that portal either completely unknowing, or partially so.
    Carrow pinched her forehead. For a woman not used to feeling guilt over her actions or fear for someone who depended on her, she felt overwhelmed. Am I doing the right thing? Most of the time when people were under duress, they could talk to someone, friends or family who could help them make the right choice.
    Carrow was flying blind--in uncharted territory.
    "Ara?"
    She jerked her face up. "Huh? Where were we?"
    But his expression had grown serious, the lesson forgotten. He interlaced his fingers and said, "We are bound."
    "Bound?"
    He collected a piece of rope, knotting it.
    "Oh, you mean bound ?"
    He gave a nod, then drew in the sand.
    An infinity symbol? "Clever demon, how did you know that ... ?"
    He was gazing at her with a question in his eyes.
    "Bound forever?" And somehow she met his gaze and lied, "Yes, demon. Bound forever."
    As if to make her feel even guiltier, he gathered her into his arms, cupping her face against his broad chest. His voice a deep rumble, he said, "Carrow is Malkom's."
    She wanted to sob.
    "Yes?"
    "Yes," she answered, wishing that it could be so simple between them. Demon meets girl. Girl might be falling for demon.
    But then, if not for all the treachery she'd gotten caught up in, she would never have come here to find him, never would have known him.
    He rested his chin on her head and placed her hand over his heart. It drummed against her palm.
    I made that beat. Maybe fate had been right to match them. Somehow between the two of them, they gentled Malkom's rages. She'd brought him happiness. At least for a time .
    After midnight, Carrow didn't know if he could ever be gentled again.
    She drew back, gazing up at his face. What if it could be simple between them, if just for a few hours? One morning spent enjoying each other--fully--with no thoughts of the future?
    He'd been so curious about sex, and so patient with her, that she wanted him to have that experience. But if she offered herself to him, she'd have to trust him not to hurt her.
    Do I trust him? Can I? She swallowed. "Malkom, I want you to make love to me."
    He shrugged.
    " Sex, demon."
    His body shot through with tension. Sharp nod.
    " Gentle? Can you not hurt me?" Ah, Hekate, was she actually going to do this?
    "Yes." He lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the pallet. "Will not hurt you."
    He laid her down, joining her there. Then his brows drew together, as if he'd just recalled something. Was he hesitating?
    "You are mine, ara . Say this."
    At that moment, she was. "I'm yours."
    Seeming to make a decision, he removed his shirt, revealing the tan, smooth skin of his chest. Then he eased above her. As she gazed up into the blue of his eyes, any doubts she had faded. The demon won't hurt me.
    He dipped down to cover her mouth with his own. She loved the way he kissed now. He was aggressive with it, having learned exactly how to drive her wild. Strong flicks, teasing licks that set her body on fire.
    As their breaths mingled, she gasped against his lips, "Yours."
    She wants me to claim her. Malkom's chest was tight with feeling, his mind filled with thoughts of pleasuring her, so that she'd cleave to him.
    "Bound forever," she'd told him. And, gods, he wanted to believe it.
    So why did he continue to have the sense that she was slipping away?
    As he levered himself above her, the importance of this moment struck him like a hammer blow. But he had no words to express to her what she was about to give him--and how long he'd waited for it.
    How long he'd waited for her .
    He didn't know how to