Shadow Kissed 03 - Shadowman

sensations were building, his hands working a magic that burned color from her sight, that propelled her up and up, toward an exquisite peak, so high . . . that Layla woke gasping for air.
    Where was he?
    Gone.
    Or rather, she was.
    Disappointment mingled with her need, a bitter combination. She sat up, covers tangled around her legs. He’d been there, right?
    And he’d touched her. Or started to. But it wasn’t enough. Not nearly.
    â€œKhan?” she gasped. Don’t leave me like this.
    She braced herself on the mattress as the top sheet and cover slowly slid from the bed. Her breath came quick, but it was enough to keep her mind sharp.
    â€œKhan.”
    The room had been lit by starlight, but now it grew dim and took on a silky texture, sliding sensuous and cool against her bare arms. Like water, it moved around her and she longed to feel the Shadow on her thighs and breasts, at her nape and within her deep places. Longed to have sex with the darkness. Want beat between her legs for him. For a man who had no body to ease the burn.
    Shadow rolled over her, and she was both eased back and buoyed up on the torrent. This was better than the dream and would be best if he could be there with her. If she could hold on to him and they could do this thing together.
    She held her breath as a hand of darkness tilted her head. Shadow brushed her mouth, touched her tongue. A kiss. And as she arched into the thick air, reaching to grasp something— someone —her clothing was pulled down from her waist. Cool Shadow spiraled up her calves to the juncture of her legs. The hem of her shirt fluttered up to bare her breasts, her nipples tight in the pitch of the room.
    She shrugged for him, and her shirt was gone, too. It was just her and her man in the shadows, and she was both terrified and exhilarated at what might come next. No matter what, he wasn’t going to leave her wanting, like a dream.
    â€œKhan?”
    Shadow seduced her, clinging to her skin, caressing each millimeter so that every part of her was claimed, made known to him. She couldn’t hide, couldn’t seek a little corner of her mind to be safe and alone. He demanded everything. She could either fight him, a thought that made her zinging nerves quail, or give in. Allow him to take her.
    The storm on her senses continued, but he was waiting for her permission. Again.
    â€œPlease, yes . . .” She understood now, a little better, why Kathleen had agreed to this union. If he would just stroke harder, reach a little farther, then . . .
    Yes! Her mind fragmented as darkness feathered over her, filled her so completely that she couldn’t breathe, rocking with the throb of his assault.
    Pressure mounted in cool pulses against her swollen flesh. White static hazed her vision in an extended strike of lightning. And she shattered, bright stars swirling in the dark as she trembled in his Shadow embrace.
    She was held aloft, the only sound her breath hitching.
    Her skin felt tighter, senses overwhelmed, yet still exquisitely acute.
    She arched again in Khan’s hold, marveling. No human man could ever make her feel like this. She couldn’t remember when or how they first came together a lifetime ago, yet the tandem draw and pull of their connection remained. It didn’t matter if she was Kathleen or Layla, and he was Khan or . . .
    Or. . .
    Layla held her breath.
    She’d almost had something there. A memory. A scrap of her before-life. A name?
    â€œWhat did Kathleen call you?” she asked the Shadows surrounding her.
    But he couldn’t or wouldn’t answer.
    Cool air swirled around her as she was lowered slowly to her pillow and the bed. The sheet and covers rustled and then were pulled over her, rough on her skin and nipples after the slide of his Shadow.
    He was tucking her in.
    A brush on her lips. Which was an evasion.
    â€œWho are you really?”
    Another brush. She tilted her chin to catch more. To beg for an answer. She’d trusted him with herself, but he wasn’t returning the gesture.
    He stroked her cheek, and she knew no name would be forthcoming. He kept his secrets to himself.
    He was there in the dark, but she was alone again. As ever.

Chapter 10
    A shrill series of beeps wrenched Layla out of a dreamless sleep. All the lights in her apartment were on, and the phone was ringing in the front room. Something was wrong. Her apartment was alarmed.
    She fell out of bed, blinking