N. Walters - Finding Chrissten

Damek talked of doing that as if it was no more strenuous than a walk in the park. Chrissten shivered. The vampire might be more powerful than the rest of them put together. It was hard to say.

“I will contact you if I discover anything.”

Chrissten was expecting some kind of dramatic exit. Instead he walked to the front door, opened it and stepped outside. He reached back and closed the door behind him.

Joshua laughed. “Unpredictable bastard.” He turned his regard to Craig. “And he’s taken a special interest in you.”

Chrissten didn’t know whether to be thankful or scared to death. While she appreciated his help and his protection, she didn’t think it was safe to have the regard of such a powerful creature. What would Damek do if he lost interest in them or suddenly decided they were a threat to him?

“I like him,” Craig pronounced, drawing various exclamations from the group. He shrugged. “He’s interesting, cultured, well-traveled and he’s smart.”

There was admiration in her brother’s voice. She couldn’t blame him. Damek was rather impressive. She’d probably have nightmares about him.

Michael pushed back from the table. “I’m for bed. I’ll get up early to clean the bar.” Benjamin joined him and soon the rest were dispersing.

Donovan hovered close by, trying to get her attention. She couldn’t take any more emotional displays tonight. Exhaustion was dragging at her.

“Chrissten.” She couldn’t ignore him when he said her name.

“Yes.”

“I’m glad you’re safe.” Donovan looked as though he might want to say more but refrained.

“Thanks. Me too.”

He cleared his throat. “May I visit you in the morning?”

She wavered back and forth. His lips tightened and she knew he was expecting her to reject him. It might be easier for all of them if they had no relationship. There was a good possibility her life span was very short. She didn’t want to hurt him any more than she already had. He started to turn away and compassion clutched her by the throat. She finally gave in. “Sure.”

He inclined his head. “Thank you. I bid you all good night.” With that, he left the bar and headed out into the darkness.

Chrissten didn’t know how she made it up the stairs. Bethany helped her remove her clothes and pull on a nightgown. Quinn and Craig hovered for a while after she was tucked into bed but finally even they left.

She knew she wasn’t alone. Hank was out in the next room, as always, watching over her.

She pulled the covers tighter and inhaled his scent, sighing as it wrapped around her like another blanket. She lay awake a long time listening to the sound of his breathing in the other room.

She wished she had courage enough to invite him to share the bed with her. Not for sex. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But just so he could hold her.

But that would be selfish on her part.

Chrissten punched her pillow and forced herself to relax. It wasn’t easy. Scenes of the night kept replaying in her mind. Sleep was a long time coming.

Chrissten felt the large male body crushing hers against the thin mattress, could smell Brian’s arousal as he ground his erection against her stomach. His hands were rough on her breasts, squeezing and bruising them. Bile churned in her stomach and acid burned her throat. The pungent stench of sweat and fear filled her nostrils.

“You’re mine,” he growled as he ripped at her clothing.

“No!” she cried, fighting back with every ounce of strength she possessed. She raked her nails over his face and he jerked back, fury evident in every line of his body.

“You’ll pay for that, bitch.”

A shiver raced down her spine. That was no idle threat. She struggled to scramble away from him, but Brian was too fast, too strong for her to evade.

She cried out and steeled herself for his attack. But he was suddenly gone.

Chrissten frowned as another voice penetrated her dream, this one rough but gentle at the same time. She knew this voice, trusted the man behind it. More than that, she wanted him.

She heard her name being called again and pulled farther away from Brian, leaving him and the memory of his attack far behind. Her eyelids fluttered open and she realized she wasn’t in her small, dingy cell being attacked. She also wasn’t alone. She recognized the familiar musky scent and the gentle way he touched her. Hank was beside her, his large body wrapped protectively around her.

Heat flashed through Chrissten’s body and she scissored her legs restlessly against the crisp white sheets. She was hot and sweaty. A nice change after feeling as though she was locked in a meat cooler for so many months.

The cotton fabric of her nightgown clung to her body, molding to every dip and curve. She inhaled and a rich enticing scent filled her nostrils. Musky and male, it mixed a hint of sandalwood and a touch of cool spring air. It was intoxicating. She wanted more so she took another breath.

“Mmm.” She tried to move but found herself trapped beneath the sheets.

A broad hand stroked down her side and over her hip. The heat penetrated the layer of her nightgown and sank into her. A wide palm and clever fingers circled her stomach, making it flutter with anticipation.

Sleep still filled her brain, making her a little slow on the uptake. But she wasn’t concerned. Her instincts weren’t screaming for her to run. If anything, they were urging her to get closer.

“Shh,” Hank crooned next to her ear. “You were dreaming and cried out in your sleep.”

She shivered. Not a dream but a nightmare. And not truly a nightmare but a reliving of something that had happened to her. Brian. She could still smell him on her skin and taste him in her mouth.

She hated him more in this moment than she ever had. Even free from his clutches he continued to haunt her days and nights. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. And she was going to stop it here and now.

Maybe if it were morning and not the dead of the night. Maybe if she was thinking more clearly she’d never have given voice to her deepest thoughts. “Make love to me.”

Even as she said the words she wasn’t certain she could go through with it. Having a man inside her, thrusting hard, hurting her over and over. She whimpered and tensed.

Hank removed his hand slowly from beneath the covers, wrapped his arm around her and hugged her tight. “It’s okay, Chrissten. I’ve got you.”

She rolled onto her back so she could see him. Hank hovered above her, arm bent and head propped up against his hand. His free hand rested on her stomach, not demanding anything, simply resting there and giving comfort.

“I’m sorry.” And she was. She wasn’t a tease, hadn’t meant to say one thing and then have second thoughts.

He shook his head and the light from the streetlamps glinted off the short strands of his blond hair. “There’s no need for you to be sorry about anything.” He looked totally relaxed, not angry or disappointed.

“Are you for real?” She couldn’t believe any male would be totally unaffected by her offer and then its quick withdrawal.

One corner of his mouth kicked up. “Oh yeah, I’m for real. I’m so real my cock is ready to explode.”

She felt her jaw drop and quickly closed her mouth.

He cupped her face in his large hand and rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “But, Chrissten, I’d never take anything from you that you didn’t want to give me.”

Her heart swelled and her stomach felt as though it had an entire flock of butterflies fluttering around inside. Did butterflies come in flocks or was there another term for it? And she was obviously losing what little bit of sense she had if she was worried about such a silly thing.