Keri Arthur - Hearts In Darkness

"A true charmer," Nikki murmured, chilled. "I gather then that she intends to try doing this with me."

"I'm still a challenge to her." He placed the knife and apple on the table and cupped a hand against her cheek, pressing warmth into her cheekbones. "But I promise you, she will never get near enough to hurt you."

She believed him. He'd made a similar promise with Jasper and had almost died keeping it. But she also knew part of that promise involved getting her to leave the resort—something she had no intention of doing.

Time for some extra distraction, perhaps. "Lift your hips."

He raised an eyebrow but did as she requested. She glanced down at his jeans and narrowed her gaze, concentrating. Power slid around her, around him. His zipper came down, and then she tugged his jeans from his body. She kinetically tossed them back toward the bed.

"I am trying to have a serious discussion here."

"Oh, I know." She straddled his lap. The hard length of him, still contained by the silk of his shorts, pressed against her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lightly kissed his lips. "By all means, do continue."

This close, she could hear the thunder of his heart, a rhythm that matched her own. She began to rock her hips back and forth, gently rubbing him. He jerked, then groaned.

"Even the Man of Steel would have trouble concentrating right now."

He touched her breasts, teasing her already aching nipples. She bit her lip then caught both his hands, placing them behind him.

"No touching. But do continue."

He swallowed heavily. "Now that Elizabeth knows what you mean to me, she will bide her time and attack when we least expect it. We cannot risk that, not with Cordell so close."

She leaned forward, pressing her breasts against his chest. Slowly, she ran her tongue up his neck and nibbled his ear. "It's going to take two of us to defeat Cordell, and you know it."

"Maybe." His breath was hot and quick against her cheek. "But I want you out of the firing line. I want you to leave."

She trailed tiny kisses across his cheeks. "No," she whispered against his lips. Then she kissed him deeply, giving him no time to respond.

They were both panting by the time she pulled away. She ached for him, ached so fiercely it was almost painful. He throbbed against her—so close, and yet so far. She continued to rock gently, teasing them both. Deep down, the quivering began.

"Oh, God, Nikki." He took a deep, shuddering breath. "If you stay here, she will come after you.

Cordell is the important one. He's the one we have to stop."

She ran a hand down his stomach, then lifted her hips slightly. "You're wrong, Michael." She caught his boxers, pulling them out of the way and freeing him. "It was Elizabeth who took Matthew. It was

Elizabeth who sucked his mind dry then spat him out. We have to stop them both."

He was trembling, his whole body hot with urgency. She didn't give him what he wanted—what she wanted—but continued rocking, covering him with her slickness.

"I made a promise, too, Michael. I told the flame imps I would try to stop Cordell. I don't intend to back away from that promise now."

"I'll fulfill your promise. This is what I do for a living. This is exactly what I don't want you involved in."

"I was involved in this case before you came to see me in the office. I have to see the end of it—for

Jake, for Matthew, and for MacEwan."

The trembling was growing, becoming a tide threatening to overload her senses. She rubbed harder, heard his response—a quick, sharp gasp. Could feel him quivering and knew he was battling for control.

"Matthew's dead," he somehow ground out. "And Rachel's receiving the help she needs. Your part in this has ended. Go home. Be safe."

"I'm safe when you're safe, and I can't…" hold off any more. The tide washed over her. She gasped, grabbing his shoulders as the shuddering took hold. Needing him inside, she shifted, capturing him, thrusting him deep. Then she rode him fast and hard, until his tremors finally eased and they both were spent.

She leaned her cheek against his chest and sighed deeply. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her in place. Holding himself inside her. It felt good. Safe.

Which she knew they weren't.

After a while, he brushed a kiss across the top of her head. "Whatever am I going to do with you?"

"Make love to me like that every day, and you're halfway to making me a very happy woman."

His smile was something she felt deep inside. "And what would it take to make you wholly happy?"

"Coffee. Lots of it. Preferably fed intravenously."

His laughter rumbled through his chest, tickling her cheek. "For someone in such desperate need of coffee, you didn't seem to drink a lot of it this morning."

"I had other things on my mind." She pushed upwards far enough to see his face. "So what's our next move?"

He brushed the hair from her eyes, his face concerned. "There's nothing I can say to make you go?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared into his beautiful eyes. The sheer depth of love and understanding she saw there chased a shiver through her soul.

"No," she said softly. "And don't think you can force me—telepathically or physically. I'll fight you, with all my heart and all my energy. Neither of us can afford such a battle, with Cordell and Elizabeth so close."

"It wouldn't be wise," he agreed.

His hands cupped her rear, pulling her a little closer. Amazingly, she felt him stir deep inside. "Good lord, are you kidding? Does becoming a vampire also give you an amazing rate of recovery after sex?"

He kissed her, his mouth gently demanding. "No," he said, after a while. "The touch of a good woman does that."

"Smooth, real smooth," she said, laughing against his lips. "What about Cordell and Elizabeth?"

"We can't do anything until Cordell is asleep. He's not that old in vampire years, so he will have no choice but to slumber. If we wait until noon, we should at least be safe from him."

But not safe from Elizabeth, she suspected. Still, confronting them one at a time seemed a hell of a lot more sensible that confronting both of them together. "We really should try to find Rodeman, as well."

"Yes. Most of the other men who disappeared were gone a good week before they were found.

Rodeman only disappeared yesterday. Hopefully, Cordell hasn't had the time to fully begin work on him."

"Sounds like a plan to me." She grinned slightly. "So what do you suggest we do in the meantime?

Partake in a wildflower tour? Go see some wildlife?"

His reply was little more than a growl. "The only wildlife I'm currently interested in is the one sitting so snugly on my lap."

He pressed his hands more firmly against her rear, then rose. She gasped slightly and wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Besides," he added, his lustful look melting her insides. "We are supposed to be newlyweds. The staff will suspect something is wrong if we get up too early."

"Heaven forbid we do anything to destroy our cover," she murmured. Even though little more than ten minutes had passed, she so desperately wanted him to touch her again—something she had never thought possible so soon after such fulfillment. "I guess you'd better do the husbandly thing, then."

"I guess I'd better." He took her over to the bed and made her boneless again.

Nikki checked her flashlight. Water fogged the glass, but the light itself worked. Which was good.

Something told her this time she would need it.

She slipped it into her pocket then walked over to the table. Michael was unwrapping a small parcel.

"What's that?"

"Present from Seline." He tore open the box and held up two braided rope bracelets. "Charms to stop