Sara Humphreys - Vampire Trouble

Yes. Shane nodded and closed the distance between them. Taking Maya’s hands in his, he pulled her to him. At least, that is what I suspect. I think that the nightmare will continue until you are the one to eliminate your attacker.

Th-that’s impossible, Maya sputtered. I—I can’t.

You can, Shane insisted in a gentle tone. His fingers curled around hers and his thumb brushed over the top of her hand. You have far more control than you think you do, Maya. You crave it. I know that your desire for it drives you when you hunt. You are motivated by the need to dominate, to have power and maintain control over your body and your life. That is what feeds you, youngling. Let me show you, Maya. Let me show you where your true power lies.

He tugged her closer still, the hard planes of his body matching hers in all the right places. Maya’s stomach fluttered again, a feeling that reminded her of what it was like to be human—to be alive. He leaned close and kissed her cheek, his lips nuzzling her ear.

Yes, Maya whispered.

She allowed her body to lean into Shane, and her eyes fluttered while he trailed kisses down her throat. Her hands wandered up his chest and curled over his shoulders as he murmured seductive promises between kisses. When Shane pulled back, his hand cradled the back of her head gently and the look in his eyes made her wet. The long-forgotten feeling of lust and desire burned low and deep in Maya’s belly. The evidence of his need for her pressed against her insistently, which only made her want him more.

She couldn’t recall the last time she desired a man sexually or when the very idea didn’t scare the shit out of her. Staring into the dark, seemingly endless depths of Shane’s eyes, she felt the soul-stirring rumble of desire bubble up and spill over. Maya’s fangs erupted on a gasp, and a slow smile cracked Shane’s handsome face.

This is your dream, Maya. A growl rumbled in Shane’s chest and reverberated through her. He splayed his other hand across her lower back and his lip lifted, revealing his razor-sharp fangs . Tell me what you want.

Maya’s body tensed and she wrestled with actually asking for what she wanted. Unable to make herself utter the words, she simply acted. After all, this was a dreamscape—not reality—and according to Shane, she had all the control. Maya decided it was time to test that theory.

Popping up on her toes, with sand squishing deliciously beneath her feet, Maya threw a silent prayer to the universe, then retracted her fangs and brushed her lips against Shane’s. The kiss was gentle at first, tentative, and she sighed when his firm lips parted and she swept her tongue inside the welcoming cavern of his mouth. He tasted fresh and cool, and reminded Maya of New York City at its best.

Wild and dark.

Maya’s tongue touched Shane’s, making him groan with pleasure, and the kiss quickly grew in intensity. The desperate need to feel something other than fear burned Maya from the inside out. She tore her hands from his and tangled her fingers in his thick, wavy hair, sighing when the silky strands slid through her hands in such a familiar way, it was like she’d done it a thousand times before. His hands wandered up her arms and over her shoulders, and skimmed down her back. He finally settled them on her hips, gripping her, doing his best to keep some kind of distance between them, but it was no use. Maya couldn’t get close enough and doubted she ever would.

Breaking the kiss, Shane pressed his lips against her forehead and Maya closed her eyes. With her arms linked around his neck, she fiddled with the ends of his hair and rested her head against his chest, watching the waves lap gently at the shore. Maya smiled, noticing how easily her body fit with his. Every plane and curve seemed to go together with absolute ease; his body had been made just for her. She reveled in the safety of his embrace and the tranquility that surrounded them. It was as if they were the only two creatures in the universe.

It’s time to wake up, youngling. Shane’s voice rumbled in his chest and whispered through Maya’s body seductively. I can feel the sun beginning to set.

How can you tell? Maya leaned back and looked him in the eye. Is it because you’re so old?

Old? Shane laughed loudly and kissed the top of her head before brushing her hair off her shoulder. I suppose it is. With time, you’ll learn to recognize the rising and setting of the sun, but that is a lesson for another time.

Fine . Maya rolled her eyes and placed a kiss at the corner of his mouth. I do have a big night with my new job and everything. Shane’s expression grew dark. Relax, I’m just going to tend bar so your bodyguard job with the wolves should be super easy. It’s not like I have any plans to strip.

Now his eyes were downright stormy and she noticed that a bank of clouds swept in, swallowing the sun. She wondered if that was on purpose or a side effect of his emotions. She made a note to herself to ask the girls about this dreamscape stuff and see if anything like this happened to them before they stopped dreaming.

S-stripping? he sputtered. You will do no such thing. I forbid it.

Shane’s command slammed into her like a ton of bricks, sending anger and frustration up Maya’s back. She set her jaw, and in a flash she shoved at him, instantly extricating herself from his embrace. You forbid it? Fangs bared, eyes wild, she glared at Shane with outright fury.

I am your bloodmate, and it is my right. The words spilled out in a rush, and Shane looked almost as shocked that he’d said it as she did. You will not do it.

Your what? Maya took another step back while disbelief and confusion whipped through her like a tornado. Like Olivia and Doug? She shook her head and clutched the pendant. We are not bloodmates. No way.

How else do you explain the fact that I’ve been pulled into your dreams after not dreaming for more than three centuries? Shane folded his arms over his chest, and that calm, arrogant look settled over his face once again. I will not have my bloodmate prancing around half naked in front of a pack of drooling wolves—or humans, for that matter. It’s unacceptable.

Oh, really? First of all, this whole dream thing could be a fluke. Hands on her hips, she closed the distance between them while Shane held his ground. Secondly, I don’t care who you are or who you think you are. You have no right to tell me what to do. She poked him in the chest with one finger, but he merely arched an eyebrow at her, which was even more infuriating. And if I want to take off all my clothes and go running through Times Square, then I’ll do it. You know why, Shane? Because it’s my life—not yours or anyone else’s.

You’re being silly. Shane smirked. We both know you’re not going to do any such thing.

You see, now that’s where you’re wrong. I may not remember much about my human life, she said in the sweetest tone she could muster , but I’ll tell you one thing: I do like to dance. So maybe I will give it a whirl on the dance floor at The Dollhouse, or maybe I’ll strip and dance through Times Square naked as a jaybird…but if I do…it will be my decision, Shane. Not yours.