Cambria squeezed Julianne’s hand excitedly. “I’d figured he’d be back the moment you turned twenty-five, Jules. Took him long enough.”
Julianne barely heard them, her gaze locked on Zeeland’s as he crossed the large club to join them. Without acknowledging anyone but her, he took her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor and into his arms.
She could find neither the voice, nor the will, to object.
Zeeland ran his hand over the cool flesh of her bare back, sending heat rippling across her skin as he pressed her closer. The thick ridge of his arousal brushed against her abdomen.
Julianne’s breath turned shallow. “What did he say?”
His lips grazed her temple. “He didn’t know what I was talking about. Kougar’s…different. From what Hawke says, not even the other Ferals really know what to make of him. I have a feeling you intercepted what was meant to be a Kougar flirtation. If he does know anything, he wasn’t sharing. And I don’t dare push.”
Zeeland pulled her even closer as the song turned slow and sultry. His body was warm and strong—anything but relaxed. She could feel the vibrations coming off him, almost a fine shaking in his limbs, telling her how much he desired her. His hands were at once gentle, yet firm and insistent, as if they couldn’t get enough of her. As if he held on to control by a thread.
His warm, male scent drew her, heating her blood and turning her limbs to soft putty. They danced every dance for an hour, letting the music wrap around them and pound with their racing hearts.
As the music turned to yet another slow song, Zeeland pulled her tight against him and dipped his head, his mouth once more pressed to her temple. “Goddess, I want you, Sunshine. I don’t know how much more of this I can stand. Holding you in my arms, not being able to touch you where I want. How I want.”
His husky words made her shiver with a mix of anticipation and trepidation at the thought of doing what he wanted…what they both wanted.
But what if they tried and she started to fizz again? What if his touch turned her to mist?
Julianne pulled back far enough to meet his gaze, his eyes hot enough to set her aflame where she stood.
He was so much taller than she was, another factor of her being Ilina, she realized. She lifted her face and pressed her cheek against his jaw, where she could speak without being overheard.
“Zee, I tried to get you to bed me ten years ago, and I haven’t stopped wanting you since. But I’m afraid of what will happen if I lose control.”
He stroked her hair and dipped his mouth close to her ear, where not even a Feral would be able to hear over the music. “You don’t have to be afraid of that.”
“How do you know?”
“Remember the book you caught me reading in the library?”
“Was it about…?” The Ilinas? Her heritage.
“Yes.”
“But what if I…?” What if she lost her form and turned into a wraith when he was trying to make love to her?
He cupped her cheek in his warm hand. “We’ll handle it. One way or another.”
“If Melisande returns?”
He pulled back, a battle gleam in his eyes. “We’ll handle her, too.”
Looking up into those dark, intense eyes so filled with promise, she believed him.
“I’m kind of tired of this party, Zee.”
A devil’s smile lifted his lips. “Me, too.” He took her hand and pulled her through the crowd and toward the stairs.
Twice she heard someone call his name in greeting, but Zeeland ignored them as they made their escape. His need, and his excitement, telegraphed themselves to her through the almost too-tight grip of his hand.
“Do you have a room?” she asked him as they started up the first flight of stairs.
“No. I’m bunking with Grayson. We’ll use your room.”
Julianne looked up at him. “That’s where she comes.”
Zeeland slowed and met her gaze. “Do you think she’ll come tonight? With me there?”
Slowly, Julianne shook her head. “She’s never come when there’s been anyone else around.”
He winked at her. “I think we’ll risk it. And if she comes…we’ll deal with it.”
“Okay.”
She was out of breath by the time they’d climbed two flights of stairs and made the trek down the long hall to her bedroom, but her breathlessness had little to do with the physical exertion.
Zeeland pushed open the door to her bedroom and led her inside, then kicked the door closed again and pulled her into his arms. His mouth covered hers in a kiss at once tender yet blindingly intense. His need melded with her own, driving her desire until she was trembling from the force of the passion.