Jack rubbed the line of his jaw thoughtfully before answering. "If you would cease to run from me, your dreams would be less troubled."
Caroline shook her head. "You know I cannot do that."
"Why?"
"You know why," she snapped. "We have this conversation nightly. Why must we discuss it again?"
"Because we must, love," he said patiently.
"I will hurt you, Jack. I've told you before. I will hurt you terribly and I couldn't bear to do that."
He reached for her hands, then appeared to think better of it and withdrew. "Hurt comes in many forms. It hurts that you run from me."
Rising from the bed, Jack began to pace, the powerful muscles of his thighs flexing beneath the tight breeches, making her mouth water. She was reminded of how vital it was that she resist her desires, but she longed for him to understand.
"As long as I stay away from you, you'll remain safe. I love you enough to do what is best, despite how it pains me."
He stilled mid-stride, his smoky gaze locking with hers. "Beg your pardon?"
His sudden shock chilled Caroline to the bone. Every night she confessed her love to him. Never had he responded in such a fashion. She slipped out the opposite side of the bed, putting the large piece of furniture between them. He cursed as he watched her reaction.
"Caroline--"
"You are not a dream!" she accused.
Jack rounded the bed.
"Stop!" She held up her hand to ward him off. "Remain where you are."
"Allow me to explain."
"No!" She shook her head vehemently. "You must go. Now."
He raised a sardonic brow. "You just confessed to loving me. I'm certainly not going to leave."
Caroline damned herself for not paying heed to the throbbing that permeated her entire being. But she slept hard, like the dead. Even now she struggled into full wakefulness. "How did you gain admittance to my home?"
"I have a key."
Her eyes widened. "How did you...? No. Never mind. Don't explain. Leave it on the nightstand and go."
Suddenly, he stood directly before her, having moved so quickly as to be undetectable.
"Jack--" she began, but he silenced her with his mouth.
Just like that night in the Moreland garden, every nerve ending in her body reacted instantly to Jack's kiss. Heat scorched through her veins and melted her resistance. He urged her closer, and then closer still, until her breasts were crushed against his powerful chest and his cock burned through their clothing to heat the skin of her stomach.
His hands, work roughened and callused, came up to cup her face, his thumbs brushing across her cheeks and prodding her mouth to open. Caroline complied helplessly and he groaned, his head tilting to the side to deepen the contact.
Jack's taste was intoxicating, rich and heady, and his scent... She wanted to drown in it. Virile and masculine, it was uniquely his and it called to her. Everything about him called to her.
Her mouth moved feverishly beneath his, her tongue sliding past his lips, drawing the taste of him deep inside her. Clutching fistfuls of his sweater just to remain standing, Caroline lost all ability to move or think, her animal springing to the fore with a surge of triumph. And then, just as quickly as he'd grabbed her, Jack released her.
"Damnation," he muttered, his hand going to his mouth. When he pulled it away it was bloody.
She had pierced him with her fangs.
Caroline stumbled backwards, horrified. "Oh, God, Jack. I'm so sorry. I couldn't help it..." Backing into the corner, she fought the beast inside her, a beast that had tasted a blood so rich it was desperate to drain the being that contained it. Panicked, she began to cry. "Go, Jack. Please. I'll hurt you if you stay."
He came toward her inexorably, undaunted by her distress or her pleas. She sank to the floor, tears flowing down her face.
"Love, don't cry," he soothed. "I can't bear it."
"Go away." She tucked her knees up to her body and wrapped herself around them. "Please..."
"Shhh... 'Tis nothing, a small nick that will heal soon enough."
Her tortured gaze lifted to his and he smiled, a heart-stopping, gorgeous grin.
A grin that revealed a sparkling pair of fangs.
* * * * *
"You didn't know," Jack breathed, noting the obvious shock on Caroline's face.
She began to tremble all over. "All this time..."
He staggered as everything became clear. "Is that what these last years have been about? Is that why you've been running from me?"
"Oh, God, Jack..."
He pulled Caroline to her feet and into his arms, his heart swelling with emotion and relief. He'd begun to wonder if he were mad, chasing a woman who didn't want him across three continents. Now he was grateful he'd continued the pursuit. Her motivation had been love, just as his had been.