Sexually, he'd rocked her world. She'd never felt so attracted to a man. Her nipples
puckered at the mere thought of him and her sex began to throb. She squirmed to try to
get more comfortable and the heavy seam in the crotch of her jeans rubbed against her
swollen clit, tormenting her even further.
But it was even more than that. They'd connected in some deep, elemental way that
she couldn't really explain. It was as if the very cells of her body yearned for him. Biting
her lip, she stared blindly at the vista in front of her. If she didn't know better, she'd say
that she was in love with him, but that was impossible. Wasn't it?
And could she really believe him when he said that she was the only woman for
him? It was almost impossible for her to believe that she would be the right woman for
a man as powerful and potent and downright gorgeous as Stefan.
If she did decide to see where their relationship would lead, what would that mean
for her? If he was a vampire--and she had to admit that she really was beginning to
believe the unbelievable--then what did that entail? How did he survive? What did he
do to make a living, if anything? Where was he staying at the moment? What other
powers did he possess? And what did he really mean when he said that she could stay
with him forever?
Sighing, Laurel Rose stretched out on top of the large, flat rock and propped her
head on her knapsack. Just thinking about it was bringing her headache back. The only
thing she knew for sure deep down in her gut was that she wanted to spend time with
Stefan and see what would develop. She already knew that he'd stormed her defenses
and owned part of her heart. If she let him closer, then he could destroy her if things
didn't work out between them. But she didn't think she'd ever forgive herself if she
didn't try.
Vampire.
Such a simple word, but one fraught with fear, superstition and mistrust. But Stefan
was also a man. She'd caught a glimpse of his soul in unguarded moments and knew
that he'd been misunderstood and suffered loneliness just as she had. There was a
darkness surrounding him and she was under no illusion that any relationship with
him would be an easy one. He was dominating, powerful and used to getting his own
way. A complicated man with many layers, he would try to protect himself emotionally
while taking whatever she would give. Sexually demanding, he'd transported her to the
heights of desires, pushing her to feel more, to give more, and she had a hunch it was
just the beginning.
Sighing, she closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift. Images from last night
tumbled around in her brain, making her uncomfortably aware of a need deep within
her. Her panties were damp and her beasts ached. Desperately, she focused her
thoughts on what she had learned from her reading. Some of the vampire lore stated
that they were able to shapeshift into other forms. A picture of the huge wolf jumped
into her mind. Was it possible? Or was she just being fanciful? She'd definitely have to
ask him about that.
A shiver skated down her spine and Laurel Rose reluctantly opened her eyes and
pushed herself up into a seated position. The sun was low in the east. It was obvious
that she'd been there for several hours. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but her body
had had other ideas. Climbing to her feet, she grabbed her belongings. In spite of lying
on a hard rock for a couple of hours, she felt surprisingly good and much stronger than
she had earlier. Her limp wasn't as pronounced as it normally was. In fact, her right leg
felt stronger. As usual, the land had worked its magic, restoring her energy to its usual
level.
The walk home was enjoyable, but she was glad when she finally broke through the
trees and into the garden. She came to a sudden stop in the middle of the clearing.
Slowly, she turned in a circle, cataloguing every detail. Nothing seemed out of place,
but Laurel Rose couldn't shake the feeling that someone had been there. But whoever
they were, she sensed that they were long gone.
Cautiously, she continued to the back porch and up the three steps. Taking her
time, she circled her wraparound porch, ending up once again at her back door.
Everything seemed fine. Maybe some neighbor had called on her, looking to buy some
of her soap or herbs. She didn't think it was likely, but it was certainly a more
comforting thought than some of the other alternatives she could think of.
Opening her mind, she allowed sensations to flow to her. It didn't feel the same
way it had when Aaron and Clem had been there. In fact, it was hard to get a sense of
anyone in particular. There was something unfamiliar in the air, but she couldn't place
what it was.
Shaking her head at herself, she opened the back door, propped her rifle by the
door, and strolled into the kitchen. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her. Lord
knew she'd certainly been under a lot of stress lately and that had to affect her.
Dropping her knapsack onto the counter, she opened it to clean out her garbage.
A hissing noise stopped her dead in her tracks. Belatedly, she remembered the door
handle turning easily in her hand. She'd locked the door when she'd left, but she hadn't
unlocked it when she'd returned. Someone had been inside her home. Not moving a
muscle, she scanned the kitchen with her eyes.
A rattle near her feet made sweat break out on her forehead. Ever so slowly, she
tilted her head enough so she could look down. Coiled next to her boots, a large
rattlesnake stared at her with its black, cold eyes. An eastern diamondback! What the hell
was one of those doing in her home? They weren't even indigenous to this part of the
state. But she did know it was considered to be one of the most venomous and
dangerous snakes in the country.
Okay. She was fine. The diamondback was just a tad upset at the moment. All she
had to do was stay still until it calmed down and then slowly back away from it. Most
snakes didn't bite unless they were agitated or provoked, she reminded herself. Still, it
was hard not to move when every instinct she possessed was screaming at her to run.
She'd never been this up close and personal with such a deadly snake before.
A movement out of the corner of her eye almost made her jerk. It took all her self-
control to keep from screaming and running. There, slithering along the counter was a
canebrake rattlesnake. It continued right to the edge, where it paused and hissed.
Breathing was almost impossible, but she forced herself to take one slow breath
after another. It wouldn't do to faint. Any sudden movement could cause them to
strike. The nearest hospital was almost an hour's drive away, but there was a doctor's
office in Salvation. If she got bitten by one of the snakes, she should be able to make it
there for treatment. That was provided she didn't get hit by both snakes. She wasn't
quite sure what the mixture of venoms would do to her system and she didn't want to
take any chances.
Opening her mind to the snakes, she tried to reach out to them psychically and calm
them. They subsided slightly, but not enough for her to feel safe moving. She didn't
know what to do. Her skin was clammy and she desperately wanted to swipe at the
bead of sweat on her temple.
Stay calm. Just breathe. She repeated her mantra over and over in her head. Control
was the key to survival. Panic could mean death. Strength flooded through her body the
longer she stood there. Through the kitchen window, she could see the last rays of the
sun blaze across the horizon as it sank and gave way to dusk. Stefan would come. All
she had to do was hang on until he could get there.
Concentrating harder than she ever had in her life, she called out to him. Stefan, I
need you.
Just then, the snake on the countertop lifted its head and hissed. Its needlelike fangs
were sharp and deadly. Laurel Rose swallowed hard, feeling her knees begin to weaken
and tremble. She tensed her legs, locking them into position. She blinked as a bead of
sweat trickled past the corner of her eye, the salt making it sting.
Please, Stefan. Hurry!
The snake at her feet began to slither closer.
Chapter Fifteen
Stefan's eyes snapped open the second the sun set behind the mountain. Fury filled
him as he burst through the back door of his truck, already a blur of motion. Laurel
Rose's fear had struck him like a knife to the heart, yet he had been unable to move,
trapped in the paralyzing sleep of his kind.
Rage coursed through his veins, helping him block out the fear that threatened to
overwhelm him. Laurel Rose was his. He would protect her with his life and kill anyone
who tried to harm her.
His preternatural speed enabled him to move swiftly through the woods. He made
no sound as he raced through the forest. His feet did not disturb the earth beneath him,
nor did he brush any of the branches as he passed, but every animal he passed froze
where it stood, sensing the danger from the enraged predator that he was. None dared
to move until he had passed well beyond them. He could feel his fangs lengthen as a
growl escaped him. Primal instincts rose within him, goading him to go faster. He must
protect his mate at all costs. Nothing else was acceptable.
Reaching out to her with his mind, he tried to read her thoughts, to see what she
was seeing, but it was difficult. Fear was her overriding emotion, blocking all else.
Expanding his mental search, he scanned the rest of the house as he ran, but he could
detect no other person. Was she injured? His mind conjured visions of her lying in a
pool of blood on the floor, dying as her life-giving liquid spilled from her. No! He