The voice was hypnotic and definitely male. It called to her in a way that nothing
else ever had in her life. She felt a connection to it that was instantaneous and incredibly
strong. Even though she'd never heard it before, she somehow knew that voice. She felt
it on a level so deep that it spoke to her very soul.
He was reassuring her over and over that he meant her no harm. Indeed, he was
there solely to protect her and would kill anyone who threatened her. The very precise
and calm way he stated that fact shook her to her very core. He was deadly serious.
How is it that I can hear you in my mind?
We have a bond, you and I. You are special.
Sometimes Laurel Rose hated that word. She didn't want to be special. All she'd
ever wanted was to be normal and live an ordinary life. She hesitated as a thought
occurred to her. Are you like me?
No, not like you. His laughter was low and tinged with bitterness. I do have abilities
that are much the same as yours. But mine go further than you can even imagine.
His words intrigued and frightened her at the same time. It would be fascinating to
talk to someone who shared her special gifts. To be able to ask questions and to not
have her abilities questioned or ridiculed.
It didn't seem at all odd to be having an entire conversation in her mind with a man
she'd never met. Laurel Rose shook her head. Maybe she really was dreaming. But she
didn't think so.
"Who are you?" she murmured into the darkness.
I am Stefan Dalakis, he immediately replied. And I am your destiny.
That made her smile slightly. He sounded so arrogantly male and sure of himself.
Are you now? Don't I have any say in the matter?
Of course you do. Now he sounded affronted. But that does not mean that I will not use
everything at my disposal to make you see my way in this matter.
And what exactly is my destiny? This conversation was getting stranger by the
minute.
You will be mine. My woman for all eternity.
Laurel Rose swallowed hard. This was getting way out of hand. This conversation
was getting out of hand. Going way beyond just talking with someone who might be
able to teach her more about her psychic gifts. As much as she craved the chance to talk
to him face-to-face, she wasn't sure that was such a smart idea. He was way too intense.
As much as she wanted to continue their strange communication, she knew it was time
to cut it off.
Finding the determination to say it out loud was much harder than she'd expected
it to be. She broke out into a sweat and her heart began to pound at the thought of
losing contact with his voice. She didn't know him, for heaven's sake. It shouldn't have
been so hard to say goodbye.
"I don't know who you are, but I want you out of my head now." Her heart
skipped a beat as another thought occurred to her. "That was you earlier, wasn't it? You
were here in my room."
Yes. No hesitation. No evasion. Just a simple, straightforward answer.
"You had no right to be here." Her home. Her sanctuary had been invaded. "You
scared me."
She sensed his discomfort. For that I ask your forgiveness. It was never my intention to
frighten you.
"Then what was your intention?" She continued to speak aloud even though she
heard his answers in her mind.
To see you. To pleasure you.
Now her heart was pounding and it had nothing to do with fear. Her fingers curled
into the bedcovers on either side of her. "What do you mean?" Her voice was barely a
whisper, but his reply was quick and clear.
I want to strip your nightgown from your body and lay you back against the sheets. Then I
want to taste every inch of your sweet skin. His voice grew hoarse as he continued. I want to
seek out and lick every hill and valley of your body and discover what gives you pleasure.
Her stomach clenched tight as he spoke. The images he evoked were making it hard
for her to breathe. But he wasn't finished yet, and God help her, she wanted to hear
more. His voice was like the whisper of a caress against her skin. All the fine hairs on
her body stood on end and goose bumps covered her arms.
I want to spread your legs wide and feast upon your sweet, pink flesh. When I stroke my
fingers deep into your body, I want to hear your screams of pleasure. I want to stroke the tips
into hard points as I lick the soft mounds of your breasts. I want to bite your neck and nourish
myself on your very essence.
Heat. Laurel Rose had never felt such heat in her life. Her body was on fire. Her
breasts felt heavy as they rose and fell with every breath. Her nipples were hard,
brushing against the cotton of her gown in a way that made her want to moan aloud.
She clamped her legs together, desperately trying to stop the ache that throbbed
between her thighs. But it did no good. She could still feel the pulse of need throughout
her entire body.
This wasn't like her. Yes, she'd had sex, but only one time and more than ten years
ago. It had been while she was in high school, just before the accident that had changed
her life. Back when she was still a fresh young girl of seventeen filled with hopes and
dreams of a husband and family of her own.
The boy had been Johnny Mills and she'd been so in love with him, she hadn't
hesitated to give him her virginity. They'd already made a promise between them to be
married as soon as high school was over. But then the accident had happened and
Johnny had been unable to handle her disfigurement or her limitations. He had gone
away to college and when she'd gotten out of hospital, she'd returned to the mountain
alone. She'd packed up her girlish dreams and concentrated on just surviving one day
at a time. She thought she'd lost her sexual drive. Until now.
As if it had been dormant, just waiting for the right man to set it free, her body was
now screaming for sexual release. But that was impossible. Laurel Rose was not about
to have sex with a stranger who was little more than a voice in her head.
"Stop that." Her voice was sharper than she intended, but darn it altogether, she
ached in places that hadn't ached in years. She could feel the dampness between her
legs as her cream slipped from inside her to coat her sex.
Why? She could sense his confusion. He really had no idea.
"Because you're a complete stranger." Deciding she'd had enough, she crawled
back into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. "Now go away." Closing her eyes,
she concentrated on ignoring him.
But I am no stranger. His voice was low and seductive, but she could still hear a
touch of amusement. I thought I explained to you that I am your destiny. You are mine. It is
my right--indeed, my privilege--to pleasure you.
Laurel Rose couldn't think when he said things like that. What woman could?
"You're not here." She slapped a hand over her mouth. What was she saying? She was
more or less inviting him, goading him to come to her.
Perhaps I am, perhaps I am not. It does not matter. Even his laugh was sexy and she felt
it right to the tips of her toes. I do not need to be there to pleasure you. You could just close
your eyes and enjoy. Pretend it is no more than a wonderful, erotic dream.
Could she do that?
The covers slipped from her fingers as if withdrawn by an invisible hand. They
were pulled slowly but relentlessly downward until she was totally uncovered. Her
nightgown was bunched up around the top of her thighs and her legs were sprawled
wide in invitation.
Or. His voice seduced her with every word. I can come to you and you can watch as I
touch you. Taste you. An invisible hand stroked her leg from ankle to thigh and she
sighed even as her hips tilted up in silent invitation.
Her life was filled with uncertainty. Who knew what tomorrow would bring? For
the first time in years, she felt truly alive. Her entire body was thrumming with need.
Every cell screamed at her to just go for it. She'd never wanted anything this much in
her life. Right or wrong, she wanted this stranger's hands on her body. She felt a
connection to him that she couldn't explain. Perhaps it was because they seemed to
share many of the same abilities. Perhaps it was because she'd had such a fright and
needed to connect with another human being.
Still, a small, niggling concern in the back of her brain urged her to caution. She
wasn't quite sure she was ready to have sex with a stranger.
She knew he had been monitoring her thoughts when he hurried to reassure her.
We won't have sex until you're ready. This is all about you. All about your pleasure.
Now what living, breathing woman could resist an offer like that?
Relaxing into the mattress, she licked her dry lips. Opening her mouth, she said the
one small word that would change her life forever. "Yes."
Chapter Six
Stefan almost howled at the primal pleasure her capitulation brought him. He felt
like a conqueror claiming the spoils of war. She was his now, even if she didn't quite
know it yet.
Still, he reined in his passions. This was all about her. He still had much to learn
about Laurel Rose and didn't want to do anything that might alarm her. The fact that
she seemed to so easily accept his presence in her mind and in her home was nothing
short of astonishing.
He was confident that in time she would eagerly take him into her body, but right
now he wanted to give her so much pleasure that she would welcome him into her bed
and her life with open arms.
Slowly, he emerged from the shadows that had concealed him. Stefan could sense
her confusion as he walked from the very corner that she'd searched moments before. It