A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, #1)

by Kresley Cole

Now he marveled at the glossy locks shining in the sun. Lovely, even for a vampire— Sun. Mother of Christ. He leapt from the bed, yanking the curtains closed, then stormed back to her, turning her in his arms.

He hadn’t raised an eyebrow when Lachlain wanted sunset and sunrise charts—or

If she died . . . Fear brought him his first true clarity since before the fire. Twelve hundred years he’d waited. For . . . her. For Emmaline.

Fate had given a vampire to him—gods only knew why—and he’d pushed her to this? Destroy what you’ve been given. He was devastated by what she was—but he didn’t want her dead. Or ruined.

“If I help you, you swear you’ll release me?” Never. “Aye.”

So help him, if that stood for “drive” and that was all it took to engage this machine, he was going to fall out.

She could imagine him saying, “I could find you some blood”—he would clap and rub his hands together—“right after shower time!”

Now Emma had a cruel but divinely handsome Lykae who couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her. She feared she’d be a sponge for his touch even as she hated him. She feared he could make her a beggar for it.

He was stunned to realize that even the moon had never held his gaze so completely.

He’d spent his entire life acquiring the pieces in anticipation of giving them to her, never having imagined a mate quite like her.

He glanced down at his arm, smirking at her wee fang marks, disbelieving his reaction to her bite. Knowing his beliefs and aware of how sick others would find it, he reasoned he must be depraved—because he’d reveled in it.

Her wounds had begun healing immediately when she drank from him. He could sustain her. Which was the least he could do, since she’d finally made his life worth living.

“Emma, let me help you.” Her head whipped up. He stood in the doorway. “You should buy stock in a lock company! I said alone!” He nodded in agreement. “Aye, you usually say that, and I still stay. It’s our way.” His voice was calm, and though the idea was crazy, he sounded reasonable.

Bowe dropped down behind him. “The only thing that could’ve made that wrestling any better was Jell-O.”

“Wanting your privacy is one thing, but hiding your face from me will no’ do, Emma.” He turned her to him.

He tucked a curl behind her ear. “Ach, you’ve cut your wee ear.” He leaned down and kissed it, making her shiver.

“You’d take my side over hers? When you’ve known me for so short a time?” He caught her gaze. “I will always take your side. Over anyone’s.” “Why?” “Because I know you will be in the right.”

“Lachlain, if someone like you were to . . . to make love to someone like me, could he be easy with her? Take things slowly?” His body shot tight with tension. “Aye, he could vow it.”

She attempted his buttons with tremulous fingers and made a sound of frustration. Instantly, he ripped off the shirt, displaying the muscles flexing and tensing beneath her palms.

Or as Regin calls it—the ‘fucking monster mash.’ Hilarity ensued.”

Just before she went irate that he’d moved her to the bed again, she realized he was in her blankets on the floor.

“Sleep well?” he said, rumbling his words. “Did you sleep with me? Here?” “Aye.” “Why?” “Because you prefer sleeping here. And I prefer sleeping with you.”

He growled low at her ear, “Do you want more?” “Y-yes.” “Go tae your hands again . . . let me give it tae you.”

As if reading her mind, he murmured, “Need to sleep. But when I get my strength back, I’ll be able to give you this”—he thrust into her, still semihard—“and all the blood you can drink.”

“You think I dinna see the sky you gave me last night?”

“No, doona say that. You’re just your own entity, I believe.” As Lachlain eased her back in his arms, the corners of his lips quirked. “You’re my wee halfling.”

Emma flushed. “Lachlain, the Valkyries are . . . different. Violence doesn’t affect them like others, and their beliefs are not like yours. They revere power and fighting.” She left out shopping, suspecting it might detract from her point. “Then why are you so gentle, lass?”

You are a weakness that Ivo, or any of the others, could exploit. So you just became incidental.” Hit the girl where it hurts. “When a leech like you won’t have me, I’ve really got nothing left to lose.”

“I’ve searched for you for years, ever since I heard rumors of your existence. I want you to be my queen.” “I get that a lot,” she said, wiping her face on her sleeve.

He dropped his forehead to hers. “I wish . . . you had no’. That kills me inside, knowing I cursed you with that memory.” “No, I’m glad that I have it.” “How can you say that?” Her bottom lip trembled. “I would never want you to go through that alone.” He gripped her shoulders. Brows drawn, he rasped, “My gods, I love you.”

“Look at my resume!” Tears welled. “I look good on paper!” Regin groaned. “Not the crying. That’s so gross.”