Page 148 of Angel Of Darkness

He brushed back her hair and knew that he had to tell her everything now. “I didn’t realize what was happening. Why I watched you so much.”

Her eyes didn’t judge. Didn’t question.

“I should have stopped the vampire sooner.” That would haunt him. “I should have?—”

“We can’t go back, and I don’t want to.”

She pushed up so that her face was only inches from his. “I meant what I said before. I love you, Keenan.”

She was everything to him.

“Az was right,” she added, and the words had his head jerking in immediate denial. “I’ve killed. I’ll probably kill again. And I’ll always need blood.”

She’d always have him to give her that blood.

“I’m not perfect.”

To him, she was. Fangs, claws and sinful lips—perfect.

“But I want to be with you. I just want you.”

He swallowed. “I’ve seen everything this world has to offer.” Good and bad. Nightmares, battlefields, and miracles. “And you’re the only thing in my existence that has ever made me feel.” That should be a warning to her, but she was looking at him with soft eyes.

She didn’t understand the danger.

He forced his hands to lift from her. “You’re all that matters to me here, Nicole. Your life, your happiness—I’ll do anything to protect you.” He’d killed for her before and would do it again because he knew those times would come. The world wasn’t an easy place. Too many hated vampires. Too many hunted.

No one will take her.

“Don’t mistake me for a normal man,” he warned her. “I’m not human, the feelings I have—” Lust, need, jealousy. “Sometimes they can make me very dangerous.”

“You’re not dangerous to me.”

One touch to kill. One touch to give pleasure.

“You’re not dangerous to me,” she said again. Her eyes seemed to see straight into his soul.

“No, sweet.” He’d sooner burn again than hurt her. “But I’m no angel.” Not anymore. He knew his eyes would be darkening to black.

“Neither am I,” she told him softly as she twined her hands around his neck. “Neither am I.”

She kissed him, sliding her tongue into his mouth and giving him that perfect taste of sweet sin.

Die for her—yes.

Kill for her—yes.

Love her?

Yes.

Heaven and hell could wait. He had paradise right there in his arms. She was a temptation he’d never be able to resist. And, oh, hell, yes, she’d been worth the fall—and the burn.

For her, he’d fall again.

Any damn time.

Epilogue

---