Page 10 of Fang Girl

I knew I should think it through, I should wonder about the consequences, but for once in my life, I didn't want to be careful.

"Yes," I said, and pulled him down for another kiss. It was just him and me and… I realized there were no ghostly whispers around us. Even the wait staff had retreated, so we were really alone.

“Are you okay?” he asked, brushing my cheek with the side of his hand.

I gazed around at the empty table tables. “Are we really alone?’

“Yes,” he said softly. “The staff left after serving our meal. They’ll be back in the morning to clean up.”

“Your bodyguards?” I asked. Though really I was thinking more about my ghosts. I felt free for the first time in my life, no ghostly specters haunting every moment of my life. I searched Victor’s eyes, but I didn’t know if I could tell him about my problem.

“Outside.” He rubbed my shoulders. “It’s just us here.”

I nodded.

“Hey,” he said, lifting my chin and meeting my gaze. “Anytime you want me to stop, you let me know. I care about you, I want you, but I won’t do anything…”

“I want this,” I said, pulling off my shrug. “I want you.”

Victor kissed me again, pulling me against the length of his body where I could feel his growing hardness. In answer, my own body became more sensitive, craving every touch, every caress.

His kiss became more urgent, hungry in a way that went beyond desire. When I threaded my fingers through his hair and accidentally scraped his scalp with my nails, he made a sound deep in his throat—almost a growl.

I felt his body tense against mine, and he suddenly pulled back, though his hands still gripped my waist. In the dim light, I could have sworn his eyes flashed red.

"Give me a minute," he said, his voice rough.

I ran my hands down his back, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"God, you smell incredible," he murmured, then seemed to catch himself. "I mean... I just need to..."

But I pressed a soft kiss to his neck, and his control slipped again. He picked me up and carried me to the stage, pinning me against the floor. His mouth found mine in a searing kiss that made my toes curl. When his lips traveled down my neck, I felt the sharp graze of... teeth?

Victor jerked back again, further this time. "Shit," he whispered. In the shadows, I could see him struggling, his chest heaving. "Ari, I want you so much, but I don't want to hurt you."

The raw honesty in his voice made my heart race.

"Then don't hurt me," I said simply, taking his face in my hands. "Just be with me."

He searched my eyes for a long moment, then nodded. When he kissed me again, it was slower, more controlled, but I could feel the leashed power in his touch. His hands roamed my body with careful restraint, like I was something precious he might break.

I arched against him, wanting more. "I trust you," I whispered against his lips.

Lifting his shirt, I ran my hands over his skin, tracing every indentation. He yanked off his T shirt exposing his muscled chest, and my eyes slid down to the v that disappeared into his jeans.

He kissed his way down my neck and over the swell of my cleavage.

Victor helped me to my feet, and hopped up on stage with me. After he put the mic and the stool to the side, it was just us, standing in the soft spotlight of the stage. He stalked around me, and I couldn’t help a little shiver.

I’d told him I trusted him, but I could feel the energy rolling off of him. Passion and love and something more… I sucked on my lip.

He unzipped my dress, kissing the skin of my back as it was revealed, and dropping it to the floor.

I stepped out of it, and he picked it up, tossing it over the stool.

Then he stepped away, his eyes devouring me from head to toe. “You’re beautiful.”

I stood in my bra and panties in the spotlight of the stage. I’d have normally been shy, but I’d never had a guy look at methe way that Victor did. He made me feel gorgeous and sexy and confident.

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