Page 21 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

“I bet.”

His lips twisted into a slight curve. When he shushed out his black wings, she drew a deep breath and crammed herself closer. He rose off the street, heading toward his abode on the western edge of Angor.

With her in his arms, his cock twitched, and his heart beat faster. As with all Immortals, he was a highly sexual being. But sex for Dom was about release not emotional ties. Suddenly, this smelly, dirty human was doing an unexpected number on his libido. He didn’t like it, and he didn’t understand it.

When she shivered, Dom squeezed her tighter to keep her warm. She moaned, snuggling deeper. He inhaled. What was it about her? She hadn’t bathed in a while, but beneath that odor was a pleasant scent. Old books. Fresh, crisp air. Oranges. Not top-shelf booze, a great cigar, or a juicy steak. Right now, though, it was an aroma that surged through his veins and pooled in his groin. Not good. Besides, humans were weak. He’d break the female if he attempted her.

Dom glanced down at his cargo, tempted to dip his head and press his lips to hers. Her eyes were closed, her thick lashes fanning out on her cheeks.

But once she stopped shivering, they slid open. When she caught him staring, she grinned and stretched her neck to peer over his arms. At first, she tensed. Then she surprised him by relaxing, angling for a better look-see.

He sniffed.

“What? Why do you keep smelling me?”

“Reflex. You smell bad.” He paused. He wasn’t about to share the effect her underlying scent had on him.

“Excuse me for not bathing and shampooing my hair while in captivity with an asshole. Get used to the stink until I’m near water and soap. Clean clothes would be a bonus.”

He grunted. She was a bit snarly for someone he’d just saved. But since she was probably traumatized ... he’d heard that expression on some TV show ... she deserved a pass.

A bright double moon hung on the horizon, illuminating the ground. Madeline gasped. Below, patches of fog crept across the meadow.

“How beautiful,” she said.

“The fog is likely toxic. It keeps the Scourges from wandering this way.”

“But it’s pretty from here.”

“Most everything looks better from the air, but it’s an illusion.”

She swung those blue eyes toward him. “You’re a glass-half-empty guy, aren’t you?”

“Life lessons have taught me that nothing’s in the glass unless you fill it yourself.”

“We musta had the same teachers.” She changed the subject. “How much farther?”

“Are you anxious to escape me?”

Her soft hand stroked his chest, eliciting a quiet groan from Dom. Seeming to realize where her palm was, she snapped it back. “No. I’m enjoying the ride.”

“Then we’ll take the scenic route.” He dipped a wing and curved left, evoking a shriek from Madeline. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you,” said Dom.

“I wasn’t frightened. Just surprised.”

“Warning. We’re gonna drop a bit, but I’ll slow it down.”Damn. He was acting like a fucking Angor tour guide. When did he get to be such a nice guy? He was almost chatty, a trait he never suffered from. Of course, his kindness had nothing to do with trying to impress the curvaceous blue-eyed female snuggled against his chest.

Obviously, Dom needed a shot of sex. Otherwise, the dirty, smelly human would not have kicked his libido into overdrive.

She twisted her neck to stare at the scenery as he arched his wings to decelerate. Flying above a snow-capped peak, he treated her to a great view of the mountain range near his home.

When she looked, the corners of her mouth tilted up, her smile pleasing him.

So Dom climbed and roller-coasted through the mountains, eliciting the female’s prolonged, joyous screech each time he dipped. He was sorry when he had to end the tour. If not, she’d turn into an icicle. Circling his abode and the bay it overlooked, he held his body upright, pounding his midnight wings against the air and preparing to drift through the open roof into his salon.

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