Page 11 of Another One Bites the Lust
“I could use some air.”
We stepped outside onto the promenade area that circled the perimeter of this deck, and the salty fragrance of the sea reached my nostrils. The breeze swept my hair up and around my head, and I had to tame it down. Goose bumps prickled on my arms in response to the cold. I instantly regretted not wearing something warmer over this dress. The waves rolled out down below, small whitecaps churning beneath the moonlight. After the cacophony of the casino, the calm out here was a balm to my senses.
“You look freezing.” Van placed his large hands on my shoulders and rubbed them vigorously down the sides of my arms.
“I am.” I leaned toward him, his shifter heat enticing me.
“I got you, darlin’,” he said and wrapped his arms around me.
Darlin’.I could get used to that. I rested my head on his chest. His heart beat against my cheek, the quick rhythm of it instantly stirring my hunger. Fortunately, I’d fed already because my fangs itched for a taste of this young shifter’s blood, which tormented me with a wild thirst I hadn’t felt in over a century.
“You feel good,” he rumbled, a reverberation rolling through his chest. He inhaled. “And you smell amazing.”
I pulled my head up to glance at him, about to admit the same. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Lucien’s white-blond hair and straightened.
“He followed us,” I whispered.
Van turned to follow where I’d looked, but I raised my hand to his cheek, stopping him.
“Kiss me,” I urged.
His amber eyes widened with surprise as he stared down at me. Then he bent toward me and my eyes fluttered close. I rose to my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his.
Sudden sparks danced along my skin, warming me from within. Heat soared through my veins and pooled in my core. An undeniable connection bloomed between us, one that was almost magical.
How was this possible when this kiss was simply meant for show?
CHAPTER 8
VAN
Celeste’s lips were soft on mine and her scent enchanted me. I pulled her closer, pressing her soft curves against my body, as she looped her arms around the back of my neck and trailed her fingers through my hair.
Mine.
Yes.My jaguar purred inside, languid and content.Mate.
She pulled away, and her eyes fixed on mine—searching. I was still dazed by the unexpected kiss that threw me off like never before.
Celeste appeared just as flustered, but ran her hands down the sides of her dress. She glanced to the side and exhaled, relaxing her shoulders. “He’s gone.”
“Who?” I questioned as I returned to earth, coming back to our surroundings.
“Lucien,” she said. “My ex.”
“Oh, right.” I shook my head, which seemed to be filled with angels singing a sweet song about destiny and my jaguar’s insistent mantra about finding our mate.
Could it—could it be possible?
She placed her hand on my cheek. “Thanks, Van. I think that discouraged him thoroughly from bothering me tonight. I’ll see you later.”
She turned to head toward a door leading back inside.
“Wait,” I called, stepping toward her.
She stopped and turned halfway. “Is something wrong?”
Wrong? No, everything in the universe was suddenly right after having her in my arms and kissing her.
