Before she could right herself, he was leaning over her, caging her in, a devilish look on his face. "But I do relish the vampire part of my heritage and all the sensual benefits it can provide." His heated gaze moved to her lips, then her neck before locking with hers once more.

Her breathing sped up at the seductive tone of his words. "Is this some of that 'blunt honesty' you referred to earlier?"

He moved so fast, grasping her behind her neck and pulling her against him, she didn't have a chance to react. His lips hovered over hers as he spoke in her mind, No, this is my blunt honesty. I want you. He moved his lips to her jaw. But I'll want more than sex. He kissed her neck while his tone dropped to a husky purr. I'll want everything your body has to offer.

Rose clung to his shoulders and his hand moved to support her back while he kissed a searing path down to the opening in her blouse. Her body fired all over again, zinging where his lips came into contact with her skin.

"There's something about your touch," she whispered as she threaded her fingers through his hair. "I-I can't explain it, but it's the strangest combination of heated tingling and calming sensation at the same time."

Duncan jerked his head up, his hold tightening on her as his golden gaze searched hers. "You feel it?"

The intensity in his gaze both excited and scared her. She bit her lower lip and nodded.

"Yes-" she started to say, but Duncan cut her off, his mouth covering hers.

A jolt of electricity shot through her at his heated kiss, causing a shiver of sensual awareness to spread throughout her body. Rose moaned against his mouth, accepting the thrust of his tongue as he lifted her off the sofa and held her against his hard body.

As he began to lower her, she wrapped her arms around his neck, unwilling to let go of the kiss, his heat or the amazing sensations he seemed to ignite in her.

Duncan lowered her to the soft carpet in front of the fire and sat back on his heels to stare down at her.

When she felt the buttons of her blouse begin to open on their own, she gasped and started to sit up on her elbows. Enjoy the vampire benefits, a ghra, his voice rasped in her mind as his heated gaze locked with hers.

While he spoke, another button came undone and another. With each button he worked loose from the material, her body heat elevated another degree. Then her shirt fell open and her sex throbbed in aroused anticipation.

Her breath caught in her throat when he reached out and traced the curve of her breast above her bra, his hooded gaze following the path his finger took. With a flick of his wrist, the front snap on her bra came undone, exposing her breasts as the material fell away.

Cool air immediately pebbled her nipples. Rose let a moan escape her lips when he leaned forward to lick one of the hard pink tips at the same time he pushed her bra straps and shirt down her arms until they lay on the floor.

Facing her, Duncan sat down beside her and cupped the back of her neck to lift her to a leaning position. He lowered his head and captured her nipple, sucking hard on the sensitive bud.

Desire shot straight to her channel, flooding it with liquid heat from the erotic tug of his lips pressing the nipple against the roof of his mouth. The man made her feel things she'd never experienced before. Rose slid her hand under his T-shirt. She wanted to explore his hard muscles, feel his warm skin pressed against hers.

As if he read her mind, Duncan swiftly pulled his T-shirt over his head. Once he'd tossed his shirt on the floor, Rose took in his broad shoulders, sculpted chest and the line of light hair that trailed between his defined abs to disappear into his pants. God, the man was beautiful beyond words.

Reaching out, she slowly traced the sexy line of hair past his hard stomach until her fingers reached the button on his jeans.

When she looked up to meet his gaze while she unbuttoned his pants, she was surprised to see his eyes closed. A muscle jumped in his jaw as if he were concentrating hard.

He moved with lightning speed, grabbing her wrist to stop her movements. His voice entered her mind, swift, hard, unapologetic, yet achingly seductive in its fierceness. I will take your blood.

Her pulse jumped at his words, but quickly skyrocketed when he opened his eyes. The burnt yellow color fascinated her. "This isn't about nourishment, Roisin. This is about deep, sexual satisfaction...for both of us."

Rose took a shuddering breath to calm her rioting nerves and nodded in understanding. She could do this. He made her feel cherished, protected...safe yet strangely possessed by his charisma.

Duncan lifted her hand and kissed her palm, then moved his lips to her wrist, swiping his tongue across the soft skin.

Her channel walls clenched in response, making her want to whimper. Instead she clamped her thighs together to try to assuage the ache that throbbed in heated awareness.

Duncan mentally worked the button and zipper on her jeans as he leaned over and kissed the hollow of her neck.

Unwilling to stop his kisses so she could see, she ran her hand back down his hard stomach until she reached his pants once more. Rose's breathing changed to small, erratic pants as she fumbled with the buttons on his jeans.

She laid down on her back so Duncan could ease her pants and underwear off, her heart pounding at a thundering pace. When she was completely naked, Duncan ran his hand up her thigh, tugging her leg to open her to his searing gaze. Rose tensed as old, buried fears came barreling back to her consciousness.

Duncan paused his movements and his brow creased at the same time she felt a presence in her mind, probing, searching, trying to decipher.

"What's wrong?"

She realized Duncan was the presence in her mind. How could he do that? James hadn't been able to get that close...to walk right inside her head and knock on her consciousness as if demanding to be let in. She held on to her control and shook her head as she put her hand over his. "Nothing. Touch me, Duncan."

He frowned at her comment, but when she moved his hand higher up her thigh and then bent her knee, opening to him, his nostrils flared.

Rose closed her eyes when his fingers trailed through her hair, barely brushing her folds. "Ta tu go h-aileann," he whispered.

"What does that mean?" She opened her eyes, breathless at the vibrations he'd elicited with his light touch.

You're beautiful, he responded in her mind as his gaze locked on her entrance.

With the fire warming her skin, his seductive words only stoked the desire blazing inside her. A new flood of desire rushed forth, intensifying the aching burning in her sex.

Duncan's gaze jerked to hers as his fingers gathered the moisture and rubbed it against her folds. "I've never been more aroused than I am at this moment," he rasped then slid a finger deep inside her.

Rose forgot all about her apprehension at the erotic sensations echoing through her. She closed her eyes and arched her back, pushing closer to his hand, sighing in pleasure.

When he withdrew his finger, she demanded, "More!" as she clutched his muscular thigh. Rose slid her hand up his leg to clasp his erection through his black silk boxers. Satisfaction rolled through her at the damp spot she felt on the soft material.

Duncan groaned when she wrapped her fingers around him and squeezed. Pulling out of her grasp, he shifted his position. He put one knee between her legs on the floor and leaned over her as he thrust two fingers inside her, withdrew and thrust again. The firelight danced on the shadowed planes of his angular face as he lowered his head to her breast once more.

This time he nipped at her nipple, making her gasp at the pleasure-pain while his fingers stayed buried, rubbing on a sensitive spot deep inside her.

"Ohmigod," she called out. Her body naturally clenched around his hand, desire building inside her to a fever pitch. She bucked, wanting more, needing more.

Come, he demanded. He increased his hand's pace and sucked hard on her nipple. I want to see your arousal spread across your sweet skin, hear the blood rushing in your veins and know just how ready you are to share with me.

The thought of Duncan biting her made Rose's stomach clench in excitement. She screamed as her orgasm rolled through her in hard, fast waves. Grasping his wrist, she held his hand inside her, wanting to prolong the sensation. Never in her life had she experienced anything so body-rocking.

When her heart rate slowed and the tremors stopped, she met his steady gaze. Duncan's amber eyes locked with hers for a long, heated moment before he withdrew his hand from her body and stood to strip out of his jeans.

Her pulse sped up all over again at the sight of his trim hips and corded thighs. The man had, without a doubt, the most beautiful body she'd ever seen.

He lowered himself to the floor beside her and clasped her chin. "Are you ready to share your body with me, Roisin? In all ways?"

Her heart rammed as she considered the fact his bite could convert her to a vampire. James had said it took three bites in as many days. The risk alone excited her, but she thought it best to ask to be certain.

"I won't become a vampire, will I?"

Duncan shook his head. "Never worry that I would convert you."

Rose nodded as she reached up and slid her fingers in his hair. She smiled. "Personally, I think you're moving too slow."

Duncan's gaze burned with fire as he let go of her chin to grab his jeans. When he pulled condoms out of his pocket and set them on the floor beside her, she immediately tensed.

"No condoms."

His gaze jerked to hers. "What?"

She shook her head, adamant. "No condoms."

"You're ovulating. You could get pregnant."

"I know." The realization that she wanted this surprised even her, but as soon as she said it, she knew her decision was right. She couldn't explain it. A child with Duncan just felt...right.

He clenched his jaw. "I told you I don't want children."

"And I told you I did."

"You want to have a hybrid vampire child? A child who doesn't fit in either race?" Anger flashed in his eyes.

Is that why he doesn't want children? Because he doesn't like his hybrid status? "I've learned over the past couple of days, humans aren't the only beings walking around. As a hybrid, my child would be able to better defend himself or herself in life," she replied in an even tone.

Duncan's gaze narrowed and her stomach tensed. The desire that had flared between them quickly died as they squared off.

Turning away, he stood up and pulled on his boxers and jeans. "Your child would be a target. Untrained and unprotected."

"I don't expect you to stick around, Duncan." Rose bit her lip and considered his terse comment as she tugged her underwear and pants back on. Duncan had a point. Without him around, her child would be untrained in the use of his or her powers. She hadn't thought of that.

Forgoing her bra, she picked up her shirt and shrugged into it, buttoning it. Duncan stood beside her, his arms crossed over his chest, a scowl on his face.

"Forget it. It was a bad idea." Rose moved to step around him, heading for the stairs. She needed some time alone.

He wrapped his hand around her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "I still want you."

She met his gaze, her own anger flaring. "You want me on your terms." When his eyes narrowed, she continued, "You asked me to share every part of myself with you. It goes both ways, Duncan."

Duncan leaned close, his voice a deadly purr. "I never claimed to be a fair man. Who knows how long we'll be here together. We both want."

She raised her eyebrow and pulled out of his grasp. "I can control my desires. Can you?" she challenged before she walked away.

She'd only taken two steps when an invisible tongue swiped against the side of her neck. Rose's steps faltered.

Can you? his sexy voice, that Irish accent more pronounced, entered her head, taunting her. You have no idea how persuasive I can be, Roisin.

"I think you mean ruthless," she countered, angry at the shiver of sexual awareness that had shimmied down her spine at his sheer determination.

"That too."

Fighting back the excitement his swift agreement caused, she called over her shoulder in a tight voice, "Good night."

Chapter Five

Duncan watched Rose walk up the stairs, her long hair flowing down her back. She held her shoulders up and her back ramrod straight. He might not be able to read her mind, but he could hear her heart kick up and damned if he couldn't feel her desire...literally feel it.

Fuck!

With a flick of his wrist, the fire died in the fireplace dousing the room in total darkness. He stared out the front window into the dark woods as he worked to calm his raging desire for her. Clenching his fists, he took deep breaths then jerked his jeans open to relieve the pressure against his cock. Still his balls ached, needing release.

Opening the front door, he walked outside and closed it as he stood on the porch, staring into the pouring rain. The cool night air did nothing to dampen the heat flaring inside him. He walked to the edge of the porch and raised his hand to place it on the porch post. Leaning his forehead against the back of his hand, he pulled his hard cock from his underwear and squeezed his shaft in sexual frustration. No woman had affected him like this one, had made him want her this much.

While he pumped his hand up and down his shaft, he admitted to himself that part of Rose's allure was the sheer mystery that surrounded her. He'd tried to read her thoughts, but even when she climaxed, she held on to the barrier she'd erected in her mind. How did she maintain such constant control? he wondered.

As the need for release tightened in his groin once more, he relived every curve of her gorgeous body in his mind, her intoxicating rose smell, the soft red curls between her smooth thighs, her sighs of anticipation as her desire built and then her scream of pleasure when she came. The memory of her sweet body contracting around his fingers caused his breathing to increase and his heart rate to speed up. He took a deep breath, trying to regain control, but instead his action caused him to catch the latent scent of her arousal still on his hand.

His incisors exploded from his gums, the sharp points digging into his lower lip. He hissed as he came in explosive spurts into the bushes beside the porch. When his pulse stopped roaring in his ears and the sound of the pouring rain permeated his consciousness, Duncan inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to relax.

He started to hold his hand out in the rain, to wash away her scent and everything that made him want her to the point of obsession, but his selfish, primal side beckoned him to taste her, to know what he'd missed out on tonight. He slid his fingers into his mouth and fisted his other hand around his shaft again as her delicious flavor slammed into his gut. He wanted more than a taste.

Placing both hands on the railing in front of him, he ground his teeth at the surge of lust that shot through him. Why did she affect him so fiercely? He couldn't lie to himself. Her ability to shield her mind might intrigue him, but the physical attraction went beyond anything he'd ever experienced.

When he'd massaged her feet earlier and she'd mentioned a heated, tingling sensation at his touch, his heart had leapt. He'd experienced the same but had discounted the unique feelings as pent-up sexual anticipation on his part. To learn she'd felt it too only spiked his arousal. All his good intentions, all thoughts of just protecting her and keeping his distance, swiftly disappeared.

But the fact she wanted to get pregnant...that threw him.

Duncan clenched his jaw. He meant what he'd said to Rose. He wanted her and would do what it took to have her, but on his terms. He lived by control and self-discipline. No way in hell was he impregnating her.

But if he didn't, did that mean she'd find someone else who would? The thought of another man touching Rose, let alone making love to her, made his chest contract in painful spasms and anger flash through him.

"Why the hell do I care?" he mumbled as he pivoted on his heel and walked inside.

But the beast inside him wouldn't relent, so Duncan turned to the one thing that had always soothed him. His music.

He walked into the small nook in the corner of the house that was surrounded by huge glass windows on three sides, and sat down at the baby grand piano. Flipping his hand, the spotlight came on over the piano. Since the house had been closed for a while and probably would be after he and Rose left, he didn't bother propping open the piano's top. Duncan closed his eyes and let his fingers fly across the ivory keys, playing a haunting classical song. The music flowed so intricately inside him, he could see the notes in his mind's eye while his heart took to the song.

As he worked his way through the difficult chords, his hunger for Rose dissipated but she still remained in his thoughts.

Rose lay in bed listening to the beautiful song. It sounded so clear, as if...as if it were being played live. Her curiosity piqued, she got up and walked over to the banister, peering down into the living room.

Her gaze locked on Duncan sitting in the spotlight, his head down as his fingers moved across the keys in fluid motion. Her heart pumped faster at the sight he made when he lifted his head. His eyes were closed, the look on his face so involved in the music. The light reflected off his angular face and the natural highlights in his hair. Her gaze dropped to his broad shoulders and the display of muscles in his biceps as he moved his fingers across the keys.