Rogue Darkness by Dianne Duvall

“Yes,” they blurted.

When Cliff and Emma regarded them with knowing amusement, heat crept into Nicole’s cheeks.

Cliff laughed. “Okay. We’ll stay out of your way.”

“Actually,” Sean said, “we’re done for the day and don’t plan to hunt tonight. Would you two like to take a break from babysitting us and head home for some quiet time of your own? Seth and David are following the bad guys to see what they can learn. If they call a meeting, I’ll let you know.”

Cliff looked at Emma. “I can go with that. What about you?”

Sliding an arm around his waist, she smiled. “Sounds good to me.”

“Okay,” Cliff agreed.

Nicole tried not to grin, but her lips refused to cooperate.

Emma grabbed her purse and keys. “There’s some eggplant parmesan in the fridge if you get hungry.”

Cliff retrieved a duffle bag, his steps a little lighter than usual. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“After dinner,” Sean said.

Cliff laughed. “Okay. See you then.”

As soon as the door closed behind the couple, Sean drew Nicole into his arms.

Her pulse picked up. Heat flared between them as their lips touched in a gentle kiss that soon deepened and set her heart to hammering.

“Should we lock the door?” Emma asked outside.

“Yeah,” Cliff murmured, his voice rife with amusement. “They won’t remember to do it.”

Chuckling, Sean raised his head.

Cliff’s and Emma’s voices grew fainter as they walked down the path, climbed into their car, and drove away.

Quiet fell. “Did you mean it?” Sean asked softly.

Nicole stared up at him, uncomprehending. “Did I mean what?”

“When we were falling…” he clarified. “Did you mean it when you said you love me?”

As they’d hurtled toward the ground, death had seemed imminent. And in what she’d thought would be their last moments together, Nicole had wanted him to know how much he meant to her. “Yes,” she vowed softly. “I love you, Sean.”

Amber light flared to life in his eyes. “I love you, too.” His lips touched hers, the contact conveying such immense tenderness that tears welled in her eyes.

She pressed a palm to his stubbled cheek. “As more than a friend?”

Though he turned his head slightly so he could nuzzle her palm, his bright eyes held hers. “As my everything.”

Her heart swelled. So much emotion choked her that she couldn’t find her voice and could only nod, hoping he would understand that she felt the same.

His lips brushed hers, the touch gentle despite the depth of feelings it carried. Sliding her hand around to cup his nape, Nicole drew her tongue across his lower lip.

He groaned and deepened the contact, crowding closer and tightening his hold on her.

Sean loved her.

He loved her.

Jubilation filled her, accompanied by red-hot desire. Rising on her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Sean palmed her ass and aligned their hips, pressing her against the long, hard length behind his fly. Oh yeah. She wanted that. Wanted to feel him plunge inside her, driving deep, no-holds-barred. Wanted to feel his hands rove bare skin.

Pulse racing, she combed her fingers through his thick hair, fisted the soft locks, and gave them a tug.

Sean swore. Lifting her, he turned and pressed her back against the nearest wall.

Nicole wrapped her legs around his waist and ground against his hard cock. Both moaned as they strained together. Her breath shortened as he slid a hand down over her ass. All the while, his tongue danced with hers, stroking and teasing, stoking the fire.

“Sean,” she breathed, wishing they were naked.

He slipped his hand around to her front. Dropping her hands to his shoulders, she placed some distance between them, eager for him to touch her breasts. Instead, she felt a hard tug on her shirt as a rip sounded.

Breaking the kiss, she looked down.

Her shirt was gone, torn away.

She met his heated gaze. “That was Becca’s,” she said absently, not really caring.

“I’ll buy her a new one,” he vowed, his voice rough with desire. Her sports bra followed. Then he palmed one of her breasts. Lust shot through her as he circled the sensitive peak, caressed it, pinched it.

He trailed a series of passionate kisses down her throat to her other breast. When his lips closed around the stiff peak, she moaned. He stroked it with his tongue, sending darts of desire straight to her clit. Fisting his hair once more, she urged him closer, writhing against him. He sucked hard.

“More,” she begged. He nipped her with his teeth. “Yes.”

Sean raised his head, eyes blazing. “I need you naked,” he growled, the intensity in his face stealing her breath.

The foyer abruptly blurred around her. Cool air brushed her hair back as he clutched her tighter and raced down the hallway. His erection rubbed against her with every movement, ratcheting up her desire. She needed him. Naked. Inside her. Right now.

Then they were in his bedroom, standing at the foot of his big-ass bed.

She’d make a joke about his feet not hanging off the end but wanted him too much. “Do that thing I’ve heard immortals can do.”

His eyebrows rose. “Which one?”

“The one where you strip us both bare in less than a second.”