Well, at least that explained how he’d managed to get inside her locked home.
And, unfortunately, it also presented her with a whole new slew of problems. Because if Eric could teleport, there would be no safe place for her to hide from him.
She didn’t doubt that he’d be back for her. Eric wouldn’t just walk away. Things would never be that easy.
He’d be back, and he’d make her pay for her perceived betrayal.
“You’re not his mate.” Apollo gazed down at her with blazing eyes.
“No.” Hell, no.
His fingers circled her injured arm. Warmed the flesh.
“You don’t have to—” She began but the dull ache immediately eased as the skin closed. Terese swallowed. “I told you before, I can heal myself. Vampires heal while they sleep.”
His hand dropped away, and she missed the warmth of his touch. “Eric’s the one who made you into a vampire.”
Even though it wasn’t a question, she nodded.
“Was he your lover?” Quiet, emotionless words.
“We-we were dating. We’d just been seeing each other for a few weeks. I didn’t know what he was.” It wasn’t like she’d expected her boyfriend to be a vampire.
“Were you lovers?” Not quite so emotionless now. There was anger humming in his voice. Anger or jealousy?
Terese shook her head. “We weren’t. Not even after he changed me.” She’d thought he would rape her after that first terrible night, but he hadn’t. Eric had been waiting, confident that she would turn to him, that she would seek out his lovemaking.
Wrong again, ass**le.
Some of the tension eased from Apollo’s shoulders. But his gaze still simmered with emotion when he said, “Don’t run from me again.”
A broken laugh slipped from her lips. “Don’t you get it yet? That’s all my life is now. Running.” And the running wouldn’t stop. Not until Eric was dead.
Killing an elder? Good luck with that one.
“Why did you leave?” His fingers brushed her arm. “Was I…too rough?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I liked…everything you did.” That was the problem. Terese stepped away from him. “And now I need you to leave.”
He blinked. “Run that by me again.”
Didn’t the guy see that she was fighting to hold on to her control? “Eric is an ancient vampire. One who now hates you.” Because of me. “The last thing I wanted to do was put you in danger.”
He laughed.
She glared. “I left to protect you, Apollo! I didn’t want my hell coming to your home.” But he’d followed her, and Eric would know him now.
“I don’t fear your vampire.” Ah, that cockiness was back in his voice. “He should fear me.”
Then his hands wrapped around her and pulled her against him. “Why did protecting me matter to you?”
This was the tough part. “Because…you’re special.” He’d brought her out of the sunlight. Shielded her. Healed her. “You took care of me. You gave me so much pleasure. I just…I don’t want anyone to hurt you.” Because her feelings for him were so new and confusing and it almost felt like they were ripping her apart.
“And I won’t let anyone hurt you.” His words were a vow. “Trust me, Terese. I can protect you.” His lips feathered over her jaw. “I can give you everything you need in this world.”
Her eyes closed. “I wish I’d met you months ago.” Before…
His breath blew against her skin. “I’m here now. That’s all that matters. The past is gone…”
As was her human life. She knew that. Time to pony up and deal with it.
“The future is right here.”
He raised his head and smiled down at her. Sexy dimples.
“I’m your perfect partner. You can’t kill me, no matter how much blood you take. And you can f**k me to your heart’s content.”
Terese’s heart kicked in her chest.
“But it’s only gonna be me, do you understand? From here on out, only me.” He stared down at her as his hands stroked her flesh. “You need to feed, you feed from me. You need to f**k, you f**k me.”
The idea of biting someone else filled her with revulsion. She’d tasted the sweet warmth of Apollo’s blood, a blood that was so different from Eric’s bitter bile, and even now, she hungered for more of him.
As for wanting another man…well, she’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted him. Never felt such strong passion, had such freaking amazing sex…until him.
His hands slipped beneath the bodice of her dress, and his fingers, those strong, wicked fingers, plucked her ni**les. “Terese, promise me.”
She felt her sex moisten. “Only—ah—you.”
He growled. “Right answer.” He yanked her dress down, baring her br**sts completely. “And I’ll only be with you. No one else can even f**king compare.” Then his mouth latched onto her right breast, sucking, licking, biting—
Her knees buckled. His arm caught her as she slipped and easily held her upright. “You taste so good,” he rasped against her flesh and turned his attention to her other breast. His lips closed over her plump flesh, and he sucked her breast, pulling the nipple deeply into his mouth, using his tongue, his teeth.
But this time, she wanted something…more. “Apollo…”
He pulled back and gazed into her eyes. He was breathing hard, his chest rising and falling jerkily.
“I…want to taste you.” Her admission.
He turned his head as he offered his throat.
“No.” She took a deep breath. “I want to taste you.”
Terese saw the understanding in his eyes. “I-I’ll be careful,” she promised. Sure, the fangs might put some guys off—
His hands moved to her shoulders and he pushed Terese to her knees.
—but, Apollo wasn’t your average guy.
“I like to be sucked hard,” he told her as his fingers trailed over her lips.
Her knees were on the wooden floor. Her hand still cradled his cock. Her tongue snaked out, lightly licking the thick head and sweeping away that sweet drop of moisture.
A growl built in his throat. “Open your mouth.”
She licked him again, a long, slow lick from base to head.
He shuddered.
Terese knew he wanted to control her, that he wanted to dominate, but she wasn’t going to let him. It was her turn to have the power. Her turn to control the pleasure.