Unleashed: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Two by Betty Legend (little bear else holmelund minarik .TXT) 📗

breathe in his delectable scent as he kisses my neck. Angling my head, I take his enchanting kiss.

“Our bond is stronger than I expected. I was able to track you here fairly easily.”

“I’m glad you did.” My fingers interlace with his. “I’m sorry our time was cut short.”

“It’s all right, sweetheart. I look forward to having more nights like the one we did.”

“I do too.” Turning in his arms, his massive frame envelops me as he leans down to kiss me.

There’s a hiss behind us, then the door to the stairs leading down to Phoenix’s apartment slams shut with him having gone through it. The guys exchange glances.

“I’ll be back,” I tell them.

Opening the door, I follow the winding stairwell downstairs, thankful Phoenix didn’t lock the door behind him. When I enter, he’s lying on the red, black, and silver comforter with his legs hanging off the end of the bed.

“What’s wrong?”

He sits up, frustration tightening his brows, his fangs protruding.

“I don’t understand why I was chosen. I’m not like any of you. I don’t share the women I’m with. I don’t walk in the sun. I don’t eat food.” He points upstairs. “I don’t belong with them. I belong with vampires.” There’s pain behind his ice-blue eyes.

Coming forward, I place my hands on his shoulders, then caress his neck into his short, dark hair.

“Tell me about her.”

He allows me to continue caressing him as he remains silent, his thoughts deepening.

“I might seem cold and heartless, but vampires do feel, deeply. And that’s a conversation I’m not ready for.”

“Do you resent me for her loss?”

Lying back on the bed, he takes me with him.

“No, I abhor the Holy Accolades. I want to rip the heart from every one of their bodies and drain the blood from them.”

My eyes widen at the violent confession, but I don’t stop touching and caressing him. He’s showing vulnerability, and I don’t want to ruin it.

“Does that scare you? What I’m capable of?” Caressing my arm, he gathers my wrist in his palm.

“A little, but you also intrigue me. I think you have many layers, and I want to peel them all back, no matter how ugly.”

“You intrigue me too.”

He bites, his fangs creating two tiny holes, which he drinks from. Beneath his shirt, he places his hand between my spread legs and massages my clit, adding pleasure to the pinch of pain. As he drinks, he slips a finger into me, building on the pleasure, and I moan, thrusting my hips into his hand. Withdrawing from my wrist, he licks his lips, then claims my mouth with aggressive need. Pulling his hand away, he grips my ass and turns us, his erection pressing into me.

“I crave you as much as the taste of your blood.” Red glimmers in his eyes as he stares down at me with a dangerous desire.

“It’s our magic wanting to bond. Once we do, you won’t have to see me anymore.” That thought tugs at my heart as his fingers pluck the buttons of my shirt open.

“That bothers you. I can hear it in your voice and in your heartbeat.” Succulent kisses trail along my skin, his fingers teasing my pussy lips. “Why does that bother you?”

His fingers slide into me, and I suck in a breath at the immediate pleasure. Looking into his eyes, I place my finger on his chiseled jaw and bring him closer.

“I want to know you, Phoenix. I want to know what it’s like to be loved by you.”

“I might never be able to give you what you want.” Pulling the shirt open, he kisses my breast. “But I might be willing to try.”

My head falls back as I moan. “That’s a start.”

Phoenix adjusts himself above me, pushing his erection against my center, and I raise myself to claim his lips. When I pull back, he’s grinning, his fangs dipping below his lip.

“Your dinner is here.”

I groan, and he laughs.

“I’ll wait down here for you.”

“You could come up and join us.”

“I don’t enjoy watching them put their hands all over you.”

“All right. I’ll be back soon.”

Phoenix lies on his side and watches me leave the bed.

“Selene.”

Turning around, I face him. “Yeah?”

“Her name was Vivian, and she was beautiful and fierce like you are.”

A smile pulls both corners of my mouth. “I’ll be quick.”

Ascending the stairs, I can’t stop smiling. I’m getting through to Phoenix. I believe beneath his harsh exterior is a softer side, one he protects violently. I hope I can continue to earn his trust. For some reason, it’s important to me.

In the dining room, my guys are putting spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread on plates, setting one out for me. Cyrus and Killian take turns kissing me as I take the seat between them.

“I’m glad all of you are here. I feel better when we’re all together.”

Killian pulls my chair closer to his and caresses my thigh. “You’re worth it.”

The other three give a nod or smile of agreement as they take their seats. I feel a pinch of guilt Phoenix isn’t here with us, hoping eventually that will change.

Several bites into our dinner, Killian tilts his head, listening intently. The door to Phoenix’s basement living area opens abruptly.

“Protect her. There are demons outside,” Phoenix orders.

Killian curls me in his arm and hands me off to Emeric. Emeric wraps his wings around me as Killian shifts into wolf form, his clothes tearing in the change. Cyrus and Griffin’s hands are raised, magic swirling in their palms. The four of them are a force of nature, ready to battle whatever is out there. Phoenix listens, and Killian’s wolf form perks his ears.

“We can’t keep her here,” Cyrus tells Phoenix. “Your house isn’t safe if demons and the Holy Accolades are watching it.”

I push out of Emeric’s wings. “I’m not going to run or hide. Whatever is out there, we’re going to kill it.”

“I’m with her,” Emeric says behind me.

“Go get more clothes on if we’re doing this,” Phoenix instructs, his eyes an eerie