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as he struggled to control himself.
    He knew it was a mistake the moment he turned back to her, but he seemed unable to stop his feet. So innocent, so scared, she was nothing like the creatures he hunted. Even now, he saw no darkness within her. No bloodlust, no thirst for power or death. She was nothing more than an anxious woman who knew exactly what the world now held in store for her.
    Her warm eyes caught his, welling with shimmering tears. Cursing, Ryker crossed the room, closing the distance between them in two large steps. He had no idea what he was doing—his heart was calling the shots. Part of him expected resistance when he took her into his arms, but Jenna had always thrown him for a loop. After a choked breath, she melted into his chest, her head nestled beneath his chin.
    Eyes fluttering shut, Ryker’s teeth tore into his bottom lip as he drew in the scent of fresh rain and the lingering scent of her shampoo. How he’d missed this, the intimate feel of her in his arms, the warm press of her body. Silencing his doubts, he threaded his fingers through her damp hair, cupping the back of her neck. Her flesh was as soft and supple as he remembered, and when her skin puckered from his touch, he bit back a groan.
    For a brief moment, his head took charge, reminding him of the hidden blade sheathed against his wrist. It wouldn’t take much, a subtle shift and the edge would pierce the base of her neck. A small pinch, a slight pain, and it’d be over. It was the best he could offer.
    And for the first time ever, he hated being a hunter.
    As though sensing his internal conflict, Jenna tipped her head back, cold acceptance hardening her eyes. “Do it,” she murmured, surprising them both.
    Ryker’s breath quickened as he fought against his own tears threatening to spring to the surface. She couldn’t actually mean it...could she?
    “Do it,” she repeated in a softer voice, her dark lashes fanning against her ivory cheeks.
    He couldn’t think with her desirable body pressed firmly against him, or his heart and head warring against one another. Never had he been so confused. Since he’d begun training, he’d known his duty. He’d spoken the words aloud, vowing to the Church that he would join his brothers and fight to put an end to darkness. But was Jenna darkness? To him, she was light. She was everything he loved in the world. It didn’t matter that they’d been apart for so long, she would always be everything he desired. Was that truly so evil?
    His gaze dropped to her parted lips. He remembered how soft and warm they could be, how her smile could light up a room; he couldn’t bear the thought of ending something so perfect.
    “Ryker,” she whispered, the sweet scent of her breath stunning him. “Please.”
    Somehow, he knew she was referring to him kissing her. And he wasn’t sure that one little word was enough to convince him not to. Swallowing, he braved meeting her gaze once more. If she didn’t want him to kiss her, he swore he wouldn’t do it. But what he saw in her eyes was anything but reproach. Heat sizzled beneath her skin, her eyes snapping with lust. She wanted him as much as he did her, and there was no way he could walk away from that. Growling under his breath, Ryker dropped down and claimed her mouth with a searing kiss.
    Duty be damned.

Chapter Five
    The moment his mouth captured hers, her entire world fell away, as though a black chasm had opened beneath her feet and only he kept her grounded.
    Night after night, she’d fantasized about his touch. But this was nothing like her memories. So exquisite was the feel of his mouth on hers, so enticing, so... dangerous as magic erupted within her, kindling with a force unlike anything she’d ever felt. With a sharp gasp, Jenna reared back, her trembling fingers rising to her tingling lips. It wasn’t as though she’d been entirely chaste without him, but she’d never let things venture beyond a kiss. And no one but Ryker had ever