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Nike.
    Her being with me was dangerous. Although we had only connected a short while ago, an urge in me grew to protect her. I couldn’t explain it; I’d never felt a compulsion like this before. There had been women in the past, many women, but what I felt for Nike was overpowering.
    I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. I’d kill anyone who tried to hurt her.
    If I cared about her, I should let her go, send her someplace safe. Ricard would hunt us down eventually. We could only hide for so long.
    I broke the larger ceramic pieces into a pile of dust. How tragic it was to have to let her go so soon. We had just had our first kiss. Our first and last.
    But I had to let her go.
     
    Nike
    My lungs started to burn from the quickened pace and the sharp cool air of the Atlantic. I slowed to a walk again.
    What was I doing?
    The man I’d wanted for so long was waiting inside for me. The scenario was far more exhilarating and fantastic than any fantasy I had concocted on my own. I’d be a fool to run away. I was just scared. I pictured Maya raising an eyebrow and saying, “What are you, nuts? Get back in there and stop being so bloody stubborn!”
    Time to toughen up and go after what I wanted.
    I breathed in the saltwater air. Life was short. It could’ve ended for me tonight if Michel hadn’t intervened.
    Then again, I wouldn’t have been in danger if I wasn’t with him. But it was too late now to debate the cause and effect. What happened had happened. Those things could probably figure out who I was and where I was with their supernatural powers. I mean, they smelled me in the air. Gross.
    Could they trace my scent? They would kill me to exact revenge. I was better off with Michel, facing this together. Plus, it’s where my core, my being, was taking me. Back to him.
    Enough! I don’t want to think anymore.
    I turned back toward the house.
     
    Michel
    I played with the remains of the ceramic pieces on the end table, brooding over how I would lose her all too soon. The sound of the French door opening distracted me. When she entered, I forgot my inner torment and stood. She was back.
    “ Ca va ?” I said, slipping into my native language. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes,” she said almost breathlessly, walking toward me with a vigorous stride.
    Within moments, she was before me. She put her hand behind my head and pushed up to her tiptoes, leaning forward. She paused for a second, looking into my eyes, and then at my lips.
    She kissed me. Slowly at first, as if exploring and savoring me. And then she pressed her lips against mine more urgently, with a slow-releasing passion.
    I responded instantly to the touch of those soft, full lips. Whatever torment I had over having to lose her disappeared at that moment. How could I think rationally when this stunning creature kissed me? How could I separate us right now when I’d wanted this for months?
    I wrapped my arms around her lower back and arched down to meet her lips more fully.
    She pulled away briefly. “I don’t care what you are. I’ve wanted you for so long.”
    Her eyes were mostly kelly green now, lids slightly lowered, revealing her passion.
    I savored her lips and neck as I moved her toward the bedroom. Then I pushed open the partially ajar door and led her to the canopied bed.
    Laying her gently on her back, I leaned over her, put my hands on her cheeks and looked into her eyes. “Nike, I’ve been intrigued by you, but kept away for your sake. But tonight—tonight I couldn’t help myself. You were too close. You smelled so good. God help me, but I want you.”
    “Yes. Please, now.”
    Reluctant to leave those soft, pouty lips but eager to explore the rest of her, I kissed down the side of her slender neck. Her scent and the throbbing of her pulse under my lips was almost too much. My fangs emerged. I had to fight the urge to taste her blood right then; the temptation was too strong.
    When she moaned a low, soft sigh, it almost pushed me over the