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control of their encounter, and she'd let him.
    Was this what she'd been waiting for all along? A man to guide her? To control her?
    The questions overwhelmed her as the emotional meaning of what they'd done crashed down on her. Her breathing became shallow and rapid as she fought a sudden panic rising within her. He rolled to her side, removing his weight from her body yet encircling her with his arms.
    “Abby, what's wrong? I can feel your fear. Relax, darlin’, and let me take care of you.” He ran his hand over her head in a rhythmic petting pattern that, along with his heat and strength, soothed and comforted her. “It's normal to be anxious and overwhelmed after what we just did. I imagine without your memories—”
    “That was normal for you?” she interrupted.
    Caleb grinned. “Hardly. I’d definitely say we shot past normal and went straight to extraordinary.” His deep, scratchy tone lulled her past her worries and into a new sense of security. After several silent minutes stretched out between them her breathing slowed to its normal pace. Her lover’s touch soothed her. With her troubled thoughts dissipating, exhaustion stole over her as he continued to stroke and pet her. Her limbs grew heavy and she could barely fight to keep her eyes open. Between the bedroom gymnastics and her post coital stupor, she’d lost track of time. A glance at her bedside clock would require her to wiggle free from Caleb’s, something she had no desire to do. They’d left the bar so late…
    “It's okay to close your eyes, Abby.” He brushed the hair from the side of her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Rest, sweetheart, everything will be fine, I’ll make sure of it.” As her lids closed, a fleeting thought of what he meant drifted in and out of her mind. What had he meant?
    What would he protect her from?
    Caleb watched with amusement as Abby fought sleep. Based on her natural reactions to his commands despite her mental reluctance, he doubted in her past life or this one, she'd ever experienced anyone quite like him. That thought brought a smile to his face. He never wanted anyone else taking control of his sweet and so sexy woman. He found that contrasting combination in her wildly erotic.
    But they both harbored dangerous secrets. Whatever she carried locked in buried memories had brought trouble to her doorstep. His job required her secrets but if he managed to keep his from her, then her life as it was could continue.
    Caleb frowned. Their sex had been more than explosive. With the first drop of her blood his body had begun to change…comingle…
    He brushed his hands along the sweet curve of her hips and ass. His cock tightened as thoughts of rolling her over and having her again began to overtake his train of thought. The sweet scent of her skin beckoned him to take more. With the blood call beginning to override his objections, he blazed a path from her hips to the warm and welcoming spot between her legs. This time he would take her from behind with his mouth at her neck.
    A soft whimper from Abby froze Caleb to the spot. No, not like this. He wasn’t some baby vampire who couldn’t control his urges. She deserved more than a rutting beast in her bed. He scrubbed his face and blew out a rough breath.
    Get a grip, Caleb. If you scare her off too soon it will ruin everything.
    He rolled to his back, careful not to touch anymore lush, naked skin to tempt him and waited for the need to subside. He had a bad feeling it wasn’t ever going away completely. Yes, he’d taken her blood but she’d gotten inside him long before then.
    Precious minutes ticked by while he waited for Abby to fall asleep. When her steady, rhythmic breathing told him that she was finally in a deep, restful place, Caleb rolled away from her to find his discarded clothing. Based on the fatigue weighing his limbs and sluggish movements, he knew dawn approached, leaving him barely enough time to get home and safe before sunrise