lips. “Let me in. There’s no need to keep me out. I am the man who will defend you, protect you. Let me in. Let me tell you my story and you will understand.”
He wanted into my mouth, into my mind, into my soul. He definitely wanted into my body, and I could maybe get on board with the last part. Like I said, it had been a long time for me.
His tongue teased against my lower lip and I gave him what he wanted, what I was starting to want.
I could feel his satisfaction when his tongue surged in to play against mine. He no longer needed to hold my hands down. The minute I thought about how much I wanted to touch him, he released me. He kissed me and I could feel how much he wanted my hands on him, stroking him like the big predatory cat he was.
My body heated up, skin going sensitive, and I thought seriously about letting him have me right then and there.
And then I was alone on the forest floor.
One moment Marcus’s weight was pressing me into the grass and the next he was lifted bodily off me. It took me a second to realize he hadn’t jumped off me. He’d been hauled off by a tree branch. It was slender but strong, wrapping around his waist and hauling him high above me.
“Get your hands off my daughter, Vorenus,” a deep voice said.
The Green Man stood roughly fifteen feet away. He wore all white, though his suit seemed to have seen better days. There was dirt on his pants and a tear across his right arm. He held that hand up, guiding the branch he’d pulled from the mighty oak to do his bidding.
I forced myself off the ground. I obviously didn’t understand the connection between these people. And why had that man called me daughter? I was right back to thinking they were here to confuse me.
Kelsey ran in behind the Green Man. “Hey, what the hell are you doing? Let him go, Dev.”
My libido had gotten me into serious trouble. This was probably exactly why I didn’t run around searching for lovers. It seemed like these newcomers were in some kind of argument. I got to my feet and wondered if I could get away.
“Please don’t run, bella. I’ll only find you again.” Marcus pushed at the branch holding him off the ground, his feet kicking. His fangs were on display.
They did not make him less attractive.
“You won’t be able to find her if you’re in two pieces,” the man who looked like Devinshea Quinn said. He was angry. I could feel it rolling off of him.
“Hey, Bris, you in there?” Kelsey stood in front of the men, her hands on her hips. I couldn’t see her face, but irritation flavored her every word. “Don’t you have orders to take over the body when Quinn does something stupid? He’s being really fucking stupid right now and I’m going to have to force him to stop if he doesn’t let Marcus go.”
I started to take a step back because it was looking like they were going to fight among themselves, and I could use that.
I didn’t want to go. I knew it was the smart thing, but I didn’t like the idea of not seeing him again. I wasn’t going to give in to it though. My attraction to the vampire was a perverse instinct that I didn’t have to give in to. I had people to protect. I didn’t need to get worked up over a male.
“Don’t you dare run.” Kelsey had turned my way. “Look, I don’t know why you’re here or who the hell you are, although it seems like Dev does, but you aren’t going anywhere until I get some answers.”
Marcus’s body hit the ground as the branch receded and suddenly the Green Man was walking toward me.
“I apologize for my host, daughter,” the Green Man said, a welcoming smile on his face. He twisted his hand and marigolds popped up around me. They formed a perfect semicircle around my feet, and the blooms were bright and glossy with life. “My name is Bris. Search your mind. You have knowledge of me.”
It didn’t work that way anymore. When I’d first met Dev Quinn, I’d been able to access all the knowledge of those around me. My fingers went to the collar around my throat. “I’m not who you think I am. And you aren’t Devinshea Quinn.”
He