Werewolves Be Damned - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,40

by the hand and yanked her to her feet.

In an attempt to match his gait, she had to run next to him. Her short legs couldn’t keep up with his long stride. “Where are you taking me?” she gasped.

He didn’t answer.

He simply continued with his big strides until he reached the castle. Once they entered through the large doors into the Guardians’ House, they passed by way too many guardians who laughed at Nexi’s current predicament, sending her cheeks to warm.

Kyden didn’t seem to notice, or didn’t care.

He never slowed his steps until he reached her residence. There, he threw the front door open, tossed her in, and slammed the door behind him. He turned to her, eyebrow arched. “Let’s get a few things clear, shall we?” He had accentuated each word, ensuring she took him seriously.

She did.

Stalking her, he exuded power. “First, I’m insanely proud of how you fought tonight.” His head tilted, expression was beyond intense. “Second, I apologize I left like I did, but it was either that, or having this conversation with everyone watching.” His mouth twitched. “I suspected that might piss you off.”

He finally reached her and she stared into his piercing eyes as he added, “Third, so there’s no misunderstanding any longer, this is how I feel about you—” His features firmed, so confident and aware. “I love your strength. I respect it. Admire it.”

She liked hearing all those things coming from him, but she stayed silent and allowed him to continue. “I don’t get bossy for no reason.” His eyes searched hers with raw emotion in their depths. “I’ve never wanted to protect anything so much in my life, so yes, my responses when you’re in danger might come out brash.”

Pushing his warm, hard body into hers, he forced her to walk backward. “We’ll probably butt heads over your safety…often.” A slow, sexy smile filled his face. “I’m okay with that. I like when you get frisky.”

Her breath hitched at the sheer intensity he had unleashed in his expression—deep passion she’d never seen before. When they strode backward past her couch, she realized why it looked foreign to her. He herded her toward the bedroom and a sudden case of nerves stormed into her, as well as a slew of hot tingles. “Kyden, I…”

One sleek eyebrow arched, and she shut her mouth as he added, “I tried to do this right. How they say you should in the Earthworld, not rush things and take our time. I wanted to give you that because that’s what you’re used to and what I thought you needed.”

The back of her legs hit something, causing her to gasp, and when she glanced down she noticed it was the side of her white, iron-framed, king-size bed. Lifting her head, she stared into his gorgeous face.

“We’re not doing this your way any longer.” His eyes positively glowed. “Now we’re doing this my way.” He leaned in, crowded her space, and he looked dead serious. “You are mine, Nexi Jones. Get used to that idea. We’re together now, and yes, that means your safety is of the upmost importance to me.”

It somewhat surprised her she didn’t smack him upside the head for telling her they were a couple. Deep down, though, she knew why—she wanted him equally as much. Truth was, she had accepted Kyden last night, and tonight, that choice had only been strengthened.

She had already picked him, even if he didn’t know it.

His spicy scent overwhelmed her, and she wondered how to put all this into words. Then she realized, like most things in the Otherworld, some things were better shown than said.

Grasping his face, she brought his mouth down to hers, then pressed her lips against his. She didn’t give him a sweet simple kiss of affection. She gave him the kind of kiss to bring Kyden to his knees.

He groaned, as if her intensity surprised him. That only lasted a second before he quickly caught up and stormed into her mouth. There was nothing gentle about his kiss. His tongue was forceful as it tangled with hers, his lips violent as they crushed against her mouth.

Craving more, she moaned in response to his sweltering fire. He grunted, switching their standing positions, and as he dropped onto the bed, he pulled her down on top of him. He held her tight against him and she squirmed as heat built between them.

Breaking the kiss, she peered down at him, and his dark, hungry eyes stared back at her.