Wicked Love - Michelle Dare Page 0,209

it against her mouth. I prayed to whoever would listen to my heathen prayer to save her life.

11

First aid with a kiss.

JANE

I woke with a pounding headache like I’d drank too much. My body hurt like I danced way past my bedtime in the club, except for the floating feeling like my feet disappeared. The soreness around my neck was alarming and I reached for it touching a wide cotton bandage I hadn’t left the house with. Halloween had a been a week ago. What the hell had I done last night?

“Shhhh…you’ll be alright lamb.” Hands caressed my skin and I shivered despite being covered. I didn’t want to open my eyes. This was all a bad dream and if I kept my eyes shut it would all go away wouldn’t?

But I knew that voice.

I know you do. Don’t be afraid lamb. I won’t hurt you again.

Again?

My eyes popped open and I both saw and felt him sitting next to me on the bed. I was in a bedroom I didn’t recognize, on a bed that felt too soft and too big to be the one inside my shared apartment. His hand traced up and down my bare arm. I moved to sit up, but he held me down. His hands cupped my shoulder keeping me immobile. I didn’t like the restraint but I didn’t fight him.

“You’re very weak right now. Lay back and go easy. You’re quite the temptation for me.” His eyes had an ethereal glow being so light with his dark hair and tanned skinned.

My hand reached for my sore throat again.

“No. Leave the bandage be.” He commanded.

I felt a pulsing pressure in my head and my hand slipped from neck dropping to the side as if the limb was no longer connected to my body. I knew somehow that it wasn’t paralyze, but the ability to do much more than squirm under his gaze was impossible.

“Who are you?” I croaked out. My captor, or the man who was keeping me here and deflecting my questions cocked his head looking at me with a worried expression. His voice was deep, soothing, but I didn’t want to get sucked back down the rabbit hole. I was here against my will, or at least from my hazy memories it seemed as such.

“Ah, you’re not a prisoner, darling. You are my beloved guest.” The tip of his finger rubbed out the crease in my forehead before cupping my cheek. He was cool to my fevered touch and I liked it despite my confusion.

“Why am I here?”

“You had an accident.” He murmured tucking the sheets around me.

“An accident?”

“Yes.” He replied.

“Oh.” I had no idea what I had except what felt like my brain in a vacuum.

“You must replenish…your strength.” He smiled, but I didn’t feel at ease, I felt like a dessert he wanted to consume. It made my belly flutter and a slick slippery heat seep between my legs.

“Do you think I could shower?” I felt his gaze rake over me again and his nostrils flared. I didn’t even know his name.

“Yes you do, I’m Bash.”

He was right, I did know him and the strange memories that once haunted me came alive and the flashes of darkness made sense.

“Bash.” I said his name and touched my fingers to my numb lips. I felt certain he kissed me, but I didn’t know how I knew that either. I just did.

“It’s all true, Jane, and I’m sorry I didn’t come to you sooner and confess my sins.” He was worried but I’d already forgiven him. Being here with him like this made me feel whole, complete, and I never wanted to go back to the darkness unless he was with me.

“Sleep.” The push came again and this time I was too weak to fight back.

Bash chuckled like something was funny and got off the bed leaving the room. I flopped against the pillows and shut my eyes snuggling deeper into the sinful bedding, my shower forgotten.

12

Decision, Decisions…

BASH

I left my beautiful guest minus a healthy pint of blood, woozy, and under my compulsion. I shut the door to the guest room and strode downstairs to my office for a drink of whiskey. It wouldn’t make me drunk, but the habit would calm my nerves. I had a feeling at full strength she’d return to the sassy girl I met in my club the night before. I’d need a calm head around her. She twisted me up, my little human. I fantasized about her