Once Bitten, Twice Dead - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,17
cetera. Don’t leave anything out.”
She retraced her steps as best she could recall, giving him the information he wanted and answering questions as he came up with new ones. When she got to the place where she’d been laid out on the ground, cracking her skull and giving those creatures the opportunity to bite her, her voice shook with memory and returning horror.
A strong arm came around her shoulders, silently shoring up her defenses. She gulped, swallowing the tears of frustrated terror that returned briefly as she recalled the moment when she knew she was going to die.
“They had me pinned and my head was swimming from banging on the concrete floor,” she recalled. She took a deep breath to steady her voice but it didn’t help much. “The first one had my legs, the second one—the one that snuck up on me—had my arms. He bit me here.” She touched the spot between her neck and shoulder where the second perp had broken skin. Not even a scar marred the spot now, of course. The contagion in their saliva had done that to her, though it would’ve killed almost anyone else, according to Xavier.
“The first one bit you on the thigh, right?” he asked in a gentle voice. “I saw the medical reports. Is it healed yet?”
“Not completely. It’s still got a big scab and hurts when I overdo it or move in a strange way. They tell me the chunk of muscle and flesh that was taken out is still growing back in.”
“The healing effects of being immune to the contagion are pretty powerful. Too bad it comes at such a high price and only works on a miniscule percent of the population.” The irony in his tone wasn’t lost on her.
“I can almost understand why the researchers wouldn’t want to give up on this avenue of research. Almost. But, as you said, the price is too high.”
She shuddered and he drew her into his arms, wrapping her in his warmth. It felt good to be comforted by this mountain of a man. He was so much bigger than she was, so much stronger physically. It felt good to lean on that strength for just a minute.
“Much too high,” he agreed with her, tucking her head under his chin. “We’d both be dead if it weren’t for a quirk of our body chemistry. I don’t know about you, but I’m much too young and pretty to die.”
She laughed, as he’d no doubt intended. “The only thing pretty about you is your way with words, captain.” She leaned back and looked up into his mysterious dark eyes. The moment dragged as their gazes met and held.
“Don’t you think you should call me Xavier, considering we’re fellow survivors?” His eyes darkened with intent. “And especially considering the way you fit in my arms?” He pulled her closer, angling his lips downward to meet hers.
She saw the kiss coming a mile away but was powerless to resist. She’d been through so much in the past week. She’d come face-to-face with death and had spent a few hours reconsidering the direction of her life’s path. One of the things she most regretted was turning away from opportunities when they presented themselves.
Well, here was an opportunity of the sexiest kind. What woman wouldn’t want to know this handsome Cajun’s kiss? It was just a kiss, after all. She knew she’d regret it the rest of her life—however long or short that may be—if she turned down this opportunity to experience Xavier’s kiss.
For all she knew, it might be disappointing. He might not be a good kisser. He might be all talk and no substance. But then again…
He just might be the real deal. She wanted to know. She wanted like never before to find out if he lived up to his sexy advertising. Could a man who looked that scrumptious on the outside be as good at love play as he looked?
Sarah was about to find out.
Chapter Three
She met his kiss halfway, leaning up on her tiptoes to cut down on the difference in their heights as much as she could. Xavier’s arms tightened around her waist and back, supporting her. She’d never felt safer in her life.
When his lips touched hers, Sarah felt a sharp tingling, like an electric jolt where their skin touched. She’d heard about sparks flying but had never experienced it herself. If this first tentative touch was any indication, she was in for a rare treat.