impervious.” As he had told her father, the only way to destroy him now was to take his head. Even fire wouldn’t destroy him, although it took decades of agony spent deep in the earth to recover.
“What about other vampires?”
“A stake to the heart will destroy most of them. We grow stronger and harder to kill as we grow older. Anything else you want to know?”
Kadie shook her head, thoughts of vampires receding as she stared out at the ocean, beautiful and peaceful under the light of the moon.
They reached the marina a short time later. Saintcrow parked the car, then they walked down to the water.
“This is such a pretty place,” Kadie remarked. “Have you ever been here?”
“Once, a long time ago.” He glanced at the Morro Rock, which was the town’s most famous feature. “Do you know how the rock got its name?”
“I seem to recall some explorer named it.”
Saintcrow nodded. “Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. He discovered it in 1542 while exploring the Pacific Ocean. It’s said he named it El Morro because it reminded him of the headwrap of a Moor.”
“I’ve lived here all my life and never knew that.”
“Well, that’s how it usually is. People don’t pay much attention to the attractions close to home.”
“I love this place,” Kadie said. Once surrounded by water, the northern channel had been filled in to create a harbor. The public wasn’t allowed to climb the rock, not only because it was dangerous, but because it was a reserve for the peregrine falcon. “We used to camp here a lot when I was younger. The only spanking I ever got was when my best friend dared me to climb the rock.”
Kicking off her sandals, she started to walk down the beach, which was deserted at this time of night. A short time later, she began to run.
Saintcrow watched her for several minutes, admiring her curvy bottom, the way the moon cast silver highlights in her hair, the sound of her heart as it began to beat fast. All his predatory instincts came to life as he watched her run away from him. Yanking off his boots and socks, he pursued her.
She let out a squeal when he grabbed her around the waist and carried her to the ground, twisting at the last minute so that she landed on top of him. She stared down at him, breathless, a hint of fear in her eyes.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrance of her hair and skin, the tempting scent of her blood. Cupping the back of her head, he kissed her. The salty smells of sea and sand clung to her skin. He tasted it on her lips.
She moaned softly as he rolled over, tucking her beneath him. She wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer. And all the while, she made little hungry sounds deep in her throat.
Holding her close, he whisked them up into the hills above the bay. Removing his long leather coat, he held her to his chest with one arm while he spread his coat on the ground, then lowered her onto it. With hands that moved faster than her eyes could follow, he removed her clothing and his own, and then he gathered her body to his, his hunger for her blood, his longing for her body, merging in a maelstrom of desire that would not be ignored.
She writhed beneath him, as eager as he, her hands roaming over him, now caressing him, now raking her nails across his back, down his chest.
With a low growl, he buried himself deep within her, felt her answering cry of pleasure as desire engulfed them.
Loosing a contented sigh, Kadie ran her fingertips through Rylan’s hair. She never wanted to move, never wanted to let him go.
“I must be heavy,” he remarked, raising himself up on his elbows.
She wrapped her arms more tightly around him. “I don’t care.”
Chuckling softly, he quickly rolled over, carrying her with him so she was now on top. “That’s better.”
She smiled at him, thinking she had never been this happy. She started to tell him she loved him, but she bit back the words, her joy slipping away like a wave returning to the sea. There had been no words of love spoken between them. Right or wrong, silly or not, she wanted him to say it first.
Saintcrow stroked Kadie’s cheek, brushed a kiss across her lips. So, she wanted the words, did she? He kissed her again, longer and more deeply. He