Chapter 28

Thunder cracked overhead. Sam pulled Rainsilver's reins to stop the carriage outside Brunie and Eldridge's cottage and shouted, "Selene!"

He knew she probably couldn't hear him, but he couldn't hold back as he leapt to the ground and sprinted past Rainsilver. Pulling the front door open, Sam burst into the house and thundered up to the attic. "Selene, it's me! Open the door!"

When she did not respond, a barrage of worries flooded him. What if one of the vampires had spotted Brunie and followed them? Selene could be miles away, being drained at that very moment. Or what if she had been injured? Perhaps Selene was lying on the attic floor right now, bleeding out.

He jiggled the handle, about to tear the door from its hinges. Finally, he heard the click of locks being undone, and the door cracked open. Selene appeared, barefoot and looking up at him with huge, frightened eyes.

Sam stepped inside. He barely had the chance to shut the door when Selene wrapped her arms around his torso. He enveloped her in his embrace.

She was alive.

She was whole.

He had kept her safe.

He squeezed her tighter against his chest, not ever wanting to let go. Dropping his cheek to her hair, he whispered, "Are you all right?"

"Yes. Are you? And Brunie and Eldridge?"

"All fine. They"re back at the hall. Cleaning up." He stroked her hair, hoping the dampness of his clothes didn't bother her.

When the last of the vampires were dead, he had dived straight into the river. Fetid, gelatinous blood had coated his hands and splattered his face and horns, making him nauseous. After he had scrubbed himself clean, Eldridge appeared at the riverbank to say, "Take the carriage, go see to your mate. Brunie can fly me home."

Sam didn't quibble over the "mate" remark, just leapt onto the carriage, and took off. As the Rainsilver ran, Sam considered all of the ways Selene might be reacting to what she had seen. She was undoubtedly frightened, but how would she respond to him? She had seen the worst of his nature now. There was no coming back from this—yet now she had rushed into his arms.

"How many people were killed?" she asked.

"Not many," he lied. They continued to hold each other, while moonlight poured through the attic windows. He was uncertain of the correct protocol for comforting a female, but he was trying his best. "You're safe now."

After a moment, he pulled back to look at her, but his gaze fell to her dress. Red and brown stains were splashed across the bodice while bits of viscera were tangled in the skirt. "Your dress… "

She looked at the ruined garment. "I was going to change but I didn't want to leave the attic."

"Brunie might have something you can wear. Come." He let go of Selene to open a wooden chest in the corner. After some digging, he pulled out a midnight blue robe. "There are wing slits in the back, but this might do."

Running the silky fabric between her fingers she said, "Perfect."

"I'll… I'll just step out of the room while you change," he mumbled, then tossed the robe on the bed.

"Don't leave," she said quickly.

He nodded, then turned his back to her. The sound of fabric rustling filled the attic while he poured all his concentration into a protruding nail in the wall. After a few moments, Selene said, "The zipper's stuck. Can you try?" She came toward him and pointed to the back fastening.

"You want me to… ?"

"Unzip it. Or tear it off, I don't care. I don't ever want to see this thing again."

His fingers made contact with her back, and he paused. How often had he fantasized about disrobing her? Just last night he had nearly torn off her nightgown, but this was different. He silently cursed fate for giving him what he had wanted, but under the worst of circumstances.

Gently, he tugged the zipper, but it wouldn't budge. He tried again, but it was completely locked up. "I'm going to have to tear it."

"That's fine."

The fabric gave easily at his tug. The curve of her back was exposed as he pulled the rest of the fabric apart. Quickly, he grabbed the robe from the bed and draped it over her. She pulled the robe closed.

Sam tossed the soiled dress into the cold fireplace while she sat on the bed. Knowing she wore very little under that robe was making him nervous, and he wasn"t sure how else to bring her comfort.

"Do you want to sleep?" he asked. He estimated it was several hours before the safety of sunrise. "I'll stand guard."

"No. I don't think I could."

"Would you like something to drink?"

"I'm fine." Then after a moment she pinched her forehead. "No, that's not true. I'm not fine. That was horrible."

He sat down to take her hand. Seeing her in so much pain was unbearable, and he hated feeling so inept. Squeezing her hand, he said, "Selene, I want very much to comfort you, but I don't know how. Tell me how."

She looked up at him. "Tell you?"

"What can I do to ease your pain? What do you need?"

She went quiet. "No one has ever asked me that before."

"Anything."

"I have so many questions, but… " She stared down at her lap. "I just want to forget for a moment."

"How can I give you that?"

Sam thought he saw uncertainty, followed by determination play across her face.

When she raised her eyes to his, what he saw took his breath away. It was desire. Heat. Need. Her eyes were hooded, her cheeks pink. Nothing had ever aroused him so much as that look. His heart began to thunder against his chest as his cock went hard in an instant. Not even in his most fevered fantasies had he imagined her looking at him like this.

Moving closer to him on the bed, she reached up to cup his jaw. Gently pulling his head down to meet hers, she paused right before their lips met. Her voice was husky and a bit pleading as she whispered, "Distract me."