003

DANIKA

       He kisses me on my neck, his soft lips leaving a hot trail down my bare shoulders. I moan as his hot wet tongue sucks my nipple into his mouth.

"More? Tell me what you want, sweet thing," his deep voice caresses my ears and I open my eyes to see his piercing blue eyes fixed on mine, a pair of fangs elongating from his mouth...

I jolt awake in bed, my heart thundering madly against my chest.

My breath is ragged. And I can feel the dampness in between my thighs.

I can't believe I'd dreamt of Kaziel like that. Especially after scurrying away from him last night like a frightened mouse.

He didn't stop me. And somehow, that unnerves me even more.

I clamp my thighs together, trying to ignore the throbbing in my core.

Something is off about Kaziel. I am not sure what it is. But he is dangerous. And now that my foster dad is getting married to Tyler's mother, I have a feeling that avoiding both brothers would be absolutely difficult.

....

I'm on my way home from the town library where I've been volunteering since high school when I notice that I'd left my wallet.

My phone vibrates and a text from Tyler pops up. It read:

'Can we meet? I have to talk to you.'

I scoff, tucking my phone in my bag. Does he really think I am that stupid? I'm really not in a mood for his stupid lectures on 'avoiding Kaziel.'

From the corner of my eye, I sense movements behind me. My heart sinks instantly.

I am pretty far away from home, and there's no one who can come to my rescue.

I can't believe I'm getting stalked again. I desperately hope that it's not the blue-eyed freak from before.

I increase my pace, my hands shaking as my sneakers crunch against gravel.

"Hey, fatty! Wait up!" A familiar voice yells, and I move even faster. Stephanie.

I spin around, and there she is, flanked by her usual pack of minions, their smirks wide and cruel.

"You forgot something," she sneers, stepping closer. Before I can react, her friends grab me from both sides, pinning my arms behind me. Panic surges through my veins.

"Let me go!" I struggle, but their grip is iron. One of them shoves me into the dirt, scraping my knee. Pain shoots through my knees.

Stephanie laughs, popping her bubblegum. "What's the matter? Can't handle a little attention?"

I bite back tears and thrash harder, but they only tighten their hold. My phone falls from my bag and skids across the gravel.

And they grab it, mocking me.

"Did you really think Tyler cares about a nobody like you? Just take a good look at yourself, fatty. You are truly an eyesore," Stephanie says, and I clench my fists, anger roaring in my chest.

"I hope you choke on a worm-infested burger," I hiss, my voice trembling. I hate how useless I am. Hate that it is so easy to bring tears to my eyes.

I am not a fatty. Sure, I've got curvy hips and thick thighs that rub together. But that's it.

Still, in the back of my mind a small voice whispers that I would remain undesirable for the rest of my life.

"Hold her up," Stephanie says to her friends, and I panic, knowing that this isn't going to end well.

I struggle harder, my heart thumping faster as she lifts a hand to slap me.

That's when the deep, throaty rumble of an engine fills the air.

A black Mustang slides to the curb with the predatory grace of a panther, the tires grinding against the asphalt.

The driver's side window rolls down, and a familiar, velvety, deep voice calls my name.

"Danika."

My eyes go wide.

Kaziel.

Instantly, I'm reminded of the hot dream from last night.

"Get in," he says, and I glance at Stephanie, whose mouth is now wide agape as she stares at Kaziel. His gaze darkens, and her face goes as white as paper. Her minions instantly release me.

This is my ticket to escape, and I have to take it. It doesn't matter if the sight of his piercing blue eyes is making my heart pound faster.

My fingers tremble as I yank the door open and slide inside. The moment the door shuts, the scent of him closes in around me. Dark chocolate and leather.

The car roars forward, and for a few minutes the only sound is the hum of the engine between us.

His hands grip the wheel, his veins standing out against the tattooed back of his hand. My eyes trace the ink disappearing into his sleeve, fascinated.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" He asks, his brows deeply furrowed.

I shake my head even though my body is throbbing. His eyes darken, and I could've sworn that I heard him muttering that he's going to kill 'them.'

I should've been terrified by that. But I am distracted by his smell. I want to bury my face against his pulse and drink him in.

My cheeks heat up at the thought of it.

Kaziel is wearing dark jeans, a black shirt, and a leather jacket along with combat boots, his hair hanging down.

Devastatingly handsome.

"Where are you heading?" I ask, and his gaze darts to my exposed thick thighs.

My mouth goes dry, and I shakily push my glasses up my nose.

"Did you think about my offer?" He asks instead, returning his gaze to the road in front of us.

"W-what are you talking about?" I choke out.

Suddenly, he stops the car and turns to look at me.

"Tyler rejected you. He doesn't see you the way I do," he says, and I gulp.

Suddenly, the car seems too small.

My brain is releasing warning alerts.

But I can't focus on that. Not when my whole world has been narrowed to this beautiful man.

Desire floods my bloodstream as he unbuckles his seat belt and cups my face with one large hand.

"Will you let me in, Danika? I'll give you everything Tyler can't," he tells me as my breathing quickens.

He stares at me in a way that makes me feel wanted, seen, and desired. Maybe there's a reason I see him in my dreams. Maybe he's my soulmate.

But does he really feel that way? There's only one way to find out.

My gaze drops to his lips, anticipation at an all-time high.

"Kiss me," I breathe.

He doesn't hesitate. With quick fingers, he takes off my glasses.

A groan rumbles from his chest as he claims my lips fervently. I let out a gasp, mesmerized by this sensation.

But then, he unbuckles my seatbelt and pulls me onto his lap.

My eyes flutter closed as I'm awed by the softness of his lips and the wild, demanding hunger beneath them.

It is my first ever kiss. The one that I could've given to Tyler.

My goodness, it feels like I'm floating.

An embarrassing sound escapes my lips as his tongue delves into my mouth.

His free hand slides up my thigh, squeezing and leaving burning trails in their wake as they inch higher and higher. When we both pull apart for air, his electric gaze meets mine.

Gently, he brushes a curl away from my face, his gaze soft. "Beautiful," he whispers, and my cheeks flush hot.

He buries his face against my neck, kissing and nibbling. I'm a moaning mess, my blood sizzling in my veins.

This isn't right. I shouldn't be here. Not with him. Especially not like this.

But I want him.

I want him so bad.

I can feel his bulge straining against his jeans. And naughty images flood my mind.

I freeze when I hear the sound of inhumane growls outside the car. There's a figure half-hidden behind a building. Its eyes are glowing red and are fixed on me.

Blood drains from my face, and just as I turn back to Kaziel to warn him about the strange creature watching us, that's when I see his eyes.

Golden rings surround his irises, and he looks...terrifyingly hungry.