[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

between her legs. He released her breasts to take her ass in his hands, spreading her cheeks apart so he
could play with her bottom. She lost the battle to remain silent as another shout of release echoed into the
air.
64 www.samhainpublishing.com
Clawed
She couldn t think any longer and closed her eyes, focusing on the way he held onto her, the way his
arms felt under her grasp, the way he kept her upright when it felt like her body could have dissolved into a
molten pool. Her body reacted to his by instinct alone, calling on an inner primal hunger. Her exclamations
of  oh, oh, oh played accompaniment to his thrusts and she held on to him, to her consciousness.
Another orgasm, more intense than any other, ripped through her. Her body jerked, letting wave after
wave sweep her along for the ride. She cried out, unable to care any longer if someone heard her. He
shouted along with her, his release coming seconds after hers.
Conan grew still even as the sweep of orgasms rolled on, and as the last one quieted, she opened her
eyes.  Oh, my God, Conan.
She smiled, a woman satisfied, and looked down at his face.
Shock drove every thought away. Conan s face was contorted, his eyes glowing with a strange, amber
hue. His mouth had extended and his lips were drawn back, exposing long, sharp fangs. Chloe screamed
and threw her body off his, then scrambled on hands and knees to the other side of the small island. Staying
in a crouched position, she whirled around, terror filling her lungs. She clutched her clothes to her chest,
not only for cover, but for something to hold on to. Something real to cling to.
Conan sat with his head in his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. His shoulders rose and fell with
an obvious effort to breathe.
Chloe swallowed, dislodging the fear clogging her throat.  Conan? Hurriedly, she dressed, pulling
her clothes on in quick movements.
Several moments passed before he finally raised his head. She inhaled, surprised to see his face had
returned to normal.
 It s okay, Chloe.
 What the hell did I just see? Her voice was a whisper.  Am I losing my mind? Tell me what
happened just now. And don t tell me I imagined what I saw.
She saw the struggle on his features. Saw how he battled with himself to decide what to tell her.
 You didn t imagine it.
Now that she had confirmation, she wasn t certain she wanted it.  No. I can t believe it. I saw& 
He nodded, encouraging her to continue.  Go on.
 I saw your face change. You looked& You looked like an animal. She waited for him to laugh and
tell her she was hallucinating. Maybe hallucinating was better than the truth she didn t want to hear.
 I know.
She stood, ready to run. From him. From what she d seen. From her heart telling her to stay.  I don t
understand. What possible explanation could he give her?
 Will you let me say what I need to say? Without running away?
www.samhainpublishing.com 65
Beverly Rae
She glared at him, at once angry. Why did something always go wrong with the men in her life? How
could he do this and take away what she d found in him? What she hoped he d found in her? She didn t
want to understand. Instead, she wanted to believe everything would be all right. But the burn in her
stomach stole away the hope of her dreaming coming true. She gritted her teeth and gave him the best
answer should could.  I ll try.
 Do you remember that day by the stream?
Oh, please don t. Don t tell me what I don t want to hear. But she had to know.  Of course I do. Her
anger faded, replaced by fear and, God help her, curiosity.
 You saw me.
Again, she couldn t stop from answering.  Yes. I should run. Why am I not running?
His gaze nailed her to the spot.  You saw me change.
She licked her lips and tried to swallow in a mouth gone dry. Her heart beat faster, pounding in her
ears.  I saw you. Then I saw a bear.
Conan stood and took a step toward her. To her surprise, she held her ground, ready to face whatever
came.
He nodded.  You saw me change into my other side. Into the animal side of me. You saw me shift
into a bear.
Even the birds had stopped singing as though they, too, prepared to hear the unbelievable.  No.
 Chloe, don t. You know what I m saying is true.
 I was drunk. I hallucinated.
 No, you weren t drunk. I smelled alcohol on you, but not enough. Not enough for you to see
something that wasn t there. Conan took another step toward her, but halted when she raised a hand to
ward him off.
She had to go in, all or nothing, daring him to make her believe.  I don t believe this. What you re
saying is impossible. Prove it to me. Torn, she wanted him to refuse and yet prayed he d take her
unspoken dare.
 Then I ll show you.
She stared at him, then tasted the blood on her lip where she d bitten too hard. Wiping it away with
her fingertips, she held herself tall and took his challenge.  Okay. Show me.
He backed away, his naked body exciting her even as a different kind of excitement shot adrenaline
though her. She waited, ready to see the truth.
 Please, Chloe, promise me one thing.
Even with fear chilling her, she would have promised him anything.  What?
 Promise me you won t run.
66 www.samhainpublishing.com
Clawed
She laughed, the sound blurting from her lips in an effort to keep it contained.  I don t know. I ll try
not to.
He nodded.  I understand. But just remember that whatever happens, whatever you see, I won t hurt [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]