Nykyrian buried his lips in Kiara's neck, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her exotic perfume. He shook with the force of his need and lost himself in the first true bliss he could recall ever feeling.
Her welcom ing arms held him to her in a gentle embrace he had never thought to feel.
Desire surged through his veins like liquid fire. He clung to her in desperation, needing her, wanting her.
Chills formed under the warmth of her hands across his back. He gasped as her tongue played along the tendons of his neck, her teeth gently nipping. He closed his eyes to the sensation, reveling in it. Reclaiming her lips, he kissed her deeply. For the first time in his life, he felt loved, wanted.
Kiara's body throbbed in an aching need that demanded the feel of his naked body against hers. She ran her fingers under the collar of his shirt, but that didn't appease her, it only whetted her appetite more. She moaned in pleasure as he moved his hand over her breast, down her stomach and underneath the hem of her dress. Chills formed beneath his hand as he stroked the skin of her stomach. Kiara kissed him fiercely, wanting to keep him with her.
With a low groan, Nykyrian pulled away, damning himself for his actions. His breath came in labored gasps as he stood. He stared at Kiara's confused eyes, his body throbbing in painful arousal. What was he doing?
Running trembling hands through his hair, he couldn't believe what he had done, would have done, and for that matter, still wanted to do with the tiny dancer.
"I'm sorry."
Kiara blinked, his apology confusing her more than the emotions swirling inside her.
"For what?" she asked.
He closed his eyes and turned around. "I had no right to touch you," he whispered.
Kiara's heart lurched at his pain-filled words.
Walking to him, she ran her hand over his back. "You have more right than anyone else," she said, gripping his upper arm and turning him around to face her.
He stared at her with those marvelous, beautiful eyes. She ran her hand down his cheek, her palm scraped by his whiskers. "I want you."
Pain clouded his eyes. He tore away from her as if her touch burned him. "You pity me.
I don't need it, or want it."
"Don't tell me what I feel!" She crossed the floor to stand in front of him .
He tried to move away again, but she grabbed his arm and kept him by her. "You can't walk away from m e, I won't let you."
His jaw tensed. "Maybe I don't want you."
One corner of her mouth lifted. She remembered the number of disks in his cabinet of her performances, the look on his face as he reached out to her just moments ago. "If that were true, you would stay still and not keep moving away from me. Face it, soldier, you want me more than anything!"
His glare intensified. "That's a rather arrogant assumption for you to make."
Her smile spread across her face. "Isn't it though?"
Humor sparkled in his eyes as he stared at her, then it faded. "You don't want me. You sure as hell don't need me."
Kiara closed her eyes in frustration and prayed for some divine aid to help her get through to him. "Why do you think that?"
He turned away and grabbed his long, black coat from the couch where he had draped it.
"You're safe here. I'll be back in a little while."
Desperation filled her. If he left without this settled, she knew he would be gone from her forever. "By God, hybrid," she shouted. "Don't you walk away from me!"
The murderous look he gave her when he turned around caused her to take a step back.
He clenched his hand at his side and she had the distinct feeling he wanted to kill her.
"I thought soldiers were trained to meet conflict, not run," she said, unwilling to back down completely.
He glared at her.
"What is it about me that frightens you?"
He didn't answer.
Kiara wanted to scream in frustration. Could it be true he really didn't want her?
"I'll be back later," he said and headed for the door.
In a bright epiphany, Kiara remembered the scenes in the disks and realized what he was doing and why he wouldn't let anyone, not even Rachol, close to him. "Why do you think you can't be loved?"
He froze.
"That's it, isn't it?" she asked, tempted to laugh at the absurdity of the idea. "Somewhere you got the idea that no one can love you. Well, I do and I'm not going to let you leave me!" Her eyes widened as she realized what had slipped out of her mouth. Horrified at what she'd said, Kiara bit her lip. Where had that come from?
Nykyrian turned around slowly. A gamut of emotions played across his face as he received her words.
A glimm er of hope sparked inside her, but Kiara knew she had to move slowly. Closing the gap between them, she placed her hand on his cheek. He didn't move away.
"I love you," Kiara said with conviction, realizing exactly why she had said what she did.
Nykyrian drew her into his arms, crushing her against him. Her cheek pressed against his chest, she heard the pounding beat of his heart, felt his warmth surrounding her. And she never wanted to leave this spot of paradise. Here she was safe, here she belonged.