We circled each other. Me, looking for a window. Him, probably trying to find a place he hadn't already abused.
Don't focus on the coming pain. Focus on what you can do. I wasn't going to beat him through strength or speed or even experience. It was clear I was outmatched in all three. That left trickery.
He threw a strike aimed at my face. Using one hand, I pushed it to the side and grabbed the back of his head with the other. I stepped forward, releasing the block and aimed for his head. He was gone before I could connect.
"Good, you're beginning to use your brain," he growled against my ear.
A heavy blow to the back of my knee and a hard push against my shoulder sent me crashing back to the ground.
"Again." He stepped towards me, and I popped to my feet. His smirk told me he'd planned to kick me again. Sadistic bastard.
He didn't wait for me to catch my breath, advancing on me faster than I could blink. The punch he threw was human slow. I slid to the side, already looking for the next one. There. I blocked, stepped forward, throwing several strikes and adding in a kick, trying to overwhelm his mind so that something might land.
It seemed to work. For a moment.
Out of nowhere, a force hit with the strength of a hurricane behind it. I crashed to the ground, the lights fading.
"Aileen?"
"You shouldn't have hit her so hard. She can't take our kind of damage," Nathan chided.
My eyes snapped open. Liam's concerned face above me and Nathan standing over him. I didn't think, just reacted.
I threw a punch, hitting him in the throat. He made a choking sound as I grabbed his arm and jerked, sending him off balance and rolling to a seated position on top of him. There was a shout behind me as my fists flew, raining down blows on his head, shoulders and chest as fast as I could move my arms.
Quick as a snake, he grabbed each wrist in an unbreakable grip, his eyes almost glowing as they peered up at me. His fangs peeked out of his mouth as he gave me a dark smile.
Before I could move, he rolled us over—me on my back, my hands held down next to my head, him wedged between my legs. "Knew you had it in you."
I snarled at him, beyond thought. Beyond reasoning. I lurched up, burying my fangs in his throat. He gave a guttural groan, his hands sliding from my wrists to cradle my head. Blood, that delicious giver of life, slid down my throat. It was nothing like that tepid stuff from my refrigerator. This was the real deal, sending energy zapping along my nerve endings.
"It's fine. Go." Liam's voice was hoarse and seemed to come from a distance, or maybe it was because I had better things on my mind. Like the arousal building at my core. An arousal Liam fed as he pressed his hard length against me. His voice muttered a few foreign sounding words; I was too far gone to even begin to guess what language he was speaking.
He buried his fingers in my hair, tugging lightly, and then a little harder until I unlatched. He pressed a hard kiss to my lips. I lifted, trying to rub all of me against him, need building deep inside, unlike any I'd felt before.
Everything felt more. More decadent. More wicked. Just more.
It was like being on a roller coaster with no seat belt, no guard rails, and no assurance that the next drop wouldn't be the last. Each kiss was intoxicating in its intensity.
He angled my head, nuzzling my neck before there was a sharp sting and then warm pleasure. Whatever I had felt biting him was nothing compared to this. A tidal wave of feeling swamped me, setting my entire body alight as need threatened to consume. A moan escaped me, and I writhed under him. His hold on me tightened, an animal-like growl escaping him.
"You’re needed elsewhere," a crisp voice said, breaking through the haze.
Liam's lips slid from my neck, and his head came up with a snarl. His eyes were a blue bright enough to burn. They were the color of a raging, hot fire.
"Don't bare your fangs at me," the voice snapped. "There's been an issue, and your men are too afraid to interrupt you right now."
I came back to myself slowly, the passion fading enough so I could think again. I changed my grip so that I pushed Liam away. His eyes swung back to me, his fangs bared as he grumbled a warning.
"Stop moving. You've triggered his instincts. Give him a moment to calm," Thomas said, sounding irritated. "Liam, that's enough."
The blue in Liam's eyes faded to normal—still bluer than any other eyes I'd ever seen, but no longer so bright you'd be able to see them in the dark.
"Liam," Thomas barked.
The fangs in Liam's mouth snicked up and a look of annoyance crossed his face. He dropped one last kiss on my lips, his eyes soft, before rolling off me. "I heard you the first time, Thomas. There's no need to shout."
I wriggled to sitting, asking myself what had just happened. I'd attacked without thinking. Then I'd bitten him—again without thinking or any semblance of control. I'd lost track of my surroundings, which I was thankful to notice were clear of all but the two of us and Thomas.
Whoever’d had the foresight to vacate the room while Liam and I were rolling around exchanging saliva and other fluids would forever have my gratitude. Last thing I needed was to develop a reputation. Say what you want about equal rights, but there was a definite double standard between men and women when it came to sex. Liam would be the stud who got in the newbie's pants, while I would be the easy slut who let him.
I'd seen it time and time again. When my coworkers were mostly men, I'd learned to keep that part of my life separate. It was just good business not to date where you worked. It had meant for a lonely time in the military, but the drama-free workplace had been worth it.
Thomas arched an eyebrow. "Really? Because I've been standing here for several minutes trying to get your attention."
"What do you want?" Liam sounded like he was in a bad mood.
"As I said, there's been a situation that requires your attention, and Aileen is late for her appointment."
"What kind of situation?"
"What appointment?"
The questions were asked at the same time. For the first time since Thomas had interrupted us—a fact I'd be grateful for, just as soon as I got over the embarrassment—a trace of amusement showed on his face.
"One of the companions was attacked by what he is describing as a large dog-like creature. Probably a werewolf." Thomas’s focus shifted to me as if he hadn't just dropped a potential bomb. "As for you, you have an appointment with one of our doctors to get checked out."
"This is why we have the newly turned under such strict security," Liam told me, his glare a fierce thing. "If your friend attacked a vampire's companion, it will not go well for her when she's found."
"You don't know it's her. There are a lot of things out there someone could mistake for a werewolf." I could name three off the top of my head. "For all you know, it's a rabid dog."