Hunter's Surrender (2010) (2 page)

Music pumped through the club. Multi-colored strobe lights twirled above the having dance floor.

Rand cursed. Short, pithy and loud.

Damn, Dominique Valois
. His hand curled around the beer he'd been nursing for the last hour.

Someone bumped against him at the glossy bar yelling out drink orders.

Why the hell was he here?
Shadows was owned by an ex-hunter and a popular haunt for those with any vishuddha blood.

Lifting his head, he scanned the crowd. He sensed the other hunters in the place, recognized some. There were even a few vampires among the dancers.

It wasn't Rand's kind of place. He preferred a quiet bar or, better yet, a solitary beer on the deck surrounding his home in the desert.

But he'd hoped the loud music and frenzied crowd would be a distraction. Stop him from thinking of Dominique. Naked. Moaning. Crying out his name.

He took a quick swig of the beer. Grimaced. It was hot.

She's a vampire. One of her kind killed your father
. It'd become a mantra to him. But no matter how many times he repeated the words, his body wasn't listening.

Had she found some nameless, faceless man to service her? Was she right now naked and entwined with the jerk? Rand slammed the bottle down on the bar. The bottom smashed into tiny amber pieces.

Was someone else being the first to show her pleasure?

As he signaled the bartender over to clean the mess, a prickle started at the back of his neck. The feeling crawled upward until he felt a burn between his eyes. His back tensed.

He opened his vishuddha senses. He sensed the mass of energy from all the vampires partying in the club. But ajna were rare and their energy strong. It didn't take him long to find her.

Turning, his gaze raked the mass of bodies grinding and swaying to the pumping Latin rhythm. Then the crowd parted and he saw her.

She'd changed since the desert. Now it was black leather hugging slim legs and riding low on her hips. A tight, bloodred tank top displayed toned arms, the deep V hinted at full breasts. The bottom of it left a strip of supple belly bare.

She sauntered toward him, her gaze locked with his. The sway of her hips made his mouth dry. Damn her for being so beautiful.

The people crowding close to him at the bar shifted away. No doubt from a mental command from her. She leaned sideways, elbow on the glossy surface, and faced him.

"Didn't think I'd given up on you that easily, did you?"

Her siren-song tones seeped into him. He pressed his palms flat on the bar, anything to stop them from stroking what he shouldn't touch.

She inched closer, her silken hair falling forward. "I'm used to getting my way, Wilder."

"That doesn't surprise me, princess." He hated that his voice was jagged as glass.

Her red lips quirked. "I'm a lawyer, we hate losing."

So she was smart as well as sexy. "A lawyer? Figures." Most vampires were experts at hiding in plain sight of humans. They attended colleges, owned businesses and who knew what else. "Haven't you found someone who fits your 'take my virginity' bill yet?"

Violet eyes traveled down his body before drifting back to his face. "Only one."

Hunger ignited deep in his belly. Why her? Women came on to him all the time. Those with hunter blood were lured by his reputation. Those who knew nothing of vampires were drawn by his dangerous aura. But none of them set him on fire like this one.

Dominique moved between his thighs until her hips bumped against his bar stool. Her palms slid up his chest. "Have you changed your mind?"

The music echoed around them--sultry and drugging. It'd be so easy to succumb. To give her what she wanted and take something for himself at the same time.

"Tell me why you want me?" Because he couldn't control it, he touched her. His fingers slid along black, shiny hair. "Why are you so desperate?"

She licked her lips, which made Rand's already hardening erection throb.

"It's best if you don't know." Her voice was quiet.

His gaze traced over her perfect features. She looked like a fantasy come to life--a vixen's body coated with an innocence he found irresistible.

God, he was confused. He was honest enough to admit he wanted her...but he couldn't forget what she was.

She dropped her gaze. "I'm running out of time, Rand."

Yes
. The word quivered on his lips. He'd made a life out of saving others. Saving those who couldn't help themselves. Dominique was powerful. Confidence and intelligence shined in her eyes--that she was so desperate told him she was in deep trouble.

She pushed away from him. "I'll just have to work harder to convince you."

With a tantalizing swing of leather-clad hips, she headed for the dance floor. Even if he'd wanted to, Rand couldn't have looked away.

The crowd parted for her. She started to gyrate to the blood-pounding beat. She moved with the liquid grace of a vampire, like the music was a part of her.

She raised her arms above her head, then turned, her violet eyes clashing with his. Her lips parted.

Two men materialized from the dancing crowd and flanked her. Both were big, brawny and had some hunter blood. One plastered himself against her back, the other moved against her front, his hands clamped on her hips. She swayed to the music, her hips pumping in time to the beat.

Rand's hands clenched into tight fists, hot emotion boiled inside him.

He knew it was crazy, but some part of him considered her his. She'd come looking for
him
. Not the idiots rubbing against her like randy bulls.

The two men moved closer, locking her between them. So attuned to her, only Rand saw the flicker in her eyes, the tensing of her muscles. He stood, his hands flexing.

She wedged a hand to one man's chest and pushed him back a few inches. Rand released his held breath. She could take care of herself.

When the hunter wrapped his burly arms around her and nuzzled her throat, Dominique went stiff.

Damn it to hell.
Rand walked toward her. As he neared, he sensed the tinge of her fear in the air.
Who'd made her so afraid?
She could slam both these men against the wall with a single swing of her arm. This fear was something deeper.

"Wilder," one of the hunters said, although his eyes never left Dominique.

"Get out of here." Rand let his ruthless order sink into his words.

One hunter opened his mouth and Rand straightened to his full height, his knuckles burning with the need to slam into this guy's face.

Rand used the little compulsion he possessed. "Go now or this will get messy."

A muscle ticked under the eye of one man. Then they left. Obeying the command buried in Rand's voice and not willing to tangle with him.

Dominique moved close to him, pressing that tempting body against him. The fear on the air bled away.

Her hand touched his shoulder, a light caress. When her fingers brushed his neck, his throat, he felt the spark of energy between them. It ran like lightning through his body, firing his blood.

With a sigh of defeat, he put his arms around her and pulled her closer. She started to sway, rubbing against him while he remained motionless. He felt the wash of energy in the room.

He reached out and gripped her jaw. She watched him, gaze steady. His fingers ran along her cheekbone, moving closer to her brow. Her chest hitched.

What would happen if he touched her chakra? Rand had heard the rumors of the tantric sex of the vampires--the sharing of bodies and energy. It was said the sensations were mind-blowing. Beyond anything regular sex could promise.

No
. He dropped his hand to his side. Disappointment flashed in her eyes before she hid it.

Her fingers clenched on his shirt. "I'm not giving up on you, Wilder."

He couldn't look away. The way she moved made him wonder how she'd move underneath him, with his hands on her.

Her seduction didn't only affect him. Every man on the dance floor watched her, eyes burning. Rand knew each one was imagining being with her, touching her, and rage welled inside him.

Dominique had no idea what she was doing. She didn't look away from him, couldn't know she was seducing every male who watched her.

Couldn't know he was drowning in her.

Dominique was lost in the music and Rand's dark green gaze.

She'd followed him from the desert, desperate to convince him to help her. She needed Rand Wilder.

Now he stood in her arms. All six foot five inches of wild male. And she was doing everything she could to entice him to show her what it'd be like between them.

She shimmied her body, imagining they were alone, just the two of them.

When his hands clenched at her waist, she smiled against his shirt.
Mon Dieu
, he smelled so good. All man. Nothing like Vilein's cloying cologne.

She smoothed her hands over Rand's shoulders. "Dance with me."

"I don't dance."

What a surprise
. "Fine, I'll dance for both of us."

He didn't move to the music, but he did slide one thigh between her legs. Rough denim rubbed against smooth leather, melding them closer together. That thigh rubbed against the aching part of her, making heated desire curl in her belly.

Dominique pressed her face against him, drew in more of his delicious scent. He was so big, so strong, and for the first time in a long time, she felt protected. Safe.

One of his hands smoothed over her bare shoulders and she shivered. His fingers were callused, the sensation on her skin amazing. What would they feel like on her belly, on the sensitive flesh of her thighs? Damp heat pooled between her legs.

Those fingers brushed her shoulder, shockingly hot. Then nudged the strap of her tank top aside.

She felt his body stiffen and her own did the same. His gaze was sharp on her skin.

"Who did it?" His voice was so black goose bumps raced over her arms.

She tried to pull away. "It doesn't matter."

He spun her and bent her forward. Her bottom nestled against his thighs, one arm was banded around her waist. Oblivious of the crowd dancing around them, he pushed the back of her shirt up, leaving her back bare.

She struggled against him, didn't want him to see the ugly black bruises and red welts covering her back.

Her stomach revolted, her mind taking her back to those moments when she'd been helpless. She squeezed her eyes shut.

Rand's body quivered. Then a gentle hand skimmed down her spine. Warm lips pressed to the back of her neck.

Dominique felt tears well in her eyes. She'd told no one of her attacks, kept all the pain to herself. Now someone--this big, wild hunter--was showing her compassion.

He let her shirt drop and turned her. His gaze bored into hers. Sympathy was doused by something darker, dangerous. "Who. Did. It?"

Dominique had thought luring The Darkness into bed would be easy. She'd never planned to tell him why. Or share what she was running from.

"Rand--"

A hand tapped Rand's shoulder. "Hey, buddy, time's up. I want a turn with the lady."

Dominique saw the glaze in the interloper's eyes. A quick scan of the room showed every male in the bar was watching her. Hot intent burning in their glassy eyes.

She groaned. She'd unconsciously let some thrall seep into her dance.

"Back off." Rand's voice held an edge of danger.

The man folded huge arms across his chest. "I think she's worth fighting for."

"You don't want to take me on," Rand warned.

"Rand--"

"Be quiet, princess." He didn't even look at her.

Dominique huffed out a breath. She was going to tell him she could command the man to leave. But apparently the macho vampire hunter had other ideas.

The big man swung out with a fist. Rand ducked, his move so fast he blurred. Then he slammed his own knuckles into the man's face.

He went down hard. His body hit the grimy floor and he didn't get up.

Rand wrapped tight fingers around her upper arm. Without a word, he dragged her to the door. The hard grip gave her a flashback of Vilein. An ugly taste choked her throat.

"Let me go," she insisted.

No response.

Heat welled in her chest. "You have no control over me, hunter. I'm not yours to order around." She hadn't come looking for another overbearing man to treat her like his possession.

Rand pulled her out into the warm Vegas night. He dragged her around the building and into an alley. He stopped beside a beast of a motorbike.

He leaned down, his face close to hers. "I'm not letting you go. You'll get yourself into trouble. You almost had every man in that club ready to strip you naked."

She stiffened. "I'm ajna. More powerful than you, vishuddha. I can take care of myself."

He moved closer, crowding her. Her pulse tripped. She backed up a step, the back of her thighs hitting the metal of his bike.

"Then why are you covered in bruises and whip marks?"

Banked fire burned in his green eyes. Dominique had never seen anyone so angry, so full of emotion. Especially not for her.

Shame ate at her insides. She didn't want this man to know what had been done to her. She wanted to be strong again. She wanted him to see her as a woman in charge of her own destiny, not a bruised, broken damsel.

She lifted her chin, gave him her best ajna look--superior, cool. "That's my concern. All you need to do is give me an answer. Will you take me to bed?"

He tightened his jaw. "No, damn it."

Her stomach lurched. She shoved at his chest. "Fine. Get out of my way."

His hands gripped her arms, surprisingly gentle for such a big man. "No."

Air hissed between her gritted teeth. "You don't want me, but no one else can have me, either, is that it?"

"Not want you?" Rand's hands slid into her hair, tangled. "I want you so much I'm going to snap." His mouth crashed down on hers.

Her brain short-circuited and her hands clenched on his T-shirt. Under it, she felt the rapid beat of his heart.

He nipped at her lips. "You taste so good, Dominique. Too good."

She loved the sound of her name on his lips. She pressed closer to his warm body. Vilein never said her name. He called her
ma petite
in an ice-cold voice. And it was worse when he said it with a whip in hand.

Non.
She wouldn't let that man ruin this moment. With Rand touching her, she didn't feel afraid. She felt strong, whole.

"Touch me. Please." She'd never begged. Even in those pain-filled moments when she'd been helpless.

But she would if it got this man to touch her when she ached.

Rand's hand stroked down her body, cupped her bottom, shaping her. When he lifted her, she gasped. He set her down sideways on the bike.

His tanned hands slid up to cup her breasts. She closed her eyes against the sensations. When fingers slid inside her shirt, touched the silk covering her skin, she moaned. He brushed over her peaking nipples and she went damp.

With a curse, Rand leaned down and pressed his mouth to one taut peak, over lace and fabric. He sucked, strong and firm, and Dominique cried out. With an impatient hand, he shoved her shirt aside and pushed the cup of her bra down.

One pebbled nipple was free to him. He latched on to it, his teeth nipping.

Dominique sank her hands into his long hair. She never wanted him to stop. The sensations were enthralling.

Rand slid a hand over her quivering belly. He unsnapped her pants and, without pause, his fingers dipped inside.

"You make me crazy." His mouth was on hers again, hard and hungry. His clever fingers delved under silk and lace.

When his tongue brushed against her fangs, he paused. Then, with exquisite slowness, he ran his tongue down the length of one throbbing fang.

Dominique jerked against him. When he touched the sensitive nub between her thighs, she shuddered. "Yes."

"Do you like that?" he asked, voice harsh. He nudged her legs apart and stepped between them. His finger circled her clit, stroking, teasing.

"Yes." Her hips moved against her will. "Show me what it should be like."

She'd never felt like this. Never felt the desperate coiling low in her belly, the liquid fire between her legs.

One long finger parted her folds. Her hips canted forward. He slid one finger inside her.

Her head fell back. That finger plunged in, out, in again.

"You're so tight, Dominique." His voice was serrated.

Another finger joined the first, stretching her. A cry caught in Dominique's throat. All the sensations were too much.

"Easy," he murmured. "I've got you."

The feelings grew, multiplied. When that thumb stroked her again, she shattered, her hands digging into his shoulders.

He moved, but she was too exhausted to care. Felt too good to worry about opening her eyes. Strong arms wrapped around her. Her head rested on his shoulder and she heard him sigh.

"Tell me why you need me?"

Thoughts of what--who--she was running from filtered through her pleasure. Her muscles tensed.

"Who are you so afraid of?"

Dominique's remaining lassitude evaporated. She lifted her head and stared into moss-green eyes. "My fiance."

Fiance.
The word tore through Rand like an exploding bomb. She belonged to someone else.

He stepped away from her, his gut cramping, the scent of her desire still strong in his senses.

Dominique brushed her dark hair back from her face. "My parents betrothed me to another ajna the day I was born." She shivered. "Everyone believes Vilein is perfect...but behind closed doors..."

Helpless against the terror in her voice, Rand cupped her cheek. "He hurt you?"

She pressed her face against Rand's palm. "Yes." It came out a tortured whisper. "A preview of life once we're joined, once I belong to him." She wrapped her arms around her middle. The first few times I was too shocked to fight back. This last time I thought he'd kill me.... I flew to Las Vegas the next day desperate for a way to stop him." Her gaze was steady on Rand's. "To find you."

The shadows in her eyes made Rand want to wrap her up and take her away. She was stronger and more powerful than him, but it didn't change his feelings. "Tell me."

She bit her lip. "He likes games. Likes tying people up, ripping off their clothes and whipping them." She pressed a hand to her mouth. "I scream, I cry...but he doesn't stop. He enjoys it."

Rand fought the energy churning through him. He wanted to find this bastard and shove a stake between his eyes. How could anyone want to break this woman? "He hasn't raped you?"

Her gaze dropped. "He's waiting for our joining. He wants a pure wife."

Jaw aching, Rand choked down the fury. It wasn't what Dominique needed right now.

"I think he's killed some of his lovers. He's cold, controlled, ruthless, but my gut tells me he's unbalanced."

Most of the vampires who let their energies out of alignment were wild, filled with jagged, raging energy. But occasionally Rand had seen the ones who coated their unstable power with icy control.

Like the one who'd killed his father.

"Expose him at court. Surely your parents can help?"

She shook her head. "They don't know. Only see what he shows them." She breathed deep. "And he threatened to kill them if I say anything. I won't risk them."

Rand understood the need to protect. His father had died helping Rand escape the vamp who'd killed him.

"They're ajna--"

She shook her head, the move fierce. "Vilein is older than them. Stronger. He'll kill them."

Her hands gripped Rand's wrists. "I tracked you down because my only chance is to ruin myself for him. To lose my virginity to the most unacceptable person possible. A hunter." Her fingers brushed over his pounding pulse. "You."

Her words were a punch to the gut. She wanted him for his reputation. Because he was the best at killing her kind.

She wanted The Darkness, not the man.

He turned his hand around and broke her hold. "There must be another way. You should talk to the Paladins."

Surely the group of powerful vampires could help her. They took down unbalanced rogues, cleaned up any messes that bled into the human world.

Again she shook her head. "A risk I won't take. If something goes wrong..."

Damn
. "You shouldn't have to open your legs for the worst hunter you can find." He wanted to yell the words, but he locked his jaw and fought to keep his voice even.

Her eyes flashed. "I'll do whatever I have to do to protect myself and those I love."

A part of Rand admired that. Dominique wasn't crying, wasn't playing the victim. She was sacrificing a part of herself to save her parents. "How do you know he won't hurt your family anyway?" "Because I'll make my ruination public." Her chin lifted. "If something were to happen to them, the court would look at Vilein."

There was a core of steel in this beautiful vampire. Rand knew then he'd help her. He'd keep her safe and together they'd find a solution that didn't involve her screwing a damned hunter--even if that hunter was him.

When someone showed her the delight of making love, it should be someone who cared about her, cherished her. Not a man drowning in blood and darkness.

"Come on, let's go."

Something bright ignited in her violet eyes. "You'll do it? You'll help me?"

"There's another way." There had to be. "You can stay at my place tonight. Tomorrow we'll figure something out."

He watched the light drain away. God, he felt like he'd kicked her. He settled onto his bike in front of her.

She shifted, slim arms wrapping around him, thighs hugging his and full breasts pressed against his back.

Rand closed his eyes for a second and fought for control. He'd spent enough time in the muck to recognize someone, even a vampire, who was untouched by it.

He was stained, his hands too rough, too bloody. Some part of him knew this woman deserved so much better than him.

He couldn't take Dominique to his bed. It would be a betrayal of everything he was, everything he fought for, of his father.

And not because she was a vampire.

Because she was innocent.