Kraven Read online

  She lowered her gaze down his body. “You’re forgetting to mention your other generous qualities.”

  His deep, throaty laugh was sexy. “Come on, Bat. We should be landing soon.”

  “Really? How long were we going at it?”

  “Longer than you think. I was making up for all the times we were rushed.”

  She approached him. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Just being you.” She shrugged and stepped into the shower stall.

  It was a tight fit when he came in behind her, closing the door. “I don’t seem to annoy you when I take off my clothes.”

  She closed her eyes and tilted her neck, allowing warm water to pour over her head. Kraven pressed against her body, wrapping one arm around her waist and using his other to help wet all of her hair. She blindly reached out and gripped the curve of his shoulder to help steady her balance.

  The jet dipped at that moment. She bumped against him. Her eyes opened, staring at his face.

  “It’s just more turbulence.”

  “More?”

  “It happened a few times while we were in bed.”

  “I didn’t notice.”

  “Good. Don’t be afraid. I’m right here. Close your eyes and I’ll wash your hair. Just focus on me and nothing else.”

  She allowed him to tend to her. It was nice that he’d do such intimate tasks. He wasn’t like other men she’d known. It made her think about the whole mate thing. She still wasn’t completely onboard with the concept but it was growing on her. So was he.

  Bat relaxed as he used his fingers to massage her scalp with first shampoo, then conditioner. He rinsed it all out, turned her, and pulled her close. She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on to him.

  “It’s going to be fine, baby.”

  “I know.”

  “You’re being too quiet and that means you’re overthinking whatever’s on your mind. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Mates.”

  “Still resistant to that?”

  “More confused than anything,” she admitted.

  “You’re never going to lose me.”

  It wasn’t such a bad notion, spending the rest of her life with Kraven. She’d once feared dying alone, without ever knowing real love or happiness.

  “Tell me what’s bothering you,” he urged.

  “It’s kind of scary.”

  “Look at me.”

  She lifted her chin and opened her eyes, peering into his.

  “There’s no pain here, Hellion. There never will be. What are your fears?”

  A list of them streamed through her mind. Kraven released her waist and turned off the water. He shoved open the door, grabbed a towel, and handed it to her. She took it. He stepped out of the stall and used a second one to dry off. She did the same.

  “I’m waiting. You really do need to work on your communication skills.”

  She nodded. “I don’t know. What if you cheat? What if you decide I bug the living hell out of you in six months? What if your family goes nuts when they meet me and realize I’m the last person you should be with? We’re fire and water.”

  “We’re fire and gasoline. You were right the first time. We burn together, not put each other out.” He wrapped the towel around his waist and removed a third one from the shelf near the stall. “Turn around. Let me get your hair.”

  She did, holding still as he worked to get a lot of water out of her long strands. “I know you say it’s forever but that’s a tall order for two people who barely know each other.”

  “You’re not completely human, and I’m not at all. Don’t hold us to the standards of the world you came from. You’re stuck with me.” He jerked her against his body, holding her from behind, and bent his lips close to her ear. “I’m trying to be patient with you because I realize this is new and foreign, but you’re all I want. I don’t give a fuck what anyone else says or does. You’re mine, Hellion. I’m never letting you go.”

  “Promise?”

  “I swear on my life. I always keep my word. I’d die before I’d hurt you in any way.”

  She hoped he meant it. It would destroy her if he ever walked away or did something that broke her heart.

  Kraven counted to ten to cool his temper. He really wanted to track and kill the human bastard who’d done a number on his mate. She reminded him of a skittish animal that had been abused at the hands of others. He finished drying her hair and led her back into the bedroom. The bags were in the other room so he retrieved them in case one of the Vampire pilots came into the main area of the cabin. He didn’t want them to see her in just a towel.

  Bat thanked him and opened her suitcase. He threw his bag on the bed and removed comfortable clothes. He reminded her to do the same.

  “It will be very early morning when we arrive. Most of the clan will be just waking and starting their day.”

  “So jeans and sweater?”

  “Yes.”

  “No high heels?”

  He was grateful to see a two pairs of flat-soled shoes inside her bag. “Definitely not. You shouldn’t have brought any of those ankle-breakers.”

  “Don’t you people have social events?”

  “Not where those would be welcome.”

  “Fantastic. I guess I shouldn’t have packed a few dresses then. I repacked while you washed off the blood and changed clothes, before we left my place.”

  He finished dressing and put on his boots. He leaned over, peering into her bag. “What did you bring?”

  “Jeans and slacks. Some sweaters and short-sleeved blouses. I remembered you said something about picnics.”

  “I’m surprised you own jeans.” He admired her in a pair of tight ones as she zipped them closed. “I like them.”

  “Thank Dusti. She bought them for me last Christmas. She said I screamed ‘mugging victim’ when I visited her apartment in anything I bought myself. She’d always meet me at the street and pay some teenager to watch my car so it wasn’t stolen.”

  Kraven hid his distaste. He didn’t like much about the human world. “I love how you look.”

  Bat smiled. “They’re tight.”

  “Your ass looks especially amazing.” He eyed it as she bent over to put on her shoes. “It almost makes me regret bringing your clothes.”

  She straightened and turned to face him. “Flattery will get you everywhere. I’m going to take my makeup bag in the bathroom and spruce up a bit to meet the in-laws, or whatever I’m supposed to call your parents.”

  “You can call them Mom and Dad, or their names, whichever you’re comfortable with. Mating is just like marriage. They’re family to you now.”

  “So we’re official?”

  “We need to share blood more. I wanted to wait until the danger has passed.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m hoping for a strong bond between us, but that will mean spending days in bed, if not weeks, once the bond snaps into place.”

  She grinned. “Killer sex, huh?”

  He grinned back. “The best.”

  Bat came closer and held out her wrist. “What’s stopping you? Show me the fangs.”

  He snagged her hand and yanked her onto his lap. “That’s not where I’m going to bite you, and I certainly won’t do it while we’re dressed.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and seemed content on his lap. “Let’s not half-ass this. You said we’re mates so we should make it official.”

  “I’ve been trying to give you more time to adjust.”

  She licked her lips. “It’s better if you don’t allow me to stew over things. It just makes it worse.”

  He understood. “Tonight, we’ll share blood.”

  “Good. Is this going to be gross?”

  “There will be lots of sex to keep you distracted.”

  “You’re really good at that.”

  “I’m motivated.”

  A knock sounded at the door. Kraven lifted Bat and placed her