Redson Read online

  “Why would Gargoyles attack each other?”

  “Power. Territory. The same reasons all races fight.”

  “Gargoyles really exist…”

  “Not a lot of full-bloods remain in the local clan these days. Once there were maybe two dozen male Gargoyles. My father said they only had a few Gargoyle women.” He paused. “Gargoyles birth mostly boys. It’s a genetic tendency they have. Female Gargoyles are a rarity, probably one in twenty births.”

  “That’s not good, unless they have nineteen husbands each.”

  He shook his head. “Gargoyles are territorial. They wouldn’t share a woman. It meant they’d fight each other to the death to win the favor of a perspective mate. Then all of a sudden, there were a lot of single Lycan females, since most of the unmated males didn’t survive the war.”

  “I think I see where this is heading.”

  Red nodded. “They each needed something from the other. Lycans were looking for sanctuary and a strong alliance to help them defend their women and children from Vampires if they tracked them to this area. Gargoyles needed women to breed them children.”

  “Poor Lycans. It’s like out of the frying pan and right into the fire.”

  “Not quite.” Red shook his head. “They weren’t forced into anything by the Gargoyles. It was all voluntary. Unattached Gargoyle men were introduced to unmated Lycan women. If they were attracted to each other and both agreed, they’d mate. GarLycans were born of those unions.”

  “But you’re partners still, right? Allies? Why don’t you trust them?”

  “We’re good now but it was stressful for a long time. They resented that some of the Lycans were already pregnant or had given birth to children from the war. The VampLycans. Full Gargoyles look down on us half-breeds because of our Vampire blood, but we both still have full-blooded Vampires as a common enemy. Their prejudices have kept us on our toes.”

  “If they have kids with half Lycan and Gargoyle blood, doesn’t that make their kids half-breeds too?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s stupid.”

  “I agree…but Gargoyles have a superiority complex. They hate everything Vampire and have taught that hatred to their children. Gargoyles had their own war with that race in Europe that lasted for thousands of years. But one GarLycan has recently mated a half human with VampLycan blood. We’re not sure how that’s going to work out with the GarLycans. They still mostly refuse to breed with anyone from our clan. They don’t want the Vampire bloodline to taint their precious Gargoyle heritage. They’re starting to have the same problem as before though, so maybe they’ll soften up on that rule. There are more men than women in their clan, but we no longer have any full-blood Lycan females for them to choose from.”

  She swallowed hard. “Can you back away now? Why am I even in this position?”

  “I wasn’t attempting to control your mind.”

  “Your eyes were glowing. I know that power.”

  “True. I’m a VampLycan, though.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He lowered his gaze to her breasts. “They glow when I’m horny, too.”

  Oh shit. She swallowed hard, taking in that bit of information with an erratically beating heart. “You have a girlfriend. Put me down.”

  Annoyance flashed across his features. “She isn’t my girlfriend.”

  “You admitted to only having sex with women who don’t live in your town. I currently qualify as a resident. Thanks but no thanks. I’m not into casual sex. Put. Me. Down.”

  He didn’t budge. “You’re not a resident. You’re a visitor.”

  “Red…? Back off.” Fear spiked for a second. What if he didn’t? What if he wasn’t as honorable as she’d thought? She’d felt safe until he’d pinned her against the wall and did the glowing-eyes thing. “I don’t want to get hurt again.”

  “I would never force you.”

  “I meant heartbreak. I don’t do casual sex for a reason. My body and heart are a package deal. I can’t put it any plainer than that. You have a woman out there. You’re talking about living with her, and one day you’ll meet your mate. I don’t want to just warm your bed because the girlfriend isn’t here or until you find someone better.”

  He frowned, studying her. “Is that how you see it?”

  “I like keeping things real, and that’s what it boils down to. There’s a lot I don’t know about your kind but that mate thing is pretty solid. I’d be dumped instantly if you found yours, right? Nature calling and all that. Thanks, but no. I’m old enough now to know better. I like my heart in my chest and not ripped out.”

  He scowled. “I wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt you.”

  “I mean emotionally ripped out. But I’m glad to know you won’t let your girlfriend shred me to death if she shows up here. She’d kick my ass.”

  His expression softened. “I like you, Emma.”

  “I like you, too. But that doesn’t mean we can have sex.” She was tempted though. She hadn’t ever been attracted to anyone as much as she was to Red. It also made her aware she might fall in love with him if they grew intimate. “Please back off? I can’t take having my heart broken again.”

  He slowly released her. She breathed easier when he put space between them by walking to the stove. She studied his broad back as he yanked open a cupboard to remove plates.

  “This is going to be difficult.”

  She stayed where she was. “What is?”

  “Wanting you and being this close.”

  “You said you had to get supplies. Maybe you should do that today. I’m sure I’ll be safe here alone for a few hours.”

  “Yes. Fresh air would do me good. All I can smell is you.”

  “Like bloodlust and being hungry?”

  He turned his head and stared at her. “I want to fuck you. Not eat you.” His gaze lowered to the area between her thighs. “God.” He swung his head back around. “I would totally eat you—but not like a Vamp feeds off women. I’d love to bury my face between your legs and put my mouth on you.”

  Heat bloomed in her body. He was talking about oral sex. She bet he’d be good at it, too. He had enough rough edges that she doubted he’d do anything half-assed. That warmth spread lower to her belly and a slight throbbing began at her clit.

  “You really should get supplies today.”

  He faced the kitchen. “I’ll do that right after we have breakfast.”

  “Good.”

  She watched him move, noticing those big arms, the way his muscles bunched and flexed, and she stared at his beefy ass encased in faded denim. It was safe to study him when he wasn’t aware of it. She imagined what it would be like to rake her fingernails down his back, and an image of having him against her again flashed in her mind. The urge to touch him became almost overwhelming.

  Red dished out food onto plates resting on the small counter and turned around. She jerked her attention to his face, staring into his eyes. His nostrils flared, drawing her gaze lower as he inhaled.

  Then he moved fast enough to remind her of a Vamp, suddenly invading her space. He didn’t touch her, but was so close, only a few inches separated them.

  “Fuck.” He growled.

  His deep tone only made the warmth worse.

  It surprised her when he took a step back and just dropped to his knees. He used his big hands to clasp her hips then lowered his head, staring intently at the vee of her pants.

  He pressed his face there, and she gasped, not expecting that.

  He buried his nose right where her clit was, rubbing it through the material. “You’re so hot, baby. I can smell you…” He moved his head, continuing to torment her with that slight brush of his nose.

  Emma closed her eyes. Desire rolled through her like never before. She had to lock her knees to keep from sliding to the floor. Red growled, creating vibrations. Emma moaned and blindly reached out, grabbing ahold of his shoulders.

  Red moved his hands, sliding his fingers into the waist of