The delicious scent of his blood slammed into her. A startled mewl escaped as her fangs sprang free and the urge to taste him drowned out all other sensation. She'd never been so consumed by her thirst before, her nails scratched at his back as she fought against the compulsive urge to taste him. She tried to turn her head away but the scent of his blood was a magnetic pull she couldn't break free from. His hand entwined in her hair, he held her head against his neck.
"It's ok Hannah, do it," he grated in a tone of voice that set her nerve endings on fire. "Do it."
A guttural cry escaped her as she gave into the urges consuming her and drove her fangs into the hollow of his throat. Blood, sweeter than honey, burst into her mouth as she drank voraciously. She'd never tasted anything like his blood, it was delicious and filling and more addicting than alcohol. It coursed down her throat and filled areas of her that she hadn't even known were empty until she'd met him.
Another cry escaped her, she clutched more desperately at his back as he sank his fangs into her shoulder. She was unable to stop the tears rolling down her cheeks as a feeling of completeness stole through her. She had known that she would never forget this day, but she'd never expected to find her home in his arms. He was where she belonged, where she would always belong.
CHAPTER 19
Jack was uncertain what time it was when he woke later, but he knew immediately that Hannah wasn't beside him and that night had fallen. He dressed quickly and headed down the stairs, but before he even made it to the first floor he realized he wouldn't find her there either. The only person he recognized within the tavern was Timber, and he was too busy flirting with one of the waitresses to notice him as he slipped out the door. He followed the pull of Hannah's blood coursing through him to the mercantile down the road.
It was a strange sensation, tracking her through the town, but one he was extremely grateful for as his frustration and irritation grew with every step he took. She knew she was in jeopardy, knew that Calvin was a threat to her and yet she was wandering around as if it were completely safe to do so. He was struggling to control his temper as he hit the wooden walkway and arrived at the store.
He almost ripped the door off its hinges when he jerked it open. The effect her blood had over him was even more powerful than he'd realized. His gaze drifted down to his white knuckled hand wrapped around the handle as he took some time to steady himself. He was infuriated with her right now, but scaring her wasn't going to do either of them any good.
Finally regaining control of his anger, he stepped into the dimly lit store. His eyes found her immediately as she stood by the back wall with Kara at her side. Ellen appeared from amongst the racks with a blue dress held before her as she inspected it. "What do you think of this one?" she inquired.
Hannah looked toward her, but whatever words she'd been about to utter died on her lips as she kept turning until she spotted him in the doorway. The mere sight of her had helped to ease some of the growing tension within him, but the beautiful smile that lit her face made the frustration almost disappear.
Ellen and Kara glanced at her before turning toward him. Kara's gaze slid over him before turning back to Hannah. "I have to check the back for some supplies, could you help me Ellen?"
"Of course," Ellen rushed out.
She gave Jack a quick smile before following Kara out of the room. Jack's attention returned to Hannah as she began to ring her hands before her. He'd never seen her look so nervous before. The last of his annoyance melted away, he walked over to her and grabbed hold of her hands before she could twist the skin off of them.
"What are you doing here?" he asked quietly.
Her brow furrowed as she looked up at him from under eyelashes that brushed against her cheek. "We needed some things for the tavern."
"Why didn't you wake me first?"
"I thought you might like some sleep, you've been getting so little of it lately."
"That doesn't matter, you shouldn't be out alone."
Her gaze drifted past him to focus on the door. "I'll be fine; I know this town and the people in it like the back of my hand."
"And if Calvin comes after you?"
"He wouldn't..."
"He would," Jack interrupted. "Until he has been taken care of you can't be roaming around this town without me."
Her eyes flew to his face, her mouth pursed as her arms folded over her chest. "I did survive just fine all these years without you," she retorted. "And I don't need a babysitter."
Jack stepped closer to her as he bent to meet her fiery green eyes. "As long as there is any threat to your life or wellbeing I will be with you in order to make sure you survive just fine for many more years to come."
Her jaw remained stubbornly set. "What happened between us gives you no right to boss me around. You don't own me Jack and if this is the way you're going to act then I can assure you that what happened between us today will not happen again."
He slammed his hand against the wall as she moved to get away from him. She jumped a little but when her eyes came back to his they were the color of a roaring fire. "I don't own you but there is a connection between us Hannah and you know it as well as I do. You will do what it takes to keep yourself safe, even if that means taking me with you wherever you go. I warned you Hannah, this is irrevocable."
Some of the wind seemed to go out of her sails as her shoulders slumped and her eyes returned to their vibrant jade color. "You can't order me around Jack. I understand you believe us linked..."
"We are linked. You know that as well as I; don't try to deny it."