Cannot Unite by Jackie Ivie

accepted it. And him. And a future as a vampire. And everything
that came along with that. Because for the first time in her life,
she felt like she belonged. She was home. And she loved him
massively. And if her future contained the passion and intensity of
their lovemaking, well. She didn’t need her gifts to see a lot of
pleasure in her forever.
    He didn’t act like he knew her train of
thought. Or even guessed at it.
    She watched him shake his head at her
question. Lanky strands of hair accompanied it. He wore it exactly
like when she’d first seen him, although the tie at his forehead
looked like it had once been lacy bra straps. She narrowed her
eyes. And then he turned away to fetch something. The fire lit
fully on a huge claw mark, a good eight inches across, scoring his
skin from one shoulder almost to mid-back.
    She was beside him an instant later, and
didn’t even care how she’d moved that fast. “Oh, KayNan! Your
back.”
    “Sorry.” He ducked his chin and swiveled
toward her, hiding his injury. “I thought you knew about it.”
    “That bear clawed at you.”
    “Oh. That.”
    “Doesn’t it hurt?”
    “Not much. It’s healing now. Hurt like hell
a bit earlier. I told you he’s not going to wake for some
time.”
    “Let me see it.”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “I’m scarred. Ugly.”
    “KayNan.” She waited until he looked at her.
Her body gave an instant pulse the moment their eyes locked. Dang!
The man had incredible eyes. “We are going to have to come to an
understanding, KayNan. You and me. Right now.”
    “We are?”
    “It concerns your clothing, and the way you
wear it. Actually, it more concerns the way you aren’t wearing it.
At least, on the upper half.”
    “Oh. Sorry. I keep forgetting about my
scars.”
    Men. Honestly
.
    “No, KayNan. It’s not about any scars. Those
marks are badges of courage. Honor. Integrity. Strength. I can go
on. It’s more…about the view.”
    “The…view?”
    “Yes. The view. You are, without a doubt,
the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. I’m a bit awed at the view.
And that means, I’m probably not the only one who is.”
    He blinked. And the green of his eyes
somehow intensified.
    “I mean, you’re a bit rough about the edges,
but I kind-a like the wild-man, barbarian side. And I’m sure I’m
not the only one with that opinion, either. You’re extremely cut.
Sculpted. Muscled. Wow. I already said gorgeous, didn’t I? And all
that means, the view is jaw-dropping, and you’re to cease it.”
    “Jaw-dropping?”
    She nodded.
    “Me?”
    She nodded again. He swallowed. She saw and
heard it. And then he grinned. And that got another jerk that went
through her entire body. This love thing was amazing. She felt like
she was aglow. Again.
    “Um…can it wait just a little longer?” he
asked.
    “Wait? Why?”
    “The bear…uh. He got my shirt.”
    “And that reminds me. Turn around.”
    “No.”
    “You’re telling your mate no?”
    “Well, I—”
    His eyes went huge. And then the sound of a
clear moan came through the cave opening. It was loud enough they
both heard it and turned toward it. Sounded like his pilot. It was
lengthy. And filled with pain. KayNan spoke first.
    “Looks like I have to go now. You’ll hold
that thought?”
    “Is that your pilot?”
    “Yep. Sounds like Hunters got to him.”
    “They’re that close?”
    “Could be. Probably not. Your hearing’s
been…uh. Improved somewhat.”
    “Well, what are we sitting around waiting
for? Here.” Jeannette hissed the words and scooted closer to him,
lifting her hair from her neck to bare her throat. She didn’t truly
know how it was done, but hopefully the lore was accurate.
    “What?”
    “Quick, KayNan! Turn me!”
    “Now?”
    “You heard me! Turn me! That way you only
have to deal with protecting him! Can’t you see?”
    “But—”
    “It doesn’t take long…does it?”
    “You have to be sure, Love.”
    He called me love. Oh