Thirst [All-American Vampires 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Bree Younger Page B

couldn’t give him what he needed? Was she crazy to even be considering taking him as her lover? The few times since her turning that she’d even thought about finding someone, it had been with the idea that she could find someone that she could control and dominate. A human would be perfect. Someone weaker than she was, who couldn’t hurt her. She’d never in her wildest dreams imagined someone like Hawk, who was so strong and so masterful. She almost whimpered at the memory of his commanding voice telling her to be still, ordering her to beg.
    “All you have to do is say yes, Claire. Just say yes, and I can promise you that you won’t be sorry.”
    “I’m not sure I can.”
    “Baby, I know you can. And I think you need this. I don’t believe you’ve been with anyone since the rapes, have you?”
    “No.” She cringed at the pathetically weak sound of her own voice.
    “Why not?”
    “I don’t know. There was no one I wanted.”
    “But you want me, don’t you? Be honest, Claire.”
    “Yes.” There. She’d said it. She squeezed her eyes shut at her own audacity.
    “So, do you want to give it a shot? For us to become lovers?”
    She did want to. She wanted to see what it would feel like for him to take things even further than he had the previous night.
    “If…if we start, and I realize that I just can’t go through with it, will you stop if I say?”
    “Of course, Claire. I’d never force you to do anything you didn’t truly want to do. But I think you’re going to like everything I do to you. And I’ve got a long list of things I’d like to do to you, sweetheart.”
    “Okay, then. Yes. Yes, I’d like for us to be…lovers.” She spoke so softly that she was amazed he heard her, even with his vampire hearing. But he did.
    “Good.”
    She met his dark gaze and shivered. What the hell had she just agreed to?
     
    * * * *
     
    Half an hour later, Hawk pulled the car into the driveway of the house where the girls were living. He saw Claire lean forward as if she couldn’t wait to get out of the vehicle and charge inside. “Claire, do I need to remind you again that—”
    She rolled her eyes at him. “No, Hawk. You don’t. I know that I shouldn’t get my hopes too high. That there is no guarantee that this girl, Tatiana, knows where my sister is.”
    “That’s right. It’s possible the necklace was given to her by someone who took the necklace from Cassidy.”
    Her gaze swung to meet his, and he saw that she knew what he meant. She snapped at him, “You mean after they killed her? I know. I’m very aware that my sister could be dead. It’s been so long, and anything could have happened. But I have to believe that there is still a reason to hope.” Her voice broke, and tears filled her eyes. She turned away.
    Hawk pulled to a stop in front of the house. After he put the car in park, took the key from the ignition, and got out, he walked around to Claire’s door and opened it. When she slid out, he didn’t say a word, just pulled her into his arms. She stood stiffly at first, holding her body away from him as much as possible. He tightened his hold, and after another moment she slumped against him. He rested his chin against the top of her head. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I just want you to be prepared. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world. Don’t you know that?”
    “Yes. I know.” Bending down, he took her lips in a kiss that was meant to be reassuring and gentle. But when her mouth moved against his and her lips parted, he couldn’t resist delving inside for a taste of the warmth and generosity that was this strong and beautiful woman.
    He ended the kiss and hugged her again, noticing over her shoulder the woman standing on the front stoop of the large ranch- style house. Nudging Claire back, he tipped her chin up so they were eye to eye. “I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to find your sister, Claire. I promise you. And I never break a