Unbound (4 page)

“I know you're hurt and you're alone.” Zach's lips tilted at the corners. “And that you need help.”

Without thinking, he reached out and brushed away the long strand of hair that drifted across her forehead. The pad of his finger grazed over her impossibly soft, smooth skin, reminding him of spun silk, and that ball of need in his gut tightened ferociously. Her eyes widened, and she sucked in a slow breath while he trailed one finger along the perfectly sculpted edge of her jaw.

Dropping his hand to his side, he murmured, “That's all I really need to know.”

Silence hung between them, and desire that was almost palpable crackled in the air. Dominic's words from yesterday drifted through Zach's mind as he stared into the seemingly limitless depths of those gorgeous green eyes.
You
can't run from it.

Zachary was in so much trouble, because he knew what Dom said was true. For the rest of his life, no matter where he went or what he did, this woman's face, scent, and energy would be forever imprinted on his psyche. And that scared the ever-living shit out of him.

“Thank you.” She stepped back and gestured to the couch before hugging her arms around herself. She felt the connection too. She must have, and he didn't know if that was good or bad. “Zachary, you're kind enough to let me stay here, so the couch will be just fine.”

“You're sure?” He gestured to the bedroom. “I don't mind. Really.”

“I'm sure.” Annabelle flashed him a shy smile that just about did him in and left him speechless. “Thank you for showing me such kindness. I wouldn't expect it from an—from a stranger.”

After settling Annabelle in with a blanket and some Tylenol, he locked up the house and bid her good night. Lying in his bed, he couldn't get those gorgeous green eyes out of his mind, and a million thoughts raced through his head. With the soothing sounds of the ocean surrounding him, Zachary drifted to sleep with one name on his lips.
Annabelle.

Sand
squished
beneath
Annabelle's bare feet as the fog lifted, bringing the beach outside the rental house into focus. She was dreaming again. Just like the dream she'd had with the lion, but this time felt different somehow. Everything was brighter, sharper, and more clearly in focus. The sun was rising above the ocean, giving the entire area a golden hue, and it was absolutely beautiful. Letting out a relaxed sigh, she closed her eyes and allowed the sun to warm her skin.

It feels so real,
she
said
out
loud
to
the
empty
beach.
If I didn't know better, I'd think I was awake.
Standing
at
the
water's edge with her hands clasped behind her back, she tilted her face to the sky while the water rushed over her feet
. Or it could be heaven. Maybe I'm dead?

Annabelle?

Startled
by
the
sound
of
the
familiar
voice, Annabelle spun around and found herself face-to-face with Zachary McKenna. He was as stunningly handsome in the dream as he was in real life. He stood about six feet tall, with a lean muscular build that was on full display. A dusting of dark blond hair covered a well-sculpted chest, and a slightly darker trail disappeared into his gym shorts. A smile curved her lips. Hell. If she was going to dream about her sexy rescuer, it was no surprise he was shirtless. His short, spiky blond hair was even blonder in the sunlight, and his hazel eyes emitted even more warmth than they had last night.

He
was
a
deadly
combination
of
sweet
and
sexy. Savior and sinner.

Hello, Zachary.
Annabelle's smile broadened as he strode toward her. Given her intense attraction to him, it was no wonder she was dreaming about him. After all, hooking up with an Amoveo shifter in real life wasn't exactly a possibility—not for a Caedo, anyway. The Amoveo hated the Caedo family, and she couldn't blame them.
I guess my subconscious is working overtime.

How so?
Zachary
asked
in
a
low, sexy tone she felt all the way down to her toes.

Damn. As soon as she'd figured out what he was, Annabelle should have gotten the hell out of there… But where would she have gone? Besides, she'd never been more attracted to another man in her entire life. It was as if he had a direct line to her libido. All he had to do was look at her and it made her wet
.

Zachary
moved
closer
until
he
was
standing
directly
in
front
of
her, with only a few inches separating them. She wanted him to touch her, to run his fingers along the bare flesh of her arms, but he didn't. He did stand close enough for her to feel the warmth of his body ripple along hers.

What
a
tease.

Do you know where we are?
Zachary's lips tilted, and he reaching out and wound a strand of her hair around his finger while holding her stare.
Have you ever walked in the dream realm before, Annabelle? From what my family tells me, it can be quite
stimulating.

Annabelle
froze. For a moment, she'd allowed herself to forget who and what Zachary was. Perhaps this sexy little dream wasn't actually a dream at all. Apprehension flickered up her spine. She knew that the Amoveo were dream-walkers, but how and why could she be dreaming with him? Was he really here with her, or was this simply her subconscious working things out?

What do you mean, the dream realm?
Her
hand
went
to
the
chain
around
her
wrist, her fingers immediately seeking out and finding the disk bearing her name. In the familiar soothing gesture, she worried it between her fingertips while studying him intently.
This is a dream. I know I'm dreaming, which is weird, but I know it's a dream.

Are you frightened?
he
asked, releasing the lock of hair and looking contrite, as though he'd said too much.
I would never hurt you. Please give me a chance to explain everything. I thought that if I came to you tonight, in the dream realm, it would help you to understand. I tried before when I was in my Lion Clan form, but you didn't or wouldn't see me.
A
smile
bloomed
across
that
handsome
face, revealing an adorable set of dimples.
At least, not until tonight.

No.
She
shook
her
head
furiously.
I—I can't stay here. If they find me, then they'll find you. You've been so kind to me, and I'd never forgive myself if you were hurt because of me.

Who?
Zachary
tucked
the
strand
of
hair
behind
her
ear
before
brushing
her
cheek
with
his
thumb. Closing her eyes, she pressed his hand to her cheek, and an overwhelming feeling of safety filled her. This man, whoever or whatever he was, would never hurt her. She didn't know how she knew that. She just did. Zachary would keep her safe…but at what cost?
Who are you running from, Annabelle? You can trust me.

I can't tell you.
Shaking
her
head, she backed toward the water and pushed his hand away.
They'll kill you, Zachary.

I'm not that easy to kill.
Undaunted,
Zachary
stalked
toward
her
and
winked. Annabelle stopped when her legs were submerged in water halfway up her calves. Before she could respond, Zachary linked his arm around her waist and tugged her body tight against his. A gasp laced with desire escaped her lips when his taut form pressed against her far softer one. Her hands instinctively settled on the bulging muscles of his biceps, and she let out a shuddering breath when he leaned down and nuzzled his lips against her ear. In between butterfly kisses, he whispered,
I'm sure you'll find out that I'm too damn stubborn to die.

You don't understand.
She
dug
her
fingertips
into
the
unyielding
strength
of
his
arms, and even though she wanted to protest, she couldn't form a coherent thought. Lust fogged her brain and weakened her body. Annabelle's head drifted back and she moaned while he trailed kisses down her throat.
You'll die if I stay with you
, she whispered.

See, baby. That's where you've got it all wrong.
His
gravelly
voice, edged with need, surrounded her. Zachary lifted his head and tightened the arm around her waist before cradling her face with his other hand.
I'll die if you
don't
.

Holding
his
stare, Annabelle let out a needy moan at the very moment his mouth slanted over hers. His tongue slid along the seam of her lips and she opened to him, greedily accepting all he had to offer. Linking her arms around his neck, she tilted her head, deepening the kiss and surrendering to the erotic feel of him. Kissing him deeply, she threaded her fingers in his hair and groaned when he slipped his leg between hers, putting pressure on exactly the right spot.

Breaking
the
kiss, Zachary's hands drifted down her back before settling over her waist. Annabelle smiled, lost in the luxurious sensation of his body. Her eyes fluttered open, and she stilled when her gaze captured his. Zachary's hazel eyes had turned into a pair of exotic, glowing, amber orbs. They were the same exact eyes as the lion's from her other dreams—which was both fascinating and confusing.

That's so cool.
A
smile
cracked
her
face
and
she
trailed
her
thumb
along
his
lower
lip, which he promptly flicked with his tongue.
Why are your eyes glowing? They're just like the lion's I saw in the dream and the one I saw in the vision when I touched your shirt.

You get visions?
Zachary's brow furrowed and his voice dropped to just above a whisper.
What did you see when you touched my shirt?

Lots of stuff.
Annabelle
gave
him
a
shy
smile
and
lifted
one
shoulder.
Sometimes I get visions when I touch an object that was just touched by somebody, but it almost always happens when it's something they're actually wearing. I'm usually able to block the visions out unless I want to see them, but lately I've been pretty distracted.

Of course,
Zachary
murmured
. You're human, but you have psychic ability. You'd have to in order to be—

Hey. This is
my
dream.
Annabelle
tugged
him
against
her
playfully.
You didn't answer me. Why are your eyes glowing like that?

They are the eyes of my clan—the Lion Clan—and they only shift when I'm angry or really turned on
. He waggled his eyebrows at her, which made her laugh out loud. Her hands settled on the small of his back, and her fingers drifted over the top of his ass.
And that's only the beginning, Annabelle. When you wake up, I'll show you that—and more
.

Yeah, right
. Annabelle rolled her eyes.
This is just a dream. How on earth are you going to know what I dreamt about?

Shit.
His
brow
furrowed
and
he
let
out
a
sound
of
frustration
as
his
eyes
shifted
back
to
their
human
hazel. Holding her close, he rested his forehead against hers and slid one hand over her butt.
I'm not doing this right.

It's my dream, so isn't it really me who's not doing something right?
She
popped
up
on
her
toes
and
nipped
his
lip
playfully.
This part feels pretty right to me.

Aha!
Zachary
pulled
back
and
slipped
out
of
her
arms
before
looking
frantically
around
the
sandy
beach.
I know how to show you, well, at least begin to show you.

What are you doing?
Annabelle
gathered
the
skirt
of
her
sundress
in
her
hands
to
keep
it
from
getting
soaked. She watched him curiously as he scanned the sandy shore before finally finding what he wanted and scooping it up.
Zachary?

Here.
Moving
closer
to
her, Zachary brushed the sand off the shell and held it up for her to see. The heart-shaped shell was an unusual shade of brown and pink with white streaks rippling through it.

It looks like a heart.
Annabelle
grinned
at
him
and
was
about
to
take
it
from
him
when, to her surprise, he broke it in half before handing one piece to her.

Tomorrow morning, to prove this isn't just a dream, I'll give you my half.
An
adorable
dimpled
grin
cracked
his
face.
Then you'll have my whole heart.

Your heart?
She
laughed
and
shook
her
head. Curling her fingers around the smooth shell, she looked at him curiously as he backed away
. Why would you give me your heart, Zachary? You don't even know me.

Because it belongs to you, Annabelle.
The
gray
mists
rolled
onto
the
beach
and
curled
around
them. As Zachary was swallowed by the thick lavender fog, his voice surrounded her.
It was yours from the moment you were born. You are my mate.