"Finally come to finish the job, Jericho?" Her voice was weak and raspy. "What took you so long?" She gave him a sneer just for good measure.

Anger flared hot in Jericho as he hardened in response to the sound of her sultry voice caressing him with invisible fingers. He hated her even more for evoking such feelings. "Just shut up, Sabrina!"

"Yeah, whatever you say--"

His hand shot out, and he twisted his fingers in her hair and wrenched her head back to expose her slender neck. She cried out, and he felt a little repulsed at the pleasure he got from her pain. "I said, shut up."

Rage danced through her eyes, and he knew that, if she were a cobra, his face would be full of venom at this very moment. She was one of those smart-mouthed types who didn't realize that she should do as told for her own good. Maybe he should teach her how to behave. Yes, maybe he would have a little fun before he finished her. He tightened his hold on her mane, and she gasped at the increased pressure. He watched with satisfaction as green eyes that could rival the perfect color of the ocean grew wide in realization of his intentions. Her full, kissable lips parted in surprise.

"Jericho--"

Before she could utter another word, he brought his mouth down on hers--cruelly at first, bruising, then bit, drawing blood. His fangs pressed against her lips, cut them. They demanded that she open to him in submission. Her hesitation was short, and his tongue plunged into her mouth, stroking, licking, dominating.

His fingers remained tangled in her hair while he encircled her throat with his other hand, nearly choking off her air. Her scent and taste evoked feelings he never thought he'd feel again. Feelings he thought had died the same night as Jade. He pushed her onto her back and tore at her clothes until nothing was left but a pair of red panties. He groaned at the sight of her puckered, dusky nipples and nearly stopped breathing when his eyes rested on the wetness dampening the tiny scrap of fabric that hid her from him. Jericho fell on her and ravaged her mouth once again. Her unique taste was like nothing he had ever experienced in his long life--spicy, yet womanly, soft, and fragrant. He pushed her legs wide apart and ground his hips against her, only her panties and his jeans between them. The friction of the material heightened his desire for her to the point where he thought he might explode.

She moaned, the sound shaking him out of the insanity he was experiencing. He immediately tried to move from her then froze as her arms came up and circled his neck and she played with the hair lying lazily at his nape. The flutter of her soft fingers dancing across his skin sent shivers of pleasure down his spine. Her touch was magical, and he wanted to lie beside her while she caressed every part of him. He wanted them around his cock and stroking him until he came.

What the fuck are you doing? He had a raging hard-on for the woman who had killed Jade. Disgusted by what he'd almost done, he nearly catapulted off the bed.