by Folsom, Tina
Ever since he’d first laid eyes on Enya, he’d known that the moment he had her in his bed, there would be fireworks. However, he hadn’t expected that simply feeling her lips pressed against his would turn his insides into molten lava and unleash a lust that he’d never felt for any other woman, human, demon, or otherwise.
Enya tasted of sin, of pure, unadulterated sin that an ordinary demon couldn’t match. But then, he wasn’t an ordinary demon. He was Zoltan, the Great One, the ruler of the Underworld. And what Enya promised with her kiss was unmistakable: a coupling without restraints, without limits, without taboos.
Her lips were soft yet demanding, her breath sweet and addictive, her tongue assertive and delicious. She made no secret of her desire, didn’t even attempt to play coy, didn’t pretend that this was the first time she’d picked up a stranger. No, for all he knew, she was a pro at this and it was a frequent occurrence for her, one she made no excuses for. She was a hot-blooded woman who knew what she needed. And tonight, she needed him, or at least his cock. And he was more than willing to oblige. But first things first.
Zoltan ripped his lips from hers and took a deep breath. It did nothing to calm his thundering heart or his throbbing erection.
“I live close by. Five minutes’ walk.”
She met his eyes. “How long if we run?”
He would have chuckled at her eagerness were he not just as keen on getting her into his bed. Without answering, he took her hand, and together, they started running. It still seemed like an eternity until they reached his condo building. He opened the door with his fob, then called for the elevator. Inside the cab, he stopped himself from touching Enya. If he did so before they reached his place, he would fuck her right here in the elevator, and it would be over too soon. No, he had to make it into his condo.
When the elevator finally stopped on his floor, he took Enya’s hand and almost dragged her with him. He unlocked his apartment door and ushered her inside, then shut the door behind him.
The under-the-cabinet lights in the open-plan kitchen were burning, shining into the small foyer that connected to it. Beyond the kitchen, and only separated by a bar, lay the living and dining room, which sported wall-to-ceiling windows affording a panoramic view over the city.
But Enya didn’t seem interested in the view. Instead, she pivoted to face him. Light shone onto her face and spotlighted her eyes, their blue now more saturated, more vibrant. He was drawn to them like a fly to honey. But it was Enya who made the first move. She snatched the lapels of his suit and pulled him to her, making him aware of her physical strength. Had a demon female grabbed him like that, he would have tossed her on her ass, because he decided when, where, and how. He was the one who took charge. To be confronted with a strong woman like Enya, a woman who wasn’t intimidated by him, was a refreshing change. So he let it happen and allowed her to take the reins.
3
Enya took a deep breath to inhale Eric’s male scent. She had always been able to sense when a man desired her, and this man was no different. Only a few inches separated them, but she could feel his body heat, his need, his arousal. She pushed the jacket over his shoulders, and he helped her and freed himself from it. When he reached for her jacket to help her out of it, she let him, but when he tried the same with her bustier, she pushed him back. Instead, she was already unbuttoning his shirt.
“Take it off,” she demanded, and he undid the remaining buttons.
While he slipped out of it, she reached for his belt, unhooked it. His chest bare now and dusted with dark hair, Eric brought his hands to the hooks of her bustier. He managed to open the top two before she stopped him. She had rules for one-night stands, rules she adhered to. She never undressed fully, never let her guard down. No man would make her lie on her back and spread her legs, put her at his mercy. What she needed was a quick, hard fuck, and the kitchen island at her back would be perfect. Beds were dangerous places where people let their guard down, where they got soft, where they started trusting others. Where they confessed secrets, secrets that could never be revealed.
“No,” she said, gripping his hands and putting them down next to his sides. Then she unzipped his pants and shoved them down.
Stunned, he stared at her. “I wanna touch your breasts.” His words were close to a growl, the sound making her shiver. A moment later, he was tugging at her bustier and managed to pull it down sufficiently so her breasts popped over the top.
“Fuck!” she hissed. She was too self-conscious about her breasts. They were too small, which was the reason why she wore a bustier: to make them appear larger. But now that Eric had freed them, she felt exposed, naked. Vulnerable.
“Gorgeous,” Eric murmured, and dipped his head to her bosom. Before she could stop him, he’d already captured one nipple and was sucking on it, while he massaged both breasts with his palms. He let one nipple pop from his mouth, then blew a cool breath against it. She shivered at the tantalizing sensation. “Perfect.” He moaned, then put his lips around the other nipple and drew it into his mouth.
“Oh God!” She couldn’t allow this to continue. If he sucked her breasts like this, she would lose control. She had to be in charge. He was supposed to lose control.
Determined not to succumb to his ministrations, she gripped the seam of his boxer briefs and pulled them down to mid-thigh. A second later, she reached for his cock and wrapped her hand around it. He was big, his girth too much for one hand to handle, his length impressive. She took him in both hands and slid them from tip to root.
Eric groaned and his head shot up. A ragged breath exploded from his lips. “Fuck, Enya!”
Seeing that he was suddenly losing control, she smiled. “Yeah, I think that’s the point. To fuck.” She let go of his cock and pushed her leather skirt higher then reached underneath to free herself from her panties.
“Right here?” Eric watched her as she tossed the G-string on the floor.
Again, she took his cock into her hands. “I want you to fuck me here. On the kitchen island.”
He grabbed her by the hips. “You’re not gonna let me see all of you, are you?” He lifted her up on the marble island, then raised her legs so she could bring her heels to rest on his shoulders, while she lay back on the cool surface.
His gaze dipped lower, and his nostrils flared. When he pulled her ass to line up with the edge of the island, she closed her eyes and waited for the moment when she would feel his cock penetrate her in one quick thrust. But instead, she felt his head between her legs, his stubble tickling her inner thighs, and his warm tongue on her slit.
Shock jolted her to sit up and sever the connection. “What the—”
Eric grabbed her thighs roughly, pulled them apart farther, and pressed his mouth to her pussy again. A shudder charged through her body, and for a moment, she couldn’t think or act. This wasn’t what happened during one-night stands. No such intimacies were allowed. Only quick, hard fucks. That was the rule. Her rule. A rule that she’d put in place so she’d never get attached to anybody. A rule so she would never fall in love.
“Fuck,” she murmured again. Perhaps, just this once, she could allow a man to pleasure her in a different way. Just for a moment, and then she would make him stop before he went too far.
Relentlessly his tongue teased her clit, stroked it, caressed it as if she’d taught him how. Her arousal was spiking, her body tensing like it always did just before she came. She had to stop him now, force him to take his mouth off her. She had to demand it.
“Eric… please…” But even to her ears, her command didn’t sound right. It wasn’t a command at all; it was a woman begging for release.
And Eric was acting on it. He pulled her clit between his lips and pressed down. Her body erupted. Spasms raced through her and exploded outward. Her body was on fire, and perspiration collected underneath her clothes. And just as she thought her orgasm was subsiding, she felt Eric’s cock plunge deep into her, his hands on her hips so the impact wouldn’t make
her slide away.
“Now I’ll fuck you,” he said between gritted teeth. “Because now you’re ready for my cock.”
His deep voice sent shivers down her spine and bolts of heat to her nipples and clit. Thrusting deep and fast, Eric bent over her and sucked her nipples again.
“You have perfect tits,” he murmured against her heated flesh.
“No, I don’t,” she protested. All men lied during sex. “And you don’t have to pretend they are.”
Eric lifted his head. “I guess I’m gonna have to pound the truth into you.” He doubled the speed with which he thrust into her, his thick cock stretching her to capacity, its tip reaching farther than she’d ever felt any man.
Involuntary moans tumbled from her lips. She wanted to hold them back, wanted to hide what he did to her, but she didn’t have the strength. Didn’t have the will. All she wanted was to let go, to give herself over to this feeling of being desired, of letting another person take care of her, despite the dangers, despite the risk to her heart.
“You feel that, don’t you, Enya?” he challenged, staring at her, while he moved his hips and thrust his cock. “Tell me you feel my cock. Tell me you love my cock.”
Heat shot through her. But his voice was beseeching, his words tempting. “Yes, I love your cock.”
He let go of one hip and grabbed her breasts, squeezed them. “And I love your tits. Because they’re perfect. Say it.” He let go of her breasts and snatched her hand, guided it to one breast. “Touch yourself.” He motioned to her other hand. “With both hands. Take your tits. Now answer me.” His gaze burned into her, the gaze of a man used to his orders being followed.
At first hesitantly, she cupped her breasts, then averted her eyes.
“Look at me!”
She snapped her eyes back at him, meeting his insistent look. Then she began to massage her breasts and squeeze them, and finally, she took her nipples between her fingers and rolled them.
She couldn’t help but notice that Eric’s movements became even more frantic. His cock inside her seemed to expand and his breath turned ragged.
“My tits are perfect,” she murmured. “Lick them.”
“Fuck!” He gripped her thighs now, thrusting hard. Eric bent over her, and she fed him one nipple after the other.
Then she felt him spasm inside her, felt the warmth of his semen shoot into her, fill her. Suddenly her channel contracted and another orgasm slammed into her. She moaned while her pussy spasmed around Eric’s cock as if her body tried to suck his semen deep into her. She’d never felt anything this intense.
When she could finally think again, Eric had already pulled out of her and lowered her legs, so she could sit up.
“Wow,” he said on a deep breath. “That was… Well, that was something.”
Enya jumped off the kitchen island, her legs unsteady. With shaking hands, she pulled down her skirt then looked for her panties, when she felt Eric’s hand on her arm. She turned to face him.
“You’re getting dressed already?”
“I’ve gotta go.” For so many reasons.
“Stay a little longer.”
“I can’t.” She saw her panties on the floor and bent down to grab them. Quickly she put them on. Then she righted her bustier to cover her breasts again.
“Then at least give me your number.”
She looked at him and hesitated. Her womb clenched and her clit throbbed, asking for a repeat of what Eric had done tonight. But this time, her head won out. “I have a complicated life.”
Eric put a finger under her chin and made her tilt her head back. “I love complicated women. The others are, frankly, not worth the time.” He brushed a kiss to her lips. “And there’s so much more you and I could explore. Tonight was just an amuse-bouche. My appetite is much bigger.”
She didn’t doubt that. But rules were rules. If she spent the night, she would get too comfortable. Not just with Eric, but with the whole idea of being with somebody. Relying on somebody, when she knew that in the end she could rely only on herself.
“I had a nice time,” she said. “Thank you.”
Eric shook his head. “I can give you an even nicer time. Tell me you want to see me again.”
She sighed.
“Was that a yes?” He dipped his head to look deep into her eyes. Something made her hold his gaze instead of evading it.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“Maybe this will help.” He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her. Their first kiss had been urgent, passionate, demanding. This one was different. More tender, yet at the same time insistent. As if Eric wanted to show her that he was a man who didn’t give up easily. Who fought for what he desired.
Cool air blew against her lips, and she realized he’d already severed the kiss.
“I need an answer,” he pressed with that deep voice that made her want to surrender.
“I… uh… maybe… maybe I’ll call you,” she said finally, and picked up her leather jacket, ready to flee. When she touched the door handle, his voice stopped her.
“Enya…”
Against her better judgment, she looked over her shoulder. He stood there in the hallway, half-naked, the light from the kitchen shining onto his cock. She’d never seen such a virile man, such a perfect human specimen.
“Next time,” he said, and took his cock into his hand, “you’ll take the reins and do with me as you please. I’ll be at your mercy.”
She swallowed the sudden surge of lust that pulsed through her core. Did Eric understand her need for control because he, too, had that need? Were they maybe not that different from each other?
“I can’t make promises, but…” She didn’t finish her sentence, didn’t know how to.
“But you’ll consider it. That’s good enough for me.”
She nodded and left the apartment. When the door snapped in behind her, she leaned against it and closed her eyes for a moment. For the first time in a long time, she felt… happy.
4
Zoltan entered the cave and closed the door behind him. He’d made many changes in the Underworld in the last few months, and one of them was this meeting room, a cave that had only one entrance and lay somewhat separate from the main areas where his demons congregated, drawing as little attention as possible to the meetings held here. The seven demons who had been invited to this meeting were already assembled and consisted of men and women Zoltan considered either particularly loyal to him or particularly talented in a specific area of expertise. Some were both.
The previous Great One, who Zoltan had dispatched by killing him, had ruled with an iron fist and been hated and feared in equal measure, and while Zoltan was just as feared—and possibly hated for the cruelty he inflicted on demons that crossed him—he’d learned to seek counsel and delegate tasks to his underlings. His frequent absences had made it necessary, though he would never admit to any of them why their ruler wasn’t always reachable. If they knew that the crushing migraine attacks he’d had for a long time forced him to hide out in the human world so he could recover, his underlings would rise up in arms against him and kill him. Nobody wanted a weak ruler. Least of all the demons. Why his attacks became more painful from one time to the next and didn’t respond to any kind of medication or drug, he didn’t know. And, of course, there was nobody he could ask. Doing so would mean he had to admit that he was weak. It would literally be his death.
Everybody was assembled around the stone table, a natural formation like so many in the underground system of tunnels and caves the demons called their own. Zoltan took his seat at the head of the table, and the conversations stopped.
“Oh Great One,” they said in unison, the voices of five men and two women bouncing off the stone walls, sounding like the deep rumbling of a locomotive as it raced through a dark tunnel.
Zoltan nodded. “We have much to do. Let’s get started.”
He motioned to Vintoq, his right hand, a demon with above average intelligence, who�
�d earned his place here through loyalty. So far, Vintoq had never disappointed Zoltan—however, while Zoltan liked the fact that Vintoq was intelligent enough to immediately grasp whatever plan Zoltan laid out, that same intelligence could prove to be a liability one day. What if Vintoq was too smart to remain in his current position? What if he was ambitious and wanted to become the leader?
“All your orders have been executed,” Vintoq said, and pointed to the others in the group. “I believe we’re making great progress in all areas, strengthening our hold on humans under our influence and widening our network of spies.”
“What about recruitment?” Zoltan asked.
“I’ll let Quentin and Tamara speak for themselves,” Vintoq said, and pointed to the two demons in question.
Tamara looked straight at Zoltan. “May I?”
She was beautiful, and her beauty made her an excellent demon. She knew how to seduce a human to do bad things, to do evil things, things that would eventually turn the human into a demon. She used her sexuality to achieve her goal, and Zoltan could attest personally that her skills when it came to sex were superior. He’d quite enjoyed sex with her, but he wasn’t blind. Tamara was ambitious and had hoped to become his queen. However, while she’d pleased him in a carnal way, he felt nothing for her. So instead, he’d put her—and his loyal subject Quentin—in charge of recruitment, softening the sting of rejecting her. She’d taken it well and thrown herself into her new responsibilities.
“Go ahead, Tamara,” Zoltan said.
“I’ve made headway recruiting several influential leaders of industry. We’ll soon have an in with the software sector and the rare earth mineral sector.”
“Rare earth minerals? Explain,” Zoltan interrupted.
“Rare earth minerals are elements needed for virtually every electronic gadget on the market these days. Controlling this sector means controlling the production and availability of communications and computer networks. We’ll be controlling the market and pitting countries against each other. And together with new recruits immersed in the software industry, we’ll soon be able to upgrade our outdated systems and outsmart our enemies.”