by Unknown
“They’re the same kind.” Yet he still swapped our bowls. “Eat.”
“Yes, Daddy.” I took another bite to appease him.
He set his spoon on the table and watched me finish before pushing his bowl in front of me.
“I’m not that starved.” I took a spoonful and offered it to him instead. “I’m good.”
He looked old all of a sudden. Our people didn’t age. Humans around us must have thought us a couple instead of father and daughter but the eyes of our kind changed with what they’ve seen. My father had seen a lot and it all showed. “I’ve missed you.” He took the spoon and ate the ice cream.
“You’re not allowed to make me cry in public. I did enough of that yesterday when I ran into Mom.”
His face turned grim. “I promised everyone I’d drag you home kicking and screaming if I had to. You’re not going to make me do that, are you?”
I gazed into the bowl of melting cream and swirled chocolate as if a vision of my future lay in there. It was so muddled and cloudy it may as well have been. “I don’t want to go home. I like it in Sin’s nest.”
He reached across the table, resting his hand on mine. “What happened, Pia?”
“You said Sin told you.” I recalled those sunny days with Pierre when I had pretended to be human, and they were sadly the happiest days of my life.
“He told me of the boy, but I know that’s not the whole story. You wouldn’t have tried to kill yourself over falling in love with a human. It wouldn’t have driven you away from us.”
My stomach cramped. I leaned away from the table and my father.
He got up and came to my side, scooting me over on the bench so we sat shoulder to shoulder. “Did I ever tell you about when I first came to America?”
“Yes.” It had been during the Great Famine in 1847. Things had been bad in Europe. When humans suffered, so did we since they were the root of our food source.
“I was young for an incubus to be on his own with no wives to feed from. I was lonely too.” He rested his arm over my shoulders and pulled me against him. “I met this pretty human girl. She was alone too. Her family had perished from the flu, on the journey across the ocean.” He sighed. “I loved her so much.”
I twisted in my seat to face him. “She couldn’t feed you.”
He shook his head. “No and I couldn’t be faithful like she deserved. In the end I broke her heart and mine as well. My point is that we aren’t made to be in relationships with other races.”
I leaned my head against him, knowing this could be the last time my dad would ever hold me again, and was tempted to pretend the source of my conflict was just a broken heart. How long before I wouldn’t be able to face my own reflection in the mirror, though? Eventually someone would find out what I’d done and word would get to my family. Lying would only make it worse. “I fed from a married man,” I whispered, hoping he heard me and wouldn’t make me repeat it.
From the way his shoulders went tense I knew he heard me clearly. “Well, that’s unfortunate.” He shifted in his seat. “Sin didn’t mention that.”
“He doesn’t understand our ways.” I slipped out from under my dad’s arms and waited for him to leave. Succubi who broke up marriages were usually shunned by our people. Marriage was the base of our society. Without it, we would return to the savage days when incubi hunted us like animals.
“No, he doesn’t. Neither do you.” He pulled me against him in a fierce hug that drew questioning looks. My bones creaked but I stayed silent. “By all the gods old and new, you will put me in an early grave. Did you do it on purpose?”
“No, I was starved. I lost control.”
“It was a stupid move to feed just from the boy.”
“Pierre.”
He pulled away and gave me a stare.
“He has a name. I wish I could forget him, but I can’t. He’s here.” I pointed at my heart. “Hopefully not forever. You right, I was stupid. I can’t help how I feel, though.”
“No, I think you get that from me as well. I always fell in love so easily.”
“So you think this suitor idea will make it easier for me?”
“For a while. I don’t think it’s a permanent thing. Just until you can trust your judgment again.” He smirked. “Or until I can trust your judgment again to not think you can feed off one person for the rest of your life.”
I nodded.
“Let’s go home, Pia. Your mothers and sisters have been worried sick about you for months. You can’t leave them like that. After your visit, if you still insist on returning to Sin I’ll drive you there myself.”
A huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I feared I would float off the bench, but my father anchored me because that’s what family was for. No matter how much of a jackass I was, they still loved me. Warmth welled inside my chest and filled the emptiness that had been plaguing me for months. “Okay.”
Epilogue
Day three of my cycle
Sin rolled off of me, licking his lips clean of my blood. His skin was slick with sweat. “Where did you learn that trick?” He breathed heavily.
A smug smile pulled at my lips. I’d never heard him shout as he came before. I’d have to thank my sister Adele for teaching me how to twist my hips like that. It seemed like even old vampires didn’t know everything. I stretched. “Ancient succubus secret.”
“Your father hasn’t set fire to my nest so I assume all is well on your home front.”
“All unpacked and back at home where I belong.” I rolled into his arms and took advantage of his satisfied state to steal some snuggle time. I might not have the kind of loving relationship most people had, but I got what I needed emotionally from my three suitors. “Do you miss me?”
“It’s quieter.”
“Admit it. You’re bored now that I’m gone.” Happiness had seemed so unattainable a few months ago but like a ninja it had snuck up on me.
He grinned. “I have other hobbies to keep me occupied. Speaking of which, while I was on my business trip I encountered someone I’d like you to meet.”
“Why? I have enough suitors.”
“He’s an incubus.”
“I can’t feed from incubi. It’s the other way around.”
Sin growled. “I know that.”
“Then why would you want me to meet an incubus? Did my father put you up to this? I’m not interested in a cold, loveless marriage.” I was still starved for love though. We lived a long time so I hoped one day I’d run across Mr. Right.
He chortled. “I understand that. I was just tossing the idea out there.”
“No.”
“He seemed…lonely.”
“No.”
He gave me a devious look.
“If you ever want to experience that thing I did with my hips again, you’ll drop the subject.”
His lips twitched, but he didn’t say another word.
Pia’s adventures continue in Starved for Love available now.
To receive notices of new releases, free reads, sales and giveaways, join my mailing list.
Published 2014
Copyright by Annie Nicholas
Starved For Love
Lake City Stories Book One
After almost dying of starvation to remain faithful to a mortal lover, succubus Pia Blyton now shields her heart by feeding solely on men she won't fall for. The only trick is, to create energy to survive, she must achieve orgasm. At least that rules out bad sex with her three lovers. Too bad she's a sucker for falling in love.
When her demon lover doesn't arrive for their arranged rendezvous, Pia is forced to ask her vampire lover to step in before her energy becomes dangerously low. In return he demands a favor and Pia finds herself in the hotel suite of the mysterious Valerio Hunan, who seduces her with a devastating kiss. Too late Pia learns he's an incubus who wants to lure her into marriage—a marriage without love.
As an incubus used to bedding a variety of succubi, Val doesn't understand Pia's
yearning for love. He needs a succubus wife to provide him with a steady source of energy. But he wants Pia for the passion and renewed interest in life she makes him feel. Can Pia convince Val that sex isn't just for survival and love is for more than the weak?
BUY
Chapter One
Day three of my cycle
Sex and love should come in the same package, but for a succubus, that meant trouble. Sex equaled food and fidelity couldn’t be part of the equation. Humans couldn’t eat the same thing every meal and stay healthy, and neither could we.
I thumped on the steel door of an industrial garage. Most people didn’t know the largest vampire nest in the Northeast was contained in an underground facility below this building. I kept up my third round of pounding. I knew the vampires were in there. The sun had just set. Someone needed to drag his lazy butt out of bed to answer the door. “I’m not going away!” Security cameras and microphones monitored the place 24/7. The jerks knew I was here.
I needed to feed, and to do that, I needed to get laid. Like all succubi, I survived on the energy created in my body during an orgasm. I couldn’t even stay alive on bad sex. Finding attractive, skilled partners wasn’t a problem in Lake City, but I was a sucker for falling in love. I couldn’t handle the guilt of a one-night stand, and if I tried to live off one male forever, I’d starve, which my instincts wouldn’t allow. I’d tried it once and would never allow myself to go down that road again.
Neither would my parents.
Rain plastered my short curls to my head. Normally, they stuck straight out, the different shades of autumn leaves. I’d be lucky if my suitor didn’t slam the door in my face at the sight of my drenched appearance. But I needed him in a bad way.
I added a kick to my knocking. “It’s Pia, damn it. And it’s raining. Let me in.”
The door finally opened. “The Master’s not expecting you for another seven days.”
I pushed past Rat, one of Zur-Sin’s minions, and huddled in the antechamber. “I know. Tell him I have a problem.”
“What trouble are you in now, Pia?” Sin’s voice carried over an intercom by the door leading into the vampire lair. Pressing the talk button, I stood on tiptoe to speak in the microphone. “John left a note pinned to my door. He left town last night.” I hoped he was okay. Being a low-level demon bites. Someone was always on his ass.
“So?”
“He’s my suitor for today.” I glanced at Rat, who chuckled. “Shut up.”
“Go see Cooper.”
“Cooper’s on a hunting trip with the pack. Won’t be back for another three days when it’s his turn.”
“I can oblige.” Rat stroked a hand down my back.
His touch sent a wave of desire through my body, but I wasn’t so far gone yet that I’d jump anything with a dick. “Fuck off.” I shoved him away. At least, I tried to. Beauty was a succubus power, not muscle. “We made a deal, Sin.”
“Every nine days. You were just here three days ago.”
“Yeah, do the math, genius. Today’s day three in my cycle. You want me to do Rat instead? I’m out of options.” I crossed my arms and glared at the vampire lackey. I’d eat my own arm before touching him but Sin didn’t have to know that.
“Bring her down, Ratan.”
Rat’s fanged grin faded. “Yes, Master.” He unlocked the door and opened it for me like a gentleman. “Whores first.”
I pulled my jacket tighter around me and fought the shivers. Half-drowned, my need burned inside my body, the hunger for flesh rubbing on flesh setting my skin to oversensitive. If Sin didn’t take me to his bed then I’d have to find some stranger to screw. Nausea rolled in my stomach. I never should have been born a succubus. To my parent’s shame and concern, I wasn’t amoral enough.
They monitored my every meal. How much worse could my life get when my father interviewed potential lovers for me? For crying out loud, what happened with Pierre was history and they needed to let go of the past. I did. Tried…
Racing down the stairs and across the sub-basement, I strode by other vampires, all of them part of Zur-Sin’s nest. He controlled Lake City at night and my father had it during the day. That’s how I met Sin. My father hooked me up two years ago to keep me from starving. Twenty-five years old and I still lived with my parents. All four of them.
Most mortals wouldn’t understand my dad being interested in my sex life, but he worried and stressed about my lack of lovers to feed upon since I was so picky. I had three now. That should be more than enough if they would just cooperate.
I waited for Rat to twist his key in the elevator so it would travel into the secured areas below us. The doors slid open and I jumped inside. “Try not to take too long. He has appointments to keep.” With those lovely instructions, Rat keyed the doors closed and I descended into Sin’s world.
Shaking the excess water from my hair, I tried to poof some life back into my signature curls. They sagged on my forehead. Sighing at my reflection, I hung my head. Nothing was sadder than a disheveled, horny succubus.
The doors slid open and a large pair of bare feet stepped into my view. A finger slipped under my chin and raised my gaze. Zur-Sin, ancient vampire warrior, stared at me with his stern dark eyes. Dressed in only a pair of black silk pajama bottoms, he looked good enough to eat. He brushed the curls from my face and frowned. “You have much to learn about the art of seduction.”
“I dressed up last time I was here. I get panicky when things don’t go my way on day threes.”
“It’s not all about appearance, Pia. You’re beautiful even when left out in the rain.” He bent and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. Sin’s touch always struck a spark—even on my off days he could lure me to his bed. “Grace and tact would be appreciated at times. You can’t barge into my nest making demands. It makes me seem weak.”
“I’m sorry.” I leaned against his solid chest. His pale skin still retained the warmth of his last feed. I didn’t ask about his latest conquest. We had a business deal signed in blood. He gave me an orgasm every nine days and I fed him with my blood. No strings attached. I think I came out on top of that deal because Sin could be a generous lover when in the right mood. And I had learned how to guide him into those moods.
He placed a kiss to the top of my head. “Next time call. I have a human secretary, remember? She’d have made quieter arrangements.”
“She hates me.” I squirmed, pressing my thighs together to help relieve the growing demands between them.
Sin sighed and led me into his apartment, through the living room, past his office and into the bedroom where he sat on the edge of his king-sized bed. He plucked a remote off the mattress and turned on some slow jazz. Leaning back onto his elbows, he ran his gaze over me. “Undress.”
I knew this game. It was his favorite. The command was a comfort, something familiar in a day filled with anxiety, since my scheduled suitor had abandoned me. I had watched the sun move across the sky, feeling my need grow. Unbuttoning my raincoat, I tossed it to the floor. I listened to the music and allowed the beat to pace my movements. Shirt, jeans and socks came off slow and easy. Each stroke of my hand over my skin intensified my yearning. All the while he watched, his eyes caressing my curves, so intent it made me ache.
I unclasped the front of my bra and stalked toward the edge of the bed. The straps slid from my shoulders and down my arms, releasing my breasts. Cool air brushed over my wet skin and sent a shiver through my limbs.
“You’re cold.” He offered me his hand. I climbed in his warm bed. Lying next to him, I ran my hand through his short, sunny-blond hair. “What would I do without you?”
He chuckled. “Save those words for your other suitors.” Trailing a sharp fingernail over my breastbone, he drew a path to my belly button and teased the small ring pierced there. “What will you give me in exchange for tonight?”
I blinked and tilted my head to see his face better. “What I always pay, my blood.”
He shook his head. “I al
ready fed and the price went up.”
“Sin.”
“Zur-Sin.” His dark gaze pinned me to the spot. Sometimes I forgot how old he truly was. The young-looking man lying next to me wasn’t from my generation and could be crueler than Lucifer when he wanted to be.
I swallowed the cold lump of fear in my throat. “What do you want?”
Bending over my nipple, he circled it with the tip of his tongue.
I groaned and arched toward his devilish mouth, unable to control my traitorous body.
Every three terrible days, I had to have an orgasm. My body wouldn’t stop until I did or I died. The more the need grew, the less control I had, until I was humping some poor schmuck in an alley. May that never, ever, happen again.
“A business rival of mine is in town. Valerio Hunan. I hear rumors he’s thinking of staying. I need to know if he is and what his plans are.” He blew over the wet spot he’d created. It sent a sharp pang of desire straight to my core. “You can practice your grace and tact on him and then tell me what I want to know.” He rolled on top of me, pinning my hands to the bed.
“I’m terrible at espionage. Ask my father.” I writhed under Sin. Not because I wanted escape, but to rub against his fine muscled body. The vampire was built to kill.
He settled between my willing thighs and rocked. “Time to grow up, Pia.”
“You’re such a tease.” I flung my head back in frustration. “Fine. Sex first.”
He chuckled, dark and deep; the sound made my soul tremble. “Of course.” With his sharp nail, he scratched the inside of my wrist.
I twisted to look at our hands. “What are you doing?”
“This pact has to be sealed in blood.” He did the same to his wrist—
“Wait…”