Marked by Temptation: Bourbon Street Spin-off (The Jade Calhoun Series Book 1)

by Deanna Chase

  His low chuckle vibrated over my fingers, and the thought of his mouth on other more sensitive places made my insides churn with anticipation.

  “More,” I said, arching so my nipple was inches from his lips.

  He didn’t disappoint. He turned his head and clasped his teeth around my already pebbled peak and moved his hand down to my hip, possessively digging his fingers into my flesh.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  That tiny word, yes, was like a dam bursting, and his mouth was suddenly everywhere, kissing and biting my flesh until my breasts were aching and heavy. The sensations were breathtaking in a way that left me unable to do anything except lean against the cool tile and let him devour me.

  Before long, he shifted and kissed his way down my stomach, stopping just before his tongue dipped inside me. “Matisse?”

  “Hmm?” I murmured.

  He carefully shifted my feet so my legs were spread, giving him more access. “I’m going to make you come so hard you’re not going to be able to hold yourself up.”

  “Oh, okay,” I whispered and buried my hands in his thick hair, my hips swaying with anticipation.

  “Then I’m going to carry you to the bed, bury myself deep inside you, and claim you in the way only a man who’s had every part of you can.”

  “Uh-huh,” I agreed, trembling now. “Yes. Do it now. Make me come for you.” In my lust-filled state, I didn’t care that I was begging. Didn’t care that I was at his mercy. He wanted to make me feel things I’d never let myself feel before, that loss of control while being pleasured by another. I wanted it. Craved it. And trusted him to be the one to do it.

  His tongue darted out, licking my hot, slick flesh with practiced expertise. The orgasm started to build instantly. My magic sprang to life with each stroke of his tongue, as if his touch was calling my power forward. I had no control over it. Couldn’t stop it even if I wanted to. Not that I did. The sensation was heady and bringing me to the edge faster than ever before.

  I moaned, magic sparking around me.

  Vaughn raised his head, meeting my half-lidded eyes. His were full of untamed lust, and without warning, his fingers plunged into me as he sucked hard on my sensitive flesh.

  My entire body trembled as a long, slow shudder rolled through me.

  Sparks of magic flickered over my skin, serving only to intensify the glorious sensations. I’d never felt this good before. Never felt this alive. I rocked my hips forward, demanding more.

  That clever mouth of his sucked harder. My muscles tightened, and a ragged gasp escaped me as the bundle of nerves went off like a rocket. The orgasm hit me fast and hard. If Vaughn hadn’t been holding me up, I was certain I’d slide to the floor of the shower. But his strong hands kept me in place. And all the while he kept his tongue on me, coaxing me into a greater frenzy of sensation.

  I bit my lower lip, trying to hold back the screams of release, but I lost the battle and cried out his name, confirming that at least for that night, I did belong to him.

  He held me there under the warm stream of water, his head pressed to my stomach as he waited for my shudders to fade away.

  I wasn’t sure what to say. He’d made another promise. The one to claim me, to really mark me as his. Would he do it?

  I didn’t have to wait long for my answer. Without a word, Vaughn flipped the water off and secured me in his arms. A moment later, he was on top of me in his bed, reaching for a condom. “Remember what I said before?”

  I nodded.

  “Good. Because I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”

  As he deftly rolled the condom on, I jerked up and caught his lower lip in mine, sucking on his the way he’d been sucking on me less than a few minutes before. He groaned, and true to his word, he slammed into me, burying himself deep.

  “Ohh,” I sighed, wrapping myself around him. “Yes.”

  Our eyes met. In him, I saw a man I could finally trust to take me places I’d been too afraid to go before. Magic crackled around us, forming a cocoon of light.

  Vaughn froze, taking in the fireworks show, but when I lifted my hips, creating that sweet friction, his attention snapped back to me. Then he started to move. He pulled back slowly, savoring the incredible torture. I clutched at his arms, digging my nails in, silently begging him to give me what I so obviously craved. He paused, staring down at me, his expression focused.

  “Please,” I said.

  That one word unraveled his control and he thrust into me. Magic rippled over my skin and then clung to him. I knew the moment he felt it. His hips jerked and he slid into me—deeper, if that was even possible.

  “Shit, Matisse. You feel so damn good.”

  I could only manage a nod. His touch was now sending tingles of delight into me at every spot we connected. It was overwhelming and intoxicating at the same time. The magic was wholly intertwined with our lovemaking now. With each stroke, each movement we made together, the magic got stronger. It encircled us and built to dizzying levels.

  He gazed down at me in wonder. Our eyes locked, and together we moved in unison. We were lost in the moment, magic coursing through the both of us, spilling all around us, and building with each moment we were lost in each other.

  The fire building inside me raged hotter and wilder than ever before. I matched his pace, raising my hips to meet his as he made me his in mind, body, and soul.

  I was lost in the haze of sex and magic.

  “Are you with me, Mati?” Vaughn’s husky voice brought me back to myself.

  Nodding, I tightened my grip on his shoulders.

  “Good, baby. That’s good. Do you like the way I feel inside of you?”

  “Yes.” My voice was barely a whisper.

  “How much?”

  “Hmm. A lot,” I muttered into his shoulder as I clung to him, trying to get closer.

  “Show me.”

  His words were like a drug possessing me. I hooked one leg around his and we rolled together until I was straddling him.

  “Ride me,” Vaughn commanded.

  And even though I was on top, he was still in charge. His hands clasped my hips as he held me in place and thrust up into me. I moaned as the crescendo of pleasure flooded my senses. Another thrust. And another, as magic filled the room, bursting around us. I gasped as Vaughn ground into me one last time and we came together. The second orgasm bolted through me, hitting me so hard I collapsed against him, gasping for breath.

  He kissed my shoulder and brought his hand up to gently caress my face. We stared at each other, each of us wide-eyed. He had a look of wonder, but all I felt was empty, and it scared the crap out of me.

  “Vaughn,” I said and tried to lift myself off him, but I was too weak. Instead, I sort of slid to the side, one leg still draped over his body.

  “Mati?” His voice was far away and my vision started to fade.

  Then there was nothing.

  Chapter 12

  Vaughn

  Confusion mixed with panic lined Matisse’s face as she collapsed at my side.

  I sprang up and clasped her shoulders. “Matisse? Babe. What’s wrong?”

  Nothing. She didn’t move and her body appeared to be totally limp. “Shit!” I climbed to my knees and scooped her up in my arms, holding her close. She’d spent too much of her magic. I was sure of it. Never in my life had I felt someone throw that much power around. I’d thought it had all been part of her sex-witch ritual, but now, seeing her unconscious, my gut told me something had gone terribly wrong.

  “Wake up,” I said gently and brushed her hair back, panic slowly taking over. “Matisse, wake up!” I shook her gently. Her head lolled to one side. “Dammit!”

  I positioned her head on a pillow and leaped off the bed. Pulling on fresh jeans, I grabbed my phone. Except I wasn’t sure who to call. A doctor? Her mom? Mitch? No, not him. Her coven. They’d know what to do. I ran into the other room and grabbed my notebook, which was full of supernatural contacts. After flipping to
the correct page, I dialed.

  “Coven Pointe Charms,” a woman said.

  “I’m looking for your coven leader. It’s an emergency.”

  “Who is this?”

  “Vaughn Paxton. One of your members is here. Matisse, and she’s ill. It’s imperative that I speak with your leader.”

  “Matisse?”

  “Yes, dammit.”

  “What happened? Can you put her—”

  Crash!

  A clamoring came from my living room. I spun and ran, hearing nothing but the sound of my heart in my throat. Had another demon come after Matisse?

  But when I slid to a stop in my doorway, there wasn’t a demon. There was a man untangling himself from an extension cord that connected my television to an outlet on an adjoining wall.

  “What the hell are you doing in my house?” I demanded.

  The tall man with brilliant green eyes smiled and held his hand out.

  I ignored it. “I said—”

  A fog settled over my brain. My thoughts jumbled as if my brain had been scrambled. Then my arm rose on its own and I shook the man’s hand.

  He gave me a warm smile. “Welcome to the Brotherhood, Vaughn. We were hoping you’d join us soon.”

  I heard the words but couldn’t process them. All I could do was nod.

  “If you’re ready, I’d be pleased to take you to headquarters.”

  There was a nagging somewhere in the back of my mind. I was forgetting something important. But it wouldn’t come. “Yes,” I heard myself say.

  “Excellent.” The man, dressed in a black jacket and jeans, positioned himself next to me, grabbed my hand, and then took a step forward.

  The world turned gray as air rushed over my skin. I blinked, and my surroundings morphed again. We stood on a sidewalk in front of a large white antebellum home with a white picket fence.

  “Welcome home,” my escort said.

  I glanced from him to the house. The yard was lush and green with an old majestic oak taking up residence on the left side of the lawn. I had a sense of belonging, and I never wanted to leave. Without hesitation, I followed my escort up the walk and into the large house.

  Seven figures all dressed the same were lined up in the large foyer. The one in the middle, the oldest, lifted his gaze and said in a formal tone, “Vaughn Paxton, welcome to the Brotherhood.”

  I didn’t know what the Brotherhood was, but there was a feeling deep in my gut that this was where I was supposed to be. It felt right. Like something important was happening. Without being told, I was sure that man was the leader. I nodded, waiting for instruction.

  The leader turned and walked through double doors. The other brothers surrounded me, and as a unit, we all followed him into a grand ballroom. The leader stood waiting for us in the middle of the room. The other seven men fanned out, forming a half circle around him.

  “Vaughn, please take your place in the middle of the circle.”

  Stuck in a trancelike state, I did as I was told. The moment my feet stilled, the confusion lifted and my memories came rushing back in. Matisse. She needed my help.

  Rage filled me. I’d been spelled or possessed or something. Otherwise, I would’ve never left Matisse. Who were these people? Why was I here? I didn’t even want to find out. With single-minded determination, I spun and took off toward the exit. Only when I got to the edge of the circle, I slammed into an invisible wall and bounced back.

  “What the fuck is—”

  More memories flooded my brain. Only they weren’t mine. They were like a movie reel of past events. Demons were everywhere. And angels. And witches like Matisse. Battles were being fought. Angels fell. Others were kidnapped and forced into Hell until they fell. It was an all-out war full of chaos. Demons ruled and did unspeakable acts to witches and humans.

  The despair and heartache rushed through me, seized me, gutted me. Created an intense need to do something. Anything to help the poor souls who were being destroyed.

  Then the reel changed, and another group of witches appeared. They were locked up in some facet of Hell, waiting. Most of them were resigned. A few were angry, and still others were just plain broken. A fierce desire to help them overtook me, but there was nothing I could do about a memory.

  The fact that they were trapped was bad enough, but then a group of lesser demons descended on them, and the reason for their entrapment was clear. They were sex slaves. Utter disgust rolled through me. Why was I being shown this? Was this happening right now? The need to protect, to fight for justice, seized me.

  “Vaughn Paxton, do you willingly submit to spending the rest of your days as a demon hunter? To devote your life to fighting demons and protecting those who cannot protect themselves?”

  My consent was on the tip of my tongue, almost as if it was being forced from me. Yes. I would do that. Nothing could stop me. But then Matisse’s image flashed in my mind. What had happened to her? And why had these people come for me now? Did it have to do with her?

  A new reel of what had to be history flickered to life in my mind. The scene of the lesser demons and witches reappeared, only it must have been a different day. The witches appeared to be a few years younger than they had been. The light faded and the demons and witches faded with it, save but two. One demon and one witch.

  Only instead of being afraid, the witch appeared to like the lesser demon. And he appeared to be in love with her. With these two, there was no forced sex. They were deeply in love. And after they joined for the first time, the witch gave every last bit of her magic and power to the demon, leaving herself on the verge of death.

  But the demon, he morphed from a demon to something else. Something more than he was before. Moral. Determined. Honorable. Power radiated from him. He sank to his knees, gathered his witch in his arms, and bolted, determined to use his newfound power to protect her from the life she’d been forced into.

  The leader studied me. “That memory is how the first incubus came into being.”

  “Incubus?” I said, my tone low. Unease settled over me. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Your witch unleashed your power, Vaughn. You were born an incubus. And by birthright, destined to be part of the Brotherhood, an organization fully dedicated to fighting the existence of demons.” He waved a hand around the room. “Welcome home.”

  An incubus. How could that be true? But a voice deep down whispered, How could it not be? The years of having any woman I wanted. The undeniable sex appeal. The way Matisse had called to me.

  Matisse. Holy fuck. Her image once again haunted me. I had to see her. I’d been the one who’d broken her. I had to make sure she was all right.

  “Do you, Vaughn, accept the induction into the Brotherhood?” the leader asked once more.

  I crossed my arms over my chest, and with a will greater than I knew I possessed, I said, “No. I do not accept. Now let me the hell out of here.”

  The circle tightened around me and the images became more vivid, more horrid, assaulting me to the point I wanted to gag. With a roar, I sprang forward and grabbed the leader by his shirt, pulling him up close. “What the hell are you doing, old man?”

  He stood still, unaffected by my assault.

  “Speak up!” I shook him, trying to elicit a response. Any at all.

  “Release me, Vaughn.” His tone was mild, unconcerned.

  Despite my anger, something unexplainable came over me and I stepped back, but that didn’t stop me from giving the bastard a push.

  He swayed, took one unsure step, and then righted himself. “Are you prepared to reject your birthright, to let the innocent suffer, to let the demons corrupt our world? To corrupt you? Your power will be too much to handle without the Brotherhood. Eventually you’ll fall—become a full-blown demon.”

  I glared at him. They’d taken me from Matisse when she needed me most. How was that protecting people? “Cut the shit. I’m not buying your Brotherhood bullshit or your demon scare tactics. What is it you want from
me exactly?” Humans couldn’t fall. Only angels could. That much I knew. But I wasn’t human, was I? No. He’d said incubus. Anger coiled in my gut. Everything about this was too forced. Too heavy-handed.

  He met my eyes, then nodded to one of the brothers. Without a word, the seven of them filed out of the great hall.

  The leader held his hand out. “I’m Maximus. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  I ignored his hand and waited.

  “Come with me.” Maximus crossed the room and opened a door into what appeared to be his private office.

  I glanced back at the foyer. I couldn’t waste any more time here. Matisse was sick.

  “She’s being taken care of,” Maximus said.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Your witch. She’s being taken care of. Soon after you were transported here, her people came for her. Even if you went back to your place, you wouldn’t find her.”

  “How do you know that?” I was about half a second from tearing out of there to find out for myself.

  He waved a hand, and a projection lit the ballroom wall. It was a scene in my apartment. The demon hunter and I vanished into thin air, and a moment later, a woman who had to be Matisse’s mom burst through my front door. Another woman followed, and the pair searched my apartment until they found Matisse unconscious on my bed. I watched the silent film as the pair stuffed a variety of herbals down her throat and cast some spell.

  Matisse’s eyes fluttered open briefly, and she mouthed something that looked like “Vaughn.”

  Relief at seeing her awake did nothing to squelch my desire to find her at any cost. I still needed to see for myself that she was going to be okay.

  But the scene morphed and then Matisse was walking up the stairs to a shotgun double style house. Although she was clearly worn out, she was moving under her own steam. The knot in my chest eased, and I was finally able to breathe. “She’s with her family, then?”

  Maximus nodded. “She’ll be fine.”

  “What happened to her?”