Wicked After Dark: 20 Steamy Paranormal Tales of Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More

by Mina Carter

  Peri got in first and scooted around, so she was in the middle of the seat and facing outwards. Josef and Gabe got in either side and sat very close. She could feel a thigh against each of hers. Her heart rate shot up.

  A waiter appeared as if from nowhere and Josef asked for a bottle of wine, a rosé, but a very expensive one. The menus were handed over, as the waiter left to get the wine. Peri opened it and nearly died. No prices again, but she wasn’t sure what half the stuff was. Her idea of an exotic evening meal was a kid’s meal at one of the burger chains.

  “What do you like, Peri? Meat, beef, chicken, fish?” Josef had felt her unease.

  “I like meat, could I have a steak? I’ve never had enough to buy one.”

  She looked from under her lashes and Josef almost groaned, she looked so damn sexy, when she did that. He coughed and answered, “Of course, do you want me to order? Do you want plain or with a sauce?”

  Gabe broke in, “I’m getting a porterhouse with onions and mushrooms, no sauce. How does that sound?”

  Peri nodded her head, “Okay, then that’s what you shall have. Do you want a starter?” Josef asked and Peri shook her head. She wasn’t used to eating more than one meal a day and definitely never more than one course.

  “You’re too skinny, Peri. We need to get some meat on those bones.” Josef smiled, he had noticed the size of the clothes she had bought, size zero, not healthy. He would get her to eat some more and buy her another wardrobe.

  “I’m not sure my stomach would manage, Josef, but I might want a sweet, most I’ve had is an ice cream flurry!” Peri thought this was funny, but the frown on both men’s faces showed they didn’t think so.

  “Oh, you’ll have a sweet baby, we could share one if you don’t think you’d manage it all.” Gabe was getting more forward and Josef frowned at him. Did the boy not know the meaning of taking things slow?

  Peri caught what she thought was a double meaning but wasn’t sure, so she smiled. “I think I’ll manage a sweet on my own, Gabe.”

  Gabe pouted. “Don’t know what you’re missing!”

  Peri laughed. “You look just like a little boy I saw who wanted a chocolate bar and his mom said no.”

  Josef burst out laughing, Peri had hit it right on the nail.

  “Okay, well can I at least hold your hand until dinner’s served?” Gabe tried again, desperate to feel Peri.

  Peri lifted both hands, placed one in Gabe’s lap and one in Josef’s, both men covered it with their own in less than a second.

  The waiter arrived with the wine and Josef nodded curtly, letting him know just to pour it without tasting, he did so and left. Peri looked at the glass in front of her and then down at her hands. Josef leaned forward, picked up her glass with his free hand and brought it to her lips.

  Peri took a sip, Josef thought it was the most erotic thing he had seen in a long time. A frown came over his features. He wasn’t keen on the way this young woman made him feel. He had been distant and cold most of his life and for good reason. He didn’t want to open himself up for hurt.

  Once. He had done it once and that’s what had left him the way he was. Damaged. Cold. Hard.

  Gabe couldn’t stop staring at Peri, she was out of this world, and his Wolf was misbehaving something terrible. As Peri had taken a sip of the wine, he all but whined in frustration. Josef had a deep frown on his face, and Gabe thought he knew why. Peri was affecting Josef as much as she was affecting him and his Wolf.

  “So, how’s this...arrangement...with me staying, that is, how’s it going to work?” Peri knew she was occupying the room that the men usually used for their ‘play’ and she didn’t know how much of an inconvenience that would cause them. She hoped for a particular answer, but knew she had no right to infringe on their being with other women. The thought of them with someone else turned her stomach.

  “In what way?” Josef asked, even though he had sensed what she meant.

  “Well, I’m in your, you know, room that you use for – others – isn’t that going to bother you?” Peri was biting her bottom lip, desperate for the answer she wanted. She had no idea the effect of her doing this had on both males.

  Gabe coughed, choking on the wine he had just swallowed. The sight of Peri nibbling on her lip almost had him crushing her to him and taking control of her lips and the rest of her.

  Josef had more restraint and frowned harshly at Gabe. Gabe saw it and only shrugged, he had no control when he was around Peri.

  “Well, I don’t see us entertaining any time soon, if that’s what’s worrying you?” Josef wanted her to progress anything, if indeed anything was going to happen. It had to be her decision and hers alone.

  “Yeah, sort of,” was all he got from her and he tried again.

  “Peri, would it bother you if Gabe and I brought a lady back?” Josef now held his breath and Gabe was openly staring at Peri’s face, both wanted a reply to that question.

  Peri’s stomach was doing flip flops and she sneaked a peek at both men. Both pairs of eyes were intent on her face. She blushed slightly and took a calming breath.

  “Look, I’m really confused. I’ve looked after myself for six years now and I did okay. I’m not usually scared of anything, but this, it does make me feel anxious. And the answer to your question is yes, it would.” Peri desperately wanted a drink of wine, but both her hands were still held by the Vampire and Wolf.

  Josef reached over and brought the glass to her lips once again, and she knew he had read her, again. Jeez, he must know how she felt, the embarrassment, the anxiety, the way the kisses had made her feel. He would know it all.

  Peri took a few sips this time, desperate to get the alcohol inside, get a little buzz, so she didn’t feel so bloody awkward.

  “Peri, yes I can feel you, I know you’re scared and the feelings are a little overwhelming. As I said before, both Gabe and I will take care of you. We would never do anything to hurt or scare you and if things go too quick, if you want to stop you just say it. I promise we would stop.” Josef knew he would, no matter how hard it would be. He would do it so as not to cause her any unnecessary hurt or fear. And he would make damn sure Gabe did so, too.

  “Can I have my hands a moment?” Peri asked and both released their hold. She reached forward, grabbed the wine glass and drank it all down. Josef filled it up again before speaking.

  “Peri, I don’t mind you having some wine to help you relax, but neither of us will do anything with you your first time, if you’re drunk. That would be taking advantage and we won’t do that.”

  Josef knew she wanted a buzz on, but she had to know their rules. They never started anything with a completely drunk female. If they ended up drunk, all three of them, that was different, but never at the start. Josef made it a rule that the women they had knew exactly what was going on, otherwise it would be wrong, that was a code he would not break.

  “So I can’t get drunk?” Peri’s eyes were wide. She had hoped to be drunk the first time to help her nerves.

  “No, Peri, a few glasses of wine, no more...that is if you want anything to happen. Plus, little Witch, you still haven’t answered the most important question.” Josef could hear her heart beating way too fast.

  “What question?” Peri was confused. What was Josef talking about?

  “Gabe kissed you and so did I, and I must say it was the most gorgeous kiss I’ve ever had. The question is, your first time, you need to decide if it will be one of us? If so, which one or both?” Josef looked to Gabe, as the Wolf hissed through his teeth. Josef could feel the arousal running through his friend’s body.

  Peri picked her wine glass up again and downed it in one gulp. Jeez, she knew in her head, but Christ, she didn’t know if she could get the words out.

  “You have to tell us, Peri. Gabe has to hear it from your mouth.” Josef was watching the Witch, hoping she would say what he had seen in her thoughts. She had to verbalize it. Him just seeing her thoughts was not a green light. People thought
many things, but didn’t always act on them.

  The waiter arrived with their food and Peri sighed, she didn’t have to answer right now.

  “We’ll eat, and when dessert is served, we’ll resume this conversation. For now, let’s enjoy our meal and talk about other things.” Josef felt Gabe’s disappointment. The Wolf was eager to find out Peri’s decision.

  “So, what have you found out about me?” Peri asked.

  “Oh, I’ve found out quite a bit actually. You were never reported as missing, which tells us they didn’t want you found by the authorities. I would assume because they would see the damage to your back. As you were never treated by a doctor or at a hospital, then they would be open to investigation for child abuse.”

  Josef took a drink of his wine while watching Peri eat her steak, the look of pleasure on her face was a sight to see.

  “This is amazing. I wish I could eat steak every day.” Peri couldn’t even begin to describe how good the meat was.

  “If you want to, you can, that will not be a problem.” Josef smiled, he was getting as much enjoyment from watching her as she was getting from eating the steak.

  “Anything else?” Peri queried, as she popped another piece of steak in her mouth. Gabe was devouring his at an alarming rate. Josef thought it was because he wanted to get to the dessert stage.

  “Yes, Liam has uncovered a bit about the sect your parents are head of. It’s very secretive, but he managed to find a member that had left. Albeit the man was damaged badly in retribution, seemingly he is now in some kind of home, anyway, I digress. This person agreed with all you told us and when he found out they were actually going to kill you, he left. They found him and he suffered punishment for his ‘betrayal’ – his words not mine. He is now blind and mostly paralyzed, hence the home.” Josef watched for her reaction.

  “Told you, he’s a powerful son of a bitch, and he doesn’t like anyone not doing exactly as he says. I’m amazed he let the guy live.” Peri knew her father would not let anyone just walk away, that’s why she had been running for the past six years.

  “You don’t seem overly surprised?” Josef thought she would be shocked or upset.

  “I’m not. Why do you think I’ve ran, stayed under the radar? I know if he gets me I’m dead. I also know that before I’m dead, he’ll make me suffer, real bad. Nothing he does would surprise me.” Peri knew this to be fact, as much as she knew she was eating steak.

  “I see. Well, Liam is at our place just now. He’s putting wards in place. Both shielding and protection, he says absolutely nothing will be able to break through, so you will be safe until I get this matter dealt with. However, at no time must you leave on your own. One of us must be with you at all times, Peri, understood?” Josef had no intention of letting her get hurt.

  Gabe growled, his Wolf in total agreement.

  Peri nodded. “Okay, Josef, but I’m still unsure why you’re doing all this for me?” A thought passed through Peri’s head that they just wanted to get her into bed. Then she remembered her spell, the one that told her they weren’t doing that and they both wanted to protect her. She just didn’t know why.

  “If I’m honest, Peri, I am not a hundred percent sure. I just know I have to. I have to keep you safe and I have to take care of you. In a very short time you’ve gotten under my skin, and I think that’s where I want you to stay.” Josef realized the truth of his words, and he wouldn’t be happy if Peri left. Gabe snarled and he knew the Wolf felt the same.

  “Okay, well I must admit, I like your place and the luxury. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced before. However, Josef, I’ll need to do something – some kind of work – not right now, but I know I’ll get bored.” Peri realized that although living a life with everything taken care of was nice, without a shadow of doubt, she would need something to keep her mind working.

  “That won’t be a problem, if you want something to do, there’s plenty I can offer. You could be trained to work remotely by computer, you could still help in my bounty business. I also take on special cases, usually for rich people, kidnappings, missing persons. Trust me, you won’t be bored!” Josef had a smile on his face, only a slight one, but he knew Peri would be a great asset to his businesses.

  “That sounds good. I would like to make a proper wage, pay my way...”

  “Peri, you will stay at ours and eat whatever you like. Any money you earn is for you to do with as you please. I will not be taking any money from you, so get that thought right out of your head!”

  Gabe chuckled. “Don’t argue with him on that, Peri. I’ve argued for decades and he still doesn’t let me give him anything. Then again, I also help, when he needs it. I like doing the kidnappings, it’s nice to get somebody back to their family. I also like beating up the bad guys.”

  Peri tried not to laugh. She could just see Gabe going all Alpha and taking down any baddies.

  “Okay, as long as I can do something useful. Thank you, Josef.” Peri smiled shyly at the Vampire and he gave her a small one back. It made him so handsome, when he smiled.

  Josef raised an eyebrow at her and Peri blushed. Shit, she really should remember he could read her.

  Peri looked at her plate, saw the steak was all gone, in fact, everything was gone. As Josef raised his hand for the waiter, Peri’s heart beat faster, dessert.

  The waiter took the empty plates away and handed over a dessert menu. Peri scrutinized it, wanting to make the most of this night. There were so many different things, she couldn’t make up her mind.

  “Why don’t you just get a few and you can taste them all, see which one you prefer?” Gabe could see her frown of concentration, as she looked at the menu and it made him smile. Seeing things through Peri’s eyes was so refreshing and so much fun.

  “I couldn’t do that! I wouldn’t be able to eat them, it would be a waste. Do you know how many folks are out there that can’t afford to eat?” Peri was shocked. She would never waste food.

  “Okay, calm down, what if you chose two, then taste them, whatever one you like best you have and I’ll have the other?” Gabe realized he had struck a nerve with the young Witch. Probably because she hadn’t been able to afford food every day. That was why she was so bloody skinny.

  Gabe couldn’t wait to put some meat on her bones, she would be so fucking sexy. Not that she wasn’t sexy now, he just hated to see her just skin and bone.

  “Well, that sounds okay. What about the chocolate cake and that meringue thingy?” Peri hadn’t even heard of the meringue dessert, some fancy-shmancy name, but she thought she wanted to taste it.

  “Fine by me, I eat anything.” Gabe reached over and took the menu from her and the waiter was right there waiting on their order.

  Gabe ordered, but didn’t look at the waiter, his eyes on Peri, as he took her hand in his. His Wolf hearing could clearly make out the fast pace of her heart.

  “So, little Witch, do you want to answer the question from earlier, or do you want to wait? You do not have to make the decision right now. I know Gabe is very anxious and keen to find out, but if you don’t feel ready, then just say so. If that young Wolf has to wait, it may do him some good! Teach him a little more patience. It’s completely up to you.” Josef knew the Witch was battling her emotions inside, and he didn’t want her to make a decision she would later regret.

  Peri finished her wine. That was her third, she dearly wanted another, but Josef’s words from earlier stopped her. “I don’t know much about all this stuff. Shit, I don’t know anything. But is it not wrong? I mean to have two?”

  Gabe opened his mouth to speak and at first Josef was going to answer but stilled and let Gabe do it. He hoped the Wolf used restraint and didn’t try and force her hand.

  “Peri, there is no right or wrong regarding relationships. In the past Josef and I have shared a woman, though not one even came close to you! More importantly, none made either Josef or me feel the way you do. Both of us care about you, want to protect you, look after
you. Peri, both of us will continue to do that, no matter your decision. Our feelings run deep, baby, we won’t hurt you. I promise.” Gabe’s smile was soft to match his tone, and Peri’s stomach was full of butterflies.

  “What if we start to do stuff and I get scared? Want to stop? I’ve read not many men would like that?” Peri was only going on some stuff she had read in magazines.

  “We will not force you, if you want to stop tell us, we will. I’m not saying it won’t be hard, I know for me personally I want that body of yours. I want to touch all of you, Peri, mostly I want to show you what it can be like. Give you pleasure. I know you’ve no experience and that makes it all the more special. I want to shower your body with such feelings that you won’t ever want to leave. That’s what I’m hoping for, Peri. I want to make you never want to leave, either of us.” Gabe’s finger was now tracing up and down the side of Peri’s face and the tingle it brought shot feelings straight downwards.

  “I don’t know if it’s wrong I feel what I do, but I like both of you. The feelings are strong and I don’t know why. We’ve only just met and I’m sure I shouldn’t be feeling like this.” Peri’s feelings were overwhelming and she didn’t know why.

  “Peri, you’re a Witch, I’m a Vampire, and Gabe’s a Wolf, supernatural beings tend to feel things to the extreme. It’s not unusual, it’s who we are. I’ve a strong feeling that you are so much more to us, both of us, I feel you are our soul mate. Deep inside I feel this and it scares even me. I’ve not let anyone inside for a very long time, Peri, but I’m more than willing to let you in. If you’ll have me.” Josef’s voice was strained now, he found it hard to admit this, even to himself.

  Peri looked into those ice-blue eyes and she could feel he was anxious. Strange.

  The waiter appeared with the desserts and Peri felt glad at the interruption. She needed a few minutes to sort through her own feelings.