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

by Mina Carter

  She probably needed new clothes, but she was determined to go to a department store that had lots of cheaper options.

  “Really?” Josef’s voice startled her, and she jumped. He was so silent, he could creep up on her. Her senses must be relaxed, as normally nobody could do that.

  “Uhm, well, yeah. Josef, I know what you said about your money and stuff, but I really don’t want to spend a small fortune on a pair of jeans or a t-shirt. I know what that kind of money can do for homeless people and it’s just not me. If we’re going out somewhere special or to some posh place, then by all means, I’ll let you dress me in what you think is best. I wouldn’t want to let you down on those occasions, but the rest...no, ordinary clothes from an ordinary shop are more than sufficient. Jeez, it’s a novelty to do even that. Most of my stuff I would get at thrift stores or charity places.” Peri realized that every item of clothing she had owned had been at least second-hand, sometimes third or fourth.

  Josef looked at Peri with a weird expression. “What?” She asked, and he shook his head.

  “Peri, I want to give you the world. Clothes are the least of what I want to get you. However, I respect your morals and wishes. If that’s what you want, then that’s what you’ll get. I do, however, want the right to spoil you every now and then.”

  Josef did the little lip-lift smile and Peri’s stomach clenched. He looked so handsome, when he did that, a slight smile and it changed his entire face.

  Josef raised an eyebrow.

  “This is so unfair! You get to know everything I think about you, and I don’t get to know what you’re thinking.” Peri was more than a little put out that Josef knew her every thought, wish, feeling.

  “When we bond, it won’t be so bad. You’ll get a sense of my feelings and emotions. Peri, even if you can’t feel me just now, you need to understand how much you mean to me. You have literally changed me. I can’t begin to describe how much you mean to me, little Witch. Do not ever doubt that. Not ever, Peri.” Josef’s eyes had closed ever so slightly, and Peri knew without a shadow of doubt he was aroused.

  “Okay, Josef, I’m glad, cause you make me feel the same. In such a short time I feel like I’m home. This is where I’m meant to be, I know that, as sure as I know you and Gabe care for me. All the physical stuff is just a little scary. Good, no, bloody fantastic, but scary, too. When I feel all those sensations, I know I’m not in control! I’ve always had to have control, Josef, to stay safe. Giving that up, it’s not easy for me.” Peri was now looking down at the floor, a little blush on her face.

  “I know, Peri, I do. You need to trust us, though. We won’t harm you, we only want to give you all the pleasure we can. Trust me, we get as much out of it as you. Once you’re more comfortable with the basics, we’ll move on to other things. Things I can’t wait to do, but I know we need to move slowly with you and we’ll do that. Please don’t feel anxious about any of it. To both Gabe and I – no means no.”

  Josef’s head was full of what he wanted to do with Peri, but some of it was pretty far out there. He would not scare his little Witch off.

  “Okay, Josef, I trust you, I know deep inside you won’t hurt me. My spell told me that the first night. I think we should decide about that bonding thing, about when we should do it.” Peri thought she would feel a little bit more secure, once that had been done. She was still scared they would send her away.

  “No, we won’t, but the bonding, well, that needs to be done when we have at least a couple of days with nothing else on.” Josef thought on where they would spend those two days.

  Peri frowned. “Why?”

  Josef tried not to laugh. “Because well, we’ll be in bed. A bonding is a very sexual thing, Peri. For at least two days, we’ll be...how shall I put it...otherwise engaged.”

  Peri’s eyes widened at the thought of spending two full days in bed with these two. God, they’ll kill her, her heart won’t stand it.

  “Don’t exaggerate, Peri. The bonding, not to be too blunt, but it will be you keeping us there. In bed, I mean.” Josef saw another blush creep onto her face, and he so wanted to move closer, take her into his arms, kiss her till she was senseless.

  “Oh, I see. Well, maybe after I’ve seen Daiki?” Peri’s thoughts were a jumble in her head, as she pondered Josef’s words. She didn’t know what to think of what he had said, other than she was excited and scared in equal measures.

  “Yes, after you’ve seen your friend. The travel arrangements are organized and we’ll be leaving in a couple of hours. I’ll leave you to finish packing.” Josef took one last look at his mate and turned to leave. Walking out of the room was hard, about the same as his hardness in his trousers.

  “Gabe, pack, we’ll be leaving in a couple of hours.” Josef moved to his own room and took a few deep breaths to get himself under control. As soon as he felt as if he wasn’t about to turn around and rush back to Peri, he moved to his dressing area again and started to pack. He even put in a pair of jeans and some t-shirts together with his suits and shirts.

  As he was packing, Liam called. “Yes, Liam?” Josef answered in his usual cool tone.

  “Just to say, Daiki, I’ve got a full report here. He seems to be a good citizen. Pays his taxes on time, no police record, no tickets, has his business teaching martial arts, several, in fact. He lives alone. His wife died many years ago and he hasn’t remarried. No children, gives money to the homeless every month. Other than that, he lives a quiet life. No alarm bells with him, Josef.” Liam stopped, in case his boss wanted to ask any questions. Silence greeted him for more than a minute.

  Josef processed what Liam had said. He guessed Daiki started giving money to the homeless after he had met Peri.

  “Okay, anything else to do with Peri?” Josef wanted to know if Liam had came up with anything new.

  “Uhm, no. Still can’t figure out where her parents are. Maybe they’ve changed their names or something. There’s definitely no paper trail for them. Our guys did catch a Vamp sniffing around near your place, he’s been dealt with. Nothing else so far. Security is in place for the trip. I’ve already sent some of our guys on ahead, there will be some to meet you at the airport, and some are already at the hotel making it secure. A Witch is with them and placing wards and shields up. We’re set to go, Josef. I’ll meet you at the plane.” Liam always liked traveling with Josef. He loved the private jet.

  “Okay good, see you later then. Oh, I take it the Vampire was eliminated?” Josef knew this would probably be the case, but wanted to make sure.

  “Yes, after we got some information, however, it wasn’t anything that could help. Only that he had been told about the bounty on Peri and a rumor she was here. Other than that, nothing. I did the interrogation myself, trust me, that Vamp wasn't holding back anything,” Liam advised.

  “Fine, bye.” Josef hung up and felt a bit better that Liam already had guys in San Fran. His employees were well-trained and compensated well. However, the little bit of fear of both Liam’s powers and his own always did well at keeping them alert and on point. They all knew if they let anybody through or anything happened, then the consequences would be dire.

  Josef finished packing and moved back through to the main area, placing his case near the front door. Peri walked out just as he turned around and his heart leaped at the sight of her.

  She had changed clothes and was wearing a simple sheath dress in a dark green color, which set off her hair magnificently. She had pulled her hair up into a kind of messy knot and there were strands that were loose around her face. A simple pair of flat pumps and simple makeup completed the look.

  She looked stunning and just as Josef was about to comment, a long, loud Wolf whistle came from his left. Gabe was walking towards them with his own case and his grin was huge on his face.

  “Dear God, Peri, you look amazing, baby. I can’t wait for folk to see you on my arm. All the guys will be jealous!” Gabe swooped in and planted a kiss on her lips, a quick one, he knew if he
lingered, it would progress.

  “Uhm, thank you. Is this okay for traveling?” Peri had been unsure what to wear.

  “You look stunning, Peri, and it is more than suitable for traveling. Here, let me take that.” Josef moved and took her case from her hand and planted a kiss on her lips.

  “I’ve phoned that salesgirl, told her our plans have changed. When we get back, if you want her to come and help with makeup or anything else, then I’ll arrange it.” Josef would put the girl on retainer, if Peri wanted it.

  “Oh no!” Peri’s tone was frantic.

  Josef and Gabe both moved, looking for a threat, they saw none, but when they looked again at Peri, she had tears running down her face.

  Both males went to her and Gabe’s hand was on her cheek. “What’s wrong?”

  Josef was looking over her intently, looking for some clue as to what was wrong.

  “I can’t go – I can’t go!” Peri had only just realized it, there was no way she could go.

  “Why?” Josef asked, bewildered.

  “Paper trail? I don’t have a driver’s license, far less a passport, Josef!” Peri couldn’t believe the thought had only just come to her.

  Both the men in front of her relaxed and she wondered why. She would need a passport to get through security and onto a plane.

  “It’s okay, Peri, you won’t need one, trust me.” Josef was once again calm, realizing Peri wasn’t hurt and there was no threat.

  “How?” Peri queried.

  “You’ll see,” Gabe chuckled.

  Peri was mystified. How could she get on a plane without a passport or photo ID?

  Josef took out a hanky from his top pocket and gently wiped Peri’s face. His eyes stared into hers and his look calmed her. Why or how she wasn’t sure.

  A knock at the door broke their eye contact and Josef checked on the monitor before opening the door. A bus boy stood with a luggage trolley. He stepped in, loaded their luggage, turned and left, no words spoken.

  “Okay, little Witch, are you ready for a trip?” Josef asked, and Peri was still a bit confused and worried. She didn’t want to get to the airport and turned away because she didn’t have any ID!

  Gabe grabbed her around the waist. “Come on, baby, you’re going to have a ball.”

  Gabe moved her forward and Josef locked up, moved to her other side, and took one of her hands in his. The feel of their skin on skin giving her those tingles again.

  By the time they got to the elevator, it was sitting waiting on them, and Peri wondered how that happened all the time.

  They entered and when they got out at the bottom, there was a large limo waiting. Peri’s excitement rose – a limo!

  “Is that for us?” She asked, as Gabe moved towards it. A very, very large man stood holding the door open, and Peri gave him a wary glance, as Gabe placed her inside.

  She sat down on the seat at the back and Gabe and Josef flanked her. There was a small bar in front and a bottle of champagne on ice. Crystal glasses sat next to it. Josef reached for the already opened bottle and poured them all a glass.

  “I’ve never had this before.” Peri laughed, as the bubbles went up her nose.

  “If you like it, you can have it whenever you want,” Josef said earnestly, and Peri realized he meant it. Champagne whenever she liked? Another extravagance that she probably wouldn’t be comfortable with. A nice rosé wine was fine with her.

  “Okay, sit back and relax. It won’t take long to get to the airport.” Josef placed a hand on her knee, and once again, she felt those tingles. It was really strange.

  “Yeah, won’t take long.” Gabe said, as he sank back into the seat and sipped his champagne.

  This all felt surreal to Peri, and she wondered if she had been in an accident and was in a coma somewhere, dreaming all of this.

  Chapter 11

  Peri sipped slowly at her champagne and the three of them spoke of their own trips to San Fran, Josef being there in its inception days.

  She ended up choking on her champagne at a particularly funny story Gabe told. He had got up to some mischief in his past, Josef bailing him out of trouble time and again.

  Peri mostly listened, the words of the other two making her more aware of who they were, and the close bond between them. Gabe was obviously the more outgoing of the two with a cheeky side to his character that never failed to have her laughing.

  Josef was more reserved, and she guessed he had been more so before they had met. Gabe also commented on this. “So, Peri, you do realize that you’ve loosened up Josef? He used to be so uptight, I used to think he would strangle himself! No, seriously, Peri, you’ve made a huge difference to him – and me.”

  Josef looked at Gabe with a withering stare, not liking his remarks about how uptight he used to be. Josef knew he had been reserved, cold even, but he didn’t need reminding of it. He felt the difference in himself since Peri had come into their lives. She made him feel whole again.

  Josef had never told of the one time he had fallen in love, just before he became a Vampire. The ways that love crushed all feeling from him in its betrayal. The vow he made never to let that happen again. The beginning of his losing most of his humanity.

  Peri had brought that humanity alive in him once more, and he felt more than a little scared at the prospect. For him to feel fear...well, it wasn’t something he had felt since he had been human.

  As they neared the airport, Peri grew more nervous, knowing she couldn’t fly without ID.

  Josef’s hand was still on her knee, not having moved since he had first touched her. He gave it a little squeeze and Peri smiled up at him, worry still in her, but she was trying to trust what he had said. That it would be okay.

  Her trust in him made him feel good, once again, not a feeling he was used to.

  Peri saw a large gate and the limo moved through without stopping, the guard just motioning for them to go on in. As they did so, she saw they were nowhere near the main terminal of the airport.

  The limo continued on a long strip of road and Peri tried to see where they were. A few buildings up ahead looked like large hangers. The limo stopped in front of one and Gabe got out first, his hand helping her exit from the car.

  As she stood up, Peri gasped. The hanger was huge and inside was a very sleek jet. Gabe laughed at her expression. “You never thought that Josef would fly commercial, did you? As for your passport, or rather the fact you don't have one, the old Vamp would just use his mind control trick. He's done it plenty of times before, so don't worry.”

  Peri looked from Gabe to Josef and the slight tug on his lips showed he was amused, also.

  “A private jet? Really?” Peri couldn’t believe her first trip on a plane was going to be on this one.

  “Yes, Peri, this is one of mine.” Josef took her hand and started to walk towards the jet.

  “What? Did you say one? As in you have more than one?” Peri was breathless with excitement.

  “Of course, this one is sufficient for shorter flights within the US. I have another that is needed for longer flights – say to Europe or the Far East.” Josef’s thumb was rubbing her hand, as they walked, and she still felt those tingles.

  “Oh my God, you really are rich. I knew you had money, obviously, but this...this is just crazy!” Peri knew only a small portion of even rich people could afford something like this.

  “Yes, Peri, I do rather have a lot of money.” Josef was captivated by her excitement and it was rather catching.

  As they neared the jet, Peri saw another large man standing at the bottom of the short flight of stairs. Josef nodded to him and led her up into the body of the jet.

  Liam was sitting on a leather sofa with a coffee in his hand, and he smiled as they entered. “Hi,” he said, and Peri nodded her head. She didn’t think she could speak for the excitement running through her.

  “Sit down and buckle up, just for take-off and landing,” Josef instructed, as he placed her into a chair that sat beside a
large table. More chairs surrounded the table, and that was where Josef and Gabe sat.

  The driver of the limo and the other large man that had been at the stairs both came on board and sat down, further back. Bodyguards – that was the one word that came to mind when Peri looked at them. But were they human or something else?

  Josef answered her thought. “Vampires, Peri. Most of my security details are Vampires. Strength and speed and not a lot can kill them.”

  “Suppose that makes sense, but they look rather scary.” Peri kept glancing at the two large beings.

  “Trust me, they have one order and one only, that is to keep you safe, at all costs. They would never hurt you.” Josef knew she was nervous of them, but she better get used to them because wherever she went, so did they.

  Well, that was until Josef had found and taken out her father.

  The pilot stuck his head through. “All ready?” He asked and Josef nodded his head. The man pulled up the stairs and secured the door before going back into the cockpit.

  Peri heard the engines roar a little and the jet moved slowly out of the hanger. Josef had sat her at a chair near a window, and she watched with wide eyes as they moved. A tiny bit of fear was in her stomach, but she damped it down. People flew all the time, and she was more likely to get run over by a bus than die in a plane crash.

  As the jet taxied to the runway, she grew more impatient. She wanted to feel the power of the jet, as they took off. Josef chuckled at her thoughts, the girl definitely liked powerful machines.

  As Peri heard the engines roar in preparation for take-off, she stared intently out the window, wanting to see the ground, as they rushed along it. As the jet moved forward quickly, she took a sharp breath in. The feeling was amazing, and she kept her eyes on the ground and saw it flying past at an incredible speed.

  Soon she saw the jet was no longer on the ground and it angled up towards the sky. Exhilarating. That was the only word she had. Totally awesome.