Nia scowled. He was right, damn him. If she thought about it, in the alcove he had come to her. Then she had gone to him last night. Now, today, he had come to her. The next move would be hers.
Nia sat on a bench. Sweat rolled down her face. She didn’t know if she could make the move.
“Are you Nia?” a voice asked.
Startled, Nia glanced up, shifting cautiously in case she needed to defend herself. The park was a nice place, but you still had to be careful. A well-dressed man stood before her.
“Yes.”
“Darius sent this.” He held out a plastic bag and a drink.
She took it cautiously. The man dipped his head and walked away in the same direction Darius had taken. Nia glanced at the bag, noting it was marked with the same name as the restaurant in the hotel. She placed the bottle of kiwi and strawberry juice next to her on the bench and opened the bag. Scrumptious scents filtered out. She peeled off the note stuck to the container and opened it.
Maybe another time we can have lunch.
For now, enjoy. And keep hydrated. It’s hot.
Darius.
Folding the note closed, Nia fanned herself with it. She glanced in the direction Darius had gone. The infuriating man was making it difficult for her to keep her head and not go to him. Standing, Nia picked up her juice and threw it into the air, catching it as it fell. It was the same kind she had ordered last night. It was also her favourite flavour. He didn’t miss a trick. She strolled back to work.
Chapter Four
Exiting the elevator, Nia rolled her head to work out the kinks in her neck. It had been a long and rough day. She dropped her bag by the chair.
“I’m out on the terrace!” Darius called.
She scowled, pushing her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. When she had arrived at the hotel, a valet had taken her car and given her a note with codes for access to the office and elevator. As she had walked across the lobby, she’d wondered how Darius had known she would come the same day they had spoken in the park. His certainty was aggravating. The greeting she had got from the staff, like they knew her, had been unnerving, and another sign that he was sure of her. No one questioned her as she let herself into the office area. Thankfully, she hadn’t seen anyone as she had gone down the hall—all the offices had been empty. Well, that could be expected, since it was almost midnight. She had debated not coming, but had found she had to.
Nia strolled through the living room. It was spacious and comfortable, done in the same colours as his bedroom—dark browns, orange and burgundy. Surprisingly, they looked good together. At the open glass door, with curtains held back by decorative ties, she stepped outside. She caught her breath at the view. New York City from so high up at night was a marvellous sight. She turned her head and her breath whooshed out. Darius beckoned her over. Mesmerised, she did as he silently bade. As she neared, Darius pulled himself out of the large pool.
Water flowed off his muscular body as he strolled over to her. He held her chin between two fingers and studied her silently. With his other hand, he lightly touched the bruise under her eye.
“What happened?” he demanded.
“A perp tried to run, and we had to chase him. He was an elbowy prick. No big deal.” She shrugged.
“At least you all caught him. Do you want to talk about whatever has the shadows in your eyes?” he asked gently.
She gazed into his eyes. Usually, she didn’t want to. But with him the need to filled her. She nodded.
“Come. Let’s relax, and you can tell me. Purge it from your soul,” he said.
Darius led her across the terrace, into the shadows. The terrace was so large she couldn’t even see to the other end, though it was bathed in moonlight. He released her hand, and there was a scraping sound. A light flared, and he lit an oil lamp hanging next to what she now saw was a hot tub. The steaming, whirling water looked inviting. On the lip, near where they stood, was a tray with some sandwiches, fruit, and drinks—including, if she wasn’t mistaken, the juice she liked.
Darius turned to her and began to gently undress her.
“I need to put my gun in your safe,” she murmured.
“We’ll take care of it later.”
She didn’t say anything else. Darius led her to the tub and helped her in. She sank down into the water, moaning. Darius joined her, pulling her against his side. He sat them on a bench inside the tub. He rubbed her back. Nia told him of the perp they had gone to the hospital to question. When he had seen them, he had run. They had chased him and caught him, but not without some minor injuries to him and an elbow to her eye. They had taken him back to the precinct and questioned him. At first, he had denied any knowledge of the burglary at his parents’ house, which had led to his mother’s death and his father being in the hospital.
Then he had broken and admitted he had needed money for a gambling problem, that he had convinced a friend to rob his parents while he took them out to dinner. He had figured that they had insurance, so it was okay. Problem was, his parents, after a long day at their business, had cancelled and gone home. The friend had panicked and shot them both. The woman had died instantly, but her husband had survived.
“And guilt is why he didn’t come forward. He told us where to find the friend and we arrested him, too,” Nia said.
“It’s brutal what humans do to each other.”
His wording gave her pause, but she dismissed it. Lowering her head, she enjoyed him rubbing her stiff muscles. Darius kissed the back of her neck, then pulled his hands away.
“You need to eat. Missing dinner is not good,” he fussed.
“How’d you know I missed dinner?”
Nia took the sandwich he held out and bit into it. The perfect blend of corned beef layered with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing filled her mouth. Nia moaned and took another bite.
“Just a guess. Good sandwich?” Darius sounded amused.
She rolled her eyes up to meet his. A small, pleased smile was on his face.
“Do you want water, juice, beer or wine?” he asked.
“Water.”
He retrieved a bottle, opened it and held it to her lips. Nia opened her mouth, and he gave her a drink. He pulled back, holding on to the bottle.
“I love Reuben sandwiches.” She eyed him suspiciously.
He seemed to be very in tune with what she liked and wanted.
“I got my favourite. Hoped you liked it, too. I also have pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. Ham with Swiss or cheddar. Or turkey, again with Swiss or cheddar. Got a few varieties, since I didn’t know what you liked.” He shrugged.
Nia went back to eating her sandwich, feeling bad for being suspicious.
“It’s okay, Nia. It’ll take time for us to get to know each other. I’m just glad you’re here,” Darius said gently.
Nia smiled, then returned to eating her food. Darius made a noise in his throat. She raised her head. He bit into a piece of pineapple, flashing strong, white teeth. Nia put her sandwich down and took the drink from his hand. Darius looked at her, his blue gaze questioning.
“Suck me,” she said.
Rising up off the bench, she stood, holding out her breasts to him. Darius widened his legs and she stepped between them. He settled his hands just under her ass. Nia held her globes steady in his face. He swirled his tongue over the area just around her turgid buds. He continued his caresses for a while.
“Suck me,” she demanded again, gripping his hair and pulling him to where she wanted him.
Darius growled and suckled her nipple, deep and hard. She moaned. He worried the nipple with his teeth, then pulled it into his mouth again. He alternated between swirl, nibble and suckle. Each movement made her pussy clench, wanting him. Darius slid his hands between her legs, widening her stance.
“Hmmm…yes…” he said, opening her legs wider.
A gasp ripped from her as a jet stream hit her aching slit. She tried to close her
legs, but his firm grip kept her open.
“Feel the rapture,” he murmured.
He went back to his ministrations. Moaning, Nia released her breasts and gripped his shoulders. She pumped her hips, searching for the stream against her pussy. Darius stilled her motions, shifting her. She groaned as the motion of the water filled her pussy. Holding him tight, she whimpered. Darius buried his head between her breasts, licking the flesh, then nuzzling downwards, suckling her nipple. She arched back to give him better access. He moved from breast to breast, driving her into a frenzy. The jet streams moved inside her. Heat filled her belly, making shivers coat her skin. Darius bit down on her nipple. Nia screamed, going over into the talons of pleasure.
He held her still, taking his fill of her breasts, making harsh noises. Darius yanked her to him, spreading her legs. He pulled out a condom and rolled it on, then thrust into her. Moaning, she curled back, riding his cock. Darius held her, slowing her down. His thrust was lazy, designed to heighten her pleasure and drive her out of her mind. Nia shuddered as he took her.
Darius, from under partially lowered lids, took in the beauty of Nia as she moved on him. With a slow, deep thrust, he swallowed the moan that fell from her lips. Pulling back, he watched her gaze go glassy with pleasure as he filled her. Nia had come to him. She’d shared her day with him. It was more than he’d expected, having only known her for such a short time. Her hips hitched and her breasts rose in and out of the hot water. They were pebbled, and he wanted to taste them again. Gripping her back, he leaned low and sucked one in, biting it. Nia clenched tightly around him, a gasp ripping from her. She was sensitive, and he loved the sounds she made when he suckled her nipples. He continued taking his fill.
Each pull of his teeth made her gush, making the glide into her slick with her essence. She shuddered as she came again. Darius stroked inside her. He wanted to take his time and make it last. Nia moaned, holding him close. He raised his head and closed his mouth over hers. She kissed him, tenderly suckling his tongue, then bit down. His sac went tight, then he gushed into her waiting cavern. He thought of the condom between them and wished it wasn’t there. He didn’t remove it, though, leaving it there for her peace of mind. They would discuss it, and soon. Until then, he held her as she came down from their pleasure. She fell asleep, and still he held her.
A little while later, he lifted her and took her to bed. Nia didn’t stir. He slid in beside her, bringing her back against his chest and placing his hand over her rounded belly. Holding her, he imagined his child deep within her.
Patience. It will happen soon.
* * * *
Rubbing the back of his neck, Darius exited the elevator into his apartment. Spotting Nia curled up waiting for him, he smiled. In the weeks they had been together, she had got more comfortable in his home, coming and going at all hours. They had explored New York together when their schedules permitted. Lunch in the park across from her precinct had become a daily date he looked forward to. Nia glanced up at him and smiled.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said, going to her.
He kissed her, then sat next to her. Nia slid her feet into his lap.
“You weren’t expecting me.” Nia shrugged, her attention returning to the TV.
“Umm… What happened to your plans with Gabe?” He rubbed her feet.
“She was called in to the ME’s office,” Nia said absently.
“So, when am I going to meet this Gabe you talk about so much? And Carmen and her husband Nick? Your partner Lauren?” he prodded.
Nia didn’t respond. Darius frowned slightly as he leaned towards her. Although they were close, Nia still kept him out of certain parts of her life. She shared details about her job; that, she didn’t have a problem with. What she hadn’t done was let him meet her friends, the women he had seen her with over three months ago at the wedding.
“Nia.” He gripped her foot lightly.
“I’ve missed you, Darius,” she said, pulling her foot away.
She shifted, laying her body on his. He reclined on the couch. Nia kissed him gently. Darius cupped her ass, putting his leg between hers. Nia’s sleep shirt rode up, and she rocked her bare mound against his pants. Her wetness through the fabric made him groan.
A loud ringing interrupted them. Nia pulled away, sitting up. She grabbed her cell phone off the table and put it to her ear.
“Hudson. I’ll be right there, Lauren.” She stood and hurried to the bedroom.
Darius sighed. He was getting used to the interruptions to their time. He didn’t like it, but he was dealing with it. Nia strode back in. She paused by him and kissed his lips.
“We need to talk,” Darius said, holding on to her.
Nia’s scowl told him she knew what he was referring to. She pulled away and went to the elevator. She waved briefly as she entered. The door closed. Darius rubbed his fingers through his hair, then stood and went to get ready for bed. He had to decide what to do about their relationship.
Chapter Five
The sound of the door closing caught his attention. Darius glanced at the time. It was three in the morning. Nia was tiptoeing across the darkened living room. Darius snapped on the light. She squealed, hand going to her gun.
Nia lowered her hand and frowned. “You know better than startling me. What the hell are you doing sitting in the dark?” She took off her gun and set it on the end table, then strolled towards him.
Darius stood. “We need to talk,” he said.
“Christ, Darius. Not now. I’m tired. We can talk tomorrow.” She put her hands on her hips.
“I’ve been pushing you to show me all of you and introduce me to your friends,” Darius said.
“Look—”
He cut her off. “But I can’t expect that if you don’t know about all of me.”
Nia frowned warily. “What do you mean, ‘all of you’?”
Darius didn’t reply. He released his power. In a rush, his wings rose behind him to the vaulted ceilings. It was one of the reasons they had such high roofing. He spread his wings behind him, taking up the full span of the spacious room. Nia scrambled back, grabbing her gun. Hand steady and eyes cold, she held it aimed at his head.
“What the hell are you?” she asked coldly.
Nia held her gun steady on Darius, the man she had assumed she knew. In her thoughts, the sight of those inky-black wings rising from behind him to touch the ceiling, then spreading to take up the width of the room, replayed in a reel. She’d been sleeping with him, letting him into her life…and now this.
I’m glad I didn’t introduce him to Gabe and Carmen.
“That’s the problem. You’ve been keeping me at a distance. Let me in!” he roared.
“I would keep my voice down, buddy, because I’m not the one who’s a fucking X-Man or some shit like that,” Nia said.
Darius scoffed. “I’m not an X-Man. I’m a Garlven, from the Quilez clan—in human terms, a gargoyle.”
“Gargoyles are those stone things, and they don’t look like you.” Nia backed up as he advanced, holding her gun on him.
“You mean like this?” Stone flowed over his skin.
One moment he was breathing, the next he was still. His shape was like Darius, and the wings had folded onto his back. Cautiously, Nia lowered her gun and walked to him. She circled him, studying the stone statue from all sides. Suddenly, it moved, wrenched her gun from her and flung it away. Hissing, she yanked away from him. Darius held her effortlessly, his blue eyes furious.
“I am a Garlven, and to be with me you must deal with that,” he said.
He released her. She stumbled back. Darius’ wings disappeared, and he strode out onto the terrace. Nia walked woodenly to the chair he had been sitting in. She dropped her hand between her legs and stared out where he had gone. She could clearly see Darius standing at the railing of the terrace, looking out over the city. She replayed the past few months, all the weird moments—from the very first time in the elevator, when he had
seemed to know her thoughts. As well as other things that had happened which she’d shrugged off as her being tired and seeing things instead of them actually being real. Breathing deeply, Nia wondered what to do.
As she thought about it, anger filled her. The sight of him showing her who he was. The suddenness of it. No lead up. Then the turning to stone thing. Standing, she stalked to the glass door and outside. Darius faced her, his head back at an arrogant angle. Nia walked up to him until she was a few steps away then stopped. She put her hands on her hips and studied him dispassionately.
“You know, I might have been able to deal with you being this Garlven, gargoyle, or whatever the hell you are. B—”
Darius scoffed, interrupting her. “Yeah. Right. You are so accepting. I—”
“Shut the hell up. I’m not done,” Nia snapped.
He subsided, crossing his hands over his chest. Nia matched him, crossing hers, too.
“As I was saying… I might have been able to deal with your big reveal. But the way you did it wasn’t calculated to make me accept it. It was a shock and awe tactic, intended to make me run. You claim you want to know all of me, yet you haven’t shown me this—the most important thing about you—until now. And you did it in such a way that I had no way to react but badly.”
Darius lowered his arms. “I—”
“Still not done,” she warned.
He closed his mouth.
“Once you get your head out of your ass and are ready to apologise, come find me,” She turned away, then paused, looking back at him. “This time, I might be leaving, but it’s your turn to come find me. And the apology had better be good.”
“I have nothing to apologise for,” he protested.
“Then I guess I won’t be hearing from you,” she said.
Nia turned and went back inside. She picked up her things and went to the elevator. When it slid open, she entered. Turning, she saw him standing in the doorway of the terrace. The door closed, and she closed her eyes, shaking.
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