Demons & Djinn: Nine Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Novels Featuring Demons, Djinn, and other Bad Boys of the Underworld

by Christine Pope

  When we were standing in front of my door, I yanked her to me and buried my hands in her dark hair. Kissing her roughly, I forced my tongue between her lips and devoured her until she gasped.

  I’d claim every inch of her before the night was over.

  She tensed, her hands digging into my biceps. But as I backed her up against the door and pressed my body to hers, she molded to me, her arms wrapping around me and tightening as she moaned with pleasure.

  Yes. I could stand right there for hours, making her mine without ever taking a piece of clothing off her. But then her breath grew short and she pulled away, whispering, “Take me inside.”

  “In a moment.” With her lips swollen and her eyes glazed with lust, I grasped her hips and jerked her forward, letting her experience my hard length. “Tell me how this makes you feel.”

  She didn’t hesitate. There was no careful consideration of thought. Just pure unfiltered passion. “Like I want to wrap my lips around you and taste every inch of you.”

  Jesus fucking Christ.

  I crushed my lips to her once more and then yanked away to jam my key in the lock. Once I had it open, I pulled her to me once more. Staring her in the eye, I walked backward through the threshold, never easing my hold. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” My voice was low, husky with promise. Or was that a threat?

  She laughed and ran a red fingernail along my jawline. “Are you?”

  Kicking the door shut, I spun us both around and pressed her against the wall.

  Her smile never faltered. That confidence was so damn sexy. So alluring. Almost as if she believed she’d orchestrated this scenario. Hell, maybe she had. She’d been the one to make the first move after all. Well, if she started it, I was damn sure going to finish it.

  With steady hands, I pushed my jacket off her bare shoulders. She leaned back, letting it fall to the floor. Lust hit me hard as I took her lower lip in mine and sucked gently until her eyes fluttered closed on a moan. Then with a willpower I didn’t know I possessed, I stepped back, leaving her breathless against the wall. My gaze started at her sparkling red toenails, traveled up her exposed thigh, and then over her long neck and those intense eyes.

  “What are you waiting for?” she asked quietly.

  “For you. I want you to strip.”

  Chapter 3

  Matisse

  Amusement skated through me. This guy was perfect. Exactly what I wanted in a sex partner. Forceful, take charge, an alpha that had the control none of my previous partners could maintain. Not when my sex-witch pheromones were in full force like they were right now. I was depleted enough that I couldn’t rein them in. I needed this release more than he could know. And not just because I had a spell to work tomorrow.

  I wanted him. Wanted him more than I could remember wanting anyone ever. It was as if he had his own magic affecting me in some way. I didn’t think so. At least I couldn’t feel it. But if he did, all the better. I couldn’t wait to get him naked.

  Taking a step away from the wall, I slipped my heels off and stood barefoot on his perfectly polished hardwood floors. And then in slow motion, I carefully lowered the zipper on the side of my skirt. Holding the fabric together, I met his eyes. His long dark lashes lowered as his gaze narrowed in on my hands, anxiously waiting for me to drop the sleek skirt.

  If I was going to strip, he was going to have to work for it. “Look at me,” I ordered.

  His gaze didn’t waver, but after a long moment he glanced up. Raising one eyebrow, he pierced me with that look of dominance he embodied so perfectly. “What’s the point in stripping if you don’t want me to watch?”

  My lips curled into a small smile. “I wanted to see that steely control you’ve got going on. It’s…” I swallowed. “Hotter than you can imagine.”

  “Babe.” He focused on my hands once more. “I’ve got plenty of control. What I don’t have is patience.” His hand clenched at his side. “Now, let’s see that black lace.”

  His voice was firm, but also full of quiet seduction. The will to continue the power struggle fled. My hands relaxed and my soft white skirt fell silently to the floor.

  Vaughn’s dark eyes flashed with molten fire. Then he held his hand out to me. I took it and stepped out of the circle my skirt formed at my feet.

  “Gorgeous,” he said, and slipped one finger under the edge of my panties, teasing the sensitive flesh on my hip.

  I was certain he was going to yank them down right there in his entryway. The hungry expression on his face said he wanted to. Instead, he pressed the other hand to my hip and glided it slowly up my side, bringing my silk shirt with it.

  “So soft,” he murmured and leaned in, trailing kisses over my bare shoulder until he reached my neck. A shiver tore through me at his light, spine-tingling touch. My body was alive with fire. I wanted him everywhere all at once. Instead, his gentle fingers were driving me insane. But I didn’t dare demand more. Oh no. This was a delicious torture that I’d never experienced before. I’d stand there and let him explore my skin all night if he wanted to.

  His other hand abandoned my hip and glided up my stomach until he was cupping my breast.

  I sucked in a breath, wanting his mouth on mine. But he bit down on my neck, sending a ripple of pleasure-filled pain right to my center. I swayed and arched into his mouth.

  “Yes,” he breathed and lightly pinched my nipple through the fabric of my bra with his thumb and index finger.

  Oh, Goddess. For a sex witch, I was ridiculously inexperienced in foreplay. Especially foreplay by a man who knew what he was doing. He squeezed my nipple tighter. I gasped as I tugged on his tight black T-shirt and splayed my hands over his rippled stomach. His muscles quivered beneath my touch as he once again bit down on my neck, hard, while his glorious fingers teased my other nipple relentlessly.

  Intense fire shot from his bite, heating my insides to almost unbearable levels, making me claw at his chest, digging my nails into his rock hard pecs.

  He hissed. “Fuck, Matisse.” Then he caught my mouth in his and thrust his tongue over mine as he pulled my top up, lifting my arms as he went. We broke apart just long enough for the shirt to be freed.

  Once it was gone, I pressed up on my tiptoes and clasped my hands against his face, meeting his lips in a slow, drawn-out kiss that was full of possession. I wanted to brand him. Mark him with my magic. Make him mine in every way possible. I could do it. It was a power I possessed. But that would make him no better than a sex slave, doomed to be at my beck and call for eternity. The spell was not looked upon kindly by any of the modern covens. Still, the desire to do it was there. Strong and pulsing beneath my breastbone.

  The thought scared me. What an awful thing to do to someone. It was bad enough my witch pheromones could attract just about anyone I wanted. But to bind someone to me? It was unthinkable.

  I pulled back, standing before him in the black lace I’d promised.

  “What’s wrong?” His gaze never slipped from mine. I admired him for it. If he’d been almost naked in front of me, I doubted I’d have had the control to not ogle him in appreciation. “Too much, too fast?”

  I shook my head and wanted to laugh. If he only knew. Usually I was straddling my partner by now, well on my way to climax. “No. I just…” I took a good look at his flushed face and the hard outline of his arousal through his tight jeans. “Just wanted to savor the moment for a second.”

  His lips twitched and he crooked one finger at me. “Come.”

  I grinned. “I’m sure I will, just as soon as you’re ready to take me there.”

  He let out a low chuckle. “Get your ass over here.”

  One step. Two. A few more and I stood before him, my hands resting lightly on his waist. “This needs to go.” I tugged at his T-shirt. “I want to see what’s under here.”

  Without a word, he raised his arms over his head.

  I willed myself to not tear the shirt off and inched it up, letting my fingers graze his ribs. When
the fabric bunched at his neck, he reached down and tugged it off over his head. He stood there, waiting for me to make the next move. “Tell me what you want,” I said.

  The storm was back in his eyes, and I suddenly had an image of me on all fours as he slammed into me from behind. My mouth went dry as another part of me instantly became wet. I was going to climb right out of my skin if he didn’t touch me soon.

  “Take your bra off,” he said.

  My fingers trembled as I reached behind my back and undid the hooks. The fabric sprang forward as I hunched my shoulders, letting the bra slip to the floor.

  “Cup your breasts, feel the weight of them in your hands.” His lust-filled tone was more of a command than any order he could’ve given me. It was the first time I’d been in a position to be the submissive in any seduction. And damn if I wasn’t enjoying it. I did as I was told and closed my eyes as I rubbed both thumbs over my taut nipples.

  “That’s it, Mati girl.” His tone went soft, full of affection and praise. “Touch yourself for me.”

  My lips parted as I stared at his bare chest and longed to mark him with my tongue.

  “Now, pull those panties down. Let me see all of you.”

  My eyes snapped to his.

  “You heard me. Do it now. Let me see that soft mound.”

  I couldn’t believe I was standing there taking orders from someone I just met. Getting ready to bare myself to him while he stood there in his jeans and boots. But then, it wasn’t as if I was helpless. I was a sex witch. Still, exposing myself was just as personal to me as the next girl. But the way he was watching and the fact that I could see him straining against his jeans had me slipping my panties down my thighs and letting them drop to my feet.

  He stayed still and silent as he took in my bare flesh, marking me with those eyes. His fingers twitched, and I knew he was on the verge of losing control. I longed for that moment. Needed to see this man, who had so much sexual power over me, succumb to my touch.

  “Do you want me to touch myself again?” I asked, inching my fingers down over my flat stomach.

  “No,” he all but growled. “I’ll do the touching.” Then he kicked his boots off as one hand worked the fly of his jeans.

  “Let me.” I reached out and tugged his zipper down, deliberately running my knuckles over the outline of his shaft.

  He sucked in a shallow breath and reached out, caressing my cheek gently. The juxtaposition of the demanding lover with the gentle one only made me want him more. Holy hell. How was I ever going to make it through this?

  His boxer briefs came down with his jeans and finally we were both bared to each other. I couldn’t help but stare. He was beautiful in every way. Tall and lean, with a well-defined chest and muscular legs. I wanted to touch him everywhere.

  He held out a hand. “This way.”

  I put my hand in his and ran my other down his arm as he guided me through a sparsely furnished living room and into his bedroom.

  He stopped at the foot of the bed, running his hand through my hair. And when he kissed me, he pressed against me, his erection bobbing against my stomach. Everything quivered. Had I ever experienced this level of excitement before? No, not until right before I climaxed and my power was rushing through me. Is this how it was for normal people? If so, no wonder there were sex addicts. Much better than drugs or food. In that moment, I thought I could sustain myself just off his touch.

  With one last nip of my lip, he pulled away and pointed to the bed. “Lie down.”

  The roughness in his voice only served to ratchet up my excitement. I did as I was told and waited for his next command.

  He stood over me, raking that gaze down my body. He was beautiful. And I knew I’d do just about anything he asked as long as there was a promise of release by his touch. “Spread your legs for me.”

  Heat crawled over my face. Bashfulness was a first for me. Even though I was only in my early twenties, I’d had more than my share of partners. It was a given with my heritage. In order to grow my power, I had to feed off of sex. But I’d never let anyone be in charge before, and I sure as hell hadn’t ever let anyone speak to me like that. If anything, it was the other way around. I usually called the shots. But that night, I willingly spread my legs for this stranger.

  And when he climbed on the bed, positioning himself so his head was level with my sex, it was all I could do to not demand he put his mouth on me. But no demand was necessary. Just when I thought I was going to go crazy with wild need, he dipped his head and his tongue darted out, tasting me with such delicious, slow intensity my muscles clenched and power built deep in my core, sparking through me like a lightning rod.

  Every nerve was alive and sensitive as his tongue worked his magic. I clutched at the soft covers, holding in the scream struggling to break free. Not yet. I couldn’t come right then. I needed the magic to intensify, to build, to fill all my reserves. But when his fingers slipped along my inner thigh and teased at my opening, all rational thought left my head. Power be damned. All I wanted was him.

  Chapter 4

  Vaughn

  I’d never been this hard in my life. With each moan and whimper I coaxed from Matisse, the more I wanted to be inside her, owning her, claiming her as mine. But I held back, denying the temptation. I couldn’t let this woman have that much control over me.

  Hell-bent on bringing her pleasure, I redoubled my efforts, and although she clearly was enjoying it, she appeared to be holding back. With each new stroke of my fingers and tongue that made her quiver in ecstasy, she shifted slightly to ease the friction. Why? She was a live wire more than ready to go off. And damned if I wasn’t going to make it happen. Now.

  Placing both hands firmly on her hips, I held her still, devouring her until her cries filled my ears and her body pulsed and trembled beneath my mouth. I glanced up, catching the utter rapture claiming her features. A faint glow materialized around her and the air shifted. It took me a moment to realize it was her power.

  Sex witch.

  Jesus. I was an idiot. No wonder she was so fucking alluring. It would also explain her confidence. But not her willingness to let me take control. Sex witches thrived on power. And control was a form of power. The fact that she’d yielded to me was mind-blowing. And fucking hot. It made me want her all the more.

  “Vaughn?” she whispered.

  I kissed my way up her hip and over her creamy stomach, stopping to concentrate on her right breast. Flicking my tongue over her nipple, I gazed up into her heavy-lidded eyes.

  “That was…” Her back arched, pressing her breast deeper into my mouth as she moaned her approval. I didn’t need her to tell me what the experience was like. I’d been right there with her, felt her struggle to maintain control, and felt her release when she’d finally been forced over the edge. And now she was pliant and more than willing to take everything I had to give. It was mind-blowing.

  “Vaughn,” she said again, more forcefully this time.

  I smiled a wolfish grin and lifted my head, bringing my lips inches from hers. “Yes, Matisse?”

  Her dark eyes flashed with mild irritation. Then she buried her hand in my hair and forced my head down as she kissed me with all the passion she’d tried to hold back earlier. I gave myself over to her, knowing she needed to call the shots in order to claim her power. I could do that for her. Was more than happy to.

  She broke the kiss off but didn’t release me. For a long, tension-filled moment, we stared at each other. Finally she licked her lips. “No more orders?”

  I shook my head. “It’s your turn to do as you will.”

  Those expressive eyes narrowed slightly. Then she placed both hands on my shoulders, and with sudden force, she pushed me over onto my back and rolled with me, pressing her breasts into my chest. She reached between us and ran her hand along my shaft. “I want you inside me.”

  My groin tightened as I gripped her thigh. “I’m ready for you, baby.”

  Her fingers closed around me
. “So it seems.”

  I forced myself to let go of her hip and reached to the nightstand for a condom. “Here.”

  Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she protected both of us. And then she was sinking her heat onto me, her lithe body shuddering with the pleasure it brought. When I was buried all the way in, she paused as she tilted her head back, reveling in the sensation. Every inch of her was smooth and perfect: her full breasts, her slim hips, her silky skin. I could’ve spent the entire night just exploring the wonders of her body.

  But then she started to move. The delicious friction made me want to flip her onto her back and grind into her with rough force. I denied myself though. The torture of letting her set the pace only drove my need higher. I rested my hands on her hips and teased my thumb down as I watched myself sliding in and out of her.

  So damned sexy. I couldn’t stop the quick thrust of my hips, meeting her slow, excruciating pace.

  “Oh, Goddess,” she moaned and moved faster. Then that glow started again. Just a soft outline over her skin.

  “Holy shit, Matisse.” I couldn’t wait any longer. The power that was building inside her, I felt it too. It was a hurricane of sensation that set my nerve endings on fire. I dug my fingers into her hip trying desperately to hold her to me as I finally slicked my thumb over her clit.

  She gasped and stared at me wide-eyed. The glow around her intensified, and I was completely lost. I jerked my hips up, slamming into her over and over again. Her cries grew louder and wilder with each thrust. And just when I thought I couldn’t last another moment, her muscles clenched and pulsed around me as her body went rigid. She moaned and ground against me one last time, holding me to her. Ripple after ripple of orgasm slammed through her until the light around her turned a brilliant white.