Deception

by A. S. Fenichel

  “Perhaps. If the odds are good.”

  “I promise you I give excellent odds. I run a very fair establishment.”

  “Then it will depend on what you want to expunge my debt.”

  Dorian stepped forward. He didn’t like where this conversation was going. Saving his life amounted to nothing if the hoodlum went too far.

  Fletcher looked from Lillian to him and shook his head. “Alas, what I truly want is no longer available. I can see from the set of his lordship’s jaw, the lady is taken. However, a monetary arrangement can always be worked out. I will be very fair as the pleasure of seeing you play has piqued my curiosity to the point of giddiness.”

  “I will let you know when I am available to settle the debt, Mr. Fletcher. As you can see, I am quite busy at the moment.”

  “I have never seen a woman play billiards. Is it commonplace in England?”

  “Not as common as it ought to be.”

  “Your fighting skills are remarkable, Miss Dellacourt. I shall not underestimate you at the table. You two look done in. My men will clear the street.” Fletcher held out his hand, and she shook it.

  “Thank you.”

  Dorian shook his hand. He narrowed his eyes on Fletcher’s and gripped tighter than necessary. “I will not forget you saved my life, but do not test me, my friend.”

  Fletcher’s grin widened. “I would not think of it. I can see what is what.”

  Dorian didn’t believe him, but he nodded. He offered Lillian his arm. They walked several blocks away from the battleground. “I think it is safe to say, demons have infiltrated Edinburgh.”

  “Indeed.”

  “That was more than we bargained for.” They turned a corner heading toward his home. It was over a mile long walk, but he’d never walked the streets so far at night.

  “It is very strange. Two attacks on hunters in as many days. Demons rarely go on the offensive.”

  “You think they have information about our movements?” The few streetlights guttered, and he guided her around a row of shrubbery. The city was different after dark, more serene as well as dangerous.

  “Not only that. I think we are getting close to uncovering something the master wants kept a secret. But my real concern is they know what we are doing and when. How do they know?” Excitement brimmed in her voice.

  “Are you saying we have a spy for the master within The Company?”

  “I do not know, but I think we need to be more careful about who knows our movements. Only you and I can know what is happening in the archives.”

  “How many people know what we are trying to do?”

  Lillian draped both hands around his arm. “Cullum, Tybee, and the witch. Reece, Belinda, and Gabriel assume I am still after information on her father.”

  “And are you?”

  She smiled. “I will not bother to deny I believe the earl has played a part in bringing the world to the state it is in today. Still, I accept our goal is to find out how to close gates and where to find them.

  “I think it’s safe to say Cullum is not a spy. He could have disassembled The Company long ago if he wanted to.”

  “I can guarantee Reece and Belinda are loyal to the cause.”

  The remaining names on the list ticked through his mind. “I cannot imagine Gabriel Thurston doing anything to put his family in more danger.”

  “It will behoove us to keep a close watch on the remaining suspects, but also to allow for the possibility that we have missed something or someone.”

  The moon climbed high, and the streets glimmered from an earlier shower. It was late and the homes were all dark. He was delighted with how reasonable she was. In spite of her personal dislike for Shafton, she’d thought the problem through and did what best served their cause.

  She broke the silence. “I’m sorry the fantasy day was ruined, though I cannot say I’m surprised.”

  “It is not ruined.”

  “Oh, you planned to fight demons during your fantasy day of living a normal life? I suppose you also planned to be strangled nearly to death by a malleus?”

  “This is our life, Lilly. And I am still with you.”

  They turned another corner and were on the street where he lived.

  “Tomorrow we should go back and investigate the passages under the city,” she said.

  “We should have gone tonight.”

  “We had victims to get to safety. Speaking of which, where will your driver take the women?”

  “To the castle. Tybee will know what to do. He will return them to their families tomorrow if they are well enough. If not, The Company will send them to Dr. Barns in London. I must talk to Cullum about adding another doctor to the staff here in Edinburgh now that we know we have a serious infestation.”

  “Will you write to Cullum about our discovery?”

  “I believe he will return to Edinburgh tomorrow.”

  “Then we shall go together and tell him our discoveries thus far.”

  His townhouse was a welcomed sight. He ordered baths and headed upstairs. Lillian said good night and turned toward the guest room.

  Chapter 8

  Lillian washed her face, cleaned her blades, and disarmed herself. It was always a relief to remove the weight of all the knives she carried. If only she could unload the feeling of doom hovering over her shoulder, maybe she’d sleep.

  Tomorrow they could go back to the archives and maybe find something to give them some direction.

  The loud knock at her bedroom door startled her. “Yes.”

  Alice poked her head in. “We have your bath ready, miss.”

  “Oh? All right.” Dorian must have ordered her a bath as well. She was grateful. It might be nice to sooth her muscles and bruises and wash off the night’s events.

  Two footmen carried in a large copper tub followed by an army of servants with water to fill the vessel. Guilt over making so many people work so hard on her behalf washed over her. Dorian might be used to this kind of pampering, but Lillian was not comfortable with it.

  The maid who had knocked added a touch of oil to the water. Vanilla and lilac scented steam wafted from the bath, permeated the air, making the bath too delicious to resist.

  “Do you require help, miss?”

  “No. Thank you. I can manage.”

  A footman pulled a chair close to the tub and the maid placed towels, a robe, soap and a cloth on it.

  They left Lillian alone.

  She shed her clothes and placed one foot over the edge of the tub. Another knock at the door stopped her. She grabbed the robe and wrapped herself up. “Yes?”

  Dorian opened the door and strode in wearing a robe. He closed and bolted the door behind him.

  Pounding heart aside, she was astounded he had come to her. He’d given no inkling he wanted to spend the night with her when they’d arrived at the townhouse. In fact, he’d been cool as he ordered his staff around and said goodnight at the top of the stairs.

  “I thought we might bathe together if you have no objections.”

  “Objections?” The idea of washing Dorian and having him wash her filled her mind, and her nipples tightened against the silky fabric.

  “I canceled my own bath in favor of one for you. It seemed cruel to make the staff fill two at such a late hour. I believe we are still within the one-day parameters you set, Lilly. May I stay?”

  Her throat tightened to a point where no words pushed through. Even after seeing her in battle, he still wanted her. The relief flooding her was a complete surprise. Why did she care? She was a hunter first. Wasn’t she?

  Since words failed her, she untied her robe and let it puddle on the floor.

  He gave her naked form his full attention.

  She stepped into the tub and sank into the warm water.

  His arousal was clear even before he dropped his robe and crossed to the tub. Sliding forward, she allowed him to climb in behind her and settle his legs around hers. His arousal pressed against her bottom, and he emb
raced her.

  It was the most erotic moment of Lillian’s life, and she leaned back against his hard chest and closed her eyes. “What will the servants think?”

  “That we are bathing together.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “Dorian?”

  “Do you care what they think?”

  “No, but you should. Servants talk to those in other houses who pass information along to their employers.”

  “My servants will be discreet. Do not fret, Lilly. What we do here in my house, will remain within these walls.”

  Why did she care? Her own reputation had never meant a thing to her. Dorian was a grown man; he could take care of himself. If he did not care about rumors, then why should she? Still, it took an effort to push aside the worry and relax into the moment.

  His hands slid along her arms, down her abdomen, climbed up, and cupped her breasts, which rose above the waterline. When he pinched her sensitive buds, all worry over servants flew from her. Nothing mattered but the pleasure he provided and finding more of the same.

  She arched against his hands, pressing her butt against his shaft, and elicited a deep moan from him.

  He lathered the soap and cloth, suds seeping through his fingers and falling to the water. His hands had brought her to the height of rapture and had killed with great skill. He slid the cloth along her torso, over her breasts, along her neck and down her arms. Everywhere he touched burned with need, and she couldn’t help wiggling against him.

  Long fingers caressed and washed as he went. He nibbled on her earlobe and gasps escaped her lips. She turned her head into the kiss, wanting more, needing more. Beneath the water, he washed lower still until his hand pressed between her legs. With one hand, he washed and with the other, he lightly touched the nub at her center. He circled it and rubbed until she cried out and bucked against his hands.

  She rolled over, splayed her chest across his, and dragged herself up and wrapped her hands around his neck. The cloth disappeared into the bath water. She plunged her tongue into his mouth.

  He gripped her behind and pulled her along his shaft. Water sloshed over the sides of the tub.

  Lillian vibrated with desire.

  His fingers slid along the crease of her backside, sending jolts of pleasure through her. It would never be enough in the confines of the bath. She stood between his legs. “We need to get out of this.”

  Water dripped down her body. Her hair made a curtain in front of her face, blocking out everything but him. She struggled to catch her breath.

  Dorian smiled up at her, found the washing cloth, soaped it with excruciating slowness, and washed her legs, thighs and hips.

  Everywhere he touched burned with need. Sweet and passionate, fierce and fun, he was everything she could want in a partner.

  Sitting up, he took her hand, washed her arm, then the other. He stood and nudged her to turn, before washing her back, shoulders, and neck. His breath tickled her ear. “Rinse off, mon trésor.”

  She knelt in the cooling water and rinsed the soap away while he soaped himself and did the same.

  Dorian stepped out and wrapped himself in a robe before holding a towel open for her.

  From the tub, she stepped into the soft cloth and his warm embrace.

  His mouth covered hers, and with her arms trapped, he kissed her deeply and thoroughly.

  She longed to touch him, but curiosity kept her passive. She trembled with excitement and desire to find out.

  “I think I like this submissive version as much as the aggressive one,” he said.

  “It would be best not to get used to it.”

  His face lit with a broad grin. “I shall keep that in mind.”

  He lifted her as if she weighed nothing and carried her to the bed. “I had no idea the beds in my guest rooms were so damn small.”

  He sat her on the edge of the bed. Once again, her hair fell over her face, but she had no means to correct the issue.

  Dorian tucked it behind her ears and kissed her cheek, her neck, and down to her shoulders.

  The towel fell to her waist. She grabbed him around the neck, pulled him on top of her, and fell back on the bed. “It is big enough.”

  “Not nearly, but it will have to do for tonight.” His smile destroyed any real disappointment in his words or tone.

  She ran her hands up his sides, delighting in the ripple of each muscle under her fingertips. She ached for him, and the evidence of his desire pressed hard against her pelvis. She struggled against the towel trapping her legs.

  Dorian slid lower, took a nipple in his mouth, and sucked.

  The sweet sensation shot between her thighs, and she cried his name. She tried to lift her knees to cradle his torso. She fought the drying cloth, muscles straining until the satisfying sound of tearing fabric filled her ears.

  She was free.

  His laughter filled the room.

  She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him tight. Her center rubbed against his abdomen. The towel still separated his skin from hers.

  He suckled her other nipple until she squirmed beneath him.

  “Dorian?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Would you do something for me?”

  “Anything.” He continued his attention.

  She lifted her hips and pressed her center harder and faster. She needed more of him. “Remove this towel and make love to me before I go insane.”

  He stopped, tugged the towel, and the cool air shot delight to every inch of her body.

  Lifting his body away, he tossed the tattered cloth to the floor and threw off his robe.

  Lillian used her feet to push herself back onto the bed.

  Dorian grabbed her calf and stopped her. Then he pulled her to the edge of the mattress. His cock stood hard against his stomach, and his dark gaze never left hers. Gripping both her thighs, he lifted her legs, exposing her fully. He caressed her slick folds.

  His fingers were magic. The troubles of the world fell away. He stroked her pleasure higher. It was too much and not enough. She clutched for purchase on reality and dug her nails into his shoulders.

  He brought his thick rod between her legs and plunged inside.

  He groaned.

  She cried out.

  Neither one moved.

  “Lilly, you feel like heaven.”

  She tilted her hips, bringing him deeper. “More.”

  Pulling back, he thrust inside her again and again.

  She followed his rhythm, meeting him each time, bringing her ecstasy higher with every drive.

  Shuddering and trembling, she climbed to the peak of rapture. The speed increased, and his touch continued until she exploded with pleasure.

  Several more moans from Dorian and he spilled his seed on her stomach.

  She still quivered.

  He lifted her the rest of the way onto the bed and moved away. He returned to clean her, and the cool, wet cloth startled her. She stayed still while he cared for her, and joy bubbled in her chest. When had anyone taken care of her? Never.

  He settled next to her and pulled her tight against him. “You are wonderful, Lilly.”

  “You know, I never asked you not to spill your seed inside me.”

  He lifted up on one elbow and looked down at her. “I think having a child unwise at this point in our lives, don’t you?”

  She liked the sound of “our lives” more than she should. “I know these things are not spoken of, but I do not think I can conceive a child at this time. I’m not sure why, perhaps all the exercise. I do not have my monthly when I am this muscular.”

  “Do you think you will ever be able to have a child?”

  “I do not know if I ever want to have one. The world is not a safe place for children. It would be irresponsible to bring more into the world.”

  “Your friend, Belinda, is with child. Do you deem the countess irresponsible?”

  “Perhaps. She stopped hunting for a few months. Put on a little weight and found hers
elf in her current condition. Of course, she is married to an earl, and he needs an heir. Still, I would not have made the same choice. If I started my monthly, I should have been more careful. However, Belinda is my friend, and I support her decisions even when I think they are foolish.”

  With the lightest touch, he brushed a curl off her forehead and kissed her cheek. “One day, this will all be over. Perhaps then you will feel differently, Lilly.”

  She hoped he was right. But even if he was, who’d have her?

  * * * *

  It was odd to walk into The Company offices with Dorian. They were lovers. More than that, he meant something to her, something more than a friend or colleague.

  Tybee opened the door for them. His browning teeth and bloodshot eyes a welcome distraction. “Cullum arrived an hour ago, said to send you in immediately.”

  “Thank you,” Dorian said.

  Lillian had never been in the office of the head of The Company. She’d only been in Edinburgh once, then been assigned to work in London where the demon invasion was at its worst. She followed closely behind, and her heart beat as if she were going into battle.

  The hallways and stairs under the castle were a never-ending maze. Lillian needed to spend some time navigating the place if they were going to be working there for any length of time. She didn’t like the idea of getting lost.

  Dorian stopped in front of a large oak door. He took Lillian’s hand and gave it a squeeze before releasing it and knocking firmly.

  “Come.”

  They entered an office better suited to any fine London home. One wall was filled floor to ceiling with books, an Oriental rug warmed the floor, and a large desk sat in the middle. The only chair was the one behind the desk where Drake Cullum watched them over his steepled hands. Evidently, he did not wish for anyone to stay long enough to need a seat.

  “How are the two of you getting along?”

  “Fine.” Dorian stiffened.

  The difference was subtle, but she had become used to his moods and telling signs.

  “We are investigating several possible links to gateways and rituals.” She told him about the incident with the children on the way to Edinburgh. Dorian filled in some detail. They went on to explain what had transpired since arriving and how they had been attacked twice.