Don't Dare the Devil

by Erin Wade

  “What a gorgeous ring,” Liz said, eyeing Eden’s hand. “May I see it?”

  Eden held her hand closer to Liz.

  “I mean may I hold it?”

  Eden was torn. She didn’t mind Liz looking closer at her ring, but she hated to remove it from her finger.

  “It’s okay,” Darke said.

  Eden removed the ring and placed it in the palm of Liz’s hand.

  “This is extremely old,” Liz said as she examined the ring closely. “It’s a flawless red diamond. Quite rare.”

  “You’re an authority on rare gems too?” Darke simpered.

  “Oh, no. Not really.” Liz chuckled as her cheeks reddened. “I saw a stone like this when I was a young child. It left an impression on me. Not to be crude, but a diamond like this would sell for over a million dollars.”

  Liz returned the ring to Eden. “Where did you get it?”

  “Darke gave it to me.” Eden beamed. “It’s my engagement ring.”

  “Engagement?” Liz looked as if someone had slapped her. “You two … you—”

  “Are in love,” Eden said, coming to Liz’s rescue. “We’re getting married this summer when school is out.”

  “I didn’t mean to stutter like a fool,” Liz said. “You are both so beautiful and feminine. It never occurred to me that you might be … um—”

  “Lovers,” Eden said.

  “Where did you find such a lovely stone, Darke?” Liz asked, eager to change the subject. “I understood that red diamonds weren’t available at any price.”

  “It was my mother’s,” Darke explained. “My father gave it to her. She remarried after his death. When I was home this past summer, I told Mother I’d fallen in love, and she gave me the ring to give to Eden.”

  “It’s perfect.” Eden squeezed Darke’s hand.

  Just then, Margaret returned and began gathering the dishes, putting an end to their conversation.

  “Will you be dining at home tonight or at the country club?” Margaret asked as she cleared the table.

  “At the club,” Eden said with a glance at Darke and Liz, “if that’s okay with you two?”

  Both women agreed.

  “Good. I can let the cook go Christmas shopping,” Margaret said.

  Chapter 38

  “Oh damn, you look good enough to eat,” Darke murmured as she pulled Eden into her arms and placed a light kiss on her lips. “I didn’t even smear your lipstick.”

  “You may smear my lipstick anytime.” Eden kissed her soundly. “I just smeared yours.”

  “Let me look at you.” Darke held the blonde at arm’s length and slowly turned her. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

  “I have a vague idea,” Eden said, giggling. “But you really should give me details later tonight.”

  “You know, you’re a heartless tease.” Darke pulled her close for one more kiss. “You know what happens to a heartless tease?”

  “Um, sooner or later they must pay the piper. Just a warning—I plan to tease you all evening.”

  “Then you’re seriously going to pay,”—Darke’s deep, sultry voice enveloped her—“and pay, and pay.”

  Eden trembled in her arms. “I wish we were alone, with no one staying across the hallway.”

  “You’re still going to pay,” Darke whispered. “You just have to be silent about it. No screaming my name.”

  “You know you’d hate it if I didn’t scream your name.”

  “I truly would.”

  A knock on the door ended their banter. “Dr. Crain is waiting downstairs,” Margaret informed them.

  The rest would have to wait.

  Chapter 39

  The country club was beautifully decorated in gold and red. Twinkling lights accentuated everything. The hostess led them to a secluded table where they could visit without talking over the merrymakers.

  “Thank you so much for including me in your Christmas holiday,” Liz reiterated. “This is delightful.”

  “Wait until you taste the food,” Eden told her. “It’s to die for.”

  They ordered dinner and wine. Fascinated by Liz’s experiences, Eden continued to ask her about cases involving lycanthropy.

  “You’d be amazed at how real the illusion can be to the person experiencing the syndrome,” Liz said.

  “Have you ever treated someone who thought they had seen such a transformation in another?” Eden asked.

  “Oh, yes.” Liz took a deep breath and a long sip of wine before continuing. “I’ve had several patients who killed others and claimed it was in self-defense. That the victim was an animal about to attack them. Such incidents are easily explained by the perpetrator’s history of hallucinations.”

  “That’s fascinating,” Eden said.

  As they talked, a distinguished-looking gentleman approached the table and gave Darke a courtly bow. “May I have this waltz, Countess?”

  Eden watched as the man helped Darke from her chair.

  “You are as beautiful as your mother,” Eden heard him say as he led Darke to the dance floor.

  Eden couldn’t take her eyes off Darke. The two dancers were flawless, their movements graceful, and Eden found herself wishing they would do something to fling open the slit in Darke’s dress and expose a perfect leg.

  The couple stood talking as the band prepared to play another song. Eden excused herself from the table and tapped the gentleman on the shoulder. “I believe this dance is mine.”

  The man bowed and backed away. “Thank you, Countess.”

  “Do you tango?” Darke asked as her arm circled Eden’s waist.

  “I do.” Eden’s smile was wicked.

  Darke pressed her hand across the small of Eden’s back and clutched the blonde tight against her. “I want to feel every move you make,” she whispered.

  It was a perfectly choreographed scene. They moved as if bound by an invisible tether, simultaneously dipping and swaying to the music. Skirts swirled around long, slender legs as they swung each other around then flattened their bodies against each other to the driving rhythm of the tango. They danced with fiery abandon.

  The dance ended with them resting their foreheads together. “That was breathtaking,” Eden whispered. “It was raw and passionate. I have never wanted you more.”

  Suddenly, loud applause broke through their haze of desire, and they realized they were the only ones on the dance floor. “This is embarrassing,” Eden muttered.

  Liz was fanning herself with the dessert menu when they returned to the table. “That was really sensual,” she said, swiping a bead of sweat from her brow.

  “The tango is meant to be danced with wild abandon,” Darke said as she settled in her chair.

  Liz chuckled. “You two certainly did that.”

  They ordered another bottle of wine. “I noticed the gentleman called you Countess,” Liz said.

  “He had me confused with someone else,” Darke explained, “but he was an excellent dancer.”

  ##

  Eden collapsed onto Darke. “I love the things you do to me,” she whispered.

  Darke gave a throaty laugh. “It is so sexy when you whisper in my ear,” she said. “You drive me insane.”

  “There is something about making love surreptitiously that makes it even more delicious.” Eden kissed the soft spot in Darke’s neck and slid down to lie beside her.

  Darke stroked Eden’s stomach, gently trailing her fingers from Eden’s breasts to her navel. “You’re like a puppy,” she said with a chuckle. “I love the look of contentment on your face when I rub your tummy.”

  “Mmm, it feels so good.” Eden closed her eyes and drifted into a satiated sleep.

  Chapter 40

  Darke paced the floor. She had managed to defer their wedding until Eden graduated. Their life together was a dream come true. For two years they had lived the perfect life, but it was time to tell Eden the truth. She couldn’t marry Eden without being completely honest with her.

  What
if she can’t accept what I am? Darke thought. What if she leaves me? The thought of waking without Eden beside her made Darke ill. For the past two years she had fallen asleep in Eden’s arms and awakened holding her every morning. The thought of Eden’s soft, silky skin against hers sent a warm feeling through her. She could hear Eden outside her door and steeled herself to talk to her.

  “Oh wow! Look at you!” Eden exclaimed. “I knew you’d make a gorgeous bride.”

  Darke’s mouth went dry. She licked her lips, trying to make them move. “As do you,” she croaked.

  Eden tiptoed to kiss her fiancée. “Fifteen more minutes and we’ll be married. You’ll be mine for life.”

  “I can’t think of anything I’d rather be,” Darke murmured.

  It’s now or never, Darke thought as she cleared her throat. “Eden, there’s something I need to tell you. First let me say that I adore you. The past two years with you have been pure heaven, and I know this is how our life together will be.”

  “It will only get better,” Eden said, squeezing Darke’s hand.

  “Before we marry, I must tell you something that might be a game changer for you.”

  “Darke, I know you’re a frickin ’ werewolf.” Eden gave her a smile filled with love and tolerance.

  “A werewolf?” Darke all but shouted, taking two steps back. “You think I’m a werewolf?”

  “I know you only transform under dire circumstances, so it’s no big deal. I have no fear of you.”

  “You’ll marry me even though you think I’m a werewolf?”

  “Of course.” Eden grinned mischievously and pulled Darke back to her. “I’m pretty sure that’s why you have such stamina. Darke, I’d marry you just to sleep with you the rest of my life. All the other wonderful things about you are just icing on the gorgeous cake.”

  “But Eden, I’m—”

  “The preacher is ready,” Liz Crain said, poking her head into the room. “Everyone’s here. This is so exciting.”

  “Did my parents make it?” Darke asked.

  “Just came through the door,” Liz said.

  “I can’t believe I’m getting married and meeting your mother all in one day,” Eden said, exhaling a long breath. “I’m a bit nervous.”

  Suddenly, a woman who was the spitting image of Darke rushed through the door. “We had to wish you luck before the ceremony,” she said. “Oh my! You two are glorious. Darke, you said she was beautiful. That is the understatement of a lifetime.”

  “Eden, this is—”

  “Your mother,” Eden gasped. “She looks just like you—same eyes, same hair, same endearing dimples—even the same age.”

  “Our family has great … genes,” Sable said as she cast a questioning glance at Darke.

  “Come, come,” Liz instructed, shooing everyone out of the room. “The wedding march is starting.”

  “Eden, I love you,” Darke whispered.

  Eden smiled and left the room.

  ##

  “I wish this reception would end so I could spend time with your mother and Kristaal.” Eden rested her head on Darke’s shoulder as they slow-danced. “You told me your mother remarried. You didn’t say she married an Amazon.”

  “Kristaal raised me. My father died when I was young. She’s been the only other parent I’ve ever known.”

  “How old is your mother?” Eden asked as Darke’s arms tightened around her.

  “I don’t know. Does it matter?”

  “It’s just that both of you appear to be in your early thirties.” Eden leaned back to gaze into Darke’s face. “You could be identical twins.”

  Darke laughed. “She’s tougher than I am. She rules a village. She and Raven provide for and protect the people of the valley and mountain territories.”

  “Raven?” Eden’s voice caught in her throat. “Did you invite her to the wedding?”

  “No. That would be cruel.”

  “Do I get to dance with my new daughter-in-law?” Sable’s smile was warm and disarming as she caught Eden’s hand. “Your home is magnificent, Eden, and the wedding was lovely. Thank you for inviting us.”

  “I’m delighted you and Kristaal could come,” Eden said as they danced. “I hope you can stay for a while. There’s so much about Darke I don’t know. She doesn’t talk about herself much.”

  “I’m afraid my daughter is quite modest,” Sable replied. “She has always been more of a doer than a talker.”

  “Yes.” Eden sighed, wishing she were in Darke’s arms. “You know we’ve been together for over two years?”

  “I do indeed. Darke’s committed to you and so proud of you and all you have accomplished academically.”

  “My successes were only possible because she helped me,” Eden said. She peered over Sable’s shoulder to watch her new wife dance with Liz Crain. “She took care of every other aspect of our lives. All I did was study. I’ll be happy to graduate next week so we can get on with our lives.”

  “She’s extremely capable,” Sable said. “And she loves you very much.”

  Eden laughed as she and Sable watched Caz weave her way through the sea of dancers to reach Darke. “Almost as much as she loves Caz.”

  “She is attached to that wolf,” Sable acknowledged. “They grew up together.”

  As the band ended their set, Darke led Caz over to Eden and Sable. “I’m taking Caz outside,” she announced. “Want to come with me, darling?”

  “I’d love to.” Eden slipped her hand into Darke’s, and the trio headed from the room.

  “I love your mother,” Eden said. “I hope she approves of me.”

  “Oh, she does.” Darke slipped her arm around Eden’s shoulders. “She told me she understands why I love you so much. You’re sweet, smart, and beautiful. She left off sexy and desirable.”

  Eden snuggled closer to Darke’s side. “When can we go to bed? I’m dying to get into your arms … naked.”

  Darke fanned her face, trying to dissipate the heat that was rising in her body. “That’s the problem with having your wedding in your home. You can’t leave.”

  Eden cupped Darke’s breast as she pulled her head down for a kiss. “Please get rid of them, honey.”

  Between Eden’s kisses and caresses, Darke was light-headed. “Consider it done,” she whispered, trying to calm her pounding heart.

  ##

  “That was incredible!” Eden gasped as she fell onto her back. “What was different?”

  “Umm, first time I’ve ever made love to my wife,” Darke replied, her eyes reflecting her joy. “You were totally uninhibited too.”

  “Funny, I’ve never felt like either of us held anything back, but I was wrong. I demanded everything from you, and you asked more of me than ever before.”

  Darke kissed Eden’s cheek. “I have a feeling our lovemaking will only get better. You know there should be no restraints between us.”

  “Speaking of restraints … .” Eden’s words held a hint of naughtiness.

  “I’m good for anything you like,” Darke whispered. “But let’s send all our guests home first.”

  ##

  Darke pour fresh orange juice into Sable’s glass. She loved eating breakfast beside the pool.

  “Mother, I’m pleased that you and Kristaal are staying for Eden’s graduation ceremony. She’s as excited as a kid at Christmas.”

  “We’re delighted to share such an honor,” Sable said, smiling at Eden. “We’re happy for both of you. Liz told me that you are graduating with many honors.”

  “A few.” Eden blushed and averted her eyes, shying away from all the praise being heaped on her. She was relieved when Margaret stepped outside to tell her she had a phone call from Dr. Crain.

  Darke watched her wife sashay into the house. She’s so sexy, she thought.

  “Darke Knight!” Sable hissed the moment Eden was out of earshot.

  Darke knew what was coming, but she met her mother’s glare without flinching.

  “You haven’t
told that child, have you?”

  “She isn’t a child. She’ll be twenty-one in two weeks.”

  “She thinks you’re a werewolf!” Sable growled.

  “Mother, I … the time was never right and … and I can’t take the chance of losing her. She’s my world. I’ll do anything to keep her.”

  “Darke, these things never turn out good. You must tell her. I’m going for a swim before I bend you over my knee and spank you.”

  Darke laughed out loud at the thought of Sable spanking her, but if the look on her mother’s face was any indication, she was dead serious. Darke shed her coverup, revealing a killer body in a black bikini, and dove into the pool. Sable followed her.

  Kristaal joined them and the three swam laps. Darke emerged from the pool as Eden returned. She settled into her chair. Eden eased onto her lap and slipped her arms around Darke’s neck. She wiggled into Darke. “Umm, you feel so cool after being in the pool.”

  “If you give me a lap dance in front of my parents, I swear I’ll throw you into the pool, jeans, shoes, and all,” Darke whispered.

  “Then there is something you need to take care of.” Eden ground into her.

  Darke closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure. Then she stood and carried her new wife into the house.

  “Time to pay the piper?” Eden whispered into her ear.

  Darke sighed. “Oh, yeah.”

  Chapter 41

  “Go sit out front,” Eden said, giving her wife one last kiss. “I have to get in line.” As Darke turned to go, Eden caught her hand. “Darke, I just want to say that you make me happy. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

  “I feel the same way, honey. I’m so glad you’re my wife.”

  A lifetime with her will be too short, Eden thought as she watched Darke walk away. She hugged herself as she thought about their life together. Darke is everything a woman should be and more. My wife !

  ##

  “Where’s Eden?” Sable asked as Darke joined them in the university hall.

  “They have all the graduates in a holding room. They’ll come out one at a time to receive their degrees and honors. Caz is with her.”