Her gaze met his. This was the demon. Not the gentle man or the druid, but the demon who wanted to claim what was his.
But what if she hurt him?
As if in answer, his hand moved from her breasts, sliding over her belly.
She tensed as he stroked her womanhood, and then one finger moved inside of her. He stroked her slowly, sending her nerves exploding in little bursts. When he moved into her opening, she spread her legs wider, whimpering.
Her eyes closed, and she arched against him. Her release was so close, building like something powerful.
And then she realized something, he was the one who had been through so much. Not her. She should make him feel like this. Not the other way around.
Opening her eyes, she pushed his hand away.
“Surcy?”
Pulling the sheet down, she revealed his massive erection. Swallowing, she stared and stared. She hadn’t known what to expect from the shy man. But this was not it.
“God, how do you fit that into normal pants?”
He chuckled, a low aroused sound that was completely unexpected.
Kissing his chest, she lightly brushed her lips against all of the still-healing scars.
He groaned and buried his hand in the back of her hair.
She moved slowly down until she reached his delicious cock. Unable to help herself, she trailed her fingertips against the length, glorying in how long and thick he was. Then, sliding her tongue along the sides of him, she continued her exploration, loving the sound of his panting.
When she came to his tip, she looked up, meeting his gaze, then licked him.
“Fuck, Surcy, it’s been too long. You can’t just—”
In answer, she parted her lips and took him into her hot mouth.
A string of curses left his mouth, which only turned her on more.
She took him as deep as she could, then gagged around him when his tip hit the back of his throat. Reaching down, she cupped his balls, rolling them in her hand, while she hummed around him.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” he groaned, one of his hands slamming against the bed.
And then, she pulled back and slid him back in, over and over again.
With a roar, he grabbed the back of her head and began to fuck her mouth. His possessive control turned her on in a way she never expected. She felt like a creature made to pleasure him, and she ached to taste him as he exploded into her mouth.
But as she felt him swelling in her mouth, her nails digging into his thighs, he suddenly pulled her back, his cock slipping out of her mouth.
“Come on, come ride my cock.”
She trembled as she climbed over him and positioned his tip at her entrance.
He pulled her down, taking one of her nipples into his mouth and sucking, while his hand plucked at her other nipple.
She moaned and sank his tip into her. Inch by inch she took him in, her tight body squeezing around him. When she reached his hilt, he released her breasts.
He held her gaze as he reached between them with one big hand and began to stroke her clit.
She gasped, her body shuddering around his big shaft, and then she started to ride him.
He thrust back, taking her deep and hard. He moved like a man hell-bent on claiming her as his own. She could feel it with each stroke.
And she felt like a woman who had given herself to a man. Who accepted his claim over her without question. Which was strangely satisfying.
She gripped his shoulders harder, riding her orgasm like a wave. Her entire body alive. Every nerve sensitive and pulsing with pleasure.
When he came with a ragged roar, she gloried in the feeling of his hot cum coating her insides. For a long minute they continued to fuck, until at last she collapsed on top of him.
His hands grabbed her ass and shoved her harder onto his erection.
She whimpered, her head still spinning in ecstasy.
“You’re mine,” he growled, his words were low and harsh.
She should’ve been scared, but she wasn’t. When she’d seen him hurt, her heart had ached in a way it never had before. She wasn’t sure if she loved him yet, but she felt connected to him. She cared about him in a deep way.
And now, they’d made love.
She smiled, closing her eyes. She wanted him to hold her forever. And with the way he clung to her, she was sure he felt the same way.
This is the first truly beautiful thing I’ve experienced since dying… that I can remember. I think I know why I gave up heaven and my wings for these demons.
11
Daniel woke up feeling like shit, but as much as he wanted to go back to sleep, he needed to see Surcy. He needed to know she was safe.
Tristan snored in a chair beside his bed, looking haggard.
Not wanting to wake him, he eased cautiously out of bed and padded on bare feet across the wooden floor. Outside of Surcy’s bedroom door, he only hesitated a moment before turning the handle and opening it. He took two steps in, his gaze moving to the bed, and froze.
She was asleep on top of Mark. They were both naked, and her arms were wrapped around his neck.
Daniel couldn’t pull in a breath. He stared and stared, unable to believe what he was seeing. This wasn’t a quick fuck. This was something more.
Stumbling back out the door, he didn’t stop until his back hit the wall of the hallway. Sinking to the floor, he lay there. How many times could this little angel break his heart? How was he to endure the fact that he was nothing but a hard cock to her, and Mark was a man she clearly cared for?
I can’t. I can’t endure this. If she can’t love me, I don’t have a reason to keep breathing.
Something wild came over him. He hurried back to his room, dressed in silence, wincing as his wound ached with each movement, grabbed his lighter, and headed out the door. He didn’t look back.
It was night. And the streets were dark. A coldness had settled over the city.
One he liked.
He walked for hours, until he reached the edge of town, then further. He kept moving until a prickling at the back of his neck made him turn and start walking through the woods. After several minutes, he tore free of the trees and stared out at the abandoned house.
It was perfect.
He walked to it. Pushed passed the half-broken door and looked around the broken floor boards. No one had been in this place for a long time.
Closing his eyes, he grabbed his lighter from his pocket and opened it. A flick of his thumb later, a flame leapt to life. Sending it a simple command, he watched, every hair on his body rising, as the flame moved over his hand. It felt so damn good, warm and powerful. For a second he just felt it, and breathed in the scent of smoke.
And then, he opened his eyes and smiled. The flames poured over his palm and down onto the old wood. Within seconds, the smell of burnt wood hit his nostrils. The fire spread like a wild creature until the floors burned, then the torn curtains, and the ceiling.
He raised both hands, letting the flames run over him and through him. His power swelled, building with an intensity that made him groan. This is what he needed. Not Surcy’s love. Not his bond with Mark and Tristan. This!
A small voice whispered at the back of his mind. Fire is what killed you in your first life. Do you really want to do it again?
He pushed the thoughts away. Last time he was young and reckless. This time, he’d be careful.
Standing in the fire, he waited until every board burned away, until there was nothing but a raging fire. He sensed the flames eagerness to spread to the woods around them. The thought made him shudder. What would it be like to burn down the entire forest?
But with reluctance, he controlled his fire. Creating such a big fire would draw the attention of dangerous beings. He had to keep this to himself, enjoy it on his own, without consequences.
When every last piece of wood was gone, he gritted his teeth and smothered the fire.
Breathing hard, he looked at his skin. It almo
st glowed with his power. And God did he love it!
A shiver ran down his spine. He continued walking until he found a river. There, he washed himself, trying to rid himself of the smell of smoke.
When he was done, the sun had risen. He made the slow trek home feeling energized. Even his wound no longer hurt.
He might not have Surcy. He might resent Mark. But now, now he felt that he could face it all without crumbling inside.
When he reached their apartment, everyone was seated at the table.
Surcy turned nervous eyes onto him. “Where were you? We were worried.”
“And what happened to your clothes?” Mark asked.
He walked past them, swallowing down his anger. “Can’t a man go for a walk without you two jumping down his throat?”
Going to his room, he closed the door, locked it, and tossed his clothes in the basket. In the shower, he scrubbed until he was sure all hints of what he had done were gone. Styling his hair and changing, he stared at himself in the mirror. No one would have a clue what he’d done.
They had their secrets. Well, now he had his.
At the table, he swallowed down his tasteless coffee and eggs and waited.
“As soon as we heal up, we need to search for the other Immortal I saw.” Mark began, sounding tired and sore.
He should have rested instead of fucking Surcy.
“You’re the boss,” he said. “Just tell us what to do.”
He could feel more than one gaze cling to him, but he didn’t care. Once Mark found them the next Immortal, Daniel would show Surcy what he was capable of. And maybe she’d realize he was more than just a good lay.
That’s not how you won her heart last time. He pushed the treacherous thought aside, clenching his teeth. None of that mattered, because Surcy didn’t remember that.
Rising from the table, he put his dishes in the sink.
“How are you feeling?” Tristan asked, and he could sense the worry behind the stoic gargoyle’s question.
He didn’t meet the other man’s gaze, he was just too damn observant. “A little sore, but I’ll live.”
Heading for his room, he decided to check with his human team. He’d hired them to monitor his stocks and investments when he didn’t have time to do it himself. They were good. Damn good. But it’d been longer than usual since he’d talked to them last.
When he reached his room, he seated himself at his desk and pulled out his cellphone.
There was a knock at his door.
Fuck.
“Come in.”
Surcy slipped in. It was impossible not to look at her. She was so damn beautiful. Her hair still damp from a shower. Her cheeks flushed with good health. She’d changed so much since she’d returned from Caine. Each day she looked more like her old self, but that made it even harder to remember that everything had changed between them.
“I just,” she stared, hesitating. “I wanted to see how you were really doing. I didn’t get to see you much after we got back.”
He tried to keep the anger out of his voice. “Well, you were busy with Mark.”
She stiffened. “He was worse off, and Tristan was taking care of you.”
Tilting his head, he stared at her. “Whatever you have to tell yourself, babe.”
Something flashed in her eyes. “Look, I’m sorry. I should have come by, but I’m here now.”
How helpful. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. I’m not like Mark. I don’t need you fussing over me like I’m helpless.”
“He wasn’t helpless. He was just—“
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Like I said. I didn’t need you here. In fact, I don’t need you for much. I’m a fucking demon who can take care of his own damn self.”
Now he was sure it was anger in her eyes. “Why are you being such an ass?”
“I know since you got back you’ve gotten used to us all focused on you, but I think you’re strong enough now that I don’t have to coddle you anymore. If that makes me an ass, then I guess I’m an ass.”
Her hands planted on her hips. “I never needed you to coddle me!”
He smirked. “Look, I have some work to do. Maybe Mark is fine dealing with your hysterics, but I don’t have the patience for it.”
“You’re an asshole,” she hissed, then turning, she stomped out the door.
When it shut, he sank back in his chair. Why did his entire chest ache? He rubbed at it, staring at the door. He needed to call his team. He needed to keep busy, but he just kept staring at the door, wondering what he was supposed to do.
There was no way he could let Surcy know how much she hurt him. He would keep her at arm’s length for a while, until he licked his wounds a bit. He knew logically everything he’d done made perfect sense.
So why did it feel so wrong?
When I was alive, women told me I was unlovable. Surcy made me believe they were wrong. But maybe she was just crazy.
I don’t even love myself.
12
Surcy dressed in jeans and a black shirt. While she was putting on her boots, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her clothes were getting tight. Instead of hanging off of her, they were hugging her curves. She couldn’t decide if it was sexy, or just meant she needed to get some new clothes.
Daniel would probably say the latter.
Anger flared within her. She was so sick of his attitude. She didn’t know what the hell crawled up his butt, but she had started avoiding him like the plague.
There was a knock at her door.
A smile touched her lips. Mark always knocked, even though he’d been sharing her bed since he’d been hurt.
“Come in!”
But when the door opened, it was Tristan. “May I speak to you a moment?”
She nodded, as a tingle moved down her spine. This man did things to her. Every time she looked at his big hands, she thought of what they felt like touching her. When he spoke, her gaze was glued to his mouth, remembering what his kiss was like.
And she hated that she wasn’t able to hide her thoughts better.
He seated himself at the little white chair in front of her vanity. Looking like an adult squeezing into a kid’s chair.
She smiled. How could such a big man be so quiet? So gentle?
“I would like to discuss Daniel.”
Her happiness fled, and every muscle in her body tensed. “Why?”
“He is not himself, and I feel the change has to do with something that happened between the two of you.”
She raised her chin. “I didn’t do a thing. The guy just has a giant stick up his ass that someone needs to help him remove.”
Tristan lifted a brow. “Daniel is volatile. All fire mages are, but something triggered his mood.”
“You’d have to ask him about that!”
The big man sighed. “You too have been having sex for some time.”
It took her a minute to realize her mouth was hanging open before she closed it. “You knew?”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t hard for an astute observer to notice.”
Her heart raced. “We worried you guys would be mad.”
“Mad?” he shook his head. “I would not be mad that my good friend and the woman we love were having sex. I would caution you about taking such an action with him though. As you have seen, Daniel’s feelings run deeply, and he is not good at handling them.”
“Us having sex didn’t start this.”
He didn’t look convinced. “How much time have you and Daniel spent getting to know each other?”
She felt her cheeks heat. “I mean, we live together, so it isn’t like we’re strangers.”
“Two people can live together and not know one another. Think about roommates. About loveless marriages. Connecting with someone takes time and energy.”
Something about his words made her uncomfortable. “I guess we don’t know each other all that well, but we do know each other.”
“So he spoke
to you of his difficult childhood and of his many failed relationships?”
She stiffened. “No, I guess… I didn’t really think about it.”
Tristan was silent for a long minute. “Fire mages are rare. From a young age they are sensitive. They cry often, anger easily, and sleep little. Most are given away. Like Daniel, who grew up in many different foster homes. But unlike most mages, he did not understand what he was until he became an adult. He had no one to guide him in his magic and no one to warn him.”
“Warn him?” she repeated, clenching her hands in her lap.
“Fire fuels fire mages. It makes them stronger and more powerful, but it also makes them crazed. Like a drug addict needing their next fix. They can function normally, using their magic just when needed, but it takes a lot of time and training… which Daniel was never given. He grew to be a man who was passionate. Successful in business. He had cars, homes, and material possessions. Many ‘friends’ clung to him at clubs as he showered them in gifts and liquor. But he had few who truly cared for him.”
Tristan stared off for a moment, as if lost in thought. “When he describes his life, it is first with a zest for all the things he had. But in quiet moments, he describes a very lonely man, desperate for human companionship. He reached for women to make him feel whole, but none knew him well enough to see the broken child within him. When they walked away, it only made him feel more worthless. And so, he turned to his fire more and more. But a fire mage cannot endure the flames forever. And one day they killed him.”
“I—I had no idea.”
“When we journeyed together in the demon realm, he reached for fire every time he hurt. And we would stop him. We were there for him. His friends no matter what side of himself he showed. The day he realized we would not abandon him no matter what, he broke. Never had he imagined that people could see his flaws and still love him.”
Her eyes stung. “That’s awful.”
“I am protective of Daniel in a way that I am not of Mark. Mark is a man who has known love. Who has known kindness. And even though he has also been hurt and known cruelty, he can process his feelings in a way Daniel cannot. When I see you with Daniel, I see a side to you that I do not like. I feel that you have not taken the time to see him for who he is, and you crush him with a reckless cruelty you do not understand.”
Immortal Truths: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance (An Angel and Her Demons Book 2) Page 6