SCORCH: An Incubus versus Succubus Demon Romance

by Carlisle, Lisa

  My brows shot up. “What?”

  “You heard me.” She tilted her head and flicked her hair behind her shoulder. Then she pinned me with a stare that could slice diamonds. “I’ve claimed this territory.”

  Chapter Three

  Selena

  Daron laughed. “Your territory? You must be kidding.”

  He may have been hot with those intense bright blue eyes and mouth-watering scent, but his hunting habits were dangerous, attracting unwanted attention. My lust for survival outweighed my desire for other more delectable pursuits—even if his face was chiseled with scruff that encouraged me to touch…

  I drew my breath in and out with slower counts. Focus. I pulled my gaze from him and scanned the pub. It was dimly lit with dark paneling and over half-packed with patrons. The din of conversation provided a low backdrop against the classic rock, currently playing the Stones’ “Satisfaction.” Would either of us find any tonight?

  Many men and women darted surreptitious glances over at us. I smiled at a couple of college-aged guys who were trying to appear inconspicuous, but gaping, nonetheless. They appeared flustered at being caught and turned away.

  “Not one bit,” I declared and pulled my gaze back to Daron. “I’m a predator. And having two predators stalk the same territory is a bad idea.”

  He waggled his brows. “Are you afraid of a little competition?”

  I resisted a growl. “Hardly. I won’t hunt the same space as someone clueless enough to draw attention. In case you didn’t know, there are hunters who despise supernatural beings and are determined to eradicate us from the earth.”

  “I’m aware of that. That’s why supes have remained undercover for all these centuries.”

  My muscles turned to ice. I forced myself to exhale the sudden tension out of them. “The hunters are still out there. A few weeks, ago, I had a narrow escape.” My throat tightened when I admitted that. I might as well warn him of the threat since he didn’t appear to be concerned.

  “Here?” He studied me.

  “No, in New Orleans.”

  Daron eyed me with a long appraisal before he spoke. “I’ve never encountered any hunters.”

  I snorted and tapped my glass. “Then you’re lucky.” When I pictured the trio of hunters, the fear rose and curled around my spine. I gulped the rest of my drink as if it would staunch it.

  “But you escaped and are thousands of miles away.” He gestured around us. “We’re in Salem, Massachusetts. If there’s anywhere open to supes, this is it.”

  I flayed him with a rebuking gaze. “Vamps isn’t in Salem.”

  “Then why did you go there?”

  “It welcomes supes. Do you know how rare that is?”

  He let out a huff. “I am a demon living in a human’s world. Think I’ve caught on by now.” He took a swig of his drink.

  I ignored his playful tone. “Besides, I can’t stay locked up in one place forever. It wasn’t far from my safehouse.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “Not your concern.” I planted my hands on my hips. “Have you not heard a word I said about you having to leave?”

  “I heard.” He grinned in a smug, teasing way that stoked my irritation. “That doesn’t mean I have to listen.”

  An odd frustrated squeal slipped out of me. I curled my hands into fists and then forced myself to unclench them. This hot demon in black was not going to crawl under my skin.

  “Salem may be more welcoming to our kind, but it’s clearly not big enough for both an incubus and succubus. Your feeding frenzy is bound to call attention, and the last thing I want is to be called out because of an amateur.”

  “Amateur?”

  Daron laughed in a patronizing way that sharpened my retracted claws. I stared at his irksomely attractive chest like it was a post where I could scratch them.

  “You definitely didn’t act like a seasoned professional.”

  His grin vanished but that infuriating, yet enticing teasing glint remained in his eyes. “I’m just passing through Salem. You think you can tone down the territorial snarling for a few days before I’m out of your hair?”

  A few days. That might be a few too many. At the same time, I didn’t want him to leave just yet. One more night would do. I tapped my lower lip. “Perhaps.”

  Once I’d made my wishes clear, it was time to move on to the next part of my plan. I took a sip of my Cape Codder, relishing the tart cranberry juice and sharp vodka, and appraised him. His banter annoyed the shit out of me on one level but turned me on in another. How could I help it? I’d been near obsessed with questions about him for days. Now that I sat with him, all that dark masculine appeal wrapped up in that bad boy package was too much for a succubus to resist. It would be tragic if he left town without letting me explore my fascination.

  Would I be able to work my seductive succubus ways on him?

  Why not find out?

  “Perhaps,” he repeated with a short laugh. Once his laugh simmered down to a devilish smile, he crooned in a low whiskey voice, “If you want me to leave so badly, why are you looking at me like you want to fuck me ‘til next Tuesday?”

  My mouth dropped open, and I snapped it close “Cocky much, incubus?” My pitch rose with my surprise at being caught. I had been undressing him with my eyes, envisioning what savory flesh lay underneath his black clothing for me to explore.

  “Just pointing out the obvious.” With a knowing expression, he pinned his intense gaze on me.

  “Your sex demon mojo won’t work on me.”

  He leaned closer across the booth. His scent almost made me purr. It was too wild and too primal. Too tempting.

  It’s just demon magic. It’s just demon magic.

  It shouldn’t work on me since I had it flowing through my veins. Then why was I melting like lava in response to his vexing vibe—to ugh, everything about him! Fuckin’ irresistible incubus.

  He stared at my mouth. “Then why do I scent your desire?”

  Shit. Caught again. No way would an incubus not detect that intoxicating aroma. “Curiosity.”

  It was the truth. What would it be like to be with him? Would feeding from an incubus sustain me longer? Keep me satisfied for days? Two sex demons could lead to exceptional pleasure…

  Or we’d siphon each other’s energy, leaving us hungry and depleted in a no-win game.

  My lady parts invited me to play the cards. It was a risk they were all too ready to gamble on.

  Daron raised a hand and ran his index finger down my cheek and along my jawline. I simmered beneath his touch. His presence seemed to engulf the oxygen, and I gulped in a breath.

  He stroked my lower lip. His lips spread into a sinful smile. His mouth was carved to sensual perfection, designed to draw the eye. Mesmerize.

  “I’m just as curious about you, Selena. In fact, I’m fascinated.”

  My brain sizzled. It was difficult to think with all this tension. Pure, raw, animal magnetism. The draw to him was too compelling.

  Too enticing.

  Tempting me.

  Wait a minute. Halt. This was my territory and my game. I would lead this seduction on my terms, not get swept away by his charms.

  I cleared my throat and glanced at our glasses. They were nearly empty. “How about a refill?”

  The corners of his lips curled up with self-satisfaction. “Do you always have drinks with those you demand to follow your wishes?”

  “Do you always avoid answering questions by asking one of your own?”

  He laughed. “Not that I know of, but who knows? Nobody’s pointed that out to me before.”

  Did he have anybody in his life long enough who would get to know his quirks and tells? I sure didn’t. Wanderers avoided close relationships. Why bother when you’d soon say goodbye?

  Daron caught the server’s attention and ordered a couple more drinks. While we waited for them to return, I took a deep breath to stay on track. Unfortunately, that drew my awareness to the heat
that simmered between us.

  Enough of this. I was a powerful succubus. Time to see if I was worth a grain of the power that I held. I released some magic that would intoxicate him, and I indulged in its rich luxuriance.

  “Where did you come from, Daron?” In my head, I added “the demon,” but kept that to myself. I wouldn’t let my smart-ass mouth kill the mood.

  He replied with a quick laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Now that your demands are known, you’re moving back to small talk.”

  I brushed off his observation with a short wave. “I don’t think there’s anything small about two demons discussing how they ended up in the same realm.”

  He replied with an agreeable grunt. “True.”

  The server returned with our drinks. After he left, Daron took a large sip of his whiskey and amaretto. “San Francisco. I spent many years moving through the area.”

  Never staying anywhere for too long. His story rang far too similar as my own. “How did you end up in this realm?” I kept my voice as steady as I could manage.

  He adjusted in the booth. “Does it matter? From what I know about our kind, we tend to be solitary.”

  “Just curious.”

  “I like your curiosity.” He fixed an intense gaze on me. “Look at you. You’re alone. You say you’ve never met someone like me. Have you searched?”

  I wouldn’t veer into stories from my tragic past to explain why I’ve been on the run.

  “No. Why bother? We like to hunt alone.”

  He raised his eyes to mine. “Are you trying to use your magic on me?”

  I groaned. “It hasn’t exactly turned you into a pile of mush begging at my feet to seduce you. What do I need to do—put on a damn show like an exotic dancer to get you to notice?”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “Now that you’re offering it, I’m more than happy to sign up for that show.” He reached across the booth and stroked my shoulder, trailing his fingers down my upper arm. Electric heat simmered beneath his touch, so gentle, yet with a possessive edge.

  I resisted the urge to quiver and curl into him like a lost cat finding a warm lap. I kept myself together with the barest resolve and raised my chin. “I hadn’t offered to give you one.”

  “It would be quite satisfying.” His voice lowered to a whiskey croon that promised pleasure. “For both of us. Don’t you think?” He moved his hand across the table and took my hand. He drew lazy circles on my palm, a tease that hinted at other skills with those fingers.

  I pictured taking him home with me and doing as he suggested—swaying my body before him as I slowly undressed.

  “I think you’d like to wrap me under your spell.” He traced his fingers higher on my forearm. His eyelids lowered, taking on a drop-dead sexy appeal, while he studied my reaction. If he couldn’t hear my heartbeat quicken, I’d have been surprised. It seemed to amplify and echo off the walls in this pub like it was a soundproof musician’s studio.

  What was it about his touch that unglued me so quickly? It wasn’t merely demon magic. I would recognize it.

  “Are you trying to bespell me into stripping for you?” I asked.

  Power vacillated between us like a wave yanked by the tides in a rising storm. If the force grew too strong, would it drag us both under?

  Daron fixed his intense stare on me. “I gave up on trying to use my magic on you. It didn’t work. Why waste it?”

  My lips parted. If he wasn’t exerting his influence on me, what was this? Why was my body tingling, yearning for more of his touch? In between my legs. Anywhere and everywhere I could have him. As soon as possible.

  I was the one who led seductions yet felt swept under by some irresistible force of attraction. Was this what it was like for my prey? I pulled my hand back. With distance, I might break free from this bewildering sensation that held me captive.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know. Something feels weird. Do you feel it?”

  His expression turned worried. “Yes.” Then it was gone again, back to the sensual glimmer in his eyes. “But, not in a bad way.”

  “What do you think it is?”

  His mouth spread into a wolfish grin. “Desire.”

  I exhaled. “That’s a relief.” Desire was something I was comfortable with. After all, I’d been stoking those fires to sustain me for decades.

  But did it fully explain this strange magic that perfumed the air like a siren’s caress?

  Raising my chin, I focused to resume control of the seduction. We shouldn’t release any more of our magic out in public. “Daron, let’s continue this discussion elsewhere.”

  His eyes brightened with speculation. “Where?”

  “My place.”

  Chapter Four

  Selena

  After we teleported back to my neighborhood, the moon hung low and full over the ocean, dazzling the surface with thousands of tiny white lights in between the docked boats. We walked along the rock wall separating the pavement from the sand, and we passed several blue benches along the way. I led us to the little brown Cape with green trim with a partial seaside view from across the street. I’d rented this Cape near Salem Willows park for an indefinite period. It was a small one-level cottage with weathered shingles and a small garden that had everything I needed—a bedroom, kitchen, open living space area—and protection. Many witches had added layers of protective magic over the years, giving me a sense of security.

  With Daron here, that comfort flittered and floated away like a caterpillar turned butterfly that had just discovered its wings. The way he stared at me as if he’d already undressed me was intense. Too compelling, too captivating, too—everything.

  At least he wasn’t touching me any longer, sizzling my brain and leaving me frazzled.

  Then again, my skin cooled in protest as if deprived by the warmth of his fingers.

  We entered the living room and I closed the shades. Stepping away from Daron gave me space to regain control of my desire.

  “Nice place.” He sat on the couch and stretched his long legs forward, looking at home.

  “It’s a decent rental. A safehouse.” I scanned the room as I regrouped. The cottage provided a refuge with furnishings and basic comforts, such as electronics, a semi-stocked kitchen, reading material, and board games. With a coastal décor of driftwood and sea glass, it wasn’t my style, but then again, it wasn’t my home. Just a temporary pit stop for me or any other supernaturals passing through Salem. At least, I could kill time with the video games stored in the TV console.

  “It’s great. Much better than my hotel. I should start to book these.”

  “They’ve been a solid choice for me. Fewer humans to deal with.” The underground network I’d discovered made it easier for supernaturals to navigate the human world.

  After a few deep breaths, I still fumbled connecting my phone to the stereo. I pressed shuffle on one of my favorite playlists. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s “Maddest Kind of Love” filled the room.

  I swayed my hips along to the slow sensual beat.

  “I like the way you move, Selena. Dance for me.” His voice came out a sultry command.

  My body was all too eager to gyrate for this sex fiend, but I resisted and raised my chin. “You’re not getting a strip tease from me, incubus.”

  He moaned and then smiled with such a seductive glint, it stirred a hot wave of awareness between my legs. “Oh, but we’d both enjoy it.”

  “What I want is for you to leave Salem.” As usual, my damn mouth snapped back before I managed to shut it the hell up. Why was I undermining plan two? I wanted to sleep with him before he left. My gaze drifted to the open door of my bedroom, catching a corner of the dark wood, four-poster bed in the light-blue bedroom.

  Daron cocked his head and followed my gaze. “Why not fuck me before I go?”

  I bit my lip. That was exactly what I had in mind. My body had already succumbed. So why wasn’t I jumping on his lap
and asking for the good ol’ pony ride?

  The vibrant sensual tension between us was so powerful, it bordered on frightening. Was that why my mind and body clashed?

  He stood and strode over to me. My pulse jolted. He lifted a strand of my hair and ran it through his fingers. “So soft.”

  I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

  He bent down, nuzzling his face in my hair. “You smell so good.” He moaned. “It’s killing me.” He moved my hair over my shoulder. Then his warm lips brushed it. “I want to taste and touch every inch of you.” He kissed and licked up the side of my neck.

  It was my turn to moan. He was right. I wanted him. Needed him. I bent my neck to give him greater access.

  “Aren’t you—” he paused, and his warm breath fanned the vulnerable flesh of my throat. “—curious?”

  To feel what it would be like to fuck an incubus? A demon designed for sex, like I was...

  In the silence that followed, I turned acutely aware of my quickened breath. I nudged his chin up to catch his gaze. “Hell yes.”

  His smoldering look intensified, leaving me molten. I breathed in his scent and sighed. In the next breath, he crushed my body against his. I barely sucked in oxygen before his mouth claimed mine. All that virile and masculine energy I craved encased me.

  He ran his hands down my sides and cupped my ass. With a squeeze, he pulled me closer still. I raised my hands to push him away. Before I reached his chest, I lowered them back to my sides. Instead I kissed him back. A desperate ferocity rose. I wanted him. I needed him.

  Now.

  I wrapped my arms around him without worrying that I may hurt him, the way I would need to be aware of with a human male. That in itself was intoxicating. I could take without holding back.

  He deepened the kiss. When his tongue touched mine, a surge of pleasure swirled from my mouth down to my core. An ache grew between my legs.

  He broke away. “You’re sure you don’t want me to leave?” He teased. His eyes had darkened with desire.