“It better.” The guitarist cast me another seething glance.
“Hell, she might still be turned on when you take her home later.” What the fuck was I doing still instigating? “Then you’ll be thanking me.”
He didn’t. Instead, he threw another punch into my gut. I groaned and slumped to the ground.
“You don’t know when to shut your mouth, do you?”
He didn’t give me a chance to reply, not that I’d be able to, as I clutched my stomach and tried to breathe through the wincing pain.
He turned to the blonde. “Come on, babe. I’ve got you.”
Her eyes widened. “Mike?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
She blinked. “What’s going on?”
He groaned as if pained, but smothered the sound. “Everything’s going to be all right. I’ve got you, Ally.”
He led her back inside Vamps, leaving me a crumpled, bloodied pulp on the pavement. Although pain shot from my flesh to bones, I’d recover soon enough.
For several minutes, I sat there waiting for some of my wounds to heal. If I’d been able to feed on the blonde, the recovery would have already progressed. Another damn gargoyle interfered with that plan.
That was it. I had to find a new feeding ground. If I left town, it might be easier to forget Selena. One day.
“Daron. What have you gotten yourself into?”
When I heard her voice, I perked as if all the wounds had suddenly healed. It was her. My mate.
Fuck. My expectations sank as quickly as if I’d fallen back onto the concrete. My former mate.
When I rose, the wounds jerked me back and I howled.
She took my upper arm and helped me to my feet. “What have you done?”
“Got my ass beat by a gargoyle.” I forced a grin, but the pain in my jaw kept my mouth tight. “Strong motherfuckers.”
“I felt it all the way in Salem.”
I gazed at her. “You felt my pain?”
She bit her bottom lip. “I sensed you were in trouble.” She helped me to my feet.
I adjusted my weight to not to put too much on her. “The good news is I don’t just ache for you anymore.” Our last conversation had turned so painfully intense. I had to tone it back to a more playful level. When Selena narrowed her gaze with confusion, I added, “I’ve got these physical wounds to distract me.”
She shook her head and clucked her tongue, but a faint smile spread on her lips. “Instigating a gargoyle? Dumb move.”
“My body is quite aware of that. I should save all rough play for sex.” I attempted to wink, but winced, a souvenir from a punch to my face.
She snorted. “Come with me.” She helped me lean on her to support my weight. “You can barely walk right now, Daron. Let alone screw.”
Chapter Twenty-two
Selena
It was my fault. I couldn’t stand to see Daron lying on a sidewalk in so much pain. The scent of his spilled blood tainted his usual alluring aroma. The streetlamp pierced like a cruel spotlight. Although he forced his signature smile back in place, his occasional wincing and short rasps showed his agony.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“Back to my safehouse so you can recover.”
“I know better than to argue with you right now. I can only take on one ass kicking tonight.”
And he wouldn’t be able to recover without energy—which he sorely needed.
“Have you fed at all?”
“Not enough. Just small bites here and there.” He winced again. “It’s been a rough few days.”
Because of me. I swallowed the guilt and teleported us back to my place. When we arrived, he could barely walk.
After wetting a facecloth with warm water, I cleaned his wounds. Then I helped him strip down to his boxers and climb into my bed. He adjusted his position and groaned. His chest rose and fell with short rasps, as if he couldn’t inhale enough oxygen.
Sensing his pain pulled me in an even deeper level. Those sensual callings had been agonizing to ignore, but this inner ache was even more heart wrenching. Could I alleviate his agony?
“What is it, Daron?”
Laying on his back, he closed his eyes. “I’ve spent better times in this bed. With you.” A ghost of a smile flickered through his pained expression.
We sure had. Why had I chucked it all away? The regrets had mounted. Could I undo the damage?
“What can I do to help you?” I wanted to care for him, strange as that sounded. Never would I consider myself a caregiver, but with Daron, everything else had fallen away. My priority was helping him recover.
“Lie with me for a while. Your presence soothes me.”
That was an easy task, one I was happy to accommodate. I stripped off my skirt, leaving on my black tank top, bra, and panties.
When I climbed in beside him, he rolled onto his side and draped an arm over me. “You feel so good next to me.”
It did something to me as well. I longed to back up and get closer to him, but I didn’t want to hurt him. I scooted back a few inches, not wanting to hit him on any spots that would make him wince.
An urge to connect with him physically had been simmering beneath my skin. With his body touching mine, it took all my self-control not to seduce him. He needed to recuperate. But, having him so close was like walking into an all-you-can-eat buffet after a three-day fast—almost impossible not to indulge.
But I could also help him restore energy. I jiggled my butt back against him. If he was up for it, I’d take the lead and be careful.
“Daron?”
He didn’t reply. “Daron?” I repeated.
The only sound I heard was his low rhythmic breathing. I glanced over my shoulder. He was asleep. Good, he needed it, but still I sighed. Suppressing my urges, I gently nestled back and relaxed in his arms.
Hours later, I was roused by someone kissing my neck.
Daron ran his hands down my side. He cupped my breasts and pressed his pelvis against me. A torrent of desire rose more quickly than my waking consciousness. I rubbed back against him and moaned before I peered out through a crack in the curtains. The streetlights peeked through the darkness outside, so it was still night. I climbed out of bed and did my usual scan for trouble before I pulled them fully closed.
“How can I help you, Daron? What do you need?” I returned to the bedside.
Seconds ticked by like centuries while I awaited his reply. Seeing him like this nearly destroyed me. I’d been the cause of his anguish and that ripped me to shreds.
“You.” He opened his eyes and pinned me with a pained stare.
His one word came out low and barely audible. “I need you.” He added, declaring it like a solemn vow. He reached for me, but his eyelids fluttered closed.
“I need you, too.” Why had I tormented him with such anguish by severing our bond? And me? By denying us what we both craved, I was tormentor and victim. Sadist and masochist.
We were both in agony because of me.
I was sick of fighting the call. The best way to heal him was through sex. The energy we created would restore what he’d lost.
After I stepped closer to him, I took his outstretched hand. Raising it to my lips, I kissed his palm. A low growl of approval followed. I climbed onto the bed and straddled him and ran his hand over the front of my body, leaving it on one breast.
“Yes,” he growled. “More.” The blue of his irises brightened with the reddish-golden glimmer. He didn’t have to mask his demon side to me. Didn’t have the energy to do so anyway. The dark feral lust returned.
I pulled off my tank top and bra. He reached for my breasts with greedy hands. I arched my back to offer more.
He lifted his upper body, but then winced.
“No, just lay back.” With his dominant streak, would he even let me take the lead? I bent down so he could reach them. He suckled one gently and then with more demand, grunting as if satisfied. When I lowered my body farther down on his lap, his
erection pressed against me. He raised his hips and I moaned.
After he feasted on both of my breasts, teasing each nipple with his tongue until I was heady near delirium, he pulled away. I leaned forward and crashed my lips onto his. Our tongues collided as we kissed each other with feverish need.
I pulled away. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rough.”
Daron’s eyes widened with longing. “Rough. Gentle. I don’t care. As long as I have you.” He tugged at my panties.
I climbed off the bed only long enough to finish undressing and then helped him remove his clothing. His cock sprang free and ready. That part of his body didn’t seem to be as affected by the weakness spreading throughout him.
Or, maybe that bit of foreplay was enough to coax it back into action.
“Fuck me, Selena,” he urged. “I need you so fuckin’ bad.”
“Yes.” I needed him inside me as much as he needed me.
His eyelids fluttered closed. Guiding his erection in between my legs, I lowered myself onto him, trying to be careful. He didn’t move as I took him deep inside me. I bent forward and kissed his forehead, his cheeks, his lips—a silent apology for what I had done.
As I slid up and down, I clenched his shaft. Daron responded with low groans edged with pain—pleasure and agony entwined.
Bending down to his ear, I whispered my regret. “I’m sorry I did this to you.” To us.
When I pulled back, he opened his eyes and cupped my cheeks.
He captured me with an intense gaze. “We’re together now.”
Sending my magic outward from the safehouse, I cast it toward humans nearby. Within minutes, more sensuality surrounded us. I drew on the humans’ essence. Invigorating. Their energy rushed through me, fueling me, as I continued to grind down on Daron. I used my body as a vessel, passing all I could on to Daron. He needed copious amounts to recover.
He lowered his hands to my breasts and skidded them down to my ass. “Oh, Selena. It’s never been like this. Never so good.”
“Can you feel their energy?”
“Yes, my powerful succubus. Everyone within a quarter mile is probably fucking.”
“Good,” I replied and ground down again. “More sweet ambrosia for us.”
Daron gripped my hips. “Have I told you how much I love fucking you?”
My lips spread wide with appreciation and my pulse quickened. I was so glad to see him more like his hot, horny, dirty-talking self again. “Once or twice.”
“More than anything. Anyone.” He thrust so deep into me, I squealed. “And I’m going to fuck you as hard as you can take it.”
Daron pounded into me hard and fast and frenetic. After several minutes, he demanded, “Hands and knees.”
I complied and moved into position. When I glanced over my shoulder, I caught Daron’s gaze. Decadent and intense and ready to fuck.
My incubus was back.
* * *
My growling stomach woke me late the next evening. We’d spent much of the previous day in bed, but now I was ravenous—for food this time. Daron’s arm was draped around me. I gently lifted it, careful not to wake him as I slid to the edge of the bed. The back of my body cooled, and I paused, reluctant to leave his embrace.
“Where are you going?” Daron pulled me back to him.
I didn’t resist. Being close to him again was too compelling. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“I was. Maybe I sensed you leaving.” He wrapped an arm around me from behind, cocooning me against his warm, hard body. “I should get my ass kicked more often. It got me back with you.”
I huffed at the reminder of that ordeal. “If you scare me like that again, I’ll be the one to kick your ass,” I teased.
He kissed the side of my neck. “As long as you’re the one to kiss it better.” He pressed his erection against my ass.
“Before we start that up again, we need food. Real food. I’m starving.” I wiggled out of his hold and stood. A glimpse of his naked body in bed had me second guessing that decision. “All that hot sex drained me.”
He propped himself onto his arm, lying on his side, adding to the tempting image. “What drained you is you giving me so much of your energy.”
That was true. I’d transferred what we pulled from humans to Daron. The lack of energy and food left me slightly light-headed and shaky. “You needed it to help you recover.” I dressed in a pair of jeans, a black peasant blouse, and sneakers.
“It’s working. I almost feel like a brand-new demon.”
“Good.” My skin warmed like I’d bathed in the sun. At least I could do something to offset the damage. “I’ll get us a pizza. You know me—can never get enough of that.”
“I’ll come with you.” He sat up.
“No, Daron. You need to rest. I’ll be right back. Meat-lovers sound good?”
His devilish smile returned, accentuated by an adorable sleepiness in his eyes. “Sounds great. Almost as tasty as you.”
That sounded like an excellent prospect for later.
“Selena, I picked up something for you. Where are my clothes?”
I glanced around. “They must have fallen on the floor or gotten buried somewhere.” The bedroom turned into a mess. We weren’t tidy when it came to sex. Clothing flew, bedding took a beating, all for the sake of pleasure.
“I’ll find them.” He glanced at the pile of fabric pooled on the floor.
I blew him a kiss. “See you soon.”
After I left the safehouse, I headed to Salem Willows with a spiffy bounce in my step. The moon glowed bright and glorious with a golden shimmer. Daron was back with me, and I hadn’t ruined everything after all. I’d get us some takeout and go back to cozy up with Daron in my bed. The universe was smiling at me once more—or at least, I was smiling at it.
Along the waterfront, a man’s voice stopped me. “You didn’t think you could evade us forever, did you?”
My pulse thundered, muscles hardened to ice. A hunter stood beneath a willow tree.
Run! Adrenaline kickstarted my limbs. Before I teleported to safety, he threw something at me. It looked like an iridescent rope. He chanted words in Latin, and it wrapped around me before appearing to dematerialize.
The invisible force gripped me like tentacles. They clamped around me and I couldn’t move. Not even a twist of a finger or wiggle of a toe.
A cold shiver worked its way from my ankles, prickling my skin with goosebumps, and surrounding me like a silent scream.
I was caught.
Chapter Twenty-three
Selena
I willed my arms to lift but they lay limp at my sides. My feet remained glued to the ground like encased in concrete. “Help!”
The only ones who could intervene were humans walking in the opposite direction through the darkness of the tree-filled park. Not only would they be useless in this situation, but they didn’t even appear to have heard me.
“Shut up or I’ll gut you,” the hunter warned.
I stared at the trench-coat-wearing dickhead with graying hair, recognizing the vivid hatred in his cool blue eyes. They appeared desperate for vengeance and my destruction. He was one of the three who had taunted me in New Orleans with graphic descriptions of how they would slice my throat and watch as the life left my eyes—and who had exterminated those whom I had entered the realm with thirteen years ago.
Wiggling my fingers accomplished nothing. An invisible force held me in place. I sensed the magical imprint binding me. It was strong magic. I tried moving my toes. Still nothing. Working up through my muscles didn’t help. The more I struggled, the more it drained me. I panted, trying to keep panic from rising. With my energy already depleted from healing Daron, the situation would worsen at rocket speed.
The hunter slung me over his shoulder. It figured my body responded with some pliancy when he manipulated it. He rushed us to a black sedan. I glanced around, searching for someone—anyone—who could help. The shadowy sway of willow trees waved like a somb
er farewell.
He opened the car door and shoved me into the backseat. Once he climbed in and started driving, he pulled out his phone and made a call. “I got her.” After a pause, he added, “I’ll bring her to Proctor’s Ledge. You with Maguire?” Another pause. “Meet me there.”
My heartbeat echoed in my ears and my skin tingled with wariness. He was bringing me to the woods where the witches were hanged. Not good. The symbolism would suit them, though, fit into their twisted sense of morality.
“I haven’t done anything to deserve this,” I cried. “Why won’t you leave me alone?”
He sneered. “You feed on the energy of others. Nothing but a parasite. An unholy demon whore.”
Parasite? Talk about harsh. “Nobody else has complained.” I wouldn’t let him see my fear. Not this time. “In fact, I leave them quite satisfied.”
He put on the brakes and turned around. “Being sassy, bitch? I’ll twist your fuckin’ nipple off.” He reached back with his right hand—the one with the crooked finger and blackened nail that revolted me. When he grabbed my breast and twisted, I cried out. Pain radiated deep within.
Once he turned back to drive, he added, “That’s your dark nature polluting their minds.”
I ignored him and tried to breathe through the ache. We drove through residential neighborhoods with tended lawns and potted chrysanthemums.
“Where are you taking me?” I’d heard part of his conversation, but curiosity spiraled. Was there any chance I could escape?
“Someplace suitable.”
I was about to ask, “For what,” but I didn’t want to hear plans for my murder confirmed.
He drove us through a commercial area with many franchises with bold lights and then by a police car with its lights flashing. My muscles tensed with the urge to attract attention, but this magic kept me bound.
What could I do? What the fuck could I do?
My bound body screamed for escape, but the red and blue lights disappeared behind us. Shit. My gut seemed to curdle.
SCORCH: An Incubus versus Succubus Demon Romance Page 15