Guardian Demons Box Set

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  I nodded and rose. “Then that’s it.”

  Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

  “A relationship between us will be impossible. I’ll ask for you to be reassigned to someone else.”

  “Reassigned?”

  “I won’t be able to look at you day after day, knowing that I can’t have you.”

  I turned and strode out of the room and down the hall. My chest felt like it was being squeezed by a vise as I walked away from the woman I loved, but I didn’t know what else to do. Surely Lucifer hadn’t been serious when he’d suggested I move up here. Had he?

  I heard her steps race down the hallway. “Rorlan, wait!”

  Turning, I took in her rumpled appearance and realized there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for her, even if it meant giving up Hell. But I didn’t want to watch her wither and die, and that’s what I would have to do if we stayed up here.

  “I’ll stay up here, with you,” I told her. “Until…”

  “Until?”

  “Until you die. Then I’ll return to Hell.”

  The color drained from her face. “Die? You won’t age, will you?”

  I shook my head.

  “But I will,” she said softly.

  “Up here, yes.”

  “Up here? You mean, in Hell I won’t?”

  “If you were to move to Hell with me, you could live for eternity by my side. It’s why I’ve pushed you to join me. I’m not trying to be a selfish bastard. Well, I am, because I want you with me forever, but I’m doing it because I love you.”

  A tear slipped down her cheek. “You love me?”

  “Very much.”

  She rushed across the room and threw herself into my arms. “Oh, Rorlan. That’s all you had to say.”

  It was? And here I’d thought it was going to be more difficult than that.

  “What are you saying, Larissa?”

  “I’m saying… help me pack.”

  With a smile, I kissed her. She was giving me the greatest gift. I only hoped I was deserving. The thought of having her by my side for eternity filled me with great joy. I’d probably never smiled so big in my life as I helped her pack her things, and an hour later, we were back home, our home.

  When I’d been given Larissa to guard, I’d never imagined that I would receive the greatest gift of all -- her eternal love.

  Chapter Five

  Lucifer had made good on his word. When I returned to Hell, it was to brand new living quarters. Instead of the one room I’d previously owned, I now had a living room, bedroom and bathroom. It wasn’t very large, compared to Larissa’s apartment, but it gave her more room. My things had already been moved, but I noticed something was missing. The bedroom was lacking a set of shackles on the wall and my trunk of toys was missing as well. I briefly wondered where they were and if I would get them back. Just because I’d fallen in love didn’t mean I was going to give up my way of life.

  Larissa put her things away and joined me in the living room. Her mouth dropped open when she saw the small flat screen TV and DVD player. At first, I wondered how it was powered since we didn’t have electricity. Then I realized it was powered by magick, the same as our lights and air conditioning. Not that I really cared how it worked as long as it kept Larissa happy and occupied. A cabinet beside the small TV stand held an assortment of movies, probably a hundred of them. I knew she would eventually tire of them, but there wasn’t a reason I couldn’t bring her more when she grew bored with these.

  The sofa was charcoal and overstuffed, looking rather comfortable. The floor was a marble-like stone indigenous to Hell and was just a shade or two lighter than the sofa. In the corner, I noticed a counter with a cabinet and small refrigerator under it. Being an otherworldly being, I’d always been able to manifest whatever I needed. But it seemed Lucifer had realized my human mate would need a way to store drinks and food. I walked across the room and opened the small refrigerator and smiled when I saw a carton of juice, a bottle of soda, and small containers of something called pudding. The cabinet held disposable cups, napkins, a box of crackers and a package of chocolate chip cookies. It wasn’t enough for a meal by any means, but they were good items to tide her over between meals.

  A knock sounded at the door and I frowned. Who could be bothering us in our new place so soon? Who could possibly know we were here?

  Opening the door, I stared in surprise at Bale. We knew each other but had never been what you would call friendly. That he would pay me a visit was more than passing odd. I couldn’t think of a single reason for him to be standing outside of my door.

  “Bale, is there something I can help you with?”

  He grinned. “I thought your woman might like to join Alia and Monica. They’re dying to meet her.”

  “And where are they, exactly?”

  Bale nodded his head to the left. “There’s a room down the hall set up for the women to enjoy themselves. Monica and Alia are already there, snacking on popcorn and sodas last I saw.”

  For the first time since opening the door, I realized the hallway was enclosed, which wasn’t a normal thing for Hell. You couldn’t see Hell itself from where I was standing, and I wondered if that was intentional on Lucifer’s part.

  With a glance over my shoulder, I motioned for Larissa to join me. “Would you like to make some new friends?” I asked.

  She smiled. “There are other women down here, like me, I mean?”

  “Two others.”

  “I’d like very much to meet them.”

  Bale motioned down the hall. “Follow me.”

  Pulling the door closed behind us, we followed Bale to the last door in the corridor. He stepped inside and the sound of laughter spilled out of the open door. I ushered Larissa into the room and followed her inside only to stare in amazement. A large TV dominated one wall and currently played a movie. There was a pool table, another table with a deck of cards in the middle and a cabinet with a chessboard on top. In the back of the room was a kitchenette with a sink, microwave and refrigerator.

  Alia and Monica were curled up on a large sectional in front of the TV, and they both smiled at Larissa. I was happy to see that they would be so accepting of her right off.

  “I’m Larissa,” she said, moving forward hesitantly.

  The one on the right stood and held out her hand. “I’m Alia, Bale’s woman.”

  The other one smiled and waved. “And I’m Monica. I’m with Aleixo.”

  “It’s nice to meet you both,” Larissa said.

  I walked up behind her and placed my hands on her waist. She felt tense and I wondered if she was just nervous, or if she was a little scared. Everything was new to her, after all.

  “Do you want to stay here with them for a while?” I asked. “It looks like they’re enjoying a movie. You could have some popcorn with them, get to know them a little better.”

  She leaned into me. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  I kissed the top of her head. “Not at all. You stay and visit, and I’ll go confer with the other Tinta demons.”

  With a smile, she nodded and sat on the sectional with Alia and Monica. Bale smiled at me and we left the women alone.

  In the hall, he clapped me on the shoulder, his grip firm and unyielding. “I think we need to talk,” he said.

  “Where?”

  “Your place is fine. Or mine. Doesn’t matter.”

  “My place,” I told him, stepping out into the hall. When we entered my small apartment, I closed the door and turned to face Bale.

  “Lucifer had this area warded. No demons will pop in unannounced, not without prior permission, say for a medical emergency. Our mates are perfectly safe here, in case you were wondering,” he said. “I’m sure you noticed there were additional doors on the hall. I have a feeling we’ll have company before long.”

  “Is that what you wanted to talk about?”

  He shook his head. “Our mates are safe here, as I said, but that brings up another subject. Th
ey’re no longer our charges. Which means we can be reassigned at any time.”

  I wasn’t too happy with this news. Having a charge meant disappearing at the drop of a hat to rush to her side, having to keep tabs on her in some form twenty-four hours a day. All I wanted to do was spend time with Larissa, get to know her better, start our life together. Was that too much to ask?

  “You haven’t been reassigned yet?” I asked.

  Bale shook his head. “I imagine it will only be a matter of time though. If you think about it, none of us has gone longer than ten to twenty years without having a charge. Most are reassigned almost immediately when their charge dies.”

  “Have you spoken to Lucifer about this? Either you or Aleixo? Maybe he has a different plan for us.”

  Bale’s eyebrows rose. “You expect me to just pop in on our lord and ask what his plans are?”

  I shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe not quite like that, but yes, that’s what I meant. How else are we going to know what’s going on if we don’t ask? I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being in the dark when it comes to something so important. And if you’re like me, you aren’t looking forward to having another charge, someone to take you away from your mate’s side.”

  Bale snorted. “Not hardly. But I don’t see how we can fight it. If Lucifer commands us to watch over another human, then we must.”

  I frowned. “I don’t think he’s going to reassign us. Something he said makes me think he was searching for the right woman for both of us, and Aleixo. He said that he’d paired us with our charges on purpose, knowing that some of us would find love. Since we’ve already found it, what would be the point in reassigning us? All it would do is drive a wedge between us and our mates. Can you imagine Alia being okay with you watching over another woman, being at her beck and call? I know Larissa wouldn’t like it.”

  “Good point. So, you don’t think we have anything to worry about?”

  “I can’t say for certain, but I think we’re safe.”

  Bale nodded. “I’ll pass the information to Aleixo. I’m sure it will relieve him. He’s been rather concerned about the matter.”

  Bale crossed to the door and opened it. “If you need anything, I’m two doors down. Aleixo is right next to you.”

  “Thank you, Bale.”

  He smiled and ducked out, closing the door behind him. Left alone, I pondered our conversation. I could see where he would be worried about being assigned to another woman, but I truly felt we had nothing to worry about. I only hoped I was right.

  * * *

  Larissa stumbled into the apartment a few hours later, a silly smile plastered on her face. After closing and locking the door, she tumbled into my arms. My eyebrows lifted when I realized she was more than a little bit tipsy. I hadn’t realized the room had been stocked with alcohol or I might not have left her there so long.

  “I take it you had fun?” I asked.

  She giggled. “I like Alia and Monica.”

  “I’m glad.” I smiled. “Are they as inebriated as you?”

  She giggled again. “Inebriated.” She snorted. “I’m just a teensy bit tipsy is all.”

  “I think you passed tipsy a while back.”

  “We were celebrating. Well, Alia and I were celebrating. Monica couldn’t drink.”

  I smoothed her hair back from her face. “Why were you celebrating?”

  She gave me a sloppy kiss. “Because Monica is expecting.”

  I wondered if I looked as confused as I felt. “Expecting what?”

  There she went, giggling again. “A baby, silly.”

  My eyes widened in surprise. A baby? Aleixo had chosen to have a child with his human mate? I looked down into Larissa’s upturned face, and I realized that I could easily picture her swollen with my child. It wasn’t an unpleasant idea at all. Perhaps something to discuss at a later time.

  Lifting her into my arms, I carried her into the bedroom. After settling her on the bed, I removed her shoes and unfastened her jeans. I tugged them down her legs and left them in a puddle on the floor. Her shirt went next, joining the denims. When I reached for her bra, she sighed and ran her fingers through my hair.

  “Are you going to make love to me now?” she asked, her eyes soft and tender.

  Once her breasts were free and the garment had joined her other clothes, I reclined on the bed next to her. Leaning down, I captured her lips with mine, giving her a gentle kiss.

  “Is that what you’d like? For me to make love to you?” I asked. I’d never called it that before, but I knew now that’s what I’d been doing with her all along.

  “Very much.”

  I wished for my golden cuffs, the ones she’d worn before, and they materialized on the bed beside her. She glanced at them then looked at me again. “Please don’t make me wear them this time. I want to be free to touch you. I like touching you.”

  With a groan, I knocked the cuffs off the bed and kissed her again, my tongue tangling with hers as I drank her in. As intoxicated as she was, I knew I should probably wait until morning to make love to her, but I found that I couldn’t hold back. Her sweet request had been enough to set me on fire.

  Tugging her panties from her, I tossed them across the room. She shoved at my shoulders and I rolled to my back, waiting to see what she had in mind. With a sultry look in her eyes, she stripped my shirt over my head and tossed it behind her. Running her fingers down my abdomen, lightly scoring me with her nails, she reached for the laces on my leather pants. Unfastening them with nimble fingers, she began pulling the leather down my legs. I toed off my boots and assisted her with removing my pants.

  Larissa knelt between my legs and grasped my cock with her hands, stroking firmly. I watched as she leaned down and licked a drop of pre-cum from the head of my cock. With her eyes on mine, she leaned forward again and took me in her mouth, swallowing me down until my cock slipped down the back of her throat. The velvety softness of her mouth, the silky glide of her tongue, was enough to make me mad with need. With every bob of her head, I felt myself getting closer and closer. Right before I came, I pulled her off.

  “Did I do something wrong?” she asked, concern etched on her lovely features.

  “No, sweetheart, you did everything right. I just want to be inside of you when I come.”

  She crawled up my body and fused her mouth with mine. Before I could grasp her intent, she impaled herself on my cock, her pussy encasing me with wet heat. I groaned into her mouth and gripped her hips. Thrusting upward, I buried myself in her farther. Her fingers curled in the hair at the nape of my neck and she gently tugged.

  Sitting up, she lightly raked her nails down my chest. “You feel so good, Rorlan.”

  “You’re the one who feels good. All hot and wet and silky. I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere other than right here.”

  She leaned down and put her lips against my ear. “Give me your baby.”

  I pushed her up so I could see her face. “What?”

  “I want your baby. I mean, I want to carry your baby. I want you to make me pregnant.” She frowned. “Unless you don’t want to.”

  I shook my head. “Sweetheart, I think it’s the alcohol talking right now. I’m not about to do something that permanent until you’re sober.”

  She frowned down at me. “I’m not as drunk as you think I am. Besides, I’ve always wanted a family. I just hadn’t met the right man before.”

  “I’m not a man, Larissa. I’m a demon. Which means our children will be half-demons. Have you thought of that?”

  She caressed my cheek and smiled. “I want boys that look like their daddy.”

  I sighed and rolled us so that she was under me once more. When she’d said that Monica was pregnant, I should’ve known it would plant a seed in her mind. I just hadn’t expected her to say something so soon. If she wanted a baby, I could give her one, but I’d been serious when I told her we should wait until she sobered up a bit. I didn’t want to do something so irreversible an
d have her hate me in the morning.

  “What if I make love to you tonight and then, in the morning, if you still want a baby, I’ll be happy to oblige?”

  She wrapped her legs around my hips. “What are you really worried about, Rorlan? Is it just that you don’t want children with me?”

  I kissed her, gently nipping her bottom lip. “The idea of you being pregnant with my child thrills me. But I don’t think this is the right time.”

  She sighed. “Make love to me. If you want to wait for children, we’ll wait. All I really need is you.”

  Now what could I say to that? I needed her more than I needed anything else in my life. She was essential to me, and I wanted to make her happy. She was saying the right things, but looking in her eyes, I saw the light die a little. She still wanted me, still loved me, but she was disappointed. I had disappointed her. I didn’t like that feeling, not in the slightest.

  So, she wanted a baby. I prayed to Lucifer that she wouldn’t change her mind come morning because I found that despite my logic and reasoning, I could deny her nothing. If it would put a smile back on her face, put that light back in her eyes, I would give her a baby. Hell, I’d give her a dozen if that’s what she wanted.

  I pulled back my hips until just the head of my cock was inside of her, then plunged forward, filling her once more. She gasped and tilted her pelvis, taking me in farther. Leaning down, I kissed her as thrust into her again and again.

  Trailing kisses along her jaw, I nipped her ear. “I’ll give you what you want, Larissa. I would do anything for you.”

  I looked at her once more and was surprised to see a sheen of tears in her eyes. She pulled my head down and kissed me again, her tongue sliding along mine. Knowing I’d made her happy eased some of the tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying in my shoulders.

  Gripping her hips, I sat back on my knees and fucked her faster and harder, making her cry out in pleasure. With her back bowed, her hands fisted in the sheets, I felt her cream coat my cock as she tumbled into orgasm. Entering her one last time, I spilled myself inside of her, allowing myself to completely let go and give her what she wanted.