Wicked After Dark: 20 Steamy Paranormal Tales of Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More

by Mina Carter

  “Who’s Remington?”

  “Our other brother.”

  “You mean there are three of you?” How in the world had the female population in either realm survived with their hearts intact?

  Yours won’t.

  Kayley bit her bottom lip, already feeling some of the heartache in store for her.

  “We don’t have time for this.” Roark snatched the sweater from her hand and rubbed it across his side. When he lifted it away, she saw the wound had closed. Demons healed almost as fast as shifters.

  She wiped her hands across the backs of her jeans. “So, we need to find Rafe a hiding place until this Luke person’s anger blows over.”

  Both men looked at her as if she had lost her mind.

  “What? I’m sure he’ll understand once you explain why Rafe escaped. To find the answer to your curse and all.” She waved her hand and Roark caught it.

  “Let’s not have any more accidental spells, shall we?”

  Kayley really didn’t mind the controlling gesture since he pressed her hand against the taut muscles of his abdomen. During their time together, his leather vest had hung open giving her a spectacular view of all that male goodness and now she was touching it. She almost forgot his insult to her witchy powers. “My protection spell worked, didn’t it?”

  “Sorry, sweetheart,” Rafe spoke up, “it didn’t. I stopped. Roark was right; I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  Kayley wasn’t so sure. She’d felt something when she’d cast the spell. Just like she’d felt a tingle of power right before she’d untangled the spell on the truck’s door. It was a sensation she’d never felt before. Like her powers were working for once, with no unpredictable side effects.

  Had her grandmother been right, that she’d just needed something to bring her powers into focus? Was being in danger the focus that she had needed? Or, was it because she was with Roark? Was he her missing anchor?

  “Do what you have to do, Roark. I’ll be in touch.” And just like that, the other demon disappeared.

  Kayley gasped. “How did he do that?”

  “Damn it to hell and back. He shouldn’t be able to do that. That’s Remington’s power.” Roark ran his hand through his hair, continuing to swear.

  “Do you want me to try to scry for him again?” She hated to see him so upset.

  Roark stopped his swearing and let out a frustrated sigh. “No, it wouldn’t do any good. He’s probably jumping around from place to place so we can’t get a fix on him. Let’s go.”

  Her heart warmed that he’d include her in his quest, kind of like they were partners. When he took her hand, she had a sudden realization she would probably follow him anywhere. Even into the depths of hell.

  At first, Kayley thought Roark was going to take her home. They had headed back to the truck, but he’d never asked her where she lived. She knew it was probably for the best if she could convince him to let her go. If she stayed with him much longer, her heart really would be broken. Plus, she was starting to feel the effects of the whirlwind in the forest and longed for a hot shower. “Roark.”

  He glanced at her and she saw he hadn’t fared much better in their encounter. Pine needles and pieces of dried leaves clung to the long strands of his hair. She lifted a hand to brush them away before she realized what she was doing. She stopped as the movement pulled on the sore skin of her back.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked.

  “No, not really. Just dirty and sore. You can take me home now.”

  “Not yet.”

  Kayley didn’t know if she was happy or sad. “Why not?”

  He didn’t answer. She realized they had driven out of town as he slowed the truck and took an exit advertising gas, food, and lodging. He pulled into the entrance of a popular hotel chain. The lot was full and he’d parked on the side, away from the main entrance. She didn’t think the lack of available parking had been his reason for doing that, however. He came around to her side of the truck and helped her from the cab. His manners had improved in the last few hours, or else he was worried about her. The thought made her heart flutter.

  She stood beside him as he gazed at the three-story building. She had no idea what he was doing. Puzzled, she pointed over her shoulder to the front of the hotel with her thumb. “The office is over there.”

  He continued to stare at the building.

  “Are we going to check in?” Her insides clenched at the thought of sharing a hotel room with the man.

  “No. Come on.” He looked down at her. “Can you walk?”

  Kayley nodded.

  As they approached the outside door, he muttered a few words and she saw the green light flicker on the card reader and heard the click as the door unlocked. Her eyebrow rose in question. “How did you do that?”

  “Just a little trick I picked up.” He opened the door and she walked through it, tripping on the mat in front of it. Before she could make a fool of herself and land on her ass, he had his signature tight grip on her arm.

  “This way.” He walked down the hallway all the way to the end. Letting her go, he muttered again and the same thing happened with this lock.

  “What are you doing? Someone might be in there.” She grabbed his arm this time.

  “Stay here.” He shook off her hold and pushed open the door.

  She stood there for a moment then stepped in after him in case anyone was listening or watching.

  The hotel room wasn’t bad. It held a king-sized bed, a small table with two chairs and a television. The room had a stale smell to it and Roark strode across the room and turned the air unit on full blast. He sighed, relishing the feel of the cool air. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the witch hadn’t obeyed and stayed in the hallway. He should have expected it.

  Out of habit, he opened the bathroom and closet door to make sure no ghosts or poltergeists were hiding. Demons attracted supernatural beings when they came out of the pit. Searching the room was just a stall tactic. He knew he was doing everything he could to put off the next moment. “Take of your shirt.”

  The witch’s eyes grew big and round, much like they had in the forest when she'd tried to manipulate him. He’d been around more than enough women to know when one tried to distract him. Now, the woman glared at him as if he’d lost his damn mind. Maybe he had. He stalked toward her. Her scent filled his nostrils and he didn’t know if he could do this, make sure she was all right.

  “Take off your shirt, so I can see how badly you’re hurt.” He could only imagine the damage done from the twigs and rocks that had pummeled them. He knew her skin had been pierced somewhere because he smelled the faint tinge of iron, the scent of her blood. He clenched his hands at his side, wanting to find Rafe and beat him to a bloody pulp. He could kill his brother for endangering the witch.

  Mine, his inner demon roared. Protect. Defend.

  “I’m fine. I think I’ll take a shower.” She sidestepped him, moving quickly and catching him off guard.

  Before he realized what she’d done, she was safely behind the locked bathroom door. Great, he thought. Now he’d scared her. And scaring the curvy little witch was the last thing he wanted to do. He wanted to follow her and make sure she wasn’t hurt. He wanted to absorb her into his body and protect her from everything if he could.

  Against his better judgment, Roark stayed by the bathroom door and listened to the heavy beat of Kayley’s heart as she stood on the other side. He braced his hands on either side of the doorframe, gathering the strength he needed to step away. Step away from the temptation. To not open the door. To not open the door and take the woman up against the bathroom wall.

  Listening to the sound of water falling, he willed his body to relax and calm down. He should be anticipating his turn taking a shower. Showers were a luxury in hell. As a demon, he didn’t need to bathe, but the fall of cold water on his skin was an indescribable joy.

  He heard the rattle of the shower curtain rings as she pushed it aside. Then the changing sound of th
e water as she moved underneath it. He pictured the water flowing over her bare skin, her hands running over her thick curves as she washed away the dirt from their misadventure. Soap bubbles would slide from the tips of her nipples. Nipples he wanted to capture in his mouth and clench between this teeth.

  He closed his fist over the doorknob. He made it a strict policy not to mix business with pleasure. Having this witch beneath him, feeling her wet flesh closing around him would definitely be pleasure. He’d only met her a fucking five hours ago. There was no way in hell — pun intended — that he could feel something for a woman, any woman, this fast. Yet, his body demanded he open the door and take the plump witch who had been a thorn in his side all day. A sexy, curvy, couldn’t-wait-to-fuck thorn. Despite the warnings going off in his head, Roark couldn’t stop his body’s reaction thinking about her. His cock surged, and he knew, without some type of divine intervention, she was going to be his tonight.

  Letting go of the doorknob, he willed back his control and walked out the door, seeking the cool night air.

  Kayley slammed the bathroom door shut behind her and quickly turned the lock. Was she locking Roark out, or herself in? The hunger that had flared in his eyes as he’d ordered her to take off her shirt had scared her because it had made her so hungry. Turning on the water, she stripped off her clothes, letting them fall to the floor in a dirty pile. Catching sight of herself in the mirror, she grimaced. She looked as if she’d had a fun-loving roll on a forest floor.

  She wished. Using her fingers, she combed through the long strands of her hair, trying to get rid of as much debris as possible. Her face was smeared in what she prayed was dirt and not the dried-up droppings of some nocturnal creature. She looked down at her body, expecting to find more damage than she did. She turned sideways and saw her back was peppered with a heap load of scratches and small bruises, but it could have been a lot worse. Look at the injury Roark had sustained protecting her.

  Protecting her. The thought sent a shiver down her back. Oh, to have a man want to protect her because he loved her, not because he felt it was his duty. Maybe he got demerits in hell if innocent bystanders got hurt while he hunted a bounty.

  Pulling back the plastic shower curtain, she stepped out of her underwear and beneath the cascade of hot water. She turned it up as high as it would go, but the pressure still sucked.

  She took her time, using the small bar of complimentary soap to wash every inch of her skin. Then she did it again. Same with the shampoo. Knowing she couldn’t delay any longer, she squeezed as much water out of her hair as she could. She stepped out of the tub and dried herself off. She sighed when she realized she would have to put her dirty clothes back on. She couldn’t stand the thought of putting on her panties again, so she washed them out in the sink, hanging them on the back of the door. Maybe Roark wouldn’t notice them there. Thankfully, they were a lace and satin pair and not the comfy cotton ones she usually wore when she lounged around the house on Friday nights.

  Just as she reached for her jeans, a loud knock sounded on the door, making her jump. “What!”

  It opened and she let out a squeal, instinctively clutching the jeans to her chest. “What are you doing?” she gasped as Roark pushed open the door. A locked door, she thought, frowning.

  He took one step and was inside the small space. She backed up until her legs hit the toilet seat. Suddenly, she couldn’t breathe in the steam-filled room.

  “I brought you some clothes.” He held them out to her.

  “Did you conjure these?” Seeing him in action tonight, she wouldn’t put any ability past him. She tucked one side of the jeans under her arm and reached for the clothing, keeping her eyes averted.

  “Yeah.” The word sounded strangled.

  “Conjuring for personal gain has a way of backfiring.”

  “I know. These are for you. Not me.”

  “Oh, thank you.” She gathered the courage to lift her head.

  When she did, she realized his eyes weren’t focused on her face. They looked lower. She followed the path of his gaze and cursed. The top of her jeans covered her breasts fairly well, but most of her body below the waist was on full display between the splayed legs of the jeans.

  Her soft, rounded belly. Her healthy thighs and — heavens, above, the small patch of curls on her mound.

  “Get out,” she cried, bringing the legs of her jeans together. The move revealed the hefty curve of her hips, but covered her vulnerable middle.

  He sat the clothes on the vanity, but didn’t make a move to leave. His eyes continued to devour her, or so it seemed.

  “Roark.”

  Her breathing accelerated and she clenched her legs together to dispel the ripples of desire swelling low in her belly. She wanted him. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Oh, how she wanted him.

  The soft click of the door made her eyes fly open. The room was empty. For one insane moment, she wished he’d closed the door and stayed on this side. With her.

  With trembling hands, she let the jeans fall from her nerveless hands. He’d given her pajamas bottoms and an oversized t-shirt. He’d also thought of underwear. A black lacy bra and satin panties. She cringed when she realized they would be the perfect fit. Now he knew what size she wore. Fingering the soft flannel of the pants, she wondered at his thoughtfulness.

  And when he would be ready to send her home.

  A cloud of steam escaped the room as Kayley stepped out. “It’s, umm, free.”

  “I’ll take one later. Come here and eat.” Roark watched as she walked the short distance between the bathroom door and the small set of table and chairs under the window. White boxes of Chinese take-out covered the top. “I didn’t know what you liked.”

  He could have kicked himself at the inane remark. He shouldn’t care what she liked. He grabbed a box and leaned back in the chair, tilting it up on two legs. She’d put on the clothes he’d conjured for her and he felt a swell of satisfaction she wore something he’d provided for her. He’d had to leave the hotel room to get the food. He’d yet to master that ability completely. Now that he had a woman to feed — Shit, he was not going there.

  She’d dried her hair and it hung in loose waves around her face. It was an astonishing shade of deep auburn. Combined with her gray eyes, she was utterly fascinating to look at. She wasn’t perfect, though. She had a streak of independence that needed disciplining. His body hardened thinking of being the one to provide that discipline.

  He shook away the thought. Hell, no. Hell, hell, no.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  KAYLEY FELT THE weight of Roark’s stare as she sat down opposite him at the small table. Looking through the containers of food, she picked the one holding sweet and sour chicken. She grabbed a plastic fork the restaurant had sent along with the chopsticks. With her lucky streak, if she used the chopsticks chicken would fly all over the place.

  She moaned as she took her first bite of food. She hadn’t known how hungry she was. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, she realized it was late. She frowned, wondering why her parents hadn’t tried to contact her. But then, she remembered what she’d almost interrupted and decided they might be enjoying their time in the house without her in it. When this was all over, she really was going to have to get an apartment of her own.

  She took another bite and moaned again.

  “Stop that.”

  Her head snapped up at Roark’s low growl of disapproval. “What am I doing wrong now?”

  “As if you didn’t know.”

  “Look,” she started to reply. She was tired and hungry — not to mention horny — and she didn’t want to deal with his shit now. Before she could say as much, he was on his feet and she was in his arms.

  His mouth found hers and Kayley knew she was lost. His kiss burned through her. His lips were hard and hot, demanding in their taking. In seconds, they were both breathing heavily, the sound competing with the whir of the air conditioner.

  “Tell me you
want me.”

  Kayley panted as Roark drew away, confused.

  “Tell me you want me,” he demanded again.

  Each low syllable vibrated through her body and landed directly in her womb. His eyes flamed with lust and echoed the demand of his words.

  “I want you.” I will always want you. The words marked her soul even though she could never tell him. He was a demon who demanded sex, not a happily-ever-after. She knew she faced a life changing moment. She could walk away, never knowing what it felt like to be taken by a man such as Roark. Or, she could stay, embracing this night. This moment in time.

  Roark didn’t remember why it wasn’t a good idea for him to take this woman to his bed. The palms of her hands burned into the skin of his chest and he felt her indecision to either pull him closer or push him away.

  “Let me in, baby. Let me taste your sweetness.” He licked at the seam of her lips, taking more care with her than he’d ever taken with another woman. He deepened the kiss slowly until the rigid line of her body relaxed against him.

  Her hand slipped around the back of his neck, tangling in his hair. Her touch made him shiver with need. His cock jerked beneath his zipper as her fingers stroked the silky strands. He wanted her. Wanted to plunge his tongue into her mouth. Fucking fuck her mouth with his tongue. He wanted to get naked and have demon-hot sex with her. Feel her heat close around him as he pumped inside her curvy body and painted her womb with his seed. He dragged his lips along her jaw, down her neck before moving back up to thrust his tongue deep inside her mouth and slide it across hers. Her hips bumped against his, teasing his engorged cock, turning it into a solid pillar of granite.

  He was so fucking hard and wanted her so fucking much.

  She placed her hands on his chest and lovingly smoothed them across the bronzed surface. He’d taken off the ruined vest and was bare-chested. Nothing to hinder the heat of her touch. Lower and lower, her fingers traced down his body until they found the long length of his erection. The tips skimmed across the leather of his pants, caressing him from tip to base and back again beneath the supple fabric.