“Something wrong, Ze?” Languidly, she stretched on his lap, rolling her hips as she did so. His starlit eyes flew open, locking on her arched form, branding her with their intensity.
“Bad girl. You shouldn’t tease a demon, you know? Bad things can happen to little girls who offer themselves to the Seven Deadly Sins.” His voice sent shivers over her skin.
She licked her lips, her breathing deepening. Yeah, she wanted to find out just what happened to a woman when she offered herself to a demon. Well, just this demon. None of the others even appeared on her radar, only the silver-haired sex god.
“And what if I wanted to offer myself to…let’s say the demon of Envy? What would Envy do?” His low rumble thickened her blood, making her mouth turn dry and causing heat to pool between her legs. His fingers dug into her hips, and she continued her slow rocking motion on his lap.
He began to talk, hypnotizing her with his swirling eyes, pulling her in with his words. “Well, Envy is a bit of a bastard, you know. He likes to make his sacrifices cry with need. He wants his female eager and desperate for him whenever he desires to sink into her sweet body. And he does, he desires that very much. It’s all he can think about.” Oh, he was playing a dirty game. His mesmerizing voice made her forget the rest of the world and focus only on him.
He slid his hands under her top, running his fingertips over her stomach and up to the edge of her bra. She whimpered, the dark, utterly sinful look he gave her sending goosebumps rushing over her skin. She’d started this game, but it looked like he would be the one to finish it.
“Envy likes to explore, and he has a weakness for red-haired women. First, he will strip down his offered sacrifice, exposing her for his viewing pleasure. He will take his time, licking and biting across her breasts. He does love breasts, by the way. Then he will wonder, given the sensitivity of her skin, if he can make her fall apart with just his tongue and teeth on her nipples.”
Sera’s breath caught in her throat. What was he doing to her? How could words evoke such a reaction? Her body felt hot, her skin too tight. Her throat and mouth were dry, but she wanted him to continue. She could feel the damp heat gathering between her legs, her clit beginning to ache. His hands returned to her hips, encouraging her to keep rocking. His erection was hidden by his jeans, but he thrust against her, teasing. They might as well have been naked, though, from the sensations that rushed over her skin.
“Oh, I know he can. I think she would look glorious coming apart to just his lips and teeth. But he won’t be done there. He has another goal. He wishes to taste her sweetness. He wants to lavish her body with his mouth. He’s going to fuck her with his tongue, drinking her down as she flies for him.”
Ze leaned in, keeping his mouth just an inch away from hers, hot breath blowing against her lips. She whimpered softly, her own body taking up the rocking rhythm. His hands slid to her breasts, pinching her peaked nipples until she gasped. They were locked together in this erotic dance of need, and Sera knew he would lead her over the edge and catch her when she fell.
His crude words should have shocked her, but damn if it didn’t flood her body with liquid heat. She was pretty sure this was not a typical reaction. The burning need that was aflame in her body, the crawling desire to rip his clothes off and have him spread her here in nature. She had never even dreamed in such fantasy before, yet here he was, driving her body to climax with just his words and a few touches.
“Oh, he won’t be done there. The Sin of Envy is greedy. I’m greedy. I always want more, demand more. I will use my fingers next, sinking them into your hot body, brushing my thumb against your clit, holding you on the edge of bliss. Slowly driving you higher, until you beg me for release. If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you ride my fingers until you break apart for me. I know you’re going to be so tight, and I can almost imagine how you’ll feel around my cock. Gripping me, demanding I become a slave to you. When I take you, Sera, it will be hard and fast. I will have no control. I’ll fuck you until neither of us can see straight. I’ll fuck you until you don’t know where you stop and I start. Then I will want more. I will always want more. Tell me, do you want to offer yourself to the Sin of Envy?”
Sera felt the shallow pulses of orgasm start low in her body. “Oh, God, yes!” Her words came out in a cry. Ze claimed her in a heated kiss of domination, spearing her mouth with his tongue. Her body convulsed on his lap. She couldn’t stop herself from rocking hard against him as her core pulsed around nothing. She could almost swear she felt him hard and deep inside her. Whimpering, she trembled in his arms. His fingers continued pulling at her nipples, prolonging the climax until she felt like she was about to black out.
Slowly her body came down from the high, and she pulled back, trembling in his arms, her eyes wide from the experience. Her body continued to pulse softly, a smile spreading on her lips. Holy crap! He could make her come apart with just his words. This demon needed a warning label.
Ze lifted his hands and brushed her hair from her face. “Beautiful.” If he was uncomfortable, he didn’t show it. She knew he had to be. This was the second time he had focused solely on her with no concern for his own comfort.
Sera grinned like a drunken fool, molding herself against him, her lips finding his. She kissed him because she could, because she never had the chance to kiss someone like this before. The demon embraced her and wrapped his arms around her as their tongues dueled.
The sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind them, and he tightened his grip on her. With a grin she pulled back, only to feel a rush of mortification. Phillip Dunham stood there, watching her like an upset Papa who’d just caught his daughter in bed with a boy.
She hid her blushing face with a squeak and wished the earth would just spilt open right now and swallow her. Ze had the gall to laugh, swatting her butt so she would move from his lap. How long had he been standing there?
“Jesus, Sera. I might be an old man, but I’m not dead. I know what young people get up to. It wasn’t that long ago I might have done the same myself. I brought hot breakfast, and I need to speak with this man who clearly has you smitten.”
Sera mumbled something about feeling like she was five. Laughing, Ze extracted her from his lap. She grabbed the blankets and drew them over her body, curling up so that her face was hidden, unwilling to move and let Phillip see her. She had just had the climax of her life, and Phillip probably knew it. No way was she going to be able to face him again.
Ze stood awkwardly. His legs were numb and felt like dead weights, but fuck if it hadn’t been worth every single second of this morning. Thanks to one hot pixie, he was going to be walking around with a hard-on all day. Definitely worth it, though. Watching her skin tint as she broke apart in his arms, the way her breath caught on a moan, her back arching. When he finally claimed her, he was going to need at least a week so he could explore all her curves and find each spot that drove her to new heights.
When had he allowed this pint-sized pixie to wrap him around her little finger? He prided himself on his control. Women didn’t tease him—he teased them. He made them hunger, crave, yet this tiny woman had him at her mercy. All it took was one of her smiles, and he would happily kneel for her. Damn it all to hell.
A cup of steaming coffee appeared before him. Ahhh… ambrosia of the gods. Ze gratefully accepted it and the paper bag full of food. Taking a long draw on the hot liquid, he groaned happily. Moving to the makeshift blanket of protection, he knelt, waving the cup back and forth near Sera’s nose.
“Coffee!” A small hand shot out from under the blanket. With a laugh, he placed the cup in her hand. It vanished swiftly, followed by a tell-tale moan of happiness from the fuzzy haven.
Ze opened the bag and placed a hot bacon and egg burrito on the ground beside her. It, too, vanished into the folds. He shook his head again, a happy bubble expanding in his chest. Yeah, he was in so much trouble right now. The old man nodded at him and headed toward the spot where his brothers
had camped out all night. Ze chuckled when he heard Sera hungrily devouring her breakfast. He went to join his siblings, who were swilling down coffee and gobbling up their own breakfast. The two hellhounds were also happily slurping bacon and egg burritos. Ze frowned. Funny, but Phillip hadn’t said a word about the appearance of the hounds. What was going on?
Ze sipped his coffee and turned to face the old man. He looked younger somehow. His bright blue eyes sparkled as if he had dropped fifteen years, and he didn’t seem as arthritic as last night.
Mr. Dunham assessed each of the men with a critical gaze. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking back at the curled-up Sera before resuming his appraisal. Ze straightened. Something was off…he could feel it in the air.
“So tell me, gentlemen. Would one of you care to explain to me why the Seven Deadly Sins are hanging out in Battle Creek, Iowa?”
Everyone stopped eating or moving. Hell, no one even breathed. Ze narrowed his eyes at the old bastard, and his brothers stared at the old man like he had lost his mind. Phillip focused his gaze on Ze, tapping one finger against his arm.
“I know I have lost much of my power, but I didn’t think I would have been forgotten so quickly by demons such as you.”
Still, no one spoke. The demons looked among each other, then back to the old man, who clearly wasn’t human. Lucifer was the first to move, putting down his burrito and brushing his hands on his pants. He walked toward the old coot, giving him a once-over. He nodded and turned to his brothers and the hellhounds.
“Brothers, meet Odin.”
“Odin!” The voices rose at the same time, everyone talking at once. Ze, however, leaned against his bike and glared. Odin? Really? This was supposed to be the all-powerful All-Father of Norse myth? He knew there were many gods on earth now, most too weak to even light a candle. But someone like him?
“I would appreciate it if you keep your voices down. I don’t wish Sera to know. Poor child has been through enough shock in the last twenty-four hours.”
“Poor child? She’s a grown woman. She has the right to know that the one person she considers a friend in this town is actually a defunct god living on a pension.” Ze found it hard to stop the fury that rose inside him. How could someone like Odin keep himself hidden this way? Especially from someone who clearly could have benefited from his assistance? He didn’t even want to try and figure out why he hadn’t seen anything but mundane everyday human activities when he’d touched the old man the night before.
“I didn’t make that decision lightly, Sin of Envy. It has been a thousand years since I held any real power. The world of humans became my home so completely that I figured it would be better if she didn’t know who I once was, or what I once controlled. That being said, you still haven't answered my question. Why are you all in my town?”
“We’re here for her. To protect her and enlist her help in fighting Michael and his Malakhim,” Ze spoke up, cutting off Lucifer who glared at him. Ze moved toward Phillip. Scratch that—Odin. Here he stood, face to face with one of the greatest gods of antiquity, and he felt little or no power at all from the old fool. Still didn’t stop him having a presence that could cut one off at the knees.
“Michael? What is that angelic bastard planning now?”
It didn’t take long for Lucifer to explain what had happened—the Malakhim’s plan to eradicate the human race and their goal to use Pandora’s Box to bring out the sin in all of humanity, then watch as the human race ripped itself apart. He explained their need of a Seer to complete this action and the demons that had stepped up to prevent this from happening. Odin listened, his face grim. Ze knew how he felt. It was how they all felt the day they found out Michael’s little plan. Why couldn’t heaven’s jumped-up warrior just retire to Florida like ordinary people? Or better yet, become a hermit in a mountain cave somewhere?
“Foolish child, spoiled little brat of an angel. Thinking he has the right to dictate to the world who deserves life.” Odin shook his head and looked down at his feet.
“I was not exaggerating when I said I have no power left. I have been living as a human these last three hundred years, moving when my lack of aging became apparent. When the Seer showed up in town two years ago, I made it my job to look out for her. It was clear she was haunted by her past. I tried to help where I could. It’s also clear that I failed to protect her. I know I didn’t do enough.”
“No, old man. You did well. You kept her safe and secure here, somewhere she could begin to heal. It’s not on you that the angels have decided now is a good time to end the world.” Ze had calmed a bit. His eyes strayed to Sera, who was now out of her blanket hidey hole and leaning against the tree, letting the sun warm her skin.
“You love her, don’t you, demon?” The old god’s voice held a hint of his ancient energy.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just met her. Love is a very strong word, old man.” Ze was not exactly uncomfortable using that word. It was just that this time yesterday he hadn’t known about her spark, or the pureness of her spirit, or those green jade eyes. How could he love her so quickly?
“Stupid boy, it’s clear. Sometimes when two souls are destined, they just click, and there’s no power on this earth, god, or otherwise, that can separate them. Your brain might have trouble catching up, but your soul knows. As does hers, or she wouldn’t have allowed you into her life the way she has.”
Ze wanted to argue, but his heart tightened at the thought of leaving her here with his brothers and heading to Alaska to check on Hades. “All right. Maybe. Maybe. Geez, don’t you have a bridge tournament or something to get to?”
Odin laughed and smacked him on the shoulder. Ze groaned as pain radiated from the point of contact. The old bastard hadn’t lost any of his immense strength in his three hundred years as a mortal.
“I’ll do what I can to help you protect her…” Odin’s phone went off, and he walked past the demons to answer it.
Ze grumbled about stupid gods knowing everything, and glanced up to find his brothers staring at him like he was some kind of stranger. Abbadon was grinning, which was never good.
“What?”
“Where is Ze? And what did you do with him? ‘Cause if you’re a pod person, I so get dibs on the bike!”
Ze gave him a droll stare. “Touch my bike and die. Anyone else have anything to add? Anyone? Good, so let’s just drop it. Anyone says anything to Sera, I’m gonna be so far up your ass, when I whistle Star Spangled Banner, it’ll be coming outta your mouth.”
The fact that Abbadon and Asmodeus were making stupid ‘I’m so scared’ comments behind his back meant his threat fell on two dumb, deaf ears. Growling, he walked away from the two morons. He knew Lucifer wouldn’t say anything. Lucifer had an allergy to women or something.
Odin’s conversation reached Ze’s ears. “Calm down, and start again. Okay, no doors or windows left open? All right, no footprints outside the boys’ windows? Damnit. Yes, yes, I’ll be right there. I’ll have some friends with me from out of town.” Odin hung up and glanced at Sera, who finally seemed to have gathered herself together enough to face him. She approached the group, and Odin pinned everyone with a glare. “Not a word. Understand? Good morning, Sera. Feeling better now?” He gave her a sweet old man smile that Ze wanted to punch off his lying face.
“Phillip, I’m so sorry you saw that. I, I mean we…” Que the blushing pixie. Yep, he was falling for her. Hard.
“I told you, Sera. I have done crazier things in my time. And it is evident you two have that special something, hmm?” He patted her shoulder and went to join Ze. He kept his voice low, so only the demon would hear him.
“I might be powerless, demon, but if you hurt her, I’ll hide your body where no one will find it. I still control a giant wolf, you know.”
Ze glared at the crazy old coot as Sera looked between them, confused. First chance he got, he was spilling Odin’s little secret. Sera had the right to know who was human and who wasn
’t.
“Now, if you boys could give us small-town folks a hand? The Sampson twins have gone missing sometime during the night. No doors or windows were left open. Everything was locked from the inside. They’re six years old, the most handsome twins you will ever see. Would you mind joining our search for them? They can’t have gone far.”
Head down, Sera moved to Ze’s side, pressing herself close to him. Knowing what he did about her last case, he had no doubt that she was reliving some of that. Missing children didn’t bode well for anyone, least of all her. He encircled her waist with his arms, leaning in to kiss her temple.
“It will be okay, we have hellhounds. Best damn trackers in existence. They can’t have gone far, right? Probably just boys being boys. No doubt wanted to sneak out.” At least Ze hoped it was something like that. But he had a bad feeling in his stomach.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
As it turned out, boys being boys was not the case. They pulled up to the town hall where crowds of concerned citizens and parents were huddled around the front. Phillip was barraged with questions as he climbed from his truck. This man seemed to hold the power to enthrall the crowd. He lifted his hands and calmed everyone down in a second, the demons moving in behind him.
Sera watched with no small amount of awe the way Phillip handled the crowds of people. Even the sheriff seemed to take direction from the old man. Odd, how was it she had never noticed that everyone seemed to turn to him for answers?
The citizens viewed the new arrivals with fear and suspicion—Abbadon especially, his dark skin all too conspicuous among the predominantly white populace. Sera remained in the truck looking out over the crowd. She might not have her gift right now, but the fear of crowds remained rooted firmly inside her. Besides, she could smell something delicious on the air. She scanned the people once more. Some had black wavy smoke rising from their bodies. It called to her, enticed her to come and purge their sin.
Envy's Kindness (Seven Deadly Sins Book 2) Page 12
