“Just keep watch for a little while. We both need some sleep before the babies wake up again, okay?” he asked.
I glanced at Naomi. She was already curled up on the bed, her eyes at half-mast, and her breathing slowing. In a matter of seconds, she was asleep.
“Give me a few minutes,” I said and slipped out of the room. I wanted to be sure demons didn’t get close again and headed to the cafeteria. I gathered a half-dozen salt shakers and brought them back to the room.
Damian’s eyebrows rose as I trailed salt from one wall to the other, creating a line that kept them reasonably safe. I tossed the last shaker to Damian and he lined the window sill and the entry to the bathroom.
“I’ll guard the room,” I said and grabbed one of the chairs that sat at the small kitchenette table, bringing it outside before closing the door, and camping out in front of the entrance.
The floor was relatively quiet and maintenance workers went from light fixture to light fixture, replacing blown bulbs. I watched until my eyelids got heavy. I closed my eyes just for a moment.
When my eyelids fluttered open, I stared at a pair of deep amber eyes. Her mouth was moving but nothing computed and I blinked, glancing around at the dim hallway.
“Wouldn’t you be more comfortable lying down?”
Her question broke through the haze and I looked at her again. “What time is it?”
“A little after four,” she said and stood when I rubbed my eyes.
A yawn caught me off guard and I stretched, meeting her gaze. I had dozed off for a couple of hours, not minutes.
“I’m good,” I finally said after I settled back in the chair. The din of thought lowered and she scanned me from head to toe, her leer filled with carnal thoughts that made me blush. She sent a sweet smile my way and turned back toward the desk.
“Maybe a place to lie down isn’t a bad idea,” I said and she glanced over her shoulder, a smile played on her lips.
“There’s a couch in the nurse’s lounge,” she said. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
I stood and followed her on feet that felt like I was sinking in quicksand. I shook my head, trying to wipe out the cob webs. She opened the door just wide enough for me to squeeze through, and pointed toward the couch, but she was so close and made the mistake of licking her lips in such a way that jump started my libido.
My gaze moved from her wet lips to her eyes and I offered the slightest of smiles and closed the door behind me.
“You’re not really concerned with me getting rest, are you?” I said and the blush that filled her cheeks was my answer. Damn, it felt good to be wanted, and I reached out, lacing my fingers into the soft hair at the nape of her neck and pulled her to me.
Doubt passed over her features and then our lips met. The kiss was different, awkward at first and then we both relaxed, toying with each other. I pulled away, hornier than I had been in a very long time and I didn’t bother asking her name, not with the flurry swirling inside me.
I pulled the clip holding her hair in place and the long honey locks fell over her shoulders and I couldn’t help but grin. Her hands had drifted from around my neck to the buttons of my shirt, unclasping them before searching my eyes. Her warm palms traveled up my bare chest and over my shoulders, peeling my shirt off with the motion.
As I stared at the hunger in her gaze, I remembered Tom telling me it was intoxicating as hell. I never paid much attention to it before, but with the way this nurse was looking at me, I understood the power of being the subject of such raw lust. Intoxicating was an understatement and I pinned her against the wall, covering her pouty lips with mine.
For the first time in my life, I threw caution out the window and gave in to the carnal desire turning my blood to liquid fire.
The flurry of clothing lined the path from the door to the couch. I don’t remember much beyond the overwhelming sensation of pleasure and heat. I opened my eyes to the ceiling and the cold floor beneath me. Her hair fanned out over my chest as her breath heaved in her chest from exertion, in time with mine.
She raised her head and met my gaze.
“Holy shit,” she mumbled and smiled.
I laughed and looked at the ceiling, trying to understand how screwing a stranger could be so bogglingly hot. Now I understood why Tom had gone the slut route, it was liberating, but now I had to try to gracefully exit and I had no idea how to do that.
Her chuckle pulled my attention back and my post-sex euphoria disappeared. Her eyes shimmered red and all the heat in the room evaporated. I tried to push her off and scramble away, but the demon bitch was stronger than I anticipated and her thighs clamped down on my hips.
“I could give you this type of bliss for eternity,” she whispered and slipped her finger in her mouth, seductively drawing it out of those crimson lips while grinding her hips into me.
“Jesus,” I gasped and let a mental shove loose. She tumbled off me in a reverse summersault before jumping to her feet. I grabbed the throw pillow and held it in front of my privates and laughter peeled from her throat.
“Modesty? Now?” she asked, her hands falling on her waist while her perky breasts still glistened with sweat.
The fact I fucked a demon, no matter how hot her host was, turned my stomach into a boiling pit of acid.
“I suggest you leave that girl alone,” I said. My voice was a hell of a lot steadier than the quaking in my soul.
“Or what?” she said, raising an eyebrow. She stepped closer and I moved back, my gaze dropping to my clothing behind her. I put my hand out and my underwear levitated in my direction. She grabbed it out of the air, keeping it from me.
“Goddamnit,” I whispered.
“I’ll leave her alone if you allow me in,” she said, still gripping my shorts.
Her comment left me dumbstruck, but my basic instincts were demanding I run as far and as fast as possible. I knew what I was capable of and apparently so did Lucifer. Possessing me would give him everything he ever wanted, and this little seduction was meant to take advantage of my emotional weakness, to disarm me into saying yes.
What she was suggesting was inviting Armageddon to the world’s door.
A new sensation crawled across my skin and I welcomed the burn of anger. It fanned the power inside, coiling it in a tight ball. I dropped the pillow, balling my hands into fists as I stood tall, leveling a glare in her direction meant to sear.
She smiled, misreading my intention.
I let the power loose and the stench of burnt hair filled the room along with ash drifting on a swirl of air. My trunks dropped to the floor and I crossed, swiping them from the ashes and slid them on before collecting the rest of my clothing.
I stalked back down the hall and slumped into the chair outside the door. Fury coursed through my blood and I shifted, leaning my head against the wall in back of me. Seducing me was a low blow, and the bitch of it all was I could still feel the demanding stroke of her hands and the heat of her mouth on me.
As much as I didn’t want to admit it, fucking her had felt damned good.
Chapter 5
No one else came near me. The nursing staff gave me a wide berth as I sat with my arms crossed, giving off a definite ‘do not approach’ vibe. I remained still and awake, unwilling to put myself in another compromising position. When Damian stepped into the hall at a little after seven, he looked more haggard than I felt.
“I didn’t get much sleep,” he said, rubbing his face and covering a lingering yawn. “I need to get us out of here. Today,” he added and gave a little shake of his head.
I didn’t disagree, especially with the nocturnal encounter. I remained seated.
“You can hang in the room while I’m gone, if you want.”
“I’m fine right here,” I said, meeting his gaze. He hesitated, glancing at the cracked door. “If she needs help, she can give me a yell. But, honestly, if I’m out here, I can see what’s coming.”
He gave me a nod. “Don’t let them sweep up the
salt, okay?”
“No problem. No one is getting through that door,” I said, reassuring him and he turned, heading toward the elevator. “Just make sure you get a car big enough to take me home, too,” I called after him. His chuckle filled my head and then he stepped into the elevator and his thoughts blended with the rest of the low-grade din.
As the morning went on, the hallway traffic increased, and with it, so did the tension in my muscles, stretching them taut across my chest like an ever tightening strap. Every face could be a threat, especially since I wasn’t a hundred percent on my game and I finally stood, retreating into the room just to catch a break.
Naomi looked up from the chair with a baby at each breast and my mouth dropped in surprise. I snapped my gaze to the ceiling and spun back towards the door. Her light laughter at my response made me chuckle as well, but I still didn’t turn toward her.
“Good morning,” she said, her voice full of exhaustion and humor.
“Morning,” I said still facing the door.
“You don’t have to stand in the corner like that,” she said.
I took a deep breath, turning toward her again and my gaze kept dropping to the infants latched on her breasts. “Does that hurt?” I asked, forcing my gaze to hers.
“A little,” she said and offered a shrug. “Can you give me a hand?”
I opened my mouth to speak and then closed it because I didn’t want to sound like an idiot. Instead, I just nodded and noticed the trembling in her arms as she shifted. I know breast feeding is supposed to be natural and all that, but for a guy, it makes things... uncomfortable. Especially when it was someone as stunningly beautiful as Naomi.
“Please, take Michael, he needs to be burped,” she said, struggling to pull the little guy from her right side.
I paused and she looked up at me, with those big, brown, expectant eyes. As I crossed the room, I kept repeating the silent mantra, this is Damian’s wife, and it helped put things into perspective. I gingerly wrapped my hands around the baby’s midsection and pulled him toward me, painfully aware of her soft flesh as it brushed against my knuckles. Sucking sounds filled the air and I couldn’t help it, my gaze dropped from hers to her fully exposed breast before I turned with the baby in my arms. Heat filled my cheeks and I brought Michael to my shoulder, ignoring the urge to turn back and ogle.
I got the sense that my behavior amused Naomi.
Cooing in the baby’s ear, I rubbed his back and stepped toward the bed, putting some distance between us. When the baby let out a burp in my ear, I chanced turning.
Naomi had her shirt buttoned and Gabriel on her shoulder, coaxing a burp out of Michael’s little brother. She was grinning at me like we shared a secret joke and I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, I know, it’s supposed to be natural,” I said and she shrugged, letting out a soft laugh.
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I just needed a hand, and since Damian’s gone, you were it.” She stood, bringing the baby to one of the empty bassinettes and proceeded to change his diaper and swaddle him before turning to me with her hands out. “After yesterday, I don’t trust the staff here,” she added and I relinquished Michael.
I couldn’t blame her. I had stayed up all night because of the same lack of trust.
“Demons suck,” I muttered and she sent a laugh in my direction.
“Yes, they do,” she said and swaddled Michael, putting him in the third bassinette.
“What about Grace?” I asked and looked at the sleeping child.
“She ate a little while ago, before the boys woke.” Naomi climbed onto the bed, yawning. “I am so tired,” she said and I helped her with the covers, tucking her in. “Thank you,” she mumbled and her eyelids dropped.
I thought about going back to my perch outside the door, but I was tired, too, and at least inside the room, I knew there was a barrier between us and hell’s minions. I knew if I sat down, I would follow Naomi’s lead. That was dangerous, so I stepped next to Grace’s crib, staring down at the perfect little angel.
Her eyes blinked open, like she knew she was being observed, and I smiled. A squeak came from her and instead of waking Naomi, I picked up the little bundle, nestling her in my arms and slowly rocked her.
The child’s eyes were a mix of blue and brown swirls that reminded me of my mother’s calico eyes and I sighed, crossing to the window as the sadness hit. Grace squealed, kicking at the blanket swaddling her and I lifted her to my shoulder, cuddling her soft cheek against mine.
“It’s okay,” I whispered. “Uncle CJ’s just a little sad.” I rubbed her back and she cooed once more before letting out a sigh and settling down with her head nestled against my neck. Her warmth wrapped around me, penetrating layers of despair and a flicker of hope lit in my soul.
I would gladly wipe hell off the map for the little trinity angel in my arms.
Chapter 6
I don’t know how long I stood at the window rocking Grace, but I finally relinquished her to the crib and went back to my post outside the room while Naomi and the babies took a much needed rest.
A cop wandered by and I cleared my throat, capturing his attention.
“Did you ever find that cat?” I asked when he stopped in front of the spot of my vigilant watch.
“No,” he said and glanced down the hall toward the operating rooms. “We turned this place upside down, too.”
“How do you lose a tiger?” I said and stretched, rolling my neck to get the kinks out.
The cop chuckled. “I’m beginning to think the guys were pulling my leg.” He scratched the back of his scalp and met my gaze. “You know, like an asinine initiation or something.” He glanced around and then met my gaze. “The only reason I’m still looking is because a couple of nurses are missing,” he whispered.
I swallowed and tried on what I hoped was a shocked expression. “Wouldn’t there be some kind of mess if...”
“You would think,” he said and straightened. “Watch your back,” he added and walked away.
I stared after him and guilt bit at the heels of my conscience. I killed one of those nurses and Damian killed the other. Of course they were possessed by demons, so there really wasn’t any way around it, at least not one that I was aware of and none in Damian’s history. From what I was able to glean from his memories, being possessed usually meant the host was dead or had given themselves willingly over to the darkness. They couldn’t just take control of a soul at will, which was a good thing in retrospect. Otherwise I would be Satan’s puppet right now.
The elevator dinged and Damian stepped out with a travel bag slung over his shoulder. I glanced at my watch. It took him three hours to get a car and car seats and he bypassed the room, heading straight to the desk announcing he wanted to have his wife and children released. There really was no leeway in his tone, and the nurse tapped the keyboard.
“What’s your wife’s name?” she asked.
“Naomi Andreas.”
Her fingers flew on the keyboard again. “A-n-d-r-e-a-s?” she asked spelling the name out and the muscles in Damian’s jaw jumped. He nodded but I could tell he was getting frustrated.
“I don’t have her in the computer,” she said, looking up at him.
He pulled up his sleeve and shoved his wrist in her face. “Check again,” he said and I stood, crossing to the desk to intervene.
“She’s in the room over there with triplets. I think you were just waiting until they were able to get a car that held three approved car seats.”
She glanced at me offering a smile of thanks and then looked at Damian. “Our records show she was already released. With all the excitement around here, I guess things got a little out of sync.” She stood and came around the desk. “I’ll do one last verification of your identification tags and then I’ll make sure you have enough formula and diapers to hold you over until you can get to a store.”
Damian relaxed and gave a nod. “Thank you,” he said to her and sent a nod in my d
irection, the silent thank you resounded in my head as well.
“I’ll also need to check the vehicle before you leave,” she said as she pushed Naomi’s door open.
Damian fished into his pocket, pulling out three tabs and handing them to her. “These were the car seats I ended up getting. They were on your approved list,” he said.
She glanced at the make and model on the tag and smiled, nodding and handing them back.
Naomi stepped out of the bathroom, still wearing her hospital gown. The moment her eyes landed on Damian, the tension in her features relaxed. “Home?” she asked and he nodded even though I knew they didn’t have a home right now.
Damian glanced back at me and shrugged. “We’re staying with you for a couple of days.”
“Really,” I said with a laugh and the seriousness in his gaze shut me up.
The nurse matched up bracelets and checked off items on the clipboard in her hand. Damian put the bag on the bed and began pulling out essentials, like clothing for Naomi and little winter jackets for each of the children. When all was said and done, they had three diaper bags from the hospital stocked with formula and diapers and the travel bag Damian brought.
Naomi dressed and when she stepped out of the bathroom I stared at her. If I hadn’t witnessed it, I would swear there was no way in hell she had triplets three days ago. I guess transitioning to the tiger really did do something incredible to her metabolism.
The nurse stared with the same level of shock and then she flipped through the chart again like something was wrong and her brow wrinkled. “Can I see that wrist band again?”
Naomi held her wrist out again with a smile.
The nurse’s eyebrows arched and she sighed. “I’ll be right back with a wheelchair,” she said and when Naomi opened her mouth to argue, the nurse held up her hand. “Hospital policy.”
The moment the nurse left, I let out a laugh. “You really don’t look like you gave birth to even one child, never mind three,” I said and Damian turned toward me. “She doesn’t.” I shoved my hands in my pocket and glanced out the window ignoring his probing stare.
Paranormal Magic (Shades of Prey Book 1) Page 209
