“What are you saying, Jason? You’re not going to kiss her, or anything?”
“I can’t.” Jason took a shuttering breath and walked to the table, placing his head in his hands.
Dominic studied him, feeling something settle heavily in his chest. This wasn’t going to be good. How was he going to get Jason to get over this and move on? Marcella wouldn’t take to him not wanting to touch her. She’d feel rejected, and he couldn’t let her go through that kind of pain.
Ambrose walked into the room, followed by a group of vampires. “Hey, I thought we’d start training since it’s night. They’ll be their best in the dark. Dom, you’re in charge, but I thought we could do this in the bailey.”
“Sounds good to me. Do any of you have any skills with weapons?”
A male, looking no older than twenty, pulled a Beretta from the back of his pants. “I’m a damn good shot.”
“Nice.” Dominic smiled. Although he felt more comfortable with a sword, guns could possibly come in handy, but he needed them skilled at everything. Training was his calling, what he was born to do. Feeling a surge of empowerment, he grabbed Jason’s shoulder.
“It’s time to train. You have people to lead.”
The collector nodded and rose from the chair. “Let’s do this.”
Dominic made his favorite weapon appear and led them all out of the door. Another group already stood, waiting. Every vampire looked excited and ready to go. Waving his hand, he made a pile of swords appear in front of them.
“Everyone pick one of these up. There’ll be no fighting today. First, you get to test the weapon in your hands, learn the correct stance, and we’ll go from there.”
Jason didn’t need to be told what to do. He manifested a sword in his hands, almost identical to Dom’s, and pulled a few of the vampires off to the side. Watching him, he started showing the correct way to stand while preparing to receive an attack. Dominic smiled. This was the way it was meant to be. He’d never felt more at home.
* * * *
The smell of smoke and alcohol clung to the air of the club. Nemmy took another drink of his soda as he scanned the massive crowd of college kids doing the bump and grind on the dance floor. Tonight was typical. He and Caspius had been hitting the downtown nightclubs for a while now.
Demons were thick in this area for some reason, and he wasn’t exactly sure why. For cities in Texas, Corpus Christi was one of the smallest. So why all the evil?
A brunette walked over, blocking his view. Smiling, he took in her lustful expression. Even though his cock hardened, he wasn’t about to go there. Celibacy was something he prided himself on. Plus, human women were off limits for angels.
“Hey there.”
Nemmy couldn’t help but smile. “Hi. Can I help you with something?”
She bit her lip and took a step closer. “I don’t know. Can you?”
“Probably not.” He laughed and peered over her head. After a few seconds, she got the hint and disappeared, but he hardly noticed. His eyes were focused on one thing and one thing only. A demon.
Nemmy felt his blood surge. “Twelve o’clock, Cass. You ready to do this?”
“Always, my man.”
Caspius stood and they split to both sides of the room. It didn’t take the demon long to notice he was being hunted. The posing, college-aged drug dealer nodded a what’s up to them calmly and broke free of the crowd that had been surrounding him. He looked like any typical, rich frat boy. He wore expensive clothes, and had a nice haircut to that blond head of his. But he couldn’t hide the evil that lingered in the club, and Nemmy had smelt it the moment the demon suddenly appeared.
As frat boy drug dealer headed around the hall that led to the restrooms, Caspius broke into a fast jog. It was no surprise to Nemmy when he heard his partner groan in frustration. The demon had disappeared.
Taking down a regular demon wasn’t a simple job. The fuckers could disappear at the drop of a dime. If he didn’t catch them by surprise, he was screwed. It’s not like they could kill the demon and send him back to hell here, anyway. A gun going off in a club would only bring the police. Then, if they were caught, describing what was in the gun would be harder. Yeah, they could vanish, but they didn’t have the authority to wipe memories, which made their jobs even harder.
Nemmy slapped Caspius on the shoulder. “Let’s call it a night. It’s almost closing time. Now that he knows we’re here, I doubt he’ll be coming back for awhile.”
“IHOP?”
Nemmy laughed at Caspius’s question. His angel friend was quickly getting hooked on those strawberry pancakes. “You bet.”
Instead of flying, since they couldn’t use their wings unless there was an emergency or in private, they entered into the bathroom and dematerialized to the side of the building. Casually, they walked around and went in. For some reason, this place was fight central around the club’s closing time. Humans being out in restaurants after they’d consumed alcohol did not mix well at all. But, it was fun to watch. Too bad they couldn’t interfere.
Caspius took the lead but lowered his voice. “So what do you think about Samael? You said you felt Marcella. How?”
As the hostess led them to a table in the corner, Nemmy cleared his throat and gave her their drink orders. Turning back to Cass, he tried to replay what was going on in his mind. “I’m not sure how to explain it. I felt what Samael felt but only for the briefest moment. To me, she felt alive, but it could have been because he wants her to be. I don’t know. It was confusing. I can’t deny, though, that some part of me believes it to be true. Did you see those pictures before he willed them away? It was like he was tracking her life. Her human life.”
Caspius nodded. “I don’t care how imaginative he is. He couldn’t have thought up all of that on his own. One picture caught my attention, that’s for sure.”
Nemmy narrowed his eyes, interested, and leaned forward. “Which one?”
“The one with her at some event. I think humans call it prom. Did you see that one?”
Remembering all the pictures, he focused in on the one Caspius was referring to. “The boy in the picture. You’re referring to him, aren’t you?”
“Look familiar?”
The more Nemmy studied his face, the more he knew who he was looking at. “Amazing. That has to be Jason, her other half.” He smiled and took a sip of the soda in front of him. Damn, he really loved this stuff. “So, how do you think she’s back? Would Samael really risk bringing on the wrath of the devil himself? I can’t see that happening.”
Caspius shrugged. “Love makes us do odd things.”
“Very true. If she really is back, you know what this means.” Nemmy could feel how big his smile was. He couldn’t contain his excitement.
“I know exactly what it means. Do you think she’ll remember you?”
“I’m not sure.” The smile slowly fell from his lips, but he tried not to think about the past. “I say we start right after this. You up for it?”
“I’d enjoy nothing more.” Caspius smiled. “If Jason is back, I’m betting so are her other men. Dominic and I are ’bout to go ’round and ’round. If I wasn’t an angel…”
Nemmy laughed. “Try not to hurt him too badly.”
* * * *
Marcella could feel herself being carried. She wasn’t sure where she was or what she was doing. Becoming alert, she focused on preparing herself to assault whoever was touching her. The cool air brushing against her skin told her one thing. She wasn’t wearing any clothes.
“Don’t even think about it. I know you’re awake. Your heartbeat is racing under my fingertips. If you attack me, I’m going to purposely drop you on your ass.”
Donavon’s voice calmed her. Turning into the warmth of his skin, she could feel her muscles protest against the movement. “What happened?” Trying to open her eyes, she couldn’t against the exhaustion she felt.
“The change has passed. You ran yourself ragged last night. Luis is very proud of you. You were im
pressive for it being your first time.”
“I hurt. Is that normal?”
“Hell yeah. You’ll hurt for days, but, over time, it’ll get easier.”
The sound of the door opening finally gave her the motivation to crack open her eyes. With every step Donavon took, she felt like someone was kicking her.
“A hot shower should do you good. I’ll turn it on for you, and you can lie at the bottom of the tub. Don’t worry, I clean it obsessively.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll stand.”
Donavon let out a rush of breath. “Right. Good luck with that.”
Forcing herself to stay awake, Marcella looked around as the bathroom light was turned on. The room was extremely small but indeed very clean.
“Set me down. I’ll be fine.”
The moment her weight settled, Marcella’s legs buckled. Donavon was the only reason she didn’t fall to the floor. A sigh came from her throat while she let him support her. The fact that he was just as nude as she didn’t even cross her mind. She was way too tired to pay attention to her body. “Look, I know you don’t like me, but please, can you get in the shower and help me to stand? I won’t look at you if it makes you feel better.”
He nearly dropped her again. “Damn it, Donavon. I don’t know what is wrong with you, but please, help me.”
Slowly, he nodded and picked her up, placing her in the shower. Turning the showerhead to the side, he started the water and waited for it to warm. Once it did, he got in and fixed it, holding her a good foot away from him the whole time.
“God, am I that disgusting? I’m going to have bruises tomorrow with as hard as you’re gripping me.”
The limited arm movement made it almost impossible for her to wash. When she was done, she waited for him to switch their positions. As if repulsed, he pulled her against the side of his body while he lathered his hair with one hand. The sliding of her breast against his ribs made him jerk. Suddenly, she was falling. A slippery hand grabbed for her, but not quick enough. She hit the tub hard and collided with his legs. Donavon came crashing down practically on top of her.
“Jesus! What in the hell is the matter with you!” Why didn’t he want to touch her? What about her body didn’t he like?
“You’re what’s the matter with me,” Donavon snapped. Water flew against her face as he shook his head. “I’m sorry. Are you all right?”
“Besides the concussion you probably just gave me, yeah, I’m great. Are we done?”
Donavon stood and pulled her up, still leaving a gap between the two of them. Quietly, she waited until he was finished. When the water shut off, she looked up just in time to see him lift her. They got out, and he reached into a small pantry. With one hand, he grabbed a towel and stared at her.
“How do you want me to put this on you?”
Marcella focused on getting her legs to work. Damn, she felt like she just ran a marathon. Well, she kind of did. Her body was done for.
“I’m going to try to stand by myself long enough to put it on, but I need you to make sure I don’t fall. Will you do that?”
“Maybe.”
“What! Maybe? Donavon, I really don’t want to hit the ground. If I get dirty again, we’ll end up back in the shower, and I don’t think you want that. So, what is it going to be?”
“How about I leave you in here and you figure it out yourself?”
Marcella pushed off of him and barely got her legs to balance in time to grab the towel and wrap it around her. She clutched the countertop using her weak arms for support. Donavon wrapped a towel around his waist and then picked her up.
“I’m sorry. Listen, we’re both tired and cranky. Today has been rather difficult for both of us.”
Not wanting to argue or ruin his somewhat changing mood, she remained quiet while he walked into their room and stood her up, drying off her body. When he laid her on the cool silk sheets, it didn’t take long before her eyes were drifting shut, but something felt off about the mattress. She tried to push the thoughts away and focus on her new nightmare. This was not going well at all. Hopefully, he was right, and tomorrow would be a better day.
The pressure of him climbing into bed caused her to roll into him. Her eyes flew open as her nude body collided with his. What was this, an air mattress? Surely not.
“Not good. Here.” Donavon’s hand pushed her further over on her side, and the minute he moved it, she rolled. Offended by the disgust on his face, she shook her head. Unbelievable.
“Hey, genius, I think you need more air. What are you doing sleeping on one of these, anyway?”
“It’s a habit. It helped with the shifts at first. Now I just prefer it. Well, I did up until this very moment.”
Marcella pulled herself over until they didn’t touch. His large frame took up more than half the bed. Finally, settled in, she closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep. The pains made it impossible. Damn, she wanted to change back into her collector.
At the thought, she felt it stir. Upset, she squeezed her eyes shut tighter. I will not cry! You’re overreacting, Marcella. No one said this would be easy. Oh wait, that’s right, Jason did. Well, when she woke up, she’d go somewhere and change, if even for a moment. There was so much to do, and she didn’t even know where to begin. Going over the options, it wasn’t long before she was disturbed.
Light snores coming from beside her brought her from her thoughts. How was it that men could fall asleep at the drop of a dime? All of the ones she’d met were out within minutes of lying down. It seemed to take her forever.
Rising up on her elbow, she held in a groan from the soreness. Donavon was absolutely beautiful. She studied his face in the dark, not being able to get over how much he and Dom resembled each other. Were they somehow related? They had to be. Just thinking about her mate made her remember that she hadn’t called. Rolling over, she searched through her bag and retrieved her cell.
No doubt the men were all fast asleep, but they wouldn’t mind if she woke them. They probably were pissed that she’d forgotten. Hitting Dom’s number, she waited while it began to ring. A groggy voice answered.
“Dom,” Marcella whispered quietly in the phone.
“Hey, how are you? You didn’t call. We were worried.”
“I’m sorry. I forgot. My mind was just so focused, but I’m calling now to let you know I’m okay.”
“I miss you, love. It took me forever to fall asleep without you here.”
“I miss you, too.”
* * * *
Donavon listened to Marcella whispering love words to some man. Unexplainable rage pumped through him, stirring his wolf. He wanted to rip the phone out of her hands and bury her underneath him. The need to dominate her was so severe it scared him. He shouldn’t be feeling this way for her. There was only one woman he ever wanted to be with, and it wasn’t the beautiful creature next to him.
As the conversation went on, he tried his best to keep his breathing calm.
“Of course I love you. A piece of me is missing when we’re not together.” A giggle quietly escaped her mouth. “You promise? You know I don’t like to be teased.”
Donavon flexed his fists slowly as she continued. “Mmm, I can’t wait. Let me talk to Jason. What do you mean he’s not sleeping in there? Oh. Well, put Ambrose on the phone.”
Three men? She had three lovers? Heat seared his lids while he kept his eyes closed. No more. She’d never see them again. Never.
“Hey, sweetie.” Another giggle. “I’m good. No. You miss me that much, really? I do love you, Ambrose. I’ll be home soon. You know I need to do this. When things are better, I’ll come back. Okay, tell him I love him, too. Bye.”
Marcella dropped the phone in her bag and sighed as she shifted onto her back. The need to draw her to him pulled at his sanity. He wasn’t sure why he was reacting this way. It was starting to piss him off that his emotions could so easily be affected by this woman. She obviously had other men, and he had the woman he was meant to be wi
th, but that still didn’t mean he couldn’t keep her, too. He had to.
Putting his back to her, he tried to make himself go back to sleep. By the time he woke up, everything would be fine and back to normal. Well, as normal as they would get, given his new situation. He smiled. Just the thought of keeping her to himself made him feel better.
Chapter 6
Marcella knew somehow that she’d been sleeping off and on for two days. The wolf in her sensed the times the moon had made its presence, only to disappear. She began to stir as warmth settled next to her body. In her mind, she could so clearly see Dom and Jason cuddled against her. Pleasure took over, making her pussy wet at the visions of the way they usually awoke her.
Moaning, she moved deeper into the heat. Fingers twitched on her hip and then came to life, spanning across her lower stomach. The hardness of what felt like Dominic’s thick cock weighed against the top of her thigh.
Turning, she felt a hand grab under her knee, pulling her leg up over his hip. Pain jolted her body, causing her to cry out. Marcella’s eyes flew open to see Donavon’s sleepy gaze just as startled as hers surely was.
“I’m sorry. I must have been dreaming. Did I hurt you?”
Easing her leg down, slowly she turned on her back. “No. Forget it. I was dreaming, too.”
“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot about your late night love call the other night.”
Marcella gasped. “You heard that? Why didn’t you let me know you were awake? Do you know how rude it is to eavesdrop on a private conversation?”
“This is my room. It’s not eavesdropping. Plus, why would I have wanted to interrupt such beautiful I love yous?”
She listened to the bitterness in his voice as he rose from the bed. Just the sight of his broad back and tight ass caused the wetness to increase. Possessive thoughts began to stir deep inside of her, thoughts she knew weren’t just her own. Wildly, she looked around. Fuck. She hadn’t sated her succubus before leaving. How could she have been so stupid? It was imperative she leave and summon Dominic. Her plan would be ruined if she seduced Donavon in a different form.
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