Dante's Desire (New Immortals Book 2)

by Tia Didmon

  Jess sat back. “Then why wasn’t Jenner assigned to the hit squad. His dad is a senator and his sister was killed by a demon.”

  Greg’s eyes flashed with anger. “He should have been leading that squad, but he sided with Laura. Now he’s related to a fucking demon prince.”

  Jess put her hand over her mouth to cover her shock. Greg shouldn’t know Valen was a prince. Jenner never reported that. She plastered a smile on her face. “How come you’re not in charge. I mean you’re a senator’s son too and you have the same skill set as Jenner.”

  She watched the smirk spread across Greg’s face. “The death squad will have to work within the PIA rules. That means they can only assassinate a demon who breaks the rules.”

  Jessica hated where this conversation was going. “Isn’t that the way it should be? I mean we don’t want to kill demons that are innocent. If what you are saying is true than there could be several species of demon, we are unaware of. There could be docile...

  Greg leaned forward. “Docile demons Jess. Give your head a shake. They are demons. I won’t break the law but I sure as hell don’t agree with the current one. They should have to register with the PIA. Their species. Their abilities. They should prove they have never broken the law and then I will be happy to protect them.”

  Jess decided on another tactic. It was risky, but she was sure Greg’s father was more upfront with his son than Jenner’s was. “You know about me, right? My history.”

  Greg looked down. “Yeah, I know Jess, but that doesn’t matter to me. That wasn’t your fault.”

  “Being born a demon wasn’t their fault either.”

  Greg shook his head. “It’s not the same thing Jess. It’s...” His eyes hardened as his fingers tightened on his bottle of beer.

  Jess turned her head when the door chime went off. Her heart skipped as Dante entered the restaurant. His eyes were murderous and red. He wasn’t hiding who or what he was. “Dante.” She whispered.

  He inclined his head to her. “It is time for you to leave Jessica.”

  Greg stood. “We are having dinner. If you don’t get your stank demon ass out of here, I will call for reinforcements.”

  Jessica’s heart squeezed. She knew which squad he would call in if Dante did anything. She stood quickly and put her hand on Dante’s arm. “Please don’t pull Kiki into this.”

  Both men turned to her.

  She could see the confusion on both their faces. Greg’s was mixed with betrayal. She turned to Greg. “I’m sorry. I don’t want a scene. I don’t want Kiki brought in. Not for Dante.”

  Greg looked at Jess. “I will request she not be involved in any Moretti assignment.”

  She smiled as if he had done her a favor when he had confirmed her worst fear. “Dante will you take me back to the apartment I want to check in with Darnell.”

  Dante inclined his head.

  Greg flicked his chin at Dante. “Until next time demon.”

  Jess led Dante out of the restaurant. She turned around when she reached his car. “You had no right to...”

  He slammed his mouth down on hers. She was gasping when he let her up for a breath. “I had every right. I do not care if that pathetic human is a PIA agent. He is not your partner. I am.” He yanked open the car door with red fire burning in his eyes. “Get in the fucking car Jessica. Before tonight is through, you will know who you belong to.”

  Chapter 9

  Dante forced his demon down. He could feel his claws threatening to extend but there was no enemy to fight. He needed to bond with Jessica, make her realize the daily struggle he endured at the hands of his demon because he had been unsuccessful at securing her. He needed her to understand what she meant to him. To choose him.

  She hadn’t said a word on the ride home or when he led her to his apartment at the Davidson Building and hadn’t tried to return to her own. She seemed defeated. Low. It was unlike her. She was a fighter, yet she walked into his living room and sat on the couch like a robot.

  He sat and pulled her onto his lap. She said nothing but when he attempted to connect with her mind her found her shields not only up but reinforced. She was keeping him out. “Jessica, tell me why you are shutting me out. I do not believe it is because I interrupted your date with Agent Baker.”

  Her eyes remained downcast. “No, it isn’t Greg, and he is my partner...”

  Dante growled. “If you refer to him as a partner one more time I will go back and rip his miserable head off.”

  Jess gazed into his flaming eyes. “I work with Greg.”

  Dante forced his demon to calm, reminding him that their bride was where they wanted her. “He is a work mate. You may refer to Jenner as a work partner. He is a man I trust.”

  Jess huffed. “I don’t need your permission to work with Jenner or anyone else.”

  Dante nipped her ear “You should.”

  Jess pushed against him but he refused to loosen his grip. “Hey! Keep your fangs to yourself.”

  Dante’s eyebrows went up. “I wish to share everything with you, and that very much includes my fangs.”

  “Yeah, I bet.”

  Dante felt her sadness like a knife twisting in his stomach. “Tell me what I must do to remove the darkness that surrounds your soul.”

  Jess closed her eyes. “You see it?”

  “I feel it Jessica. How do I take it away?”

  “Nobody can fix... this.”

  “I know all about darkness Jessica. Before you, every day was one dark torment after another. An endless sea of nothing without hope for a reprieve. Until you.”

  Jessica shuddered. “Don’t say that.”

  Dante kissed her cheek. “It is the truth. Every moment I think of you. At night I dream of you, even when you are in my arms. Sometimes I wake from a memory of the black void and I caress your skin to reassure my demon you are real. You do not understand what a miracle you are to me but I promise by the end of tonight, you will.”

  Jessica looked away. “You don’t know me. What I have done. I’m not what you think I am.”

  Dante pulled her tighter against his body. “You are Jessica and I hope that you allow me to prove it to you.”

  She grimaced. “Why do you have to sound so reasonable, make it sound so easy?”

  Dante smiled. “Why are you so unreasonable, make everything so hard?”

  She searched his face. “I can’t forgive myself.”

  Dante kissed her gently. “Then allow me Jessica. Let me in. Allow me ease your burden.”

  She frowned. Uncertainty written on her face. “I need...”

  “Anything. I would give you anything,” he said.

  “I need time.”

  Dante let out a long breath. “I hoped you would not ask that but I will never go back on my word.”

  Jess nodded. “Thank you.”

  He pulled her jacket from her shoulders, before starting to remove her shirt. “I need you. Make love to me. Remind me you are real. That light, color, beauty, everything I hold dear in this world will not disappear when you leave my arms.” His fingers traced her lips. “That the softness of your skin is not something I made up to stay sane in a world of dark insanity.”

  She kissed him with tears in her eyes. A quiet surrender though the battle was far from over.

  He would rather face a hundred Ladon, a dozen enraged warriors than the unseen force that was crippling his chances with his own bride. While his mind was in turmoil, his body was inflamed. She could never comprehend the furious need he had for her. The debilitating fear of returning to nothing. He pushed away the unstable emotions of his demon and focused on the warm body of his bride.

  He undressed her before removing his own clothes and lay her on the couch. His tongue pressed eagerly into her mouth, seeking refuge. Heaven. He wasn’t taking any chances. He could feel her indecision despite her body’s willingness to surrender to his deepest hunger.

  She tasted amazing. A banquet of spice and desire mixed in every kiss. Ev
ery sweep of his tongue as he devoured her, praying she was as addicted to the taste as he was. He gripped her tighter, unable to relinquish his hold as he nibbled her lips before moving to the nape of her neck.

  She moaned, the sound an elixir to ears and his libido. Every muscle tensed, threatening to unwind under the strict tension. Coiled like steel springs just beneath the skin, waiting for the moment they could be released.

  He swirled his tongue around her erect pink nipple. Growling low when she arched her back to press closer to his erotic touch. He lavished the tiny bud, rolling it between his extended fangs before moving to its twin.

  “Yes,” she moaned breathlessly.

  He kissed his way to her abdomen as she squirmed in his arms.

  “I want you inside me,” she panted.

  He smiled then nipped the thin layer of skin that traced her hip bone. She startled then moaned as he blew the sting away, gently parting her thighs with his hands.

  She screamed when his fingers entered her slick pussy, rubbing on the most sensitive part of her as he withdrew. His thumb circled her hard clit as his fingers worked inside her at a tortuously slow pace. Pleasure bloomed on her face as she attempted to take him deeper inside but he would not allow her take control. He pulled back his hand so she could watch him lick the foam from his fingers.

  “Please,” she begged.

  He pushed her legs farther apart so he could fit the width of his shoulders between them. He knew she was at the edge of her comfort zone. He mental shields were wavering, her need to connect an instinct that she was willfully blocking. It was a fight she was losing.

  His tongue parted her slick pussy in a long foray from bottom to top. She shuddered under the erotic storm. Her soft flesh quivering with each meticulously slow rasp of his tongue. Her legs squeezed his shoulders in a vice, making his cock throb.

  “I love the taste of you. Sweet spice, better than the finest wine.”

  Jess clutched his head. Her fingers anchored in his hair. “Yes, taste more. Much more,” she moaned.

  He pushed two fingers deep into her, moving them quickly with the hard flicks of his tongue. She screamed his name when she came, clamping down on his fingers with such force he could no longer handle the strain.

  He rose and thrust into her, burying himself to the hilt in one powerful thrust before withdrawing and repeating the action.

  Dante fought for control, she was so tight, hot, clamped around him like a velvet fist. His demon was out of control, fighting him to make the bond, sensing her shields were weak from the unimaginable pleasure. He had to reign the beast in, distracting him the only way he could.

  He felt the muscles bulk up beneath his skin, his entire body larger than before. She thrashed beneath him as her body stretched to accommodate his larger size. He thrust harder, deeper, anchoring himself in her feminine heat as her muscles continued to clamp tighter and tighter around him.

  “Dante!” she screamed as her nails grasp him shoulders, biting into his skin.

  The sting of pain, hurtled him over the precipice with a fierce growl vibrating in the air.

  She lay beneath him attempting to catch her breath as perspiration trickled down her skin. He had never seen anything so beautiful and he would stop at nothing to keep her.

  He kissed her soft lips. “I will never let you go.”

  She reached up to run a hand over his face. “You might when you see what I got you?”

  Dante’s interest piqued with his demons. “You got me a present?”

  She smiled. “I wouldn’t get too excited until you know what it is.”

  He kissed because he had to. “I have not been this curious about a gift since I was a child.”

  Jessica laughed. “Remember you said that.”

  Dante loved the sly smile on her face. “Where is this gift of mine?”

  Her smile widened. “It’s at the shelter.”

  Jess and Dante arrived at the shelter. She was nervous but hopeful. They approached the door when the largest man Jess had ever seen exited the building. He was at least six foot five, wearing jeans and a black t-shirt and built like a wrestler.

  Dante held out his hand to the dark-haired man. “Jordane, it is good to see you my friend.”

  Jordan nodded respectfully, shaking Dante’s hand. “We arrived a few hours ago and are setting up tents at this location and the house Laura has provided us with. We are helping to... upgrade the facility.”

  Jess looked around the rundown shelter. “It sure needs it.”

  Jordane surveyed the property. “The location is perfect for us.”

  Jess frowned. “For eighteen of you?”

  Jordane’s facial expression never changed. It was like talking to a statue. “We spend most of our time in the forest. The tents will allow for the extra beds and the house has all the facilities we require.”

  Dante peeked around the large warrior. “Is Laura and Valen still here?”

  Jordane nodded. “Laura is feeding the animals and Valen is at the house helping with the tents.”

  Jess watched the large man. He said the right things but his responses were forced. Practiced. Like a robot that had learned to imitate human behavior. It was unnerving.

  Jordane glanced at Jessica. “May I ask you a question about the human brides?”

  Jess crossed her arms. “Definitely.” She glanced at Dante. “Don’t even try to have that conversation privately.”

  Dante raised an eyebrow. “I would not think to do so.”

  Jess returned her eyes to the dark warrior. “Do continue.”

  Jordane looked at Dante. “Are all human brides as... affectionate as Laura?”

  Dante frowned. “Affectionate?”

  Jordane looked at Jess. “She touches us on the arm. Tries to do things for us. She bought burgers today... they were fully cooked.”

  “She treats you like family?” Dante asked.

  “Yes,” Jordane said.

  “That is her gift. She senses the lack of emotion and is trying to connect. She does not understand that only your mate can wake your demon.”

  “She is important, Valen’s queen,” he insisted.

  “All the human brides are important.”

  Jordane glanced at Jess. “Yes, my demon has been asleep since the day you healed him but he sent an image today.”

  Dante startled. “Of what?”

  “Protection. We must eliminate anything that would harm one of the brides.”

  Dante rubbed his chin. “That is surprising and good news.”

  “The contact was brief before he returned to his slumber and so far, no other warrior was contacted but mine seemed concerned for Laura. Is it because she is the queen?”

  “Maybe it’s because she is the first human to bond, or that her gift is of the mind like Valen’s.”

  “Perhaps. I have promised to eat the overcooked meal she has brought us.”

  Dante laughed. “You do not have to.”

  “Why do humans cook their meat so?” Jordane asked.

  Jess huffed. “E. coli and salmonella, to name a few.”

  Jordane nodded. “I had forgotten that humans are weak.”

  Dante winced.

  Jessica’s hand went to her gun. “Weak? I have no problem showing you how...”

  Dante put a restraining hand over her chest, pulling her against her body. “He doesn’t mean that the way it sounds.”

  Jess could tell Dante was sending a private message to his friend.

  Jordane nodded. She saw the faintest interest. “You would draw your weapon on me?”

  “Without a second thought,” she said.

  Jordane inclined his head to Dante. “Fortune has smiled on you Dante.” He walked away.

  Jess turned to Dante. “What did that mean?”

  “He hopes he will find a mate as... spirited as you.”

  “I was willing to shoot him.”

  “Exactly. They respect... strength in a woman.”

  “
Yet, Laura affected him. She is the sweetest person I know.”

  “Yes, that is unusual. Demons especially Weres can be very protective of a mate’s family but this situation is new to all of us. When we were on the brink of extinction, they gave up. Maybe you and Laura represent a spark of interest in life. Hope, where there was none.”

  Jess didn’t want to wait any longer. She needed to see Dante’s reaction. “Come on, I want to give you your gift.” She led him to the small pen at the back. As soon as she unlatched the gate, the tiny calf stood up on its legs and came over to them, looking for affection.

  Dante’s face flickered with annoyance when the calf rubbed against his tailored gray suit. He looked around. “My present is here?”

  Jess knelt down to rub the calf. “She is your present. You have a huge property and she needs a home. Laura doesn’t know where she came from but she has lacerations that predate the accident. She was being mistreated. I know you will give her a good home. Laura said you used to raise them as children.”

  Dante looked at the calf in disgust. “While that is true, she did not tell you that my brother and I both found the caring of bovines to be a horrendous and foul-smelling job. I would not wish such an undertaking again.”

  Jess looked at him, continuing to pet the affectionate calf. “She told me but I figured you could let go of the past, I mean why hold something that happened back in the Viking days, against this little beauty now.”

  Dante frowned. “Not that long ago, only the fifteen hundreds.”

  “That’s a long time to hold a grudge.”

  Dante looked at the calf in disgust. “Some things you never get over.”

  Jess stood as her chest squeezed. “I guess that’s true. I should get going.”

  Dante stepped in front of her. “Why do I feel like I just failed a test?”

  Jess shook her head. “You were never the one being judged.”

  She felt her world closing in on her. She wanted to keep Maddie safe and avoid betraying everything she stood for. Her stomach rolled as entered the shelter.

  There were several large men working on the upgrades. One was painting the walls while another was building a new cabinet. Laura was holding the dog with three legs in her hands as she talked to another warrior in the corner. “They seem to be excellent handymen.”