Dark of Night_Beautiful Monsters_Ashwood Red

by Jex Lane

  Anything.

  She pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him backwards until his legs hit the bed and he dropped on it and lay back, waiting. Nothing happened.

  He pushed himself up on his elbows and found her studying him. Naked, he felt exposed in a way he never had before. Nudity didn’t bother him—it didn’t bother any incubus actually—but she made him feel bare, as if the layers of armor he kept around himself weren’t needed.

  She hesitated. The confidence she had moments ago faded. He desperately needed to be inside her. Filling her with him.

  “Please,” he managed to say.

  With renewed confidence, she grabbed his knees, sliding hands to the top of his legs, his hips. She grabbed the base of his dick—her hand unable to fully circle it—and licked the drop of pre-cum from his opening.

  A desperate sound—something between a moan and a plea—escaped him.

  She licked again, longer this time, mapping his glans.

  At this speed, sex wouldn’t happen for a while. Normally he’d be content to let her discover him, but he couldn’t fight his nature anymore.

  As his consciousness fell to instinct, his last hope was that he wouldn’t hurt her while he fucked her brains out.

  15

  Kat

  Kat scrambled backwards as Darius’ incubus form came ripping forward. His build widened. While his hooves, with backwards bending…ankles?—could they even be called ankles anymore?—made him look downright demonic.

  He rose from the bed. Huge wings stretched behind him, and his tail snaked around, grabbing her by the wrist.

  Eyeing his cock, she swallowed hard. It wasn’t only his body that had grown. Thick and angry, the massive member stood proudly erect. She eyeballed its size and decided that it probably could fit in her.

  Probably.

  He crossed the small distance between them, grabbed Kat’s uniform, and ripped the front open.

  “Mine,” he said, then frantically began to claw the remainder of her clothes off. She somehow managed to remove her boots before he destroyed those too, but her top and pants were ruined.

  She didn’t even have time to process her nudity as he picked her up and tossed her on the bed. She landed on her back with a bounce.

  Still standing, he towered over her, looking pleased. His gleaming blue eyes traced the soft contours of her body. He lingered on her breasts, then hips, and finally her legs.

  Heat pulsed within her core, swelling through every inch of her, and she found herself spreading her legs for his viewing pleasure. His reaction made it worth it; his jaw went slack, his breathing heavy. After a moment, he smiled like a predator who knew he had his prey. Devious. Calculating.

  He grabbed her hips and flipped her over onto her stomach, pulling her up onto her knees. Kneeling behind her, his cock pressed against her opening.

  She stilled. Wet and waiting for him, little threads of doubt coursed through her. She was here to save his life and honor a deal, and after feeding him, she’d get her tattoos. Kill the vampire lord. Pay her thirty-year debt to the corps. Then, if she lived long enough, get on with her life.

  But if that’s all she wanted, why the hell was she so damn wet? Maybe it was a natural response, but if that was the case, why did he fill her thoughts all the time? And why did that scare her so much? And why had she kept the now-broken stake he’d bought her in her side table?

  A part of her, a big part of her, wanted more of him. Sure, he was arrogant—a lord, as he liked to remind her—but he made her smile for the first time in years. And around him, she felt less lonely. And maybe she didn’t want to be so alone anymore.

  Coherent thoughts shattered away when the tip of his penis dragged from her clit to near her asshole. She bucked. No one but her had ever been around that area. She didn’t find it unpleasant, just unexpected. A strong hand gripped her hip, not letting her get away. Darius’ tip came close to her hole again.

  She looked back over her shoulder and found him grinning at her. The jerk was teasing her on purpose.

  Narrowing her eyes, she began to pull away. His tail wrapped tightly around her hips, and his cock moved to her wet vaginal entrance. He waited until a noise of frustration escaped her and she rocked against him.

  He slid in, swelling inside her. Stretching her. Owning her.

  Darius pumped his hips, slow at first, then faster, turning them both feverish with need as their bodies found their union.

  Kat’s fingers gripped the bed’s comforter so tight it threatened to rip. She chanted, “Oh god oh god oh god,” with each thrust.

  His balls slapped against her skin as he drove into her.

  Sweat glistened all over her body, and one of his hands squeezed her hip, while the other laced her thick hair, tugging on it.

  She arched her back, and his lips landed on her shoulder blade. Teeth scraped her skin and she shuddered. His tail unraveled from her hips and the arrowed tip snaked to her clit, massaging the nerves. Behind her, he shifted slightly and—ohmygod—his cock hit her g-spot. Over. And over. And over again.

  Driven wild by his spicy scent, his overly-warm skin against her back, his relentless pounding, his clawed fingers gripping her, her body writhed, seeking out more.

  Pleasure. All of it. Pure. Endless. Pleasure.

  “Darius…I’m…”

  The orgasm ripped through her like fire. Heating every inch of her body. Darius continued to fuck her hard, withdrawing then plunging back in.

  Her legs turned to jelly, and her body threatened to fall. With hands and a tail, Darius kept her upright…and continued.

  For a moment, she thought he’d come.

  He didn’t.

  But she did.

  A second orgasm pulsed through her. Her face twisted. Her mouth hung open, throat dry from her gasping moans.

  Before it even finished, she collapsed on the bed. He stayed on her, his mouth on her neck, his muscled arms and wide chest engulfing her, his hips jackhammering like he couldn’t get enough. He fucked her into the mattress. His groaning turned to growling…and she came again.

  And a fourth time.

  And by the seventh time she was pleading with him to stop.

  He came. Roaring and filling her with hot seed, then pulling out.

  But it wasn’t over for him.

  She looked back and watched the incubus ejaculate streams of cum on her. Unlike a human, his orgasm lasted a while, and when he finally finished, her ass and lower back were absolutely drenched.

  Breathing hard, he lay half on top of her—not seeming to care about the mess he made—and pulled her in close.

  Exhausted, she didn’t care either. Sleep found her in moments.

  * * *

  Kat woke from the most restful slumber she’d had since her parents died.

  Darius—still in his larger incubus form—hadn’t moved an inch from where he fell asleep half on top of her. Out the window, she could see the snowy forest glistening in the moonlight.

  She poked Darius. “Hey.”

  He grumbled something and pulled her closer to his chest.

  “Wake up.”

  His eyelids lifted then fell closed again.

  She drove her heel into his shin.

  He yelped and opened his eyes. “What was that for?”

  “I’m covered in dried cum, and you’re really hot.”

  He smiled.

  “I mean like warm-hot.”

  His smile dropped.

  “Get off me.”

  He rolled to his back, his body returning to his human form, and drifted to sleep again.

  Desperately needing a shower and to pee, she slid out of bed, pausing for a moment to study him. He had a body that would make a Greek god jealous. Flawless skin, hard muscles, a perfect cock lying flaccid against his thigh.

  Beautiful.

  She wouldn’t mind waking up next to that again.

  She half-stumbled into the bathroom, tender as hell. Being pounded by a weapon—
because that’s what his cock was in his incubus form—for seven orgasms came with a price. A steep price.

  She wondered if Dawn had any more of those pain pills.

  Darius’ bathroom, with marble and high-tech fixtures, was literally the nicest bathroom she’d ever been in. It took her a few moments to figure out how to turn on the multi-headed shower. Her body melted under the hot water. Heaven.

  Once her skin began to prune, she got out and dried off. With no clothes, she wrapped an oversized towel around herself and exited to find Darius sitting on the edge of the bed, still naked, slumped over with his elbows resting on his knees.

  He sat up when he saw her. “You’re alright.”

  “Sore. Really sore.”

  His face went sour. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember what happened.”

  “No?”

  “I might remember eventually. But I’m glad you’re okay. I don’t know what I’d have done if I’d hurt you.”

  Kat felt her cheeks heating. “What about you? Are you alright? You’ll be able to feed again?”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  Jealousy surged at the thought of him feeding off others.

  Darius’ brown irises turned blue around the outer edges, and he licked his lips.

  She stomped the feeling away and pointed at her shredded uniform. “You owe me some new clothes.”

  He stood and strutted past Kat, her eyes locked onto his meaty ass until he disappeared into his walk-in closet. He emerged a few moments later wearing black pants and holding clothes for her.

  “These should fit you.”

  Taking them, she went back into the bathroom to change. The shirt, female cut, was a little tight, but the pants fit okay.

  When she came out again, he was looking at his phone. For a moment, a pained expression crossed his face, but he cleared his throat, and it dropped. He was masking something.

  Smiling at her, he said, “I think I need a shower as well.”

  “Sure.”

  While he showered, she explored his room. It was surprisingly sparse but modern. Pieces of a ruined desk were in a pile. She spotted a faded picture in a metal frame on his nightstand. A couple. Good-looking. His mom—who Darius had gotten many of his features from—and dad.

  A pudgy hunter she’d never seen before teleported into the room, causing her to jump.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” he said. “I’ve been ordered to escort you back to Ashwood.”

  Red-hot anger flashed before her eyes. “What?” She looked at the bathroom door. “Would you mind waiting in the hall? I’ll only be a minute.” The hunter nodded and teleported out. She marched over to the bathroom and pounded on the door. “Get your ass out here you fucking coward.”

  The door crept open. Darius had a towel around his hips. His face hard. “I’m not a coward—”

  “What else should I call someone who doesn’t have the balls to kick me out himself? You called a hunter to come get me.”

  “I thought this might be easier for you.”

  “For me?” Kat couldn’t believe the audacity of him.

  “Yes. It’s your out.”

  “What? Who said I wanted an out?” Kat’s voice was so loud that Darius seemed stunned for a moment.

  He whispered, “You.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” he asked. “That you slept with me to get your runes.”

  “That’s not—” Anger made her voice crack. “That’s not the only reason.”

  “But the main one. You’re scared to let anything else happen between us.”

  He was now the second incubus to accuse her of being scared. Resentment curled through her. And yet, she didn’t know what to say. Everyone she loved died. Or used her. Maybe she was scared. But so what? She had reason to be. More than most people. Most people hadn’t lost everyone they’d ever loved.

  He leaned against the doorframe and rubbed his forehead. “You’ve been so dead set on vengeance for so long, you’ve forgotten how to live. I want Mont dead too, but I don’t let him rule me. I don’t give him that power.” He took in a deep breath as if hoping to avoid something. But he spoke anyway. “There’s something else I need to tell you…something I should have told you sooner. I want you, Kat. But this won’t work.”

  “Because I’m only food to you.”

  “You’re more than food to me. But it’s related. It won’t work because I can’t feed exclusively off you.”

  “What?”

  His eyes lowered. “I’m too young. My species feeds a lot when we’re younger. I’d kill you. Slowly, but it would happen.”

  Kat balled her fists. “Why didn’t you tell me before the date?”

  Darius averted his gaze. “I was going to tell you, but I—”

  “You needed to feed.” She took a step back. “You’ve never wanted me. You wanted my body.”

  “That’s not—”

  She held up her hand to cut him off, not wanting to hear his excuse. “This is the second time in my life someone’s used me for sex.” Maybe she was being unfair, but pain and anger and confusion filled her, and she could hardly think right now.

  This won’t work.

  He was right.

  She didn’t want to be with someone who’d lied to her. And she sure as hell didn’t want to share him with others. And not telling her until after he had fucked her was unforgivable. “You fed, and I’m getting my tattoos. We both got what we wanted out of this.”

  She left his room, slamming the door behind her.

  16

  Darius

  “I didn’t want to die,” Darius whispered to his empty room. “I’m sorry.”

  17

  Kat

  Kat’s anger didn’t abate any when she saw Chase, in his full leathers, waiting in the hallway.

  “Where’d the other guy go?” she asked.

  Chase raised an eyebrow. “Ruck? He’s not needed. Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Physical. Doc’s at the estate tonight.”

  That was the last thing Kat wanted to do right now, but Chase’s dark eyes left no room for argument.

  On the elevator ride to the first floor, Kat tried to calm herself. Staying angry all night would likely land her in trouble.

  Chase slammed his fist against the elevator stop button. “I don’t agree with what you’ve done.”

  All her efforts to calm went out the window. “Which part?”

  “Using Lord Darius to get your runes.”

  “How could you possibly know—”

  “A witch is waiting for you in the infirmary.”

  Kat clenched her jaw. “You’re just a cadet, too. It’s not your call.”

  “You’re right. It’s not. But it’s my job to lead our team, and my responsibility to keep you guys alive. You’re too hotheaded, and it’s going to get you killed.”

  He went to push the button to get the elevator moving again, but Kat grabbed his wrist. “How did they die?”

  “Who?”

  “The teammate I’m replacing.”

  Chase yanked his wrist away. “You’re in no way replacing him.”

  Ouch.

  Chase thumbed the scars on his face, rubbing his split lip. “He died the way most of us are going to die: a vamp killed him.”

  Kat waited for more.

  And waited.

  She’d wait all night if she had to. Right now, her stubbornness outweighed her impatience.

  “We were ambushed,” Chase finally said. “There shouldn’t have been vamps for a hundred miles around. We walked away…he didn’t.”

  Moving to hit the button again, he stopped when Kat said, “Darius used me too, you know.”

  Chase snorted.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Darius doesn’t take food on dates. What’s your issue with him anyway? Most people would kill to have a shot at him.”

  “It�
�s not really your business.”

  He placed his arms on his waist near his weapons. She had noticed a lot of hunters stood that way. Kat guessed that eventually, she’d start doing it too. “Your well-being is absolutely my business. And I know a lot about this world, maybe I can help.”

  Help? From Chase? “I don’t really want to share with you. No offense.”

  Nodding, he reached for the button once more but stopped short of hitting it. Kat was beginning to think she’d be stuck in this elevator forever.

  “Incubi are extremely socially oriented. They like to climb in power and influence. Their standing means a lot to them,” he said.

  “I noticed.”

  “What you might not know is how they value family. It’s crucial to their entire social structure and well-being. Family motivates them more than they even realize.” He sighed heavily.

  Kat looked for the point and failed to find it. “And?”

  “They take mates.”

  “Mates?”

  “It’s not magical or anything, it’s kind of like their version of marriage. They’re extremely loyal to their mates, more than most humans are to their spouses. Mates stay together until death—breaking up with a mate is nearly unheard of—and since they can’t die from old age, that can be a long time. Centuries. Or longer.”

  “But they still feed on other people.”

  “And that’s what bothers you? That he’ll have to feed on others?”

  “God damn it.” Kat pushed the button to get the elevator moving again.

  He didn’t smile, but there was a flicker of smug satisfaction. It reminded her of Darius: the way he elicited information from her and the pleased look he wore when he managed to learn something new. As if playing a game. An incubus mannerism.

  “You grew up around incubi, didn’t you?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  “Are you from a family of hunters or something?”

  “Or something.” He didn’t elaborate further.

  The doors opened, and he led her to a brightly lit infirmary. A team of hunters stood guard; four outside, two inside.