HEAT (a gargoyle shifter romance) (Underground Encounters Book 5)

by Lisa Carlisle

  And then what happened? Would she wait for him until his next call to duty as a gargoyle? Or, was this a one-night thing for her? He couldn’t expect a commitment from her. Although he had no doubt she was the one for him, she likely didn’t feel the same way.

  He forced brooding thoughts aside. If this was going to be their only shower together, he’d make sure it was one she’d never forget. He’d mark every inch of the tile with hot, steamy memories of this encounter.

  Without any warning, he lifted her up, holding her by the buttocks and pressing her against the tile wall. She yelped with surprise, but then wrapped her arms around him, clinging to him for support.

  “I need to fuck you,” he growled, pressing his cock into her wet slit.

  “Yes. Now. Yes.” She melted against him, encouraging him.

  He explored the now familiar entrance to her sweet pussy with the head of his cock. Then he slid the tip in. His girth made it seem unlikely that he’d ever fit inside, but after the initial resistance abated she welcomed him in, and he impaled her hot, tight flesh.

  “Oh shit,” she declared. “We don’t have a condom. I’m on the pill, but…”

  “You don’t have to worry, since we don’t contract or spread any human diseases.”

  She sighed. “Then I think we’re good.”

  He fucked her hard against the wall and she held on to him, panting heavily. As he drilled into her, she met each thrust. Harder and faster they climbed, as the hot water dripped down their bodies and steam filled the room.

  “Yes, Danton,” she cried. “Oh god, I’m right there.”

  She wrapped her arms and legs tighter around him as she rocketed higher.

  “Yes, come all over me.”

  She shattered on him with a cry. Her limbs tightened as she pulsed tightly on his cock, driving him over the edge with her. As her hold on him slackened, he renewed the intensity, pumping into her without restraint. She gasped and squealed as he fucked her. He held nothing back as the sensations built within.

  Fuck. He wanted to take it further to bond them. But, it was too soon to push her into it, although the truth of it echoed in his soul. He hammered into her with three blinding thrusts and growled as he exploded inside her.

  It took him a long time to recover, even longer to speak. Eventually, they dried off and dressed.

  Tracy pulled on a black sailor dress with pink dice on it that matched her hair color. She then brushed her hair and applied some light makeup, not the usual goth style that she wore for the club. He sat on her bed and watched her primp while she sat at her dressing table.

  “Why are you watching me put on makeup?”

  “I like watching you do anything.”

  Once she finished applying a pale gloss, she turned to him. “We need to get you some clothes before we go anywhere.”

  “I have some stashed in a bag at Vamps.”

  She blinked at him. “Why didn’t you grab them last night?”

  His lips curled into a grin. “I liked the way you looked at me in just a towel.” Perhaps, it was ridiculous to parade around in front of her half-naked, but once he’d glimpsed the way she watched him, he wasn’t about to break the spell.

  Her cheeks reddened. “I’ll go grab them and come back here.”

  “You sure you don’t want me to come with you? I can wear the towel.” He raised a brow in question.

  She replied with a sassy glance. “I might like that.” Then she shook her head. “But, it would be far too distracting while I drive. I’m surprised I got us back here in one piece with the way I had ogled you.”

  He stepped closer and trailed a finger from her cheek down her arm. “You can ogle me whenever you like, wherever you like.” Unfortunately, that wasn’t likely to happen once he returned to his grotesque state in stone form.

  He then told Tracy where he had left his belongings at Vamps, and she left to go get them. He wandered through her living room. She trusted him here in her space, her private world. It felt like a dream to be here since he’d ached for her from afar. He took care to not break that trust, and observed without prying by opening closets or drawers. Her coffee table was covered with textbooks, papers, entertainment magazines, and a laptop. Her decorating style was bright with primary colors and flowers. He liked it. It was summery like her.

  While he had some time, he’d check in with his brothers. He opened a telepathic link.

  Enjoying yourselves

  Oh yes, Mattias said. The usual bout of freedom with good food and a relaxing flight over the ocean. This morning, we’re admiring the women in the tiniest of bikinis here on the beach.

  What about you? Lucan asked Danton. What happened with that man?

  Danton groaned. He’s still out there. Unfortunately. Tracy begged me not to kill him.

  Humans. Lucan said. They can be too forgiving of even those who mean harm.

  Where are you? Mattias asked.

  I’m at her apartment.

  What? How did you manage that? Mattias asked.

  Yes, what happened? Lucan added.

  Danton exhaled. Long story. I’ll tell you later. They’d have plenty of time for talk while they were all back in stone that night. But, what I sensed was right. She’s the one.

  After he ended their connection, he tidied up and made her bed. Hopefully, they’d mess it up again before he had to leave.

  When she returned with his bag of belongings, she lingered as he dressed in her bedroom. He kept a light conversation going to keep her in the room with him. The way her gaze continuously raked over his body was far too enjoyable not to continue.

  “Ready to head out?” she asked.

  He cupped her cheek and kissed her. “I am now.”

  She smiled and then led him out to her car. As she drove to Gloucester, he could barely keep from touching her in some way—a brush over her arm, a squeeze of her thigh. Every part of him was drawn to her.

  They parked and walked along the waterfront. It was a perfect summer day. The ocean was calm and the soothing, salty scent reached him. Sea birds flew overhead, the way he would soar if he had not been with her now. But, walking beside her was better than flight, which was something he’d never thought possible.

  Because your souls are connected, his soul whispered.

  How would he keep from reaching for her every minute? The hours ticked by too quickly.

  When they passed a statue of a fisherman, dedicated to those who lost their lives to the sea, he took her hand. Life was too short. His duration in human form was even shorter.

  Danton inhaled. “I love the scent of the ocean. Nothing like it.” When he was human, he wanted to experience all he could of the outdoors.

  But, this time, he longed for something more—to spend it doing anything with Tracy. He’d never felt more alive in any form than he had since he’d been with her. But, who knew if and when they would have another chance to do anything together again?

  “Mmm,” Tracy agreed.

  Her hand felt perfect in his own. So right. The touch of her skin, heated by the summer sun, would warm him while he rested in cool stone for the weeks or months to come. His call to duty generally depended on the stupidity of humans. In the club, that meant drunken idiots getting into fights or pushing their way onto women who weren’t interested. He and his brothers would mask themselves in gargoyle magic to slip into the crowd, and would then help take care of the situation. Then, they would have their twenty-four hours of freedom before the curse pulled them back.

  Or, there were the times when they’d have to intervene in response to supernatural threats. They’d been brought over by a vampire who was hunted by another of his kind. And Vamps drew in other types, shifters and witches among them, although humans remained ignorant of their presence, for the most part.

  Tracy glanced around the walkway along the water’s edge. “We must look the pair. Do you see all the eyes we keep catching?”

  “I’ve been more focused on you,” Danton admitt
ed.

  “Well, you are quite striking, like a modern-day Viking,” she said. “It’s not often we have someone looking like you walking around here.”

  “And your pink hair and tattoos—I see humans like that in the club, but not around here. Is that not common?”

  She shrugged. “Probably not so much around here. Vamps attracts a distinct crowd.”

  “I’ve noticed.” He turned to her. The sun shined down on her, making her appear angelic. Or, an ethereal mermaid who’d stepped from the ocean foam. That was one thing he missed at Vamps—sunlight. Ah, there he went, brooding like a damn vampire over missing the sun.

  “You look even prettier under the sunlight,” he told her. “Your face glows. Your hair sparkles.”

  “Thank you.” Her lips curved into a sensuous smile. She whispered, “Might be afterglow from all the sex.”

  “Ah, right,” he agreed. “This has definitely been the best time I have spent in human form since I’ve been cursed. It will be difficult to leave this form tonight.”

  Her smile vanished, and he regretted mentioning leaving. Would she be sad when he changed? She put on such a tough exterior while bartending, making her difficult to read. But, she’d revealed a gentler side when confiding in him. When she’d let down her guard in the bedroom and melted into his arms, he savored how she let him take care of her the way he wanted.

  He knew better than to expect her to take the vow. From his observations of humans, they didn’t jump into these things lightly. But, she was the one. It was a certainty he couldn’t explain. He’d had an inkling that she might be when their relationship had begun while he was in stone. The more she’d confided in him, the more he’d fallen for her.

  Being with her in his human form, and burying himself deep inside her body, had solidified it for him. She was his mate. He sensed she felt their connection, too, but on some level, he knew it terrified her. But, they could break the curse and be together.

  How could he convince her to do so? She hadn’t known he even existed until last night. It was too much to ask of anyone.

  And he couldn’t push his feelings upon her.

  The only choice he had was to enjoy the short time they had together before he returned to his stone prison.

  “Tell me more about you,” Tracy said.

  “What would you like to know?”

  “Anything,” she replied. “Everything.” She tilted her head and smiled. “I know. How about you talk, and I listen? I’ll be as quiet as a statue. It will be like the reverse of how I’ve been confiding in you for so long.”

  He laughed. “You are one of a kind, Tracy.”

  Tracy

  The day was passing all too quickly. By the time they’d made it to the beach, it was late afternoon. The hours slipped by as they walked along the ocean.

  Danton shared stories of his youth growing up in France, which sounded like a normal childhood—except that they soared over the city by night and mounted themselves on castles walls.

  “And after we were cursed, our lives have not been quite so exciting.”

  She squeezed her hands into fists at the injustice of his curse. Maybe it was time for something lighter. After a quiet moment, she asked, “Can I ask you some general questions now?”

  “Go ahead.”

  She followed up with questions like they were on some sort of speed date—which technically, they were. For some reason, she ran through a list of favorites.

  When she asked him his favorite color, he glanced at her hair and grinned. “Now, it’s pink. But do these things matter to you?”

  “No. I’m just trying to learn whatever I can about you, since you know so much about me.”

  Well, she did know how well they’d connected in the bedroom, but, a relationship had to be more than great sex.

  Wait, why was she even thinking about a relationship? He spent most of his time as a statue. And she couldn’t do anything about that. Well, nothing that she was willing to do for someone she’d only met last night. A lifelong commitment required more than knowing what he was like in bed.

  Which was spectacular, by the way. Visions of their time together distracted her. She shook her head, forcing them away for the moment.

  Danton had a cryptic smile on his face while he watched her. God knew what sort of emotions had flickered across her face while she contemplated a relationship with a gargoyle.

  “What would you like to know?” he asked.

  Where to begin? So many things about him were a mystery.

  “Earlier you said something about humans being afraid of what’s different,” she said. “What are you talking about specifically?”

  Danton raised a hand and circled it with a flourish. “They are blind to what’s all around them.”

  She scanned the beach filled with people who appeared to be perfectly normal—families with small children playing in the sand, teenagers tossing a football, and older couples strolling along the water’s edge. What else could he be talking about? “You mean at Vamps?”

  With its underground subculture, Vamps had its share of those who were different. Those exploring an alternative lifestyle or expressing themselves through unique vinyl outfits or various other types of eccentric costumes flocked to this venue where they were accepted, or even lauded, for being “weirdos” and “freaks,” terms they embraced.

  “Yes,” Danton replied.

  Her heartbeat accelerated. She was on to something. “What do you mean by different? Their lifestyle?”

  “Partly.”

  “Why are you being cryptic? What else? You’re not suggesting some of them aren’t human, are you?”

  Danton didn’t answer right away. “Some things are better understood through discovery rather than what someone tells you.”

  Tracy scrunched her face. “What does that mean?”

  “If I told you I was a gargoyle without showing you,” Danton explained, “would you have believed me?”

  “Of course not.”

  He had a point. She would have had him kicked out of the club, dismissing him as a whack job. What types of creatures might he be alluding to? She wouldn’t have believed in gargoyles unless she had seen him change. Even then, she’d thought it must be unreal, like some sort of drug-induced hallucination.

  Approaching another subject, Tracy asked, “How did you end up in Vamps?”

  “Michel Camard brought me over.”

  Her mouth dropped open before she could formulate her next question. Michel was her former boss, the previous owner of Vamps. “Did he know what you are?”

  “Of course.”

  Questions swirled in her mind. “Is he—a gargoyle?”

  Rumors about Michel had circulated, as well as her current boss, Tristan. Staff had joked that they were vampires because of their nocturnal ways. She’d had a thing for Michel at one time, but he’d never shown any interest. Whatever. She got over him quickly. Guys came and went. She was hit on most nights, but she didn’t want anything long-term, not after the hell she’d gone through with Brian. She wouldn’t go through anything like that again.

  Despite whatever magical connection she seemed to have with Danton, it was just sex. She had to remember that.

  Danton chuckled. “No. Michel is not a gargoyle.”

  Something clicked in her mind. Maybe the speculation wasn’t completely off. “He’s not human, is he?”

  Danton picked up a stone and threw it into the ocean. She suspected he used it as a means of distraction, while he avoided her question—or maybe to formulate his thoughts. She waited a few moments and was about to ask again when he answered.

  “I can only share my secret with you. I cannot reveal others’ secrets, just like I won’t reveal what you’ve confided in me to anyone else.”

  “I respect that.” Her mind churned as she pieced what she knew together. “I have a guess, but I won’t put you in an awkward position. Can you tell me at least how the two of you met?”

  Danton nod
ded. “We were acquainted in Paris.”

  “Paris,” she cooed. “How long ago?”

  “A long time. That’s all I can say.”

  Tracy narrowed her eyes while she guesstimated. Years? Decades? Centuries? Not wanting to press him for something he didn’t want to tell, she focused on the city where they met. “I’ve always wanted to go to Paris. I never expected it to be filled with gargoyles and other supernatural beings.”

  “I would love to take you.” Danton picked up another stone, but rolled this one with his fingers. “I haven’t been back to my homeland in far too long.”

  She beamed as they resumed walking the beach. What woman wouldn’t want to go on a romantic trip to Paris? Let alone with someone who looked—and fucked—like Danton. However, there was one little obstacle. He turned back to stone tonight.

  Still, she fantasized about the two of them on a flight to Paris.

  Wait, Danton had wings.

  “Can you fly?” she asked him.

  “Yes. That’s what I often do when I shift. I soar over the ocean under the moonlight.”

  Amazing. She pictured him flying with those massive wings. Her mind was ready to explode. The more she learned, the more questions came up. “How did Michel convince you to come to America?”

  “He hired me for protection in the club. Both for himself and the people within.” He tapped his thigh again, as if formulating what he should or shouldn’t reveal. “The humans employed as bouncers there would be useless in any sort of supernatural incident.”

  She let that settle into her compartment of mind-blowing facts she’d been learning in the past twenty-four hours. “Are there more living gargoyles guarding Vamps?”

  He nodded slowly. “Not all are decorative.” Then he leaned back as if assessing her. “I assume I can trust you to keep what I tell you to yourself.” His eyes searched hers, looking for truth. Trust.

  “Of course, Danton. You can trust me.”

  She stood on her tiptoes, so she could kiss his cheek, punctuating her point. Strange, she’d never been one for public affection, but she kissed him without any hesitation.

  Danton cradled her face in his hands and said, “I do trust you.” He dove into the kiss, nibbling and sucking her bottom lip before pulling back. “My brothers are there with me.”