Double Down (Take a Gamble)

by Stella Price

  She cried out, her back arching, nails scoring into his abs. "Fuck Caleb. You know just what I love don't you." she gasped her body riding his.

  “You just happen to love everything I do woman…”

  "And that," she panted leveling her head to look at him. "Is why we’re perfect for each other."

  “Fucking right we are…” he growled and his Shadow Scar pulsed in agreement. “So fucking right…”

  She purred her agreement speeding up.

  “That’s it love… So fucking perfect… Shade… Shade…” he grunted and took control of the rhythm, his hips bucking up into her hard.

  "Caleb shit," she hissed biting down on his ear.

  He saw stars. The Shadow Scar on his body pulsed in time with his heart, her heart. His hands held her, and he swiveled his hips just so, and felt the sexy flutter her body did just before she came.

  She tightened around him as her orgasm spilled over her body. Shadows danced with her, stroking over them both.

  The sensation ended him. He roared his release, holding her close, needing to know it was all real, that Shade was indeed his.

  Minutes later, in a light staccato of breath, he eased his hold on her, Kissed her shoulder, nipped the skin. “I think you broke me.”

  She moaned languidly against his arm. "My response to that is that I haven't begun to break you yet but you'll have to give me a moment to catch myself." She flexed against him feeling him with her body. "We're very good together."

  “The best.” He agreed and sighed.

  "And I beat you." She pulled away smugly.

  “Wishes don’t count baby…” he grinned and stretched. “You cheated.” He sat up and rolled his shoulders. “I’m going to have a shower I think…”he rose from the bed and looked at her. “And you, my beautiful demon, enjoy the shadows…”

  "It's not cheating, just using every source available to me. Take your time, I’m still undecided about my last wish. I might get a puppy but I’ll have to do my research first, I mean do I really want to be shoveling shit for the rest of its life?"

  Caleb laughed. “You want a puppy I’ll get you a puppy…” he said and walked off leaving her alone with her thoughts, and a wish.

  Puppy her ass. She chuckled shaking her head. She didn't have the time to devote to a pet. No, Shade had bigger quarry in mind but first she had her research to do. She rolled onto her feet moving swiftly to his fallen coat and promptly pilfered his cell. After a few attempts at his pass code she was in and nosing through his messages. He really should take phone security more seriously, anyone with half a brain could crack zero repeated four times.

  She scrolled through his messages ignoring anything from work or any females, she’d save those for when she had more time to snoop. She finally found one she was looking for from someone he listed as prince fuck head. Interesting and possibly just what she needed. She’d heard rumors about Djinn and the ways that they worked, now she just needed them all confirmed. Plus it couldn't hurt to get a sounding board for her thoughts. Not that another Djinn was likely to say or confirm lots. Still, the chance to rile up one of Caleb’s brethren couldn't be missed. She smiled to herself as her finger deliberately slipped and hit the call button. And here they were not even at the honeymoon stage yet.

  “Yes I broke your father’s jaw and I would do it again.” The bored voice sounded on the other end.

  Interesting. A bubble of excitement ran through her spiking. "I doubt you broke my father’s jaw but you’re more than welcome to. He's just that type of person. Why did you break his jaw? Was he asking for it or are you just that type of person?"

  The voice on the other end was quiet a second and then he sighed. “Who are you and what are you doing with Caleb’s phone?” the bored tone got thicker, if that was even possible.

  "Borrowing it. I’d be more concerned about what I’m doing with Caleb," She smiled. "And who are you? He has you as prince fuck head on the call list. I doubt very much that’s your given name unless you’re very unfortunate."

  “Caleb is a big boy he can take care of himself. One guess as to what you’re doing with him is that you are doing him. As to who I am, I guess to my cousin prince fuck head is accurate. Call me that, why not. Can we move this inquiry along? I have things to do today.”

  She rolled her eyes, "Do they teach that attitude in Djinn school somewhere? Where I'm from they teach you far more useful skills in schools."

  “You went to school?” He said and yawned. “Is there a point to this conversation? I have a woman I have to attend to, and no doubt you have my cousin to attend to. So get the point of this call already miss, I don’t have all day.”

  "Tisk. I hope you’re not always so rushed. Fine I’ll cut to the point. Caleb. I want him. Tell me how to swing it."

  The voice on the other end was quiet a moment. “Like how? I will admit this has caught my attention. I think I need a little background on this. Continue.”

  "And suddenly your time frees up. Good. My names Shade by the way."

  "Marsh, though for you prince fuck head can work."

  "Fuckhead works for me. Now back to me, Shade. Caleb and I, how do I work it? Every race has its version of forever and I want to know yours. I have one wish left. He thinks I want a puppy, poor dear has no idea what I have my sights on. So spill."

  Marsh laughed, a long hard laugh. “Oh lord… You think he wants it too? Nothing worse than a disgruntled Djinn with an unwanted consort…”

  "Unwanted? Fuckhead you haven't met me but take my word for it. I don't play in pools where I'm not wanted and everyone wants me. Besides, if I'm wrong I think we'll find an unwanted demon is much worse than a bound Djinn."

  “Demon. Oh this just gets more interesting by the minute.” He covered the phone and then came back. “Lady Shade of the Caligo?”

  "Bingo, that's me. I'm glad I can hold your interest dear prince."

  “Not really, my consort is sitting here showing me the odds on you from Tyson’s. So why the hell would you wanna keep my transient cousin?”

  "I believe those odds are rather out of date now. Why would I want him? He's not the only transient around and I think it might be nice to put down a few roots, somewhere to touch base. Plus I like him. Now tell me what I want to know."

  “Like him?” Marsh scoffed. “Fuck what is happening to the world. You do know if you do this, you will be a consort, bound to his crazy ass forever…” he chuckled. “Did you smutty Shadows already mark him?”

  “My Shadows do as they please and he pleases them. Very much. And not to go all high school but I like him a lot and what's it to you if I bind to his crazy ass? Just tell me how."

  “You didn’t answer me. If you marked him, then it’s possible. Powers are a funny thing, and the only ones of mixed descent, like demons and fae and such, can bind if the fates deem worthy. Marking him means the fates agree, and you’re partway there. So did you fucking mark him?”

  "Yes, of course. I wouldn't be in this if the Shadows didn't agree."

  “Then just wish to be his lover, the woman that holds his heart for all time. Or something equally sappy. I don’t know. Wish for forever, that’s what it needs.”

  "And that’s it? No ruby slippers or anything. No special handshake or facing north and turning clockwise while slaughtering a goat."

  “And no reciting Nagrith Sugarah Baheem either. You really need to stop watching those Wish Master movies… Cinema will rot your brain.”

  "They say that about everything, it's just scaremongering. The real danger is in the parasitic embryos they put on postage stamps. True story. Once this demon," the shower stopped running. "Oops that me, gotta go, bye."

  Caleb walked into the room minutes later, a towel wrapped around his waist, his upper torso still dripping wet. "Why do you look like you have been bad?"

  "I am bad." She slid the phone under the covers without him seeing. "Now how do you manage to look so dirty and so clean at the same time?"

  He s
mirked. “It’s a gift. Now why are you bad? Cuz the look on your face tells me you did something I’m not going to like. Seeing as you haven’t left the bed yet, I don’t think that’s entirely possible, unless you happened to put on knickers.”

  "Nope, I'm still gloriously naked. You can check." She rolled over onto her back. "See. Now come here."

  Caleb growled and dropped the towel, kneeling onto the bed. He bent, his hand going to her nipple and he pinched it softly, watching as the other responded in kind. “Fucking perfect Shade.”

  "Mmmmm you know I like you. A lot."

  “So are we going steady now?” he asked, mischief glinting in his eyes. “I like you a lot too pet… my sexy fucking demon.”

  "We can go at any pace you like. As long as it’s hard and fast." She arched up lapping a few beads of water from his shoulder.

  Caleb grinned and grabbed her by the waist, lifting her lower body off the bed. With her help he wrapped her legs around his hips and slid home quickly, grunting at the tightness. He leaned down and nipped the skin just under her breast, as his Shadow Scar trailed down his chest. Hers elongated, curled around in tendrils, stroked his lips where they met her skin.

  "You know you’re going to need another shower after this."

  “So are you…” he growled and licked her nipple. “You are so fucking addicting.”

  "Oh I am, am I?" She nibbled his collar, "Good because if you get bored of me this will very quickly change into a different game."

  “Never.” He growled and bit her nipple.

  "Good, because I want you Caleb."

  “Sweetheart, you have me…” he lifted her hips higher and swiveled his own, hitting all the spots she loved. His Shadow Scar pulsed at the base of his cock, petting her clit with every thrust.

  “You are so fucking beautiful Shade…” he murmured and let her Shadows envelop his arm. “I am going to enjoy forever with you…”

  "Hmm, oh yes, that’s what I wish." she gasped.

  “Then you shall have it…” his words spoken, rang with an echo that neither of them acknowledged. He flipped them, took her at a higher angle, fast and deep. She could feel everything he was feeling, including the bone deep need that was radiating from him.

  "Caleb," she cried out as her orgasm hit her, crashing though her and into him and he followed her down the rabbit hole of pleasure.

  ***

  Shade was now his, irrevocably. His consort, his companion for all time. The wish was the catalyst to a Djinn’s future and the right woman, it was said, would always make the right wish so they would spend forever with the Djinn that bound them. Shade was the right woman for him. He had felt it from the off, but with her making the wish, sealing their fates, he allowed himself to accept it, to feel pride in the fact that this devastating demoness was his. Forever.

  They relearned to breathe together, and Caleb felt a thickening in his soul, as if something missing was finally filled. He sighed as the feeling grew, clicked into place. Shade was a part of him now, he felt her, an amorphous mass flittering on the edges of his consciousness, slowly slithering around his mind much like her Shadow Scar did on his skin.

  “You do know what you did right?” he said quietly as he pulled her to him. “You know what this means?”

  "Sure I do. It means your mine now.”

  Caleb chuckled. “Actually in the eyes of Djinn law, it means you are now my consort, my love and my life. You sure you are ready for this?” The shadows around them moved in, petting both of them, in acceptance and affection.

  "What makes you so sure that Djinn law is so ready for us?" She ran her hand through his hair.

  He moved closer, enjoying the feel of her petting him. It wasn’t often he even let it happen, and Shade probably knew it. His Shadow Scar pulsed. “Doesn’t matter, I can guarantee being mine will never be a hardship love.”

  "And being mine will be totally worth it." she smiled wickedly.

  He chuckled and pulled her close, planting a soft kiss on her lips. “Of that I have no doubt. So? All your problems fixed, love? I daresay they are.”

  “We still have Daddy to contend with, and my pseudo fiancée.”

  “Let me worry about them pet. From now on all I want you to worry about is gaming, what you’re going to wear while gaming and how it’s going to look in tatters on the floor after gaming.” He murmured and then kissed her roughly.

  “Doable.” She grinned and rubbed her nose against his.

  “Good.” He ran a hand over her shoulder, and then down, petting both her side and her Shadow Scar. It pulsed beneath his fingers and she sighed, snuggling closer. His good fortune in Shade was nothing he would ever be able to duplicate. And the stunner was his, Shadows and soul.

  He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes, feeling at peace, and whole for the first time in his life. And he had the sexy little badass next to him to thank for it. And he would thank her, over and over in his own special way till the end of time.

  Epilogue

  Caleb looked at the man across from him, sitting in a large mahogany chair, wearing a seven thousand dollar suit, with his fingers steepled, the tips resting under his nose. If he thought he was imposing, he had another thing coming. Caleb had grown up with men that wore imposing like a robe, his father being one of them. No, this chump played at imposing but really he wasn’t a threat to anyone, least of all Caleb’s lovely new consort. He plastered a pleasant smile on his face, though really he felt like hitting the bastard.

  “So you are telling me you are bound to my daughter, of her own free will, and it’s not reversible?” Dolan Loganazzi offered, the rumble of his voice a deep baritone.

  Caleb nodded. “She wished, of her own free will, and she’s now mine. I would really prefer this marriage bullshit you tried to swindle her into be resolved, I’m not one to share.”

  “Yes you mentioned this wishing…?”

  Caleb rolled his eyes. “Let’s cut the shit shall we? You know what I am, you know how this works. So can we move this along, I have a honeymoon to get to.”

  Dolan gave a long suffering sigh and shook his head. “I’m sure you can appreciate, Mr. Marshapoltes, that unless I have proof, nothing you have said here makes one damn bit of difference. Shade could have paid you to bind her, a lovely arrangement I’m sure, and then she will be on her way once she gets what she wants. No, I need proof that the girl has settled down.”

  Caleb rolled his eyes and leaned forward. “Really? You are going to be that much of a dick?” he shook his head and leaned back, and rested his ankle on his parallel knee, his Kenneth Cole shining in the rich light of the office.

  Dolan gave him a feral grin. “She is my daughter, and I have to ensure she’s getting what’s best for her.”

  Caleb rolled his eyes. “How much?”

  Dolan leaned forward and shook his head. “You insult me sir, to think as I would ever…”

  Caleb held his hand up. “I am well aware how much Conover’s family was offering to have Shade, and how much more they were willing to pay should he sire a boy on her. So let’s be frank, she’s worth much more. Was that the best offer you had gotten, or just the best from a family you could use to your own ends?” he said through a sweet smile.

  Dolan’s good natured façade was suddenly gone. “What are you offering, Mr. Marshapoltes?”

  Caleb leaned back and picked at his manicure. “Contacts, for your more... questionable pursuits with Vastec. Ones that can’t be traced.”

  The elder Demon was quiet for a moment. “And just how-”

  Caleb waved him away. “You don’t think I can’t find info on anything I want? I’m almost as old as Christ and a fucking Prince of my race. You were going to tie her to a child that wasn’t even noble. So? What do you say?” Caleb cocked his head watching is father in law with amusement. It didn’t matter what the bastard said, if Caleb had to, he would kill him and not give it a second thought.

  Dolan considered him. “Well that’s all we
ll and good, but you have still yet to prove to me that she is indeed yours, and you have bound her. And as proof is nigh on impossible-”

  Caleb stood and unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt and pulled the collar to the side, showing off his Shadow Scar, which was large, as if puffed up, its tendrils dancing around the larger mass.

  Dolan blinked, and blinked again. Caleb looked at him. “This about do it for you? She’s mine, body and Shadows.”

  Dolan gave him a smug smile. “I believe that’s the other way around.”

  “Tomato- toe-mah-toe buddy. So? You going to take my proposition? Cuz I gotta tell ya man, you might think you have me over a barrel, but the truth is I could destroy you in a blink, and I would, if you threatened her again.” There. With it out in the open, he didn’t have to play nicey nice.

  Shade’s father started to speak and Caleb waved him off. Again. “That’s exactly what you were doing giving her over to Conover, priggish little fop. So you are going to break the contract with them, or you don’t leave this room.”

  “And who do you think you are to threaten me? I can make that little whore on your throat murder you kid.”

  Caleb laughed. “Fucking try it.”

  Dolan exercised some power, Caleb felt it, the swelling in the room, but the Shadows, both on him and around him, did nothing. At all.

  Caleb chose that second to act, and was across the desk in a flash, his hand on the throat of his Consort’s father. “So it is true. The Shadows love Shade, heed her wishes before yours. Shadows are tricky things, don’t you think?”

  Dolan coughed, his main power set abandoning him, rallying around Caleb, and Caleb grinned as his Scar pulsed.

  “So? You going to cancel that contract?”