by Beverly Rae
“Look in the bowl on the top shelf, Ronan. We can do more than just drink.” Maybe if Ronan overindulged, he’d be controllable.
Hilly’s parted lips called for a kiss, a kiss Tanner would love to give her. Instead, he leaned forward and whispered, “Are you sure you want to do this? I’ll stop it at any time.”
“If we do this, if I’m really with both you and Ronan, then your mother won’t doubt that I’m only a fling. To her, I’ll just be another woman in a long line of women. That will keep us safe, right?” She placed her palm on his chest and he covered her hand with his.
“I have no doubt she’ll be convinced. She’ll forget about you and you’ll stay safe. But, Hilly, as I said before, let’s make it more than something we have to do. I want you to think about your heart’s desires. You can do anything you want in here. Ask us to do anything to and for you. Let us make your fantasy come true.” If they had to go through with their scheme, then at least Hilly should enjoy herself.
“Hey, great.” Ronan put together a few items on a tray and carried them to the oversized sofa and coffee table at the side of the room. “Let’s do some coke and get this party going.”
“I don’t know.” She shot Tanner a look. “I’m not into drugs.”
“Hilly, if you’d rather stick to alcohol, that’s okay.”
Ronan bent over the tray and snorted a line. “Hmm. Good stuff, man.”
“Only the best for my guests,” Tanner quipped.
“I’ll pass.” Hilly’s voice was soft, yet firm.
Taking her with him, Tanner went to the bar and poured her another drink and handed it to her. He caressed her fingers. “You do believe that this is more than just sex to me, don’t you?”
A tremulous smile lifted the corners of her mouth, and he could resist no longer.
He pulled her to him, pressing his hands against her back, and leaned in for the kiss. She tasted like lime, salt and tequila, but her true flavors, the tangy taste he loved, came to the surface as he swiped his tongue around her mouth. Tugging on her lower lip, he took another kiss from her.
She moaned and put her body next to his. Taking his signal from her, he slid his hand to the top of her dress. He shoved the arms of the dress down her shoulders, undoing the buttons down the front with one thought. The dress fell to the floor.
“Holy hell.”
He heard Ronan’s awed tone and stepped away to see her better. She stood, shivering, in a lacy black thong and no bra. Gracefully, she pushed her thong down her legs, tossing it to the floor beside her. Her round, firm breasts boasted brown areolas and taut nipples pointed toward him. He longed to run his tongue over them, then nip at them.
“Holy hell is right.” He licked his lips, tasting her pussy already. “If only I could keep you here like this forever. Alone.” Surprised at his words, he frowned, then reached over to take another drink. All at once, he wasn’t sure he could share her with anyone. Even if it meant keeping her safe.
If he’d known Ronan would take his place, he wouldn’t have pivoted away from her. Ronan gripped her, his big hands dwarfing her generous breasts as he lifted them to his mouth. He groaned as he slid his tongue over them, much as Tanner had wanted to do.
Tanner moved behind her and ran a hand around her to cup her mons. She was hot against his skin, sweet against his lips as he nibbled the soft flesh of her shoulders. His erection pushed against his slacks, and although he hated to let go of her, he stepped away to shed his clothes.
Hilly threw back her head, her mouth open as Ronan swept his tongue over her skin. Her black hair cascaded down to the rise of her buttocks and Tanner fell to his knees behind her. He buried his face in the crack between her butt cheeks and slid his tongue between the soft folds of flesh. She made a sound much like a cat and reached a hand around to caress his hair. He licked her, playing with her butt hole with both his tongue and his fingers, preparing her. Sighing, he skimmed his tongue along her left cheek and let his finger dive into her anus.
Ronan was naked in a flash of magic and knelt in front of her. She held on to his shoulders, her legs spread apart, her body trembling. Playing with her hole, Tanner could hear Ronan sucking her pussy. Envy shot through him again, but he discarded it, and concentrated on giving her pleasure.
Pushing one finger inside her, he delighted in the tightness of her ringed muscles clamping on to him. He groaned and slid another finger deep within her.
“Oh, yes.”
The lusty tone of her voice made his cock twitch. He wanted her, needed her, even if he had to share her. Standing, he took her from a grumbling Ronan.
“Swing for me, babe.”
Helping her into the sex swing had her giggling as he lifted her bottom onto the padded seat and positioned her arms and legs in the straps. But her giggles turned to a gasp when he knelt in front her and pushed her legs apart. Ronan stood behind her, telling her to lie back while he supported her. She put her back to his hard cock, squealed, then moaned as Tanner pressed his face to her pussy.
The sweet fragrance of her, the wetness of her, sent his lust spiraling, and he pushed her folds apart. Stroking his shaft, he lashed his tongue over her clit, pushing hard, then flicking lightly over the sensitive nub until she moaned and clutched his hair. He sucked harder as he watched Ronan tweak her nipples. She swung back and forth, letting Tanner make a game of catching her pussy with his tongue.
But Tanner could play the game only for a short time. He had to taste her. Pulling her to him, he drove his tongue inside her. She cried out, clutching her hands over Ronan’s, and drenched Tanner’s mouth with her come.
“Man, I’ve got to fuck her. Now.”
Tanner didn’t want to trade places, but he rose anyway and took Ronan’s place behind her. She followed his move, the lust and desire clouding her eyes. She pouted, making him wish she’d wrap her lips around his cock.
Ronan lifted her, sending her into a squeal of fright as he pulled her bottom higher than her head. But the position gave Tanner an idea. Stepping to the side, he supported her and offered his shaft to her. She held on to the straps and drew him in. He moaned and came close to losing control.
Ronan slammed into her, rocking her backward and making her lose her grip on Tanner’s shaft. “Take it easy, Ronan.”
His friend grinned, took hold of her legs to keep her from moving and pushed into her again. She reached out and took Tanner’s cock into her mouth again, then swept her tongue over the tip, then down the shaft. She pumped him in and out of her mouth.
Tanner closed his eyes and concentrated on the sensations rushing through his body. She cupped his balls, making him grow impossibly longer, thicker, and once again he was afraid he’d lose control. She whipped her tongue over the tip of his mushroom cap, then deep-throated him until he could feel the back of her throat. She was more than any other woman, somehow claiming him as no other woman had ever done. He clutched her hair, tunneling his fingers through the silky waterfall.
Ronan’s groans grew louder, and sensing his friend was nearing a climax, Tanner inched away from her. She protested, and for a moment he reconsidered spilling his seed for her to drink.
“Keep hold of the straps, Hilly.” He sounded guttural, animal-like, even to his own ears. “Ronan, switch.”
Ronan’s dark eyes flashed at him. “Not yet, man.” Sweat dotted his brow as he pounded into her again, and again. “I’m not finished.”
“I said switch.”
Ronan pushed her legs wider, then renewed his grip on her legs. “Fuck you, Tanner.”
Hilly gasped, yet her eyes were filled with lust.
Tanner’s stomach clenched. He’d thought he could share her, for her sake, but he couldn’t stand it any longer. Fury rushed into him and he pushed Ronan hard, making him stumble backward. “Knock it off, asshole. She’s mine.”
Hilly pulled her body up and held on to the straps of the swing. “Tanner. Remember why we’re doing this.”
“What the fuck, man?�
�� Ronan steadied himself and glared at Tanner, his eyes flashing red, his face contorting, changing as his skin thickened and grew gray.
“Get out. Now.”
“Come on, T-man. I was just starting to have fun.”
“You had your fun. Now get out before I throw you out.”
Moving into position between Hilly’s legs, Tanner blocked Hilly’s view of the demon and returned his glare, daring him to fight. Cursing, Ronan grabbed the tray of drugs and hurried out of the room.
Taking her by the arms, Tanner lifted her from the swing, then took her place on the cushioned seat and cuddled her in his lap. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes glistened with anticipation as she slid her tongue over her upper lip. “I’m okay. But what about our plan? What will happen now?”
“I should never have let you do this. I don’t know what I was thinking. I can’t share you with anyone. No matter what the reason.”
“I feel the same way.” She stroked his face.
“Then why did you agree?”
Her face was as beautiful as any angel’s he’d ever seen. He cupped her cheek and she captured him with a look of love, tossing away everything he’d ever believed about his life.
“Because I’d do anything for you.”
He clutched her to him, pressing his face between her luscious breasts.
Suddenly, Ronan was at the door, his face a mask of anger. He snorted another line of coke, then threw the tray to the floor. “Like I said. I wasn’t finished with her,” he growled.
Tanner set Hilly on her feet and stalked over to the demon. “Don’t try it, Ronan. Leave while you can.”
Ronan cackled, then yanked his arm back and swung. Tanner ducked the attack, then grabbed the demon by his hair and pushed him against the wall.
Tanner squared off against Ronan. “I told you not to try it.”
“Be careful, Tanner.” He wanted to go to her, to comfort her, but he couldn’t risk Ronan getting out of his hold.
“Yeah, man, take it easy.” Ronan grabbed Tanner’s arms but couldn’t break free. “All I want is for her to finish me off. I won’t even fuck her. She can just suck me off and I’ll leave. How’s that?”
“Not going to happen. Now take off. Go visit one of the other women you have waiting for you.”
“But I want this one.”
Hilly hurried over to them. “Tanner, please.” She bit her lip before jutting out her chin. “Please, don’t fight.”
Ronan grinned, relaxing his body as much as he could while in Tanner’s grip. “Hey, let’s not get all fucked up about this. After all, she’s just another bitch.”
“Don’t ever call her a bitch again, you fucking asshole.”
An explosion erupted around them, and Hilly clapped her hands over her ears and stumbled away. The air shimmered with power as Tanner thrust Ronan to the floor. Ronan gripped his throat, struggling to breathe, but managed to jerk his hand toward Tanner. Another loud sound rent the air, and Tanner stumbled back a few feet before regaining his balance.
Like the Titans of mythology, the two men faced each other and began to fight. Tanner thrust out his arm again. Thousands of black bugs swarmed toward Ronan. Although he threw up his arms, he couldn’t keep them from latching on to his body, crawling into his ears and eyes. Ronan screamed, swiping at the pests covering his body.
“Tanner, stop!”
Tanner, his crimson eyes blazing, stared at her. She gasped, stunned by the fierceness. Black wings unfurled as claws sprang from his fingertips. She cried out again, asking him to stop before it was too late.
The darkness of his eyes lightened for a second, and his face softened. A sadness covered his features as he called out to her. “I won’t share you. I can’t. Not for any reason.”
Ronan roared, then spun in a circle. The beetles flew off him and disappeared. Coming to a stop, he faced Tanner. “I’m going to have what I was promised.” Whirling, he started toward Hilly.
She gasped, stunned by the evil in Ronan’s face. “No. Please, stop.”
Ronan reached out for her, his hand no longer a hand but a claw. She screamed, terror freezing her to the spot. Ronan cackled, then jumped into the air, heading straight for her.
Suddenly, his body jerked sideways, flying though the air to land in the middle of the bed. Tanner strode to the edge of the bed, his hair swirling around him, his body sizzling with power. Sparks flew from his outstretched hands. “Keep your hands off her,” he roared.
Ronan rolled off the bed, and horns sprouted along his spine. Fangs erupted from his mouth as his face changed, his forehead adding ridges of gray flesh. His eyes flamed with a red as dark as Tanner’s. “Make me, you son of a demon whore.”
Tanner looked at Hilly and she saw the man she’d come to love. Even with the change in his features, she saw the plea in his eyes. But for what? For her to run? Or to understand?
“Get out, Hilly. Now.” His whisper was more intense than any shout. “Hurry.”
She rushed to get behind Tanner. Pausing, she reached out her hand, but the electric field of power surrounding him made her yank it away. “Be careful, Tanner.”
At his nod, she swept up her dress and dashed toward the door. Once again, she turned toward the two men. Tanner glanced at her, his face transformed, his hair shooting sparks of lightning around his face. Hilly ran from the room.
“Not again.”
Tanner gripped the computer mouse and resisted the urge to curse. Instead, he plastered on an insincere smile and swiveled to face his mother. “Yes, Mother, again.”
Bryna flicked her wrist and the monitor turned off. “I won’t stand here and watch you make goo-goo eyes over some shape-shifter female.”
Tanner rose, placing his body close to his mother’s. “You’re free to leave at any time. In fact, I’d appreciate having a little heads-up before you pop in next time. Or feel free to stop popping in at all.” He strode past her to the bar and poured himself a drink.
“Very funny, son, but don’t hold your breath. After all, everything you have, including this place, is my doing.” She snapped her fingers and a wine goblet appeared in her hand. “Now spit it out. What the hell did you do to Ronan?”
He downed the first drink and poured himself another. “What? Did poor little Ronan come running, crying his eyes out like a baby?” He snorted. “Figures. He never did have any balls.”
She snarled at him. “He came to me with his face half torn off. I had to reassemble his nose, for hell’s sake. Why would you do that to him?”
“Because he’s a shithead, that’s why.”
“Now who’s acting childish?”
Tanner rolled his eyes and immediately regretted it. More fuel for the fire of his mother’s wrath. “Including him in my date with Hilly was a major mistake. One I won’t make again.”
Bryna downed her drink. “Your date? Since when do you date? Especially nothings like her?”
Tanner planted his feet, getting ready for the fight he knew was coming. “I’m going to date Hilly and keep on dating her for as long as I like. And for as long as she wants to date me.”
His mother zeroed in on him. “Like hell you will—”
“Shut the fuck up.” His tone was controlled and left no doubt he meant business.
Bryna was an inch from his nose and staring him down. “You want her, don’t you? In fact, you more than simply like her. You have feelings for her just like you did that Mira bitch.” Wearing a revolted expression, she backed away, throwing curses at him. “Are you insane? Why would you do this again?” Her icy tone dripped with disgust.
Tanner took a seat in the oversized chair, feigning a nonchalance he couldn’t quite master. “If you must know, Mom—” he liked the way she shuddered at the moniker, “—I do care for her. I think about her every day and I even dream about her. She’s special, and I want to spend more time with her. Even a lifetime with her.”
If he’d spit on her he couldn’t have made her any more
miserable than he had with his declaration. But he didn’t care. He’d enjoyed the luxuries like cars, women and homes she’d given him. But now things had changed. Hilly was worth more than all the riches in the world.
“You’re just like your father,” she spat.
He laughed, genuinely amused by her comparison. “Interesting, since he’d say I’m more like you. I’m going to continue seeing Hilly whether you like it or not. Deal with it.”
“Deal with it?” His mother grew taller as anger boiled from within her. Within seconds, she towered over him. “I don’t think so. You’ll stop seeing her and forget you ever met that changeling.”
“Or what? You’ll spank me?” Tanner craned his head back and arched an eyebrow, daring her.
She shrank to her normal size, her anger not gone but transitioned into something worse. Tanner could see the determination and couldn’t stop the tingle of nervousness zipping down his spine.
“If you don’t stop cavorting with this changeling, I’ll take away everything you have. Including your homes, your cars and all your money. You’ll be broke and homeless. Will she want you then?” Bryna’s smile morphed into an evil grin.
“Go ahead. Hit me with your best shot, Mom.”
She inhaled, her eyes widening. “Don’t push me. You know I’ll make good on my threat.”
He glanced around the room filled with valuable artwork, furnishings and trimmed with gold leaf. When he looked back to her, he was just as determined as she. “Like I said, Mom. Do it.”
His mother stared at him for a long, slow minute, then crossed her arms. “No, I don’t think I will. Obviously, the things I’ve given you, the lifestyle I’ve afforded you are no longer appreciated and wouldn’t be missed.”
“Good. I’m glad you see it my way.” She was up to something. His mother never gave in this easily. He braced and waited for her next move, but he still wasn’t prepared for it.
“Tanner, if you see this shape-shifter again—”
“Her name is Hilly. Get used to saying it.”
She arched an eyebrow just as he had. “If you see Hilly again, I’ll make her pay for your mistake. Maybe not with nightmares, but I have other ways. You know what I’m capable of.”
