Paramour for the Devil

by Savannah Hill

  “Not taking no for an answer.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

  “Helloooo.” Ginger’s voice rang through the phone.

  “I’m on the phone.” Haley pointed toward the door behind him.

  “Ugh. You are good at this game, Shortcake, but I always win you over.”

  “I’m not playing a game.” She shook her head at him, suddenly exhausted. Ignoring his playful expression as he remained seated at her desk, Haley went back to her phone conversation, hoping he would finally get the message. “Sorry, I’m back now.”

  “Why don’t you go out? Meet some hot guys, take one of them home…”

  Haley stomach turned at the thought. “That sounds awful.”

  After a brief silence, Ginger gasped on the other end.

  “Ginge? You all right?”

  She paused. “Yeah. Um…So. What, uh…what are you doing tonight?”

  Neil stood up to leave, and Haley’s head sank back into her chair. “I’m not going anywhere tonight.” She massaged her forehead with her fingertips. “I’m practically on a first name basis with the pizza delivery guy.”

  “Well, sounds like you have a hot date.” Ginger giggled softly. “Where’s he taking you?”

  “It’s comfort food, OK.” Haley defended, feeling more than a little pathetic.

  “Just remember you’re smokin’ hot, and you can have any guy you want. You’ll do fine.”

  “Right.” Haley began shuffling through the stack of papers on her desk. The one man she actually wanted had not contacted her in two weeks.

  “Call me after to let me know how it goes.”

  “After I eat my pizza?” Haley drew her eyebrows together.

  “Yes, I want to hear all the details.”

  “It’s cheese and sausage, Ginger.”

  “Oh, especially about the sausage part of the evening.” Ginger lowered her voice with a sultry giggle, and Haley rolled her eyes.

  “Mmhmm.” She absently glanced over a few reports.

  “Wonderful, tell Neil I said what’s up.”

  “Ugh, whatever.” Just the mention of Neil’s name made her irritable.

  “Bye, Haley.”

  Ginger tossed an empty half-and-half carton into the trash with a little smile, and Damian stood up from the stool at the kitchen counter. He moved past her with a deep-set frown.

  She cleared her throat with a sudden contrite expression. “I’m sorry. I, uh, took the last of the half-and-half for my coffee. Sorry.”

  He ignored her, running the faucet at the sink, and Ginger hurried out of the kitchen, taking her coffee cup with her.

  Damian poured his half-eaten bowl of cereal down the drain, having lost his appetite, and turned on the disposal. He rinsed the dish as the front door closed, letting the details of the overheard conversation sink in.

  Why did she have to move on so fucking soon? And with Neil? Was their night together really that insignificant to her? It had been exactly fifteen days since he’d seen her. The time away had been brutal, but he’d kept focused on his mission, working as quickly as possible. Fifteen fucking days and I’ve already lost her. Tortured by thoughts of Haley with someone else, he jerked his arm, throwing the bowl into the sink, and it shattered.

  “Shit.” As he cleaned up the shards, warm blood gushed from his palm. Clenching his jaw, he loosened his grip on the sharp ceramic. Channel your anger. Go find Eli.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Staring at his reflection in the brass elevator doors, Damian barely recognized himself. His eyes looked dark and unfeeling. He hadn’t shaved or slept in two weeks. The nagging emptiness in his chest pulled at him constantly, driving him to work faster. Not that his efforts had made any difference, Haley was going out with Neil that very night apparently. He’d likely have to run into Neil at headquarters from time to time, might even be forced to see them together occasionally. The picture of it consumed him with wrath. It also meant Haley was in Seattle, though it didn’t matter now anyway, she certainly hadn’t been waiting for him.

  He stretched his neck from side to side, almost to the top floor of Hawthorne Tower. The last time he was in that elevator, Haley had been standing beside him, wearing a sexy pair of high heels. She was supposed to be mine. The pain in his chest clawed at him again. His singular focus for fifteen days had been finding the knife he now held in his pocket. Made from the teeth of mortem rats, it was the only weapon that could kill an immortal creation like Eli Hawthorne. The blade had been heavily guarded by a mob of wild demons in Mexico, and he and Noah had eventually taken out every one of them, though Noah had treated the entire mission like a honeymoon with Ginger. He’d spent his nights at a hotel resort while Damian kept watch on the demons’ lair.

  The receptionist’s desk outside of Eli’s office was empty. Damian walked up to the door, turning the lock with his mind.

  Eli leaned back in his desk chair, gazing down at a blond head of hair moving in his lap. Damian sat down in the chair across from him.

  “Uh. Can I help you?” Eli snapped his fingers, and the woman got up from her knees. “Thank you, Delia. You can leave for the night.”

  “Of course, Mr. Hawthorne.” Delia kept her head low as she swept out of the room.

  Eli zipped up his pants, giving Damian an expectant look. “Get on with it.”

  “I’m here to kill you.”

  “Good luck.” Eli raised his eyebrows. “I’m immortal.”

  “So am I.” Damian shrugged. “But we all have our weaknesses.”

  “Oh, yes. Yours is laughable. Marybelle was able to accomplish quite a bit in those three years, hmm? Did she touch you in the bad place, Damian?” Eli’s eyes ignited to a blood red, and his lips widened to show a perfect smile. “Is that why you want to fuck my niece? To fuck away the memories of that burned-up witch who hurt you?”

  Sitting up in his chair, Damian cleared his throat a little. Losing his temper would not bring any results. “I’m here to—”

  “Even branded and used, my niece is still far removed from the likes of you, you filthy, cocksucking savage, don’t you agree?”

  “I’m not discussing her with you.” Damian barely held his anger in check. He needed to get to the point before he snapped. “I’m offering you an opportunity.”

  “Why haven’t you killed me yet, Damian? I thought that’s what you came here for. I already got a call from my allies in Mexico. I know you have the mortem blade.” Eli formed an O with his mouth. “But how will my sweet baby niece perceive you after you murder me? Even when you tell her what a monstrous beast I am, she’ll never truly believe it. Those used up pussy lips won’t part for her uncle’s killer, I can assure you.”

  Before he could form a coherent thought, Damian flew out of his chair, bitter hatred fueling his hands as they closed around his throat. The beast in Eli surfaced to match his opponent’s animalistic fury.

  A deep growl rumbled in Damian’s chest as he wrestled him to the floor. “Whatever she saw in you is already dead.” He reached for the blade. “You can’t be saved, Eli.”

  He slipped the knife from the front pocket of his jeans, ready to drive it into his skull when he caught a flash of memories in his target’s mind, fleeting images of tender moments Eli had shared with Ginger and Haley at all stages of their lives. The sight of her, his angel, even in this monster’s memories, was enough to stop him in his tracks. Eli had a far-off look in his eyes, their bloodred color had faded into a clear blue, and he didn’t seem to notice when Damian let go of his throat.

  “I’m not worthy of their love.” Eli stared up at him with wintry blue eyes. Damian stood, rolling his shoulders to relieve the stress settled in his muscles. “I wonder if I can ever be redeemed for my sins.” Eli slowly got up from the floor, straightening his smart silk tie and running his fingers through his immaculate haircut. “I guess you’d know better than anyone, spawn.”

  “The only reason you still exist is because I’m allowing you to.” Damian eyed Eli close
ly. “To spare your family from mourning your death. This is your one and only chance at redemption, if you fuck it up, I will end you.”

  Eli cocked an eyebrow. “My family.” He paused for a moment, his face turning pale. “My family.” His hand drifted to clutch his abdomen, a natural reaction Damian had seen Haley do a hundred times since he’d known her. He leaned forward a little, his crushing, relentless guilt weighing heavily in the air. “I hadn’t thought I could even feel anymore.” He squared his shoulders at the light knock on the door, adjusting his tie once more. “Come in.”

  Damian turned to the door as it opened, and Haley and Neil walked into the office. She looked like the picture of heaven in a white flowy dress with a plunging neckline and pale pink heels. Her gaze caught his for a split second before she lowered it.

  Damian clamped his jaw shut, the muscles in his neck straining as he forced himself to look away from her. Pure fucking heaven, and she’s tearing my heart out.

  Haley looked to her uncle. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were with someone.” Her voice sounded small and weak.

  “What’s he doing here?” Neil pointed at Damian with a whiny tone. “Mr. Harris said I’m the only one supposed to be doing research in the file room—”

  Eli put up his hand, curling his lips into a smile. “Damian and I were just discussing some contributions I can make to the Adversus Order. And I will be taking you up on that offer, Damian.” He locked eyes with him. “Are we finished here?”

  Damian nodded briefly, keeping his expression cold.

  “Magnificent.” Eli plastered a smile across his face. “Thank you again for coming in.”

  Damian could feel Haley’s gaze on him and focused on the door. He needed to escape the stifling office, and he was determined not to get caught up in her intoxicating presence.

  “Good to see you again, Damian.” Neil flashed him a fake smile as he slid his arm around Haley’s waist.

  The sight struck him like a twisting knife in his chest.

  With her heart pounding heavily, Haley watched as the man she’d been obsessing over slipped out the door, ignoring her completely. She became aware of the weight of Neil’s arm and quickly stepped away from his grasp. As the office door clicked shut, every nerve in her body told her to go after him, but she didn’t want to act desperate. He hadn’t even acknowledged her presence, yet she felt drawn toward the door.

  “What are you doing here, darling?” Her uncle’s voice jarred her away from her inner turmoil.

  She turned to him, handing over a black folder. “Neil has a proposal he’d like to go over with you.”

  “Yes.” Neil jumped into the conversation. “Mr. Hawthorne, I’d like to discuss the possibility of making your file database more user-friendly. Rather than spending hours sifting through papers, like I’ve been trying to accomplish for days now, we could scan the paper files into an online database. I have a friend in software engineering that would be—”

  “I am so sorry to interrupt.” Haley tried to stabilize her erratic breathing. “I actually have a prior engagement, and I need to leave.” She gave her uncle a look of apology. “I hope that’s all right…” She began moving toward the door, and Neil’s expression fell.

  “But, Shortcake—”

  “Absolutely, dear. No worries at all, we’re fine here.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled at him, flashing a quick wave to Neil as she breezed out the door.

  Damian stood inside the elevator and she hurried forward, slipping in just before the doors shut. Practically gasping for breath, she worked to calm her nerves. The button for the lobby was lit up, and she tapped the button for her office floor as the elevator began to move.

  He looked handsomely distinguished. He’d grown a full beard since she’d last seen him, and his hands were shoved in his pockets. A heavy animosity grew in the small space as he continued to ignore her. She’d made the wrong decision.

  “I didn’t expect to see you.” She steadied her faltering voice.

  Silent, Damian glared straight ahead.

  Gripping her hands together at her waist, Haley pursed her lips. He’s not going to respond. Her face flushed hotly in humiliation.

  “I’m sorry.” She scolded herself for following him in the first place and hit the button for the next floor down, tensely waiting for the doors to open.

  A sharp pain overwhelmed her heart. Any hopes she’d been holding for him were slashed. She’d gotten her closure, now she just needed to get away and crumble into heartbroken sobs in peace.

  “Why did you follow me?” The menacing edge in his tone startled her.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Don’t lie to me.” Damian narrowed his eyes, moving closer, invading her personal space. “Why are you here?” The doors slid open, but he blocked her exit.

  Her gaze snapped to him. “Stay away from me.”

  He let out a frustrated sound. “You followed me.”

  “That was a mistake. Get out of my way.” Haley tried to step around him, but he crowded her, forcing her back into the elevator.

  “I’ve seen his memories, Haley.” He began to lose his temper. “I know how the Healer boy fucks you, and it’s nothing like me.”

  Her lips parted in shock. The elevator doors were closing behind him, her chance for escape was disappearing. His towering presence only fueled her anger, and hot tears threatened to fall down her cheeks.

  She rushed around him, sliding her arm between the doors, and they opened again. Damian took firm hold of her as she tried to slip away.

  “Wha— Damian.” Haley struggled against him, surprised by his rough grasp. “Let me go.”

  He seemed stung by her rejection, releasing his grip. “Go.”

  Smoldering tears rolled from her eyes as she rushed into the empty stairwell. All the employees had gone home for the night, and she was grateful there was nobody to catch her in the middle of a breakdown. Her heels quickly tapped the steps as she marched down them, letting a sob escape her throat. Does he actually think I’m screwing Neil? First he acts like I don’t even exist, and now he makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong with—

  A door slammed two floors above her. Oh shit… Her heart started beating faster as heavy footsteps pounded down the stairs. The building was practically deserted. It had to be him. She picked up speed, wiping her cheeks to clear away any evidence that she’d been crying.

  He was getting closer. She couldn’t outrun him. She’d have to hide in an empty office. She rounded the metal railing, spotting the doorway to the next floor at the bottom of the stairs. A strong hand closed over her shoulder.

  Damian wrenched her backward, and she yelped when he pushed her up against the wall in the dim stairwell.

  “What the fuck, Haley? Why him?” He unleashed his fury on her.

  Out of breath, Haley worked to vocalize her reply without bursting into tears. “I’m not with Neil.” She kept her tone measured. “I’m not with anyone.”

  Damian seethed with anger. “Whatever you want to call it, you are dating him. I saw the way he put his arm around you up there. Are you fucking him?” He pinned her helplessly against the wall, leaning in close. Haley gasped at his tongue in her ear. “Did you think I would forget about you, Haley? The way you forgot about me?” She flinched as he bit down hard on her earlobe. His hand drifted up her skirt. “I know he can’t make you come. Not like I can.” He slipped his fingers underneath her silky panties. He dragged his fingertips along her clit, and her face flushed with arousal. “Answer me, Haley,” He thrust a finger inside her. “After he does a shitty job of fucking you, do you lay in bed thinking about how my tongue felt when you came all over it?”

  “No,” she blurted out the word.

  Growling through a clenched jaw, he pushed another finger into her, stroking her into submission. “Don’t fucking lie to me, Haley.”

  He added a third finger, and she lost track of her thoughts, riding her hips erotically against his h
and as he pushed it deeper under her dress. When she opened her mouth to speak, only a helpless moan fell from her lips. His expert fingers were caressing her into oblivion.

  “Tell me the truth.” He harshly fondled her pulsing clit. “Tell me, and I’ll let you come.”

  Haley cried out at his rough treatment of her most tender area. She was incensed, bitter with anger, but his rugged hand was bringing her to the most intense orgasm, and she got lost in the sensation of it. “What do you want to hear?” Desperate for climax, she was willing to tell him anything.

  He pulled his hand out of her panties, backing away from her with a deep hurt written across his features. “I don’t want you to recite from a script.”

  Haley bit her lip with feral desire. Her body was racked with pent-up energy, she’d been so close to the edge, and he hadn’t given her any release. “I didn’t lie to you.” The words burst from her mouth, and she knew her eyes were bright with fire as she glared at his indignant expression. “I didn’t fuck Neil, how could you even think that? Why would I do that?” She tried to calm her intense emotions. “I’ve been—” Haley stopped to take in a gasp of air, all at once exposed and vulnerable “—waiting for you.”

  Damian drew in a long breath. “Well, those are the sweetest fucking words I’ve ever heard.”

  She turned her face away as a tear slid down her cheek.

  “Shit, Haley. I’m sorry.”

  “What’s happening with your mission?” She brushed her tears away as nonchalantly as possible.

  “It’s over for now.” Damian moved forward. “Are you all right?” He moved her hair aside. “Fuck, I’m an asshole, Haley. I’m sorry. I never wanted you to cry.”

  She lifted her gaze to him. He looked ragged with exhaustion. “You grew a beard.”

  Damian smiled as he ran a palm over his thickly whiskered jaw. “I just haven’t taken the time to shave. I would have cleaned up before I came to see you.”

  Her stomach fluttered at his handsome smile. “You were planning to see me?”