Second Demon

by Mary Abshire

  “Andrew?” Emily called out.

  He bent near the window and saw the stripes on of her dress. Curious to see more of her, he crawled back into the apartment.

  She stopped in the middle of the room and stretched her arms out. “How do I look?”

  He appraised the beautiful woman standing before him and wanted to eat her alive. The black and white stripped outfit hugged her body, accentuating her breasts and hips. The small sleeves and short length exposed most of her toned arms and legs. Her makeup and eyeliner were just the right amount to bring out her blue eyes. The gloss on her lips gave them a subtle sheen. And her soft perfume smelled heavenly. He could breathe in the scent all day and night. Words such as delicate and delicious described it best. He couldn’t recall ever sniffing such a light and luring fragrance.

  “Outstanding.” Of course, other adjectives filled his mind.

  “What about my shoes?” she pointed down. She wore small-heeled black shoes.

  “They look fine.”

  “I have taller heels, but I don’t want to twist my ankle again.”

  He grinned and stepped closer to her. Woman always worried too much about little details.

  “I don’t want you to hurt yourself either. The shoes go good with the dress. Don’t change them.”

  She smiled before she walked away from him. She stopped near her bed and bent. His eyes widened at the sight of her round and gorgeous ass. Hidden behind his dark pants, his cock awakened. Between her toned thighs was a gap wide enough for him to slip his hand up her dress. Was she even wearing any underwear?

  She straightened with a small purse in her hand, the same one she always carried with her. “I’m ready to go if you are.” She walked up to him and stopped. “And you look nice too.”

  His gray long-sleeved shirt looked similar to the one he’d worn the previous night, but this one was made of a thinner material. The black pants and dark shoes were standard club attire. If he was going to play the role of a pimp, he thought he should dress nicer.

  He followed Emily out the door and down the staircase. As they headed down the sidewalk to the subway, he remained a few steps behind, watching her ass and searching for an underwear line. The streets didn’t offer much lighting to help him with his efforts.

  Emily paused and twisted to face him. She had her cell phone in her hands. “Troy hasn’t sent any messages.”

  Andrew caught up to her side and she resumed walking. “So you’re a criminal now?”

  “I think so. And I haven’t got a return call from Frank. I hope he got my voice mail.”

  Emily had called Frank from one of the clothing shops. Andrew had listened while she left Carrie’s name and number.

  “Maybe you should’ve mentioned Jessica’s name and the reason for your call,” he said.

  They came to a halt at a stoplight.

  “It’s not a big deal at this point. If she’s there tonight, I’ll talk to her again. If Michael is there, I’ll introduce myself and mention her name.”

  The light changed along with the crosswalk signal. They stepped from the curb.

  “I think I should be with you in case something comes up that you’re not prepared for,” he said.

  “Well, that’s a good idea, but right now I think it would be better to keep a distance.”

  Unease swam within him at the thought of not being close to her, especially in her current attire. Men were going to flock to her.

  They reached the corner with the subway entrance. Emily led the way down the steps, her shoes clacking on the concrete. He followed her to an open space in the station. With the lights aiding his eyes, he zoned his vision on her ass. Unable to find any kind of line, he suspected she wasn’t wearing any panties. His erection stiffened.

  “I think you’re putting yourself in danger if I have stay back,” he said.

  “Andrew, it’s time you faced facts here. No matter where we go or who we have to deal with, I’m going to be in some kind of danger. I’m a big girl. I know how to defend myself.”

  That didn’t work out well for her in Pittsburgh, but he didn’t want to bring up bad memories. No matter what she thought, he was going to look after her.

  “Are you wearing any underwear?” he asked.

  She crinkled her brows. “What?”

  He took a step back and lowered his gaze.

  “Oh!” A chuckle flew from her. She covered her mouth as if she were trying to hide her laughter. “Yes! Yes!”

  “Really?” He bent a little, still searching for the line.

  She slapped his arm. “Would you stop?”

  The train arrived along with a gust of wind. She brushed her bangs away from her eyes. Once the doors parted, several people exited. Emily waited for the path to clear before she stepped into the train. She decided to stand near a pole instead of sitting. Andrew moved in front of her so he could keep watch over her.

  “Yes, I am. So get over it,” she said.

  “I can’t tell.”

  “That means I’m wearing the right attire. You’re not supposed to see anything.”

  “How is it possible?”

  “It’s a string bikini if you must know,” she said in a softer voice.

  “Oh.” The one word was his only response. He was ever so grateful he was wearing dark pants to hide his erection. His imagination ran wild as he pictured her in her thin underwear and nothing else. The things he wanted to do to her…

  More people filed into the train. Andrew noticed a couple of men glancing at the gorgeous babe in front of him. He wished he had a superpower to temporarily blind men from looking at her.

  The train jerked into motion.

  “In the club, I need to look the part,” she said, gripping the pole.

  “Trust me, you have that covered.”

  Her lips curled slightly.

  “Since we’re going to arrive early, I’d like the first dance,” he said.

  “Fine. Drinks first, then we dance.”

  “Of course.” And then he’d get his hands on her. Life would be good.

  After they reached the next station, they got off the train, walked to the next terminal they needed, and then waited for their next ride to arrive. The subway seemed more crowded from the previous night.

  They spent another ten minutes riding a train to get them to Electric City. From the station, they walked the few blocks to reach the club. A line had formed, which he’d expected. Every night, a herd of men and women waited to get into EC. At least the line hadn’t extend around the building yet.

  Andrew stood beside her as they waited. He kept his hands in his pockets and scanned the eager club goers.

  “Troy would like this club,” Emily said. “He likes this kind of music.”

  “It’s not bad. I’m more of a rock and roll fan, but the music they play inside is perfect for dancing.”

  She gave him a smile and stared into his eyes. Although she said nothing, it seemed as if she were silently saying plenty. He wanted to touch her, caress her face and lips. She was a strong woman, yet she seemed like a delicate flower. Heaven help the weed who might try to hurt her.

  The people in front of them moved forward. Together, they followed.

  “If neither one of them show up tonight, are we coming back tomorrow?” he asked, even though he practically knew the answer.

  “We have to.”

  “Do your other outfits look as appetizing as this one?” he asked.

  “Yeah.” She shrugged. “I wanted to make sure I got a couple that help me look the part.”

  Andrew hadn’t seen any of her new outfits when she’d tried them on, so he had no idea what they looked like. He wished he’d taken the time to help her choose dresses, but he’d been too busy looking for clothes for himself.

  “If you decide to start playing the role, make sure it’s with me,” he said.

  “Don’t worry, you’ve got first dibs.”

  “It’s only fair since I’m your partner.”
r />   “I couldn’t agree more.”

  They moved up in the line.

  “And if you want to practice anything…” he said.

  “I’ll let you know.”

  They finally reached the bouncer and flashed their IDs to him. Similar to the night before, the fast thumping music greeted them. Andrew stayed behind Emily as she strode to the bar. She stopped on the side at an opening. Within a matter of minutes, they had drinks in their hands.

  He leaned close to her ear. “Do you want to check upstairs first?”

  “After this.” She lifted her cup before she drank from it.

  He took a few steps away with his beer. The dance floor had quite a gathering of people already. Upon his return to Emily, he said, “It’s crowded tonight.”

  “Think of them as potential clients.”

  He silently grumbled. The thought of others touching her did not sit well with his nerves. He understood the roles to play, but following them would be a challenge.

  After they finished their drinks, they headed up one of the staircases. One guard sat on a stool while another meandered near the railing. Andrew counted maybe ten people on the upper floor.

  “No one is here,” she said as she stopped at one of the chairs.

  “It’s still early,” he said. “More drinks?”

  “Please.”

  She took a seat while he headed for one of the bars. In a sense, he was glad Jessica or Michael hadn’t shown up yet so he could spend more time with Emily. As the bartender fixed his order, he turned to check on her. To his surprise, Emily was watching him. It wasn’t her usual lost in thought stare. She was looking at him as if she were studying him. He enjoyed the attention, but curiosity grew within him. Why would she take such an interest in him now?

  He recalled the night before when she’d given him the same exploratory gaze. He’d backed her against the wall. That alone had been an accomplishment. She hadn’t fought him even a tiny bit. Then he’d taken a chance and touched her. She stood still while her heart rapped in her precious, soft body. Her breaths had seemed heavier. He’d sensed her arousal and probably could’ve gotten away with kissing her, but he’d feared rushing into anything might push her away. So he’d come up with the bargain to keep her interested. He’d been a little surprised she’d agreed without any playful banter. Unlike most women, Emily didn’t seem to want a man to pamper her or sweep her off her feet. He recognized this more and more. Because she held such inner strength and independence, it seemed she was searching for someone equal. Someone strong, reliable, smart, and daring. She liked being in control, yet she secretly wanted to be conquered. Maybe she was considering him as the right man for the job.

  “Your drinks,” the bartender said.

  “Thanks.”

  Andrew took a cup in each hand and returned to her. She sat with her legs crossed, one foot bobbing. His cock twitched again as he stared at her exposed flesh.

  “I was thinking,” she said as she took her drink from his hand.

  “About what?” He sat on the long flat seat next to her.

  “You should get a tattoo.”

  He hid his grin behind his beer and then took a drink.

  “I’ll get one too,” she added.

  “I already have one. I’m not sure I need another.”

  “The writing on your arm is not a real tattoo. Think about it like this, chicks love guys with tattoos.” She drank more of her fruity liquor.

  “Wait. Did we switch roles? Are you pimping me out now?”

  She chuckled. “I’m sure there are a lot of good artists in the city.”

  Her interest in the subject led him to suspect she wanted him to get a tat. He wasn’t opposed to one, especially if it pleased her.

  He drank more beer before he set his cup on the table. “So what kind of design were you thinking I should get, and where would I get it?” He stayed bent forward, elbows on knees so he could be close to her bare legs.

  “Oh, I don’t know… Arms are always a good place.”

  “What about you?”

  She looked at her feet. “I was thinking of getting one on my ankle so it would look like an anklet. Don’t laugh, but I’ve always wanted to get one on my inner thigh.”

  His erection stiffened. “Now that would be a great place for one.”

  Her grin widened. “Thought you might think so.”

  He finished the rest of his drink while she did the same. She fixed her gaze on something to his left. When he set his empty cup down and looked, he found the bouncer on the stool staring at her.

  “He’s been watching,” she said as she leaned forward.

  Annoyance sparked within him, but he cast it aside. Men would look at her. They likely would touch her, but a layer of clothing prevented them from accessing her flesh. He had to accept the facts for the time being no matter how much he wanted to rip their eyes out and cut off their hands.

  Andrew stood with his back facing the bouncer. “Ready to hit the dance floor?”

  “Yeah, let’s have some fun.”

  He followed her to the staircase. The bouncer raked his gaze up her body. Andrew fought the temptation to punch him in the nose. But he did glare at the man.

  The volume of the music increased as they headed to the dance floor. Bodies were swaying to the fast beat of the tune. Emily paused to grab his hand. With a tilt of her head, she tugged him through the crowd. She tightened her grasp and he wished she would hold onto him forever. Her touch made him crave more of it. When she stopped, she spun to face him. The energy of the song had claimed her and she started swaying her sexy hips.

  Arms raised, she came alive and danced. He couldn’t stop staring at her and every curve of her body. Apparently other men couldn’t either. He moved closer to her and rested his hands on her hips. His thumbs brushed over the band of her bikini. When the music slowed, so did her movements. She brushed her body next to his and stared into his eyes. Slowly, he glided his hands over her ass. Sure enough, only her dress separated his touch from her flesh. He longed to squeeze her buttocks and press his fingers into her skin. He resisted, knowing if he groped her she’d back away from him. He had to keep her close.

  A fast beat grew in the background of the tune playing. People in the crowd cheered loudly. Emily backed away from him a little while she continued dancing. As the song reached a crescendo, everyone jumped and grooved to the quick rhythm.

  Songs mixed together in a continuous thumping stream. Energy flowed through each and every body on the floor. Life had new meaning and everyone embraced it, including Andrew. If he could spend eternity in the moment with the woman in his grasp, he’d gladly would.

  Chapter Eleven

  Perspiration formed on the back of her neck. Emily had been dancing non-stop since they’d reached the floor. One tune had mixed into another and had formed a long continuous fast thumping powerful beat. She’d lost count of how many songs had played. The DJs were good at keeping the energy high with the music. No complaints from her. And from the glances she’d taken at Andrew, he seemed to enjoy dancing too.

  Andrew stood a couple feet away, grooving like everyone on the floor. She’d watched different women dance with him. One gal in white had tried to slither her body along his. He’d backed away before she could touch him. He’d danced with her until another lady had scooted into place. Several women had brushed their hands over his arms and chest. At any time he had plenty of ladies to choose from. Though he’d touched a few hands, he’d never grabbed a lady’s hips or ass. He hadn’t danced too close to another woman for long either. She found it surprising how he’d tried to keep a small distance from them. The angel loved to flirt, yet the entire time he’d kept a watchful eye on Emily.

  The Hispanic man in front of her put his hands on her hips and tried to pull her to his body. Like the other three men who’d attempted the same thing, she took hold of his hands and held them while they swayed to the beat of the tune. Someone behind her placed their warm hands on her
sides. The person bumped into her backside and pressed something stiff against her ass. She didn’t need to be a genius to figure out what that hard object was. The urge to swing around and smack the man shot through her, but she had a role to play. She let go of the Hispanic man’s hands and then politely slid the other ones from her body. She moved away from the man with the boner and stayed close to the Hispanic man. But as the beat slowed, so did her level of energy. She needed a break.

  Emily gathered her hair behind her head as she squeezed between grooving bodies. Her wristlet bumped the back of her neck. With her locks lifted, a touch of air brushed over her heated flesh. She headed off the dance floor, seeking more of a breeze. After she cleared the crowd, she didn’t find a cooler climate, but she breathed easier without bodies surrounding her.

  “Emily,” Andrew touched her back before he came to stop in front of her. Sweat glistened on his forehead. “Are you okay?”

  She lowered her bunched locks. “Yeah. I’m just hot. I’m going to get a drink.” She took a step to go around him.

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. Stay and have fun.”

  She gave him a dismissive wave before she continued toward the bar. Dancing with Andrew had made her feel alive and powerful. She could easily get used to his touch. And so could every other female hanging around him on the floor.

  A crowd around the square bar forced her to circle around it. She searched for a place to wedge into, but she couldn’t spot a gap big enough. Too many customers crowded the bar and behind them were more patrons waiting for their turn to order. The bartenders moved swiftly, filling orders. As she made a second pass, she noticed Jessica standing at the bar talking to a man.

  Andrew walked past Emily. He stopped a few feet away and continued to scan the bar area.

  “Are you following me?” She wouldn’t put it past him. He’d been watching her closely all night.

  He moved closer to her. He crossed his arms before he came to a halt at her side. “I can get you a drink.”