After Sunset

by Nicole Renee

  She’d always wanted to feel just a tad bit reckless.

  Winny swallowed before opening her legs slightly, just enough for him to situate himself more in between her legs, which was a feat in itself with the man’s massive frame. Zahir must’ve not been content with how she moved them because he spread them wider, making sure her legs were settled over his shoulders. His hands slid back up to her inner thighs before he spread her lower lips wide. He inhaled her scent before wrapping his lips around her clit. And sucking.

  Hard.

  Winny arched into his mouth before wailing out his name. She clutched at the short fine hair on the man’s scalp, hoping she wasn’t giving him any scratches on his head. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head at the pleasure jolting through her body from his talented mouth. His tongue swirled around her nub of pleasure before pulling and gently sucking of the flesh. Winny was incoherent with pleasure and she hadn’t realized that tears had run down her cheeks until he pulled away. He slid lower to her core, circling her entrance before inserting his talented tongue inside of her.

  “Zahir!”

  But the man would not listen to her. No, he was on a mission. To bring her the most pleasure she could possibly feel in her life. And he was very successful. Winny thrashed in the bed trying, but failing, to pull away from his mouth. The push and pull, the tightness in her stomach was all too much and not enough at the same time.

  Zahir pulled his mouth away from her soft lower lips before moaning. His eyes were unfocused and heating and Winny felt as if she couldn’t take anymore. Until he inserted one, then two fingers inside of her. He crooked his fingers just so, and suddenly-

  “Zahir!” she called out helplessly, as she felt herself falling over a cliff. The man continued to kiss up her body and thrust his fingers inside of her, marveling at how she fell apart for him.

  Only him. He reached her breasts, and kissed the soft flesh before pulling a nipple into his mouth. Winny was just coming from an extreme high, and she felt herself quickly climbing it again. Zahir’s fingers were still inside of her, and if possible, he began to rub her spot faster than before.

  She pulled him up her body and covered his mouth with her own, tasting her own juices on his lips. She wrapped her left hand around his waist and whimpered when she felt his jean covered hardness against her thigh. She pulled her mouth away and ran her hands down his chest. She ran her hands under his shirt, pleased to finally have her hands on his skin. His hiss of pleasure made her glance at him, and when she did, her eyes widened. Because, looking back at her, were the same eyes she saw just weeks ago from Akachi.

  Slowly, she lowered her hands from his shirt and traced his cheekbones. He closed them and tried to look away but she made a sound in her throat before shaking her head. His fingers, which had stilled inside of her seemed to be gauging her reaction. The eyes were a color of black she’s never seen before. There was no other color. She could see her reflection because his eyes were so glassy, but she didn’t care. Zahir in his normal state was already a powerful man. But this other side of him, displayed a deadlier side that she never thought she’d see from any person.

  But he’s not just human.

  She traced around his eyes, letting him see that she wasn’t afraid. “Amazing,” she whispered. She ran her hands over his entire face before sitting up and placing a kiss over each eyelid.

  He moved his body sensually against her own and resumed the thrusting of his fingers. She let her head fall back onto her pillow, trailing her hands down his torso until she reached the top of his jeans.

  Right as she unbuttoned them he stopped her with a shake of his head. “No. I just want you to feel pleasure tonight,” he confessed.

  She was about to fight him on it, but his fingers moved just right, and he added a third finger and she found herself falling. Her toes curled, her back arched impossibly higher and she screamed her release. She licked her lips before closing her eyes and the last thing she remembered was Zahir sliding his fingers out of her, and his full lips kissing her exhausted ones.

  15

  It was an early Thursday morning, and Davien was already bothered. And not in the great, life-affirming way.

  “Why is it that no one can tell me where Asher is, and why Juan is dead?” Davien roared at the men assembled in front of him. It’d been three days since he heard from the two men, so he sent two warlocks from Rinchen’s former coven— now his— to check out where his new headquarters would be located. He wasn’t happy when he got the phone call an hour later saying that there was blood everywhere, and it smelled of Juan’s.

  “He’s dead, sir.”

  Davien was irritated because no one could seem to tell him who did it, and how were they able to get into the building. No traces were left, and apparently the person responsible had erased all evidence of even being there. It was both frustrating and terrifying. He was working on a time crunch and it was stressing him out. He needed to deliver the Daughter of Sunrise to Raven in addition to figuring out why his two best men were absent.

  To top it all off, he was unable to locate Tove. The woman was usually very easy to find. But ever since meeting with the other covens, she had been absent and silent. It made him suspicious. He couldn’t watch his own back on top of having to watch the people who were supposed loyal to him.

  Apparently power couldn’t buy everything, but Davien wasn’t worried. He knew excessive force would also sway the tides in his favor. Whether or not the people accepted it, they would have no choice but to follow him.

  “Sir? This package came for you,” the warlock said timidly before placing it on the table and stepping back. Since all of the men in front of him were human, he knew they couldn’t smell the blood. But he could.

  And he knew it was Asher’s.

  “I want all of you to find Tove. I need to speak with her about something urgent.”

  “She said she was going out of town for a couple of days. Said something about Canada.”

  “Did she say when she’d return?”

  “No,” the young warlock said, cowering under Davien’s piercing gaze. He could sense the young boy was telling the truth before sighing. “Very well. You can all leave,” he said quietly.

  Once the door slammed shut, he opened the box, not at all surprised to see Asher’s head with gouged out eyes and gaping mouth. His head was skinned, and the only thing in the box was a skull with rotted flesh attached. He saw the note stuck out from under it and grabbed it before opening it.

  If you want to talk, then find me. Be a man. This cloak and dagger nonsense is tiring and unnecessary. -Z

  Davien crumbled the note in his hand before throwing it into the fire. He had no idea how the man caught on.

  “You cannot be tactical when it comes to him. He will win every time,” a bored voice said from near the fireplace.

  Davien swallowed before turning to the familiar voice. “Lord Raven,” he said before bowing slightly. When he lifted his eyes, he jumped at how close the creature was standing in front of him.

  “I gave you minions to cause terror. I gave you enhanced power. You are running out of time. I need the Daughter of Sunrise.”

  “I’m looking for her. I-”

  “Are you daft? She is Winter Frame. Zahir has already laid a claim on the woman. It has not been sealed yet, but a claim has been made,” he stated.

  Davien’s eyes widened with shock. He had no idea that Winter was even a dual. He met her a couple of times, and even he could admire the beauty of the woman. But a Daughter of Sunrise? Winter Frame didn’t even have a distinct scent.

  As if he could sense his thoughts Raven spoke. “She has been protected. She was hidden from her own dual nature until she met her mate.”

  “And that mate is Zahir,” he spat out, anger in his voice.

  “That is correct. Bring her to me, and you will have Zahir.”

  “I still have time.”

  The demon studied him for a while longer before giving a sli
ght nod. “That you do. But not much,” he added a sinister grin splitting his face before he vanished into thin air.

  Davien clutched at his chair trying to calm his racing heart. He now had one objective:

  Bring Winter to the dark lord.

  “What can you tell me?”

  Javier sat back in his seat as the cool vampire walked around his office. He observed the man as he studied his knick-knacks and things he’d brought from his travels across the world. For the past hour, the two had been going back and forth over their current situation.

  “What do you mean what can I tell you? Did Zahir die and make you the new king?” Walker slowly turned to the seated man before a large grin stretched his face. “You don’t like me?”

  Snorting, Javier crossed his right leg over his left knee. “How’d you guess, vampire?” Smirking, Walker sat in one of the chairs facing Javier. “You know, your boss wouldn’t like the fact that you’re being discriminatory against me because I’m a vampire.”

  “Please stop talking.”

  “And he wouldn’t appreciate the tone in your voice,” Walker added, goading the man. He delighted in ruffling the man’s feathers. It was so easy with hot-blooded duals to rile them up. Honestly, it was probably for the best that vampires did not co-exist amongst other warm species.

  “Why are you here?” Javier asked irritation clear in his voice.

  Walker let out a frustrated sigh. “I’ve spoken with a few people. They’ve told me they have no problem with how things are running now so long as too much doesn’t change.”

  “Okay. Shouldn’t you be telling Zahir this?

  “I will. This is no secret. I’ve made it no secret that my alliance lies with Zahir, and my people will follow who I deem worthy. My concern is the portal being opened.”

  Javier’s face was set in stone, and it gave nothing away.

  Walker leaned closer to his desk. “I was all for supporting Zahir. And I still do. But I saw a demonic creature with my own eyes the other night when my sister and I were out visiting close friends in the area. She, of course, was terribly shaken, but not more than I. They shouldn’t be here, Javier.”

  “I know,” the Spaniard bit out.

  “I know it has something to do with Lord Raven. But is there a missing piece? I’ve heard the legends myself. It’s hard for me to believe that all of a sudden the dark lord, who was supposedly banished from this realm, now has his minions running loose here.”

  “Again, you should ask Zahir.”

  “But I’m asking you,” he said quickly.

  Javier leaned over his desk. Truth be told, Walker was asking the same questions that he was already thinking himself days ago. But he would be a fool to explain what Zahir said to him about Davien. It wasn’t his story to tell so he would keep his mouth shut.

  “Like I said before. You need to talk with Zahir. Maybe he’s found out some new information in the last couple of days that can answer your questions,” he finished.

  Walker sat back in his seat. Javier thought the man would do something off-handed, but what he did next, surprised him. He sighed before slumping in his seat. He ran his hand over his face, and when he removed it, his eyes showed his true age.

  “I apologize for my behavior, Javier. But this, whatever it is, has spiraled into something I’ve never seen before. I have been trying to reach Zahir, but I have no clue as to where he’s been. The man gave me access to his house as if it were my own, and I want to be of use. I am the leader of my own people. This is my way to help.”

  Javier had always able to sniff out a fake. It’s what saved him many times throughout his life. So when he really zeroed in on Walker, really looked, he saw nothing but honesty. He may not be an honest man in all things, but towards Zahir, his intentions weren’t malicious.

  “You do not want to dethrone him,” Javier stated.

  Walker laughed before shaking his head. “God, no. I have too much to deal with concerning the mess my father left me. Not to mention Daisy having a supposedly secret affair with your main bodyguard Alexei.”

  Javier’s eyes widened in shock at that. He had no idea the snow-leopard was even seeing anyone. He was very private about his life, so he never asked any questions. Javier tried to think of how he could have met the vampire’s sister when all of a sudden he remembered. Alexei had taken a trip last month to Alaska to handle family business.

  Walker could see the realization cross the man’s face and chuckled. “Yes. That’s when it happened.”

  Javier tilted his head. “Huh. I thought your kind wasn’t too keen on intermingling with other duals.

  Walker’s eyes danced as he shrugged. “I honestly do not care. My sister can choose whomever she pleases. My father wasn’t too keen on that, but he’s dead now. His vote doesn’t much count.”

  Now that Javier had actually spoken to the man, he could see that he wasn’t too terrible.

  “There are rumors going around that your kind is decreasing in its numbers. To procreate,” he ended mockingly.

  Walker, however, wouldn’t rise to the bait. “That is correct. That is why cross-breeding would help don’t you think?” he ended cheekily, holding back his mirth at Javier’s annoyance.

  Holding out his hands, he let his eyes run over Javier’s face before sobering. “Javier. I mean no disrespect and come only in the name of unity. I would like us to work together. If it would make you comfortable, I will discuss the same topic with Zahir.”

  It took a while, but Javier finally relented. “Fine. But only if Zahir is okay with it.” Standing, Walker held out his hand. “Great. I’d like it if we were to be friends.”

  Javier stood before slapping the man’s cold hand away. “You can’t always get what you want,” he said before walking out of the office. He paused in the hallway before turning to face Walker who was now on his heels. “Hey. What are you planning to do about Alexei?”

  “Nothing. I want to see how long my sister pretends to be interested in the men I throw her way before she breaks down and confesses.”

  Eyebrow raised, Javier shook his head. “You like torturing your sister?”

  Grinning wide enough to see the vampire’s fangs, Walker winked.

  “It’s what we do best. I have to live up to at least one of the stereotypes about me.”

  Winny felt the sun on her face and slowly blinked her eyes opened. She felt rested. She hadn’t felt this way in-

  Well ever.

  She turned away from the window she was facing and towards the door when she saw the bouquet of pink tulips on her bed along with a note. It was then that everything came flooding back to her.

  Zahir coming over. Them talking briefly. Zahir making love to her. Well, not completely, but still. And him showing another part of himself. His true self, which wasn’t human. It explained so much, and at the same time very little. The man was complication personified. But, she wanted to know more. Besides, after last night, and the way he made her feel, she owed it to herself to at least give it an honest shot. Sitting up in bed she stretched her arms over her head, letting out a jaw cracking yawn before glancing at her clock mounted on the wall. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the time. She never slept until noon.

  Well, you never had someone’s tongue on your body either.

  Putting her hands over her face she groaned before shaking her head. Just thinking about the man, and how he skillfully moved his body over her own, and the way his tongue knew just what to do was getting her hot and bothered. She couldn’t even fathom if, when, they took that final step. She probably wouldn’t survive it. Reaching over for the note, she unfolded it and read what was inside.

  Winny. You have no idea how much that meant to me. That you allowed me to pleasure you. To touch you. The only thing that upset me more, other than bringing you to release once more, was that I was forced from your arms this morning. I promise you’ll hear from me today. No more disappearing acts. And we can finally talk. I left really quick and br
ought some flowers not too far from your place. You definitely know the shop. They made me think of you. I will see you later.

  -Yours

  Winny read the note several more times before she found herself simpering like a teenage girl. Really, she could barely recognize herself. The man left one note and all of a sudden, she’s Diana Ross with heart eyes looking at her own Billy Dee Williams.

  Throwing off the covers, she headed to the bathroom and flicked on the light. She took a glance in the mirror at herself and noticed her skin. She looked rested, her eyes looked bright, and above all, she looked happy. Although, her hair looked as if it was a bird’s nest. Winny ran her hands over her body and couldn’t stop the smile from gracing her lips as she closed her eyes and remembered every part of her he touched.

  Slowly she opened her eyes and allowed her shoulders to relax. For once in her life, she was going to go with the flow. She wouldn’t have a plan, and she would allow whatever it was between them to grow. Walking back into her bedroom, she grabbed her flowers and headed the kitchen. She had the perfect vase for them. Humming to herself, she filled the vase halfway and set them on her kitchen table before turning and heading to her bathroom.

  Winny is dual.

  That was the only thing that kept coming to his mind since he left her place. He couldn’t get out how beautiful she looked spread beneath him like his favorite dessert. Her chocolate brown skin and amber eyes did something to him. He wanted to devour her and protect her. Savor and possess. And now that he had a taste of her, he knew it would never be enough.

  He only left because of Clayton’s call, letting him know that Davien had received the box and message loud and clear. Zahir could hear the glee in Clayton’s voice as he reported that Davien looked ready to spit nails.

  From that point on, he knew there were several things he had to take care of. The main problem being Davien. Zahir knew there was a final resort measure, but it was called a final resort measure for a reason. The reward would be great. Not just peace with the dual beings, but the chance to really explore Winter Frame, and what she really was. He was aware that she wasn’t privy to her true nature, but there were subtle hints that gave her away. He wondered if anyone around her, especially at the bookstore, had already figured it out.