Dancing With the Devil

by Cate Masters

  As she drew up again, she continued dancing as he unfastened the buttons on her blouse. Too many damn buttons. He ripped it apart, then ran his hands up the curve of her waist and over the fleshy mounds of her breasts. “You’ve been practicing your dance moves.”

  “Yes, my lord.” She spun away from him, swishing her rear against his crotch. “I hoped it would please you.” She ground her ass against him, teasing him to hardness.

  “Oh yes.” He held her hips and threw his head back. So very good. But not enough. His hands sought out panties beneath her skirt, and found only skin. “Wicked girl.” He slid his fingers between her thighs, and hardened further when he found her already wet.

  No more waiting. “Bend over.”

  Widening her stance, she lifted her butt and whimpered with enthusiasm while he unzipped. When he rammed into her, she sucked through her teeth and met each thrust with a breathy, “Ahhh.”

  Shit, can’t hold it. Knees unsteady, he held her hips like an anchor as tremors shook him. Finally his cock withered inside her, leaving him shaky.

  She lifted his hands and wrapped them around her. “Poor baby. Let me take care of you.” She led him to the sofa, guided him to sit and pressed his shoulders back against the cushion. “You need a massage. You’ve worked so hard.”

  “Yes.” No other woman appreciated the effort it took to fuck them. He relaxed as she dug her hands into the knotted muscles along his shoulders. “So good.” He laid on his stomach to give her full access to his back.

  Not the only muscles she wanted to massage. Straddling him, she worked lower, to his rear. Man, he’d never realized how tight his butt muscles were until she loosened them.

  He was about to complain when she stood.

  “Turn over.” She cajoled in such an encouraging way, he complied without question. “And let’s get rid of these.” She tugged his slacks down, then worked her way up his legs. By the time she reached his thighs, his cock had recovered from fatigue. She knew how to revive it.

  She deftly massaged around his erection, and it hardened in anticipation. She rewarded it with light strokes, first with her hands, then paired with her tongue, along its length.

  “Yes,” he moaned. “More.”

  Her mouth encased its head, tongue swirling around the edges. Driving him mad. He ordered, “More.” She swallowed him inch by inch, then scraped her mouth back.

  “So good.” Irritation flamed when she rose. “What are you doing?”

  She lifted her skirt and lowered onto him. “This.” She took him in fully and rocked.

  “Ahhh. Yes.” He squeezed her nipples through her bra. “Take this off.”

  Without losing her rhythm, she reached behind and then tossed the bra aside. Her breasts jiggled with each thrust.

  He sat up to nibble a hard nipple. She clutched his head and rocked faster.

  “Slow and easy, until I say when.”

  With a little whimper, she complied.

  He stayed upright, watching her at close range. Much as he’d tried to avoid noticing her, her reactions to his touch sent a jolt of excitement through him. The way she moved just so, responded to the slightest nudge to adjust her position. Yes, she deserved a bonus. He worked his thumb against her clit.

  She bit her lip and trembled, maintaining the same pace.

  Good girl. “Now. Fuck me. Hard.”

  She closed her eyes and loosed her passion. Her short, intense moans matched his, ratcheting up his desire. He rolled them onto the floor and pummeled her for endless minutes. He felt the tension build in her, right up to the edge, and leapt off with her. He collapsed atop her, laughing, not even caring who might have heard.

  “I’m having Elistair clear out the guest quarters.”

  “You are?”

  “You’ll be closer to me then.” He nuzzled her neck. “I want you available at a moment’s notice.”

  Her sigh filled him with satisfaction. He should introduce Lily to her. Maybe Lily could learn something from Veronica. Or they both could teach Lily some new moves; yeah, a threesome would be intense. Or he could instruct Veronica to teach Lily one-on-one. Oh the thought of the two of them together made him harden again.

  A third time? Why not? “Time to lose this skirt.”

  A knock at the door stirred his ire. “I’m busy.”

  Elistair’s muffled voice said, “I apologize, sir. It’s urgent.”

  “I’ll get rid of him.” Zev snatched on his slacks and threw open the door. “What is it?” His diction was sharp enough to cut glass.

  “The master sent for you.”

  “Hades?”

  “He’s waiting in his office.”

  Had Elistair betrayed him? “Right away.” The master indeed. He slammed the door in his servant’s face. “I have to go.” He stopped himself from asking her to wait; it might be better if she weren’t here. Besides, he didn’t trust her enough to leave her in his suite alone. “Get dressed. Wait for my call.”

  “Yes.” She scooped up the clothing littered across the floor.

  Damn. He’d torn her shirt. He’d have Elistair make room for some clothes for her. Because he intended for there to be many such occasions.

  He sent her out the door with a slap to her rump, and delight ripped through him at her giggle.

  Careful. Better not to fall for a concubine. Still, he had to have Veronica. Craved her touch. Only she knew just how to pleasure him. Lily might prove a wife in title only. So long as marriage brought him the accompanying power, Zev could care less.

  ***

  Eager to escape Polaris, Lily stepped out the back door and inhaled deeply.

  Her friend Gregory, the oldest of the bartenders, leaned against the back of the building. “Rough night?”

  A wry smile curled her mouth. “You don’t know the half of it.”

  “Try me.”

  “It’s nothing.” Too crazy to say out loud.

  “Nice necklace.”

  “Thank you. Demi surprised me with it. Don’t tell anyone, though. I don’t want any claw marks in my back from jealous dancers.”

  “I will tell no one. It’s quite beautiful.”

  Can he see it? Or just its glimmer? “Isn’t it? I almost hate to wear it here.”

  “You should always wear it.”

  Gregory’s serious tone took her aback. “Why?”

  “Did she not tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “Of its special properties.”

  He’s seen it before! “No. What sort of properties?”

  “It is The Inner Eye.”

  She reached for the pendant, pausing her hand before touching it. If The Inner Eye meant what she thought, it would explain a lot. But she didn’t know if she was ready to hear.

  “Go ahead,” he said. “Hold it. Look at me.”

  She wasn’t so sure she wanted to. What if Gregory turned out to be a demon, too? Dear Gregory, her confidant? Advisor? Friend.

  “It’s all right,” he assured her.

  “Easy for you to say.” When he prompted her with a nod, she sighed. “Fine.” If the pendant revealed everyone she knew and trusted as someone – or something – entirely different, she’d toss the damn thing in the trash. Sometimes it was better not to know; she’d seen enough.

  Steeling herself, she closed her eyes and clasped the pendant. “I hope this isn’t a mistake.”

  “The truth is never a mistake.”

  Again, easy for him to say. He didn’t have Satan in his family tree – or did he? She’d soon find out.

  “Lily.” His encouraging tone gave her the courage.

  She opened her eyes. “No way.”

  Gone was the whitish sheen in Gregory’s eyes signaling the onset of cataracts. His teeth shone bright, lined up evenly. Rather than bent from arthritis, his spine formed a straight line, pulling him up tall.

  “You’re…” She couldn’t say it. Aloud, it would sound absurd. Yet there he stood, strong and handsome, a glow out
lining him.

  “Not from around here.” His smile broke the awkwardness.

  Almost. “Shit.” Oh, nice. Curse in front of him again. “Sorry. Guess I have to watch myself now.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re…” She flailed her arm. Way better than me. “Oh man.”

  “It changes nothing.”

  If only that were true. “Everyone I know is someone else.” Strangers, all of them. “Are you working with Bodie? Did you know he was coming?”

  “We’re here to help you.”

  “So all this time, you knew about me. And said nothing.” Unbelievable. “Thanks for the clue.”

  “You must understand why I had to remain silent.”

  “No, I don’t understand. Not any of this. A friend would have warned me. Guess I should have known better. Your kind can’t be friends with my kind.”

  “I have always been your friend.”

  “No. You watched over me. Listened to my rants and laughed at my bad jokes. Cheered me up when I needed it. You did all the things a friend would do. Don’t tell me you actually considered me a friend.”

  “You’re upset. I understand.”

  “You’re not upset. So I understand, too. You can’t feel.” Why lash out at Gregory? Probably because she knew he’d stand there and take it. He didn’t deserve the receiving end of her meltdown.

  “Damn this necklace.” She grabbed the crystal and yanked on it. Something stopped her from breaking the chain from her neck. If she trashed it, she wouldn’t be able to tell angel from demon, ordinary innocent from otherworldly creature.

  Which meant now she depended on it. Awesome. All her life, she’d made it a point never to rely on anyone, or anything.

  A frustrated whimper slipped out. Anger brushed away the surfacing weakness. No one, not even Gregory, would get the better of her. “I have to go.”

  “Good night.”

  “Not likely.” Lily headed home, grateful for the even pounding of her heel against the pavement. Such a strange night. First Demi, then Gregory. She needed to clear her head. And think of a way to get in touch with the others again. They had no difficulty finding her on her birthday, of course, but hadn’t left her a way to contact them.

  Along every street, the shadow people carried on as usual, though sometimes one or more paused as if aware of her. Watching her.

  After the third time it happened, Lily took a chance. She glanced left and right to be certain no one approached, then stepped closer. “I need to speak with Persephone. Can someone let her know?”

  The shadow figure drew away as if surprised, but lingered. Lily readied to ask again, louder, if necessary, when the figure nodded and moved out of sight.

  Holy shit. He heard. And is going to tell Persephone.

  Much as she thought she was ready for it, Lily had to psyche herself up for another meeting. Fast.

  Should she insist Persephone come above to see her? Was it possible? According to the myth, Persephone had to stay in the Underworld with Hades at least a third of the year. Legend had it, she’d grown to love her husband. What if she refused to come up?

  Lily had had little difficulty leaving the brownstone last time, but would they trap her there if she returned? Would Persephone refuse to help? Or did she already know about Hades’ terrible plan to torture innocents? People she loved?

  She rubbed her temple. Too many questions. And no one she could turn to for answers.

  Bodie. She thought his name, wanting to say it aloud. To summon him to her side. To hold him. Oh, and so much more. She’d never suspected that she’d physically need someone. It wasn’t the act of him taking her virginity; that gave him no hold over her. No, her body demanded the feel of his against it, thirsted for the sound of his voice, hungered for Bodie to fill her.

  Yet he hadn’t told her he loved her. Were angels incapable of the love humans shared? Not physically; he’d proven that much. Could he feel the love in his heart the way she did?

  All those questions would have to wait, just as she had to wait for Persephone.

  ***

  “Ah, archduke. Come in. Sit.” Hades rocked back in his chair.

  Something was up. Zev sat, elbows propped atop the arms, hands clasped. Probably should have cleaned up a little before coming. “Everything all right?”

  Hades steepled his fingers in front of him. “We need to touch base.”

  Hells. The audit. “The report’s on its way.” As soon as he finished it.

  “Another matter has come to my attention. Your rendezvous with a certain concubine.”

  Zev shifted uncomfortably. “Veronica.”

  Quick as a snake, Hades shot forward. “End it.”

  “Pardon?” No fucking way.

  “You’ve been careless. As the official who’s engaged to marry my granddaughter, you should maintain a more discreet personal profile. Since you’re unable, I insist you put a stop to these trysts.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  Hades snapped a pen in two. “I may have to rethink our agreement.”

  “I see.” Not an idle threat, Zev knew. Possibly not enough to force him to stop.

  “You do realize who Veronica is?” Hades’ slitted eyes held a warning.

  An uncomfortable feeling crept over Zev. He’d never asked Elistair about her past, he’d assumed his manservant had thoroughly investigated her. Nor had he asked Veronica. An oversight, he now saw. And judging by the prince’s glare, a serious one. “She’s a concubine.”

  Hades kept his predator gaze on Zev as he leaned back. “Like her mother. Minthe.”

  Minthe! Hades’ former concubine, murdered by Persephone. “I hadn’t realized, no.”

  “Then you understand the significance. Why you must sever your ties with her.”

  “I understand.” And have no intention of following through. “Is that all?”

  “Other than the audit report, no. We’re finished.”

  Zev jerked his head in a nod of farewell and tore from the room.

  Freaking hypocrite. Hades would likely still be banging Minthe if Persephone hadn’t offed her. Unless… Hades wanted Veronica for his concubine. The thought propelled him to his chambers.

  Zev stormed inside and summoned Elistair. “I need the girl. Now.” If he had to end it, he’d give her the respect of doing it in person.

  “Right away.” Warning crept into Elistair’s tone, but he bowed and hurried away.

  At the next knock, Veronica returned, less humble than before, if clothed more fully. Head held high, she strolled in.

  Zev waved off Elistair. To Veronica, he said, “Take a seat. We need to speak.” Better put some distance between them, or he might not have the chance to finish their discussion. He sank to his desk chair.

  In an unprecedented show of boldness, she sauntered up, straddled him, and stroked his face. Her nails dragged across the stubble along his jaw, bringing to Zev’s mind the other ways she stroked him. Her kisses were feather-light on his cheek, her lips tugged on his ear lobe.

  He closed his eyes. “I have something to tell you.”

  “Tell me.” Her tongue worked in concert with her teeth along his neck, her nibbles more insistent as she worked her way down his chest to his nipple, where she suckled, so deeply she drew up his desire.

  “Oh yes.” He dug his hands into her hair and nudged her head lower.

  She needed no encouragement. Her fingers were already working to loosen his jeans, carefully lowering the zipper along his exposed erection. With the practiced hands of a medicine woman, she worked her magic before she even freed his cock from its restraint, teasing him to painful hardness, her tongue tracing its veined length, her glance up at him triumphant at the pulsing need.

  He’d make her pay. And she’d love it.

  Finally she gathered his cock and eased it beyond the biting teeth of the zipper, and slipped it between her teeth.

  He sucked air, half in warning, half in sheer bliss. Such wicked deligh
t. He tried to conjure an image of Lily kneeling at his feet, but couldn’t. Not such a bad thing. This girl earned his attentions. He’d happily give it to her, at least for now.

  ***

  Waiting had never been one of Lily’s strengths. All night, the frustration of not knowing drove her crazy. All day, she’d waited for some sign. Anything.

  Nothing came.

  At eight o’clock, long after the sun fled the sky, she arrived at Polaris again.

  Inside the club, Lily halted, stunned to see Persephone. At a table, like any other person, drink in hand. Yikes, talk about not fitting in – despite her demure blue suit, her grandmother stuck out like royalty at a flea market.

  Obviously Persephone had received the message. Lily had expected another mysterious note in answer, maybe the black limo showing up outside her loft to whisk her away. Not Persephone to show up. Definitely not in the club.

  “Shit.”

  “Everything okay, babe?” Keb appeared at her side.

  “Yes, sorry. I’m just surprised to see someone.” She gasped when Demi greeted Persephone and sat with her. “What the…”

  Did they know each other? Had Persephone come to see Demi, not her? Or had Demi simply spotted Persephone, and approached her out of curiosity?

  She peered around the corner. The two shared similar features - aquiline noses, striking dark eyes, dark hair, lithe frames and a certain bearing that spoke of strict training. Could Demi have been a dancer at one point? It would give her an insider’s advantage in the business. But Persephone? Lily had never heard tales of her dancing. Maybe she gave private performances for her husband.

  Ecch. She couldn’t think about that now.

  “Looks like the boss wants you,” Keb said.

  Oh no, no, no. Screw it all. Both Demi and Persephone watched her from the table. Uncertain what to do, Lily forced a sickly smile and pushed away from the wall, intending to head to the dressing room. It would take all her powers of concentration, but she’d block the image of Persephone sitting there from her mind.