She felt her body heat up like she had a fever. The danger with having a best friend was they always seemed to know exactly what you were thinking.
“You’re not the least bit attracted to me?” He flexed his biceps.
She couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’ve just never thought about it.”
“Not once? Not even when I held you back there?”
The flush reached her cheeks. She must be scarlet now, even under her tan. Deep down she had to admit his arms felt nice. But it didn’t matter. The ritual didn’t allow for personal feelings. She needed sperm donors, nothing more. Tradition dictated that she not even know the person. A few generations back, the guys wore masks so the heir never saw their faces. Just their eyes and relevant body parts.
That was the part that she’d fought against for years, the not knowing who was fathering her child part. But now she had to admit the whole process might have been developed to spare hurt feelings and situations like this one. After all, it had to be awkward for the guy too. He was being used for his sperm, nothing more. He’d never know if the child was his, and would never be a father to her. He’d never teach her to throw a ball or dance or whatever it was normal fathers did.
She’d had the odd moment or two over the years, wondering who her own father was and if he knew her. If she saw him every day and didn’t know. If he even cared. But the gap was usually filled by friends and plenty of male father-like figures. Jonus especially. He was always there, always by her mother’s side. Always ready with advice, even if it irked her. She hadn’t felt a serious lack. How could she? She was Scion. Surrounded by people, by the ocean, and by magic.
She just hoped right now that her heart was stronger than her magic, in case it was broken in the whole ritual process.
Alex stepped toward her, and she backed away until the wall stopped her. He leaned in, his body hot and close. “Give me a chance. Right now. If I can’t spark passion in you, then we quit and I won’t ask again. One chance, that’s all I ask.”
“We can’t do it now. We’re in the middle of a hallway. I have a demon to chase.”
He nodded to a door a few feet away. “Nobody ever comes down here. And you aren’t gonna catch the demon in the next half hour.” He raised his eyebrows until they looked like dark brown umbrellas. “If you gotta do this thing, what’s better than a friend to see you through? It’s the one thing I can do for you that you can’t do for yourself, chica.”
Knots in her stomach made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t ready for this. Demon aside, she wasn’t ready for the whole ritual-become-a-mother-take-over-the-throne thing. Even if it would be years before she had to take the throne, it still made it seem closer than it had the day before.
She didn’t want to lose her best friend. What would happen after they did it?
Alex leaned in, supporting his body with hands planted on each side of her head against the wall. His breath and magic, both hot and sweet, filled her nose. “It won’t change things. I’m your friend. I’ll still be your friend. If I act funny after, you have my permission to try to kick my ass.” His grin lit up his eyes in that way that always made her grin back. “Not that you’ll be able to. But you can try.”
“I already have. Don’t you remember? Arena games, three years ago?”
He laughed. “I let you win.”
“No way. I had you on your ass before you even managed to gather focus. I didn’t even have to use magic.”
He shook his head, his eyes full of laughter and heat. “In your dreams.”
“In reality.”
“I just wanted you to land on top of me.”
“Sure you did. That’s why you were sweating so hard.”
Her giggles subsided. She studied his face. Warm, kind, passionate, full of Latino heat and pride. His arms on either side of her, supporting his body as he leaned in toward her. Safe arms. Arms that had comforted her on more than one occasion. Arms that had sparred with her, hugged her and pulled her out of one fix after another. Arms that had always been there for her. It all generated heat inside her, heat that had nothing to do with the demon or the ritual or anything else.
She turned and crossed the hall to the door he’d indicated. The thought of having sex, right here, right now, had a naughty quality that turned her on. The thought of ignoring the tradition of waiting for the vetting of Potentials felt satisfying, and the thought of the demon lurking out there somewhere added an element of danger that made it all seem exciting. And Alex, if she looked at him with objective eyes, was more than attractive.
He was damn hot.
He followed her into the room. It was just a guest room, one that could use a good dusting. But it had a bed, a bathroom with a shower and nothing else to distract them.
She stood in the center of the room, suddenly awkward. Alex stared at her with an intensity that made her nervous. He was all passion and heat and very, very male.
They were really going to do this.
Her heart skipped a beat, and nerves took up a dance in her stomach.
He smiled, and it melted a few of her nerves. “It’s not the way I’d normally seduce a woman. I feel just as awkward as you.”
“What would you normally do?”
“It usually involves a few beers, some great food, maybe a relaxing shower or hot tub.”
“I’d hate to have beer brought here. It would start rumors, and I would bet there’s plenty of those going around by now. There’s a shower, but I just had one.”
He chuckled. “It’s not about getting clean. Go on, take a shower.”
She shrugged. It delayed the inevitable, but what the hell. “I’ll be out in a few.”
She started the water in the shower and waited for it to get hot before stripping. The steam permeated her sinuses and relaxed her lungs. She took slow, deep breaths, then entered the water.
He was a good friend and a good man. And she’d rather have his arms around her than some hairy stranger. She’d heard things about him from others. He was passionate in bed and out. She was curious to find out exactly what that meant. Her experience with men in this area was limited to a couple of one-night stands. She hadn’t felt anything for those men. This was more, way more.
The water coursed over her breasts and tickled her thighs as she started to lather up.
At first she didn’t notice the warm hand that joined hers in the suds on her shoulder. The touch was gentle, barely there. When she realized she wasn’t alone in the shower, the nerves shot back up through her stomach and chest.
“It’s okay, chica. It’s just a shower.” Alex kept his voice soothing and low, as though speaking to a skittish horse. He squeezed her shoulder, then his hand moved down her arm.
She closed her eyes, and steadied her breath. It was just a shower. Just two friends in the shower. Naked. With soap. And hot, steamy water.
His body radiated heat behind her. She leaned back into it, and he slipped his arms around her in a gentle hug. Bare chest, tight arms and water all combined.
She took another deep breath.
“Alex…” She wasn’t even sure what she wanted to say.
“If you want to stop, just say so. If not, then no more words. No more thinking. Just close your eyes.”
She thought about it.
She didn’t want to stop.
She kept her eyes closed and squeezed his arm.
He kissed her ear, then nibbled. A thrill shot straight to her groin. She had no idea the ear could be so sensitive. When he moved on to her shoulder, she was almost disappointed. Until he lifted her hair and began kissing the back of her neck.
As he worked his way around her back, she forgot he was her best friend. She forgot every issue she’d ever had with the ritual. This was delicious and steamy and felt so right.
She’d probably regret it later, but for right now, she let it all go. She relaxed into his kisses and sighed. He squeezed her arms again, and then his hands started to move.
&nbs
p; And she’d thought the kisses were nice. They were nothing compared to his hands.
It was the softest caress she could imagine. He traveled down her arms and back up, and then onto her back where he began massaging her neck. The tension she’d gathered in the last 24 hours lived there in knots. He worked on each one. Her stomach melted and her knees liquefied as he worked out the stiffness and worry.
By the time he was done, she could barely stand. He reached around her and turned off the water, then wrapped his arms around her again in a bear hug. This time it was more than comforting. She felt him behind her, every naked inch of him, everywhere it touched her. He was about the same height, and she felt something else pushing against her backside.
He was aroused. She was startled to realize she was, too.
She turned to face him. The passion and longing on his face and his eyes at half-mast sent a river of heat down her thighs.
She pulled him in for a kiss. He didn’t hesitate, and when their lips met he took over.
The kiss was so thorough her lips vibrated. When he finally pulled away, she could still feel him there. Soft, tingling heat imprinted on her mouth and in her mind.
He pulled her out of the shower, never breaking eye contact. She let him lead her to the bed. She couldn’t get past his eyes to even look at the rest of his body. His black hair plastered down the side of his face, leading a river of water across his cheeks and down his chest.
When they got to the bed, he picked her up and lay her down on it as though she weighed nothing. Which she knew, for a fact, wasn’t true. It was the hottest thing she’d ever experienced, straight out of a romance novel.
She’d never thought those stories were real. After he joined her on the bed, his head above hers, his hands on either side of her holding him as he hovered above her, she realized those novels were very real.
This was really happening. And it was more than okay.
He lowered himself to kiss her again, leaving her lips feeling bruised. Then he set to work kissing the front of her as thoroughly as he’d kissed the back.
By the time he’d reached her thighs, she’d spread her legs to let him know she was ready for more than kisses.
He took her up on her offer. Without a word, his hand reached down and caressed that part of her. It was so sensitive that she jerked at the first touch. He softened and tried again.
When she couldn’t stand it anymore, she groaned. He shifted, and slid inside her.
He moved slowly and built a steady burn in her that begged for release. He stiffened and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“Come with me, chica.”
He moved faster then. She closed her eyes and let herself feel every thrust, every muscle. As his body tightened on the verge of climax, she felt her own respond. She beat him there by a full half minute. She rode the wave of his, enjoying the tremors that ran through his body, experiencing an aftershock in her own.
He lowered himself to the bed next to her and they lay, side by side, panting.
The countdown had begun. One down, two to go, with no turning back. And for the moment, she couldn’t say she was sorry. He’d been right. She was glad he was the first. Her friend.
She took his hand and squeezed it in silent thanks.
Her stomach growled. In the silence, it startled both of them into giggles.
“You should eat.”
“I suppose I should.” She laughed. “I’ll get something after the archives.”
Alex turned on his side and propped himself up on one elbow. “Why is a demon after you? What started this?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t. It almost doesn’t matter. What matters now is stopping him.”
“The ‘why’ of something always matters.” His finger traced a pattern on her stomach.
She had no answer to that, so she said nothing.
“Something like this, the usual reason is sex, money or power.” His finger moved up to trace a circle around one of her nipples, which made it pop to attention.
“Maybe all three? Maybe this demon thinks if he gets my power, he’ll get the sex and money? Could he really be after money? Or is the power the ultimate thing? I just don’t know, Alex. All I know is, I can’t let it happen.”
She kneaded his bicep, appreciating the way he was put together. “I don’t get it. He’s more than powerful enough as it is. He had me easy, Alex.”
It was hard for her to admit, but she had to be honest.
“He caught you by surprise, that’s all. You’re not an easy fight. Don’t go getting down on yourself.” His hand moved to caress her stomach in a soothing circular pattern. It was oddly comforting.
“It’s just…even if I’d been ready, his magic is different. If he combined his with mine.…” She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry. “I don’t even want to think about what would happen. How the hell am I going to stop this?”
“The same way we work every case. One step at a time. It’s not you alone, chica. You got a team backing you up. He don’t. Plus he obviously don’t know you at all, or he’d never have let you leave.” He squeezed her arm. “I’d never let you leave. That’s for damn sure.”
She looked into his eyes. She’d never noticed the flecks of gold before. “Alex, you know…. I can’t promise…”
He nodded. “I’ve known my whole life it would come to this, chica. I knew it would be this one moment. It’s okay. We’re still friends. I still got your back. It’s all good.”
She saw the tiniest flicker of sadness in his eyes as he looked away. His hand continued to absent-mindedly smooth the skin on her stomach. She had to end the moment because he obviously wasn’t going to. He’d planned it his whole life? And she’d never known. Where did he see this going? He knew the Scion couldn’t marry. He knew he’d never get to play father to the child.
Then again, maybe he would. Plenty of men had played father to her over the years, after all. Why not Alex? A man didn’t have to be blood related to be a father. Even if it would never be in name. The child might not call him Daddy, but she’d do far worse than having Alex as someone to look up to.
Still, he was one of nine children. Part of a huge Latino family who placed the blood bonds above all others. It had to hurt. But he’d done it anyway. For her. She wanted to cry at some loss she couldn’t even name.
“I better get going.” She was suddenly aware of how very naked they both were. He nodded and stood up to pull her up off the bed. They nearly bumped heads as they reached for various bits of clothing, dressing in silence. There didn’t seem to be anything else to say. When they had put themselves back together they stood for a moment, staring at each other. Awkward, once again.
“I’ll have some food sent to you.” Alex looked as though he wanted to kiss her again, but he didn’t follow through. She didn’t pull him in.
It was over. She hoped their friendship wasn’t.
Chapter 12
Tarian stood outside the plain wood door that marked the entrance to the archives, lost in thought. Every now and then her neck throbbed or ached, but so far she didn’t feel any power leaking out. Maybe it was so gradual it couldn’t be felt. Or maybe she really was protected inside these walls.
Fatigue settled on her shoulders like an elephant. She closed her eyes and wished she were outside on the beach, that she’d never gone to Philly, and that her world hadn’t been turned upside down. For once, she wished she’d listened to her mother.
The most unbelievable part wasn’t the demon. It wasn’t the siphoning of her power, and it wasn’t the obvious plot against her family or the throne. Deep inside was the fear stirred up by thoughts of the Succession Ritual and the realization that she’d just had sex with her best friend.
She was glad she’d stuck it to tradition by her little session with Alex. Her body still tingled in places, and she could still feel him inside her. It did make her smile to think of it, even if she had to ignore the awkwardness that followed right behind the act.<
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Nobody knew yet, and she liked that. The throne might have called the ritual, and she might participate, but she’d decide who and when and where. It gave her a feeling of power to know she’d already started it, without waiting for permission or approval or official sanctions from anyone. She hadn’t waited for the kick-off reception, where all the hopeful candidates would be presented to her.
She put her hand on her abdomen. Even now she could be headed toward motherhood. A chill ran through her at the thought. The faint sound of the dolphin call filled her ears. Did the throne know? The sound was joyful, as always. Full of life and happiness. It was such a contrast to what was really going on. Her life fell apart around her, but the dolphins were happy. Good for them.
She opened her eyes and put her hand on the doorknob, but couldn’t seem to make herself open the door. It seemed so solid, like it wouldn’t open even if she pushed with all her might. Just like trying to find a demon, just like this stupid ritual. Immovable objects. The part that scared her most was that she was too tired to fight the demon. She’d never felt so overwhelmed in her life.
Well, isn’t this just a pity party?
Her problems wouldn’t be solved by wallowing. She closed her eyes and took several deep, cleansing breaths to initiate a short, calming meditation. For the moment, she was fine. She still had her power. She still had options. One step at a time. She opened her eyes, squared her shoulders and pushed the door open.
On the other side of the ordinary wood door, ordinary took a backseat as the room opened up into a large hall with row after row, shelf after shelf, of books. She’d never really liked books all that much. Books meant homework and long hours inside when she’d rather be outside.
She glanced up at the dome ceiling. It was the only thing worthwhile in this dusty corner of the house. A mural depicted a forest in vivid detail, so real she wanted to step into it and get lost among the trees. She followed the vines that extended from the mural down onto the rough black and brown rock walls and into the carved wood bookcases. One of the books looked to be covered in luxurious blonde hair. She shook her head. Who did that sort of thing?
Demons & Djinn: Nine Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Novels Featuring Demons, Djinn, and other Bad Boys of the Underworld Page 119
