***
“Max!” She sat up in bed, shrieking out his name. Cold sweat covered her body, and she trembled from head to toe. “Max.”
Had something happened to him? Fear clutched her windpipe, squeezing until she coughed. Frantically, she searched for her phone. Her vibrator clanged to the floor, followed by pillows and her phone. She lunged for it and swiped until she found Max’s contact.
The phone rang. And rang.
“Come on.”
Desolation ripped at her from within. Tears bit the back of her eyes, making their way down her cheeks.
“Please let him be okay.”
She drew her knees to her chest.
“Eva, you’re being crazy. You told him you had a date night. He’s probably gone out.”
The knot in her stomach didn’t ease.
Her phone vibrated, her ringtone starting off. Max’s name flashed on the screen.
“Max,” she cried.
“Eva, did you call me?”
“Max, please. I— Are you okay?” She broke into inconsolable sobs, unable to voice her fear or her need for him.
“I’m fine, kitten. I’ll be there in ten.”
The line went dead and she curled into a ball. She didn’t dare close her eyes in case she returned to the dark place from where she’d emerged. She couldn’t bear going back. The monsters were always waiting for her. They wanted her to be part of them. Why?
“Stop thinking, Eva. Get dressed. Have some tea,” she muttered.
But she didn’t move. She stared at a loose thread on her duvet, willing her mind to stay blank. Finally, the doorbell rang. She sprinted out of bed and buzzed Max in. Grabbing her silk robe, she slid it on and opened the door to her apartment.
Her bottom lip trembled and she sniffled.
“He’s going to be okay. Stop being a cry baby.”
She wiped the salty drops away with the back of her hand. The elevator chimed and Max stepped out. Her knees buckled, but she didn’t hit the ground. He materialized at her side, picking her up and carrying her inside.
“Max,” she whispered.
“It’s all right, kitten. I got you.”
Chapter Eighteen
Kicking the door shut behind him, Max carried Eva to the living room and sat on the couch. He held her close, caressing her back in what he hoped were soothing touches.
“Hush, Kitten. I’m here. Nothing is going to get to you.”
He didn’t know what had happened, but the way she was trembling reminded him of the awful moment at Lust’s. His mouth dried. Had she been transported there again? Was that it? Sharp, harrowing twinges hit him in the chest and his breath caught. He closed his eyes. He had to be strong for Eva. He kissed the top of her head, inhaling her fragrance. His breathing eased. She relaxed in his arms, her sobs subsiding and finally coming to a stop.
“Feeling better?”
“Yes,” she replied. She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you.”
“You don’t need to apologize. You needed me.”
She studied an invisible something on his shirt.
“I never need anyone,” she muttered.
“Sometimes you do and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Gently, Max tucked his hand under her chin and brought her face up to look at him. Emotions ranging from fear to sadness glittered in too-bright eyes.
“What happened?”
She chuckled, self-deprecating, and shifted her gaze. “I had a nightmare.”
“Must have been quite vivid.”
Her bottom lip trembled and she sucked it in.
“Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to tell me about it.”
“I panicked. It was stupid, really. I don’t even remember much anymore, but when I woke up.” She shuddered. “I was screaming your name.”
“So you called me.”
Her eyes locked with his, shimmering with undisguised concern.
“I thought something had happened to you.”
Max smiled. He rubbed her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
“I’m perfectly fine, and I’m glad you called me. I was in the subway, which is why I didn’t answer.”
He spoke the truth. He’d been on his way to one of the portals hidden in the city, so he could go to the academy and do some research. When he’d received her call, he’d turned back. “How come you fell asleep? I thought you had to get ready for work.”
Eva pressed her lips tightly and squirmed on his lap. Max’s jaw dropped as her welcoming heat caressed his groin through his jeans. He gawked at Eva, taking in her flimsy attire. She hadn’t closed her robe, and the silky material gaped at the front, revealing soft, pink flesh, from the curve of her breasts to the dip of her stomach and lower. Max swallowed. Desire pumped through his veins at the speed of lightning, his cock growing at an equally alarming rate.
“I canceled my date tonight,” she said.
“How—” Max coughed. “Sorry. How come?”
She shrugged and moved again. Her lips parted soundlessly. No doubt she’d noticed the wedge of his erection. Her eyes narrowed and she grinned.
“Well, I wasn’t in the mood to go out, and I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Eva—”
“I called in sick. I couldn’t bear the idea of being touched by another man.” She gave him one of her practiced coy looks. “I also masturbated to you.”
Max dropped his arms to his sides. Maybe if he didn’t touch her, he’d escape temptation. She leaned forward, rubbing against him.
“You want me,” she stated. “And I want you,” she purred.
“Eva, it’s not a good idea.”
“Why?” She pouted.
Why indeed? How did he explain his fear? How did he tell his mate that yes, he wanted to make love to her but was afraid she’d rip him apart?
Eva placed her hands on his shoulders.
“We won’t fuck if you don’t want to, but let me touch you, please you in other ways.”
She ran her hands across his chest, rubbing the hilt of her palm against his straining nipples. Max threw his head back, swallowing his groan. His cock throbbed relentlessly, desperate to be inside of her.
“Please?”
She brushed her mouth over his, a light feather touch which made his heart pound, quieting the voice in his head. Eva rolled her hips, rubbing against him. Taking hold of his hands, she placed them on her hips. His fingers flexed, then slid beneath her robe to her ass, massaging the firm globes. Her gasp fueled his passion. He dipped lower, finding her slick folds.
“Max.”
His thoughts fled, his mind becoming blessedly blank and focused on only one thing: his mate. He pushed a digit into her, then another.
“So wet, kitten.”
“Yes, for you.”
Max pulled out and licked her cream. Musky and sweet, it was better than anything he’d ever had.
“Fuck me,” she begged.
“Not yet.”
Grasping the back of her head, he angled her mouth and kissed her hard. Eva snaked her hands beneath his t-shirt. They glided across his abdomen, heading north.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” she declared.
She tugged on his shirt and he swept it off.
“Oh my God, Max.”
He froze. Fuck. How could he have forgotten? He glanced down at the scar. Pink and shriveled, it reminded him of how recent his brush with death had been. His erection shrank.
Atop him sat a succubus, one who could split him open as easily as another had done. He grasped Eva’s hands and removed them from his stomach, placing them to the side.
“Max—”
“Don’t touch me,” he whispered hoarsely.
Slowly, she slid away from him, onto the couch. She pulled her knees up under her chin and stared at him.
“What happened?” she whispered. “Who did that to you?”
Your brethren. He wanted to scream. But he couldn’t.
She wouldn’t know. Would she? Something about her gaze unnerved him, almost as if she recognized the wound. But that was impossible, wasn’t it?
“I’m a soldier,” he said instead. “I got hurt in combat.”
“They tore you apart,” she mumbled. “How long ago?”
“Not long enough. I’d rather not talk about it.” He put his shirt back on. “How about something to eat and a movie?” he asked.
Eva nodded.
“You won’t leave?” she asked, her voice a thread.
“Kitten, I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter Nineteen
Max stared. His heart skipped a beat, sending a good dose of blood rushing to his cock. He ran his fingers through his hair. He never thought a woman could look so good in simple pajama bottoms and an oversized t-shirt.
“I thought I’d change into something less tempting,” Eva said. She lowered her gaze, failing to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
“I appreciate it,” Max said. He opened his mouth, then closed it sharply. She didn’t look any less seductive, but he couldn’t have sex with her, not if the way he’d freaked out earlier was any indication. “So, shall we make something to eat?” he said instead.
Eva nodded. She walked past him, her fragrance wafting to his nose. The scent of her perfume lingered on her skin, but it was mingled with her earlier arousal. His cock twitched and he briefly shut his eyes. A crass mistake. Images of pulling her back into his arms, bending her over, and kissing her senseless assaulted him.
“How about some spaghetti for dinner?” Eva shouted. “It’s fast and easy to prepare.”
“Sure.”
Max followed the sound of her voice and found her in a small kitchen tiled in blue with grey marble counters. It was spotless, everything organized and orderly placed.
“Do you cook much?” he asked.
Eva stood on her toes and pulled out a stash of pasta.
“Not really. To be honest, I’m hardly home, and when I am, I usually just go for a salad or something fast,” she replied tersely.
Max watched her pour water into a pan and set it on the stove. Her movements were short and jerky, practically mechanical. She added salt, a bit of oil, then went to the fridge, emerging with onions, peppers, and chorizo in her hands.
“Can I help you?”
“No, I’ve got it.”
Her eyes didn’t meet his.
“Eva.”
She didn’t acknowledge him, the silence stretching between them like tar. Max sucked in his cheeks. He’d brought this upon himself. Guilt gnawed at his gut. He had to explain, had to make her understand this had nothing to do with her. Standing behind her, he snaked his arms around her waist. She froze.
“Kitten,” he said softly. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
She let go of the knife she held, but kept her hands on the countertop.
“It’s all right,” she replied.
“It’s not. I shouldn’t have freaked out. It’s just—” He tried to find the right words. Eva turned in his arms and cupped his cheeks.
“Max, it’s okay. You don’t need to explain.”
“I just want you to know, I do desire you.”
She threw back her head and laughed, making his heart constrict with warmth.
“I know,” she said.
“Then why the sudden cold shoulder?”
She let out a long breath.
“I’m trying to understand this. Us.” Her gaze bore into his, pleading with him to comprehend.
“I barely know you, Max. I met you two days ago and yet, you’re standing in my kitchen and it feels as if you belong here. You call me kitten as if we had been in a relationship for years and it’s natural. I don’t know what to make of this, what to expect.” She shook her head. “I even called in sick and I never, ever do that. It’s like my body and heart are telling me one thing and my mind something else.”
“What do they tell you?”
“My mind is screaming at me to back off. There has to be a catch here somewhere, and my heart.” She kissed him softly. “My heart tells me to go with it.”
Max caught her bottom lip between his teeth, tugging at it. Her pupils dilated.
“Tease.”
“You should listen to your heart,” Max said.
Eva chuckled.
“We’ll see. Now, are you going to help me make dinner, or are you just going to stand there?”
***
Max ran his fingers through Eva’s hair. She slept soundly, her head on his lap, her feet dangling from the other end of the sofa.
What on earth was he going to do?
He needed to take a step back and analyze the situation, and he needed to do it fast or he was going to drive Eva away. She deserved an explanation. She had to know what she was and what he was, comprehend the forces which united them were greater than her demonic roots.
The problem was he wasn’t sure. He had to go to the academy and research it. Yet, he couldn’t leave Eva, at least, not tonight. First, she’d been pulled back into Lust’s. Then he’d freaked out on her. If he left, she’d think he was toying with her emotions, and that was the last thing he wanted.
Max sighed. He understood where her fear was coming from. Hell, if he had been in her position, he’d think things were moving too fast. A speeding train would scare anyone, because the outcome was always the same. A crash.
If it were only emotional, perhaps they could cope, but their sexual attraction was slowly driving them insane. She wanted to touch him. He could sense it in every gaze, caress, or stolen kiss. And he—he huffed—he was desperate to make love to her, hear her screams of desire, bring her to the highest heights of passion. But how was he going to get over the fact she could tear him apart?
He yawned.
In any case, there was nothing he could do tonight. Tomorrow, once Eva got up, he’d make an excuse and head to the academy. Things would work out. He had to believe they would, or he’d grow mad.
Taking Eva into his arms, he carried her to the bedroom and tucked her in.
“Stay,” she whispered. “Please.”
He had been planning on taking the couch, but he couldn’t deny her. He lay down next to her above the duvet and closed his eyes. He’d just rest for a moment.
Chapter Twenty
Max pulled Eva tightly against him. He kept his eyes closed, simply reveling in her warmth. He didn’t know what time it was and he couldn’t care less. His mate was in his arms, exactly where she belonged. Here he could protect her, love her, make sure nothing evil touched her.
Eva moved, her ass rubbing against his morning wood. He sucked in a breath. Yeah. That, too.
“Max,” she whispered, the drawl in her sleepy voice causing his cock to harden further. He buried his head in her hair. Big mistake. She smelled sweet, already familiar. Eva pushed back against him and he groaned.
“Kitten.”
She turned in his arms. Their gazes locked, hers imploring and smoldering, a combination he never would have thought possible.
“Max, I need you, please.” She inched closer, her lips a breadth from his. “Please.”
He couldn’t refuse any longer. He wanted it as much as she did. He smashed their lips together with a possessive growl. She responded with the same hunger, fueling his desire to new heights. Yanking the covers from her body, he sought her bare skin. She helped him, throwing off her shirt and lifting her hips to roll down her pajama bottoms. His breath hitched.
“You’re stunning.”
A blush colored her cheeks. She touched the hem of his shirt, toying with the material.
“Will you?”
Max drew in a breath. Could he do it?
“It’s okay if you’re not ready. Although, you might have to watch me masturbate otherwise,” Eva said, scurrying back against the pillows and spreading her legs. The nerve in his jaw ticked and his mouth watered. She was wet, her cunt dripping with juices and her clit poking out of its shield. He inc
hed his gaze upward, taking in the folds of her belly, the mole on her sternum, and the fullness of her breasts, the dusky nipples taut and begging for attention.
“I want to devour you, taste every inch of your body and fuck you until tomorrow,” he said.
“What are you waiting for?”
Eva cupped her sex, rubbing her clit with the base of her palm. She mewled. Unable to look away, Max watched her dip a finger into her vagina, then another, and pump. His heart beat erratically against his ribcage, the rhythm matching the frantic throbbing of his cock.
“Max,” Eva murmured. Her hips lifted and a flush started to creep down her neck.
“Enough.” He grabbed her wrist, stilling her movement. “No one will be giving you an orgasm,” he barked. “Only me.”
Eva’s lips twitched, the corners lifting. “All right, then.”
“I’m going to give you what you need,” he said huskily. “Turn over.”
Grinning saucily, she did as he asked.
“Condoms?”
“First drawer, to your left.”
“Don’t move or else.”
“I promise I won’t.”
Max fished out a package and placed it on the bed next to them. He quickly got rid of his jeans and boxer slips. He hesitated, his fingers on his shirt.
“You don’t have to take it off if you don’t want to,” Eva repeated. He glanced at her. She still had her ass in the air, but she’d twisted her head to look at him. Max’s eyes narrowed, but he was unable to hide his smile.
“Didn’t I tell you to be still?”
“I have been.” She pouted. “But I can’t help it if I want to stare at the hottie who’s going to fuck me.”
Taking a deep breath, Max swept off the remainder of his clothes. He heard Eva’s sharp intake of breath.
“Damn, you’re built.”
Max slapped her ass cheek and she yelped.
“I told you there’d be repercussions.”
“Are those the repercussions?” Giggling, she turned on her back. “What are you going to do now?”
She grabbed his biceps, raking her nails across his arms and leaving a light red trail. Max froze. His heart jumped to his throat. He closed his eyes and took in a shuddering breath. This was Eva, his mate. Not some random succubus.
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