Emerald Fire

by Valerie Twombly

  Brock rubbed his palm across his face. “I guess it requires a woman’s touch.” Guilt wrapped around him that this stranger was taking time out of her life to help him. He owed her, and an idea popped into his head. “Listen. I’m grateful beyond words for your help. Let me repay you by making you dinner.”

  Sarah finished packing the first box and sealed it before she looked up at him. “You don’t have to do that. I mean it’s a nice gesture, but I’m happy to help and I like the company.”

  “Well, if you like the company, join me. My boat is docked over in Swansboro, and I have everything on board to whip us up a nice dinner.” It took him a second to realize he held his breath. For some reason, he found himself wanting her to say yes. The thought of spending time with this beautiful woman made his heart race.

  “You have a boat?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Yeah. Well, some would call her a yacht. I call her Sea Demon.”

  Her eyes widened and sparkled with mischief. “I’ve never been on a yacht before. Okay, it sounds like fun.”

  “Good. Let’s finish up these couple rooms here then we can call it quits for the day.” He cast a glance toward the door. “If you don’t mind cleaning out the closet, I’ll go across the hall.”

  Sarah rubbed her arms as if she had a chill. “All right, but are you sure you want to go in there? I can come with you.”

  He raised his hand to stop her. “I need to do this. Alone.”

  She nodded. “I understand, but I’ll be here if you change your mind.”

  God, he hoped he didn’t. At some point, he really needed to grow a pair. Refusing to allow himself to think, he turned and walked out of the room before he lost all courage. He marched into the other bedroom and closed the door behind him. Time stood still. He moved toward the crib, his hands closed around the wooden rail. He cast his gaze at the blue blanket covered with floppy-eared puppies. His grip tightened, causing the crib to crack under the pressure. His heart beat against his chest so hard he feared it might bruise. Was that even possible? He doubted it since it was already broken into a million tiny fragments. He closed his eyes and tried to push back the emotions that flooded him.

  Just let them come.

  “But I don’t want to feel.”

  It’s time to let go.

  “Oh Mina, I’m so sorry. I failed miserably.” Something warm rolled down his cheek, and he realized it was tears. Tears he hadn’t shed since the night he’d found his family murdered. “I don’t know how to let go.”

  He hadn’t realized how empty his life had become until he’d walked into this house. The need to board his vessel and sail away took hold of him, but he’d done that already. Going back to his homeland hadn’t helped either. The emptiness followed him, always mocking him.

  You need to love again.

  He shook his head, trying to free the nagging voice. Did his dead mate really talk to him, or had he finally gone completely mad? He picked up the stuffed teddy bear still sitting in the corner of the crib and squeezed it to his chest. “I don’t think I can love again, even if I did find another mate.” The thought of losing her or their children made his pulse race.

  “Then you are a fool.”

  Brock spun and dropped the bear to the floor. Mina’s pale form stood on the other side of the room. He blinked, clamping his palms over his scalp. “I really have gone insane.”

  “No, love, you are not crazy, only heartbroken.”

  Her soft-spoken voice sounded exactly as it had the morning he kissed her and said he’d be back in a few days. He dropped to his knees. Seeing her made his chest ache. He couldn’t breathe. “Mina, you shouldn’t be here,” he whispered.

  “No, I shouldn’t. You have to let me go and forgive yourself.”

  He stared at his dead mate and buried his fingers in the carpet fibers. His jaw tightened. “I don’t know how to let you go.”

  Through his tears, he noticed she wore the golden gown he’d selected for her when she’d been cremated. Her red hair curled past her shoulders, and her green eyes were vibrant even though she was transparent.

  “How did you come back here?” She should have moved on to another plane of existence. It was rare to hear of one of his people coming back to this realm once passed.

  “I never left. I’ve watched over you, watched you suffer in silence.” She moved closer to him, her form floating inches off the floor. “Brock, you have let yourself weaken to a human state.”

  Shame crept over him. He had kept his mate, the love of his life from moving on simply because he refused to. She was also right about him being mortal. He’d used up his power and could tell by the tone of her voice this displeased her more than anything else did. Sex fueled their magic, which was why their species had a reputation in the human world. “I should have fucked those two women then?”

  “It was a stupid choice not to.”

  He dropped his head forward and stared at the carpet. I’ve failed the woman I love. Again.

  “Look at me.”

  He didn’t want to but obeyed, once again raising his gaze to meet hers.

  “You have another opportunity. Even better. Ten humans couldn’t bring you the power that the demon in the next room can.”

  He stood and stared into her green pools. “Sarah’s a nice girl. I couldn’t use her like that.”

  “I love you, Brock, and always will, but it’s time for both of us to move on. You are so deep in your self-pity, you don’t even notice she wants you.” Mina’s translucent form began to fade. “Fate has given you another chance. Don’t pass it over. Live life again and be happy.”

  Brock stared at the spot where his mate had vanished. He rubbed his palm over his eyes and wondered if this entire conversation had been real or a figment of his fucked up imagination. Either way, Mina was right. He needed to let go of the guilt. He would, however, never love again. He bent down and picked up the teddy. He wouldn’t pack it away in any box. It had been the first gift he had given his son, and it would come home with him. It would serve as a reminder of what an epic failure he was.

  * * * *

  Sarah stood in front of the mirror and smoothed her hands over the peach-colored summer dress. She pulled her hair up and moved her head from side to side, trying to decide if she should wear it up or down. She let the dark locks fall back to her shoulders deciding it was sexier cascading over her breasts. Besides, she wouldn’t have to worry about it being messed up later when she and Brock went at it. Her hope was he’d fuck her until she couldn’t walk.

  Lord knew she was desperate to be laid, and now that this demon had walked into her life? Well, they both could have a good time without consequences. She wouldn’t have to worry about a human and hurting them either physically or emotionally. Brock? He’d used up the last of his power reserve when he’d removed the spell from the house so there was no doubt in her mind he’d be more than willing to have a go between the sheets so he could refuel. Staying in a mortal state was not a smart thing to do. It made them vulnerable.

  She took another look in the mirror. Just enough cleavage to make the male drool. Sarah slipped on a pair of three-inch heels that showed off her perfect pedicured toes and with any luck would bring her lips closer to his.

  She sauntered across the bedroom, grabbed her purse and prayed she could keep her panties dry at least through dinner. After that, all bets were off and hopefully their clothes, too. She grabbed the car keys from the kitchen counter and headed out the door.

  Half an hour later, Sarah maneuvered into a parking spot a block from where Brock had said his boat was moored. The sun was just slipping below the horizon, filling the sky with soft pastels and a warm August breeze slid across her skin. She walked along the water, her heels clicking on the wooden planks of the pier. The merchants were busy gearing up for an evening of festivities. Music wafted from the outdoor cafes, and soon the boardwalk would be occupied with both tourists and locals, their bellies filled to the brim with fresh seafood an
d brew.

  Whistles carried on the wind as men admired her sleek form in the short dress. Sarah couldn’t help but smile thinking about how Brock would be the one to have her tonight. A tall stranger dressed in a black suit with dark sunglasses stepped in front of her.

  “Mr. Sinclair is waiting for you, ma’am.”

  “Oh.”

  “Right this way.” The gentleman led her down a narrow pier where another man in identical garb stood guard. Both men looked as if they had accidentally made a wrong turn while protecting the president and ended up here. She wondered whom they were guarding.

  “Sarah.”

  She looked up and saw Brock’s smiling face as he waved to her over the railing. “I’ll be right down.”

  In a flash, he was beside her. His hand at the small of her back sent shivers up her spine as he escorted her onto the vessel. She was taken aback at his change in attitude but happy to see it. Maybe, Brock had let go of some of his ghosts today. She could only hope.

  “This is impressive, but why the entourage?”

  Brock shrugged. “It comes with the job of being the prince’s right hand.”

  “Oh.” Brock had mentioned the prince in an earlier conversation, but apparently, she’d been too busy checking out the goods to pay attention. Oops. “What do you do for the prince?” Sarah had never met Damis, but he had a reputation for being a fair and kind man—if you were on his good side, that is.

  “Whatever he wants me to do.”

  His answer was vague to say the least, but she supposed he was unable to talk about his missions. She could also only guess at the number of women, both human and demon, who presented themselves to someone of his station. A cringe of jealousy wrapped around her gut, but she shoved it away and replaced it with a smile. She pretended to take an interest in the tour of the Sea Demon when really all she could do was stare at his ass. His khaki pants showed off his firm, rounded bottom and muscular thighs. His turquoise polo made his brown eyes pop and left her wanting to trace every detailed line shown through his shirt. Damn, the man was perfection.

  He turned to face her, his eyes sparking with mischief. “Like the view?”

  She couldn’t help but cast him a seductive smile. “Very much.”

  Chapter Four

  Brock hid a smile as he guided Sarah to the upper deck where they’d have dinner. He wouldn’t let on that she hadn’t been doing a very good job of hiding her interest in him. Then again, maybe, that had never been her intention.

  The outfit she wore would send any man to his knees, and he was surprised she hadn’t arrived with a group of slobbering humans trailing behind her. The short dress displayed her long legs and hardly covered her ample breasts. He wanted to slide his fingers through her dark locks while he pulled her close and tasted her plump lips.

  He showed her to a seat at the bar. “Cocktail before dinner?”

  “I’d love a glass of white wine if you have it.” She slid onto the stool, and her dress hiked up slightly to show off more of her lean legs. Brock suppressed a groan and decided this game of cat and mouse would end now.

  “White wine it is.” He moved to the other side of the bar, reached for a glass then placed it in front of her. Pulling out a bottle of wine from the chiller, he tore off the foil, removed the cork then filled her goblet to half full. “We are having Cajun shrimp tonight.” He poured himself a glass.

  She took a sip, leaving a light ring on the rim from her lip gloss. He couldn’t wait to nibble on the pink flesh and make them swollen from kissing her.

  “I love Cajun food. Do you have a cook on board?” She ran her index finger along the rim of the glass.

  “No staff is here tonight other than the two guards on the dock.” He leaned across the bar until he stared into the depths of her blue eyes. “It’s just you and me, and dinner is a cold dish so it’ll keep if you’d rather have dessert first.”

  Sarah scraped her teeth across her bottom lip. “What’s for dessert?” Her voice dropped to a low purr.

  Brock traced her cheek, her skin as smooth as the finest Thai silk under his finger. “Darlin’, I was thinking of laying you out on top of this bar and having you for dessert.” He watched in amusement as she took a deep breath. Her nipples pebbled against her dress, and her sapphire eyes darkened with lust.

  “You can serve up dessert however it pleases you. I certainly won’t argue.”

  Oh, he would enjoy every inch of this woman. It had been a long time since he’d had one of his own species and always held back just a little of himself with a human female. He wrapped his palm around the back of her neck and pulled her close. His lips were within inches of locking onto hers. “How would you like it? Do you want it soft and slow or fast and hard?” he whispered.

  Sarah cupped his face with both hands. Her lips pressed ever so lightly onto his. “Save all the fluffy stuff for later, and give it to me like a demon.”

  Her mouth devoured him. Her tongue demanding as it pushed past his lips and swept his mouth. She tasted of spiced oranges, and it set his blood to a slow simmer. He twined her silky locks around his hand and pulled her back. Her eyes swirled like a stormy sea.

  Brock sprang over the bar. Landing on the other side, he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her onto the bar. He ran his fingertips down the outside of her thighs, across the top and along the inside of her calf. When he reached her ankle, he grasped one heel-clad foot and placed it on a stool. Their eyes met when he gripped the other ankle and placed her foot on the adjoining stool. He spread her legs then rolled the dress up past her hips. He laced his fingers into the band of her panties and tugged, the fabric tearing under the pressure.

  “You won’t be needing these.” He flung them aside and was greeted with bare, pink flesh. The evidence of her arousal glistened, and his cock throbbed painfully under the restraint of his pants.

  Brock craved to see her entire body naked, displayed before him like a work of art. He gripped the dress at its neckline and ripped the material clear down the middle. “I’ll buy you a new one,” he whispered while admiring her beauty.

  “I don’t care about the dress,” she responded as she shimmed out of the torn material and tossed it aside. “But how will I get home?”

  “We’ll find you something to wear, later. Much, much later.” He cupped her breast then rolled the nipple between his thumb and finger. She let out a moan, tipping her head back. Her body was submissive to him, and he drank in the intoxicating power he had over her.

  He slid his fingers through her cleft then dipped one inside. Her hips rose off the bar, and she worked back and forth, grinding against his hand. He leaned over her and sucked a nipple between his teeth. His tongue dancing across the hardened protrusion caused her to squirm more. The woman was on fire, and he would thoroughly enjoy dousing out the flames.

  Brock could stand no more. He released her nipple, parted her thighs farther and dove between her legs. He licked her silky skin. The taste of orange glazed his lips. He plunged in a second finger, her wetness drenching them. He flicked out his tongue and grazed it over her clit. A shudder swept across her body.

  She was already close.

  He continued to roll his tongue and sucked the fleshy nub between his teeth. The pace of his sliding fingers increased. Her body tensed, and her breaths turned into short pants.

  He moved faster.

  Her fingers latched onto his shoulders, and nails broke through the skin as she let out a scream. Her pussy clenched, drawing his fingers deeper inside her. He continued his ministrations until he’d licked every last drop from her. Until her body stilled, and a look of satisfaction covered her face. He was responsible for the dreamy state she was in and found he liked it very much. Maybe, a little too much.

  * * * *

  Tremors still gripped Sarah’s muscles as she came down from one of the most intense orgasms she’d had in forever. No, make that ever. She couldn’t recall having a near out of body experience like the one she’d just h
ad. She tipped her head up to meet the gaze of the demon who’d just brought her so much pleasure. Desire darkened his brown eyes, and lust swept over her again.

  She slipped off the bar and pulled Brock to her. In a passionate sweep, she delved her tongue into his mouth while tugging his shirt from the waistband of his pants. Sarah was desperate to get him naked and lick every inch of his body. She broke free of the kiss and yanked the shirt over his head revealing hard muscles.

  Sarah brushed her fingertips along his biceps. A shudder passed over her, intensifying her desire. She licked his chest. The saltiness combined with his own spiciness caused her breath to hitch. Desire as she’d never experienced burned through her veins. For a moment, it frightened her and she contemplated fleeing, but her need for him outweighed everything else. She could only focus on him.

  Sarah grasped the button on Brock’s pants and pulled it through the hole. She fought to maintain control and not give in to the temptation to tear the fabric to shreds. She wanted to savor him for as long as she could stand it.

  With nimble fingers, the zipper was pulled down and the slacks pushed past his narrow hips to his ankles. His cock jutted to full attention, and she knew exactly what her next move would be. Trailing her tongue down his steel abs, she wrapped her hand around his shaft and squeezed. Brock let out a sigh and twined his fingers through her hair. Wrapping the mass in his fists, he gave a slight tug. It was all she needed to drop to her knees and suck the tip of his cock into her mouth. She swirled her tongue over the velvet skin.

  Brock moaned. He was at her mercy.

  Placing her hands on his thighs, she sucked his cock deep, swallowing him whole.

  “Damn woman.” He pulled her hair tighter. “Feels so fucking good.”

  Sarah enjoyed the sensation of his shaft stretching her lips and gliding in and out of her mouth. Her pussy ached to switch places and have that thickness tickle her sensitive spots. She was in a quandary because looking up and watching the pleasure rack his features only fueled her own. She was also giving him power. Every time they used any magic, they were drained. Sex replenished them, and if you were lucky enough to find your mate, the power gained was tenfold.