Burn: A shifter and vampire rock star romance (Underground Encounters Book 4)

by Lisa Carlisle

  I would have crossed my arms and pouted had I not been tied up. At least my drive for survival had overpowered my lust, and I’d bit him.

  “Asshole!” I called out.

  “Bloodsucking leech,” he shouted back.

  No wonder vampires and shapeshifters didn’t mix. Who wanted to be an animal? At least as a vampire, you’re on top of the food chain.

  But, if all shifters tasted like Devon, I wouldn’t object to feeding on them.

  Don’t think about your lust for blood. Think analytically. Strategically. Use whatever weapons or devices you have. How can you get out of this?

  Hmm, what could I do? I thought about some excuses I could use to get out of his bed. I only came up with one. It wasn’t great, but if he was naïve enough, it just might give me enough of an opportunity where I could attack him and get the fuck out of his flat.

  And if that didn’t work, well, he was just a man, after all. And most men had a weakness—sex. Despite the verbal sparring, I knew he was attracted to me. May as well exploit it to get his defenses down. My attempt at mind control might be more effective. It didn’t work earlier, and he said it didn’t work on shifters, but in all cases? Had any vampires ever tried it on a shifter when his mind was occupied by other, more sensual matters?

  Seducing Devon wouldn’t be too much of a sacrifice, would it? The fantasy had been swimming around in my brain, competing with my pure and utter hatred of him.

  Could you really hate someone yet be so attracted to them at the same time? With my overwrought state, I started to think it was possible. The forbidden draw of a hate fuck.

  I pictured it. It would be delicious. He’d feel so good inside me. I’d cling to him, grasping for his muscular arms and back as he pounded into me.

  If this was my last night on earth, what did I have to lose? I had no one to answer to.

  The only people who possibly cared about me were the guys in the band. But, I’d only recently met them, and they only knew one side of me. They didn’t even know my real name or my dark secret. If they knew who I really was, well, they might turn on me in disgust. Even Joey.

  Joey. Poor Joey. He was suspicious enough as it was of this guy, now he must be frantic, wondering where I was. If I’d only listened to him, I wouldn’t be in this situation right now. I’d been blinded by lust for the mysterious guy, which had led me to a shitload of trouble.

  All kinds of emotions swarmed through my mind as I thought about Joey. His concern for me. His protectiveness. The way we flirted up on stage—sometimes the fantasy felt real, as if we were star-crossed lovers. But I would push him away, needing my privacy. And now I couldn’t get much farther away from him than on the other side of the Atlantic.

  Sadly, my only hopes of survival lay with Devon. It didn’t make any sense, but then nothing did lately. In fact, nothing had really made sense since I became a vampire, struggling to come to grips with what I was.

  Seducing Devon wouldn’t be a sacrifice at all. In fact, I was looking forward to it.

  Might as well get off before I go out.

  Chapter 5

  Devon

  I nursed a Jack Daniels in my leather recliner while waiting for night to fall. At the same time, dread smothered me. Stefano was expecting us, marking the end of my time with Layla.

  Why did this fill me with regret? She was a vampire and she’d attacked me. I should be glad to get her out of my sight and move on to the next job. Let Stefano deal with her. She’d be his problem.

  “I need to go to the bathroom,” she shouted from my bedroom.

  I couldn’t help but smile. She was a crafty little minx. I had to admit, I was looking for a reason to go back in there, and she gave me one.

  Reentering the room, I said. “You’re lying.”

  “No, it’s true. I really, really have to go.” She squirmed on the bed and made an uncomfortable face that made me laugh out loud.

  “You are some character, Layla Costa. Quite the actress,” I said. “And you must think I’m just some dumb animal who you could trick. I hate to inform you, sweetheart, but I know you’re full of shit—and I don’t mean literally. You don’t use the bathroom ever.”

  She made some humph noise and then pouted, frustrated that this new plan of hers failed.

  “Don’t make that face. You look so cute. I might have to come over there and take my chances with that dangerous mouth of yours again.”

  She glanced up under her lashes. “What look? This one?”

  Dark lust smoldered in her eyes. Why was she doing that? I clenched my fists to keep from running over to the bed and climbing on top of her.

  “Don’t encourage something you don’t want to happen.”

  “Why not?” she purred.

  “Because I’m already so on edge, it won’t take much to encourage me.”

  She tipped her head and smiled. “I might be nicer this time.”

  What was her motive?

  My growing erection said Who gives a damn?

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “True. But, that will make the sex even hotter. And since this may be my last chance at having it ever, why not?”

  She was playing a dangerous game, but I was too intrigued not to participate in this match. I had to see where it was headed.

  Just take precautions and don’t think with the wrong head.

  In two strides, I reached the bed. “Are you sure you want this?”

  She nodded and followed it with a breathy “Yessss.”

  “Don’t fucking bite me this time.”

  “If you’d let me continue, you might have liked it.”

  “Yeah, sure, that’s why you did it—for my sensual pleasure.”

  She shrugged. “It can be enjoyable for us both.”

  “Let me say it clearly then. Don’t bite me, vamp.”

  “Okay, okay.” She bit her bottom lip. “Untie me then.”

  “No way. Are you nuts?”

  “How can I touch you with my hands tied up?”

  “Is this part of your game? Seduce me so I’ll untie you and then you’ll get away?”

  “No.” Her darting eyes indicated otherwise.

  I’d dealt with enough liars to know I was dealing with one right now.

  “We’ll have to manage with you tied up, now won’t we?” I sat on the bed next to her and lifted one of her hands to my lips. The resistance of the rope stopped me, so I bent down and kissed one of her wrists, leaving a trail up her arm. “Besides, I kind of like it like this. It’s hot.”

  “It would be hotter if I could run my hands over your back, over your chest. It’s not fair being able to see but not touch.”

  “You don’t play fair.” I sat back, gently letting go of her wrist. “But I’m not a fool. I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get something.”

  In the living room, I rifled through my bag, grabbing the silver handcuffs and spray I made with a combination of silver dust and garlic. For good measure, I grabbed a silver knife I had sheathed in there as well. It never hurt to be prepared. Especially with a vampire.

  When I returned to the bedroom, she saw my supplies and said, “Oh come on. Is this really necessary?”

  “With you, absolutely.”

  I put the spray and knife down on my bureau and headed over to her with the handcuffs.

  “The ropes aren’t enough for you?”

  “I’m untying one.”

  As I untied the first wrist, she asked, “Why?”

  “Simple reason, really.” I untied the second one. “Compromise.”

  She moved her wrist in a circle and jiggled her arm around to reinvigorate it.

  “It’s not comfortable to be tied to a bed all day long, you know?”

  “You needed to be restrained, and the ropes weren’t as hard as the handcuffs.”

  “And now?”

  “This way you can have one arm free.”

  “There must be a w
ay to do this without handcuffs.”

  Even with one hand free, she wouldn’t be able to untie the other without me knowing. I’d keep her within an arm’s length at all times.

  “Fine. No handcuffs,” I said. “And you can touch my chest all you want.” I took off my T-shirt and grinned widely at her. “Win-win.”

  “Anyone ever call you a strange bird?” she asked.

  “All the time.” Then I took her free hand and placed it on my chest, keeping my hand over hers all the while.

  She looked into my eyes with an imploring expression. “You don’t trust me, do you?”

  “Not one bit.” My eyes fixated on her lips, and my cock twitched as I thought about how they would feel on me.

  “But you want me?”

  I couldn’t deny it. Nor did I want to do anything to stop this from progressing. “Yes.”

  “Then kiss me.”

  I ran my thumb over her bottom lip, and she kissed it. Then she pulled it into her mouth and sucked it gently.

  “Oh, don’t do that,” I said with a moan.

  She stopped. “Why not?”

  “Don’t stop,” I cried.

  She laughed. “You’re sending mixed messages.”

  “It just feels—so good.” I leaned forward to kiss her. “Remember, no biting. I have the knife and spray within arm’s reach.”

  “I know.” She rolled her eyes.

  I pressed my lips to hers. When I slipped my tongue into her mouth, I tasted the saltiness of my blood lingering there. It didn’t horrify me for some reason. She had been in a semi-upright position, but now she settled back onto my pillow, sliding her body down. I lay on top of her, one part of me eager to touch her more, the other on the defense for any quick moves.

  Her free hand had moved over my back, and she ran her fingernails gently down from my shoulders to my ass, squeezing the flesh at the bottom. I kissed her neck, moving down to her breasts.

  “What is it about you?” I asked as I pulled the top of her baby doll dress down to reveal the white satin cups of her bra. Why did I come back here?

  I should stop this before this fire grew too big to control. However, I couldn’t resist kissing her, touching her, inhaling her sweet scent—although she’d tried to suck my blood.

  I pulled one of the bra cups away, revealing a pink, perky nipple. It appeared so succulent, I had to taste it. Licking the hard bud, I savored it as though I’d never have the chance again.

  Which I wouldn’t.

  She murmured something and said, “I feel the same way about you.”

  Why did she have to do that? She was playing me. She had to be. But still—I was unsure.

  For someone who strived to keep the opposite sex at a distance after losing Muriel, the uncertainty in this situation set me on edge. What did she want?

  With haste, I unfastened her bra and pulled the top of her dress down around her shoulders to expose more of her skin. The urge to take her pounded through me as I licked her other breast.

  “I should stay away from you,” I murmured. But, I didn’t.

  While I kissed down her torso, I stroked her leg. I caressed her thigh, the same one that had tormented me earlier while she was asleep.

  I kissed her shin and moved up, taking a moment to lick around the back of her knee, making her squeal.

  “That tickles.”

  “I like to hear you laugh. It’s better than hearing you scream or curse at me.” Then I continued until her giggle dissolved into full-blown laughter.

  She gasped. “Too much.”

  “Okay.” I resumed kissing her leg, up to her thigh. I remembered the vision of her writhing around onstage the other night during the Hot for Teacher song when she bent over to expose her white cotton panties to the guitarist, and he smacked her on the ass. “Please don’t tell me you’re wearing white cotton panties under here.” I moved the lacy edge of her dress.

  “Why not?”

  “The whole naughty-but-nice outfit will kill me.”

  “Well then, keep exploring.”

  I kissed her thigh some more, inching up higher. “Which is it, Layla? Are you naughty or nice?”

  “Maybe a little of both. Why don’t you find out?”

  I pulled up her dress as I kissed her upper thigh and saw she wore a tiny pair of white cotton panties. Touching the thin cotton fabric over her mound, I felt her excitement through the wetness there. Inching my fingers on either side of the seams, I pulled the tiny panties down while she lifted her hips to help me remove them.

  Once I saw her gleaming pink lips just begging to be touched, I complied, stroking her with one finger. She moaned in appreciation, and I slid it inside her. Her tight, wet walls closed around me, teasing the sensation my cock was aching to have.

  Layla used her free hand to pull her dress down over her hips. “Help me get this off,” she said. “I can’t do it with one hand.”

  I put my other hand over hers to stop her. “Leave the dress on.”

  She laughed. “You like it like this?”

  I scanned the way the dress was pulled low enough around her waist to expose her breasts and high enough to reveal her pussy. It covered nothing, but part of her midsection and it was so frigging hot.

  “Unbelievably.”

  She let out a soft moan. “Hurry up, Devon. I need you inside me.”

  I shed my clothes, desperate to sink inside her.

  I climbed on top of her and stroked her wet folds with my cock.

  She used her free arm to pull me closer. “Now. Please, now.”

  A woman who wanted it and wasn’t afraid to show it was a turn on for me. I thought I’d crush her petite frame, but reminded myself she had the strength of an immortal being, one who would crush a human man even of my size. And with all her curves in all the right places just begging to be touched, she was the most enticing female I’d encountered in a long time. One I intended to touch and kiss and fuck until I had to let her go.

  When I slid inside her welcoming body, I was rewarded with the tight, hot experience I’d anticipated. The softness and warmth enveloped me. The sensations all went to my head as I lost myself in her, riding her higher as I sensed her rising tension as she lifted her hips to meet my every thrust. Her thighs tightened around me, and she clawed my back as she climbed closer and closer still.

  Layla

  My emotions tumbled like a rumbling tsunami, adding to the confusion. I hated Devon, yet I wanted him. Although I had an ulterior motive in seducing him, it faded to the background as desire thrummed with a more urgent beat.

  I wanted to fuck him. And I wanted to kill him.

  His touch incinerated me, leaving me on edge for more. When his lips met mine, an overwhelming need for him clawed away inside me, begging for more. And when he finally filled me with his cock, the sensation carried to every nerve in my body that an orgasm immediately threatened to take over all rational thought.

  I dug my fingers into his shoulders more as he buried himself deep inside me. I had seduced him to find a loophole and get out of this situation. But the deeper I fell into his arms, my thoughts of escape fought with the powerful sensation. My desire for him was overpowering.

  I wanted him.

  And I wanted to drink from him.

  The blood raced through his veins, singing to me. The little taste I had earlier had been an aperitif, and my appetite grew with ravenous lust. His unique scent of man and animal combined was intoxicating.

  Bloodlust and raw desire left my body rampant with need. Desire coursed through my body and I yearned to have his blood flowing through my veins, filling me.

  No, I’d seduced him for a reason—to escape. With him distracted, I’d have a better chance of coaxing him to let me free.

  With our faces inches apart, I locked my gaze on his. His blue-green eyes burned with dark passion. I focused on my resolve and implored my will into his mind.

  You’ll untie me and let me get away. You’ll forget all about finding me in
the club. You’ll have no memory of ever meeting me.

  That meant he’d forget this unforgettable moment. He’d have no memory of our kiss, our touches, and all the wonderful sensations. That seemed cruel. Yet it had to be done.

  He watched me with eyes so intense I didn’t know if my message was getting through. And with the buildup of the pressure of him inside me, rising ever higher, it was getting harder to focus on anything going on in my brain.

  Still, I wasn’t done.

  You’ll report to Stefano that you couldn’t find me. That a trail led to South America, but then died out there. You’ll tell him you think it will be impossible to find me.

  My message complete, I blinked. A surge of desire flooded me now that my brain was no longer engaged in this task.

  This would be our one and only time together.

  “Oh my God, Devon, I’m right there!”

  My legs went rigid as they clamped together, squeezing around his hips. If he was a normal human male, the sensation might be crushing, but since he was a shifter, my strength appeared to turn him on more.

  “Oh yeah, sweetheart. Come for me.”

  The tension climbed. I clawed for it while pushing against it. The intensity was too great, too terrifying. Too much.

  But, I couldn’t stop. And I wanted it too much. I reached a feverish peak, teetering there. And then I crashed over it, crying out with my release.

  Devon slowed down the pace to allow me to recover, but the sensations inside me were still so strong.

  “No. Don’t stop. Again,” I pleaded.

  I raised my hips to quicken the pace. Devon responded, thrusting deep inside me, pounding even harder now.

  The buildup overshadowed everything else. And the bloodlust returned. I forced myself to refocus that need to the other sensations pulsing through me. Within moments, I shattered again, like a fiery explosion of heat that draped over the sky.

  “Holy shit, Devon,” I whispered and sank back onto his bed. “That was—unreal.”

  He lay on top of me for a moment, letting me recover, and then sat back. “I’m not done with you yet.”

  He pulled out of me and stood next to the bed, looking down at me. The sight of him fully erect and naked, with hunger in his eyes, made my senses tingle. Every inch of him was beautiful and so masculine. The shaved head that gave him such a bad-boy appeal, which was complemented by the tattoos. Scars on his arms and chest made me wonder where they came from. He’d obviously been in a tussle or two in his time, and I had to wonder if it was as an animal or man. Or both.