Ardent

by Jan Irving

  “You remind me of Arden, though in his case Jaime says he’s

  Edged, “His name is Jaime. And yes, I ‘interfered.’ I’ve

  “I understand. I imagine your friend’s relationship has been

  that reminded her of the leader of her coven. “It happens it does

  § § § §

  he spotted her ghosting into a classroom.

  “Relationship?

  Arden’s face hardened.

  “What?

  Arden shrugged. He was a vampire.

  § § § § and took her in his arms.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  from the butcher’s he’d forced himself to snack on. It tasted like skim milk to him instead of the rich notes of human, and he had

  crossed as he nodded politely. As usual, Arden had the feeling

  is intense

  couldn’t easily refer to Jaime as a mere pet or slave.

  self, and the hot passion of Venus. It’s a dangerous cocktail for a

  him,

  boy’s scent and his pupils dilated.

  gone to his pet, rather than

  pheromones to his inferior human senses and processing them.

  discipline him in front of the other demons.

  circumstances.

  Jaime hesitated. He bit his lip and Lal picked up a ripple of eventually had to introduce Jaime to the vampire court.

  Arden took Jaime’s hand, caressing the back of it discreetly in

  Arden sighed, savoring that Jaime had returned for the night.

  Soon.

  Arden felt as if the tide of his repressed passion had risen almost as much as he could bear. He needed to possess Jaime

  heavily, as if content to be gentled by possessive hands stroking his skin.

  aren’t. I could hurt different for Jaime?

  “I want

  Jaime kissed his chin. “But the important thing is you haven’t,

  Arden gasped as Jaime licked his sensitive neck. His boy had

  Jaime gave him a timid bite, his blunt teeth not breaking the

  rougher. He shuddered, moved on every level by his boy. “Jaime,

  almond-shaped eyes. “Promise me.

  left them alone and stopped interfering.

  Jaime opened his mouth, then closed it, as if he couldn’t think § § § §

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Arden’s feet as Arden continued to recline in the chair. Yet no

  Jaime holding tightly to Arden’s hand.

  tenderness.

  demon circles.

  § § § §

  directly. know you are helpless for your lord. If you

  arranged close to hand, for the moment Arden only chose to use

  at his admission of vulnerability.

  On the table, Jaime looked over his shoulder at Arden.

  nutmeg and spanking.

  Jaime.

  Arden took Jaime’s mouth, his long hair cloaking them in the Jaime rested his cheek against the table. “I still think it’s embarrassing he’s

  Lal closed his eyes and ran a hand over the air above Jaime’s

  Derek. Arden nodded.

  “Jaime? I have a variety of things that Lal brought. I have a

  concentrating on his inner thighs, and then his raised ass, making

  might soon sheath it at last inside Jaime in a formal mounting, sink his fangs in and mark him a chosen human, prodded him. He noticed as he found a rhythm that Jaime began to rise up

  alone. He loved being disciplined and Arden loved giving it to him.

  “Jaime, you’ll no doubt be sorry to hear I am going to go “Understand that there are risks for this bond. Despite all that romantic nonsense, a demon and a human are not meant to be together because they more typically play the roles of hunter and

  listens.

  He heard Lal’s retreating footsteps and took a deep breath.

  lately. trembling.

  “Imp, you sound almost disappointed. Use your hands to

  Jaime reached back and opened himself, soothing a jittery

  “Feel so full. I can’t believe I’m going to have you inside me

  Arden said.

  taking his time as he felt the rings of muscle resist stubbornly, protecting Jaime’s innocence.

  of their voyeur. to fuck even fresh from his brother’s bed. He ripped open his silk trousers and lubed his cock frantically, yanking out the spreader and putting one knee on the table as Jaime pushed back to meet

  dimple and thrust inside him heavily.

  sharp teeth.

  Jaime’s hands suddenly reached back and cupped Arden’s Arden laughed, startled, but then Jaime pushed back again, taking Arden deeper and Arden’s control snapped. He began to pound into the eager body of his human, his hands bruising

  desperation, Arden barely able to leave Jaime.

  “Jaime!

  hold of his cock and Jaime felt the nip of fangs against the juncture of his neck and shoulder.

  table rocking back and forth from the force of passion as Jaime His monster.

  Jaime offered him his neck.

  Arden struck, tearing the skin at the base of Jaime’s neck,

  needed the pain as much as he needed to be fucked.

  His vision pulsed redly as Arden sucked, taking Jaime’s blood, slamming into him. Coming now, coming for my master.

  In Arden’s garden, Lal paused, listening to the fountain that

  brought Jaime to his house.

  § § § §

  “Jaime?

  black of Arden’s concerned eyes.

  tone accusing. pass out from sheer panic.

  “You. Just hold me, okay? At the risk of sounding unmanly, I

  off, but it had been incredible, that much Jaime remembered.

  He noticed that Arden’s hands trembled as he stroked Jaime’s bare back.

  pleasure? Arden demanded.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  boyfriend’s cool neck, loving his scent, loving being in his bed. Arden’s bed.

  himself, saying he needed to recover from the fainting thing as

  picked him up and then paused at the entrance to Jaime’s garden house.

  Arden put Jaime on his feet and hand in hand, a little nervous,

  room temperature.

  Jaime stretched out his toes, feeling the good throb of his

  beast, and he’d claimed Jaime from a mundane life and stirred

  time. On the dining room table. With an audience.

  a feeling he might end up in E.R. or something.

  § § § §

  him soberly.

  Frequently.

  most enticing fashion to Jaime’s eyes. “Be feeling delicate.

  could only be a Jaime-type dilemma. “I can use something if I Jaime laughed at him, giving him a kiss that made Arden grip his hips and pull him onto his lap. His demon was so easy. “Just

  Arden regarded him out of those unblinking, black predator

  spying on them. He couldn’t be trusted to be reasonable about it.

  thinking, mine. § § § §

  perfect.

  Arden pulled the chastity belt back up and snapped the

  Jaime puffed out a breath, concentrating on not getting too

  is

  Arden’s chest. “I liked the one about a vampire private detective and his hot

  to bite him again.

  Jaime insisted he liked that Arden thought smelled revolting, but perhaps humans liked that sort of food. heated ones.

  Anticipating. ***

  shifting around on his stool in biology.

  whipped. And

  all morning, and that

  Besides, I thought you hated sciences but you had to take some

  “Okay, then. But you better be on your toes, mister, since I’m

  Jaime hoped by then he’d be able to concentrate, since

  § § § §

  and he

  Arden in his black leather trench coat, belted aroun
d a slim

  Holy shit!

  Arden’s very masculine beauty caught Jaime, so he could

  simultaneously.

  strip.

  an erection.

  tightened, responding to just the sound of Arden’s purring voice “Arden, please

  Arden asked in a silky voice. A callused hand caressed his ass.

  Smack!

  His hole tightened in anticipation from the tap on his ass, and

  “I bought a paddle today. I’m going to use it on you, but

  hot. “Kiss it and ask me

  me heat in Arden’s eyes. He kissed the paddle. “Please, use it on

  § § § §

  he thought he might come.

  removed the butt plug.

  unbelievably turned on that he’d been spanked in a classroom

  trailed over his back, making him shiver. some lube from his pocket to adorn himself.

  “Pull your legs up to your chest. Very good. You’re a nice little

  “Please,

  Arden placed Jaime’s ankles over his shoulders, and then put

  inside bluntly.

  Jaime gasped, toes curling, nearly falling off the table. “Oh, shit.

  “Quiet, Jaime. Don’t make so much noise or I’ll have to gag

  Jaime’s hands shifted behind him, knocking papers to the

  “I’m not going to touch that cock. You’re going to come just

  his cum. § § § §

  smug.

  “I have forty-eight more minutes before art history class, so

  supplied.

  Arden hadn’t yet pulled out from inside him.

  This.

  getting inside Jaime as much as he’d gotten inside his body. “I love this

  § § § §

  and he felt like laughing.

  after more kisses.

  Arden hadn’t minded at all. Instead, he’d nodded approval, telling

  sent a thrill through Jaime as he strode the halls, late for art history class.

  him.

  Unease tightened his throat.

  taller boy said. “Reece belonged once to Arden but he discarded seemed to be a loner.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Arden— I’m sorry, but it turns out we are too different. Jaime.

  He felt tears—tears!—burning his eyes. He closed them tightly,

  Promise me you won’t hurt anyone.

  them apart for years.

  He could still feel Jaime’s body shuddering as he surrendered.

  I’m sorry, but it turns out we are too different.

  I have to get out of here.

  Feeling balled up in his chest, he strode from the building into

  § § § §

  dripping and underground and he immediately didn’t like that.

  space.

  He nodded. “You were

  question. “You are

  snack food.

  His face tightened at the mention of his older brother, but he

  not Arden. longer he played things out, the more opportunities to get the here

  “I don’t know!

  green eyes touched on Jaime’s necklace, his lips hardened. “He

  § § § §

  Have you seen him? Touched him? § § § § “I can’t smell anything.

  dare. We?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  hands. He’d missed some of it, thankfully, since he’d blacked out.

  “Nosh,

  give?

  house Arden had given him so he’d have time to come to him as a

  “No. knew

  precious

  ‘cause God

  Please. He hurt so badly and it was dark and he just wanted... Concern in those dark eyes, questioning him. Never quite understanding him, but

  § § § § “Uhhhh!

  Arden cradled his left hand. “God, it hurts

  to recover his composure. Jaime.

  and you make jokes? me guess. You’re the old-fashioned alpha male type. Not into

  § § § §

  his hands.

  “Hold on.

  frail connection of the collar. “Hold on for me, Jaime, and I’ll Even if Jaime didn’t want him anymore, after seeing what vampires were capable of.

  .

  or you anytime I chose. But the truth is, I have never done more than steal his glasses.

  “Oh, but I am.

  instincts are right, little girl. I have no human conscience. Only

  thickly, obviously reading some message there.

  hurt

  not

  a sharp nod. “I care about Jaime too, even if I’ve hurt him by

  § § § § Lal felt pity move inside him. He’d been instructed to have him removed to one of the harsher magical dimensions so he might be specially broken, but he remembered Jaime’s devotion to his real

  A vampire who would probably be looking for payback, big time.

  He needed to get a little insurance. Just in case. § § § §

  § § § §

  Jaime’s blood. “What?

  Arden, spattered in the green demon blood from his assigned

  in a game of one-handed catch.

  to end up like his servants.

  him.

  the handkerchief.

  . § § § §

  rarely observe court niceties. Are you here for the special slave “Arden, I never thought you’d give me my due. For many long years, you didn’t even seem to appreciate the gift I gave you by

  guards.

  his sire, holding onto his hand.

  actually. But surely you can’t think to defeat me and take this

  defeat be you.

  Arden’s throat tightened and he forgot everything else but a

  “You got here in the nick of time, so you can free Reece and

  bossy self.

  against a blue demon.

  Ignored his name resounding through the space. Ignored

  yours

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  nude.

  coat, his hair back from his face, his dark eyes on Jaime’s face. “I

  gesture.

  of leaves tangled in his red hair so he resembled the god Pan, summoned for a revel.

  Jaime’s lips quirked at his idea, but he couldn’t help but stare

  glance.

  a possessive arm around his stomach. He could feel the prod of

  and his head fell back. the landscape. leaned close and kissed Jaime again and Jaime’s toes curled in pleasure, liking the other man’s tongue inside him as his cock

  freshly lubed, eager to be fucked.

  Jaime licked dry lips. His demons sure liked to mark him.

  for discreet.

  against Jaime’s left nipple. Jaime hissed but held still. needle pierced it—

  putting a ring through the fresh piercing. “Besides, you give him your blood regularly so I doubt he’ll be suffering from so much

  couple of hours it had taken him to heal, but since then he

  to be fucked. behind, his uncut cock thicker than Arden’s, but not as long. his long, elegant cock. He stroked Jaime’s hair and then carefully fed that cock into his eager mouth.

  half-beast, half-man rutting in his body.

  Instinctively he barred his neck and both demons took his

  of Jaime’s shoulder. and ass, blood running from the bites, Jaime came, toes curling,

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  “Arden?

  “Looking for one of your

  could share Arden’s bed. Arden’s formally pristine mansion had become a place of refuge not only for a young human, but for any creatures Jaime found that needed a safe home.

  “Yeah, we

  Arden tossed Jaime over his shoulder. § § § §

  Arden’s feet.

  hard and aching to take his young lover.

  He’d spread his ass-cheeks so Arden could see the oiled and

  “My Arden caught the smile in his boy’s voice
. Jaime submitted because he wanted

  Arden had earned by being so patient in his seduction of the tender human boy.

  He pulled the beads out and palmed his prick, putting it Jaime turned his head and they kissed, lingering. “I gave myself to you.

  Arden brought Jaime off easily, as the boy’s body quivered

  Laughing, Jaime smacked his arm. § § § §

  Just then, Jaime entered the gym and strolled over to put

  Good thing that Reece and Jeff take that class too, since they been commissioned to illustrate a short run—enough to keep

  Jaime noticed Lal on the other side of the gym, arms crossed,

  in the evenings.

  enjoyed using on Jaime.

  Arden loved to play, and he could spend hours kissing every

  him safe and back under his roof. And thinking about that here

  the air and then glanced in his direction. “Practice is over for the Arden ignored him, though Jaime blushed.

  Arden had made no secret of his desire for his pet. Jaime

  sleepy predator eyes.

  § § § §

  bossy demon in the bedroom, but another to give up his manhood

  Jaime’s ear, as if trying to distract him. Smack!

  “You’re strong for a human. It must be all those vitamins I insist

  back off a little and let me do my part. I’m getting stronger all I’ll have to spank you.

  That was new. ***

  taking a break from studying for midterms.

  His skin prickled and he looked up to see Arden, sucking on one end of his glasses, leaning against the open library door.

  permitted.

  Arden lay back on the bench, eyes at half mast as he put you could push

  you, and you like

  favorite toy.

  “You don’t seem surprised by my big confession. I thought

  “No, you hoped

  Jaime rubbed his face against a callused palm. “You give me

  Now.

  Jaime moved over his master, his boyfriend, his vampire. “I

  demanded. Jaime climbed to his feet and bent over one of the benches, his hands opening his ass-cheeks so that Arden could see the dimple of his opening. He smiled over his shoulder at him,

  “Yeah, and stretched myself a little, not that this morning or

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  JAN IRVING

  painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but

  together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!