by Mia Bishop
Her bottom lip jutted out. “You’re awful.” His lips were on hers again, soft and teasing and oh so inviting. Abby moaned against his mouth. When he pulled back she stumbled back to find her footing. “You’re serious.”
“Yep. You’ve tortured me all these weeks, now it’s my turn to torture you.”
“I never tortured you.”
“Every moan and whimper you make in your sleep, the sway of your hips, every time you come out of the shower dripping wet and wrapped in a towel. That’s torture for me, and I intend to repay you for it, at least for an hour or two.”
She swatted at the air and spun on her heels. “Fine, have your fun. Maybe I’ll torture you when we get home in return.”
He laughed and headed to the bar. Over his shoulder he called back at her, “You wouldn’t dare.”
The night wound down with Nico keeping a close eye on Abby but giving her freedom to have fun with Chloe on the dance floor and learning to hone her dart skills. Abby kept a close eye on him as well, offering him up small smiles whenever he caught her looking at him.
Chloe nudged Abby to regain her attention. "Will those kisses lead to anything more?"
He had definitely promised more, but as he’d once told her nothing ever went smoothly so she tried her best not to dwell on it. "Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss, maybe he just had too much to drink tonight." It was a lie. He hadn’t had an actual drink the whole night, but deep in the pit of her stomach her nerves clenching. Nothing in these past weeks had been good, nothing had gone her way, so getting her hopes up about a kiss wasn't high on her list of things to torture herself with. She knew this could go south quickly. All it would take would be one wrong word, one sideways glance, one act of fate and this warm feeling she had would be gone.
"Don't be a pessimist, Abby." Chloe handed her another dart. "I think this will all work out for the best."
"Oh you do, do you?" Abby tossed the dart at the bulls-eye and turned to her new friend. "Is that merely optimism or are you using some magick to draw your conclusion?"
"Just optimism. I don’t need magick to see the way he looks at you."
"How does he look at me?" She glanced over her shoulder to catch his gaze lingering on her again and smiled.
Chloe leaned in and whispered. "Like his world begins and ends with you."
“His world does sort of begin and end with me. You know, the whole key to the apocalypse thing. Maybe he’s just keen to keep a close eye on me in case he needs to stake me and open up the Gates of Hell.”
“Nope, that’s not it. Lucas looks at me the same way Nico looks at you. He’s looked at you like that for a while now. He’s captivated by you.”
"Of course Lucas looks at you like that. You’re like a living, breathing goddess. I’m a vampire. We’re quite different. You are magick, I’m death." Abby arched a brow. "Or does Lucas not know that you are a Striga, that you use magick?"
Chloe grinned. "Oh he knows, in fact he is one of the hands of God, so he's pretty well versed in all things church related."
"Wait.” Abby scratched her temple, there was that phrase again. "What do you mean he's one of the hands of God?"
Nico's voice interrupted them. "Heavenly Virtues, they’re tools of the Almighty. But enough about Chloe's love life, it's time to head home. We don't want to get caught out when the sun comes up."
Abby glanced around the bar, most of the denizens were filtering out of the tavern. She nodded and gave Chloe a quick hug. "Thanks for everything tonight."
Chloe giggled. "We just hit the tip of the iceberg, wait until you see what I've got in store for you tomorrow night."
Nico snaked an arm around Abby's waist to draw her towards the door. "Not tomorrow night, kid. We have to work. There's a demon swarm about ten miles out. We're going to go cull their herd a little."
"Fine." Chloe huffed and waved them off.
Nico kept his hand on Abby's hip as the last of the patrons left. From what Abby could tell, Lobo and Chloe were all that remained in the bar. She gave them a quick wave good bye. They were almost at the door when someone bumped into them. The splash of liquid and a high-pitched squeak made Abby cringe.
Nico pulled Abby back to his side. Her eyes widened. The woman she'd ran into earlier stood in front of them brushing droplets of water from her blouse. The words I'm sorry came to mind but Nico beat her to the punch. "We're sorry, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, really." When the woman looked up recognition flashed in her eyes. "Father? Father Lynch?"
Nico paused, squinting in the low light of the bar. "Yes, do I know you?" Abby watched as his face cleared of confusion, as if clarity had hit him upside his head. "Sister Rosalie, what are you doing here?"
Her smile faltered a bit. "Actually it's just Rosalie now."
"You left the sisterhood?"
She nodded.
"When, why?"
"Shortly after your, um, dismissal. I couldn't stay there after witnessing their hypocrisy."
"You left because of me?" Abby could feel the weight of this woman’s actions on Nico's soul, he would tear himself up over this newest revelation.
"Oh heaven's no. Don't put that burden on yourself. It had been weighing on me for a while, I was having some conflicting feelings, as you know. When you left there just wasn't anything left to stay for."
Abby stiffened at his side. This woman said all the right things but the way she said it. The way she said she had nothing left to stay for once he was gone sent goosebumps down Abby’s arms. There was more going on, more than this woman was saying but it was implied and while Nico might not catch it, Abby did.
"Oh, I see. Well I hope your parting with the church went smoother than mine did." She nodded and glanced at Abby. Nico cleared his throat. "Oh, this is Abby. Abby this is Sister... I mean, this is Rosalie. She's an old friend of mine."
Abby extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
The moment Rosalie's hand touched Abby's the former nun recoiled. "Beast." She hissed. Her eyes shot to Nico. "Oh, Nico... How far have you fallen?"
His voice hardened, "It's not as it appears or more to the point she is not as she appears."
"She's a vampire, Nico. She's undead." Rosalie's hand was already going for her purse. Abby kept a close eye on Rosalie’s movement and readied for a fight. The tension hung thick in the air, but she wanted to give Nico the chance to defuse this situation.
Again Nico protested, "She's very much alive. A spell has been placed on her, she's never been bitten."
"How it happened isn't important, you should have smited her at first sight. Has she bewitched you?"
Abby cleared her throat. "Standing right here, people."
Rosalie cringed. "And you allow it act as if it has a right to speak to humans? Why haven't you killed it yet?" She paused and pulled a stake from her purse, Abby gave a little step back but Nico's hand tightened on her hip. Rosalie held out the stake to Nico. "I think you should be the one to do it...” An awkward silence filled the bar as Nico refused to move. "Do it before she harms someone." She started to raise the stake up and added. "Or shall I do it for you?"
Abby growled. "Try it and I'll rip your heart out."
"See!" Rosalie yelled. "That beast is evil and needs to be killed!"
Nico frowned. "Nobody is killing Abby or anyone else. She’s under my protection and won’t be harmed."
Rosalie screeched. "In the name of God, have you lost your mind?" Her eyes finally settled on Nico's hand resting on Abby's hip. Even with her standing behind him he'd kept his hand on her, which Abby was grateful for. It reassured her everything was going to be all right. But was it? Her intuition had been right, something had happened to ruin this night. Now the former nun was stammering to find the words. "You're sleeping with it, aren't you? How could you forsake your vows?"
"Rosalie, we are friends and I understand your confusion, but for the record I'm not a priest anymore and I'm not bound to those vows." His shoulders sagged. "Who I sleep
with these days is my business and not something I'm discussing with anyone. I'll explain everything later, just trust me there is a good reason. Abby has never harmed anyone, she isn't a threat." As soon as he said the words aloud Abby felt a change in him, as if he realized it was the truth. She wasn't a danger to anyone. She wasn't a monster.
"Fine, tomorrow you can explain all of this to me. In the meantime, I have been offered a bed at the church you can find me there."
"Okay, I'll find you tomorrow."
As soon as she was gone Nico turned around and gaped at Abby. "What are you smiling about?"
"You said I wasn't a threat to anyone."
His hand cupped her chin. "I meant it."
The walk home was silent, but not tense or awkward, just comfortable. Neither of them seemed in a hurry to talk about the encounter with Rosalie. Abby's fears that the night had been a disaster were put to rest by the fact that Nico never moved his hand, he kept her at his side. Never letting her get more than arm’s reach away from him.
As soon as they reached the front door Nico held it open for her and flipped on the porch light. The rest of the house stayed pitch black. She started toward her cot when Nico's hand wrapped around her upper arm and pulled her to him. His voice was predatory, "Where do you think you're going?"
Before she could answer his mouth was on hers again. Another crushing kiss made her body warm from head to toe. His hands tangled in her hair, tugging her head back. She moaned against his lips, this was everything she'd wanted in the last couple weeks all wrapped up in one night... Well, almost everything. But with all the obstacles between them Abby knew better than to push things. She’d let Nico take the lead.
He walked her back until her knees buckled from bumping into the edge of the bed. She fell backwards, but Nico's mouth never left hers. The mattress shifted under his weight as he hovered over her. She pulled her knees up and gave another moan as he pressed his hips into her. Even through the leather and denim separating them her body responded. Heat pooled between her legs leaving her wanton.
As if on cue Nico's hand trailed down to her pants, working the button and zipper in quick order and tugging them down a few inches. Her body trembled at the first feel of his rough fingers tracing along the waistband of her panties. She wanted to tell him not to stop, keep going... But the words wouldn't come out, maybe deep down she knew there was no point in saying those words. His hand cupped her aching sex, pressing his palm against her mound and rubbing.
Abby's back arched. She wanted to rip her pants off, tear every shred of clothing from his body and lose herself in this moment. There was a tug on her pants, Nico was already a step ahead of her. She wiggled her hips working her leather pants off, with them came her thin silk panties as her hands gripped his shirt and pulled it over his head. It was the only moment he broke their kiss. As soon as his shirt was tossed aside his mouth was back to exploring hers. His strong hands gripped her shirt, but instead of pulling it off he ripped it open. One hand cupping her breast, kneading it as his other hand slid between her slick folds.
Heat spiked, she imagined for a moment what it would be like to feel her heart racing. Even without a beating heart she was still panting with need which only seemed to encourage Nico more. He bit at her lip and her eyes shot open. She could feel her fangs start to ache at the base. Oh God. She wanted to bite him. Not to feed, it was an overwhelming urge to taste him out of sheer pleasure, not necessity. She couldn't do it. Too much trust would be lost. Instead she rocked her hips, moaned, and scored her nails over his bare back.
Nico hissed. She was certain he would stop as the blood started to trickle down his back. She cursed inwardly. But he didn't. He unbuttoned his jeans. Abby swallowed hard, a tingle of pure desire nestled at her core. Licking her lips, she met his gaze. Nico smiled as if he knew what she was thinking but he shook his head. She stayed lying on the bed, knees still bent and her body laid out before him.
He wrapped his hand around his thick cock and slowly started to stroke himself as he watched her in the darkness. His other hand traced a line down her stomach, circling her belly button and then moved lower. Her fluttering eyelids closed for a moment as he slid one finger through her pink lips and his thumb rubbed over her clit. The scent of lust and excitement in the air made her mouth water. Every inch of her skin was sensitive to the touch. The warmth of his finger sliding through her folds, the cold night air dancing over her hardened nipples, every sensation was amplified and she loved every minute of it. Her hips bucked, wanting more. Needing more.
His voice was tight and shaky, "Do you want me to stop?" The strained tone told her everything she needed to know without him saying it. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him.
Abby shook her head. "God, no."
His finger delved into her quivering pussy. Thrusting in and out. She responded by rocking against his hand and was rewarded by another thick finger. She bit into her lip causing a drop of blood to form, which she quickly licked away. Nico's hand moved in rhythm with his stroking and she now kept her eyes locked on his hand rubbing his cock. God how she wanted him inside her, she wanted to taste him. She wanted everything in that moment, all at once. His fingers wiggled and stretched her tight walls as she slapped at the sheets and fisted her hands in the rough fabric.
He paused for a moment giving her a moment to compose herself. It didn't last long. He tugged her down on the bed, placing her ass on the edge and leaving very little space between her and his rock hard cock. His hand was on his shaft again, stroking. Slowly. Her hips lifted and a coy smile played on his lips as he rubbed his thick head through her folds. If her body were made of molten lava she would have erupted at that moment. Never could she imagine so much pleasure, so much heat as he rubbed against her.
He wasn’t even inside her yet and she could feel the tension building with every rub. The slick friction was maddening. Every muscle in her body coiled. And every thrust brought new and heightened pleasure. Her body burned as droplets of liquid arousal coated her swollen clit. How could something this simple feel so good? He did it again but this time she could feel him shiver, his cock pulsed.
It was her undoing. Her tight walls clenched as her back arched. Nico didn't stop his thrusting, sliding his shaft through her folds, letting his broad head rub against her clit. She was panting, whimpering, wiggling beneath him in pure unadulterated pleasure. He grunted, pulling her hips to grind against her, another wave crashed over her.
"Nico! Oh God." His body stiffened and his cock pulsed again. Another sound escaped his lips as he went still, biting his lip as if he was trying to stop himself. Abby moaned. "Don't hold back." She reached between them and softly caressed the tip of his cock with her fingertips. His fingers dug into her hips, she took it as encouragement and touched him again.
Slick liquid coated her fingers, he rocked his hips. Faster this time. She moved with him until he erupted in her hand and all over her quivering sex. His hot seed spent against her warm flesh mingled with the cool air in a way that made her body burn all over again.
Nico collapsed on the bed next to her and while she was mentally preparing herself for a backlash of regret from him, he did the unthinkable. Nico pulled her into his arms. Still breathless he didn't say a word, but he didn't let her go either. Abby smiled and curled against him uncaring about anything else around them. She placed a soft kiss against his chest. His hand cupped her chin and lifted her gaze to his. He swallowed as if he were getting ready to say something important, but he remained silent. Instead he moved closer and kissed her softly. Sweet and cautious, unlike the devouring kiss he'd given her earlier but this kiss said so much more. Without words it said, You're mine.
She kissed him back, pressing closer against him. Neither seemed concerned with their haphazard position on the bed, the lack of clothing, or anything else. All she needed right now was him and he wasn't letting go of her anytime soon.
Nico waited until the sun was directly overhead before he headed ou
t to the church. The morning had been spent lying next to Abby, listening to her soft murmurs in her sleep. Rosalie’s appearance right as things were getting good between him and Abby and the surge of demons in the area hadn’t escaped him, and her reaction to Abby was a complete shock. The Rosalie he knew had always been understanding and open. It wasn't as if he were in a position to judge her by her reaction, he'd changed more than he'd like to admit after leaving the church. But the entire situation ate at him. He wanted answers and he was determined to get them as soon as possible. Whatever caused her to leave the Church had left its mark on her just as it had done to him, he was certain of it. Regardless, he wouldn’t allow it to be used as an excuse. As long as he had a breath no harm would come to Abby.
While he paced at the entryway of the church he mused over how he’d never wanted to walk through those doors. He'd avoided it for ten years. Now to see an old friend he was going to have to push open those doors and walk into a house of God, something he swore he'd never do again.
Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand on the door and cringed waiting to be struck down by lightening or for the floor to open up and swallow him. Neither happened. Nico cursed himself for his childish fears. The door opened without so much as a squeak. For such an old and decrepit building the quietness of it all was surprising. The weathered floorboards didn’t creak, every step he took seemed to be muffled.
Even without ever stepping foot inside this particular building he knew the layout. There were few places that someone would find comfortable enough to sleep in, he made his way to the children’s room, or as the local’s called it, the quiet room where small children were taken during service so that they wouldn’t be a disruption. A cot with perfectly folded bedding took up most of the small room. "Rosalie?"
"Give me a minute."
Her voice was like a melody. He hadn't remembered her sounding like that last night. She came around the corner with a nearly sheer dress clinging seductively to her lithe frame. "Pretty sure the nuns wouldn't allow that outfit."
