A Demon’s Touch by Ella Jade

Chapter 8

Angelo

If my lips touched hers, I’d want more. I was far too greedy to stop at one kiss. I absorbed the anticipation filling Harper’s system. Her desires soon became mine as our emotions blended, almost becoming one. I had no choice but to give in and see where we could take this.

Lowering my head, I scraped my bottom lip against my teeth, savoring the moment and taking it all in. A warm breeze swept over us, causing her to quiver in my arms. Just as I was about to taste her mouth, surprise engulfed me. Hell!

“Oh, my God!” Kiki screamed. “You got her to dance!”

Releasing Harper from my hold, I glared at David because he hadn’t occupied Kiki as long as I would have liked. He shot me a corrupt grin before escorting her onto the terrace. I’d deal with him later.

“Finished dancing?” I asked with a fake smile.

“The music got too slow,” David said. “For some of us.”

“Not for everyone.” Kiki threw her arm around Harper’s shoulder. “How did he get you to dance?”

“He’s persuasive.” Harper finished her drink.

You have no idea how persuasive I can be. “Would you two like a drink?”

“I probably shouldn’t,” Harper said. “I have to drive home.”

“We’ll get you home if you’d like to have another drink. I saw how much you enjoyed the sugar.” The image of her licking the rim would be etched in my mind forever.

“We flagged down the server on our way over. He’s bringing a fresh round for all of us.” David took a seat at the table. “I give your new business a double thumbs up.”

“It’s fantastic,” Kiki agreed. “My new regular spot. Harper’s too.”

“I’m afraid Harper will be far too busy these next few weeks to be hanging out here.” Unattended. With testosterone fueled servers lurking about. “We have to travel.”

“Travel?” Harper panicked. “Together?”

“I want to look at some land in California I may buy while I’m out there, and I’d like my attorney present to make sure everything is in order.”

“Well, I’ll have to see how my schedule looks.” She wiggled in her seat, uncomfortable with my request. “California is far.”

“I’m your only client.” I set my hand on top of hers, trying to settle her nerves. “I have a feeling your schedule is pretty open.”

“What if she has a date or something?” Kiki goaded me. “She has a personal life. They have all sorts of technology these days if she couldn’t be by your side.”

“I’m aware but I’d rather have representation with me when I’m making huge deals.” I removed my hand from Harper’s, annoyed with Kiki’s assessment. “We’ll discuss our travel plans next week.”

“I need a little warning before you spring those kinds of things on me,” Harper explained. “Actually, I feel like I need a lot of warning when it comes to you.”

“That’s an understatement.” David laughed as our diligent server placed another round of drinks on the table.

This time, Scott concentrated on Kiki. Smiling and flirting with her while David perused the menu. Our server was an amateur. When I wanted two women at the same time, I made my intentions known.

“Do you really expect me to go away with you?” Harper asked.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t.”

She was lying. Even if I couldn’t feel it, I could see it in the way she squirmed in her seat. She was unsure as she tried to challenge me.

“In the future, I’ll need notice before I can accompany you on any trips, at least two weeks.”

“That’s acceptable.”

“It is?”

“Yes, Harper.” I placed my napkin on my lap. “You have a voice, and I want you to use it.”

“Since that’s settled,” she said. “Let’s order. I’m starving.”

“I’m quite ravenous.” But I didn’t mean for food.

She studied the menu, completely unaware that I was observing her. She looked over the selections as intently as she would at one of my contracts, over analyzing and second-guessing her every option. She wrinkled her forehead, trying to decide.

“Everything sounds great.” When she looked up, she realized David and Kiki were involved in conversation, and I was her only option. “Do you want to share?”

You? Never.

“You look confused.” She tried to conceal a smile. “I’ll pick something, and you can have half. In turn, you choose something, and I’ll have half.”

“Sure, get whatever you’d like.”

“No, I pick one and you pick one.” She handed me the menu. “Then, we share.”

I’d much rather share my bed with you.“I’ve never done that before.”

She had made me do more human things in the last week than I had during my entire banishment on this dreadful planet.

“You don’t get out much,” she said.

“I suppose I don’t.”

“I’m glad you came out tonight.”

“So am I.” When I gave her the menu back, our hands brushed against one another. She stared into my eyes, searching for something I wasn’t yet sure I could give her.

“Do you know what you want?”

“I do.” For the first time in my existence, I knew what I wanted. But did I have any right to have her?

* * *

David droveup the access road to the house as I gazed out the window, staring at the river surrounding the property. The water was angry tonight, flowing fast and smacking the sides as it made its way downstream. It presented a provocation that I needed to answer.

“Stop the car,” I instructed.

“Why?”

“I want to go for a swim. I need to clear my head.”

“In the river?”

“The current appears challenging tonight. It will do me some good.”

“We have a rather large pool in the backyard. That might be more appropriate.”

“Somehow, the tranquility of the backyard isn’t what I need.” I got out of the car, tugging off my shirt and removing my shoes. “You don’t have to wait for me.”

“I’m not leaving you out here.” He stared out at the night sky. “I’ll wait for you.”

“I’m not going to drown.”

“I’m not worried about your swimming abilities.” He got out of the car and joined me by the river’s edge. “You seemed to have an interesting time tonight. Do you want to tell me what the problem is?”

“I like her.”

“Obviously.”

“That’s the problem.”

“Liking her is a problem?”

“She’s sweet, innocent, trusting…I could go on, but these are not qualities I usually seek out in my sexual prospects.”

“Is she more than a sexual prospect?”

“I don’t do relationships, especially not with humans.”

“There’s a first time for everything.” He kicked at the dirt beneath his feet. “Maybe it’s time you explore other options.”

“What would that look like? I can’t exactly tell her what I am.” I picked up a rock and tossed it into the raging water, wanting desperately to dive in after it. “There’s a reason our kind lives in the shadows. Humans can’t accept that creatures like us exist.”

“Some of them can.” David leaned against the car. “Her uncle was rather accepting of us.”

“I saved Duke’s life. He owed me.”

Many years ago, almost an eternity ago, it felt like, a young Duke was riding his motorcycle along a treacherous road. I was there at the precise time his bike skidded off a cliff. Instinct kicked in, and I rescued him before he could hit the ground. He swore fate intervened that day and saved him from imminent death. I never considered myself anyone’s fate.

“My point is he wasn’t afraid of what we are. He stayed with us for over fifty years. He put Harper in your path. Maybe that’s karma for saving him.”

“There is no fate for me, not the good kind, anyway.”

“Your behavior suggests otherwise.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve made some interesting changes this week. Have you asked yourself why?”

“It was time for some changes to be made.” I stared up at the sky, admiring the stars. When was the last time I’d taken a moment to appreciate the elements? When was the last time I’d appreciated anything? Harper should be treasured. She needed a man who could show her everything life offered. “She can’t know what I am.”

“Then, we won’t tell her.”

“If I were to pursue her, she needs to believe I’m a reclusive, eccentric billionaire with issues.”

“That’s not a lie.”

“Remind me again why I keep you around.” I turned to my old friend. “You’re intrusive.”

“Someone has to look out for you.” He signaled toward the river. “Are you going for that swim?”

“No, I think you’ve helped clear my mind.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He glanced at the water. “It’s too dark out there.”

“Do you honestly think anything would happen to me?”

“Better safe than sorry,” my over-protective bodyguard said.

* * *

When we arrivedat the house, David did his nightly perimeter check. No one ever came close to the house, but making sure everything was in order put his mind at ease. I entered the large foyer, setting my shoes by the door. Nothing but quietness surrounded me now that the angels were gone. I tossed my shirt in the laundry room on my way to the master suite.

As soon as I placed my hand on the handle to my bedroom, a powerful surge of lust inundated me. Fuck! The scent of arousal filled the air when I pushed open the door. Making my way into the room, desire and shameless need slammed into me.

Terra greeted me, completely naked and sprawled out in the center of my king-sized bed. Being a sex demon, who could feel every ounce of want could be difficult, especially when I had to resist.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Waiting for you.” She got up on her knees, licking her lips and flipping her flaming red hair over her shoulder. The moonlight streamed into the room, illuminating her pale skin and reminding me why I had once been drawn to her. “Where were you?”

“Out.”

“Don’t you miss me?” She crawled toward me. “It’s been a few days since we’ve been together.”

“We’re not together,” I replied brusquely. She had been too quiet these past few days. I should have figured she would show up. “You’re not staying.”

“I don’t want to leave.” She slid off the bed and came close enough for her breath to flutter across my lips. “I want to be with you tonight, but you already know that. You can feel it all, can’t you?”

“You know I can.”

“Hmm.” She ran her hand down my bare chest and to my stomach, swirling her finger over the button of my jeans. “That’s going to make it hard for you to resist me.”

“Don’t be so sure of yourself. I’ve resisted stronger temptations.”

“I’m very sure of myself.” She trailed her hand lower, pushing her palm between my legs. “I’m much more confident than that naïve attorney of yours.”

“Don’t go there.”

“Why not? You know she’ll never be able to make you feel the way I do. You’ll never be able to unleash the beast inside you with her.” She rubbed her hand along my length. “She can’t keep up with your demon.”

“I’d bet it all on her.”

“You’re trying to turn me off, but I’ve shared your bed with plenty of women through the years.” She kissed my neck. “I’ve outlasted them all. Do you think a mortal is going to deter me, even if I can smell her overpriced perfume all over you?”

“It’s not the mortal you have to worry about.” I grabbed her wrist before she could get any further. “You’re treading on thin ice.”

“Am I?” She guided our hands between her legs, pressing my fingers to her wet core. “Touch me.”

“Is that really what you want from me?”

“I know who you are, does she?”

“I know what I am. Do you?” I refused to give her what she wanted. “I thrive off sex and manipulation.” Did she actually think she could reverse it on me?

“That’s what makes you so appealing.” She sucked in a deep breath as she moved my hand over her mound. “No matter what, you can’t resist a good fuck, and I’m the best you’ll ever have.”

“Is that what you think?” I pinned her between my body and the wall, withdrawing my hand. She parted her lips and licked my neck. “You’re so predictable.”

“You think so?” She laughed.

“I should have expected you would show up here.” I gripped her wrists, raising them above her head and holding them against the wall. I shoved my knee between her thighs, spreading her legs. “If I wanted you, I would have come to you.” 

As I slid my hand down her side, her erratic breaths danced across my lips. Her arousal increased as her eyes fluttered. Biting her lip, she thrust her hips forward. “Don’t deny what you want.”

“I know what I want.” I released her hands and stepped back, retrieving her dress from the floor by the bed. “Get out!” I tossed the dress at her. “David,” I called. “Get dressed.”

“What are you doing?” The shock in her voice matched the disbelief in her emotions.

“I don’t want you here.”

David came into the bedroom, dropping his gaze when he encountered Terra, naked and furious.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” I said to him. “She isn’t.”

“You bastard.” She tugged her dress over her head, her pert breasts heaving forward with each irate breath as she exhaled. “You’re going to regret his.”

“I doubt it, but you will if you come back here.” I turned to David. “Escort her out and then figure out her point of entry. I don’t want a repeat of tonight.”

“Come on, Terra.” David motioned toward the hall. “You have to leave.”

“I’ll leave, but I won’t get out of your miserable life that easily!” she shouted as she headed down the hallway. “You’ll be sorry.”

I shut my bedroom door and took a deep breath, allowing all of Terra’s negative energy to vacate my mind. I despised being an empath, but it was the only thing I had left of my mother. She saw her ability as a gift. I viewed it as a curse.

Sliding open the large doors on the far end of the bedroom, I entered my sanctuary. What appeared to be a walk-in closet was so much more than that. After strolling past the racks of suits, shirts, pants, and shoes, I pressed my hand on the steel door located at the back wall. The portal opened, lighting the way as I walked through, enabling me to leave the human world behind, if only for a moment in time.

As I stood in front of the brass mirror, I contemplated my actions. The half that I inherited from my mother screamed at me that this was wrong. I shouldn’t be seeking Harper out in her dreams, but it was the only way for someone like me to be with her. Her purity and innocence called to my demon, and I was too weak to resist. Turning away from Terra proved easy. There was no temptation, but I couldn’t say the same about Harper.

The part of me that came from my father, the side that I fought like hell to reject in my early years of life, encouraged this behavior. I’d embraced that wicked side a lifetime ago. There was no going back.

As I gazed into the mirror, I found Harper grappling with sleep. She tossed and turned, trying to settle into a comfortable position. She wore my favorite color tank top and a tiny pair of matching panties. Did she know I would come to her tonight? Placing my hand on the glass, I focused on her breathing, biding my time until her slumber overwhelmed her.

Once I stepped through the mirror, I would gain access to her inner-thoughts and rawest desires. She would be mine. The eternal battle of good versus evil raging inside me was no longer a conflict. Why?

Because I chose the demon.