The Audacity of Demons Read online

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  After Nova left with a scowling Tavi and a stoic Ghost trailing behind at their own leisurely pace, we cleared out. Nobody wanted to be there, and without Nova to force us to stay, we didn’t.

  Adam bolted out the door first. The way he hotfooted it out of there, I guessed the bloodlust drove him. A younger vampire, I doubted he had much experience in managing the hunger. If his control became compromised, he would be a threat to anyone around him.

  Especially those with a steady heartbeat.

  When only Rayne remained, throwing shots at the punching bag in the corner, I ambled over on my way to the exit. My gaze drifted over his arms and back, watching the muscles ripple beneath his skin as he slammed fists into the heavy bag.

  “What about you?” I asked, watching a drop of sweat slide down the side of Rayne’s neck. “No Circle duties for the second in command tonight?”

  Rayne caught me eyeing him with predatory delight. A playful zeal lit up his dazzling gold orbs. “Not unless the watchdog calls me in for something. Otherwise, I’m available for picking up where we left off when we were interrupted by the genie in a bottle.”

  Right to the point. I appreciated a man who didn’t piss around. Having a flirtatious manner and a charming smile was a bonus. I wanted to laugh my ass off at his reference to Dalyn. Great minds.

  Needing to let off some steam and quench this thirst that had been burning in me since I tasted Rayne’s blood, I let my gaze drift over him. I considered his proposal though my mind had been made up the moment I felt his hard-on between my legs. Maybe working some of this tension out with Rayne would make it easier to be around the incubus demon and his lusty vibes.

  “What do you know? I’m also available to finish what we started.” I’d barely gotten the words out, and he was kissing me, the punching bag forgotten.

  So badly I wanted the outlet he could give me: a solid fuck to release some of this rage and pent up tension. Rayne’s commanding kiss promised exactly that.

  I was ready to kick our makeout session up a notch when he pulled away and quirked a brow. “See those throwing knives over there?” Rayne gestured to the set of gleaming knives arranged neatly together on one end of a weapons rack. At my nod, he continued. “Ok, just an idea. We both throw one at the target. The person whose knife strikes closest to the center wins.”

  Knowing that he was messing with me, I played along. “And what do they win?”

  “You win and I go down on you first. If I win, you go down on me first. Just to make it interesting.” Already he was striding across the gym to fetch two knives from the hooks on the wall. Twirling one between his fingers, Rayne waited for me to join him at the mark drawn on the floor across from the large bullseye target mounted on the wall.

  His quirky playful nature somehow made him hotter. Even in a place like this, Rayne made his upbeat and flirty attitude look effortless, like a genuine part of his nature. It drew me. But I’d learned the sweet talkers often had something either sinister or broken lurking below that dazzling exterior.

  “You’re crazy, you know that?” I accepted the handle of the knife he held out to me. “I kind of dig it though.”

  “Dig it,” he mocked with a playful shove. “Damn, you are an old vamp, aren’t you? You don’t look a day over twenty.”

  “Is that any way to speak to your elders? Twenty-four when turned, to be specific.” Turning the knife over in my hand, I doubted my skill level matched Rayne’s. “This game seems rigged. You’ve had more time to practice.”

  Nodding in agreement, Rayne continued to twirl the knife he held. His expert moves would have sliced my fingers off had I attempted them. “Take a practice throw then. The key is really to keep your eye on the target. Don’t focus on your hand or arm. Just follow your sight line and throw.”

  “Practice throw,” I muttered, following his instructions.

  “Here, loosen your wrist.” Rayne stepped in to correct my crappy form. He moved my fingers around on the knife, tapping my wrist when I still held it too rigidly. “Let the joint move naturally as you throw. I’ll show you. Then you give it a try. We’ll call it a practice run.”

  Rayne demonstrated his knife throw, letting the blade fly through the air. It whipped perfectly end over end, sticking in the target just off center of the bullseye. Yeah, I was getting on my knees first. No doubt about that.

  “Definitely not a fair challenge but that’s fine. I’ll keep it in mind for next time.” I flashed him a wink and felt calmer than I had in days.

  With no hint of what lurked below the werewolf’s surface, Rayne’s playful personality made him likeable and safe. He felt authentic, and I’d known enough people who wore masks to recognize someone who didn’t. That didn’t mean he put it all out there for the world to see.

  I could respect that.

  “Already planning a next time?” He held up a hand to stop me. “That’s a lot of pressure to put on a guy. I mean, I fully intend to blow your mind. But let’s take it one orgasm at a time, shall we?”

  I dissolved into laughter, almost dropping the knife. When I managed to stand up straight without chuckling, I focused on the target and threw the blade, letting it slip from my fingers. It nailed the target, point sticking in firmly.

  Not nearly as close to the center as Rayne’s.

  After he retrieved each knife and handed mine back, I resolved to accept the inevitable outcome of this challenge. But when my second throw proved even worse than my first and Rayne’s blade still failed to best me, I knew he’d let me win.

  “What was that all about?” Punching him in the shoulder, I darted out of reach when he grabbed for me. “You lost on purpose.”

  “Prove it,” he taunted, prowling after me as I stayed just out of reach. “Now get over here and let me fulfill my end of the deal. I did lose after all.”

  I didn’t put up much of a fight when Rayne caught me around the waist and tackled me down to one of the mats. His mouth moved hard on mine as he forced his tongue between my lips, a promise of what was to come.

  A quiver skipped through my body when he grabbed my hands and pressed them to the mat on either side of my head. As Rayne kissed a hot path down my neck to my breasts, I closed my eyes against the bright fluorescent lights overhead. “This can’t possibly be allowed according to the so-called rules.”

  “Definitely not.” He peeled up my shirt to expose my midriff. When he licked a slow path from my bellybutton downward, I groaned. “We’ll move it upstairs after I get a lick of you. It’s all I’ve thought about since last night.”

  My body broke out in goosebumps as Rayne pulled my pants down, taking my underwear along as well. I’d thought about it too, but I couldn’t say as much. Not when he stoked my growing arousal with a wolfish growl.

  That first touch of his tongue set me on fire. A delicate flick at first, a tentative taste. Enough to make me ache for more. By the time he dipped the tip of his tongue between my folds, I was primed to end this dry spell.

  My hands slid through his black hair, clutching tight as he teased my clit. Rayne’s tongue circled it softly before aggressively sucking it into his mouth. I gasped and swore, which only encouraged him.

  Pleasure shocked its way through me, lighting up my limbs and setting off fireworks behind my closed eyelids. The touch of his finger at my entrance made me suck in a breath and hold it. When a second finger joined the first and he worked both inside me, I bit my lip.

  I had to stop myself before I tasted blood.

  Most of my lovers over the decades tended to be human. They were simply easier to come by, easier to deceive, and easier to leave behind. Although I’d taken vampires to my bed, I’d never been with a werewolf. I couldn’t wait to find out how much of the beast came out during a carnal encounter.

  Rayne nudged my legs wider apart so he could flick his tongue over my clit as his fingers pumped into me, curling up to tease my g-spot. The moans began to spill from me, echoing in the wide-ope
n space around us. The intensity grew to near unbearable, and I squirmed as if to escape him. But he pinned my hip with his free hand, keeping me in place.

  As the first sparks of orgasm went off inside me, Rayne licked me with growing fervor. My climactic cry rang out, and I clapped a hand over my mouth to muffle the sound.

  “If you think you’re loud now, just wait until I’m inside you,” Rayne promised, murmuring the words against my hungry flesh. “I knew you would taste fucking amazing.”

  “I don’t think I can walk.” I laughed softly, only half joking. “You might have to carry me upstairs.”

  “Don’t think I won’t,” Rayne quipped, pushing himself up. “Over my shoulder with your bare ass hanging out.”

  As comedic as that visual was, in no way did I wish to make it reality. So before he could lean down to pick me up, I scrambled to my feet. Hastily yanking my pants back up, I almost pitched over onto my face.

  “By the way you’re rushing I’d say either you’re afraid to be seen with me or you’re seriously hurting for a good fuck.” With a light smack on my ass, Rayne steered me toward the door. “Since you so enthusiastically just came on my tongue, I’m guessing it’s the latter.”

  We darted up the stairs, moving quietly, aside from my outbursts of laughter when Rayne grabbed my ass as we ascended. We reached the main floor where music spilled from the living room and fried chicken wafted from the kitchen. Leaving the main floor behind, we hurried up to the second floor where Rayne pulled me into his room.

  Instead of flicking on the light switch near the door, he led me inside, flipped the deadbolt, and reached for the lamp next to the bed. His room was nice, all dark wood with a bed frame that matched the bookshelves lining one wall. The scent of him clung to every surface.

  At the foot of the bed were two chairs next to a closed fireplace, a television on the mantle. His room had a pretty bland view of the garage. Other than the occasional wildlife that wandered into these parts, there wasn’t much to look at.

  Like my room Rayne’s also had a great attached bathroom with a fantastic tub. I didn’t get much of a peek at it before he pulled me into his arms and guided me to the bed.

  “I’d give you the tour, but the most important part of the room is right here.” He claimed my lips in a kiss that I felt from head to toe.

  Kissing him back, I grasped the hem of my shirt and yanked it up and off before tugging my hair loose. “No problem. I’m only interested in the bed anyway.”

  Rayne’s eyes turned pure wolf as he hurried to disrobe. “I just want to see you in it. Preferably naked and begging. But I’ll take what I get.”

  Once our clothes lay strewn about the floor, Rayne pushed me down on the bed. I spread my legs in invitation. The sight of his wolf eyes in his otherwise human face enchanted me. Even though I was no weak human, I couldn’t help but feel a little like Red Riding Hood at the mercy of the Big Bad Wolf.

  It thrilled me. Especially when Rayne leaned down to take my nipple into his mouth, revealing sharp upper and lower wolf fangs. Not for a second was I afraid. He swirled his tongue around my nipple, and my back arched as a soft sigh danced on my lips.

  Rayne pressed between my legs as he brazenly dragged those beastly fangs along my skin, over my breast and up to my collarbone. He left light scratches along the surface of my skin that burned in a pleasurable way. Those golden wolf eyes peered down at me. His desire was evident in the thick erection pressed to my wet slit. Touching my chin lightly, he kissed me hard as he slowly thrust inside.

  I moaned against his mouth, raising my hips to meet him, savoring the way his cock stretched me just this side of too much. Damn near perfect. Running my hands over the firm lines and planes of his back, I reveled in his strength. His steady heartbeat reverberated in my ears.

  Gripping my hip, Rayne studied my face. His beast peered through his eyes. Everyone in this house had a dark side; we’d never be here otherwise. Though I didn’t fear his beast, I did watch it carefully. If he suddenly tried to tear my throat out, I wanted to see it coming.

  But Rayne had no such intentions. He fucked me with a goal. The wolf wanted to make me come. He murmured it in my ear.

  “So fucking wet,” he groaned, pinning me beneath him with a hand on my throat, a delicate yet firm hold. Hips pumping faster, Rayne growled in pleasure. “God, you feel amazing, Blaze. Like a perfect fucking fit.”

  The hand he splayed on the pillow beside my head clutched the soft material with clawed fingertips. I held tight to his ass as he filled me, enjoying the soft growls near my ear. Rayne had a dominant nature that was commanding without being forceful.

  It turned me on like crazy when he whispered in a low growl, “Get on your knees.”

  He withdrew before I could stop him and twirled a finger for me to do as commanded. With some men I wouldn’t have found that sexy. But then again, those men could never stand toe to toe with me. A man like Rayne, he could.

  When I didn’t move as fast as he wanted, he grabbed me by the waist and turned me over, jerking my ass toward him. His claws left a few minor scratches on my hips and ass, which only enhanced my excitement.

  Rayne guided himself inside me, using his hold on my ass to thrust hard and fast. Red hair tumbled across my shoulders and back. The temptation proved too enticing for Rayne. He slid a hand into the mess of tangles and pulled just hard enough to coax a cry from me.

  When I drew close to orgasm, he dropped a hand down to rub my clit. I twitched and shook, trying to stay upright as climactic waves struck. For the second time Rayne succeeded in bringing me to a mind-numbing climax.

  Half a dozen deep strokes later, he came with a groan. The shockwaves rippled through me, causing my legs to tremble. When Rayne collapsed on the bed and pulled me down beside him, I sank gratefully into the fluffy mattress.

  The thunder of his heart teased me. That sound was a vampire’s dream. It teased my bloodlust. Thanks to long decades of practice and maturing, my bloodlust didn’t need to be sated every night. I lay there and simply enjoyed Rayne’s tempting pulse.

  “I probably shouldn’t say this, but I could really get used to fucking you.” Rayne’s voice was thick with sex and wolf. He wrapped me in his arms, pulling me against his chest.

  I rested my cheek over the word eternal inked near his heart, listening to the hypnotic lull. “You’re right. You probably shouldn’t say that. Might have just jinxed me to certain death.” I laughed it off.

  Rayne didn’t join me. He tapped the end of my nose so that I raised my gaze to his. “Don’t even joke about that. You’re one of the few people I actually want to stick around. I think I kind of like you.”

  Pushing myself up onto an elbow, I flashed him a teasing grin. “Are you saying you’re in like with me, Rayne?”

  He rolled his eyes and laughed, but his embrace tightened. “I might be. You have this raw honesty to you, like you don’t bother with bullshit. It’s refreshing.”

  “Thanks. I quit the bullshit decades ago.” I accepted the compliment with a smile, hoping it didn’t look nervous. “I like you too. You have a fun vibe. Not as high strung as everyone else in this house, me included.”

  Rayne considered this with a head tilt, absently stroking a hand through my hair. “Alright, I can handle being the fun guy. Someone’s got to. So tell me about you, Blaze. What’s your story?”

  Was he for real? I hadn’t expected the afterglow to involve personal story time. My story was long and convoluted, not something easily summarized nor readily shared.

  “Oh, you know: Girl meets vampire. Girl is turned against her will. Girl takes off and then one night many years later a demon grabs her in a strip club. The end. That’s the gist of it anyway.”

  My effort to make light of my past was met with quiet curiosity. “It’s cool if you don’t want to talk about it. I get it.”

  I shook my head, rushing to reassure him. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it. I guess it’s just that I never do.�
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  Rayne pressed a warm kiss to my temple. “So talk about it. As much or as little as you like. Tell me about the vampire who forced you. I hope the story includes his fiery demise.”

  Pain slashed through me like a knife as the memory surfaced. Rayne had no idea he’d just nailed the truth about how Rem had died. I didn’t want to think about my sire. Didn’t want to say his name. But I couldn’t stop myself.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  RAYNE

  I could have listened to Blaze talk all night. She could tell me dirty stories any time she wanted, just so long as it ended with her fucking my brains out. Her voice held the soothing quality of a lullaby, a gentle assurance that everything would be ok. That soft quality remained even as she told a story far too chilling for children.

  The first thing I’d learned upon arriving here: every rogue that Nova brought through the door had a story. They all involved brutality and brokenness. Maybe that’s why I tried to keep the vibe light and friendly. We all had enough dark shit as it was.

  “After being forced into an arranged marriage by my father, I didn’t think my life could get any worse.” Blaze paused to blow a strand of hair off her face. “After he lost me in that poker game, it did. It got so much fucking worse. Remington was like no vampire I’ve met since. He was an abusive narcissist, and I don’t think that had anything to do with his vampirism. I’m sure he was born that way.”

  Blaze still lay in my arms, her head tilted back so she could meet my gaze. She felt good beside me. Having her in my bed both was and wasn’t technically against the rules. The Circle of the Veil didn’t generally give a damn who fucked who as long as it didn’t affect them in any way. However, everyone with authority was forbidden to get involved with a rogue. I played second in command only because I’d been here the longest. I was still just another rogue.

  This fling might still piss off Nova. I’d seen the way he eyed her. Couldn’t trust any demon, but an incubus? I sure as shit wouldn’t leave any woman I cared about alone with him.