Release, book 3 of The Angler series (23 page)

              “They walk or bike. There are a few buses, but I don’t know their schedules.” His gaze lowered to the opening of her blouse. “Maybe we could come to some kind of arrangement.”

              Gasping, she clutched the edges of her blouse shut. “I don’t think so.” She must look better than she felt or smelled. How could anyone be interested in her in this state?

              He rolled his eyes. “I meant your necklace.”

              “Oh.” The heat of her mortified blush almost blistered the skin off her cheeks. Of course, he wasn’t making a crude pass at her. He was only trying to swindle her. Nice.

              He gave her a crooked smile as if he knew exactly what she’d been thinking. “The gold reflects the light very nicely.” Reaching for her jewelry, he bypassed her swatting hands until he held the small heart-shaped pendant in his palm.

              She yanked it away. “It’s not up for trade. My mother gave it to me.” She’d died in her sleep a year earlier after a long, happy life. Out of all the things from her estate, Sandra had only wanted this necklace. Her father, who’d passed years ago, had given it to her mother when they’d first met.

              “It has a nice weight to it and is well crafted.” His gaze lingered on her necklace for a second longer before meeting her stare. “I have a truck. I could drive you into town where you would have a pick of fine hotels.”

              “That’s very kind of you.”

              “For the necklace.”

              She growled like a rabid dog. Yes, it had been that kind of day. “I said no. Nain!”

              “Nine?”

              “What?” She threw up her arms and abandoned all hope of help.

              “That’s what you said. Nine what? Rides? I usually don’t play taxi for tourists, but…”

              His gaze grew heavy with darker promises. “For you, I’d offer a ride on me.”

              She blinked. Did he understand what he’d just said? “I think we lost something in

              translation.” In both their cases. “I’ll manage on my own.” Stalking to the road, she ignored his laughter and pulled out her phrase book. Lost and tired, all she wanted was a room. Maybe she could stay in someone’s home for the night. But how did she ask? These sentences were more tailored for people who had already arrived at their destination. Where is the bathroom? Where is the phone?  She didn’t see a Can I spend the night?  written anywhere. Then again, that could translate improperly and she’d end up in a worse situation.

              Reaching the road, she turned right and kept searching for some kind of help. Another American tourist, an embassy, or even a flipping McDonald’s would be welcome.

              A pick-up truck slowed next to her and the window rolled down. “Maybe you have

              something else to trade?”

              The stranger had followed her and she gave him a what-the-hell look.

              “I’d hate for you to walk all that way after such a harrowing boat ride.” He winked at her.

              “That’s very kind of you.” She stopped walking, forcing him to slam on the brakes to maintain their conversation. Could she trust this stranger who exhibited a touch of stalker tendency? Flashes of serial killer music sang through her thoughts. She glanced around at the mostly empty road. What choice did she have? At least he spoke good English so when he murdered her she’d understand his evil monologue. “Maybe you could offer to drive me for free?”

              He stared at her with mock surprise. “There’s such a thing?”

              “Yes.” She dropped her pack to the ground, her shoulders already aching, and tried her best to not smile back at the jerk.

              Leaning forward, he tilted his head to the side. “Why?”

              She shook her head. “It must be a cultural thing.” Kneeling, she rummaged inside her bag and pulled out her wallet. She was on a tight budget. All her savings had gone to purchasing information. “How much?”

              “Money?” He grimaced. “I don’t like paper. Don’t you carry anything valuable?”

              “Most people would consider money valuable.” She mumbled under her breath as she

              shoved her wallet back into her pack. With a little more digging, she found her small carrying case and held out two silver earrings. “That’s all I’ve got. Take it or bug off.” She laid them on his outstretched hand.

              He sniffed at the metal. “There’s not much silver in this.”

              “How can you tell?” Her shout echoed over the water.

              “I just can. Get in. I’ll give generosity a try.”

              She climbed inside the old cab with peeling leather seats before he could change his mind. “It’s only charitable if you don’t keep the earrings.”

              He dropped them in his breast pocket. “Believe me, this is charity.”

By Annie Nicholas

After almost dying of starvation to remain faithful to a mortal lover, succubus Pia Blyton now shields her heart by feeding solely on men she won't fall for. The only trick is, to create energy to survive, she must achieve orgasm. At least that rules out bad sex with her three lovers. Too bad she's a sucker for falling in love.

When her demon lover doesn't arrive for their arranged rendezvous, Pia is forced to ask her vampire lover to step in before her energy becomes dangerously low. In return he demands a favor and Pia finds herself in the hotel suite of the mysterious Valerio Hunan, who seduces her with a devastating kiss. Too late Pia learns he's an incubus who wants to lure her into marriage—a marriage without love.

As an incubus used to bedding a variety of succubi, Val doesn't understand Pia's yearning for love. He needs a succubus wife to provide him with a steady source of energy. But he wants Pia for the passion and renewed interest in life she makes him feel. Can Pia convince Val that sex isn't just for survival and love is for more than the weak?

BUY

Day three of my cycle

Sex and love should come in the same package, but for a succubus, that meant trouble. Sex equaled food and fidelity couldn’t be part of the equation. Humans couldn’t eat the same thing every meal and stay healthy, and neither could we.

I thumped on the steel door of an industrial garage. Most people didn’t know the largest vampire nest in the Northeast was contained in an underground facility below this building. I kept up my third round of pounding. I knew the vampires were in there. The sun had just set. Someone needed to drag his lazy butt out of bed to answer the door. “I’m not going away!” Security cameras and microphones monitored the place 24/7. The jerks knew I was here.

I needed to feed, and to do that, I needed to get laid. Like all succubi, I survived on the energy created in my body during an orgasm. I couldn’t even stay alive on bad sex. Finding attractive, skilled partners wasn’t a problem in Lake City, but I was a sucker for falling in love. I couldn’t handle the guilt of a one-night stand, and if I tried to live off one male forever, I’d starve, which my instincts wouldn’t allow. I’d tried it once and would never allow myself to go down that road again.

Neither would my parents.

Rain plastered my short curls to my head. Normally, they stuck straight out, the different shades of autumn leaves. I’d be lucky if my suitor didn’t slam the door in my face at the sight of my drenched appearance. But I needed him in a bad way.

I added a kick to my knocking. “It’s Pia, damn it. And it’s raining. Let me in.”

The door finally opened. “The Master’s not expecting you for another seven days.”

I pushed past Rat, one of Zur-Sin’s minions, and huddled in the antechamber. “I know. Tell him I have a problem.”

“What trouble are you in now, Pia?” Sin’s voice carried over an intercom by the door leading into the vampire lair. Pressing the talk button, I stood on tiptoe to speak in the microphone. “John left a note pinned to my door. He left town last night.” I hoped he was okay. Being a low-level demon bites. Someone was always on his ass.

“So?”

“He’s my suitor for today.” I glanced at Rat, who chuckled. “Shut up.”

“Go see Cooper.”

“Cooper’s on a hunting trip with the pack. Won’t be back for another three days when it’s his turn.”

“I can oblige.” Rat stroked a hand down my back.

His touch sent a wave of desire through my body, but I wasn’t so far gone yet that I’d jump anything with a dick. “Fuck off.” I shoved him away. At least, I tried to. Beauty was a succubus power, not muscle. “We made a deal, Sin.”

“Every nine days. You were just here three days ago.”

“Yeah, do the math, genius. Today’s day three in my cycle. You want me to do Rat instead? I’m out of options.” I crossed my arms and glared at the vampire lackey. I’d eat my own arm before touching him but Sin didn’t have to know that.

“Bring her down, Ratan.”

Rat’s fanged grin faded. “Yes, Master.” He unlocked the door and opened it for me like a gentleman. “Whores first.”

I pulled my jacket tighter around me and fought the shivers. Half-drowned, my need burned inside my body, the hunger for flesh rubbing on flesh setting my skin to oversensitive. If Sin didn’t take me to his bed then I’d have to find some stranger to screw. Nausea rolled in my stomach. I never should have been born a succubus. To my parent’s shame and concern, I wasn’t amoral enough.

They monitored my every meal. How much worse could my life get when my father interviewed potential lovers for me? For crying out loud, what happened with Pierre was history and they needed to let go of the past. I did. Tried…

Racing down the stairs and across the sub-basement, I strode by other vampires, all of them part of Zur-Sin’s nest. He controlled Lake City at night and my father had it during the day. That’s how I met Sin. My father hooked me up two years ago to keep me from starving. Twenty-five years old and I still lived with my parents. All four of them.

Most mortals wouldn’t understand my dad being interested in my sex life, but he worried and stressed about my lack of lovers to feed upon since I was so picky. I had three now. That should be more than enough if they would just cooperate.

I waited for Rat to twist his key in the elevator so it would travel into the secured areas below us. The doors slid open and I jumped inside. “Try not to take too long. He has appointments to keep.” With those lovely instructions, Rat keyed the doors closed and I descended into Sin’s world.

Shaking the excess water from my hair, I tried to poof some life back into my signature curls. They sagged on my forehead. Sighing at my reflection, I hung my head. Nothing was sadder than a disheveled, horny succubus.

The doors slid open and a large pair of bare feet stepped into my view. A finger slipped under my chin and raised my gaze. Zur-Sin, ancient vampire warrior, stared at me with his stern dark eyes. Dressed in only a pair of black silk pajama bottoms, he looked good enough to eat. He brushed the curls from my face and frowned. “You have much to learn about the art of seduction.”

“I dressed up last time I was here. I get panicky when things don’t go my way on day threes.”

“It’s not all about appearance, Pia. You’re beautiful even when left out in the rain.” He bent and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. Sin’s touch always struck a spark—even on my off days he could lure me to his bed. “Grace and tact would be appreciated at times. You can’t barge into my nest making demands. It makes me seem weak.”

“I’m sorry.” I leaned against his solid chest. His pale skin still retained the warmth of his last feed. I didn’t ask about his latest conquest. We had a business deal signed in blood. He gave me an orgasm every nine days and I fed him with my blood. No strings attached. I think I came out on top of that deal because Sin could be a generous lover when in the right mood. And I had learned how to guide him into those moods.

He placed a kiss to the top of my head. “Next time call. I have a human secretary, remember? She’d have made quieter arrangements.”

“She hates me.” I squirmed, pressing my thighs together to help relieve the growing demands between them.

Sin sighed and led me into his apartment, through the living room, past his office and into the bedroom where he sat on the edge of his king-sized bed. He plucked a remote off the mattress and turned on some slow jazz. Leaning back onto his elbows, he ran his gaze over me. “Undress.”

I knew this game. It was his favorite. The command was a comfort, something familiar in a day filled with anxiety, since my scheduled suitor had abandoned me. I had watched the sun move across the sky, feeling my need grow. Unbuttoning my raincoat, I tossed it to the floor. I listened to the music and allowed the beat to pace my movements. Shirt, jeans and socks came off slow and easy. Each stroke of my hand over my skin intensified my yearning. All the while he watched, his eyes caressing my curves, so intent it made me ache.

I unclasped the front of my bra and stalked toward the edge of the bed. The straps slid from my shoulders and down my arms, releasing my breasts. Cool air brushed over my wet skin and sent a shiver through my limbs.

“You’re cold.” He offered me his hand. I climbed in his warm bed. Lying next to him, I ran my hand through his short, sunny-blond hair. “What would I do without you?”

He chuckled. “Save those words for your other suitors.” Trailing a sharp fingernail over my breastbone, he drew a path to my belly button and teased the small ring pierced there. “What will you give me in exchange for tonight?”

I blinked and tilted my head to see his face better. “What I always pay, my blood.”

He shook his head. “I already fed and the price went up.”

“Sin.”

“Zur-Sin.” His dark gaze pinned me to the spot. Sometimes I forgot how old he truly was. The young-looking man lying next to me wasn’t from my generation and could be crueler than Lucifer when he wanted to be.

I swallowed the cold lump of fear in my throat. “What do you want?”

Bending over my nipple, he circled it with the tip of his tongue.

I groaned and arched toward his devilish mouth, unable to control my traitorous body.

Every three terrible days, I had to have an orgasm. My body wouldn’t stop until I did or I died. The more the need grew, the less control I had, until I was humping some poor schmuck in an alley. May that never, ever, happen again.

“A business rival of mine is in town. Valerio Hunan. I hear rumors he’s thinking of staying. I need to know if he is and what his plans are.” He blew over the wet spot he’d created. It sent a sharp pang of desire straight to my core. “You can practice your grace and tact on him and then tell me what I want to know.” He rolled on top of me, pinning my hands to the bed.

“I’m terrible at espionage. Ask my father.” I writhed under Sin. Not because I wanted escape, but to rub against his fine muscled body. The vampire was built to kill.

He settled between my willing thighs and rocked. “Time to grow up, Pia.”

“You’re such a tease.” I flung my head back in frustration. “Fine. Sex first.”

He chuckled, dark and deep; the sound made my soul tremble. “Of course.” With his sharp nail, he scratched the inside of my wrist.

I twisted to look at our hands. “What are you doing?”

“This pact has to be sealed in blood.” He did the same to his wrist—

“Wait…”

—and pressed our wounds together.

“Shit, Sin.” I yanked my hand away. “You can be such an ass.” If I broke a deal sealed in blood, he’d never help me again. I hated to admit it but Sin was my go-to guy for almost everything.

“You didn’t think I’ve obtained my position on charm and good looks?” He leaned toward his bedside table and buzzed his intercom.

“Yes, Master?”

“Reschedule my appointments. I’ll be busy for the rest of the night.” He flipped it off, knelt between my legs and, with practiced ease, slithered out of his bottoms. Trailing his fingers over my damp panties, he finally smiled, exposing his deadly fangs. “Let’s make sure you’re well fed.”

I wanted to kick him in the balls but the last time I tried such a dumbass move he’d spanked me. Hard. I couldn’t sit for a week.

Hooking a finger under my panties, he dragged them off my hips until I lay bare under him. “Where should we start this time?” He nipped at my collarbone as he ran his hands along my torso and hips.

“Sin.” His name dragged out of my throat. In a flash of desire my anger went poof. I’d find it tomorrow, tossed behind the bone-melting satisfaction he’d leave me in, and probably be too exhausted to care.

He swept his fingers between my folds. “Always so wet for me, Pia.” With familiar aim, he pinched my clit, rolling it between his fingertips.

“Oh shit.” I thrust my hips, raising them off the mattress. No matter what, I’d always be putty in his hands. A toy, a tool in a moment of his long existence, and I never doubted that he would outlive us all.

Guiding my legs over his shoulders, he bent me in half as he pressed the tip of his cock against my entrance. “Say it.”

I bit the bottom of my lip as I met his gaze.

Rocking his hips, he cock teased, driving just inside of me, then withdrawing. “I can do this all night.”

I knew he could—the bastard had done it before. He’d left me a quivering mass by morning. Sometimes I hated him. He’d make me say it.

He continued to stroke me in all the right places until I panted, the need so strong I thought it would burn me from the inside out.

“Please.”

“Please, what?”

“Master,” I cried out. As soon as the word left my lips, he plunged inside of me to the hilt.

Hard and fast, he pumped with my ankles around his neck. Like everything Sin did, he pushed with power and confidence.

I met every stroke, squeezed him with my secret muscles and felt every inch of his length. My need loved the energy he helped create.

It was dark and potent, curling inside my belly, then lashing out in a burst of adrenaline. What we created together carried an edge to it like suicidally hot wings. I loved their spiciness, but they were cruel to me, just like him. Nothing would keep me from ordering them, though. Sin was my zesty suitor, setting all my succubus taste buds on fire.

My body had the capacity to create energy from sex, but my partners each added a mysterious element of themselves that helped sate my need. That’s why masturbation didn’t work. I needed that pinch of sexual oomph from a lover to make my motor roar.

Each thrust brought me closer to the edge until I finally stepped off, crying his name until I was hoarse. Heat swelled in my abdomen as his seed spilled into me. The warmth spread as my body generated the added nourishment I needed to survive. Millions of years of evolution, descended from demons, and yet we were still parasites, living off other species, slaves to their sexual desires so we could survive.

Sin released his hold and rolled off me.

Groping for my purse on the floor by the bed, I searched inside for a glass vial. The cork popped off easily and I pressed the edge against my lips. A slow spill of blue energy poured inside until the bottle filled, then I capped it.