Her nipples pearled, waitingexpectantbut just before contact, he caught himself, straightened and growled. She released a breath she hadnt known shed been holding. Hed almost Sweet Deity. He really had almost kissed her there.
Aeron. The ache such knowledge evoked Do it. Dont stop now.
No.
Why?
Because! He knew what she craved, what she needed, yet denied her still. Just because. Bastard! You do this alone. He passed her and stepped outside the bathroom, tugging the door shut behind him, leaving only a small crack of light.
So close
She could have screamed, her skin suddenly too tight for her body. Instead, she removed the rest of her clothing and entered the stall. The moment that first cascade hit her, she wished she had screamed. Anything to ease some of the pressure building inside her. Pressure the soft caress of water merely provoked.
She tried to blank her mind, but an array of words kept claiming her attention. Kiss. Breasts. Bodies. Moving. Kneading. Argh!
I dont hear you lathering, Aeron snapped.
Get bent, she snapped back, an expression shed heard humans utter to those who irritated them. And oh, did Aeron irritate her.
Kiss. Breasts. Bodies. Moving. Kneading. Sliding. Taking. Her knees almost buckled.
Olivia. A warning?
Zip it, demon! Shaking, she pumped a few squirts of rose-scented soap ito her hands and finally began cleaning herself. Even that disturbed her, doubling the pressure. How had he revved her up this quickly and this intensely? Without kissing her?
Kiss. Breasts. Bodies. Moving. Kneading. Sliding. Taking. Possessing. Licking. Sucking.
Soon she would break.
Distraction. Yes, thats what she needed. Did Paris and William use this soap? And yes, you may speak now.
I dont know and it doesnt matter. You shouldnt be thinking about them. More than that, Ill be asking the questions here. How did you know wed fail to capture Scarlet yesterday?
I told you. I know a lot of things that can help you, but so far you havent seemed interested in learning them.
Well, Im interested now, so start talking. Are there any other demon-possessed immortals in town?
Confident, she reminded herself. You think its that easy? Aggressive. You make a demand and I deliver?
A pause. A hesitant, What do you want?
Relief! Well start with an apology.
Imsorry.
Grudgingly offered, greedily received. No, she finally answered. There arent any other demon-possessed immortals in town.
All right, then. Ill need you to take me to where this Scarlet is staying.
Nope, sorry. Olivia twisted and turned under the waters spray, the bubbles running down and off her body. Kiss. BreastsArgh! Im not doing anything for you.
You will.
Another demand, uttered with such determinationdetermination that should have been annoying rather than sexy. Pressure mountingagain Why are you so eager for my aid now?
I want you to see the kind of life I lead. I want you to see the fights and the blood and the pain. I want you to see that I dont care about anyone other than my friends and Legion, and I will hurt anyoneanyonewho threatens them.
Anyoneeven Olivia? Even though hed chosen to help Olivia yesterday and send Legion away? Undoubtedly. Goodbye, pressure. Hello, emptiness. They had been cold, hard words, more vow than threat. He might not want to do so, but he wouldnt stop himself.
All right, she said. If he wanted to spend the rest of his life showing her those things, shed let him. And shed return the favor! Shed show him exactly what hed be missing if she left. Like the breasts he should be punished for ignoring. Like the mouth that wanted so badly to suck on him.
Pressureworse than before
Breathe, she needed to breathe. She manipulated the knobs until the water shut off, the air around her instantly cooling her. Only, that failed to temper her needs. Little bumps broke out over her soaked skin, and she groaned. No more.
Perhaps she could give herself relief, she thought, intrigued. Aeron had used his fingersand she did have fingers of her own She licked her lips, heart pounding anew. He wouldnt have to know. Shed turn the water back on, pretend to need more lathering, and
Done? he asked.
She tensed. II just
Olivia, I believe I mentioned that Im pressed for time.
True. He wouldnt be alive much longer.
The reminder sobered her, chilled her desire as the air hadnt. Shed thought she had accepted his coming death. But nine too-short days? That was hardly enough time to experience everything she wanted to experience with him. Especially as stubborn as he was being.
Youll have to make it enough.
All right, she said with a sigh, and stepped from the stall. Going with him now would also grant them more time together. And she supposed she wouldnt torture him with what hed never have, she thought sourly, hating to abandon so sweet a revenge. She supposed shed offer her breasts and her needy mouthand anything else he wantedwithout restraint.
In between the offerings, she could protect Aeron, as shed vowed to do, should anyone or thing threaten him.
All right what? he asked, confused.
There was a toothbrush on the shower ledge, along with a tube of minty paste. Having seen humans perform the task a thousand times, she knew what to do and managed to brush her teeth without incident. All right, Ill show you where Scarlet lives.
Mouth fresh and clean, she grabbed the brush on the counter. The bristles caught on several tangles, making her grimace, but she didnt stop until her hair was smooth. Next time, shed remember to bring her robe with her even if she didnt plan to wear it.
What changed your mind? Suspicion dripped from each word.
Arguing with you is a waste of precious time. True, if somewhat misleading.
A rational female. Who would have guessed?
She tossed the brush into the sink. An insensitive male who wont get a kiss if he keeps that up. Again, true. And shocking. This vengeful side of hershe liked it.
Silence greeted her. Did that mean he craved another kiss? Despite her new affinity for tormenting, she tried not to hope too intently.
I havent hurt Legion, you know, she said. Even when she hurt me.
Actually, angel, she hurts whenever youre near. Or she used to, when you had wings. But I never did, nor did the other warriors, and were just as demonic as Legion is. Why was that? Were you doing it on purpose?
Of course not. Though its true demons hate to be around angels, youve managed to humanize yours. At least somewhat. Now. Enough talk about Legion, even though Olivia had been the one to bring her up this time. Do you want to know how to capture Scarlet or not?
Sorry, he muttered. Yes. I do.
She fought a grin. Another apology. Just as grudging, but just as sweet. Heres what I know. Because shes possessed by Nightmares, shes weakened during the daylight hours. As she spoke, Olivia studied herself in the foggy mirror. There were bruises under her eyes and her cheeks were a bit hollowed. She only ever wanted Aeron to see her at her best, not like this, but it couldnt be helped. Shes like vampires in that regard. She sleeps during the day, her body too frail even to walk.
Aeron took a moment to absorb what shed said. Well capture her today, then, while shes sleeping.
Why the urgency? And what do you plan to do with her?
Hunters are in town. Weve found their hideout, and we now know theyre being aided by Rhea, the god queen. We want to ask Scarlet a few questions, prevent her from helping the Hunters.
I could have told you they were in town, but you refused to listen to me.
I know, I know, and Im sorry about that, too. So what do you know about Rhea?
Yet another apology from him. The man deserved a reward. I know that she titled herself Mother Earth, and that shes aiding the Hunters, Olivia said, even though all she could think about was giving Aeron that reward. I know that she was weakened inside Tartarus, all the Titans were, and thats how the Greeks were able to get the demon of Strife to possess her.
I cant believe I had the information at my fingertips all along, he muttered. If her demon is taken from her, will she die? Like us?
Yes.
So why is she helping the Hunters?
For the same reason Galen is leading them. They plan to kill you, and save themselves, then use your demons for their own gains. In Rheas case, taking over the heavens and destroying Cronus once and for all.
If he had more questions, and she was sure that he did, he didnt allow himself to ask. Did he plan to go to his other source, whateveror whoeverit was? And he did have a source. That much was clear. He hadnt been this knowledgeable before. If he did, he wouldnt need Olivia, and she hated the thought of that.
Thank you for the information, he said gruffly.
Youre welcome. Push him. Be confident. Aggressive. Show him that he needs you for more than answers. I accept payment in the form of kisses. And anyway, I believe I owe you two. You apologized for your insensitivity, after all.
Aeron cleared his throat. Yes, well, I never said Id pay you. Or accept payment. We, uh, need to leave.
Disappointing man. Just let me Olivia glanced at the towel. If she donned it, she would be giving up, and she wasnt ready to give up.
She bit her lip as Gideons words drifted through her head. Well, her translation of his words. Men liked naked women. Men had trouble resisting naked women. So no towel, she mused, nearly humming with anticipation.
Pressure
Never mind, she said throatily. Im ready.
Arching her back to lift her chesthe did like her breastsshe gripped the doorknob and flung the door open fully. Confident. Aeron was leaning against the wall and had his back to her. His arms were still crossed over his chest. Unfortunately, he was still dressed.
Aggressive. Theyd just have to change that.
Naked and wet, she stepped in front of him, her heart drumming harder and faster than when shed considered touching herself. When he spotted her, his jaw dropped. His nostrils flared. His pupils practically exploded, the violet irises completely obscured.
Olivia almost moaned. Well, well. Gideon had been right. Aeron did like looking at a naked woman.
Push harder. The acheshe needed him to assuage the ache What do you think of my outfit? she asked, twirling.
Strangling sounds left his mouth.
She might never wear clothes again. Im human now and humans always demand payment for their services. Could he hear the excitement and nervousness in her voice? So, if you want any more information from meand believe me, I have a lot to offeryoull have to earn it.
How? The word was a snarlbut that snarl wasnt laced with anger. With those kisses you mentioned?
That was the fee five minutes ago, and you refused to pay it. Therefore, my price has now gone up. If you want to know anything else, youll have to warm me with your body. Im cold. Im so hot, Im on fire.
He gulped. Straightened. His gaze traveled the length of her, lingering on her breasts, between her thighs. His breathing became choppy, shallow. Holy hell. Dying. Im dying.
So am I. Aeron. Give me. Take me.
Therethere isnt time.
Make time, she said, and closed the remaining distance between them. Musttouch
He could have scooted her out of the way, and she wouldnt have been able to stop him, but he didnt. His big hands settled on her waist, his fingers digging deep. Finally!
I shouldnt, he said. Told myself I wouldnt, even though he wont
He? More. Who wont what?
At first, he gave no response, made no reply. Mydemon, he finally said in a hard tone, his fingers spreading to cover more ground. From lower back to buttocks, he touched her. Burned her. He wonthurt you. For once, I dont have to worry.
He, not it? What had changed between the two beings?
Who cared? Progress! So why shouldnt you be with me? If hed hoped to dissuade her from this path, he never should have introduced her to passion. His mistake, and one she would take total advantage of. There arent any obstacles.
Obstacles He floundered on the word, his gaze glued to her lips. We are
She flattened her palms on his chest, unwilling to listen to him rattle off an entire list of problems. As hed probably planned. His heart was drumming harder and faster than hers. A good sign. Still. Wanting it even harder, even faster, she arched her lower body into his and moaned. Oh, yes.
You like getting answers, dont you, Aeron? Thats important to you? For the good of you and your loved ones. Just pay me.
He licked his lips, leaving a glistening sheen of moisture. One taste, thats all she needed. Who would have thought an angel would be such a manipulator? he asked huskily.
Im fallen, she reminded him. Yet again. Now, enough talking. More paying.
Yes
He leaned down just as she rose on her tiptoes. Their lips smashed together, and at first, he didnt respond. She had to force her tongue past his clenched teeth, but the moment it touched his, he groaned and took over.
Oh, did he take over. His arms banded around her waist and hefted her up. She had to wind her legs around him and lock her ankles, otherwise she would have simply dangled there. The new position was delicious, exactly what shed needed, placing her aching core at the tip of his hard, thick erection. An erection peeking past the waist of his pants.
Stupid pants.
His hair, cut so close to his scalp, tickled her palms as she rubbed them up and down. One of his hands cupped the base of her neck and angled her head for deeper contact. Contact she felt through every inch of skin, every cell rushing through her veins, every bone screaming for more.
You have on too many clothes, she told him between deep breaths.