And it looked like he could have her as she crawled onto his lap to straddle him in the passenger seat. He moved his hands up to cup her full breasts, slipping underneath her crisp white shirt and bra. He ached to slide inside of her. Feel her heat, her need, make her cry out his name as he took her with long, sweet thrusts.
It seemed as if she was currently a mind reader since she began fiddling with the zipper of his jeans.
“Wait, Eden,” he managed. “We can’t do this…”
“You don’t sound completely convinced of that.”
“Eden,” his tone turned sharper. The woman was insatiable. Twice they’d made love, and both times had been incredible. Maybe he’d inadvertently managed to addict her to his demon loving just a little bit too much.
Sounded conceited, but it could actually be the truth. The spell on him could unconsciously drive her to seek more black magic by any means possible.
“Oh, hell.” His mind went foggy when she slipped her hand into the front of his pants and wrapped her fingers around him.
“Did you really mean it?” she whispered. “When you said you loved me?”
There was no parking lot anymore. No chance of being discovered. The world had narrowed to only Eden — sexy, desirable, incredible Eden — the only woman he’d ever truly loved in his entire existence. One who wasn’t sure about their future together since there were so many odds stacked against them. A black witch who was part angel.
One he’d corrupted so much that her soul was currently at risk of being sent directly to Hell upon her death.
Damn.
Yes, that thought definitely helped to douse his mindless desire.
He grasped her wrist and pulled her away from him. He turned his head when she attempted to kiss him again. He zipped up his jeans and took her firmly by her upper arms, directing her back to the driver’s seat. Her face was flushed and the need in her eyes hadn’t left yet.
“Yes,” he said very seriously. “I meant every word.”
Then he got out of the car and headed into the office on shaky legs.
The black magic made her do it.
It drew her to Darrak like a moth to a flame. While there was a whole lot of celestial energy swirling inside him, more than even he was aware of yet, there was still a large amount of Hell energy, too — the darkest of the dark. And that worked like a magnet for a black witch. And a black witch’s sex drive.
She wanted him so badly it hurt, but he’d put on the brakes.
Darrak loved her.
And he’d just soundly rejected her seduction attempt in the parking lot of Triple-A for her own damn good.
She had to focus. Too much was at risk here if she kept losing her mind like that.
A gorgeous, dark-haired, blue-eyed immortal demon had told her he was in love with her. But that same demon was cursed to possess her — and according to Maksim, that was the reason for a great many of her problems.
But she already knew that. Most of it, anyway.
Was it still considered an abusive relationship if the abuse wasn’t intended?
There was a time in college when she’d been involved with a man who’d intentionally abused her. She hated looking back at how weak she’d been then, how willing she was to accept a heartfelt apology and shiny gifts to make up for the occasional bruise or broken rib. She knew she’d never be in another relationship like that. Ever.
In fact, it was more than likely the reason she’d shielded herself from love ever since and refused to give up her control. Sure, she’d been briefly engaged since, but only because it had felt like the right time, the right place, the right opportunity. In that relationship she hadn’t been abused physically. Emotionally was more like it. Her fiance had cheated on her on Valentine’s Day, originally prompting her to move to Toronto and take over half ownership of Triple-A so she could have a fresh start.
Eden’s love life had always been one big fat joke. She couldn’t help but be guarded, even now. Even with Darrak.
Maybe it was because of her mother’s influence. Caroline had never exactly been a glowing example of someone who had healthy relationships. She’d had a one-night stand with an angel and become pregnant from it. Who did that?
“Morning,” Andy McCoy greeted her as she entered the office. Darrak held the door open for her. “Or, rather,
Darrak shrugged as he hung both his and Eden’s coats up on the rack near the door. “Had to see a wizard about a problem.”
“I will assume that’s not a euphemism.”
“Eden’s magic is no euphemism.”
Andy nodded gravely. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Well, for starters, you’re going to turn into a werewolf tomorrow night.”
Andy recoiled slightly. “No, I’m not.”
“You are.”
“Am not.”
“Are.”
“Not.”
“You can deny it all you like, Andy, but it’s going to happen. You got bitten by a werewolf. Mauled, actually.”
He shuddered. “I remember that part.”
“And that means you’re a werewolf, too. I’m not sure why this is so difficult for you to grasp.”
Eden felt bad for the guy. He was still in serious denial about what would happen. It was a discussion they’d had several times in the last couple of weeks, but no progress had been made to get him to accept the inevitable.
Maksim had given them a spell that would allegedly help safely contain Andy and cloak the area. Wouldn’t want someone to walk by and see a werewolf clawing at the door to be let out.
Apparently werewolves could shapeshift anytime they liked, but when it came to the full moon, they didn’t have a choice. It was all werewolf all the time, for one night a month.
She glanced around the office, trying to judge how much damage there would be if they made this the containment area. Seemed like as good a place as any. She’d done some research into werewolves, along with Darrak’s knowledge of them, and knew Andy would go one of two ways. Either a rabid, out-of-control beast who had none of his human traits and only wanted to rip things — or people — apart. Or he’d be Andy. In wolf form.
She was hoping for the latter, but planning for the former.
“I am not going to turn into a werewolf tomorrow night,” Andy said firmly. “Just stop it. Both of you.”
He went to his desk, sat down, and took out a silver flask from his top drawer, draining it in one gulp.
Denial was a thirsty state of mind.
Darrak hadn’t looked directly at her since the impromptu lap dance in the car, but they had to talk. If her magic was truly identical to Selina’s, then they had to give it a shot. First with the spell and then, if they were successful, with the curse.
Could it really be that easy after all this time?
The bell above the door jingled as someone familiar entered the office. She was short, with bleached blonde hair, red lips, and a smile that stretched a mile wide. Nancy was the assistant manager at the coffee shop next door, a place called Hot Stuff that Andy also owned. She came by with coffee and donuts first thing every morning, the scent of which usually made Eden’s mouth water.
This morning it seemed to have the opposite effect. She felt a little queasy, actually.
