11. Mébh
When the blacknesscleared from my vision, I stood hand in hand with Gray in an alleyway in a completely different city. We were both heaving, adrenaline still pumping from fighting for our lives. New smells bombarded my senses. Gone was London and the stupid attacking demons. At least none of them would be able to track us straight away; Warwick wasn’t among them.
My Wolf vied for control, but in a very different way than ever before. When Gray said the demons were coming—something Felix had somehow informed him of—I’d fought hard to keep my Wolf from going into fight-or-flight mode and taking me over. The strength I had always lacked before was mysteriously there now, and I used it. My mate needed my help. I couldn’t be a sitting duck with my Wolf taking control. It was a damn good thing I’d been able to get the arrow out of Gray’s chest as a result, something my Wolf never would have been able to do if she had taken me over. Upon inspection, Gray’s wound still bled, but it was closing up rapidly. The demon had some fierce immortal healing skills. Then again, he had likely needed that ability back when he was part of the angelic army. I’d successfully taken down the demon attacking me like I’d been trained to do my entire life. Maybe there was hope for me not being a complete liability yet.
The feeling of Gray’s hand in mine helped ground me now. He had revealed a lot to me about his upbringing, also without parents, and the story of what led to his fall. Not to mention his love of sex, which only made me slightly jealous of every woman who has ever gotten a piece of him. But remembering him feasting between my legs, his forked tongue pleasuring me, the intensity, the possession and hunger in his eyes before he misted away... maybe the practice over the centuries had served him well—and better still, he couldn’t resist me anymore.
Gray was returning to his normal form. His ram horns were shrinking as the pointed stag parts flattened down. His body thinned, but not by much, since the male was bodybuilder thick before he shifted. His fangs and claws receded, teeth blunting and facial features rounding, but his words still rumbled deeper than normal as he addressed me. “We will sleep here in Paris and move on tomorrow morning.”
“Paris? As in Paris, France?” I asked, needing clarification before I freaked the fuck out with excitement.
“Yes.”
I did a little happy dance in place, unable to contain myself. “I can’t believe I am in Paris!” I practically yelled, the words echoing off the buildings to the left and right. “Can you take me to see the Eiffel Tower?”
Gray glanced at the dark sky briefly and mumbled something about getting caught on more surveillance footage for Nicodemus to find. I felt slightly guilty since Gray’s fear had come to pass—we did get caught out on the town in London. But I couldn’t bring myself to be that sorry. The tour had been absolutely magical, and I knew he enjoyed himself. His smile had been radiant. Plus, scootering around had been so cool. I only wished I’d had my damned cell phone to document everything and post about it.
“Let’s get cleaned up and change clothes first,” he supplied in an effort to placate me.
I glanced from his torn, bloodstained flannel to down at myself and sighed at the blood splatters covering the navy sweater. He might have a point. I didn’t mind the blood, but humans did.
“Fine, that would probably be good,” I conceded. “Where are we staying? Do you have an apartment here?” I looked around expectantly at the alley that played host to only a dumpster and some random debris.
He shook his head. “No, I don’t have a place here—or at least I don’t remember having a place. Who knows if Lethe stole more than just the London flat from my mind,” he spat bitterly. “I’ll get us a hotel for the night. It’s around the corner.” He pointed to the left of the alleyway entrance.
“Awesome. Lead the way.” I gestured in front of us with an elegant wave of my free hand.
Gray didn’t release the hand he still held, and my heart fluttered in my chest. He led me out of the alley and sure enough, a sign for a ritzy human hotel decorated the front of the building to the left. We entered the plush lobby, and he checked us in with the human at the front desk who kept giving curious looks at the blood on us and Gray’s hood being up. He ignored the human’s looks expertly. Finally, key in hand, we rode the elevator up to the tenth floor.
When we got to the room, Gray was almost giddy. He had this tiny grin he tried to hide, but it just made me suspicious. He unlocked the room, opened the door, and moved back to let me go in first. I stepped over the threshold and the view out the massive windows covering the far wall was of the Eiffel Tower glittering away as its light show went off with the background of the surrounding city.
My jaw practically hit the floor.
I ran to the wall of windows and pressed myself against the glass, taking in the view, unable to look away.
“I take it you approve of our lodgings for the night?” Gray asked as he closed the door and set the deadbolt.
Not bothering to look away, I replied, “Hell yes, I do!”
At the edge of my vision, Gray perused the room, followed by the sound of the mini refrigerator opening and closing. Then he disappeared into the fancy bathroom while I continued staring out the window in awe.
A few minutes later, a throat clearing drew my attention to where Gray stood in the doorway of the en-suite. “Come clean up,” he ordered.
Reluctantly, I left the view behind and joined Gray in the bathroom. I stripped the ruined sweater off, pulling it over my head and throwing it directly into the garbage can next to the sink.
The demon’s eyes were on me, I could feel it, but I pretended to pay him no attention. Was this a bit of payback for trying to placate me? Indeed it was. Kicking off the blood-covered boots, I hoped they were cleanable. I put my back to Gray and bent over to grab the boots and move them off to the side. A growl escaped my demon’s lips, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself. Teasing him was pleasing to me. I enjoyed knowing he was watching my every sensual movement, and boy did I lay it on thick. I grabbed the waistband of the leggings as I straightened up and started to pull them down. That was when the demon snapped.
“Stop it. I know what you’re doing.”
I looked around at him with wide eyes, playing up the innocence. “What are you talking about? You told me to clean up. These leggings are ruined—I am just taking them off.”
He stepped forward and slid a hand around my waist, dragging my body hard against his. I felt his cock pressing against my belly through his jeans. “Stop teasing me and I might consider taking you to see the Eiffel Tower.”
Suddenly the game changed, and the ball was in his court.
I huffed angrily. “Fine.” But I rubbed myself against him.
His hands came down like manacles, shackling my wrists and drawing me away.
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop,” I grumbled.
“I’ll leave you to clean up.” He released my wrists and stepped back. “Don’t you dare even think of masturbating to torment me. It’s not going to work this time.”
“Oh, if I masturbate, it won’t be your name I’ll be calling, anyway.”
Silver flashed in his furious eyes. He snarled and then abruptly stomped from the room, slamming the door closed behind him as if to prove the point that it was to stay closed.
I huffed again, feeling my Wolf stirring in agitation. Luckily the rage hadn’t been triggered. Grabbing the boots, I started by trying to scrub off the blood stains in the sink. Thankfully they came somewhat clean. Next I peeled the leggings off, threw them away with the sweater and then jumped under the warm spray of water in the shower.
I used the exotic shampoo and conditioner provided by the hotel. It made my hair feel super soft and miraculously got the blood out too. With the bar of soap, I scrubbed the remaining blood and dirt from my skin. I considered masturbating despite Gray’s warning, but the jealousy that flared in his eyes when I threatened to say another male’s name was enough for me. Doing the actual thing would serve no teasing purpose. Plus, it would potentially ruin any chance I had of seeing the Eiffel Tower up close and personal.
Getting out of the shower, I grabbed one of the big fluffy white towels. It was so damned soft. I’d never felt terry cloth like this before. The pack’s towels were all scratchy, bleached, and sometimes holey. After drying off, I wrapped myself in that super-soft towel and exited the bathroom.
Gray was setting things out on the bed.
“Where did all this come from?” I asked as I walked over. There was a black long-sleeved, body-contouring dress with tags still on it that had to be for me. There was a new pile of clothing for him: jeans, boxers, and a new sweatshirt with a hood. There was also a set of white silk button down pajamas with the hotel’s initials on the lapel, folded neatly.
“The hotel concierge. They just delivered them.”
“Oh wow. That’s a thing?” I asked. “Somebody will just go buy you clothing? This is a ritzy hotel.”
“For enough money, people will do anything for you.” He sighed. “Get dressed. I’m going to shower.”
He grabbed the pile of his new clothing and disappeared into the bathroom.
I dropped the towel and slipped the dress over my head and felt the material slither over my skin. It conformed to my curves, what small ones I had, and made me feel sexy. The bottom of the dress ended mid-thigh. There was a thong provided, I discovered. It was hiding under the dress. But I choose not to wear it, preferring to tease my demon if given the opportunity. Plus, it was less clothing to rip through if my Wolf took over and forced my shift.
I went back to looking out the huge windows and taking in the sparkling city lights. Paris was truly beautiful by night.
Gray stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later and I heard his sharp inhale. I twisted around to look over my shoulder at him and caught his eyes gleaming silver as he toured the dress on my body with hunger. “That dress looks amazing on you.”
I blushed at his uncharacteristic praise. “Thank you.”
I knew I looked good, but what girl didn’t love hearing their man appreciating them? Plus, this was the first time he had said anything like that to me. Butterflies fluttered about in my stomach. My Wolf preened.
He looked amazing as always in tight jeans that hugged every muscle, those big boots, and a hoodie which his muscle-packed chest and shoulders filled out in a way that should be illegal. I realized I was staring, and I didn’t care one bit—he stared right back. Something had changed between us in London. We were getting to know one another better, and he was slowly lowering the giant wall of defense he kept around himself. Dare I say he was beginning to open up to me?
“I just need to do my hair,” I finally said, breaking the spell. He followed me back into the bathroom and leaned against the door jamb. I used the hotel’s blow-dryer on my hair. They had a curling iron and straightener in the drawer too, of which I took advantage. Straightening my already relatively straight hair might have seemed silly, but it guaranteed it stayed straight. I’d straightened my hair since I was eleven.
Gray watched me silently from the doorway, flashing silver eyes taking in every movement. When I finished my hair, I grabbed the boots from the sink and bent over, ass facing my demon, of course, to put them on.
I’d just stuffed my foot into the first one when I was swooped up. I found myself pressed against the wall next to the vanity, a heaving, lusty demon glaring down his nose at me, his arms caging me in on either side. “The fuck do you think you’re doing? I provided panties for you.”
“And I choose not to wear them.” I smiled wickedly.
He snarled in response, showing me his sharpening teeth and elongating fangs. His now clawed right hand came away from the wall and moved down my body. He pressed it under the dress and against my folds. I gasped at the intrusion, but only wanted more of his delicious touch, especially there between my legs. A finger pad grazed my clit, sending a little zing of pleasure through me. His hand disappeared and ended up back on the wall next to my head.
“So is it Eiffel Tower time?” I asked breathlessly.
“Do you promise to stay by my side and listen when I give you instructions?” He searched my face.
“I was good all through London. I pulled the arrow out of you and took one of Nicodemus’s minions down. You can trust me, Gray,” I insisted.
He continued staring, and I thought he was going to say no, but finally he gave a firm nod and stepped back, releasing me. “You did well in London. I do trust you, Mébh.”
My heart did a little somersault in my chest. I wasn’t easy to trust with some of my inner issues, but the fact that he did still made me proud. It made me feel like we had more of a chance at making this work between us.
Gray grabbed the remaining boot and knelt in front of me. He helped me put it on and then stood, offering his arm for me to grab. I clutched him and enjoyed the feeling of his rock-hard biceps as the bathroom dissolved around us. When the blackness cleared, he and I stood on the pavement below the Eiffel Tower. The Seine River was behind us, and the imposing structure of Victorian ironworks stood before me.
“We can’t stay up in the tower long. Security will not appreciate us visiting after hours.”
“Are you actually saying you’re respecting human rules, Gray?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow up at him.
“No, I am trying to avoid the human security confrontation, that’s all.”
I laughed, not believing that for a second.
“So will Nicodemus track us through their video cameras, do you think?”
“We will be ready to fight if he does.” His words made me smile. He was willing to fight to protect me, which made me dare to wonder... was he willing to fight for more?
He and I walked around the outside of the base of the tower first, looking up at it from every angle. From there, Gray misted us to the first level. This was where we needed to avoid security. I squealed with excitement at seeing the first view. Of the four sides of the structure, each boasted a spectacular vista, but my favorite was of the Seine, with the backdrop of the rest of the city beyond. But there were two more levels to go, and that view was my favorite at every level. At the top of the tower, I could have stayed there watching the sleeping, glittering city all night long.
I leaned my head against Gray’s shoulder. “Thank you for this.”
He put his arm around me and pulled me in against his chest. His lips grazed my head in a tender kiss. It was utter bliss. “Anything for you, princess.”
The tone of that nickname had changed drastically. No more was it an insult—it was turning into an endearment.
We were in Paris, the city of love, at the very top of the Eiffel Tower. Yet I was having trouble looking at the skyline anymore; I only cared about studying Gray’s chiseled features. His strong jaw, with a smattering of facial hair since he hadn’t shaved in a few days. His silver eyes, which were heated... I couldn’t look away. He leaned in closer, and I held my breath, afraid to move at all lest I ruin this moment. His eyes were on my lips, which I couldn’t help but bite in anticipation. His gaze grew agonized. He leaned in swiftly, as if unable to stop himself or hold himself back any longer. Our lips met, and it was an explosion of sensations. His wood-fire scent filled my nose. His mouth moved against mine until he slid his tongue in and completely dominated, leaving me weak in the knees.
“Oi!” A security guard yelled suddenly, destroying the moment.
Gray jerked back but clutched me to him harder. “Hold tight,” he instructed and misted us away.
When the blackness cleared, I raised my head to look around. We were in the hotel room once more, safe and sound. My eyes returned to Gray’s lips, but the moment was gone and suddenly the rebuffing side of him was back. Gray disentangled himself and put space between us as quickly as possible. Where I thought this finally might be going somewhere, he put the brakes on once more.
“It’s getting late, and we need to get up early to move on to another city.”
It was barely ten o’clock, but then again, I had been up for over twenty-four hours now with the time changes I was realizing. As if on cue, a giant yawn escaped my mouth. A full immortal could go weeks without sleep, if necessary, but I was still vulnerable and needed regular shut-eye.
Gray stepped over to the bed and grabbed the silk pajama set. He turned back to me and handed them over. “Why don’t you go put these on and get ready for bed?”
I nodded while stifling another big yawn. In the bathroom, I changed out of the body con dress and boots and replaced them with the silken jammies.
When I returned to the main room, Gray stood next to the giant bed. At least there was no question about where we were sleeping. It was together. He folded back the comforter for me and patted it expectantly. I stifled yet another yawn as I strolled over and then crawled into the bed. He tucked me in, pulling the covers over me. I laid down and shut my eyes. I expected to feel him get into the other side of the bed, but instead, I heard him tinkering around.
I opened my eyes and lifted my head up to look. He was pouring himself a drink—a very large drink. Several of those mini whiskey bottles were open next to the full glass. “Aren’t you coming to bed?”
He didn’t look my way as he clutched the glass. Instead, he walked to the wall of windows showcasing a dazzling Paris before us and sat heavily in one of the plush chairs provided. “In a bit,” he finally replied, staring out at the city.
I was too tired to argue right now. If he wanted to keep me at arm’s length after that kiss, then so be it. Tomorrow was another day that would hopefully be filled with more demon-teasing opportunities. He couldn’t keep resisting what he so desperately wanted.
I harrumphed and laid back down. Curling up on my side and closing my eyes, I let myself drift off, knowing Gray was there to keep me safe from harm, whether he liked it or not. I was asleep within moments.
~ Gray
Mébh slumbered peacefullywhile I brooded in the corner, nursing a large whiskey. There weren’t enough damn mini bottles at the minibar for me to get drunk enough to handle this. To figure out what to do about her.
She had refused to wear panties and tormented me the entire time we were out. It had been utterly amazing to see Mébh’s excitement and wonder at the Eiffel Tower and its spectacular views. But I felt like a selfish douche. I’d needed to kiss her in that moment—there was no question about it. I’d needed to dominate her mouth, and all I desired to do was jump into that bed and ravish her until she screamed my name over and over again—nobody else’s. The dark demon within me twisted with this desire. My cock hadn’t deflated since I first saw her in that black skin-tight dress, and I cursed myself once again for having ordered something so sexy and tempting for her to wear.
If something didn’t give soon, I was going to lose my fucking mind.
I thought back to previous conquests. What had I done before when I was this obsessed, if it had ever happened with another female? I would take the female to bed and then I was over it. Suddenly I realized with perfect clarity that was what I needed to do. I couldn’t resist her anymore. There was no point. The solution was to let things happen, share pleasure, enjoy her body, and just like every female before her, I’d be done with this little crush. I just needed to get her out of my system. It was so simple, and I felt stupid for not having realized it sooner.
I did have one major issue still, and that was all the hardware, the piercings in my dick. I’d felt how tight Mébh was when fingering her channel in the shower in London, so it was conceivable that she was a virgin. She was so damned small there was no way my cock was going to fit. I’d have to get her out of my system more creatively, without penetration possibly. That would prevent any kind of matebond as well. Kissing and eating her out had been pleasurable enough, but I needed more.
Mind made up, I downed the rest of the glass of whiskey and stood. I pulled my hoodie and jeans off and slid under the covers in boxers. Reaching for Mébh, I pulled her back against my chest. She sighed in her sleep and nuzzled the arm I slid under her head. I’d never slept with women before—I’d always left—but here I was spooning her again. What did this creature do to me?
My chest ached as I looked down at her, so peaceful in sleep. She was so curious about everything and so exciting and lively. Her smile was infectious too, her joy addicting. She was a breath of fresh air to my Hellfire. I wrapped myself around her petite frame, as if to wrap her up in my protection.
When I did finally drift off, I dreamed of Nicodemus chasing and then capturing a beautiful black wolf with multicolored eyes, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.