Chapter 18
eighteen
RAE
I regretted deciding to drive across the city alone again long before I made it to my old apartment.
I missed Darius even before I regretted that decision. I wasn't about to turn around when I was already half an hour into the drive, so I tried to ignore it.
My pride was wounded.
I knew Dare wanted me, and was attracted to me, but I had no idea what he was waiting for as far as sex went. Being turned down was starting to get to me.
When I finally reached my old apartment, I stayed in my borrowed car long enough to text Darius back.
Dare
Don't forget to grab lunch
Me
You do know that I can feed myself, right?
Dare
Did you eat?
Me
Not yet
Dare
Then my point was made ;)
Me
I'll grab Chinese food on my way out
Dare
You made it to the apartment?
Me
Yep
Dare
I'd tell you to take a break for a while, but I wouldn't call the area you used to live in safe...
Me
No one was ever brave enough to mess with me
Dare
They know you're mine now, so you'll either be less of a target, or more
You also look a little different
My skin was barely gray at all now, and the roots of my hair were almost completely black. There were two gray streaks at the front, framing my face, that hadn't changed at all. But everything else was dark.
I'd look like a completely different person in a few weeks.
I didn't have any particularly strong feelings about that, but I was irrationally excited for my hair to grow out dark. I'd always loved the color, as a kid and a teenager. It reminded me of my mom too, even though I tried not to think about her much.
Dare
Is anyone eyeing my car?
Me
Not yet
I can leave some of my shadows with it while I'm inside, to keep it safe, though. Now that I'm changing, I actually think I could ditch them for a little while.
I should try that with you, too
Dare
I don't like the idea of you without your shadows in a place where my car is at risk
Me
It does seem like an expensive car
Dare
It's not the car I care about
Me
We'll both be fine
Dare
Can you share your location with me?
Me
I could
Dare
*WILL you share your location with me?
Me
I'll think about it
That sounds pretty intimate
And since we're not even to the point of having actual sex yet...
Dare
Ouch
Me
Lol
Dare
For the record, I wasn't rejecting you
Me
K
Dare
I'm serious
I want you
I just want your first time to be memorable
Me
I don't even want my first time to be a thing, Dare
A quickie in the car sounds a lot less intimidating than some dramatic date or elaborate plan
I want us to fuck because we want each other, and if it sucks, we'll try again later
Dare
Do you really think I'd let it suck?
Me
Idk
I glanced up—and found myself looking directly into the eyes of some creepy dude who had his hands cupped around his eyes as he tried to see through the tinted windows of Dare's car.
Me
Brb
Dare
What happened?
Are you okay?
I shoved my phone in my bra as that last text came through, and grabbed the doorhandle. In one smooth motion, I slammed the door open, right into the creep's face.
He swore as he stumbled backward, and I stepped out of the vehicle. My shadows swirled angrily around me, not nearly as alive as they'd been before I made that bargain with Darius.
"What do you want?" I asked the guy, my voice flat.
He clutched his nose, which was dripping blood. "Holy fuck. You're the fae's Wraith."
The fae's Wraith?
I was my own fucking Wraith.
"Am I?" I drawled.
"Yeah. Wraith Scorch."
Wraith Scorch?
Good god, I had become a comic book character.
No.
Just no.
"If anyone touches the car, they deal with Darius," I said, striding toward the apartment building.
I wasn't entirely sure what Darius would do if someone messed with his car. People were attracted to him, but they were also scared of the fae. Hopefully, that would work in my favor.
"I'll protect it for you," the guy with the bloody nose yelled. "To pay you back."
I didn't think Dare would be thrilled about me having his protection, but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
My phone vibrated continuously in my bra as I went up the stairs and into my old apartment. The door was unlocked, but no one had gone inside. Or at least, if they had, they hadn't taken anything.
My shitty couch was broken, though.
I wasn't sure if Darius was to blame, or someone who had broken in. After a moment of debate, I decided I didn't care.
My phone stopped vibrating eventually, but started again immediately.
I pulled my suitcases out of my closet. I still had a stack of three that nested together. Grayson bought them for me when I told him I was moving out of the demon royals' mansion seven years earlier.
When my phone started vibrating a third time, I sighed, but answered.
"I'm fine, Dare."
"Answer the fucking phone when I call," he basically snarled. "I can't even track your location. What happened?"
"There was a demon outside. I broke his nose. When he realized who I was, he took multiple steps away and promised to babysit your car."
"Fuck." Dare gritted the word out. "You shouldn't be there alone."
"I handled it. I've managed to keep myself alive for a long time, Darius. You don't need to worry about me."
"You didn't need to worry about me in the café, but you still did."
"That was different."
"How was it different?"
"People were flirting with you."
"So?"
"So, it was different. Also, we have a name compatibility issue. Someone called me Wraith Scorch. I'd rather be stabbed in the eye than hear that again. Anyway, I'm going to pack up now." I hung up.
He texted me before I could put my phone away.
Dare
If I announce you as Rae Scorch, no one will call you Wraith again
And it's not different
You were afraid of losing me then, I'm afraid of losing you now
Me
Fine, you have a point
But I'm not going by Rae Scorch
Merrily doesn’t go by Darke, and Grayson doesn't go by Fall
Dare
We can figure out the name thing another time
JSYK, I'm fucking you tonight
In the car I just bought you
My entire body flushed.
I shoved my phone back into my bra, but ripped it out again when another message came through.
Dare
You're going to love it
Me
You'd better hope, asshole
Dare
If anyone in the shadow district touches you, I WILL kill them
Me
They won't
They're probably even more afraid of you than they are of me
Dare
They should be
See you tonight
And send me your location
Me
I didn't get a please
Dare
You won't
I already asked nicely
That was a fucking order, Rae
A bolt of heat flared in my veins.
I hesitated, but after a few minutes, I sent the link.
Dare
Good girl
I groaned aloud.
Me
No
Dare
You're going to taste so fucking good with my cum leaking out of you
Me
Oh my god
Dare
You accused me of rejecting you
Me
No, I didn't
Dare
The accusation was in your eyes, when you literally ran away from me
Me
We're moving tomorrow
I needed to pack
Dare
Don't lie to me
Me
Maybe I ran a little
But you did reject me
Dare
Accidentally
I'll fuck you twice tonight to make up for it.
I bit my lip, hesitating before I answered.
Me
You owe me at least three
Dare
Alright
I'll fuck you once for every time I didn't in the last few days
You're going to be sore while we move
Me
I can handle you
Dare
Good girl
Me
NO
Dare
Lol
Be safe
Me
I will
I finally tucked my phone back in my bra and started grabbing the things I wanted to keep.
Dare's car was untouched when I went back out there, so I gave the guy with the bloody nose some cash that I found in the car.
He looked like he needed it more than Darius did.
The drive back was really fucking long.
I had to stop for a gigantic cup of coffee half an hour in. As much as I hated drive-throughs, and didn't love coffee, the extreme caffeination was necessary to get me through the last hour and a half on the road.
The coffee worked too well. I was practically vibrating with energy when I finally pulled up to the hotel.
My eyes immediately locked onto the matte black corvette sitting in front of me.
The engine was running, and the bargain-covered arm draped over the edge of the window belonged to my mate. The swirling marks were significantly less dense than they had been when we met.
My new car was sexy, but Darius drew my attention even more.
I grabbed my coffee and strode over to the passenger side of the Corvette, handing my keys and some cash to the valet as I walked past. They were all used to me not being interested in talking, and I paid well enough that they didn't seem to care.
I slipped into the passenger seat, and Dare's hand settled on my thigh as he pulled away from the hotel.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"You'll see."
I looked around the vehicle, taking in the sleek leather and fancy interior. "You didn't have to buy me this."
"I wanted to, Shadow." He squeezed my leg. "You deserve a car almost as sexy as you."
"I'm not sure if that's offensive to me or to the car."
He chuckled, pulling my leg closer as we stopped at a light. "How much coffee have you had?"
"Too much. I'm going to be up all night."
"Good." Dare's hand slid higher on my leg as he wove through the city. My body warmed as his fingers stroked slow circles on my inner thigh.
He slid his hand under my shorts and teased the crease between my leg and my center, but didn't touch me where I wanted him to.
When we reached a road that led into the forest surrounding Rumor, his fingers finally brushed my clit, and I moaned.
He played with me slowly, his full attention on the road as he drove through the trees. Eventually, he parked the car in a tiny, empty dirt lot, and turned toward me.
I was panting, clutching the door of the car with one hand, and his wrist with the other.
I needed him to keep going.
"You're so fucking hot." Darius slid his fingers inside me for a moment before pulling them out and dragging my slickness over my already soaked core. My hips rocked.
"You didn't mention this being part of the plan," I breathed, trying to chase a climax with way I rocked my hips.
"Did you think you were only going to get my cock?"
"Kinda."
Darius chuckled, the sound low and rumbly. “You deserve more than that." He pulled his hand out of my shorts. "Come here, Shadow. Give me a chance to do this over."
I climbed onto his lap, sitting down with my legs straddling his lap again.
"What do you want?" he asked me, his eyes hot.
"You."
"Then you have me, baby. I'm yours."
He captured my lips, and everything felt right when his tongue met mine.
The kiss was slow, and hot.
My fingers dug into his shoulders as he slipped my shorts down my thighs.
"Fuck," I breathed, when he dragged his knuckles slowly over my clit.
"You sure you're ready for me?" he murmured against my lips. "Maybe I should check."
He slid three fingers into me, and I moaned into his mouth at the light stretch.
"You feel so fucking good on my fingers. You're going to feel even better on my cock."
He was in no rush to get me there, though, as he moved my hips lightly, helping me fuck his fingers while he teased my g-spot again and again.
I came hard, panting as he slowed down a little before slipping his fingers out of me. My hands found the waistband of his—jeans?
He'd put on jeans.
For easier access.
Hell yes.
I worked the button free, and the zipper. He tilted a little, helping me get to his cock.
The jagged part of the zipper was a little too close for my comfort as his smooth length popped up, but Darius didn't seem to give a damn.
He tilted my head back with one hand so our eyes met, and moved my hips with the one he'd pulled free of my body. My desire wet his jeans, then his skin, as he dragged me over him until the tip of his cock was against my entrance.
Our eyes were locked, the sides of our noses pressed together, and his lips nearly brushing mine. “I want you so fucking badly. I’m sorry about earlier. Any time and any place you want me, I’m yours.”
"Promise?" I murmured.
"Swear." He kissed me roughly, and pulled me over the tip of his erection. I gasped against his mouth as the head of his cock pressed inside me, hard and hot and insanely thick.
A strangled sound escaped him.
This was a first time for him too. Not the first time he'd been with someone, but the first time he'd been with someone while not struggling beneath the weight of his apathy.
Darius gave me a moment, his hand resting on my hip as he let me adjust.
His moment was too long.
I didn't fucking need it.
I wanted all of him.
I sank down over the rest of his cock, taking him deep inside my body. His groan was savage as I sat against his thighs, the tip of his erection finally hitting the deepest part of me.
The stretch was unreal.
The way he looked into my eyes as our bodies connected was even better.
"You okay?" he asked me, his expression almost... shaken.
"Amazing," I breathed.
His lips curved slowly. Viciously. "I love you, Rae."
Before I could process the words, freeze, panic, or otherwise respond appropriately, he used his grip on my hip to drag me upward, and pulled me back down over his cock.
I came with a desperate cry, burying my fangs into his throat as the pleasure overwhelmed me.
Climaxing with him inside me was an entirely different kind of bliss.
"You still don't feel my magic?" Dare gritted out.
"No." I said the word against his neck, my fangs still inside him as I drank greedily. "Don't need it."
I just needed him.
"Let me try something. I never push it outward, but—fuck." He clenched his jaw, pulling me back down hard when I started moving my hips.
Some part of me knew that he'd never done this before, either. Letting someone fuck him had never been an option in his mind. He was always in charge, and he made all of the calls.
But now, he was giving me control. Letting me set the pace.
It was perfect.
He held me still and basically growled, "I'm going to hit you with my magic, Rae."
"Later." I fought against his grip as I rode him, my fangs in his throat, my hands in his hair and on his neck and shoulders. "Come with me first.”
Darius lost control with a snarl, and shattered at the same time I did, driving into me from below as his pleasure flooded my body.
It was insane.
And unreal.
And so much more than I had ever imagined.