Making Demons Purr (Flushed and Fevered Book 2) Read online

  Arousal flared throughout her body, hot enough to burn. Her cream soaked into her panties. Her heart rate increased as her legs turned to jelly. Words escaped her. She wasn’t sure how she could speak anyway. Her mouth had gone dry. All she could do was gaze at him in shock.

  “Maybe I need to get specific.” He moved closer, invading her personal space. His body heat pressed against her skin, merging with hers. His unique cologne of coffee and spices swirled around her, becoming her air. With each pull of breath, he became a part of her.

  She took a step back and he followed.

  “You can run all you want, little cat. I’ll just continue to follow you. Now, where was I?” He tilted his head to the side and tapped his chin. “Ah, yes, specifics.”

  He lifted his hand and reached forward. With just his fingertip he traced the curve of her chin. “Such soft skin, like silk. I’ve wanted to feel you against me for so long.” His touch slipped down her neck. “To taste your flesh, inhale your personal perfume.” He darted his head forward and inhaled before pulling back. His hair swung forward like a curtain of midnight streaked with crimson.

  Her fingers itched to grab hold and feel the satin tresses under her grip. To feel his hair brushing against her inner thighs as he went down on her…she mewled at the thought. She closed her hands into fists to keep from reaching out. His fingertip edged the neckline of her corset. Her nipples throbbed with the need to be touched. She inhaled and waited for him to do something, anything.

  He continued to outline the deep scoop neck of her corset. “I want to suck your tits until you squirm and beg me to fuck you.”

  She pressed her thighs together as her clit began to throb in earnest and her temperature spiked. She let out a shaky breath as her knees shook. The desire to act out what he was describing overwhelmed her. She relaxed her legs, the pressure on the aching bundle of nerves had only increased, making her want to lift her skirt and work herself into a frenzy.

  “I want to kiss my way down your stomach, tracing your curves with my hands, finding out the secret spots that make you gasp and groan.” He moved closer until their clothes touched. He reached out, grabbed her hips, and pulled her against him. His erection pressed against her stomach. Just the feeling of the thick ridge made her pussy contract. She wanted to remove her soaked panties. The feeling of the wet fabric against her clit only agitated her further.

  “And once I’m between your thighs I will bury my face there and eat you out and worry your clit until you come over and over again.” He dipped his head down, bringing his lips just a breath away from hers. “And you will be crying out my name.”

  All she could do was stare into his onyx gaze. Words had fled her mind and the images took shape before her eyes.

  “Then, I’ll give you a reprieve by turning you over and spanking your sweet ass until you can’t stand it anymore and you beg me to fuck you—hard, fast, and deep.” His voice shook as he murmured his desires.

  Sera began to whimper, unable to stop the noise from emerging. It was all she could do to keep from begging him to start right that very minute.

  “And if you’re a really good girl—and I mean a good girl—I’ll ask my best friend to join us. Him in your ass and me in your pussy.” Carver pressed his palm against her stomach and slipped it down until he covered her mound. “You want to be our good girl, don’t you?”

  She nodded, unsure of what it would take to be that, but knowing that whatever it was she’d do it. He smiled and it felt as though the sun had come out. Heat radiated from his lips. She reached up to cup his face and bring him closer for a kiss, but he lifted his head.

  “Tsk, tsk, not yet. I’m not finished.” He rolled his hips, rubbing his erection into her. The noises she made turned to moans. “Feel that? Every inch for you, used to pleasure you, fuck you, make you moan and scream and beg and cry out, to own you. I’ll sink into you over and over again, make you come so hard you’ll see stars. I’ll use toys, my fingers, my mouth, my tongue, my lips, my cock to worship you as you deserve. My beautiful one, I will never do to you what that bastard, Arthur, did to you.”

  Sera jerked back. The fantasy faded away at the mention of her ex. How could he? She narrowed her eyes at him. “How do you know about Arthur? Only Mysta, Bridget, and Lana know what happened with him.”

  Carver shrugged. “Word does get around, even if you don’t open that pretty mouth of yours. Besides, the asshole told anyone who would hear at the Harvest Festival about leaving you. But don’t worry, Thorn and I put him in his place.” A hard look entered Carver’s eyes, a darkness that glittered in the inky black of his irises. He gave her a dark smile.

  Her nipples pebbled to the point of pain and she shivered. The arousal stirred to life. “Why would you do that for me? Whatever it is you did.”

  Carver bent his head down. “Because I will fight to have you and shed blood to keep you safe and keep your heart secure. You are worth it. You are priceless. Do not doubt that.”

  He cut off any response by lowering his head and pressing his lips to hers. Her mind became swathed in desire, and her body temperature rose once again. She was in so deep she wasn’t sure she wanted to escape.

  Chapter Two

  A few hours earlier…

  Sorry but I need someone who will be there for me. Take care of yourself. The e-mail’s words rolled around Seraphena’s head as she took a sip of her chardonnay. She tried to focus on what Ariel was saying to Donna, but all she could think of was Arthur. She took another swallow of the wine and let the dull buzz filter through her system, only to feel the spark die down as her shifter’s metabolism took over, keeping her sober.

  The words continued to roll around and she tried to find meaning in them. She got nothing. It was more like the bastard hadn’t been there for her. She waved away the thoughts. Tonight was about forgetting and she intended to do just that.

  “Carver St. James just showed up, and he’s looking hot I might add.” Ariel tilted her head toward the door. “Whew, spank me daddy! All in leather too. Is that a red collar? Ooooh, dirty priest. Sexy! At least I think he’s supposed to be a priest. Whatever. Sexy is sexy.”

  Sera turned to look. Her legs turned to jelly and she lost feeling in her hands. Heat flared on her face. She swallowed and found her throat refused to work. Her gaze was locked onto the dark figure of Carver and his best friend, Thornton, drifting over to the punch bowl. Ariel was right. Whatever he was supposed to be, he was walking sex in black leather.

  “Damn. If I wasn’t mated, the things I would do to that demon. I’d show him some tricks he’s never even heard of.” Donna barked out a laugh and took swig of her beer. “Now, I have a new thing for Troy to dress up as.”

  Sera growled. The sound came out before she could check it and embarrassment quickly followed. She wanted the ground to swallow her whole. Why couldn’t she control herself when it came to those two demons? She’d like to be able to chalk things up to Lunar Lust, but even when the moon wasn’t full she was just as reactionary. She needed to calm down or she would march over there and mark them as hers.

  Donna held her hands up. “Whoa there. He’s not mated, and last I checked your name isn’t tattooed on his ass.” She gave Sera an impish grin. “You know, he and his best friend won’t be alone for long. Better go over and stake your claim.”

  A few months ago she wouldn’t have noticed Carver or Thornton in a sexual way. She had been in an exclusive relationship that was going somewhere. Or so she’d thought. Her mother, Francine, had been so pleased. Arthur was really top rung in the feline shifter community. Now all she wanted was closure.

  “Hey, where’d you go?” Ariel grinned and nudged her. “We were just wondering how Thorn would look in assless chaps.”

  Sera let her train of thought go. Tonight was about fun. “Sorry.”

  Ariel laid a hand on her shoulder and gave the muscles a squeeze. “Don’t you dare get all dopey over Arthur. He’s an ass. It’s so his loss.”

&nbs
p; Donna nodded. “I wanted to say something when you were still with him, but you were so happy. I thought I was imagining things, but then I heard it wasn’t just me…”

  Sera clenched her jaw. “D, just spit it out.”

  Donna licked her lips. “Well…he did make a pass at me. I threatened to castrate him with a butter knife and he backed off…but still, you’re like a sister to me. I’m sorry I kept my mouth shut. It didn’t help that your mother told me to keep things under a tight lid. I just…I’m sorry, hon.”

  Sera pressed her lips together and counted to ten before she could speak. Her own mother knew? Had there had been others? What else had she missed with Arthur? Tears burned her eyes. The room was too hot. There were too many people. Did they all know? Were they pitying her? Was that why they had invited her in the first place?

  “That bastard,” Sera whispered. “Why was he even with me?”

  Donna enveloped her in a hug that only served to make her feel even more claustrophobic. “Don’t hit me, but I think he was trying to play hard to get with Dina Kristia. Wanted her to think he was off the market, so if he did come after her she’d feel all flattered. Dina is a Grade-A bitch of no nonsense. She wouldn’t fall for that shit. And she didn’t.”

  Sera pulled out of Donna’s embrace. Tears fell, even as she tried to blink them away. Her heart ached at being made a fool of. Her feline wanted to retreat and turn this new bit of news over, examine and accept it in the darkness and safety of home, but she’d be damned if she hid under the covers now. No, her mother and Arthur wouldn’t take her ability to have fun from her. She’d deal with them later. Tonight, fun was all that mattered.

  “Hey, it’s OK. You know now, so no going back to that piece of slime. And besides, I doubt Carver or Thornton would allow him to get too close.” Ariel tilted her head toward the punch bowl again.

  Sera peeked over and spotted the two demons staring at her. Her skin flushed and she felt suddenly self-conscious about how tight her clothing was. The twin gazes made her fidget. Shifting from one foot to the other, she ducked her head and took in her costume. She moved her hands over the tight, black mermaid skirt and then brushed imaginary dust from the black corset with floral edging. When she glanced over at the two men again, their stares were still on her. She readjusted her lacy, butterfly-shaped mask and hoped it looked OK.

  Ariel gave her forearm a light smack. “Stop that. You look gorgeous.” Ariel turned away and Sera watched her scan the room.

  “You stop looking for Zak and I’ll stop fidgeting.” Sera knew it wasn’t true. Her fingers adjusted the hem of her corset as if they had a mind of their own. Nervous energy filled her. It was as if she’d downed a few shots of espresso before coming to the party.

  Ariel bobbed her head. “Not looking for him. Looking for the bathroom. I’ve had far too much wine and nature is calling.”

  Sera relaxed. Ever since Zak had abandoned Ariel as his familiar she’d been watching for him around every corner. “Let’s go find it. I can go get some air. It’s too stuffy in here and I need some time alone.”

  Donna pursed her lips. “Too stuffy, or you just want the demon duo to chase you?”

  Sera rolled her eyes. “Air. Come on, Ariel.”

  Twin stares followed her as she left the main room.

  Chapter Three

  Carver watched Sera leave the room. His heart hammered against his rib cage and need burned through his veins. He could feel the desire to claim start to consume him. He tightened his grip on his glass as he scented the air, searching for her unique perfume. The delicate aroma of sunlight and roses drifted toward him with a tang of arousal that lit him up from the inside out. The urge to follow her, find her, and fuck her filled his gut as his dick lengthened and hardened even more. His palms tingled and his back throbbed as his wings threatened to break free. If he wasn’t careful he’d turn completely red, an indication that the demon side of his nature had taken control. He would know he had lost control completely if his fire magic manifested and his wings broke through the skin.

  If it happened, he doubted anyone would be too alarmed. His demonic wings were made up of red-and-black feathers on a frame of bones that looked as though they’d been roasted in a fire. But everyone would think it was part of some show the owners of the house had organized for Samhain. They’d probably just applaud. But he refused to be a sideshow for anyone, and he didn’t want to scare Sera away either.

  It had been too long since he’d indulged fully in his desires. His free hand clenched into a fist. Sharp pinpricks of pain erupted in his skin as his fingernails dug into his palm. Find her. Fuck her. Claim her. Those imperatives circled his brain like water going down a drain.

  He began to go after Sera, but a hand on his arm stopped him. With a growl he turned around to face whoever it was who dared touch him.

  His best friend, Thornton, shook his head. “Give her some space. She looked upset.”

  Carver couldn’t deny that. “Probably something to do with that Arthur asshole. You did send him far away, correct?”

  Thornton gave him a dark smile. “Very far away. He’s not dead or dealing with taskmaster demons, though. I think they sent him to LA or something.”

  Carver nodded. “Good. He deserves it for using her like that. Good thing Dina didn’t like him. Why he’s so lusted after in the feline shifter community I don’t even know. He’s not even that wealthy or handsome.”

  Thorn shrugged. “It’s because he’s a pureblood shifter. His line hasn’t been tainted by a mixing of the species.” Disgust filled his face until Carver thought Thorn would throw up.

  Carver shuddered. “They sound like the demonic hierarchy, too ancient and stuck in their ways. Idiots.” He hated all the talk of keeping things uncorrupted. Whenever he returned home to visit his family he had to listen to that nonsense. It was always about being the best or the oldest house, about being able to trace your line back to the Morning Star himself. Never mind that the original demon never cared much for purity himself.

  “And yet you fit into that ideal, my friend.” Thornton raised his glass at him in a toast and saluted him.

  Carver shuddered. “And? Doesn’t mean anything in the long run. Demonesses nowadays don’t care who they fuck. They’re no longer restricted to demons like ye olde days. We can be with who we want to be with. Besides, aren’t you from the oldest house, my friend? Lucifer’s such and such and such?”

  “So? Doesn’t matter with my archangel father. Anyway, let’s get to the point. You want Sera.” Thorn’s face was completely impassive.

  “Want can’t even begin to describe my desire for Sera. She is perfection made flesh.” A flash of heat burst in Carver’s body, and the change tried to find a foothold once more. Even his fire magic burned to come out and play. He could only imagine what Thorn was going through. One look at his friend’s pale face told the story. There was a tightness in his mouth and around his eyes that told of Thorn’s own war within.

  “Look at you being poetic. I’ve never seen you so smitten before. I do have to admit I feel the same way. Now if she would be willing to allow us to share her…” Thorn looked away but Carver didn’t miss the blatant yearning in his eyes.

  Carver’s face flushed with heat. It was the norm among demon kind to share their mates. Each para community had their own customs in this regard. Among lynx shifters, you had no choice but to share; fox shifters tended to be born as twins or triplets, and you had to accept all the siblings or none. But demons were different. With every generation fewer females were born. They had to either share their women or die out.

  During Carver’s first sexual experience, Thorn had been there with him to calm him down and help him focus on the woman instead of his own nerves. His best friend was like a brother to him. It felt natural for him to be there, helping him to bring as much pleasure to their chosen partner as possible. He hoped Sera could understand that, but he didn’t want to feel as if he was giving her away or selling her to his be
st friend for sex. She would have complete say in everything they did. Their Sera should know she was loved and appreciated and that they desired every inch of her. With Arthur out of the picture it was time for her to know it.

  He couldn’t keep waiting, fantasizing that she’d take the initiative and come to them. It was now or never. A quick scan of the room showed she hadn’t returned, but that her friend, the lynx shifter, had.

  “I’m going to go find her. I don’t like her being alone at this party. The punch might as well be all alcohol for all the shit they’re pouring in there.” He watched as yet another person came up to the pale pink liquid and poured in more cheap gin. Disgust filled him. If you were going to spike the punch why use the crap stuff? The mere sight of the low quality alcohol offended his demon sensibilities. So what if demons were the snobs of the paranormal world? There was something to be said for excellence.

  “Go. I don’t want to ruin my Samhain with having to pull you off someone for dumping another bottle of shit gin into the mix. Nor do I want to have to deal with the sheriff and bail you out. I’d like to enjoy my holiday, thank you very much. I’ll find you when you’ve cornered our quarry.”

  Thorn moved off to disappear in the crowd. Carver had no illusions that his friend would follow him after a few seconds. Thorn hated crowds as much as he did. It was a wonder he hadn’t started a fight by now. He was probably afraid to ruin his costume—whatever he was supposed to be. “Leather-clad something” was all he seemed to have come up with.

  Carver took in a cleansing breath and let it out. The change had stalled for now but it would get worse before it got better. It wouldn’t do to scare her. All he needed was to sink his throbbing cock into Sera’s tight wet heat and he’d be right as rain.