Мишель Роуэн: The Demon in Me

“Sorry.” His gaze flicked back to hers and his smile widened. “All I’ve been able to do is observe for so long I’d forgotten how wonderful some things can feel. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Yes, I do mind. I’m warning you, let go of me, or… or else .”

“Is that a demand or a request?”

“It’s a demanding request.”

“You’re a very beautiful woman.”

“Uh… thanks. But I’m still thinking you should let go of me. Like, now.”

It was unfortunate that she was no longer struggling against him. That kind of downplayed the force of her words a bit. But being so close to this strangely attractive demon was making her feel… well, strange .

The tingles she’d felt earlier had quickly gathered in one place now, low in her body. An intoxicating warmth began to fill her senses, and her fear was rapidly being replaced by something else — a strange and uncontrollable surge of desire, which was scarier and more dangerous since it was triggered by having a demon pressed against her.

“It’s been three centuries since I’ve been able to touch anyone,” he murmured.

“Sorry to hear that.”

He focused on her mouth for a moment. “Or, for that matter, kiss anyone.”

She cleared her throat nervously, certain that he was close enough to easily feel her racing heart rate. “Sucks to be you.”

It actually felt about the same length of time for Eden, even though it was really only six months since she’d kicked ass-face — her pet name for her ex — out of her life. It was one of the many reasons she hadn’t minded leaving her small town for life in the big city.

He leaned closer to her.

Her eyes widened as she realized what he was going to do. “Hold on a moment…”

She wasn’t going to kiss a demon. It was absolutely not going to happen. Not a chance inThe demon brushed his lips softly against hers.

Well, maybe I’m wrong , she thought.

She wasn’t sure when he’d released her wrists, but his fingers now tangled in her long hair. For some reason her hands were closing in on the small of his back and rapidly heading farther south at about the same moment she opened her mouth to his knee-weakening kiss. In response, he groaned low in his throat as his tongue slid against hers and a lightning bolt of lust slammed through her.

What in the hell am I doing ? she yelled at herself from what seemed like a far distance.

She wrenched her lips away from him and moved her hands up from a very firm demon-butt to his equally firm black T-shirt-clad chest to push him away.

A smile curled up the side of his mouth. “Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Eden’s face felt like it was on fire. “I think I’m going to puke.”

The smile held. “I don’t think you really mean that.”

“Get away from me,” she said, only this time it sounded annoyingly breathless.

“Why? Are you going to throw something at me again?” He leaned toward her like a predator who’d cornered his prey.

“Not exactly.” She brought her knee up sharply enough to let him know she was being serious and made contact with a sensitive area that demons seemed to have in common with human males.

“Okay… ow .” Pain registered in his gaze. She slipped out of the demon trap she’d found herself in. He let out a long breath and studied her. “I don’t know what you did to help me take solid form. I figure it has something to do with you being psychic—”

“I’m not psychic,” she said, but didn’t sound very convincing at all. “Well, not really .”

“Keep telling yourself that. Your life will stay nice and orderly that way.” He glanced at the door and at the rapidly setting sun. “I think I’m going to leave now.”

“Don’t let me stop you.” Her voice shook. “Make sure to say hi to Satan when you get back home.”

“Actually, he prefers to be called Lucifer, and he’s not on my list of old friends to look up. However, I’ll keep it in mind just in case our paths cross.”

A chill coursed down her spine. “Go away now. Buh-bye.”

He cautiously reached out to touch the handle and pushed the door open. “I can’t believe it’s this easy.”

“Believe it. Now leave me the hell alone.”

“Thank you for making this possible.” The demon sounded incredibly sincere in his gratitude.

Eden pointed in the opposite direction. “Go away.”

As if summoning something deep inside of himself, he finally swung the door all the way open and walked outside, pausing before he took a few tentative steps into the empty parking lot. Then a few more. Then a few more.

He stopped.

Eden rubbed her eyes, not really believing what she was seeing for a moment. With a shudder, his body seemed to turn darker and transparent.

He didn’t move for a moment, but he suddenly took a shaky step backward, which was enough to solidify his frame again. Then he turned his entire tall, black-clad form around and quickly reentered the office. He leaned heavily against the glass door. There was sweat beaded on his forehead.

“Problem,” he managed.

Every muscle in her body was tense. “Fix it.”

“Not sure I can.” He let out a long, shuddery breath and then his gaze moved to meet Eden’s. “I got out there and couldn’t maintain my solid form.”

“Why the hell not?”

The demon shook his head. “You’re psychic. This is just a guess, but my current ability to take human form must draw entirely from that energy. When I stray too far from your side, I can’t maintain it.”

A fresh line of panic raced through her. She was psychic — even if it was just a little bit. She couldn’t deny it any longer.

But, hell, she could still try. “You’re crazy.”

His Adam’s apple shifted as he swallowed hard. He looked even paler than he had before. “I had solid form until a witch cursed me. I’ve tried searching for her ever since to break the curse, but it’s kind of hard to track somebody down when you have little or no control over your host.”

“A witch cursed you?” she repeated with shock.

“I didn’t think there was a chance to hope for anything else until today.” He looked down at his hands again. “This is so amazing. But… I can’t simply leave your side now.”

“Try again,” she suggested. “Try harder .”

He shook his head. “I went outside and couldn’t go any farther. I felt my energy draining away and then I was drawn back to you like a magnet. I have to stay close to you. You’re my host now.”

“Then you need to find another host,” she said firmly.

“Can’t do that. You’re stuck with me until…” He trailed off.

“Until what?” The thought of being possessed by a demon — impossible to consider only an hour ago, but now the central concern of her existence — was too horrible to deal with.

“Until your death . Or until I find the witch who cursed me. But there is good news in this bleak scenario. I know she’s in the area. I can sense her. It’s why I directed my previous host here — the one before the killer. It was tough, but I could influence his behavior in small ways.”

She’d only heard the first part. “Until my death ?”

He nodded. “When you die, I’ll be released and I’ll have to find a new host.”

“But you’re released now. I release you.” She flicked her hand at him. “You can leave any time you want to. Go.”

“I can’t.” He glanced out through the glass doors. “I seem to be bound to your side whether I’m bodiless or not.”

Eden’s frustration welled inside her and threatened to spill over. “I didn’t ask for this.”