Jenna Black - The Devil Inside

“Which part of ‘no fucking way’ didn’t you understand?” Okay, so it wasn’t the most original comeback in the world, but my brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders at the moment.

The wicked, evil grin was back. “Let me put it this way: you’re staying with me, where I can keep an eye on you.”

I stood up. He could overpower me easily, but I’d make one hell of a commotion as he dragged me through the hotel halls.

He stayed in his chair and smiled up at me. “We can do this one of two ways, love. You can come quietly…” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. “Or not.” He dangled the cuffs from the end of his index finger. “Which do you prefer?”

Well, shit. In all my indignation, I’d forgotten the little detail about him being a police officer. I could make all the commotion I wanted. All he’d have to do is flash his badge, and no one would lift a finger to help me.

One thing was for sure: I didn’t want Adam putting handcuffs on me. I’d have to put on a show of going along quietly. When we got to the lobby, I’d see if I could find a good opportunity to make a run for it. I wasn’t sure where I would go, but anywhere seemed better than with Adam.

“I guess I’ll come quietly,” I said, grimacing.

He swung the cuffs around his finger, staring at me. I guess I must be getting predictable in my old age, because he smiled and said, “I think not.”

He stood up, and my heart lurched. I didn’t like the look in his eyes, not one bit. I held up my hands in a protective gesture.

“No, really. I’ll cooperate. You don’t need the cuffs.”

He cocked his head to the side. “You’re actually frightened, aren’t you? I would have thought it’d take more than a pair of handcuffs to frighten you.”

I tried to reason with myself. Even if Adam wasn’t a demon, he’d have a height and weight advantage on me. In reality, if he wanted to attack me, I’d be just as toasted with my hands free as with them in cuffs.

Reason wasn’t helping much.

Adam raised his eyebrows. “What’s the matter, love? Don’t trust me?”

That pissed me off enough to put the fear temporarily to the side. “Not as far as I can throw you.”

He nodded. “Exactly. And that’s about how much I trust you, though I suspect I could throw you farther than you could throw me. So turn around and put your hands behind your back.”

I shook my head and shivered. If he was going to put those damn things on me, he was going to have to work for it.

His voice and his expression softened. “Morgan, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m honestly trying to protect you.”

“You mean protect Lugh,” I shot back.

“Right now, it’s the same thing.”

“Please, Adam. I promise I’ll come with you. Just don’t — ”

I guess he decided persuasion wasn’t going to work. He was on me before I even knew he’d moved. He turned me around and shoved me face — first onto the bed, then put his knee in my back as he grabbed my flailing arms and slapped the cuffs on my wrists.

He moved his knee as soon as the cuffs were on, hauling me to my feet by my upper arm. My heart beat rabbit-fast, and cold sweat broke over my body.

Adam stood behind me, close behind me, holding both my arms. I felt his breath on my ear as he bent his head to mine.

“Remember to breathe,” he said, his voice soft as a caress.

Once again, I fought my panic. I breathed in deeply through my nose, then let the breath out through my mouth. Some of the tension left me, so I tried it again.

After a couple more deep breaths, I felt almost normal. Plus, Adam had released one of my arms and given me some room.

“Let’s go,” he said, leading me toward the door.

I cast a longing glance at the shopping bags that held all my worldly possessions. He saw my glance and snatched them up with his free hand.

Still fighting the remnants of panic, I let him lead me downstairs to his waiting car and tried to ignore all the curious stares of the hotel patrons.

Adam had driven to the hotel in an unmarked police car, so I had the pleasure of riding in the back like a criminal. He didn’t take the handcuffs off. It didn’t improve my disposition.

The last of my fear faded, replaced by good, old-fashioned fury. I stared at the back of Adam’s head and wished I could bore holes in his skull with my gaze. At the next stoplight, he adjusted the rearview mirror so he could look at me without turning his head. I met his eyes in the mirror and hated the laugh lines that crinkled the corners.

“Glad I’m such a source of entertainment,” I muttered darkly.

He didn’t say anything, which was probably just as well.

Apparently, being Director of Special Forces paid well. Adam’s house wasn’t huge, but it was a lot larger than mine, and it was that rarest of all city birds, a stand-alone, sharing no walls with any neighbors. I was impressed.

He parked in a tiny private lot right across the street, then opened my door and helped me out. He still didn’t take off the handcuffs, but I knew how much good complaining would do.

“Hi, honey, I’m home,” Adam called as soon as he stepped through his front door, dragging me along behind him.

A familiar voice answered. “Well, if that isn’t the cheesiest — ” Dominic came to a stop. His jaw dropped, but he recovered his composure quickly enough. “Morgan. This is a surprise.”

I wanted to say something clever, but nothing came to mind. Adam led me farther into the house, and Dominic noticed the handcuffs for the first time. He gave Adam an inquiring look.

Adam shrugged. “Long story.” He let go of my arm. “I’ll be with you in a moment,” he told me with a mischievous wink.

I had no idea what that wink meant. Until he stepped away from me and put his hands on Dominic’s shoulders. Dominic spared me one uncomfortable glance, then stepped into Adam’s embrace. Dominic is actually an inch or two taller than Adam, but something about the way Adam carries himself always makes him look like the biggest guy in the room. Even when Dominic had to lower his head to receive his kiss.

My face flamed. I wanted to look away, but I just couldn’t. They were both so beautiful, each in his own way, and I felt as if waves of energy radiated out from them. Their lips moved restlessly against each other, and I was watching closely enough to see Adam’s tongue slip into Dominic’s mouth.

I don’t know why, but it was one of the sexiest kisses I’d ever seen. I finally forced my gaze away, but I couldn’t help hearing the contented purring sounds Dominic made as Adam Frenched him. My cheeks refused to cool down, and even though I wasn’t watching anymore, I knew that image would stay in my mind for a long, long time.

I heard twin sighs of regret as they pulled apart. Adam’s voice when he spoke was rough and smoky, unlike any sound I’d heard from him before.

“Let’s get Morgan settled, shall we? Then we can continue where we left off.”

I didn’t hear Dominic’s answer, but he must have conveyed his agreement somehow. I kept my gaze riveted to the floor as Adam unlocked the damn handcuffs. I refused to rub my wrists, though they were raw from my pointless struggles. As if I could break out of handcuffs!

Embarrassed and reluctantly aroused, I picked up the shopping bags and followed Adam up the stairs to the second floor. Dominic came up behind me. When Adam reached the top of the stairs, he turned to the right and started down the hallway. But as soon as he’d moved out of the way, I came to a screeching halt, because I could see into the room at the head of the stairs through its open door.

It was the blackest room I’d ever seen. The walls and ceiling were painted black. The floor was a glossy black tile. A huge bed of black iron, covered with black sheets, rested against one wall. But that wasn’t what made me take a hasty step backward so that I bumped into Dominic coming up behind me.