Craved

Renee:

Renee carried as much of Damon's weight as she could, but she knew he kept most of the weight away from her despite him being the injured one. Her arm was wrapped around his waist, and his was draped over her shoulders. They stumbled down a busy street in silence. Cars. People. So much chatter. The perfect spot for Clive to attack them. Her gut clenched. She didn't want that monster anywhere near her or Damon again. When Clive touched her, the way her body reacted to him even though her mind screamed, was a nightmare. But it had been real. His power feeding off her left her hollow inside. She couldn't help but admire Damon's determination to get them to safety.

No way in hell was she leaving Damon behind. Surely, Clive would kill him and come after her and the necklace. Still, she didn't know how Sofia, or the restaurant could help them. Maybe Sofia was an incubus too. Or wait, she'd be a succubus. Mythical creatures existed. Never would have believed it if I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes.

At the corner of the street, two bouncers stood outside Sofia's with their backs to her.

Her muscles and bones groaned under the pressure of Damon's weight. "Stay here." She eased him onto a metal bus bench, then raced to the two men. "Excuse me, can one of you help me?"

"Get in line." One with a lip piercing gestured to the already growing crowd for dinner in the opposite direction, even though it was barely lunchtime. "Sofia knows him." She pointed at Damon. "We need aid."

"He already told you," the other bouncer said straightening, "get in the back of the line."

"You don't understand. If you would let me speak with Sofia." Tightness pressed against Renee's throat. She had to help him. "Tell her about Damon."

"Damon?" A female poked her head out of the alleyway. Her black hair was straighter than Renee could ever get hers. The woman scratched a piercing-covered ear. "Where is he?"

Was this one of his many ex-girlfriends? The bouncers panted like dogs before her as if waiting for her to make a motion or say a word and they'd trip over each other to respond. In fact, as Renee glanced behind her at the crowd, many of the men drooling at the woman in a purple miniskirt and skin-tight leopard print top earned a glare or jab to their ribs from their female companions.

Renee leaned forward at the woman's scowl. "We were attacked, and Damon can barely walk. He's over there on the bench."

The woman whistled behind her into the restaurant, and three men wearing leather pants hustled outside. She lowered her voice. "Thank you. This isn't the place for you. We'll handle it from here."

Like hell. "No. I'm not leaving him."

"You aren't family or even close to being in the same class as us." She scrunched up her nose as if she were hauling out stinky trash. "Now scram."

A jolt as if the woman shocked her on a cold winter day crashed through Renee, even though she didn't touch her. This woman was one of them, like Damon. "I know you're a succubus and Damon's an incubus."

The woman clamped a hand on Renee's wrist, she gritted her teeth while her every nerve burned. The overwhelming desire to run away filled her, but she wouldn't without knowing Damon was safe. And where would she go? A madman was after her.

"Leave, or I'll do worse."

"No!" She stepped toward the woman, and the stranger's eyes widened. "I will not leave him until I know he's safe. Clive is after me too." "Why?" She jerked, letting go of Renee's arm. "Other than you've got guts and a high pain tolerance."

Even though she didn't know this woman, Renee hoped she could trust her. The men carried Damon into the restaurant and if she couldn't convince this woman to let her pass, she'd break one of the windows and sneak in. "This." She pointed to her crystal at her chest. "They're after this necklace. Or rather the crystal."

At the word crystal, the woman held out her hand. "If that's what I think it is, give it to me. I can put it to better use than a mere human."

"I-I can't. It won't come off." Despite the stabbing ache in her chest, Renee yanked on it for emphasis and nausea rolled through her. "It's adhered to me somehow." She glanced down the street. While they stood outside chatting, Clive and the others could come charging this way and catch her. Then they would know where Damon was as well. "Please. Let me come in. I'd like to help Damon."

"The crystal claimed her," said Sofia, decked in a gold shirt, black pants, and an apron smeared with browns, reds, and yellows, from the doorway. "Stop pestering the girl, Adeline. Let her pass."

Adeline? A more suitable name for her would be Maleficent. "Thank you." Renee pushed past the succubus.

"Where's Damon?" Renee asked when her vision adjusted to the darkness. The place lay empty save the red-clothed tables and black chairs. Flickering candles and flowers were scattered on the restaurant's tables. "Sit. You must eat first." Sofia held out a chair.

Renee shook her head. "I can't. Clive, another incubus, and his men are after us."

"They can't break through my wards." Sofia gestured to the table. "But first you must eat. Replenish your strength. You and Damon will need it for the battle ahead."

Battle? Renee sank into one of the empty dining room chairs while Sofia hustled to the kitchen. Didn't they just fight for their lives? The dining hall was dark minus a few flickering candles on the tables, the silence swallowing even her ragged breathing. Within seconds, Sofia was at her elbow with a plate of lamb filled gyros. I think I might be drooling. She didn't really care, for the aroma made her follow the plate as Sofia set it on the table before her.

"Eat."

Renee didn't think she'd be able to stomach anything, but soon realized she was ravenous. A glass of wine stood before her. When did she put that there? She drank. The meal warmed her, and the wine relaxed her nerves leaving the sensation of having rested and eaten well for days.

"Thank you," said Renee. "Now may I see Damon?"

Sofia's eyes glinted, making Renee fidget in her chair and her cheeks heat.

"Is he alright?"

"For now." Sofia wiped her hands on her apron, which was now white and crisp as if newly pressed. "This way."

She wove around the tables into a hallway that brought to mind a beehive with its rounded corners and multiple doorways. Seemed the longer they walked, the more the corridor stretched out in front of them as if she'd never reach the end. Before an unmarked door, Sofia stopped. "He's in there." She locked her hands behind her back. "But be warned, if you don't trust your heart, it's best you do not enter. No turning back once you step through the threshold." Cryptic much? When she looked at Sofia to discern her true nature, the elderly woman appeared blurred, an overexposed photograph blending three different pictures. "I understand."

The woman inclined her head toward the door.

Renee stepped into a large living space bigger than her apartment. A chocolate-colored couch that looked like heaven to sit in and read faced the door. Behind it, a mini kitchen. To the left, another door she guessed was a bedroom. Taking a deep breath, she marched to that door, and after knocking twice with no response, opened it. In the center of the room was a king-size bed with Damon lying in the middle of it. "Damon?" Silence. She strained to hear his breathing.

"Renee."

Her name on his lips sent a thrill to her chest and blossomed a heat through her. Stop it! He was probably using his seductive mojo. "I believe you, about what you told me, about what you are."

"I need to apologize." He opened an eye, but there was nothing cocky or smug in his expression.

"For what? Trying to save my life several times?"

"No. For entering your dreams without permission."

She lifted her chin. "I know it's customary for an incubus to do so, but-"

"I apologize. It was never my intent to harm you."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes. "I know you snuck into my dreams."

"Yes." He cringed and closed his eyes. "But I didn't purposely enter your dreams. Somehow you dragged me into them."

How could she believe him? Part of her sought to, but she was still overcoming the idea of creatures like him existing.

He took several breaths as if he labored to speak. "You trapped me in your dream at the cave-in. That's why you couldn't wake me. Not until you touched me intimately. That yanked me back from your dream world."

"If I hadn't done so?" She thought he'd been completely unconscious. Then they nearly made love when he suddenly came awake. Before, nothing she did worked. If he'd been pretending, she'd have at least seen a flash of pain in his face. "I would have faded away as dreams do."

"So, you would have died?" She didn't understand how all this worked. If his spirit or demon form were trapped in her dream and her dream forgotten, he'd die?

"Yes. In a sense. My physical body would remain alive, but unresponsive for a few months. My spirit, who I am, would cease to exist."

She sat heavily on the bed. "How did I lock you in a dream?"

"I don't know." His hand brushed hers. "Maybe it's the crystal. I don't even know why it's claimed you. I've never heard of it before. It's only supposed to work with my kind." His golden skin grew ashy, and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Thank you for helping me get here. But it's not safe for you." He struggled to sit up.

Kneeling beside him on the bed, she rested her hand on his chest. She gasped when sparks flicked from her hand and zapped into him. His skin warmed under her fingers. "What?" She didn't feel any pain, just a mild euphoria like the afterglow of a kiss that left her legs wobbly.

"I'm an incubus. Any touch or kiss rejuvenates me." He glanced past her to the door. "Is there somewhere you can go and hide? Where Clive won't find you? Sofia will send someone for me to recharge my powers, and then I'll finish Clive and wipe Cynthia's memories of my kind."

Her gaze kept dipping to his lips, to his throat, instead of focusing on his words. An inferno inside her was building and she wanted him. Just the memory of their kiss and his hands on her skin made her ache for him. He'd risked his life to save hers. "Can't someone else stop Clive?"

"I can't allow him to destroy more people than he already has." He winced as though in pain. "It's too late to call in reinforcements. If I don't get my strength back with sex, Clive will kill me and come after you. I've got to stop him." Of course, he was right. She needed to have self-control and not jump him. He met her eyes and she was lost. The desire to ease the fire burning through her from craving him sealed the decision to make love to him. She bent and kissed him. Not a tentative first kiss or the pressing of lips together, but a full open mouth kiss. When he returned her enthusiasm with a soft growl, her toes tingled. Then he gasped, and she enjoyed the feeling of control.

"It's too risky. In my condition, I could harm you. Renee, you don't have to do this."

She weighed his concern and every ounce of her being wanted this man. "But I do. I want to." Sex was what he fed on, and she wanted to be the one to recharge him.

With a smile, she lifted her shirt over her head and threw it somewhere behind her, then trailed a finger down his chest. "I've thought about this since I first met you. Even when I was so angry at you for saving me from drowning while scolding me, I kind of hoped you'd kiss me."

Caressing him was like touching steel and muscle wrapped in velvet. Her head whirled as if she'd taken a drug, leaving her in a euphoria-like state. Damon's addictive lure spun within her, and she couldn't get enough. Desire thrummed through her.

She eased off her shorts, well aware his gaze followed her every move, so she deliberately slowed her striptease. After flinging her shorts halfway across the room, she climbed on top of him, chest to chest, her legs straddling his groin. His skillful fingers traced down her arms, then cupped her backside. When he moaned, a fire burned between her legs. She ached for him. Maybe it was his incubus nature making her feel this way, but in all honesty, as her pulse skyrocketed to the moon and she gyrated against his hardness, nothing else mattered.

She needed him inside her now. She couldn't wait any longer.

Why was he taking his time with her? It took all her strength not to rip his pants off and take him. She almost laughed out loud at her insatiable desire.

His dick stirred and hardened even more between the apex of her thighs.

"Too many clothes on," he murmured while softly pressing kisses to her nape, cupping her breasts in his large hands. His breath was hot on her skin, and his mouth wet and sucking. Each tug on her nipple sent a ripple of pleasure through her. "So do you." The words came out between gasps. Her mind raced, as she held back the urge to rip his clothes off.

"Really?" He pulled away from her breast, drew the lacy fabric of the bra down, and then latched onto her budded nipple.

She tilted her head back, moaning and writhing up against him as his tongue twirled around her nipple. His cock throbbed against her panties. He pushed his thick fingers through her hair, grasping it and drawing a startled gasp from her as he drew her lower to him. The smooth texture of his pants suddenly seemed to be replaced by the heat and feel of flesh. Renee glanced down; he lay beneath her completely naked.

"How?" Where were his clothes?

"I'm an incubus, remember? Anything related to sex or ecstasy, and I make it happen."

"Can you make mine vanish?"

"Yes," he nibbled on her neck, "but I'd rather watch you take them off." He kissed her, long and deep, his tongue exploring every recess of her mouth until her pulse raced and she had no breath left. Desperately, she unhooked her bra.

"Please don't rush." His husky breath made her lick her lips in anticipation. "Undress for me, so I can see you."

She gave a quick nod, eager to do just about anything he asked at that moment and got off the bed. Slipping one strap down, she turned away, peeking at him from over her shoulder. Her heart pounded at her teasing. Would he like it? His gaze met hers, and the hunger in them set her afire with desire. At this pace, she'd self-combust before he laid a finger on her. But damn, she wanted much more than a finger.

With the other strap off, she tossed the bra in his direction, but it landed on the floor. A laugh bubbled up inside her. As nervous as she was, a feeling of empowerment tickled through her, especially with his hungry stare devouring every inch of her. She shimmied her panties halfway down her legs, bending slightly to accentuate her ass. When he released a moan of appreciation, she grinned. Yep, he was hers, and she stepped out of her underwear, unabashedly glancing his way and blew him a kiss.

"Beautiful."

His hand took hers and drew her back on the bed. She climbed over him once again but didn't lower herself onto his hardness. Not yet. His touch trailed up her thighs as he nibbled at her mouth. Desire coursed through her until she didn't want to stop and didn't think she could even if he asked. She pushed a hand against his chest, making him lay back. Drive him as wild as he's doing to me with mere touches and kisses.

But she forgot her plans as he lowered her, and his silky-tipped cockhead rubbed against her clit. Her pulse was a frenzy through her veins. God, she had to have him. She couldn't think straight.

She needed him inside her, filling her. Stretching her resistance and pounding her until she was breathless and spent. Not caring to wait a second further since she was already burning inside, and so wet she was beyond ready, she lowered herself onto him, guiding him deeper into her core. He moaned as she wrapped her walls around him and constricted them.

"Girl, you're driving me wild."

"That's my intention." She started to ride him cowgirl style, and she didn't want to stop. Couldn't.

An explosion coiled up from her center. She couldn't breathe. Instinctually, she rocked her pelvis forward and back, the tension mounting. Faster. Deeper. The steady movements of his thrust met her every slap. They grew faster, stronger, and she matched his rhythm.

"Oh God! I'm so close." Ripples of pleasure poured through her as an explosion shattered within her.

She bucked against him and he held her closer. Like she was on the edge of the Grand Canyon, his movements bringing her nearer until there was no stopping. She dove off the cliff, free-falling. Weightless. Before her orgasm slowed and she could even catch her breath, another built up in its place. Threads of pleasure trailing deeper. Following the path until she was lifted, floating. Then crashing among the waves where she couldn't stop them.

"My turn." His husky voice sent shivers down her spine, and she swore her vagina purred.

Withdrawing, he flipped her over onto her back. She loved the strength yet gentleness he used with her.

Then he stroked the fire between her legs with his fingers as he took her lips in a kiss deeper and more passionate than any she'd ever had. Their tongues danced and mated as she bucked against his hand. When she gasped for breath, he moved down to her breast. Taking in one nipple, she screamed with pleasure, and then he paid equal attention to the other.

His mouth dipped lower to between her thighs, and when his tongue lapped at her, she nearly launched herself off the bed. His finger toyed with her ass, stroking it, flickering her rosebud, teasing, and pushing her that much farther. She snatched handfuls of his hair, moaning so loud she was convinced their neighbors would hear.

"Please."

He propped himself up on his elbow, sliding up next to her. His grin made her wrap her hand around his dick, forcing him into her. "How do you want me?'

"Every way." She gasped as he entered her, waves of electricity crashing into her.

"That's not an answer. Like this?" He moved in and out of her slowly, achingly. "Or this?" His pace quickened.

"Ohhh, like that," she panted.

He filled her until she didn't know where he began and she ended, as if a part of her had been missing. Yes sex, but it was so much more. Intensity, connection, euphoria.

When he rose to kiss her, his pace changed to teasing a sensitive spot and she gripped his shoulders. As if knowing the dam of an orgasm was breaking, he lengthened his strokes and rubbed her clit and she couldn't stop, didn't want to have this ecstasy end.

"Harder. Faster." Her nails dug into his back as the building of another orgasm threaded from her core down her legs and into her curled toes.

"I want to watch the ecstasy and rapture on your face." His fingers stroked her nipples again and again until she shouted his name, shuddering her release.

After a few more strokes, he collapsed beside her.

"Oh my God!" Every muscle in her entire body was mush. Content.

"Not a god, an incubus."

She couldn't even open her eyes. "Unbelievable. I think I orgasmed more with you than I have in my entire life."

His deep chuckle made her smile. "It wasn't my best performance. We haven't made love in your dreams and then woke up to do the real thing."

She was spent. Her body weighed heavily into the mattress. A random thought had her gut tighten in anticipation. How much sex did an incubus need? Was he sated now and ready for battle?