Page 29 of Demon’s Desire (Lovers of the Damned #3)

“He… Fuck. Luc gave me my magic back.” Onyx scrambled from Nico’s embrace and sat up, running a hand through his hair and along a horn. “My power is at full strength. My fire feels deeper. Complete. I haven’t felt this way in a thousand years. What the fuck?”

Onyx stared at Nico as if he might be able to explain. Nico seemed baffled.

There was no mistaking it now that Onyx was paying attention. He’d gotten used to his missing magic. The hole had become part of him. But now that he had his power back, the difference was stark.

It had been agony when Luc first stole such an integral part of him.

Now he was whole.

“What the hell is he playing at?” Rage coursed through Onyx, more powerful than it had been in centuries. His fire flared.

Nico’s mouth opened in awe at whatever he read on Onyx’s face. He sat up, grabbing Onyx’s hand. “What if Luc’s not playing at anything? Wouldn’t giving your magic back go a long way to proving he’s sorry? What if he wasn’t threatening me? You said Luc claimed he wouldn’t hurt me. And he didn’t.”

“He hasn’t yet,” Onyx corrected. “I get what you’re thinking, but I can’t trust him. Not after everything. He has an agenda. He always does. Luc only looks after himself. Just because we can’t see his game plan doesn’t mean there isn’t one.”

Nico frowned, eyes disproportionately sad.

“I’m not risking it. I don’t care how his actions seem.” Onyx gripped Nico’s hand tighter. “I’m not risking anything happening to you. Trusting the Devil is for fools.”

You were never a fool.

Onyx nearly screamed to drown out his brother’s words.

He couldn’t do this. He needed Nico safe. As a witch, he’d go to the Realm of the Damned when he died and never reincarnate. Onyx didn’t want that cursed afterlife for Nico, and he couldn’t let Luc send him there early.

An idea struck.

Onyx let go of Nico’s hand and grabbed his shoulder. “You’re friends with a horde of vampires. Why are you still mortal? If you were thinking of joining their ranks, do it now. You’d be so much safer.”

Nico’s brows raised, forehead creasing. “I don’t want to join Rowan.”

He should. If Nico bound himself to the annoying vampire, then Onyx could keep him forever. Even if they weren’t mates.

Dammit, he shouldn’t think about mates. He longed for one more and more, even if he tried to deny it. “I won’t hold joining Rowan against you.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m serious.” Nico rubbed the back of his neck. “The vampire bond isn’t for me. Rowan and I are close, but I don’t want to be one of his children. I don’t want to be so…connected. And I don’t want to live forever.”

Nico didn’t want to live forever. Was this confirmation that he wasn’t Onyx’s mate? Surely fate wouldn’t grant him a mate that rejected immortality and chose not to bond. It would be cruel.

Facing the possibility that he was wrong turned Onyx’s desire for Nico into something desperate. It was like a sickness growing inside him. There was no denying it, and Onyx couldn’t shake the feeling that the evolving intensity of his attraction meant something.

If they were fated, would Nico change his mind about immortality?

“I don’t blame you for not wanting to be bound to Rowan. I should have known you had better judgment.” Onyx forced a haughty, approving look, unable to face sharing his suspicions. Not yet. “I’ll get the others to protect your house and keep you safe that way.”

Nico pulled Onyx close and pressed him into the mattress, looming over him. “Good. I like you keeping me safe.” He smiled with so much warmth it cracked Onyx’s soul.

Onyx closed his eyes. He couldn’t take it.

Hope was the worst. It always ruined him. First with Luc, hoping he’d stay, hoping he wouldn’t leave him behind. With Ash, hoping he’d see him and love him for who he was. For hoping things would get better after they fell. For clinging to the chance that Luc might change.

And now, hoping the man on top of him was his mate.

Onyx trembled, holding back until it was impossible not to give in. He couldn’t fight his hope for Nico.

He wrapped his legs around Nico’s hips and rubbed their groins together, smiling when Nico’s cock hardened so fast it had to be some sort of record.

“I’ve been missing out, never having you on your back.” Nico’s fingers trailed over Onyx’s chest and flicked his nipple.

Onyx forced his eyes open. “There are many ways you’ve never had me. I heard there was a list. Missionary better not be the only thing on it, or I’ll be disappointed.”

Nico chuckled. “Brat.” He tweaked Onyx’s nipple, eliciting a gasp. Nico tugged the barbell piercing, and pleasure shot through Onyx’s core.

Onyx’s cock hardened and his tail trembled. “Get that big dick back inside me and let’s tick off this position. Then, you can impress me with your next grand idea.”

A full-on laugh burst from Nico. He seemed surprised with himself and shook his head. “I don’t know if I want to. You make it sound like a chore.”

“Fucking me is never a chore. Take it back or you’ll find my legs permanently closed.”

Nico pressed against Onyx, their foreheads knocking, Nico’s big body shaking with more laughter. “Please don’t. Once isn’t enough. I’ve gotta make your needy purple hole mine.”

Onyx’s snark evaporated, and his face and tail flamed.

Nico’s woodsy citrus scent washed over him in a refreshing wave, and Nico dropped kisses down Onyx’s neck, giving his piercing a vicious twist.

“Ugh, go on then. Claim me, Nico. Fuck my blushing ass until I can’t remember anything but being filled with your cum.”

“Fuck, yeah. You’ve been so good today. Talking to me. Telling me what you want. Of course I’m going to give you another load.” He kissed down Onyx’s chest, then bit and sucked on his nipple, flicking it with his tongue.

A hand snaked between them, and Nico aligned his cock with Onyx’s hole. A quick flare of magic renewed his slick, and Onyx bore down, opening for Nico as he pushed in.

Nico’s cock stretched Onyx just right. Though honestly, sex with Nico would be perfect no matter his size or shape, or how they came together. It wasn’t about parts or bodies. Fitting with Nico was bigger, mushy and soul-altering, like Onyx had never cared to be with past lovers.

“That’s it. You’re taking me like I already claimed this sweet hole.” Nico filled him until their bodies met, slick leaking between them. “You’re so messy. So filthy and dripping for me, little butterfly. I’m going to pin you down and never let you go. Keep you stuffed tight.”

Nico pulled back and thrust. Onyx arched beneath him, hips undulating, matching Nico’s rhythm with loud smacks of wet skin.

“You say the sweetest things,” Onyx panted, head thrown back and horns digging into Nico’s pillow.

Rocking back on his knees, Nico hitched Onyx’s legs over his arms, changing their angle. “How’s this?” He thrust, hitting Onyx’s prostate.

Pleasure shot through him, and his tail shook, squirming against the mattress. “Mmm, perfect. More.”

Nico pounded into him, face flushed and eyes hooded with lust. “Play with your nipples. I want to see.”

Onyx obeyed, taking a nipple in each hand, pinching his skin and tugging on his piercings. Nico’s scent filled the room, and Onyx didn’t hold back a single moan. This was bliss. He’d stay in bed with Nico for the rest of time.

Couldn’t he have this one thing? Didn’t he deserve Nico?

Nico’s desire seemed like it would never run out. Not when it was fixated on Onyx like that. Pleasure was like a living, breathing thing between them, a beast feeding on the seed of hope planted inside Onyx.

“So pretty,” Nico praised, hips snapping. “I want to watch you get off. Put on a show for me. Blush so deep that your colors never fade. And your eyes, fuck Onyx, don’t look away. I need those fiery eyes on me.”

Onyx tried to do it all for Nico. Fixed his burning gaze on him, played with his nipples for him, let Nico pound his hole. His fangs itched to pierce Nico’s skin, and lengthened. Nico’s scent was so strong, tangy and mouthwatering. His blood must taste amazing.

Would Nico let Onyx bite him?

Nico’s focus seemed to zero in on his fangs, and he swore. He thrust so hard, Onyx jolted up the bed. Nico’s mouth dropped open on a moan and he filled Onyx’s ass.

It set Onyx off, and his pleasure spilled over his stomach, hole clenching and tail vibrating. The air seemed to pulse between them, and something tugged deep in Onyx’s chest.

A magnet.

A string, pulling tight.

His addiction to Nico like a drug.

Or something more.

A feral animal was born between them, clawing them together as it gorged on their growing connection.

Nico crashed down on top of Onyx, melding their bodies together like the force between them was as real as gravity binding the Earth to the sun.

Panting breaths and musky citrus overwhelmed Onyx. Nico wrapped his arms around him and squeezed.

Onyx’s heart burst, the useless organ giving out.

This was it. It had to be.

His mate.