Page 9

Dani

A beautiful man with hazel eyes stares at me while another man is pleasuring him—a man who is also one of the sexiest men I have ever seen. He was watching me sleep while getting his dick sucked…

His short sandy brown hair lays perfectly against his beige skin. Those hazel eyes watch me with pure seduction. And shit, was it working.

The man who was down on his knees stands. His neck is covered in dark tattoos that connect from his shoulder down to his tawny arm. His amber eyes stare through my soul and his dimples form when he curves his mouth up in a wicked smile.

“Want to join? We can make you come like you’ve never before…” The sound of his voice sends shockwaves through my body.

I jolt awake. Was that a dream? It felt so real… My heart races and my pussy is tingling. There is no way that was a dream… right? I remember it so perfectly.

I squeeze my legs shut and realize I am only wearing my bra and panties, and I don’t recognize my surroundings. The cloudy sky outside my window and the chirping birds indicate that it’s morning.

A wave of panic crashes over me as I struggle to comprehend my situation. Where on earth am I? What… what just happened? A torrent of disjointed memories floods my mind—the summoning, the shadowy woods, the three masked figures, that nightmarish creature, and then being hauled away by darkness.

I bolt upright, clutching the blood red silken covers tightly against my chest as if they might shield me from the unknown. The room is shrouded in darkness, its atmosphere heavy and oppressive. Its gothic decor heightens my sense of curiosity.

The rich, black wallpaper with strokes of red wrap the walls in a detailed pattern, and dominating the space is a magnificent bed.

I stroke my hand over its grand posts, which reach toward the tall ceiling, wrapped with elegant vine motifs.

Small red and black gemstones shimmer subtly, catching the faint light like scattered stars, adding a touch of opulence and intrigue.

Shadows dance along the surfaces of this room, accentuating the elegance of the furnishings. The tall ceiling amplifies the sense of grandeur, making the room feel expansive yet intimate—a perfect sanctuary for both dreams and contemplation.

I drop the sheet and examine my body. I remember cuts on my legs, which are still there but nothing terrible. My arm, though, is completely healed. Not a scratch on it.

As I step cautiously down the dark hallway, I push open the heavy door to the bathroom and flick on the light. The walls are drenched in deep, moody hues that mirror the shadows of the bedroom.

Everything feels intentionally designed to evoke a sense of desire.

Desire.

The summoning spell. Demon of desire… demon of passion… demon of care.

In the center, an elegant clawfoot tub commands attention, its glossy exterior catching the faint glimmer of minimal lighting.

The porcelain shines like a beacon of relaxation, and I long to immerse myself in its warm embrace, the water swirling around me while I unwind.

The aroma of spearmint and eucalyptus lingers, enhancing my desire to lose myself in a long, soothing soak.

I hear the bedroom door open, and I run out of the bathroom to grab the sheet to cover myself .

A tall man in a beautiful mask stands at the door, not moving a muscle.

I grab the sheet off the bed and wrap it around my body. “Who the fuck are you?! Why am I here?” I demand answers.

I find myself captivated by the exquisite beauty of his mask that covers from above his lips and up. He steps into the dim light. His mouth is curved up in a half smile.

Crafted from a deep, lustrous metal, it possesses a sleek and sophisticated appearance that draws me in.

The surface bears intricate embossments of swirling motifs, adorned with shimmering ruby and onyx gemstones, their vibrant colors catching the light and reflecting a kaleidoscope of shades.

These designs intertwine gracefully with vine patterns, reminiscent of the ornate details on his bedpost.

The mask features a prominent brow line that bestows an imposing yet noble presence, evoking a sense of otherworldliness, almost divine. His eyes, piercing through the eye openings of the mask, are a mesmerizing blue in which one could easily lose oneself.

The edges of the mask are embellished with small, menacing spikes that are similar to the tips of a spear, hinting at both protection and power.

“Do you always think so much?” His stern tone distracts me from focusing on his mask.

“What? What does that even mean? You know, I know who you are.”

“And who am I, Dani? Please, tell me.”

“The sexy— I mean, the man from the bar. From the other night.”

“Sexy, huh?” Embarrassment washes over my face. How the hell does he know that?

“I know everything, Dani.”

Okay… this is getting creepy.

“Can you read my thoughts?” I quickly blurt .

Why the hell wasn’t I trying to run out of here? Why was I even asking questions?

“You’re not trying to escape because you’re intrigued. You’ve seen too much and you have questions. You’re not scared at all; you’re very curious.” He takes a step closer, and I can see his chest rising as he inhales deeply. “And you’ve been excited... in my bed.”

His bed... What the fuck.

I swallow hard and struggle to find the words to say.

“Does that answer your question if I can read your thoughts, Dani?”

“It’s Danika,” I correct him.

“Yes, but you go by Dani, and I happen to like that name. I like the way it sounds coming out of my mouth.”

Geez. Arrogant much?

He takes another step closer, and my back hits the wall with a thud.

“You don’t have to wear that,” I motion over my face. “I’ve seen your face already… Why am I here?”

He cocks his head to the side, “And you don’t have to wear that,” he gestures to the sheet wrapped around my body. “You’re here Dani, because we need something from you.” A shiver of satisfaction ran through me.

My pulse quickens in more than one place. “Right. Very well then.” He waves his hand over his face, and his mask disappears into inky shadows cast away into nothing.

Magic.

I nibble on my lower lip, captivated by the sight before me.

This man is the epitome of allure, the sexiest man I have ever encountered.

His raven-black hair cascades elegantly just above his enchanting blue eyes, which shimmer like sapphires.

I feel this insane connection to him and I have no clue why…

He takes my breath away.

He crosses his arms, “Are you happy now? ”

Oh yes, very. But I could be happier… I snap out of my thoughts.

“No, I want to go home. I need my clothes.” I grip the sheet tightly around my body.

“That will not be possible,” his voice was so smooth that I could listen to him talk for hours.

“Which isn’t possible?” My brows furrow with irritation.

He shrugs his shoulders, “Both. Your clothes are dirty and ripped, and you aren’t going home. You are to stay here until you... help us.”

Anger courses through my body, and I take a step closer to him, poking his chest with my finger. “I am NOT staying here! I don’t even know where here is! Where is my bag? I need my phone.” I turn away from him, searching the room for my things.

I didn’t even realize I had dropped the sheet, and I’m now rummaging through his room like a madwoman.

I pause, taking a moment to steady myself and straighten my back. Tension fills the air as I sense his gaze boring into me, anchoring me in place.

He laughs smoothly while leaning on the bedpost.

“Are you laughing?! Stop that!”

“You look ridiculous. Your things aren’t in here.”

Slowly, I pivot to meet him, and his hungry eyes scan my body with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.

The smile is wiped from his face immediately.

The ruby necklace pulses against my own chest, mimicking my heartbeat.

That’s odd.

A soft, primal rumble escapes from his chest, resonating like a distant thunder, stirring something profound within me.

Fuck, he is so hot.

He rubs his hands over his face and straightens up his posture. I squint my eyes and glare at him. “Take me home, NOW! Or else I won’t help you! ”

“You will help us. You have no choice. You can’t leave this place without one of us... This house is protected. It keeps people and things out, and keeps you in. So, you are perfectly safe here. I swear it.”

“Listen here... bucko,” I take a few steps forward. “I am no one’s prisoner, and I have zero intentions of staying—”

He cuts me off by grabbing my chin and pushing me against the wall.

His tall muscular frame locks me in. He presses his body hard against mine and moves his hand from my chin down to my throat, and holds me there, not tightly, but just the right amount of pressure.

His other hand grips my bare hip, imprinting his fingerprints on my skin.

Damnit. This was turning me on.

“You always wear this under your clothes?” His nostrils flare as he stares at my full chest and then gazes between my legs. The sheer lacey fabric of both have me exposed entirely. He takes me in; I stand confidently with his hand on my throat.

He examines the necklace around my neck and is careful not to touch it. Like he thinks it will burn him or something. He then looks me up and down. His eyes stay longer than necessary on my see-through thong I’m wearing.

He lets out a low growl.

Humbled by the look on his face I say, “You like what you see?” I tease him by trailing my finger down his chest and stop at his waistline then continue once his eyes leave my pussy and meet mine again. “Those who clean their house, expect visitors.”

He leans down so his lips touch my ear, his hand still at my throat, “First, my name is Adonis, not Bucko. You will call me by my name. Second,” he trails his tongue lightly on my earlobe, sending chills down my body.

He continues, “If you keep thinking those thoughts, I’ll have to do something about it. ”