Page 99 of Vipers and Vendettas

He licks the shell, and I shudder under their hands, the desire I feel amplified a thousand times as Daemon touches me for real. My eyes fall closed as I moan loudly.

‘But I can feel it like the sun on my skin.’ He makes a low noise of appreciation. ‘You’re making meverywarm, princess. Do you want me to take off the gloves? Touch you properly?’

I’m already breathing hard, and they’ve hardly put their hands on me.

‘Yes,’ I whisper.

‘Thank fuck,’ he rasps out, his caress leaving me.

A moment later, Maddox’s do as well.

‘I’m right here,’ he murmurs. ‘Do you feel me?’

I nod.

‘Then you know you’re safe.’

I give another nod.

‘I’m going to let Daemon touch you,’ he says. ‘If you want him to stop, say the word ‘red’. What’s the word, pet?’

‘Red,’ I breathe.

‘Very good. Are you going to do as I say, my beautiful succubus?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good girl. Open your eyes.’

I do it, and I see that he’s moved to the end of the bed. Daemon is still behind me, but he’s not touching.

‘Turn around and face Daemon,’ Maddox orders.

I slowly turn, looking up a little bashfully at the demon in front of me.

‘Do you remember the first time he touched you? Really touched you?’

‘At Dante’s table in the Mountain,’ I say, not looking away from Daemon’s dark eyes.

‘That’s right,’ Maddox murmurs. ‘Do you remember what he did?’

‘Yes.’ I swallow hard.

Daemon looks a little concerned. He glances at Maddox, but Julian just tuts. Daemon turns his eyes back to me, amused indulgence in his eyes.

Maddox leans on the nearest bedpost to watch us. ‘Describe it. From the moment Daemon sat you on his knee. Tell me what you saw and felt.’

‘I—’ I think back to the Mountain. Dante had brought me to his audience chamber to feed his incubi generals.

‘Dante asked which of you wanted to prepare me.’ I look away from Daemon. ‘None of you said anything. None of you … wanted me.’

‘That isn’t true,’ Daemon says from in front of me. ‘It killed me that you were even there. I wanted you. We all did. But not like that.’

‘Continue,’ Maddox orders gently.

‘Dante made Daemon take me,’ I look up at him. ‘I thought you were going to use the opportunity to hurt me.’

His eyes darken at my admission. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispers.