Charles (Darkness #8) Read online

  “Such sweet words you speak, Jonas,” she answered in a dry voice.

  He snorted and shifted, looking out over the room. If Stefan drew eyes, Jonas pushed them away. Suddenly everyone had something else of great importance to focus on, and that thing was not the intense guy looking at them like they were terrorists.

  “And no, it doesn’t.” Ann noticed Selene and Sasha both look down at their drinks. “Okay, maybe a little.”

  Jonas nodded. “The child will have your back. He’s not as dumb as he looks. Most of the time.”

  “Just keep your eyes peeled,” Stefan said as he stared at her. “Let Charles lead with magic. I almost wonder if we should send Paulie, too.”

  “That might make Tim want to send another mongrel.” Jonas took a sip of his beer. “Too big a party would be noticed.”

  “Paulie is also trigger-happy,” Selene said. “He has great instincts, but if something seems off, he’ll kill first and report after. He’s hasty. He’s got the wrong skill set for this.”

  “Can we change the subject?” Ann finished her glass of wine, handing it to Sasha who looked at the empty glass in longing before passing it behind her to get refilled.

  “Parties aren’t nearly as much fun when I’m not drinking.” Sasha grimaced at her water.

  “So, see anyone you like?” Selene asked, waggling her eyebrows. She jerked her head out toward the men in the room. “Just point him out and I’ll give you the skinny.”

  Ann sighed and allowed Selene to lead her away from the guys. She might as well start the rebound hunt now.

  * * *

  Five hours and several glasses of wine later, Ann found herself stumbling outside for some air and a breather. Her head buzzed with alcohol and her lady parts buzzed with desire. She had guys doting on her constantly, excited with the rare prospect of getting to try a shifter in bed. She was the exotic party favor.

  Strangely, in the mood she was in, she was totally okay with that. All she had to do was point at the person she wanted, and she would get him. Or them. In true Mansion fashion, they were okay with sharing.

  She closed the sliding glass door behind her. She needed a break.

  A giggle sounded off to her right, followed by a masculine hum. Ann veered to the left, feeling the cool breeze against her fevered skin. She lifted her hair off the nape of her neck and leaned against the wall of the house as her gaze traveled the shimmering swimming pool.

  “Ann?”

  Ann glanced to where a man and a woman stood in the faint light of dawn. The drop-dead gorgeous woman gave a whine of disapproval as Charles stepped forward. The light splashed across his handsome features, illuminating his smoky, grey eyes. Without saying anything to the woman he was with, he started across the patio to Ann, his huge breadth of shoulder drawing her gaze and setting her core burning.

  “I haven’t seen you all night,” Ann said in a voice much huskier than she’d intended. “I thought you’d be all over it, trying to get a piece now that I was back on the market.” Ann saw the woman pulling the strap of her dress onto her shoulder. She adjusted her breasts before heading back inside.

  Ann’s confidence withered. “Ah.” She looked back over the pool. “You didn’t want to wait that long, I gather.”

  Charles’ eyebrows pinched together as he glanced behind him where the woman had been. “Oh no—she was just showing me her tits to try and get some.”

  “I’m amazed you could restrain yourself,” Ann said with spice in her voice. She shook her head, trying to knock off the attitude. Her disappointment wasn’t fair to Charles.

  Before she could apologize for being an ass, Charles shrugged and leaned beside her. “She had a nice rack, but I’ve seen it before. Literally. A million times. I’m the last of Sasha’s bodyguards to get tied down. They all want me.”

  “Should I step away—give your ego more room?”

  “Nah. I’m bored with all the attention, now. At first it was cool. I mean, being a bodyguard was a shit job, right? It was embarrassing. But then she became a black mage, and the leader. Now I’m hot shit in this role. Even the humans want me—to get them knocked up, I mean. I can’t find the thrill in it anymore, though. And I don’t want to get attached to some human. They always expect to mate the father. Not interested.”

  “Wow. Hard life.”

  Charles sighed. “Yeah. I mean… look at me! I’m walking around the place like a freaking disco ball. I got most of it off, too, and still I shimmer. Jonas punches me every time he sees me.”

  Ann couldn’t help laughing, her dour humor lifting despite herself.

  “Oh sure, mock me. But do you get showered in glitter? Doubt it.” Charles ran his fingers through his hair. “Anyway, I was giving you space. Sasha said you needed some you time. Needed to choose your guy, or whatever. I’d hate to distract you with the glitter arms.”

  Ann laughed harder. “Lemme see.”

  Grinning, Charles sauntered in front of her to give her a better view and put out one of his arms, which lit up like a Christmas tree as the light played across the multi-colored glitter. “Sexy, am I right?”

  “Is it all over?” Ann asked between large belly laughs.

  “Yeah.” He stripped off his shirt, exposing his broad shoulders and defined chest. Perfect pecs led down into a deliciously ripped six-pack—actually, almost an eight-pack. Tattoos swirled around his arms and dotted his torso.

  Suddenly, she knew exactly why the girls had put glitter on him. That perfect body gleamed and sparkled. If he were in the throes of sex, it would also glisten. Her mouth turned dry as her fingers itched to touch that smooth skin, cut and defined in all the right ways. Tim had been muscular, too, but not like this. Charles was so tall and broad, so powerful, but sleek as well. He moved like a dancer. A lethal, efficient dancer.

  “Light up your tattoos,” Ann said in a breathy voice as her gaze roamed his torso.

  Deep orange swirled around his arms, playful and light. The magic tickled her animal side, her magic responding to his in ways that were supposed to be completely foreign, but for some reason seemed as perfect as his body.

  As his humor.

  As his personality.

  God she wanted this man. Had for years. She’d always said no to his advances because she knew she’d fall just that little bit more, and he didn’t want to get attached. He’d just affirmed it a moment ago—not even a child would make him want to mate. He wanted his independence, and he wanted to bed whoever he chose, whenever he chose. Everyone in the Mansion knew that. It was only the humans who had a problem with it.

  Ann sighed, feeling the fire as she looked over his delicious body. Then she came to a decision. Just this once, she wouldn’t back away. Just this once, she’d give in to the thing he’d been trying to get from her since he first saw her.

  She’d give in to him, just this once.

  “Come closer, Charles,” she said, suddenly a little nervous.

  “With magic, or no?” He walked closer in that blasé way he could work so well, completely oblivious to the change in her bearing. To the heat she knew must be in her eyes.

  “With.”

  He stopped in front of her, looking down at his torso before lifting his arms to get a better look. “You can’t see the glitter when my tattoos light up. Maybe I should—”

  She ran her palm up his chest, his words turning into a release of breath with the contact.

  “Let’s go back to when you said I looked pretty,” Ann said, letting her fingers trail lightly down his abs.

  The air between them warmed with their body heat. “Are you teasing me, Ann?” he asked quietly. “Because that would be a dick thing to do.”

  She put her other palm on his chest, feeling electricity jump between them from the increased contact. Her core sizzled and her feminine parts ached in need. She let her hands trail over his sides and to his back before applying the barest of pressure, seeing if he would respond as eagerly as she would.

  He steppe
d toward her with her prompting, letting her lead. His hard length, contained in stylish pants, pushed up against her stomach. His hands fell to her hips.

  “I’ve chosen,” she whispered. “You. I hear you’re great at making girls scream…”

  “Ann,” he said softly. His breath ruffled her hair. “You are so achingly beautiful, I couldn’t keep my eyes off you when we were in the same room tonight. But you’ve never wanted this. I don’t want to take advantage of you. You’re hurting right now—I can wait until you’re back to disgruntled and surly before I start trying to get in your pants again.”

  “Will you reject me tonight, Charles?” Ann tilted her face up to him.

  His gaze roamed her face, resting on her lips. “Of course not. But we want different things. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Tonight I don’t care. Give me the dream, Charles, even if you have to pretend. Reality can ruin my day tomorrow.”

  Charles’ hand came up. His thumb stroked her chin lightly as his face lowered slowly. His sweet breath dusted her eyelashes before his full lips glanced across hers.

  A shock coursed through her body, pooling hot in her core. She sucked in a breath, leaning into him with trembling hands. His lips landed a little more firmly, but still light and teasing.

  “I’ll ask one more time—are you sure?” he mumbled against her lips.

  “Yes.” It was more a sigh than a word.

  “Then let’s go inside. Do you want anyone to know? I can go in after you, if you want. Keep it secret. Whatever you want.”

  “I don’t care if they know. Hell, I’ll be the envy of all the girls when I take you into a room with me.”

  Charles brushed her hair away from her face. “It’s not like that with you, Ann. Don’t cheapen this.”

  “Did you get that line from a romance novel?” she asked with a grin.

  “Yeah. But it fits. Males feel this stuff, but we don’t usually know what to say to prove it. Especially as females of my kind don’t like to hear it. But I did some research for human girls when I first met Sasha.”

  “Cheater.”

  “Those romance books have some good shit in them. You seem like you need slow and sensual tonight, but if I get another shot, and you’re back to surly, I’ve got dirty talk down for a hard… sexual experience. I mean, I know how to talk dirty, don’t get me wrong. I’m a rock star. But thanks to those books, I can do it sensually.”

  Ann laughed, taking him by the hand and leading him toward the door. “A hard fuck. You can say it. It’s not going to put me off right now.”

  “Next time.”

  “You won’t get a next time.” Ann led him through rooms with less people, hoping to avoid Sasha. She’d say this was a bad idea, that Ann would definitely get hurt if she gave Charles any more of her heart. But Ann didn’t want to be safe tonight. She just wanted to have what she wanted. Multiple times. She’d deal with the repercussions tomorrow.

  “Oh, I’ll get a next time. You’re giving me pity sex tonight—which I thank you for, by the way—but when you’re back to your normal self, I’ve got some tricks. I’m going to rock your world.”

  Ann smiled as they climbed the stairs, Charles receiving the attention of every female. He wasn’t lying—he was heavily sought after, and it showed.

  But tonight she was getting him.

  Chapter Three

  Ann had butterflies as Charles closed the door behind them. He looked around the room at the bed, the dresser, and various other guest room items. Ann stayed there a couple of times a week, so it was a little more lived-in than most of the other guest rooms in the house.

  He went to the nightstand and pulled open the drawer.

  “I’m on the pill—I don’t have any condoms here,” she said, drawing the shades over the brightening day.

  “I was looking for candles.” He glanced up, his striking face claiming her focus. And then his body glittered with remnants of whatever he had done last night.

  “I’ll just leave the blinds open a crack. Since, you know, the sun is like one big, massive candle…” She made a show of lifting the shades a fraction so a spear of light could pierce the murky darkness.

  “Sunlight isn’t romantic. Flickering candle-light is the way to go.” He tsked, walking toward her slowly. Her hackles rose, sensing the predatory nature of his species. The same qualities that matched her animal side. “As a human female, I would expect you to know that basic trivia.”

  “I’ve been seduced, Charles. You don’t have to try so hard.”

  He grinned as he reached her, lightly running his fingertips down her cheek. His breath, slow and deep, mingled with hers, which was shallow and erratic. She couldn’t seem to get enough air.

  “Females are like fine wines—you have to be patient,” he said in a slow, deep voice. He bent to her neck, kissing her ever so softly. A tease. “You have to start slow, letting it open up. Letting the air mix with it, relax it, and let the flavor out.”

  His lips trailed down her neck, tickling. His hot breath ran the length of her collarbone. “When it’s ready, and not before, you have to set the tone to fully enjoy it. You have to get the mood just right—play on the expectation.” His lips dotted her chest, barely touching her skin.

  She leaned her head back as her body tingled. Her core sizzled with flame. All she could think about was his touch, barely there. Teasing her.

  “If you take your time with the wine, and let it open up just right, you’ll be rewarded with a punch of flavor to rival any other.” His fingers played over her shoulders, touching down for a moment. The fabric of her dress pulled just a bit before the silk of her straps drifted over her shoulders and down her arms. Red silk whispered as it slid over her curves and pooled at her feet.

  Hot breath moved over her bare breasts, making her break out in goosebumps. A scorching tongue just barely touched her budded nipple.

  Ann’s eyes fluttered as a moan escaped her lips.

  “Females love to be tortured,” Charles whispered, the moist heat of his tongue flicking her nipple again.

  “Ooh, Charles,” she breathed, shivers wracking her body.

  “Do you want to be tied up?” he asked. “I can focus solely on you tonight if you need me to.”

  That expert, playful tongue flicked the other nipple. A jolt of pleasure vibrated her body.

  She’d been tied up before, and it had been fairly useless. The idea was always better than the outcome. Something told her, though, that Charles would be an exception. He would play her like a fiddle for hours, driving her to the brink before backing off, forcing her to writhe and plead and beg for mercy, all the while hoping he didn’t give it.

  But tonight, she wanted to touch him. To hold him while he moved inside her.

  “Okay,” he said quietly, somehow getting his answer without her having to give it.

  A soft touch slid down her sides and hovered over her panties. His hot tongue circled her nipple, giving her another thrill of shivers as his hands flattened over her hips. She felt his thumbs apply pressure as his tongue flicked her again. Another moan escaped her lips.

  Without warning, his mouth enveloped her nipple as her panties were pulled down her thighs. She arched with an “Oh!”, clutching onto his meaty shoulders. The suction intensified as the chill of the room assaulted her hot, wet sex.

  His hand kneaded the other breast. Fingers slid between her lower lips, parting her folds. “Hmm, you’re wet,” he breathed, moving his mouth up her chest and kissing her neck.

  Ann moaned, running her hands over his warm, muscled shoulders before snaking around his neck. One of his hands cupped her cheek as the other applied pressure between her thighs. His lips were on hers again, lacking the smooth finesse he’d shown a moment before. This time, as his tongue ran along her bottom lip, she felt his urgency. Felt his need for her.

  It was so much hotter than the slow torture.

  She opened her mouth, moaning when he filled it in a rush. A digit dipped
into her body, curved to hit her inner walls just right. She ran a hand up his neck before running her fingers into his hair, gripping a handful and giving a small yank. His kiss deepened as a masculine groan sounded deep in his throat.

  Another finger joined the first inside her while his thumb traced lazy circles at the top of her slit, sending shooting sparks of pleasure through her body. His other hand pinched a nipple before rubbing it, ecstasy blistering through her.

  “Oh,” she moaned into his mouth.

  In a quick movement, he bent and scooped her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest, his lips not leaving hers. He walked to the bed where she felt his muscles bunch before she experienced one moment of weightlessness. Her body flew through the air as she squealed in surprise. She landed on the mattress, arms out, legs splayed, a desirous grin taking over her face.

  “You are so fucking sexy, Ann. A huge prude, but so fucking sexy.”

  She giggled as he crawled onto the bed after her, eyes blazing, tattoos swirling with color. His magic flirted with hers as his hands gripped her upper thighs and pushed, spreading her legs further apart, demanding access. His face dipped in before his mouth ran up her slit.

  “Oh fuck,” she gasped, jolting backwards and arching.

  He ran his tongue around her clit in lazy, delicious circles. Fingers dipped into her body, not exactly in sync, but somehow so much better because of it. His other hand was on her breast, kneading to yet another rhythm, which perfectly complimented what he was doing with the other parts of her body.

  Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart hammered. Her eyes fluttered. Her toes curled as she clawed at the sheets, arching so high she would make a yoga master proud. All the while her body wound up so fucking tight she wanted to yell at him to stop. She couldn’t take it. The thick, heady pleasure pounded her, wave after excruciating wave. Pleasure so sharp it cut through her body. It was too much. It felt too good. She couldn’t—

  “Oh FUCK!” she screamed as her entire body blasted apart. Light danced behind her eyes before everything went black; the only thing she could focus on were the waves of indescribable pleasure rocketing through her and setting her on fire.