Page 39 of Demon’s Temptation

It was magnificent.

And she’d shown it to no one but him.

Still, he’d tried so hard to distance himself afterward. It had killed him to let her go, to get off that couch after having her cradled in his arms. In that moment, he’d been hers. And she’d been nothing but soft, sated female.

The emotional drop after what they’d done could be hard on both sub and Dom, especially someone new to it like Chaya, and he’d found himself loving every minute of her in his arms, like he always knew he would. She’d curled into him, not bothering to hide the emotion, the affection she had for him, and it had humbled him deeply. God, he’d glutted on the emotions pouring from her tender heart.

But it had equally terrified him.

Under all that fire lay a beautiful open soul.

She’d chosen him to be her first sub.

He didn’t deserve the honor.

Because he was terrified of what would happen if he let her get too close, if he fully let go with her. If she saw him. If he allowed her to believe this could be anything more than a sexual relationship, he’d end up hurting her.

She deserved someone to love her, cherish her. That male wasn’t him. The shadows inside would eventually leach out and tarnish that clean, trusting soul, and he couldn’t do that to her. Couldn’t soil her with that kind of darkness.

All those thoughts had plagued him as he’d held her in his arms, run his fingers through her dark hair, listened to her breathe slow and easy in sleep. He’d made the decision, convinced himself he had to let her go, that putting distance between them was for the best.

He’d even managed to keep it together when she walked out of his office and looked at him with those dark eyes, round and questioning at first, then full of attitude and fire the next. And fuck him, his damn knees had gone weak all over again.

All he’d wanted to do was beg her to punish him again, to make him come like she had earlier, in a way he hadn’t in his life. And maybe, eventually, in a way that didn’t make him feel worthless and pathetic.

He’d resisted temptation.

Until she’d headed for the door.

He’d almost lost his mind watching her walk away.

And when she’d turned and ordered him to wait for her after her shift he hadn’t been able to say no.

He didn’t want to.

Chaya was his drug. She was in his blood and he was hooked.

“Shit.” He shoved back from his chair and paced around his office. It would kill him if he hurt her. As long as she knew where things stood, everything would be okay. And when she ultimately came to the realization he was messed up and no good for her, they could move on. Things could go back to the way they were before, but without all the pent-up sexual tension between them.

He groaned. She’d felt so good against his mouth, fingers tugging on his hair, demanding, taking—so perfect. He’d had perfection…and still he hadn’t been able to come without the guilt he always felt for craving pain with his pleasure. It was nothing unusual in this lifestyle, but every damn time he needed it, he felt Garrett’s hands on him, the monster’s cold ministrations forcing him to feel pleasure, feeding Brent’s demon, pumping him full of emotion until he was totally defenseless.

His brain got all twisted with what he’d felt back then, with the desperate need, the self-loathing, and worse, the relief.

Yeah, he was beyond fucked up.

A ding came from his computer, letting him know a new email had landed in his in-box. He shook off his conflicting thoughts and took his seat behind the desk.

Always the slow learner.

The subject line turned every muscle in his body to stone. He knew exactly who it was from before he opened it.

You’re looking for me. You don’t know how pleased that makes me. But you won’t find me, not yet. It’s not time. Anticipation is all part of the fun, yes? I remember how much you liked your punishments, and as you know, disobedience cannot be ignored.

You’ve been very bad, Brent.

Tell your little computer friend to stop searching or the next video won’t conceal your face.

There was a link to a public YouTube channel. Sweat coated his skin and an icy trail slid down his spine.