He glared my way, but for the first time since we’d met, it wasn't pointed at me, it was pointed inward to himself. I could see his mind turning around and around with all the crap he was telling himself. The darkness he was holding in started to envelope him. Well, shit. I didn’t mean to do that.
It's not like he knew why I would lie, cheat, and steal to ensure I wouldn't go back to Hell. The only thing left for me there was a forever responsibility that I didn't want, and bonds to a mate-to-be that couldn't promise me forever. That didn't change the fact that he and his brothers were trapped by my father, too. Trapped in a way that made them try to force a woman back to a life she didn't want. A life she was fearful of.
As he took a couple of wobbly steps back, not looking away from the table, I started to feel something tug at my chest.
“I don't lose. I'm not supposed to lose.” That broken whisper called to the angel side of me, and my demon half groaned as I slowly rose from my seat. The silky pleats of my dress parted between my legs like butter as I walked up to him, grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him around, away from the table, tightening my grip to get him to focus only on me.
I was about to say some profoundly nice words, words meant to calm and soothe his soul, but as I peered into his eyes, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, to want him. I made a snap decision and stood on my tiptoes, kissing the ever-loving shit out of him.
As soon as my lips collided with his, he tensed up. I could feel him shake with panic as he tried to get away, tried to push me away, but I pressed forward harder, making sure not to let go. Something in him was calling out to me, begging me to prove everyone wrong. I licked the seam of his lips, feeling a slight sting of pain, but I swatted that annoyance away as I pressed into him for more.
He started to settle into the kiss, almost like he’d given up on something, and then slid his hands into my hair, gripping the back of my head like it was the last time we would see each other. Once he was into the kiss, it was like fireworks burst and the floodgates broke open. All these feelings of want, need, and desperation for each other came to the forefront.
I started to cling to him as he loosened up and let more of his power flow through the kiss, and let me tell you, it was so yummy that I wanted to bottle it like champagne and only drink it on fine occasions. All those tastes that I had gotten when he was angry and let his power loose burst forward, coating my mouth with earthy goodness. On the tip of my tongue, it felt dark and sinister until it got to the back of my mouth and flowed down, smooth and soft. Once it hit my belly, it wasn’t heavy or overpowering, it was light and fluffy. Almost like it was a rebirth of the flavors but in a good way that made me feel free and happy inside.
He quickly circled his arms around me and plastered my body to his like a child with a stuffy, not wanting to let me go. Unfortunately, that was the wrong move because the portal key that was secured between my breasts got pushed by his chest and the portal to Hell shimmered open behind him.
We both broke away, gasping for air as we looked at the desert landscape of a section of Hell. It was eerily calm, which was the opposite of how my heart was beating and my skin was crawling with need. I wanted this man before me badly, but a deal was a deal.
He looked over my shoulder at the Hellscape before he turned back to me, his gaze trailing from my head down to my toes, causing my body to shiver in delight.
“You're okay.” His statement was made in uncertainty and awe, but I didn't understand why.
Of course, I was okay. It was a fucking phenomenal, amazing, earth-shattering kiss, but I was a grown ass woman. He was going to have to do more than kiss me for me to be wrecked.
“Of course I am.” I huffed, wondering why he would ruin the aftermath with his perplexed look, like he was trying to figure me and the universe out.
He rubbed his hand on his neck, looking away from me before he put his hand down and looked back.
“Look, I wasn’t joking about the Death thing. When women kiss me, they die.” His low voice spoke of the years of pain he was carrying with this burden, but for me, it was no big thing. Maybe that's what that sharp feeling had been when we’d first kissed.
“Oh, are you talking about that sharp pain when we first kissed?”
His eyelids flew up as worry engulfed his eyes.
I playfully slapped his chest. “Don’t be silly. I just pushed that to the side and told it no. Then it receded as we started to get to the pleasure part of the kiss.”
I winked at him and gave him a smug look like it was all a very simple thing that had happened, but he was staring at me like I’d just wrestled a bear in front of him, tearing it apart limb by limb in front of this whole room of people.
“You just… told it no?” The doubt in his voice was a little insulting, but I remembered the earlier look of pain and I didn’t want it to go back to that, so I let it go.
“Yep. No big deal.” I crossed my arms as I looked over his shoulder. “Speaking of deals, I think you and I have one that you need to pay up on.” I threw my chin at the portal as his light orbs darkened.
He looked through the portal and nodded before he turned his head back to me, all traces of the fear filled man were gone and now stood the bringer of death. “This is not the last time you will see me or my brothers. This is far from over. We will come for you, and you will cross this border if it's the last thing we do. We will get rid of our debt. I promise you that.” He stood up tall and turned towards the portal, facing his fate like an honorable man.
I couldn't help but appreciate it, but he had just threatened me, so I had to leave him with a little surprise.
As he took a step through the portal, I touched his back and he paused, looking back at me over his shoulder in question. I crept up his spine and settled my chin on his shoulder, my lips skimming his ear lob. He shuddered at my touch. “Just remember, it was Lillian Darkstar whocheatedDeath.”
His eyes widened as he tried to turn around, hands trying to grip me, but I shoved him through the portal and watched it close in his spitting-mad face. As he bellowed and cursed my name, I smiled and waved goodbye.
As soon as it disappeared, I turned around to see a casino full of humans and demons staring at me with a variety of expressions. Some were scared, others were full of wonder, and others were outright angry. Well, Deekahal was angry. I had just thrown someone through a portal to Hell in a room full of demons and humans. How could I spin this? Think, Lillian, think!
I suddenly took a bow and said, “Aaaannnd scene. Thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen, for watching the stellar CGI theater entertainment that the great Deekahal prepared for you tonight!”
I started to clap and smile in his direction, which, surprisingly, all the humans bought. The demons looked at me warily, not wanting to get pushed back into Hell, and decided to give me a wide berth for the rest of the night. I had to apologize to Deekahal and convince him that no one really was the wiser as people came up to him, asking if he would put on more shows like this or if it was a grand opening type special. Everyone was talking about how much of an amazing job he did, and he booked three large events that night, so in the end, it all worked out.
For the rest of the night, I had people congratulating me on my acting and commenting on how real it had looked. A few asked about the male actor who had disappeared. I told them he was a magician, and a magician never tells his secrets.
