We didn’t touch as we walked to the car, the crunch of gravel the only sound that broke the silence. My fathers disappeared, albeit grudgingly, as I sent them away which left me and Sam with Momma R and Jezebeth. Momma R simply gave me a hug and told me to call if I wasn’t coming home. Then Jezebeth had to ask if gels used condoms or did they shoot blanks and not carry diseases.

I almost sent Jezze for an extended vacation to Hell for that one. Almost.

The fact that I needed help at the bar was the deciding factor.

When we finally got to Sam’s vehicle, he stepped past me and opened the door widely. I stared at the panel, following the line of the metal to his hand gripping the handle, up his arm, over his shoulder, and I finally focused on his face.

“I’m capable of opening a door.”

He grinned and I pretended my body didn’t heat with the curl of his lips. He opened his mouth to respond, but of course someone from the house had to cut in.

“Let him open the damned door. He’s being chivalrous and shit.” Jezze’s yell was immediately followed with… “Ouch. Why are you hitting me?”

I sighed and decided getting away was better than arguing about the frigging door. I carefully lowered to the seat, knees pressed together and wiggled my way into the vehicle, hoping I wasn’t flashing vag.

Sam stared down at me, an unfamiliar light in his eyes.

“What?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. Just looking. You’re beautiful, did you know that?”

Warmth that had nothing to do with his sexiness, or my hellfire, suffused my face and I shook my head. “I’m just…” I shrugged. “Me.”

“And I like you.” That was followed by a wink and then he nudged the door closed, leaving me alone in the car.

It didn’t take long for him to round the hood and slide behind the wheel. The vehicle roared to life, the deep rumble of the engine vibrating the air with its throaty growl.

“Ready?” He raised his eyebrows in question.

“As I’ll ever be.” I was so in over my head.

Sam popped the car into gear and it took no time to pull away from Jezebeth’s house and jump on the highway. The vehicle purred its way down the road and I took a moment to examine the interior, the supple leather seats, the sparkling dash, and the… new car smell?

“Where’d you get the ride?”

He glanced at me, smile in place and I found myself answering it with ease. “Half-fallen, huh?” His gaze flicked to my cleavage and then it traveled over my body, seeming to trace my curves with his focus. “I knew you wouldn’t want to transport there with me, so I needed something.” He shrugged.

“Is it stolen? Not that I care.” I was a demon after all. “I just wanna know if we’ll be chased down by cops.”

“Borrowed.” He stressed the word enough to know the answer to my question was yes.

That had me laughing. “If you’re not careful, you’ll become a permanent resident of the…” That was the question to be answered with our date—possibly dates—wasn’t it? “Uh, right,” I cleared my throat. “So, where are we headed?”

Sam’s smile was strained now, lips tight and happiness no longer reaching his eyes. “You’ll see.”

“Okay,” my grin was equally tense.

The quiet that surrounded us was awkward as the car raced down the road, and I wasn’t sure how to return to our teasing attitudes. Rather than try, I let the oppressive silence remain. Hopefully when we got to our destination, I could banish the unease.

Hopefully.

The drive continued, bright lights of the city greeting, but instead of stopping at Orlando’s center, he continued through town. Civilization drifted away, buildings becoming sparser and street lamps lessening.

“Where are we going?”

“Told you it was a surprise.” The tick of the turn signal followed his words as we turned onto a nearby street.

Another five minutes and we pulled into a packed parking lot. Cars squeezed into each space and some simply pulled onto the grass. Sam swung our car around the building and took an area overshadowed by the place. The spot was completely empty and bare of others, but considering its lack of lighting, I could understand the lack of occupants. If I wasn’t a dem and he wasn’t a gel, I’d probably be a little concerned as well. Considering we were probably the most dangerous beings in the area, I wasn’t worried.

The second we rolled to a stop, I reached for the handle except a soft, warm touch on my leg had me stopping and looking back at Sam.

“Stay put for me? Lemme get the door.”

I opened my mouth to tell him I was a big kid now, but instead, I released the lever. “Sure.”

The smile I received was worth it. Even my wolf enjoyed the expression, practically whining in approval and whining that she was ready to claim him. Now.

But we couldn’t. Not when things were so up in the air. When he came to me, ready to sacrifice for me, I’d sink my fangs into his flesh and mark him. Well, as much as a gel could be marked. I wasn’t sure they could scar and it wasn’t the time to ask.

The click of the latch drew my attention to him and I placed my hand on his, allowing him to help me teeter from the car. The shoes were gorgeous, but I wasn’t used to heels and I prayed to On High and Hell that I wouldn’t embarrass myself. When his gaze dropped to my legs once again, his expression heating with desire, I figured embarrassing myself a little was worth that look. He wanted me.

I let my attention drift to the juncture of his thighs and found him hard and thick for me. Further proof he craved me.

But craving, wanting, wasn’t enough for me.

Dammit, why did I keep focusing on what he wouldn’t do? I needed to look at what he was willing to experience and consider for me. He could have simply flitted back to On High and left my wolf pining for him. Instead, he was here, we were together, and we were about to do… something.

Sam drew me forward and I easily acquiesced to his silent request. Yes, I complied and then complied again until he had my front pressed to him. His cock throbbed against my lower stomach, the familiar length seeming to reach for me, beg for my heat. I was more than willing. More. Than.

He released my hand and brought his up to cup my cheek, thumb sliding over my cheekbone. “Did I tell you that you’re gorgeous?”

“Um…” I licked my lips, mouth suddenly dry.

Sam followed the move with his gaze, blue eyes blazing hotter. Without a word, he brushed his mouth over mine, the kiss soft and sweet despite the passion that filled him. He was a vision of barely restrained male, one bound and determined to keep the kiss light.

Ha!

On his next ghostly caress, I let my tongue come out to play, lapping at his lips and drawing a groan from within him. His hold changed, arms around my waist and pulling me firmly against him as he fought to deepen the kiss as well. Our bodies matched, my curves molding to his hardness with ease. We were a match, dem and gel. He just needed to see that now.

Our tongues tangled, passion rising higher with each lap, lick, and caress. The longer it continued, the hotter I became, pussy moistening in preparation of his possession. He would fill me, stretch me, sink into me…

But he wouldn’t.

I pulled from the kiss, yanking my mouth from his and then buried my face against his shoulder. We were both panting, fighting for air.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Sam placed his cheek atop my head. “You shouldn’t apologize. I enjoyed our kiss.” He pressed his lips to my temple. “I’ll never deny your touch.”

No, he’d just deny himself completion.

Instead of voicing the words, I eased from his grasp and refused to acknowledge his statement. I occupied myself with tugging my skirt down and flicking a speck of invisible lint from my shirt. “What kind of place is this?”

He didn’t answer at first, probably waiting for me to meet his gaze, but that wasn’t happening until I got myself under control.

When he finally sighed, I knew I’d waited him out. “It’s a place free of our kind.”

I frowned and finally looked at him. “Our kind?”

He leaned down, his sweet scent drifting over me. “No dems, no gels, no tweens.”

“Neutrals?” Specifically humans.

“Yup, just you, me, and others who can’t hate us for what we are.” He snared my hand and tugged me until I faced him once again. “It’s a blank slate. I wanna get to know you without all the BS that goes with everything else.”

That had me chuckling and leaning close, lowering my voice before I spoke. “Gels can say bullshit now?”

“If they can borrow cars…”

With a roll of my eyes, I stepped away and twined our fingers before continuing toward the front of the building. “C’mon, Mr. Bullshit.”

“Hey, I might be offended,” he grumbled but I didn’t hear any real heat in his voice.

“Where’d you bring me anyway?” We rounded the corner of the building and I spied the bright light. I furrowed my brow and turned a questioning look on Sam. “The Corner Bar?”

Sam shrugged. “It used to be on the corner. They moved and didn’t want to change the name.”

“How well do you know this place?” I stepped aside as he tugged the door open and granted us entrance. The second he stepped into the darkened room, I had my answer.

“Sam!”

“What’s up, man?”

“Long time no see!”

“Hey, baby. Missed you.” That feminine purr snared my attention and I swung my gaze to the lithe woman slowly slinking toward us. Slinking. Like a cat in heat.

I was more than happy to spay the bitch. Didn’t she see…

I was ready to tear into the human female—and Sam, if he moved toward her—but he saved his own ass. He ducked behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, tugging me against him. His scent enveloped me and the growing anger immediately slithered back inside me.

“Tori, how are you? I’d like to introduce you to Caith.” Sam rushed the words out, seeming to be in a hurry to deflect the female.

Good. I’d hate to scorch the woman from the earth.

Tori stopped short and her gaze traveled over me from head to toe. From the woman’s expression, she didn’t like what she saw. Tori flicked her fingers toward me. “What are you doing with that?”

My beast snarled and snapped, anxious to tear the woman to shreds. My hellfire was in complete agreement and was happy to let the wolf take the lead. I’d been reminded about Chicago and was a little hesitant to ease forward when the beast would get the job done.

“Tori,” Sam snarled, and for a gel, it was impressive.

Not scary, though, as evidenced by Tori’s response. “What? You had this and you’re going after that.”

Another sneer from the twig. Did the woman even have breasts? Maybe she was a hungry vamp who hadn’t eaten in a while.

I adopted my very best, nicest smile—which was a feat considering my heritage—and laid it out for the chick. “Honey, I’m the best cocksucker south of the Mason-Dixon.” Sam stiffened, the woman’s mouth dropped open, and I flicked my fingers at the competition. “Now, move along.”

The chick continued to look like a fish, lips parting and then closing once again. “What’s the Mason-Dixon? Are you gonna let her talk to me that way?”

Sam buried his face in my hair, his body shaking with a chuckle. “You’re bad.”

I turned my head to speak against his temple. “You like me that way.”

“You’re right.” He eased back to meet my gaze. “I do.”

“Dammit, Sam.” The chick stomped.

“Have a good night, Tori.” Sam released me just enough to grab my hand and lead me away, leaving the glaring Tori in our wake.

He managed to keep it together until we claimed a table in the back of the bar, our space tucked into a dim corner. I moved to slide into a chair, but he was there first and held it for me. I didn’t bother glaring at him for the consideration. It was… nice. No other guy had taken the time to think of me. Only what I could give them.

Instead of leaving his chair in place, he tugged it close to me and sat so our legs touched from thigh to calf. His weight was soothing and arousing, calming my nerves from being in a strange, human-only place and sparking my desire for him once again. Damn man.

Sam leaned close. “Best cocksucker this side of the Mason-Dixon?”

I tilted my head toward him. “I have been given that award more than once.”

I didn’t miss his growl and definitely didn’t miss his forceful actions moving me until our lips were once again pressed together. It wasn’t an equally balanced passion. No, it was him taking and claiming me with his mouth. I sank into our connection, allowing him to take the lead and put his brand on me. The wolf lay passively in my mind, my hellfire banked beneath his onslaught. For the first time in my life, I was passive and giving with a male.

And it scared the hell out of me.

He broke the kiss as if sensing my sudden unease, pressing his forehead to mine as we shared breath. “Never again, Caith.”

That familiar part of my psyche bristled, hating demands from anyone, but his next word had it shut down in an instant.

“Please.”

Okay, I could handle a please.

“I wouldn’t, Sam,” I murmured.

“Good.” He brushed his lips over my forehead and leaned away, reaching past me to snag something from a passing man. He released a low “thanks” to the guy and then returned his attention to me.

He held a bundle of laminated sheets bound together by a single ring in one corner. Each page had print on both front and back and I scooted closer to see what he’d been handed. It looked a little thick to be a menu…

My eyes scanned the top of the page and I froze, disbelief filling every ounce of me. I slowly turned my gaze from the pages to meet Sam’s stare.

“Seriously?”

He gave me a goofy grin.

“I mean, seriously?”

That smile widened.

“Hell no, Sam.”

“C’mon.” He bumped his shoulder against mine. “We can learn a lot about each other from our choices.”

“Like you have horrible taste? Because I know that already.” I stared at the plastic covered sheets as if they were puppies ready to come to life. The purity of puppies… I shuddered.

“You know you wanna do it. Quit trying to pretend you don’t.”

I shook my head. “No, the not wanting is completely real. Hard core, hard pass.”

“One. Just do one and if you hate it, I won’t push you.”

I eyed the sheets, fear thumping through my veins. Did I want to do this? No. But it was obvious it’d make him happy so… “Fine. One song. One. And I pick the location of our next date because it sure as hell isn’t going to be karaoke.”

Sam’s blinding smile made my heart stutter and my breath catch.

Okay, maybe I’d belt out two.