Devin

I’ve always had a fantasy where I went to a sex club. Now, as Willow and I glide down the stairs at an underground kink club, I’m a little giddy. We both need to feed, and as much as I want to be the only man she sinks her fangs into, I can’t. We can’t survive without living human blood, and since binding her Watcher, we’ve both gone weeks feeding only on each other. We’re weakening, and that isn’t smart. If she was a human, she’d be my single source of nourishment. She’d be all I’d need. A part of me burns for what I lost by turning her. But, it’s better than the alternative.

“Oh, what about them? They look fun.” Willow juts her chin at a couple who are making out in a corner booth.

I smile and nod. They’re exactly what we need. Caught up in each other, but clearly wanting to venture out of their comfortable lives. “Go get them, Angel. I’ll be waiting over here.”

She gives me a wary look. “We’re not going to kill them, right?”

I draw an X over my heart. “Promise.”

“And we’re not fucking them?”

Irrational rage runs through me. “No. We’re definitely not fucking them. Unless you want me to kill someone.”

Watching Willow hunt might be the most erotic thing I’ve ever seen. She’s bright, flirty, and since I know she’s hunting for both of us, my jealousy is a slow simmer rather than a boil. The guy sizes her up, lust in his gaze, making my hackles rise. Shit, maybe I’m not okay with this. I don’t think I can do it. But Willow takes the woman’s hand, whispers in her ear and makes the little blonde blush as they both walk toward me.

“Devin, this is Lyla and her husband, Max. They’d like to join us this evening.”

Max frowns at me but extends his hand. “Just so you know, I’m strictly into women.”

I want to laugh in his face. Sure, I’d feed from men, but I’ve always loved pussy way too much to venture very far from it. “Me too, man.”

“We’ve got a room reserved. You and your girl ready?” His gaze sweeps over Willow and again, I’m rolling in jealousy.

“Give me the key,” I order, pulsing a bit of compulsion over Max. He hands the keycard over without even blinking. Weak-minded human. Gliding my hand over Willow’s ass, I squeeze and pull her tight against me. We’re in a sex club, for God’s sake. I’m going to take advantage and put my hands all over her every second we’re here. She smiles up at me, but I can see the flicker of need in her eyes—she needs human blood, and I can’t give it to her.

“Let’s go,” she whispers in my ear.

Nodding, I lead the way. Max and Lyla follow behind us, giggling, and when I look back over my shoulder, Lyla’s staring at him with more than lust. This girl loves him. But Max’s eyes are trained on Willow’s ass. Fuck. This isn’t going to work. I’ll end up killing him before Willow can feed.

As we pass the dance floor, couples writhe, practically fucking to the music. All I really want is to push Willow up against the wall and have my way with her. But her hand is on the door to our private room, and we’re inside with the couple who will be our prey for the night before I can make any move to stop her.

Max and Lyla follow me inside. He’s got Lyla against the wall as soon as the door shuts, but his eyes keep landing on Willow. I can’t fight my frown. Bastard has the same plan I do. Lyla moans and wraps her legs around him while I watch, willing myself to feel anything other than uncomfortable. Something about all this makes me twitchy, and not in a good fucking way.

Soft kisses pepper the back of my neck as Willow sneaks behind me and runs her hands up my torso. Her breasts press into my back, making me harden immediately. “Let’s get this over with so we can go home and take care of you.” She runs her hand down and over my erection.

Hissing in a sharp breath, I let her linger until I can’t take it anymore. “If you keep that up, I’ll take care of both of us right the fuck now.”

Lyla’s moans fill the room, bouncing off the dark walls and calling our attention to her and Max. He’s got her bent over the back of the couch, skirt shoved up to her waist as he palms her bare ass. A sharp crack sounds as his hand connects with her skin.

“Okay, let’s go. Remember to stop before the heart does. You should feel it slowing before it’s too late.”

She nods and takes her lower lip between her teeth. Leading her across the room, I settle on the couch, running my hands over Lyla’s hair and neck while Max continues her punishment. I can feel Willow’s eyes boring into my head as I bring my lips to Lyla’s ear. Rolling my gaze up, I have to fight off the urge to stop when I catch sight of Max, his erection tenting his jeans as Willow turns her focus to him. She’s touching the bastard. It’s just a brush of her fingertips over his neck, but I don’t think I can fucking handle it. It’s only when she glances back at me, I realize what she’s doing. She’s toying with me. And it’s fucking working.

“Time to stop playing games, Angel.” My words are clipped as she pulls Max’s body against hers. Fuck. He’s grinding against her.

Smirking, she runs her nose along his neck and sighs. Goddammit. This is not going the way I’d planned. If she wants to fuck with me, I’ll give it right back. Licking the column of Lyla’s throat, I let out an exaggerated groan before sinking my fangs into her neck. She moans and writhes from her position across the back of the couch as I feed. Her hot blood is nearly tasteless, giving me strength but none of the satisfaction I crave. My vision never falters as I stare at Willow, her face a stony mask. Glaring at me, she kisses Max. Fucking kisses. I pull my lips from Lyla’s neck, a growl rumbling in my chest as his hands slide up her thighs and under the short skirt she’s wearing. No fucking way. She is mine.

Before he can move his hands any higher, she breaks the kiss and has him against the wall, her teeth in his neck. His eyes roll back in his head as he twitches in pleasure. Anger burns in my chest while I watch them, helpless to stop her. I want to be everything she needs, and I can’t. This asshole has the one thing I don’t.

His hands fall limply from her waist, the action making my ears immediately tune in to his pulse. It’s slow. Too slow, and she’s not stopping.

“Willow.” She doesn’t respond. “Angel, you have to stop.”

I drape Lyla across the couch cushions. She’s out cold with a smile on her pretty face. Crossing the room, I grip Willow’s arm and tug. She releases him, glaring at me with a possessive anger burning in her eyes.

Taking her face in my hands, I lock gazes with her. “Angel, he’s almost at the point of no return. Let him be.”

“I need … ” Her nipples are hard against the fabric of her top, her cheeks are flushed, and the scent of her arousal engulfs me. Her Watcher may be bound, but she’s still affected by lust.

“You want to fuck him?” My voice breaks as I force the words out. I don’t want it to be true.

“No.” Her expression sobers instantly. She stares at me, a swirl of emotions in her eyes, and I know instantly I’ve said the wrong fucking thing.

Without another word, she’s on her feet and out the door, hair flying behind her like a glossy red cape.

“Shit.”

* * *

Willow

Devin’s hands ghost under the hem of my shirt as he walks us up the stairs and out of the club. I can see the outline of his cock pressed against his pants. He’s hard as stone, and only an hour ago, I would have loved to take him right here in one of these rooms. But now? After … that, I don’t want anything to do with him.

Feeding from a human, one who wasn’t high out of his mind, had been so different from taking from Devin. I liked it, but I didn’t. The guy tasted … off. Like he was spinach and Devin was an ice-cream sundae with a cherry on top. I know I need one to keep me healthy, but I love the other.

“You’re pretty serious over there, Angel. What’s going on inside your head?”

Shrugging, I try to avoid answering. I don’t want him to know how unsatisfying feeding was. The burning hunger for his body and blood gnaws at me. What was he thinking, pawning me off on that guy? I hated having his hands touching my skin. We’re going to need to find a different way to take care of my blood needs in the future.

A cold lump of grief settles in my stomach. We don’t have a future beyond a few months. What am I going to do when Devin leaves me? How am I going to go on when his body is here but his mind is obliterated by Sariel? Clenching my teeth, I let my grief turn to anger and point it directly at Devin. He’s the one who made this deal. It’s his fault.

Slinging my leg over the back of Devin’s Harley, I hang on to his waist over his leather jacket, not giving in to my desire to feel his body under my fingers. As the wind whips through my hair, I close my eyes and let the sensation take hold. I’m flying, not damned for eternity, not about to lose the man I love, not destined to be alone.

The drive that should take forty-five minutes if we’re following the speed limit ends in less than thirty, and I’m off the bike and in the house without a word. Panic claws at me. My clothes are stifling, making it hard to function, because every move I make sends Max’s scent to my nose. I tear at the fabric of my shirt, ripping it over my head and leaving the remnants discarded on my way to the big walk-in shower. The rest of my clothes end up in tatters on the ground as I rush to the only thing I can do to get this smell off me. Locking the door behind me, I turn the water as hot as it will go and fight the rising sobs making my chest ache.

I step under the spray, shivering and trying desperately not to give in to my need to fall apart. Grabbing the soap, I scrub and scrub until, were I still human, my skin would be raw. The bathroom door rattles as Devin’s fist hammers harder with each minute that passes. He could just break the lock, knock down the door, come barreling in without a care for my privacy, but he doesn’t. Damn it all to fucking hell. I don’t want to feel this way. I’m heartbroken before I need to be.

Sliding down the tile wall, I hug my knees to my chest and finally let the sobs come. I know he’ll hear me, but I can’t stop them now. Sure enough, his big body engulfs mine in seconds, fully clothed and soaking wet as the shower rains down on him.

“Willow, what the fuck?”

I can’t. I just fucking can’t. My chest feels like there’s a boulder sitting right in the center, keeping my heart from beating and my lungs from breathing.

He shuts off the water and pulls me onto his lap. “What’s going on?” The worry in his voice makes me turn away. He can’t comfort me when he’s the one breaking me.

Pushing out of his arms, I stand and grab a towel. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re fucking not. That was the least fine I’ve ever seen.”

I storm out of the room, needing space that he clearly doesn’t want to give me. His hand encircles my elbow, and I’m tempted to knock him on his ass again, just like I did the first time we met, but I can’t. As much as it hurts to know he’s leaving, it’s more painful to see the worry in his eyes.

“Willow, stop. Tell me how to fix this.” The plea in his voice has me stepping closer than I should. Pulling free, I keep my back to him as I dress. But as soon as my body is clothed, he grips my shoulders and turns me, not giving me the chance to shut him out. His eyes soften as he whispers, “Please?”

“How could you do that to me?”

He takes a step back, brow furrowed. “Do what?”

“Let me feed from him? Let me kiss him and touch him. You just … watched. As though having him all over me didn’t bother you.”

Strong fingers grip my chin and tilt my face up so our eyes bore into each other. “It fucking ruined me. But you need to feed.”

My heart flutters to life, but then I’m brought back to a reality where he’s leaving me. “The point is, you set me up to have to experience that for the rest of my unnaturally long life. You’ll be gone in just a few months. Then I have to go through that. Knowing you won’t be here to wash away the scent of the man I feed on.”

“Will—”

“I need to go.”

He nods, releasing my chin from his grasp. “I get it. I’ll give you some time.”

“No. I need to leave. I can’t keep doing this. I know I said I’d rather spend as much time with you as possible, but I can’t take it. Every night feels like part of me is dying because I know you’re almost gone. I’m sorry, Devin.”

Anger flares in his icy gaze. “You don’t get to walk away from this. We’re connected. We’re meant for each other. Even the fucking angels know it, Willow.”

Shaking my head, I let out a shuddering sigh. “It doesn’t change the fact that you signed up to leave me before we had a chance. Please, let me go.”

His shoulders slump as if he realizes I’m not backing down. He knows me well enough by now. Shoving his hand in his pocket, he pulls out a key. “Go to Galen’s. Your Watcher is bound, so you should be able to get past the wards. You’ll be safe there. I won’t bother you. I won’t come for you. But at least I’ll know you’re okay.” With shaking hands, I take the key. He grabs my wrist as I pull away and tugs me against his body. “You’re breaking my heart and shattering my fucking soul, Angel.”

I can’t move or speak as his piercing blue eyes shimmer in my vision. His lips crash down over mine, and before I can stop him, his hands are in my hair, gripping painfully and desperately. Breaking the kiss, I push gently at his chest. He doesn’t meet my eyes and I’m thankful. I don’t think I’ll be able to leave if he looks at me again.

My hand is on the door when I hear him whisper, “I’m lucky to have gotten to love you, Willow. So fucking lucky.”