Read In the Company of Witches for Free Online

“Will you protect him?”
    “Protection requires trust, Raina. In order to guard someone’s back, you have to be able to turn your back on them.”
    “So you’ll let her have him.”
    “She’ll soon have bigger problems than Isaac.” Turning his knuckles over, he ran them a few inches down her leg, over her knee, in the folds of the skirt. Her eyes followed the motion. He sensed the heating of her skin, the interested stir of her body, but it was as she’d said. In her profession, the reaction of the body was of no more consequence than the growling of a stomach or dryness of a throat. Just because she felt hunger didn’t mean she’d permit herself a full meal.
    He was an appetizer man himself. Sampling was far more intriguing than stuffing oneself to a logy state.
    “When I catch her,” he added, “I’m going to skin her alive in front of him. He was more frightened of her than of me.”
    She chuckled, humorless. “Male testosterone always rises to the occasion.”
    He ignored that. “The demon is going to follow his trail here. So I’m staying here tonight.”
    She shifted her head so she could meet his gaze. They sat on the couch facing each other, his hand on her leg, she not stopping him, her unreadable gaze noting everything. She was as close as a lover, but as far away as a shooting star. Though part succubus, what she radiated was more than the chemical temptation of her species. Perhaps it was the witch element, or the woman herself, but she was also remote, guarded as a queen’s diamond. It was a direct challenge to that male testosterone she’d mocked.
    She sighed. “I think I prefer your earlier offer of incineration.”
    “It won’t be such a hardship. You are a B and B, after all.”
    “That’s our tax-reporting status. You know exactly what we are.”
    “You have beds and a kitchen. Do you offer a breakfast, or should I go for McDonald’s? How did you know I like their coffee?”
    “I’m very good at what I do.”
    He raised his touch to her throat, just a passing caress. Her pulse fluttered; her heart rate increased. An interesting reaction, but not a deal cincher. She guarded her desires, because they were dark. She didn’t let them rule her.
    Of course, he was very good at what he did, which meant he’d shatter that rule just to see the pleasurable consequences of those dark cravings. He knew how that lush ass would press against his groin, could imagine her generous breasts filling his hands, the nipples stabbing into his palms as she rubbed a slick sex against him. And begged.
    “You have other services that can meet my needs.”
    Her attention sharpened. “If you’re a paying customer. Do Dark Guardians carry a lot of cash?”
    “You’ll be more interested in what I have to barter.”
    “Doubtful, but I’m willing to listen.” She straightened, putting some distance between them, her thigh sliding away. “It will take one of our more experienced ladies to satisfy you. They don’t come cheap.” A tight smile flirted on her lips. “Their orgasms are extra, because experiencing a succubus climax is euphoric.”
    “Hmm. How about a half succubus?”
    She blinked once with those thick lashes. “I’m not taking new clients.”
    “I’m not suggesting it as a client. I can offer you something no one else can.”
    Raina laughed and rose. When she tossed back her hair with a practiced sweep, he saw the experienced courtesan. One with a jaded under layer, the first sign of ugliness he’d detected. He’d roused something deep, something cold, hard. “I’ve never heard that line before,” she scoffed.
    The cynicism bugged him enough he went for the kill, instead of more games. “When was the last time you unleashed your demon side during sex, Raina?”
    She protected the human clients from the fallout from her own staff, but he was certain she couldn’t do it for herself. No one’s control was good enough to hold the reins on that craving during their own full-on