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orgasm.
    At her startled look, he locked gazes with her. “As a Dark Guardian, you can unleash that side with me. No restraints…except the ones I put on you myself.”
    S HE HADN’T SEEN THAT ONE COMING . H AVING TO QUELL her demon side during sex was like a vampire depriving herself of human blood while it pumped in a fresh fountain within biting distance. It could drive her mad, which was why she took few clients, and those who wanted her to have an orgasm…Well, while she enjoyed all her clients, the pleasure she showed stopped short of that, even if they believed otherwise.
    It wasn’t as awful as it sounded. She fed the succubus side by taking small portions of the sexual energy that nourished the other residents in the house, catching stray bits. It made her like a dog eating scraps under the table, but it worked. With her self-discipline and that occasional meal, it kept the libido in check, her faculties balanced. She pleasured herself, under controlled circumstances. The joy of electronics. If the orgasm was too strong, she zapped the house’s old circuitry, but Li would kindly trip the breakers for her.
    Yes, it wasn’t ideal. And seeing something like Mikhael close-up, feeling his hand on her thigh like a trail of fire that led right between her legs, could stir it all up, but she knew how to control it.
    He wasn’t done uncovering her secrets, however. “I’d also ask how long it’s been since you’ve unleashed your true nature, your true desires…separate from your succubus side.” Those dark eyes swept over her. “But I already know the answer to that one.”
    Things swirled up in her breast, those cravings she kept locked down, always. He was too clever for his own good. The chance to indulge the succubus side alone was an offer almost too painful to resist. Adding the other…That got into some emotional territory, and she sure as hell wasn’t going there with a Dark Guardian, no matter how intuitive he was.
    Sex didn’t matter, she reminded herself. Pushing herself away from the personal side of it, it was worth considering, a purely practical arrangement. She could turn the tables, get more control over the situation. Her intuition said hell no.
    It pricked her pride, but her sanity was more important than her pride. “Thank you for the kind offer, but no. Pick one of the others, or make use of that strong knife hand of yours to jerk off. The hand’s cheaper.”
    His lips curved humorlessly. She held fast before the intent gaze, not giving a damn what he did or didn’t see. The answer was still no.
    “What if your consent would save the lives of those you protect?”
    Her lips twisted. “You’d blackmail me just to make me have sex with you?”
    “No. But if you think you’re doing it for them, then perhaps you’d do it for yourself.”
    She tightened her jaw to hold on to the scathing retort. “I’ve given you your options,” she said coolly.
    He rose. “I’ll take the bed solo. For now. A room with a TV is preferable. I don’t sleep much.”
    She wasn’t surprised; the battle-readiness switch he kept on continuous low hum didn’t suggest he was the drowsy type. “Third bedroom on the right, second floor. If you change your mind, ring the bell in the room. Catalina will arrange things according to your liking. She’s the most suitable for your tastes.”
    He lifted a brow. “Familiar with my tastes, are you?”
    “It’s my job.”
    She’d risen from the couch; now he stepped closer to her. “Then you already know she’s not the most suitable for them.”
    He was sending a strong message with that one. He knew what she wanted, on a lot of different levels. She gave herself credit for not even blinking. “That sounds like a personal problem. Use the bell if you change your mind about Catalina.”
    “I won’t. If you change yours, you don’t need to ring a bell. I’ll come to you. Good night for now, Raina.”
    Said the spider to the fly, she thought. He gave her