Page 40 of Demon’s Temptation

He clicked it open.

Tied down, his arms and legs were spread wide. He watched himself struggle to break free. Face covered by a leather mask, he frantically turned toward the slightest sound, not knowing what would come next. He was hard, hips rolling, even as he strained against his restraints to get free. A shadow moved in the corner, then a figure came into view. A female. She climbed onto the bed and crawled on top of him. Three others moved into the frame, settling in to watch…

He shut the screen. He didn’t need to watch it. He’d lived it. Two long months before Lazarus had found him and had taken him to the compound.

Coming to terms with his new power would have been hard enough. The sexual turmoil, the longing, the unquenchable hunger. But having that used against him. The disgust, the pain, the terror, he’d felt it all in those months. And his body had betrayed him time and time again.

For him, the worst had been the helplessness, the loss of control. He’d always had submissive tendencies, even before he transitioned, but he’d only just entered the scene and had still been finding his way. Having it used against him had fucked with him in ways he still hadn’t recovered from.

Picking up the phone, he called his friend and told him to stop his search. The last thing he wanted was to put anyone else at risk or make them a target. Brent smiled despite Garrett’s threat of posting more video footage.

He’d well and truly got the fucker’s attention. It was just a matter of time before he came after him.

And Brent would be ready.

* * *

Chaya wrapped her coat tight around her body and hustled down the street toward her favorite coffee shop. She’d woken this morning feeling restless and hungry. She couldn’t stop thinking about the punishment she’d given Brent the night before, the way he’d reacted to her orders, her touch.

Just thinking about what they’d done sent a rush of need straight to her core. She’d never expected it to be that way. She’d hoped, but nothing she’d imagined compared to the reality of having a male like Brent bend to her will.

God, she’d gotten off on it so hard, and that was a lot to get her head around.

What did it all mean? What did it mean for them?

Did he want more than just sex? And if he didn’t, could she do that? Could her heart take it if he turned her away again?

“Chaya?”

She jumped at the sound of her name, so lost in thought the city had dissolved around her. Chaya turned to the familiar voice and barely stopped herself from stumbling back. “Victor,” she said. “I mean…Sir?” Calling him that felt incredibly wrong, but she had to play her role. Needed to play this carefully.

He grinned at her, the lines at the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Just Victor outside The Dungeon, honey.”

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, going for shy, not sure if she was pulling it off. When she glanced up at the attractive older male in front of her she tried to see the truth, who he was really beneath the unthreatening features and the at times kind eyes, but she came up blank.

The male revealed nothing.

Her instincts could have been completely wrong, but she didn’t feel as though she was in any danger from him, not right then. And if she’d managed to keep her cover intact, she might be able to salvage her assignment yet.

“Look…” She glanced down, attempting to look coy. Not something she had a lot of experience with. “I’d like to apologize for freaking out on you like I did. And for Brent. I had no idea he’d followed me.” She looked up at him under her lashes and hoped like hell he bought the apology.

He held up a hand, cutting her off. All humor fled from his expression, and surprisingly, only worry and concern remained…or at least that’s what he wanted her to believe. “No. It’s me that should be apologizing. I should have realized you were in trouble. The fault is all mine. I confess it’s been a long time since I’ve played with an inexperienced sub. My expectations were too high. I failed you, Chaya, and for that I’m truly sorry.”

His hands were in his pockets and his distinguished salt-and-pepper hair ruffled in the breeze, making him look younger. “It’s fine, really. I’m fine.”

Yes, he was a demon of interest, but so far Victor had done nothing to make her think he was part of some nefarious plan to take over Roxburgh. Didn’t mean he wasn’t dangerous—far from it—which was why she needed to see this through.

“You don’t know how glad I am to hear that.” He tilted his head toward the coffee shop. “Will you let me buy you a coffee and a slice of something sweet perhaps, as a peace offering? I’d like us to still be friends.” He smiled again, all ease and charm, and she found herself smiling in return.

Brent’s words floated through her mind. She’d promised not to see Victor again, hadn’t she? No, she’d only promised not to go to the club. Perhaps a technicality, but he hadn’t played fair, asking her while she was still recovering from the orgasms he’d given her.

But the truth was they weren’t in a committed relationship, and even if they were, she would never allow any male to dictate what she did. This was her chance to find out one way or another whether Victor was a threat.

“Sure. I’d like that.”

His smile brightened and he took her arm and led her inside. He got a table, ordered their drinks as well as a piece of chocolate cake, and settled in the seat across from her.

He tilted his head to the side, eyes fixed on her, a sad smile lifting one side of his mouth. “So…I’ll take a wild stab and assume our arrangement is now null and void? You won’t require me to train you?”