Page 60 of Bound By Darkness

“Why?”

“Because I want you even though I shouldn’t.”

“Then why do you?” I insist, thrilling over his words because I want him, too. I’ve never stopped.

“Because—”

“Because I’m Succubus, so you have no choice?” I finish for him, the words coming out bitter.

He raises his eyebrows. “That wasn’t the answer I was going to give you.”

“What then?”

“There’s power in you, undoubtedly,” he says as he studies me and begins rubbing my upper thigh with his hand. His touch is hot and the heat from his body melts into mine, making me lust for him even more. “But it’s not the same power as Lamia’s.” He takes a breath as I wince at her name on his tongue. “Your power feels… different. You feel different.”

“But even if I am different to…her, you still believe I have power over you, that I can bend you to my will?” I ask.

“I don’t know if you’re bending me to your will.”

“But you believe I’m making you act in ways you otherwise wouldn’t? Because I’m Succubus?”

“Yes, you have power over me,” he admits as he studies me and drags his fingers up my leg, to the center of my body and higher still. He pauses at one of my breasts and begins drawing circles around my nipple, making it as hard as a rock.

“But I’m not convinced I’m acting any differently than I would if you weren’t… what you are,” he finishes.

I catch his finger and trap it in my hand as his eyes widen in shock. Clearly, he’s not used to me being in any way dominant. Not that I’ve ever given him reason to believe I can be.

“But I am what I am,” I say. “Which means you’ll never know if you want me of your own free will or if I’m forcing you into wanting me, simply owing to my nature.”

“True,” he agrees and pulls his fingers free. Then he reaches down again and traces the pattern of my lace bra over my long-sleeved, cotton T-shirt. He drops his gaze to my breasts and I instantly feel a shiver run up and down my spine.

Then, as if remembering something, he snaps his attention back to my face. “I have a question I want answered.”

“What is it?”

He clears his throat and his eyes narrow as he studies me. “Has Revenant… been inside you?”

I hesitate for a moment because I’m not sure how to answer the question or what it is he’s looking for, exactly. Regardless, I will be honest with him. “What are you asking me?”

“Has Revenant fucked you?”

“Why are you asking me that?” I ask, deciding to toy with him a bit now that I’ve got him on my line. I’m surprised at this side of myself but I like it, all the same. It feels good to turn the tables and be the one with the control once in a while.

“Because I want to know.”

“It’s none of your business,” I say with a small smile as I try to read his expression. There’s anger simmering just below the surface and I wonder if I’m playing with fire.

“That’s a yes.”

“I didn’t say yes.”

“Then it’s a no?” he asks immediately.

“Make of it what you will,” I respond and then I feel equal amounts of irritation and courage brimming inside me. “And even if Baron did fuck me, what does it matter to you? I don’t owe you anything.”

“Really?” he asks and glares at me. “Is that what you think? That you don’t owe me anything? After everything… we’ve done? Everything I’ve done for you?”

My irritation heightens. “With the way you’ve treated me after you realized I was part Succubus, yes, I don’t believe I owe you anything. You helped me when I needed it, yes, but all those good deeds have been stained with your actions lately.”

---