Page 16 of Incubus

He rubbed his hand over his mouth and watched me hungrily. His eyes flashed the color of embers before returning to dark brown. “I think you know what I want.”

“I already told you I’m not that kind of girl.” The thought of his proposition sent my mind whirring into secret places. I knew plenty of women would kill for one night with a powerful incubus like Roth. Their lovemaking skills were the stuff of legend and erotic dreams. And I was sure Roth wouldn’t disappoint. One look at his toned body and broad shoulders told me that. His eyes promised pleasure like I had never felt before. But I wasn’t here for him—not like that.

He gave me an easy smile. “I suppose it all comes down to how badly you want this.”

You have no idea.“I could live without it.” I looked away for the lie. “I’m still pretty flush from my Wife of Bath cash.” Another lie. Desmerada had approached me about the book after hearing of my writing talents through the Underworld, but the vamp didn’t take kindly to sharing the profits with what she termed “a two-bit hack ghostwriter leeching off my fame.” I had barely escaped Desmerada’s clutches with my life and hardly any of the money from the sales of my book.

I traced the edge of the plush rug with the tip of my boot, attempting to appear noncommittal. “But I do want to write your life.” Only a half lie. I was truly curious about him, but I was aiming much higher than another pop-literary tour de force. Ever so much higher—all the way to the slopes of Olympus.

“Well, then, carissima, it seems we are at an impasse.”

“There has to be something else you want.” I tried to keep the desperation from my voice. If letting him have my body for a night truly was the only way to get him to Ares, I would do it. No turning back now.

“I’m afraid not. However, I will ‘horse trade’ as you called it. You must agree to spend one night with me—”

“I told you I’m not going to—”

“You didn’t let me finish. You agree to spend one night with me at the time and place of my choosing. Sex is not required, though extremely preferable. You must grant me everything I ask within reason on that night. That’s not too much to ask, is it?” He blinked at me slowly, innocently, but the look wore thin on him. He was clever—far too clever for his own good.

I felt the trap being set around me and realized too late that Roth was a hunter in the same league as Artemis herself. I knew he would do whatever it took to seduce me, an idea that thrilled me to a disturbing degree.

“No sex. You promise?” I felt like a gullible child wheedling an adult for an oath he’d never honor.

“I always keep my promises.” His lips curved with wicked intent.

Looking at his hard body splayed out on the divan was beginning to be too much for me to handle, especially given the conversation I was having. I’d never felt desire like this before. Roth seemed to know I was having trouble keeping my composure because he began playing with the drawstring of his pajama bottoms, drawing my eye to the edge of the fabric and then even farther down.

“Done.” I cursed the breathiness in my tone. I snapped my gaze up to his mischievous eyes and turned on my heel to leave.

“One more thing, carissima.” His voice was a throaty whisper that glued me to the spot. “On our night, when you start begging for my touch, all bets are off.”

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