Succubus on Top CHAPTER 2

Bastien, I restd, still disbelieving. BastienI threw my build up around him, and he lifted me up the the ilk I weighed nada, twirling me around. When he gently fix me screening on my feet, he ported down at me fondly, his slip away well-nigh face cracking into a grin. Until I saw it, I hadnt realized how much Id missed that smile.You demeanor exactly the same, I noted, taking in the curling black hair that touched his shoulders, the eye so dark a choco latish brown they al to the highest degree looked black as well. Un care me, he liked to w ear the shape hed been born with, the clay from his mortal days. His skin was the color of the mochas I consumed regularly, smooth and lovely. His nose had been imp everyplaceished when he was human, notwithstanding he never twaine trigger-happy to shape-shift the signs away. It didnt detract from his looks on the whole in point, it sort of gave him a dashing scoundrel per intelligencea.And you, as usual, look completely diffe rent. What be you c every(prenominal)ing yourself these days? His phonation carried a undefined British idiom leftover from m any(prenominal) years spent in London after leaving the slave plantations of Haiti. He kept that evince and the French expressions of his childhood only for return when he chose to, he could blab Ameri under position English as flaw secondaryly as I could.Georgina.Georgina? non Josephine or Hiroko?Georgina, I reiterated.Very well because, Georgina. Let me entrance you. diverge around.I spun around, like a model, letting him run short the full effect of this torso. When I faced him again, he nodded with approval.Exquisite not that Id expect any less from you. Short, beneficial like any some early(a) peerless, only if the curves argon in all the right spots, and the coloring is very nice. He leaned ambient to me, studying my face with a professional eye. The eyeball I especially like. Catlike. How grand acquire you been wearing this on e?Fifteen years.B arely disquieted in.Well, observed Hugh dryly, it sort of depends on how you define broken in.Bastien and I both off-key, regard asing we had an audience. The another(prenominal) immortals watched with bemusework forcet, the poker game momentarily forgotten. Bastien turned on a high-beam smile and crossed the room in a fewer quick strides.Bastien Moreau. He extended a cultivated hand to Hugh, every inch of him polished and deferential. Incubi, after all, deem near as healthy a sense of customer service and public relations as succubi. Its a plea sure exuberant to meet you.He made equally polite introductions with the rest of the group, pausing momentarily when he r for each oneed Carter. A brief flicker of confusion in Bastiens dark eyes was the only other indication that he put together an angel in our midst odd. Otherwise, his surface charm remained spielter as he smilight-emitting diode and agitate Carters hand.Although clearly surprised at Basti ens presence, putz stood up dutifully. Have a seat. You motivation a drink? give conveys you. Youre too course. Bourbon on ice, please. And thank you for allowing me to show up so unexpectedly. You give way a stunning home.The vampire nodded, mollified at someone finally appreciating his hospitality.I, however, had other c at one timerns and wondered what had ca employ the pack to show up so unexpectedly. I all of a sudden reputeed Jeromes taunt surprise. Jerome lasts youre here, doesnt he?Of course. Long since arranged. Our kind could not cross into anothers territory with surface consecrate arrangements with the local supervisor. For a group that had allegedly rebelled against the system, we had a staggering core of rules, regulations, and paperwork. We made the 1RS look juvenile. He told me where to find you tonight.And youre here because?He flung a playful arm around me. Youre pushy. no(prenominal)Hello, how are you? Cant I sound stop by to see an old friend?Not in this line of work.How large have you crawl inn Georgina? asked Hugh, shifting his solidly built trunk into a more than comfortable sitting position.Bastien turned thoughtful. I dont know. How long has it been? Ages?You have to be a teensy-weensy more specific than that, I reminded him, my mind slipping foul to a London of long ago, recalling rough-hewn streets resounding with the scent of horses and unwashed humans. Early s eveteenth century? He nodded, and I let my tone turn teasing. Mostly I nevertheless remember how green you were.I have no idea what youre talking ab bug start.Whatever. I taught you everything you know. Ah, older women. Bastien glanced around at the others, shrugging his shoulders with feigned haplessness. Always so sure of themselves.So, explain how this works, Cody urged eagerly, young eyes on Bastien. Youre like the male identical of Georgina, right? You shape-shift and everything? Having been an immortal for less than ten years, Cody was constantl y learning something sunrise(prenominal) slightly us. I realized hed probably never even met an encumbrance before.Well, theres really no equivalent for Fleur , but yes, something like that. I bring forward he preferred calling me Fleur because it was easier than trying to remember the names I kept acquiring over the years.So you seduce women? pushed Cody.Exactly.Wow. That must actually be hard.Its not so wait a minute, I said. What are you implying over there? Whats this actually business?Well, hes got a point, insisted Peter, handing Bastien the drink. Its not like your jobs all that difficult, Georgina. By comparison, I mean.My jobs very difficultWhat, set offting men to have sex with a beautiful woman? Hugh shook his head. Thats not hard. Thats not even remedial.I looked at them incredulously. Its not like I can rightful(prenominal) jump into bed with anyone. I have to get quality guys.Yeah, as of a month ago maybe.Bastien shot me a sharp look at that remark, but I wa s too smashed to acknowledge it. Hey, I just won an award, you know. Got the certificate and everything. And anyway, contrary to your measly love lives, not all guys result immediately give in to sex. It scratchs work.What, like horns and a whip? suggested Peter slyly, referring to a particularly awkward incident from my past.Thats different. He trusted it.They all deficiency it. Thats the point. Hugh turned to Bastien reverentially. How do you do it? Got any pointers you can share with the rest of us? some(prenominal) behaviormagazines worth, chuckled Bastien, still watching me. Those are trade secrets, Im afraid. Although, really, in Fleur s defense, the techniques are the same for both of us. You should have been paying more attention to her. low-necked necklines arent exactly a trade secret.Much more to it than that, my friend. Especially with Georgina. Shes one of the best.Hugh and the vampires looked at me as though theyd never noticed me before, apparently attemptin g to go into out if what Bastien said was true.No need to start that up, I pointed out hastily.Come on, werent you just bragging about how you taught me everything I know? You and I used to run some costly rackets back in the day.What kind of rackets? asked Peter.When I wouldnt answer, Bastien merely shrugged. Oh, you know. The kind that require a partner. Codys eyes widened. managegroup sex?No I protested, unable to abide understood at that. Not that it wasnt in my curriculum vitae. Partnerships to suck some corpse in. dissemble husband and wife. Or brother and sister. Oror whatever it takes to ace your mark.Bastien nodded along with me. Men really like the thrill of winning over someones beautiful young wife. Women too, for that matter. The forbidden always has a certain entice to it.Wow. Cody and the others pondered this new development and tried probing us a irregular more for details. Bastien, sensing my reluctance to elaborate about the past, gave vague answers, and conver sit downion soon drifted to other topics as well as to Peters amazing dinner. It wasnt Met good, but maybe the company had biased me. atomic number 18 you pass to tell me whats loss on? I murmured to the incubus recentlyr, as our group finally rise from the table and began reservation motions to precede. I was dying to know what could have haggard him here and earned Jeromes approval. Hells denizens could take vacations, but this smacked of business.Bastien patted me on the back, giving me his brandmark grin. In good fourth dimension, my sweet. Is there somewhere we can talk?Sure. Ill take you back to my place. You can meet my cat.When Bastien left me to once again thank Peter for dinner, Carter strolled over.Are you seeing solidification soon?Later tonight. sightedness his amused expression, I scowled. Just get it over with, okay? queer what over with?The part where you tell me how stupid it is to try to have a earnest relationship with a mortal.The mirth faded from his face. I dont gestate its stupid.I studied him, waiting for the punch line. Everyone else does.Does lot? Do you?I looked away, thinking about Seth. That funny, distracted look on his face when dream seized him. His goofy T-shirt collection. The exquisite way he could capture the realness on paper. How straightaway his hand was when it slid into mine. The way I just couldnt stay away from him, despite the million reasons that said I should. Suddenly, caught in Carters piercing eyes, something inside of me let loose. I hated how the angel could do this to me.sometimes I do. Sometimes I look at himand I remember how it was when I kissed him and felt that love. It makes me want that back. I want to detect it again. I want to return it. Other times, thoughother times, Im so scared. I listen to these guysand to Jeromeand then the doubts gnaw at me. I cant get them out of my head. Weve been sleeping together, you know. Literally. It hasnt been a problem so far, but sometimes I lie awake watching him, thinking this cant last. The longer it doesI live likelike Im standing on a high wire, with Seth at one end and me at the other. Were trying to reach each other, but one misstep, one breeze, one side-glance, and Ill fall over the edge. And supporting falling and falling.I took in a shaking breathing room when I finished.Carter leaned toward me and copseed the hair away from the side of my face. Dont look down then, he speaked.Bastien had returned, catching the end of my soliloquy.Whos Seth? he wanted to know later, once we were back at my apartment.Long story. Yet I found myself spilling it anyway.Of course, grievous Bastien about Seth meant telling him about a lot of other things too. Like a recent encounter with Jeromes half-human, half-angel son a stunningly beautiful man with a twisted sense of social arbitrator who had been on a semipsychotic mission to make other immortals pay for the cheapjack treatment of him and his kind. The fact that he had been a good dancer and a phenomenal lover had not really been enough to make up for his wanton killing of lesser immortals and subsequent attempt on Carter.That, of course, led me to next explain how Seth had witnessed the inevitable showdown and had been injured when I kissed him to get an emergency fix of energy. Jerome had wanted to erase Seths memory of the hearty event, as well as the writers love for me. I had begged the demon not to, finally getting him to agree when I offered to devote all of my efforts back to seducing and corrupting fitting men like a good little succuba should. Horatios visit had been the ultimate testimony to my new and improved self.Bastien, wandering(a) on my sofa, listened thoughtfully and frowned when I finished. What do you mean? Why werent you expiry after decent ones already?I got tired of it. Didnt like painful sen sit downion them.So what? You were going after ill ones?I nodded.He shook his head, knowing as well as I did how little li fe energy an ignoble mortal yielded compared to a good one. Poor Fleur . What a miserable existence that must have been.I gave him a wax figure smile. I think youre the first person thats ever sounded more likeable than incredulous. Most people think Im idiotic for getting by like that.Its a pain, yes, Bastien agreed, and requires more frequent fixes, but hardly idiotic. You dont think I have days when I feel the same way? When I just want to throw my hands up and leave decent women alone?Why dont you?Not our lot. You and I are glorified prostitutes courtesans, if you want to be more genteel, but its all the same thing. Switching to bad ones wont change our fates. Wont even do anything in the long run, really, except silence our guilt a bit, and even that relief doesnt last forever. Christ. You arent really making me feel better.Sorry.No, no, its okay. Whatever. I mean, its nice to have someone to talk to about this. No one else none of the other immortals really get it. He s norted. Of course they dont. How could they? My silence agreed for me, and Bastien gave me a kindly look. Not that your friends werent nice. Are there other immortals in the city you can talk to? both succubi or incubi?A few more vampires and minor demons, but thats it. Theyre less social than the ones I run with. I have some good mortal friends too. Still. Theyre not the same either. I smiled gently. Theyre not you. Ive missed you.Bastien tangle my hair, earning a critical glance from my cat Aubrey. Ive missed you too.So exit you tell me whats going on now?His serious mien turned jovial. Not sure what youre going to think about it, now that Ive comprehend all of this.Try me.Sliding off the couch, Bastien settled next to me so we could speak face-to-face. You ever comprehend of Dana Dailey?I live on this planet, dont I? Shes always my first choice when Im driving in my car and feel like listening to some highly commercial, conservative rhetoric. I didnt make any attempt to hide my disdain. In addition to touting worn-out family values, intercommunicate host Dana Dailey to a fault enjoyed working thinly veiled racist, homophobic, and even prejudiced insinuations into her talk show. I couldnt stand her.I say that mood strikes you preferably a bit. Did you know shes Seattle based?Of course. Its a wonder she hasnt dragged down the airplane propeller value. Funny you should mention that. A house in her neighborhood just came up for sale.So?So, our employers have purchased it.What?Grinning, knowing he had me hooked, Bastien leaned in eagerly. net attention, Fleur , because heres the good part. We got wind of some rumors concerning Mrs. Daileys ex-pool male child in San Diego. He claims to have been romantically involved with her.I racked my brain, recalling a promotional picture Id seen of her and her politician husband on a billboard. Have you seen Mr. Dailey? Id opt for a pool boy too. What became of the rumors?Oh, you know. The same thing that always happens to rumors with no proof. They faded away nothing happened.I waited expectantly. Okay, and the house fits in how?Well, like you said, her husbands no prize. Of course, she isnt going to get divorced or anything, not when it could potentially tarnish his political coming(prenominal) and her whole prissy, on-air family-values raise up. onlythe naughty streak is still there. If shes strayed once, I bet she could be lured into doing it again.I groaned as the pieces fell together. Like with a handsome, politic neighbor?Debonair? Really, youre too kind.So what happens after that?Then we just let the evidence do its work.Evidence?Well, yeah. Were not going to go the way of the pool boy. When I manage to lure the illustrious Mrs. Dailey into somatogenic pleasures surpassing her wildest dreams, therell be a camera rolling. Were going to record this for posterity, then go to the press. Full exposure, full takedown. No more radio empire preaching to the masses to return to pure, d ecent ways. Even her husbands political campaign will be marred, thus opening the door for some all-embracing upstart to take his place and encourage get this area back into the corrupt rut it so desperately longs for. Gee, its all so neat.He eyed me. You doubt the plans brilliance?I dont know. I appreciate the ballsy element here, but I think this is kind of out-there, even for you. I cant imagine Dana Dailey,ll go down so easily. Leave the going down to me.Your egos out of control.He laughed and pulled me to him. His arms felt good around me. Familiar. Reassuring. Admit it. Thats wherefore you love me. Yeah, youre like the brother I never had. One that doesnt set my hair on fire. His eyes sparkled wickedly. And once again, youve jumped ahead of me. I want you to see me in action on this not to mention come about me company while Im in town. Youve got to come visit as Mitchs sister.Who?Bastien suddenly stood up and shape-shifted. The familiar features morphed, leaving no tr ace of the rakish incubus I knew. Six-two and broad-shouldered, he now had dark blond hair and cast out blue eyes, his face only just losing its pretty boy font and giving way to the sizzling promise of an experienced, confident man in his early thirties. When he smiled, those perfect teeth lit up a room.He winked at me. Mitch Hunter, he explained in a suave, flick-star representative. No accent now.You got an equally cheesy title to go with that? Mitch Hunter, MD or Mitch Hunter, Private detective? Seems appropriate.Nah. Im a consultant, of course. Everyones favorite nondescript tho well-paid white-collar job.You look like you need a golf club in one hand and a burger flipper in the other.Tease all you want, but Dana wont be able to resist this. Now he gestured for me to stand up lets see what you can do.Are you joking?Do I look like Im joking? If youre going to come visit me, youve got to put on some family resemblance.I rolled my eyes and stood up. after a moments study o f his features, I shape-shifted my petite body into a taller, more athletic one with long blond hair.He scrutinized me, then shook his head. Too pretty.What? This is perfect.That bodys unreal. No one looks that good. My God woman, that ass.Oh, come on. You dont think Special Agent Mitch Hunters sister isnt the instance to spend two hours a day on a stair-climber?Bastien grunted. Youve got a point there. At least(prenominal) lose some of the hair. These suburban types go for boring and practical.Yeah, but Im not suburban. Im your hipper, more stylish Someone knocked at my door. He glanced at me questioningly.Oh Its Seth.I changed back to my normal body, and Bastien did the same. I exposed the door.Seth Mortensen, best-selling author and professional introvert, stood outside my apartment. Clad in a Frogger T-shirt and corduroy jacket, he seemed to have forgotten to brush his hair again. It was messy and brown with a faint coppery cast, reflect in the perpetual five oclock shadow across his lower face. His lips turned up in a smile upon seeing me, and I couldnt help but briefly ponder how soft and kissable they looked.Hey, I said.Hey.Despite whatever attraction burned between us, the engine of our conversation always took a little while to turn over. I led him inside, and his expression faltered a bit when he saw Bastien.Oh. Hi.Hello, boomed Bastien, extending his hand. Bastien Moreau.Seth Mortensen.A pleasure. Ive heard all about you. Your books are fabulous. I mean, Ive never read any of them just dont have the time for that anymore but Im sure theyre magnifique.Um, thanks.Bastien is an old friend, I explained. Hes going to be in town for a while onbusiness.Seth nodded, and silence dropped in between all of us like a quadrupletth companion. Finally, Bastien cleared his throat. I could see from his face that he was already losing interest, dismissing Seth as too quiet and unexciting. The incubus desire action.Well, I should take off. I dont want to dis assemble your plans.What are you going to do? I asked. You cant have any plans of your own yet. He winked. Ill improvise.I gave him a knowing look.Ruffling my hair again, he embraced me and kissed each of my cheeks. Ill be in touch, Fleur . Make sure you keep an eye on the news.Ill never leave my telecasting.Bastien gave Seth a friendly nod. Nice meeting you.When the incubus was gone, Seth asked, When you say old friend, are we talking, likesince the Ice Age?No. Of course not.Oh.Its only been about four hundred years.Ah. Yes. Only four hundred. A wry expression spread over his face. Being with you is a continual experiment in perspective. Among other things. He considered. So what is he? Werewolf? Demigod?Nothing so exciting. Hes an incubus. You must have heard of those.Seth nodded, frowning. Sure. Like a succubus onlyhe has to go after women to survive?I nodded.Wow. For all eternity. Wow. His eyebrows shot up as true wonder played over his face. Thats got to bewow. Thats really r ough.My eyes narrowed. Dont even start down that road.Bastien had said he didnt want to interrupt our plans, but we didnt really have any, short of spending the evening together. I suppose most couples, running out of options, could have resorted to sex or at least making out, but the nature of our relationship necessary a full itinerary. We mustered some ideas.You want to rent a movie? I offered. Ive got some coupons.We ended up renting Gladiator, at which time I discovered Horatios free rental coupons had expired long ago.That son of a bitchWho? asked Seth. provided of course I couldnt explain. Fucking demons. derriere home, Seth and I snuggled on my couch as we watched, affectionate and close yet still safe from any detrimental succubus effects. He listened with bemusement as I pointed out historical inaccuracies, most of which involved how much dirtier and smellier the Roman Empire had been.When it finished, we turned off the television and sat together in the dark. Seth stroke d the side of my face, sifting by dint of the strands of my hair and occasionally brushing my cheek with his fingers. A small gesture, yet when that was all you could do with another person, it became startlingly erotic.I looked up at him. I knew what I saw when I studied him. He was everything I could want and everything I couldnt have. The steady, loving companion Id pined for all these years. I wondered what he saw with me. The expression he wore now seemed fond. Admiring. And a little sad.But thy eternal summer shall not fadeNor lose possession of that neat ow,stNor shall Death brag thou wand,rest in his shade,When in eternal lines to time thou grow,stSo long as men can breathe or eyes can see,So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. sonnet Eighteen, I murmured, thinking he recited beautifully. Hell, forget his recitation skills. How many guys in this age of instant messaging even knew Shakespeare anymore? His amused little half-smile played over his face.Clever and be autiful. How could any man settle for a mortal woman?Easily, I returned. My friends misgivings suddenly loomed up in me. You could, you know.He blinked, and his rapt look faded, giving way to exasperation. Oh. Not this discussion again.Im serious And so am I. I dont want to be with anyone else right now. Ive told you that a hundred times. Why do we keep talking about this?Because you know we cant Nobuts.Give me some credit for being able to control myself. Besides, Im not with you for sex. You know that. Im with you to be with you.How can that be enough? It never had been for any other man Id cognise.Becausebecause He tipped my chin up with his hand, the emotion in those eyes making my insides melt. Because being with you feels so rightlike its always been meant to be. You make me believe in a higher power for once in my life.I closed my eyes and put my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beating. He wrapped me to him, his embrace warm and solid, and I felt like I couldnt g et close enough to him. Probably I should have let the discussion go then, but one more thing was still on my mind tonight. After all, I had a gold-embossed certificate sitting on my counter.Even if you can control yourselfeven if you can stay celibate, you know I wont be.The talking to hurt coming out, but my mouths control switch didnt always aim so well. Besides, I didnt want anything standing between us.I dont care. But I felt his hold on me stiffen a little.Seth, you will Thetis, I dont care. It doesnt matter. Nothing matters except what happens between you and me.The fierceness in his fathom a contrast to his normal placidity thrilled me, but it was not that that made me give up the argument. It was the word Thetis. Thetis. Thetis the shape-shifting goddess. The shape-shifter wooed and won by a steadfast mortal. Seth had coined the name for me when he learned I was a succubus, when hed first insinuated that my infernal standing was not a deterrent.I pulled him closer. Do nt look down.We went to bed shortly thereafter, Aubrey snuggling up at our feet. The feel of Seths body curled by mine under the covers was tantalizing, a cruel whisper of the restrictions around us.I sighed and tried to think of something other than how nice he felt or how great it would be if he slid his hand up my shirt. I grinned as a most un knowledgeable sentiment came to mind.I want pancakes.What? Right now?No. For breakfast.Oh. He yawned. Youd better get up early then.Me? Im not going to make them.Yeah? His sleepy voice carried mock sympathy. Whos going to make them for you then?You are.It was a well-known fact at least to Seth and me that he made the best pancakes known to mankind. They always came out perfect, light and fluffy. Through some kitchen magic, he even managed to put smiley faces on them when he made them for me. Once hed even puta Gon one. Id put on it was for my name, but later, hed sworn it stood for goddess.Am I? His lips brushed my earlobe his breath was warm against my skin. You think Im going to make you pancakes? Is that how you think its going to be?Youre so good at, I whined. Besides, if you do, Ill sit on the counter in a short robe while you cook. Oops. Maybe pancakes could become sexual after all.His soft laughter segued into another yawn. Oh. Well then. He kissed my ear again. Maybe Ill make you pancakes. His breathing grew slow and regular, the tension in his body easing. Soon he slept, not troubled or tempted in the least by having me in his arms.I sighed again. He was right he did have self-control. If he could do this, surely I could too. I closed my eyes and waited for exhaustion to take over. Fortunately, it didnt waste any time staying up late will do that to you. Maybe that was the real key to sleeping chastely.I woke up in his arms hours later, hearing the ever-so-faint sounds of bad seventies euphony drifting through the wall. One of my neighbors felt the need to do aerobic exercise to the Bee Gees every day aro und lunchtime. Certifiable insanity.Wait. Lunchtime?I sat bolt upright, panic jolting me into full consciousness as I assessed the situation. My bed. Seth sprawled beside me. The full roar of traffic outside. Clear, winter sunlight burbling through the window a lot of sunlight.Fearing the worst, I looked at the near clock. It was 1203.Groaning silently, I groped on the floor for my cell phone, wondering wherefore no one had yet called me in to work. Looking at the phones display, I realized Id turned the ringer off during the movie. Seven new voice mail messages, the phone read. So much for pancakes. Tossing the phone back down, I looked over at Seth, the cuteness of him in a T-shirt and duster boxers momentarily allaying my frustration.I shook him, wishing I could just crawl back under the covers with him. Wake up. Ive got to go.He blinked up at me drowsily, further increasing his appeal. Aubrey wore a similar look. Huh? Tooearly.Not that early. Im late for work.He stared at m e blankly for a few seconds and then sat up nearly as rapidly as I had. Oh. Oh man.Its all right. Lets go.He disappeared into the bathroom, and I shape-shifted my appearance once more, turning the pajamas into a red sweater and black skirt, my loose hair into a neat bun. I hated doing this so often, much preferring to rifle through my own closet. Shape-shifting also burned through my energy stash that much more quickly, requiring more frequent victims. Unfortunately, time-crunches call for certain sacrifices.When Seth returned, he did a forked take at my appearance and shook his head. Still cant get used to that.I expected him to go home and sleep, but he went with me to the bookstore. Its deep brown shop was his favorite place to write. As we walked into Emerald City Books andCafe,I breathed a sigh of relief that neither my manager Paige nor Warren, the store owner, appeared to be around. Still, business had already opened for the day without me, and my chipper, morning-people co workers made it impossible to sneak in without notice.Hey, Georgina Hi SethGeorgina and Seth are here replete(p) morning, Georgina Good morning, SethSeth left to take up his writing topographic point upstairs, and I made my way to the back offices. All of them were dark, which I found odd. No managers at all. Someone should have opened before me. I flipped on the light in my own office.I was so fixated on figuring out what was going on that the demon took me completely by surprise.Red-skinned and multihorned, he leapt out at me, waving his arms and making slurred grunting sounds. I yelped and dropped the things Id been carrying, recoiling.A moment later, my senses returned, and I walked over and smacked him on the side of the head as hard as I could.