"Of course not. Does our status as soul-mates mean so little to you?"
She was silent, her troubled emotion carried to him across their bond. He understood her fear without hearing it voiced.
"There may be a place for it," he continued. "Within the new structure the Incubatti is considering."
She studied him. "You want me to work for you?"
"Somewhat. We could be a private investor. Provide you access to our technology, supply you with weapons," he said. "You can remain a Hunter."
"What's the catch?"
"Who says there is one?" he asked with some irritation. "You and I want the same thing. We have different techniques for getting it. But why not combine my diplomacy with your fighting skills to create something new?"
"Why not just step up and stop them from murdering innocent people?" she returned.
Declan sensed she was considering his proposition, even if she refused to admit it. The philosophical divide between the societies was large enough that he wasn't entirely certain that what he proposed was a large enough bridge. He had his doubts.
"Think about it," he said.
"You could come with me," she offered. "Break off from everything and kill Cambions."
"I can't leave my family."
"Am I..." she stopped. He heard the unasked question, just as he sensed she wasn't ready for the answer yet.
"I've never heard of a half-Succubus being dumped by a human," he teased to redirect her troubled thoughts.
"Omigod! You did not go there!"
Declan laughed.
"Eric was an attempt to be normal," she admitted. "This is awkward, talking about him to you."
"I get it. It's okay," he forced himself to say.
"It's okay that your soul-mate went on a hot date with an ex last night?"
"Not even a little bit. I'm being diplomatic," he replied, allowing his irritation to surface. "I respect your choice. There's no way you'll ever replace me in your bed. I'm too fucking good."
It was her turn to laugh. Declan shook his head. He didn't have the luxury of being jealous, not with everything else going on.
"Poor little Incubus," she taunted. "Can't take a little rejection."
"Oh, you didn't reject me," he assured her. "You just had to learn a lesson."
"Ouch."
"Speaking of lessons..." Declan crossed from the chair and knelt on the bed. He tugged the silk tie off his robe. "I've got one in mind."
"Now you want to tie me up, so I don't run off with another man?" She laughed again.
"Keep pushing me, my sweet little pussy." Declan shrugged his robe off and pushed her onto her back. He kissed her long and deep, until her body responded to him the way he wanted. Pliant and breathless, Zoey was still as he tied her hands above her head.
"Poor little Incubus," she taunted in a husky voice.
"Poor little Halfling. I won't be the one begging in a few minutes."
Fire lit in her gaze as his hands started lightly down her body.
"You gonna think about my idea to work for me?" he asked and dipped his head to capture a nipple. His other hand slid down her body, and he pressed two fingers into her wet core while his thumb circled her clit gently. He used his magic to enhance the sensations.
She groaned already and tugged at her tied hands. Declan grazed her nipple with his teeth.
"Maybe," she whispered.
He kissed and nibbled on her other breast then trailed hot kisses down her stomach. By the time his mouth found its way to the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, she was pulling at the ties again.
Declan nipped at the tender skin then tasted her, his tongue darting into her sweet wetness before he licked his way to her clit. She gasped, her body straining. He circled the nub with his tongue, lazily lathing the sensitive area. His fingers slid into her body again, this time to the roughened area indicating he'd found the G-spot. He stroked slowly and firmly, all the while teasing with his mouth, and slid two more fingers into the tight ring of her anus. He pushed her close to orgasm then slowed his movements, controlling how close she was with his magic.
"Declan!" she cried, wriggling.
He lifted his head.
"Just say yes," he coaxed. "I can do this for days." To prove his point, he grazed his teeth across her straining clit then licked her hard.
She arched in response, close to shattering. Declan chuckled, denying her once more.
"Yes!" she gasped.
"Good girl." He took her close again but still refused to let her body continue into an orgasm. Instead, he shifted up her body and penetrated her quickly with his swollen member. He kissed her hungrily, letting their connection blind his senses and pull him into the world they shared.
Her body grew tense beneath his a moment before her release broke over her. Her sheathe gripped his penis in rippling waves, driving him quickly to join her. Hot and fast, his orgasm swept over him. Declan stayed inside her and rested for a moment, enjoying the sensations of her hot skin and slick warmth. He loved how his defiant Hunter became a mewling, submissive kitten.
Lifting his head, he smiled at the dazed expression she wore. He untied her hands, and she took his face, pulling him down for a deep, lazy kiss.
"I like this," she whispered. "Too much."
Declan met her gaze. "No such thing as too much. This is us."
"You're never getting to strike three," she said with a wicked grin.
"My kitten tries to roar but all I hear is a tiny little meow," he teased.
He felt her tremor of emotion. She was still terrified of the idea of a permanent anything with him, more so because she'd given him everything during the two nights they spent together. Declan almost teased her about it then stopped himself, aware his little Halfling was truly scared of all the changes in her life.
"You always have a home with me, Zoey," he said softly. "Okay?" Even if I have no fucking clue how to protect you right now.
She averted her eyes. He didn't wait for an answer, but lowered his head to nibble her ear.
"You hungry?" he asked.
"Starving."
He kissed her then rolled off her to the edge of the bed. As soon as he broke contact, he wanted to touch her again. Declan held out his hand, and she took it. He rummaged through his dresser for a t-shirt, tossed it to her and pulled on pajama bottoms.
The quiet that stretched between them was a mixture of awkwardness born of being two strangers who knew little about each other and the comfort of two lovers. He moved around the kitchen with a sense of purpose, gathering everything he needed for omelets, while she hung out in front of the open refrigerator. Declan breathed in her scent as he joined her there, wrapping an arm around her. He was satisfied to feel her yield at his touch and planted a quick kiss on her cheek before snagging the eggs.
"Do you trust me, Declan?" she asked, closing the fridge.
"I don't know yet." He glanced up. "You?"
With her hair tousled and his t-shirt hugging her ass, she looked ready for another round in bed. She was studying him.
"I don't know yet either," she said. "I know you don't like weapons, but do you fight?"
"I do. We can spar sometime," he offered. "Winner gets to choose the night's activities."
"Whatever. I'm done with you after today."
"Really." He held her gaze. She flushed. "That's what I thought." He winked. "There's no shame in admitting defeat to an Incubus."
"Defeat!" she exclaimed.
"My little Zoey." He shook his head.
"Say it again."
"My little Zoey?"
"Your accent is so fucking sexy," she said. "Where did you pick it up?"
"In an Alabama boarding school." He set breakfast on the stove and crossed to her. Leaning his back against the counter, he wrapped his arms around her and tugged her against him. "Chicks dig it."
"Know where you play and where you sleep," she said with mock sternness. "Not that you're sleeping with me." Even as she spoke, she rested her cheek against his chest.
"You wanna come by tonight?" he asked.
"If I do, I lose my bet."
"I'll give you a free pass."
She hesitated. "If the Professor is out of hot water, I might stop by for a shower."
"Huge fan of shower sex."
She looked up at him then rose on her tiptoes to kiss him lightly.
"My little Zoey," he said softly.
She smiled. "Sexy as fuck."
"I've got meetings after breakfast. You plan on sticking around for a few quickies in between?"
"I was supposed to be in drills an hour ago."
He raised an eyebrow. "You weren't joking about the rap sheet."
"I do one thing well. The rest doesn't matter," she said with a shrug.
"You do two things well," he corrected her. "Fight and fuck me. The rest should matter, though, Zoey."
"You take things too seriously," she replied with another kiss. "The world won't end if you went out drinking with me one night."
"Any night I'm fucking you is a damn good night in my book. During the day, I've got to manage the family business, which revolves around being a diplomatic leader who takes his duties seriously."
She was quiet, searching his gaze. "If you need me to kill anyone for you, I will."
Declan laughed, not expecting the offer. Coming from her, it was a genuine extension of an olive branch. She smiled.
"I'll keep that in mind," he said. "I think that means you like me, doesn't it?"
"Maybe."
"Good."
She rolled her eyes at him.
Declan squeezed her against him, content with her in his arms. He was really, really starting to like her, just as he was beginning to understand that she wasn't going to fit into his world. At all. Her rogue, Cambion-killing unit might be the only compromise he'd be able to tolerate. His brothers would be on board with it; he just needed to broker it with his father.
Chapter Sixteen: Zoey Embattled.
Zoey was late for morning drills and took her time changing in the locker room. She missed Vikki already and couldn't stop thinking about Declan. When they were in bed, she was at home. When they were apart, she felt confused, scared. She definitely didn't expect him to tell her he didn't like what Cambions did, just as his offer to sponsor the group she and Vikki wanted to form surprised her.
The Enforcer side of him terrified her, but the side she'd shared breakfast with intrigued her. What bothered her most: she liked being with him. Strike three with him would be incredible; going home to him every night? To someone who knew what she was and wanted to be with her? As much as she tried to deny it, she wanted to see what it was like to be with someone as enigmatic, intelligent and passionate as he was.
He offered her a free pass, anyway. What harm was there in going back tonight?
Realizing she was staring into space like a lovesick teen, Zoey shook her head and rose. She was trotting through the hallways to the gym when she heard her name called.
"Zoey, Olivia wants to see you."
She'd never really cared for Heidi, Olivia's arrogant second-in-command. The woman rarely acknowledged Halflings. Even now, she didn't look up from her smart phone but pointed down the hallway, towards the conference room where disciplinary hearings were held.