Ruby Shadows (Born to Darkness #3)(45)

“Is it really that frightening? Are you…do you look like Druaga?”

He gave a harsh, humorless laugh.

“I do have animal forms that I can take but I am not a Wendingo. A demon who is part beast or has beastly characteristics,” he explained, seeing my confused expression. “But neither am I as you see me now.”

“So can you transform at will?”

“Into several different forms—my true form included.”

“Do you…do you want to transform now?” I asked, trying to be brave. “Do you want me to see you in that form—your true form?”

He sighed again.

“For now I would be pleased if you would see me just as I am—in human form. Look at me, Gwendolyn—all of me. And do not be afraid.”

Biting my lip, I allowed my eyes to roam over his naked body. I liked his height and his broad shoulders, his muscular chest and trim hips. He had long, well-muscled legs with just a dusting of black hair on them—he even had nice feet. Then, when I had looked everywhere else, I finally let my eyes settle between his thighs.

“Oh,” I whispered.

He was big—there was no denying it. Even only semi-hard his shaft was thick and long and dangerous looking. But at least it wasn’t so obscenely huge as to be out of proportion to the rest of him, like Druaga’s.

“Well?” he murmured and I realized my gaze had been lingering between his legs just a little too long.

“Um…” I forced myself to meet his eyes, my cheeks burning. “You’re very, uh, naked.”

He gave a soft, rumbling laugh.

“So are you…but for those little wet panties. Which I think we must remove before we go to the bed.”

“What—so we’ll both be naked at the same time?” I shook my head. “Uh-uh, no way. That’s a bad idea.”

“What are you afraid of?” he taunted softly. “That I will be tempted to go too far…or that you will?”

“Either or both,” I said firmly. “Whichever way it doesn’t matter. I’m not getting in bed with you if both of us are completely naked—it’s not safe.”

“Haven’t I just finished explaining to you that nothing here is safe? That you are in danger every moment?” he said, raising an eyebrow at me. “However, if it will make you feel better…”

He reached up and did that neat little trick of his, pulling a pair of long, black silk sleep trousers out of thin air. Stepping into them casually, he pulled them up and tied the silk string across his flat belly. I couldn’t help noticing how he had that little ridge of muscle on either side, starting at the hip bone and going down to his groin—the “V muscle” one of my girlfriends called it. The waistband of the trousers seemed to accentuate it, making him look even hotter dressed than he was naked—if that was possible. Or maybe I just felt more comfortable looking at him now that his “danger zone” as Grams called it, was covered.

“All right, Gwendolyn,” he murmured, giving me a burning look. “I am dressed now—it is time for you to get naked.”

“I…um…” I tried to back away but he was already peeling away my towel and reached for my panties.

“Come, mon ange,” he murmured, hooking his long fingers in the waistband of the fragile silk and lace underwear. “You know I will never hurt you—I wish only to see you and drink in your beauty.”


I didn’t know how I felt about anyone “drinking me in” especially if that someone was Laish. I didn’t exactly hate my body but I wasn’t its biggest fan either. For one thing, I’m way too broad in the hips and thighs. I have a nice round butt—what Grams calls a “caboose” but my breasts are a little too full to be as perky as I’d like.

In general, I guess I have body issues, like any other woman. Even the prettiest, slimmest girls I’ve ever met have them—nobody seems to be really happy with what they’ve got.

It didn’t help that Laish was so supernaturally handsome either. It was like I’d been asked to strip and stand right beside a model and I definitely felt sub-par in comparison.

Still, he was obviously determined to see me completely naked and there didn’t seem to be much I could do about it. Anyway, I told myself. Maybe this will make him leave me alone. Once he sees I don’t look like a supermodel in my birthday suit, maybe he’ll decide I’m not worth bothering with.

So I made myself stand still as Laish knelt before me and slipped the soaked panties down my thighs. I didn’t even try to cover myself when he stood up and looked at me, those ruby eyes raking over my body from top to bottom and back up again.

“Well?” I asked at last, feeling both embarrassed and impatient. It was taking everything I had not to cover my breasts and sex with my hands. I don’t know how nude models do it—it’s hard to stand in front of another person wearing nothing but your skin.

Laish looked up from his leisurely visual tour of my body and met my eyes.

“You’re so beautiful, Gwendolyn,” he said softly. “I wonder if you have any idea how gorgeous you truly are?”

“Laish…” I shifted uneasily and he shook his head.

“No, I can see you do not. Well, let us see if we can remedy that tonight.”