The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld #3)(66)

"Relax." The warrior held up one hand, palm out. His blue eyes twinkled as he raised his shirt with the other. "I couldn't hurt her even if I wanted to, and believe me, I've wanted to. She stabbed me right here."

His gaze lowered to the man's stomach. A long, thick scar slashed through his navel. "Nice."

"Girl always has been good with knives." William dropped the shirt and grinned.

Except for the scar, looking at William was like beholding the most perfect being ever created. Perfect skin, tanned and smooth. Perfect nose, sloped and straight. Perfect teeth, perfect cheekbones, perfect jaw. He was leanly muscled and exuded confidence. Reyes did not want the man anywhere near Danika.

Thinking of Danika caused his stomach to knot. "You said you desired a woman?" Reyes asked him.

William sat up, his features practically glowing with anticipation. "Have one in mind?"

"Meet me at the front door. Fifteen minutes."

Without another word, Reyes marched from the room and into his chamber. Danika stood in the exact same spot he'd left her, still lost in her painting. She hadn't even begun adding colors yet, but was still sketching the outline.

"The Darkest Pleasure"

He didn't know much about the process, but suspected she would be at the task for hours more. His body was on fire, more so than before, and he needed pain. Taking matters into his own hands had not helped, had only managed to shock Danika and embarrass him.

Tomorrow they would be traveling and in close proximity. He would smell her sweet scent constantly. He would hunger for her desperately. And he might not be able to cut himself as he would need. If he didn't completely sate himself tonight, he could end up hurting or scaring Danika. Pain might try and force her to do things she wouldn't want to do. Things that would haunt her for the rest of her life. That, Reyes would not tolerate.

Perhaps he would take another woman.

The idea plagued him as he showered. Clean and dry, he strapped weapons all over his body, pulled on a fresh shirt and leather duster. As he tied his boots, he watched Danika work. Bedding a woman was dangerous, and could quite possibly be disastrous. How many lives had he already destroyed?

Maybe it won't be like that anymore. Maybe enough time had passed to dilute the demon's power so it would no longer affect his partner. Maybe. Besides, Reyes had better control now. But the thought of being with another woman sickened him. He wanted this one. He wanted her body underneath him, her legs wrapped around his waist, squeezing him, her pleasure moans in his ears.

But he couldn't have her, and he knew it. Not now. Not yet. If the woman he bedded tonight showed no signs of bloodlust...maybe. All he could do was breathe Danika in deeply - gods, that sea-storm scent drove him wild - and stalk from the room.

William was already at the front door, pacing. When he spotted Reyes, he stopped and grinned. "Where we going?"

"Club Destiny." Before Reyes could talk himself into staying home, he strode past him, out the door and into the daylight. The air was slightly chilled, rain clouds in the muted sky. Several rays of sunlight seeped from the canopy of trees.

"Anyone going to be there?" William asked, keeping pace beside him. "It's only midday."

"Someone will be there." Many someones. "Paris visits the club at all hours of the day and night, so women stay there, waiting for him."

William rubbed his hands together. "Humans, right?"

"Yes." He maneuvered around the thick base of a tree, careful of its limbs. One touch, and poisoned darts would be released, slamming into his chest.

"Not into human females?"

He flicked the warrior a glance. "What do you mean?"

"There was disgust in your voice just now."

Oh, yes. He was disgusted. With himself. "I like human females. Be careful of that rock," he added without pause. "A pit waits on the other side of it."

They steered clear, already halfway down. Wind rustled the leaves and whistled through the stones. "Why all the traps up here?" William asked, clearly intrigued. "I mean, I noticed the trip wires, the poisoned darts and the hanging stones on my way up."

"Hunters once came knocking."

"Ah. Say no more. Let's get back to the blonde."

Reyes's hands fisted at his sides, bereft without his blades. He felt as though unseen gazes were boring into him, spotlighting his flaws, his mistakes. Judging. Condemning. This might be the wrong decision, leaving her, but he didn't know what else to do. He wanted her so badly, had to have her, but couldn't until he'd proven she was safe from his demon. Which meant being with another woman.

But would she want him if he first took someone else?

"She's feisty. I like that."

"She is not up for discussion," Reyes snapped.

"Ouch. Touchy subject. I see your little demon awakens when she's mentioned. Your eyes glowed neon-red, just like Lucien's tend to do when he looks at me." Chuckling, unafraid, William held up his hands in surrender. "I'll never bring your girl up again, swear."

"You are odd," Reyes told him. "Most would tremble at the thought of my demon. You laugh."

"You forget. I fought Anya, and she's fiercer than all of your demons put together." William slung an arm around Reyes's shoulder. "Ten minutes with me, and I can help you forget the person I'm not supposed to talk about. You'll see."