Night of the Tiger(58)

Even though he’d just had her, he wanted her again. He plundered her mouth, using his tongue to taste every inch of the warm cavern. She tasted like mint and that vile coffee she loved so well. He softened the caress when her lips softened beneath his and her tongue stroked over his.

Shuddering, he ended the passionate kiss. The passion between them was real, not manufactured by a curse or spell or magic of any sort. Yet it was a powerful magic in and of itself.

Aimee’s lips were wet and plump, and her eyes had taken on a dazed look. Satisfaction filled him. This was truth. This wasn’t a lie, no matter what else might happen.

The sensual glow faded slowly from her face, and Aimee swore under her breath. She placed her hands on his chest and pushed. Roric simply locked his hands behind her back, keeping her exactly where he wanted her—close to him.

His entire body was vibrating, his penis erect, straining to be released. Roric had no plans to give in to the sexual demands of his body, but they made him feel alive. And that was a sensation to savor.

Aimee huffed and pushed again, but he didn’t relent. She glared at him. “What is it about you guys that makes you think you can take what you want?”

Everything inside Roric turned to ice. “What did the demon do to you?”

Her gaze narrowed. “I already told you, he wasn’t a demon. But he grabbed me and kissed me, like you just did.”

Jealousy snaked through Roric, a hot whip that flayed his skin from the inside out. Every muscle in his body coiled for action. He’d kill the other creature, even if he had to follow it to the depths of Hell. The creature had dared to touch his woman.

Roric knew his thoughts were totally irrational, but he didn’t care. There was no fighting the primal urges flowing through him. He could feel the tiger pacing within the confines of his mind, roaring with anger, drowning out all rational thought. The only thing that was certain was that whoever had touched Aimee had to die.

“Hey, are you okay?” Aimee had her hands pressed against his cheeks. He could see the concern in her eyes.

A low growl escaped from his throat. “Who is he? Did he give you a name?

She nodded and slowly lowered her hands back down by her sides. Her expression went blank. “He did.”

“Who?” His voice was little more than a guttural snarl. He’d run out of patience.

She swallowed hard but met his gaze unflinchingly. “He told me his name was Mordecai.”





Chapter Thirteen

Aimee didn’t know how he’d react to her unexpected bombshell. Roric’s eyes were wild, his muscular body coiled for action.

“No. It couldn’t be Mordecai.”

She stared at him in disbelief. Was he calling her a liar or was he just in denial? “Tall guy, black hair, black eyes.” And because he looked so skeptical, she couldn’t resist tossing in, “Handsome too.”

Roric dropped his hands from her body and she immediately felt the cold. But it was more than just skin deep. This chill went all the way to her soul. He honestly didn’t believe her.

“I think you saw a demon who disguised himself as Mordecai. They’re clever like that.”

She’d thought about that, but she honestly didn’t think it was a demon. The flickers of emotion she’d glimpsed in his eyes weren’t something a demon would show. At least not any demons she’d met so far. Not that she’d met many. There was only Sandra, unless you counted the crew at the carnival. But still, she didn’t think they’d be wasting time on emotions like doubt or regret, both of which she thought she’d glimpsed in his eyes.

She shook her head. “He told me the other two, Phoenix and Stavros, were dead and so were the women who freed them.” Fear threatened to overwhelm her, but she ruthlessly shoved it back down. She would not give in to it. “The woman who freed him is dead too. He killed her himself before he joined Hades. Not exactly a good track record for you guys, is it?”

Aimee knew it was wrong to attack Roric’s fighting skills and his honor, but she wasn’t feeling real generous at the moment. Today had been a bitch so far and it wasn’t even lunchtime.

She automatically checked her watch, surprised to find the morning gone. Well, a lot had happened since she’d awakened to find a man in her bed a few hours ago. Technically, it was past lunchtime, not that she felt like eating anything.

She glanced back at Roric but he hadn’t moved. Watching him was like watching a statue. The slight rise and fall of his chest was the only indication he was actually alive. He didn’t move a muscle, didn’t blink. Finally she saw a slight tic beneath his left eye. “I will protect you.”