Zoey Rogue

chapter Fifteen: Strike Two



Any hope she had of Declan having some small grain of mercy was crushed when she awoke with a migraine. Zoey groaned and gripped her head. She broke their connection by rolling onto her stomach, which only made it worse. She vaguely recalled her evening, but not how she ended up in Declan’s bed instead of her own.

“You ready to negotiate?” he asked casually.

“It’s just a tiny headache,” she snapped.

He chuckled. “You’re a horrible liar.”

“I’m good. Getting ready to catch a ride home.”

“You know you’re not going anywhere.”

She wasn’t going to admit he was right. He rolled her over. She didn’t resist. A small pulse of magic, and her headache was gone, her mind clear. He stirred her sex energy with his touch. Her body hummed already.

“Damn you,” she muttered.

“You’re angry.”

“Very.”

He gave her a slow smile. “Tell me why.”

“You mean, aside from you betraying me and making me betray my friends?” she demanded, pushing herself up. “Marking and dumping me on the Professor’s porch three years ago without telling me about this bonding thing? Then reading my mind yesterday at the inquisition?”

“And …”

“Isn’t that enough?”

“Making you realize you’d given me access to your soul when you never gave Eric your heart.”

Zoey stared at him. “Can you read my mind?”

“Only sometimes, when we’re touching, like we are now.”

“I don’t like this game,” she said. She strained to move away.

“I love it.” He pulled her back and slung his thigh across hers to keep her from moving. “There’s more, isn’t there.” The fire of challenge was in his eyes. He let more of his magic free, and it fed her anger and sex energy. It overtook her senses. She struggled to resist him, knowing he was doing it again on purpose.

“Stop,” he warned again. “Remember?”

Zoey sighed. She pushed down her resistance, if only to feel the warmth of their bond.

“Yesterday, after you f*cked me over, I wanted to kill you,” she told him, the fury rising within her again. “Not in a quick, clean way.” She propped herself up on her elbows to bring her face closer to his. “You can’t have access to all of me, Declan. It’s so not fair.”

“That sounds like a dare.” The light in his eyes burned brighter, and she sensed the patience he showed their first night was gone.

Zoey broke the tension between them first, kissing him. His magic roared through her, lighting her anger into a frenzy. His touch was demanding rather than gentle, and she yielded quickly, surprised when he pushed her to climax fast, using his mouth and hands. Her orgasm came fast and hard, slamming into her. Declan entered her then, pushing the waves of pleasure higher and higher, nipping, kneading and maneuvering her body roughly. Lost in the sensations, Zoey cried out as he held her in the state of pleasure, her body bucking beneath his. She entered his mind, the strange place between them, as he f*cked her hard and fast. His restraint was sliding as he commanded her body to new heights using magic and physical prowess.

A new sensation – deep and primal – built within her, mirrored through their bond and the physical joining. The strength of it alarmed her at first, until she recalled that he shared his soul with her the first night and did so again tonight. This time, though, he was nudging the door of hers open.

The tension of his body grew, the connection between them taut and straining as they both fed off the sex energy. Near madness with an orgasm extended for half an hour, she started to slide into darkness when the primal build-up broke simultaneously with Declan’s orgasm. Zoey’s strangled cry sounded distant to her ears as ecstasy paralyzed her with undulating ripples that tore through her, physically and spiritually. The sense of being united with him were more intense as their pooled pleasure swept through them on all levels, shattering the barriers between their minds and souls. They were fused by the sex energy.

When the physical sensations relented, Zoey lay still, uncertain if she could move at all. Declan was panting from effort and the effects of the bonding.

He rested on top of her. He nibbled her earlobe then spread kisses across her face.

“What the f*ck was that?” she managed.

Declan laughed softly.

Zoey’s eyes fluttered open. He touched her face, peering deeply into her gaze. She saw his soul and realized he’d done it; he’d united theirs into one. The flow between them was natural, no longer stopped or controlled by one or the other. She couldn’t throw up her barriers if she wanted to.

That he had unfettered access to her was a terrifying thought.

“You’re mine, Zoey,” he said. “You’ve lost two bets to me in two days.”

“Doesn’t it scare you?” she whispered. Her body was slow to respond, but it worked. She touched his face, tracing the chiseled features.

“No. It does you?”

She nodded. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.

“Was I too rough?” he asked, wiping them away.

“No, never. Unless you’re interrogating me in front of the damn Enforcers.”

“That side of me scares you,” he guessed.

“This whole thing does.”

“You can go back to defying me. You’ve got one more strike.”

She smiled. “Oh, I will.”

“Good. I love your fire and I love quieting it even more.”

His words thrilled her. Sensing she hadn’t recovered yet, he settled beside her and pulled her into his body. Zoey breathed in the scent of his neck and wound her fingers through the dark curls on his chest. Their legs intertwined, she shifted her hips until they were pressed against his.

“This is how you should’ve been yesterday at the hearing,” he said. “Quiet. Calm.”

“Compared to how I normally am, I was,” she retorted with no heat. “I f*cked it up, didn’t I?”

“I would’ve read you anyway,” he replied.

“Really? You knew that before I walked in?” She pushed her head back to see his eyes.

“Yeah. I knew about Liam and Vikki. I wanted to see how much you knew.”

“Can I read you?” she asked.

“Not sure I want you trying.”

“Just for that, you damn well better tell me how!” she said. She placed a hand loosely at his neck, the way he had her, without knowing what to do.

“Alright. We’ll see how tough you are,” he said. He trailed kisses down her forehead and nose then pressed his warm lips against hers.

“No,” she said firmly. “You’re not distracting me.”

Declan nuzzled her cheek and then leaned back.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to read me,” he said seriously. “I don’t know if you’ll be strong enough to talk to me mentally.”

“I want to try.”

Can you hear me? His voice was in her head.

She nodded.

“Normally, Halflings of either society can’t propel their thoughts into the mind of a full-blood, even though we can do it to you.”

“How do I try it?”

“Focus on me and the bond, all you have to do is –“

I’m glad I’m here with you. She didn’t wait for him to finish his instructions, but concentrated on him and the magic between them.

He stopped mid-sentence, a smile spreading across his face. This was different than his other smiles. This one was tender.

“It was just a test,” she said, her face warm at his look. “You know.”

“Right,” he whispered. “You surprise me more and more every time we meet.”

“What else can I do to you with this bond?” she teased. “You’re sure I can’t read you?”

“We’ll test it another time. Maybe after strike three?” He kissed her deeply, trying to distract her.

Zoey almost fell for it. She pulled away from him and laughed.

“I’ll be more powerful than you after strike three!”

“You sent me one message and now you think the universe is yours?”

Here’s the second, she replied mentally.

Declan laughed. “Okay, two!”

“So when you chose to take me for strike one, did you do it so you could read me the next morning?” she asked.

“I could’ve read you either way. Your bond to the Professor has been weak for awhile, mainly because of his age. Being bonded to you was easier, but I’m quite a bit stronger than the normal Incubus.” The words were factual, not arrogant.

“Hurricane?”

“Do you really want to know?”

She shook her head, already uneasy with the idea.

“You knew I was lying the whole time,” she said with a sigh.

“Yes.”

“All of you were messing with me.”

“Absolutely. They’re all my brothers. They found it funny someone as wild as you were mine.”

“Son of a bitch!” She didn’t know why she was embarrassed by that fact.

“If it helps, we only mess with people we like. You made a memorable impression, especially after you almost took out Wes,” he said, amused. “I warned them.”

“I was really hoping he’d kill me fast.”

“Not a chance, and Vikki’s staying here. I didn’t take her from you.”

“I know,” she replied. “We’re…” she stopped and willed herself not to think it.

“Rule two.” The edge was in his voice.

“Who invented these rules anyway?” she retorted. “And why…” she trailed off.

He pushed her onto her back, the dangerous light that had been present when he told her about rule number one in the alley returning. Her heart flew into a frantic flight, her breathing uneven.

“Don’t do that,” she begged.

“Talk.”

“We’re forming our own Cambion hunting vigilante group.”

The lethal spark faded. “It’s against the rules.”

“Yours or the Sucubatti’s or Incubatti’s?” she asked.

“Does it matter?”

“I won’t break yours.”

A trace of a smile crossed his face. He kissed her, easing her tension, then pulled her against him as he rolled back to his side. She assumed his lack of response was tepid acceptance.

“Do your rules apply to you, too?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said then added, “Oh, and Zoey...”

She lifted her head to look at him.

“Strike two.”

“Goddamn it!” She flushed. “There will be no third date!”

“At the rate you’re going, you’ll be back tonight,” he teased. “You lost your last bet anyway. Double or nothing wasn’t it? Which means I get to f*ck you for four more nights?”

“I do not recall,” she snapped.

“Then it was seven.”

“It was four, jerk!”

She was starting to like the way he teased her, almost as much as how he f*cked her. Zoey buried her face in the nape of his neck, breathing in his rich vanilla scent, surprised to realize she really did like him. And hated him. And was bound to his soul. No part of her wanted to leave his body or to wake up without him.

“What happens after strike three?” she asked suddenly. “Assuming it happens. Not saying it will, but is there still a price tag on healing me?”

“It depends.”

“No noble dedication to your poor little soul-mate?”

“Do you plan on coming to my bed every night willingly? Or do I have to hunt you down?”

She grunted noncommittally in response.

“If you agree to be in my bed every night, I’ll be the noblest of all,” he said, smiling. “If you form a vigilante group that breaks off from Incubatti and Sucubatti, and you make me hunt you down to f*ck you, you’ll pay a price every time. I have a feeling that’s what you’ll do, at least for awhile.”

She rolled her eyes at him, silently agreeing. “Double or nothing would be eight nights?”

“Yes.”

“Double or nothing it is,” she decided. “What’s the bet? Three days for strike three?”

“Three is generous, don’t you think?”

Zoey rolled out of his grip in protest. He rested his hand on her hip to stop her in place. Laughing, she grabbed the edge of the bed and tugged free. He growled in response, a sound that barely sounded human. His body settled on top of hers. Gasping, she yielded to the shot of magic. He slid between her thighs.

“One day,” he whispered. “You’ll be back tonight.”

“F*ck you,” she replied, already awash in their shared arousal.

Declan kissed her then worked his way down her body, using his hands and mouth to overwhelm her senses. Zoey relished the sensations. She reached for him more than once, needing to feel him inside her rather than the sensual teasing. Declan pushed her hands away every time, until she sat up restlessly to stretch for him. Declan sat as well from his position at her feet. He pulled her into his body, kissing her hard. One hand twisted a nipple while the other slid into the core of her womanhood. Zoey clawed at him, unable to stand his teasing any longer when she was so wet and ready.

“F*ck me, Declan,” she demanded breathlessly.

He moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. She groaned and wriggled.

“I was patient last night. Now it’s your turn,” he said again with a husky chuckle.

Kneeling with her legs apart, Zoey rested her head against his shoulder, in heaven with his hands roaming her body and his hard dick at her back.

She captured his thumb as it crossed her lips and sucked hard on it. His other hand reached around to trace down her belly to her core. He pushed two fingers inside, rubbing her G-spot hard in rhythm with her tongue’s work on his thumb. His thumb slid along the sensitive nerve between her petals and flicked her *. Near orgasm again, she bit his thumb.

He responded by pressing his penis between the cheeks of her buttocks.

“Please,” she begged.

“Tell me what you want,” he whispered.

“I want you to f*ck me.”

“How?” His fingers continued to torture her. He pulled his thumb from her mouth and wrapped his arm beneath her breasts. “C’mon. Tell me how you want me to f*ck you.”

“I don’t know,” she groaned.

He removed his hand from her core. Zoey let him position her, push her knees apart and hold her upper body suspended. His hips shifted away as he prepared to enter her once more. Almost panting with need, she gasped as his penis slid into her sheathe while two fingers slid into the tight ring of her anus.

“You’re so f*cking juicy,” Declan’s voice held a note of strain, as if his self-control was no longer effortless. He moved in and out of her a few times then withdrew, his penis replacing his fingers at her anus.

Lost to her senses, Zoey felt the softness of the meat of his palm against her lips. Her mouth opened, and she kissed then gripped him with her teeth.

He penetrated her anus, slow and gentle, letting her body adjust to his size.

“Bite,” he whispered in a rough voice.

Zoey obeyed. Pain and pleasure roared through her as he plunged into her. She moaned and bit him hard as he moved in and out of her faster and faster. When the pain passed, she released him, and his hand went to her * again, stroking and fondling her, matching the rhythm of his pumping.

They plummeted into the world of shared passion. Rather than resist, she clambered for access to his mind, needing to feel the mental connection as well as the physical one. He suspended his pleasure the first night, but this time, he was barely holding on. His desire was hot, his pleasure raging as it consumed both of them.

He lowered her onto all fours then gripped her hips, plunging into her faster and faster. He drove her near the breaking point then held her there longer, his fire consuming her even in the world of their souls, until she heard herself begging him for release.

Zoey’s orgasm broke a second before his. She dropped onto her stomach, body rendered weak by the pleasure that wracked her. Declan collapsed onto her back, shaking under the force of his release and breathing hard. He kissed the side of her face, and the two of them lay still, aside from the convulsions of their orgasms.

Declan remained inside her, where he belonged, while they recovered.

The soul connection made every sensation twice as intense as the emotions ebbed and flowed between them. Declan withdrew from her anus and rested atop her for a moment before he was hard again.

He slid into her core. She groaned softly, aching for him with inhuman need. He moved in and out slow at first then faster, building momentum that stretched taut between their bodies. She was soon drowning again in the sensations of his body. He gave her no rest, driving them both into orgasm after orgasm, rending cries from her with his intensity and passion.



Hours later, Declan sat beside the bed, watching Zoey sleep. It wasn’t quite dawn yet, but he’d been unwilling to sleep, knowing that his Zoey was a weapon waiting to be activated. F*cking a soul-mate was every bit as incredible as his brother told him. No matter how pleased his body was, his mind was a mess.

Zoey killed an Incubus. He still didn’t know what to do. She was unstable at best with the recent changes in her life. If what his father’s spies said were true, things were about to get worse. Zoey was at the edge of a cliff and didn’t yet know it. Declan felt the same way, only he knew he stood on the ledge. He just didn’t know how far down the drop was.

“Are you okay?” her soft voice was gravelly from sleep.

“Yeah,” he said. “Got a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?”

Declan smiled curiously. He wasn’t used to talking to his bedmates as he did Zoey. Women in general were usually a tool of physical fulfillment. Despite his misgivings, he found himself liking Zoey for reasons more than physical pleasure. She was brave, strong, loyal, sweet in her own way, and candid.

“You’re worried,” she assessed, pushing herself up on one arm to scrutinize him in the dim light of his room.

“A little.”

“About …”

Declan was quiet, debating for a moment. He didn’t know how far he could trust her anymore than she did him.

“There are a lot of people in the Incubatti who feel the same way you do about Cambions,” he said carefully.

“I hate them.” She sat up, the sheet wrapped around her. “I don’t know how you can justify protecting them.”

“Some evils are not so easy to fix.”

“This one is,” she insisted. “Just kick them out of your society.”

“It would mean a civil war.”

“It’s a small price to pay for saving lives.”

“Perhaps,” he said noncommittally. “We are trying a more diplomatic approach.”

“Politics?” She made a face at him. “You can’t reason with those things. Just kill them.”

Silently, Declan agreed. However, he understood his father’s position of creating a much broader strategy to deal with a crack down – and the ugly aftermath.

“You are serious about your plan to kill them?” he asked.

She sighed. “You’re going to turn me in, aren’t you?”

“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 f*cking 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 p-ssy.” 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 * 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 *. 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 * 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 f*cking 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 f*cking 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 f*ck.”

“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 f*ck 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 f*cking 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.