“What’s happening?”

  Jake stared at Gil’s shirt. Gil looked down to see a singed hole in the center from where he’d been blasted. The skin behind the hole was unblemished. He’d definitely have to ask later what Phoenyx had done to him.

  “Soul-suckers,” Jake said with a snarl. “From what I’d heard, some power-hungry demon is trying to assemble an army of them. They started attacking the demon warriors’ apartment building until the warriors came out to fight.”

  “Why would they do that?” Gil asked. “Why didn’t they just storm the place?”

  Jake shook his head. “You can’t just waltz up in there. There isn’t an entrance door. You have to be invited in.”

  Gil remembered when he’d run from Wayland. He’d raced out of the building and turned to see that the door had vanished. “Is that like some kind of safety feature?”

  “If no one can get in, then the warriors can’t be caught with their pants down.”

  Gil turned toward the wall of glass, his eyes searching until they landed on Wayland. The demon’s arms swished this way and that as a smaller man levitated in the air. Wayland threw both arms to his left, and the smaller man slammed into the side of the building.

  As afraid as Gil was, the magic, the power he’d felt rippling through the air, and the way Wayland’s muscles flexed as he moved, Gil wasn’t so afraid that he wanted to run from this place.

  That was until someone entered the shop, an evil smirk on his face. It was the guy who had tried to lead Gil away from the park. His eyes glowed red as he closed and locked the door behind him. “Well, hello, pretties.”

  * * * *

  Wayland’s heart had nearly given out when Gil had been blasted with a bolt of electricity. He’d wanted to run to the human, but he’d been attacked before he could make the attempt.

  After that, he’d lost sight of the young man.

  “You son of a bitch!”

  Wayland used the power of wind to lift the soul-sucker off his feet and slam him into the apartment building, his mind on one thing only. Getting to Gil.

  After he’d gotten the demon off him, more attacked. Wayland, along with the other warriors, had one hell of a fight on their hands. He’d never encountered such determined soul-suckers before. Most were cowards who ran at the first sign of trouble.

  Not these demons. They were relentless. He’d heard rumors that some powerful demon was amassing an army of soul-suckers, and had put some stock into the rumor since their numbers had been on the rise, but this was downright insane.

  Another soul-sucker charged toward him, but before he could reach Wayland, Hondo blasted the man with balls of fire.

  “Go get your human,” Hondo shouted as he was attacked from the side. “We got this.”

  Wayland spun and looked around. He didn’t see Gil anywhere. The young man wasn’t lying on the ground where he’d landed after being struck. He didn’t seem to be anywhere. Wayland’s heart squeezed tight at the thought of Gil having been killed, but then, where was his body?

  He saw something from the corner of his eye. When he turned his full attention to Jake’s Java, he spotted the owner fighting another man. Wayland took off down King Kennedy, heading for the java shop. That was when he spotted Gil among the small crowd of people inside.

  Even though there was trouble in the shop, Wayland was seven kinds of relieved that the young man seemed unharmed. The door was locked when he reached it. Wayland slammed his fist into the glass and watched as it shattered. He stepped through the empty metal frame and entered the shop.

  “Get this soul-sucking bastard,” Jake shouted as he slugged the guy in his jaw. The demon staggered backward before charging toward Jake.

  Wayland grabbed the guy by the back of his shirt and tugged him backward. The demon twisted in Wayland’s grip, freed himself, and then raced through the broken door. Wayland would’ve given chase, but instead, he went right for Gil.

  “Are you all right? How badly were you hurt?” Wayland cringed at the singed hole in the human’s shirt. He ripped the shirt over Gil’s head to examine him.

  “You’re stripping me in front of all these people.” Gil slapped at Wayland’s hands as his skin heated with embarrassment. His chest was bright red, and Wayland loved how easily the man blushed. “I’m fine.”

  “But you were blasted.” The human’s chest should have shown some signs of the attack—a scorch mark, peeling skin, or worse, his insides hanging out, but there was nothing but smooth, pale skin.

  Skin Wayland was dying to explore at length with his hands, lips, or his cock. He wasn’t a picky man.

  Gil waved his hand toward the fight. “Phoenyx cried into my mouth.” The human crinkled his nose. “I can’t say I’ve ever drunk someone’s tears before, but it took away my pain.”

  Wayland owed Phoenyx big-time. He coaxed the onlookers toward the door and told them to run in the opposite direction of the fight. It should’ve been a no-brainer, but he didn’t want to take any chances.

  “I’m not leaving,” Jake argued. His eyes began to glow red as he tripled in size. Demons and their abilities. Gotta love it. Jake moved past Wayland and stormed through the broken door, the glass crunching under his feet.

  Wayland shrugged. If the demon wanted to fight, who was he to stop the guy?

  “That was like watching Bruce Banner change into the Hulk,” Gil said. “Only Jake was red and a set of black horns sprouted from his head. I take it that’s his ability, to grow taller and pop out a ton of muscles? That was pretty damn cool to watch.”

  Putting Jake from his mind, Wayland turned back to Gil. “Come on. I’m taking you to my apartment where you’ll be safe.”

  Gil tugged him to a stop. “But don’t you have to go back out there and help? You’ve got mad skills to use, even if those skills wreck the demon realm.” Gil stuck his arms out and wiggled his fingers. “Make it rain!”

  Wayland chuckled as he framed Gil’s face with his hand. “All I have to do is keep you safe. That’s my only concern right now.”

  “I mean, can’t you slap them down with some lightning or hailstorm? Your guys need you, Wayland. I’m not gonna be the reason you don’t fight.”

  His brethren did need him, but Wayland wouldn’t be able to concentrate knowing Gil was in harm’s way. “They’ll be fine.”

  “Seriously, go back out there. If another soul-sucker comes in here, I’ll make him regret messing with me.”

  Wayland began to look through Gil’s red hair.

  “What are you doing now?” Gil batted him away.

  “Checking for any lumps or bumps. You had to have hit your head if you think I’m gonna leave you here to fight a soul-sucking demon.”

  “There you go again, making me out to be a big chicken.”

  “I’m stating a fact. Now come on, tiger.” Wayland pulled him along as they stepped over the broken glass and exited the shop. They took the long way around the building and entered his apartment through the darkened shadows.

  Gil grabbed his head as he swayed. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to traveling that way.”

  “Better than human transportation.”

  “That’s true.” Gil hurried to the floor-to-ceiling windows to look down below.

  Wayland moved in behind Gil and slid his hands down Gil’s bared sides. “Now let me finish checking you from head to toe.”

  Gil glanced over his shoulder. “I told you that I’m fine.”

  Wayland shook his head. “I’ll be the judge of that. Now get those pants off.”

  Chapter Five

  The soft brush of lips across his bare shoulder. The whisper of warm breath on his skin. Gentle fingers gliding over his fluttering stomach. Gil pressed his hands into the cool glass of the window as the hardness of the demon’s body pressed into his back.

  “I’m sorry you were hurt.” Teeth scraped along Gil’s nape. “I never would’ve brought you here if I had known.”

  Gil had no idea what to say, how to respond. A rush of need pooled at his groin as his lips parted. The hair of the demon’s beard made him shiver as it slid over his skin.

  “I have no idea why I’m so fascinated with you.” A strong hand cupped Gil’s semihard cock. “It’s like you’ve gotten into my blood and are now coursing through my veins. Your smell, your smile, the sound of your voice. I crave it all.”

  Gil forgot the chaos below as the masculine scent wrapped around him. He saw the twinkling stars above, the dark clouds lazily moving by, and the numerous streetlights throughout the city as the demon’s hands clasped his backside. Wayland’s fingers squeezed and Gil moaned.

  “I want you,” Wayland murmured so seductively that Gil’s breath hitched. “I want to feel my cock sinking deep inside your body.”

  Gil gasped when he was pulled away from the window and lowered to the soft carpet. Wayland inserted himself between Gil’s legs as Gil’s fingers curled around his upper arms. Gil stared into coppery eyes as they stared back at him.

  “Wayland—”

  The demon shook his head. “Don’t deny what we both want. You say you’re not into men, but I’ve seen how you look at me with just as much craving as I feel for you.”

  Gil’s head lolled to the side as Wayland’s lips and tongue teased his neck. His legs instinctively curled around the demon’s waist as Wayland lowered himself just a bit more so that their groins touched. Wayland ground his erection against him and Gil cried out.

  “Do that again,” Wayland begged into Gil’s ear.

  Gil wanted their clothes gone, all barriers out of the way. He glided his hands down Wayland’s arms and then back up again, feeling the man’s strength beneath his hands. Wayland’s muscles flexed at his touch as the demon nipped at his collarbone.

  “I have to warn you.” Gil struggled to get the words out as Wayland’s tongue glided over his Adam’s apple.

  “You think I don’t know?” He nipped Gil’s skin. “I already know, tiger.”

  “How?”

  “I just do.”

  Wayland devoured Gil’s mouth with hot licks and starving kisses. The demon’s groin ground harder into his. Gil started beating on the man’s back with frustration. “I need my clothes off.”

  He wanted what Wayland wanted—to feel the demon’s cock buried inside of him. Gil wanted to feel the man’s flesh pounding into his, stretching him wide, and making him cry out for more.

  The demon didn’t get up, didn’t move from his spot between Gil’s legs. He used one hand to unfastened Gil’s pants and planted the other on the carpet next to his head. Gil was amazed at how skillful Wayland seemed with one hand. The guy had Gils’s pants down his waist in seconds. Gil’s hips shot up before Wayland shoved the jeans the rest of the way down. Gil kicked his shoes off, and then used his feet to get the jeans from around his ankles.

  Now he lay there naked while the demon was still fully clothed. The rough material of Wayland’s jeans against Gil’s cock made him hiss with pleasure.

  “I want to see you come before I take you.” Wayland’s strong hand wrapped around Gil’s cock. Gil’s back arched into the demon’s touch, Gil needing the relief his body craved. He hitched his hips higher, begging without words for Wayland’s hand to move faster.

  And it did.

  But Wayland pulled it away long enough to spit in his hand, and then it was back on Gil, stroking him so expertly that Gil’s head thrashed from side to side, his fingers dug into the soft carpet, and his toes curled. He panted for breath as he fucked Wayland’s hand, staring up into those gorgeous, coppery eyes.

  Wayland undid his jeans and freed his cock, then inserted it between Gil’s thighs, just under his balls. He saw the ruddy head wet with clear liquid as the demon tugged at Gil’s sac.

  The pressure built along his spine, and his balls grew tight. Gil closed his eyes as he clenched his jaw, and then a kaleidoscope of colors burst behind his eyelids. He cried out as Wayland’s hand moved faster, and the man murmured something in a language Gil couldn’t understand. But it sounded sexy, and he didn’t want Wayland to stop.

  As Gil’s climax slowly eased, the demon coaxed him to his hands and knees. Gil rocked against Wayland’s body like a wanton slut as he struggled to breathe.

  “That was beautiful.” Wayland kissed a spot on Gil’s shoulder. “I want to hear your cries again as I take you.”

  His words penetrated the fog surrounding Gil’s brain. “Wayland—”

  The demon kissed Gil’s nape. “Hush. No worries, tiger. I’ll go as slow as you need me to.” His hand pressed into Gil’s lower back. “Don’t move from this spot.”

  Gil nodded, then felt Wayland’s heat leave him. The man had gotten up. Gil stayed on all fours, blinking several times. Never had an orgasm gripped him that hard. His insides were still humming as he wondered what the demon was doing.

  A pair of jeans fell to the floor by Gil’s head, followed by a shirt. Wayland was undressing. Seconds later, he was behind Gil again.

  “Just relax.”

  The head of his cock pressed against Gil’s hole.

  “Lubricant!” Was the guy insane? Gil may not have had sex with a man before, but even he knew lube had to be involved.

  “Trust me.”

  Since Gil was the newbie, he nodded. But his shoulders tightened and his cock hung flaccid. He was too afraid to be turned on. And then something spurted against his ass.

  “What was that?”

  “We demons have natural lube.” Wayland’s lips skimmed across Gil’s shoulder. “It will help your muscles to relax and allow me inside you.”

  Another spurt hit him and Gil’s muscles did exactly as the demon said they would. Gil’s fingers curled into the fibers of the carpet as he felt pressure, but no pain.

  “Steady,” Wayland whispered. He smoothed his hands down Gils’s back. “I promise it gets much better. You’ll see, my little virgin.”

  Gil heard the teasing in Wayland’s voice and wanted to smack the demon. So Wayland really did know what Gil had been trying to tell him. Gil wanted to give him an earful, but the head of Wayland’s cock popped past the ring of muscles and all thoughts fled.

  “So fucking tight.” Wayland’s fingers dug into Gil’s hips, but the demon didn’t move. That was fine by Gil. He was too busy trying to breathe, trying to get used to the invasion. He lowered his shoulders all the way to the carpet, his hands still curled into the fibers. The demon used his thighs to kick Gil’s legs farther apart.

  “Your skin is so soft.” The demon’s hands continued to ghost over Gil’s back. “I love it.”

  As soon as he spoke, he began to move. Gil shuddered as his hole was stretched to the limits. Had he known how mind-blowing sex with a man would be, Gil would’ve done it years ago. But he was secretly glad Wayland was his first. Wayland not only had the skills to take Gil without causing him pain, but he was gentle, kind, and passionate.

  Gil wasn’t sure if it was the sex, how Wayland was treating him, or the combination of both, but he suddenly felt closer to Wayland, as if they shared a soul-deep connection.

  “Fuck!”

  “What?” Gil bit his lower lip so hard that he tasted blood. “What’s wrong?”

  Instead of answering his question, the demon blanketed Gil’s back, burying his face in his neck. “You’re mine, tiger. You belong to me.”

  Gil had no clue what those stalkerish words meant, but he wanted to get fucked, not talk. He jerked backward to remind the demon what they were in the middle of doing.

  Pushing into a kneeling position, Wayland started to fuck Gil like crazy. Sounds poured from Gil’s mouth, noisy babbling as he hitched his hips higher, as the carpet gave his knees frictions burns. The sound of skin making contact with skin echoed throughout the living room as the clouds moved on, allowing the moon to shine into the room. Gil should’ve been worried that someone would see them. They were right next to a huge window, after all. But he didn’t care. He just didn’t care. All he wanted was Wayland to never stop fucking him.

  “Mine,” the demon said in a low, growling voice. His hands slipped from Gil’s sweaty sides only to grab them again, digging in deeper this time.

  Gil began to thrust backward, meeting Wayland’s punching hips. His cock had hardened again and was bobbing and throbbing as he begged Wayland to fuck him harder.

  Gil nearly lost his mind when Wayland pulled out. He felt so hollow, so empty without the demon buried deep inside him. But then Wayland flipped Gil, put him on his back, and placed Gil’s ankles on the demon’s shoulders. The contrast of bronzed skin against pale was breathtaking.

  In one quick movement, Wayland was back inside him. Gil inhaled a shuddering breath when Wayland dropped over him, nearly bending Gil in half as his hands landed on either side of Gil’s head.

  The pupils in Wayland’s coppery eyes were dilated. He looked wild and untamed, and Gil loved it. A vein of lightning shot across the sky as the branches on the trees began to sway.

  “Are you doing that?”

  “And if I was?” The demon swiveled his hips, driving his cock deeper. His shaft grazed over Gil’s prostate and Gil cried out. “Damn, you’re so beautiful,” Wayland said with hooded eyes.

  The lightning intensified. The trees swayed harder. Rain beat against the windows as Wayland scooped Gil into his arms and kissed him with such force Gil was left breathless.

  The fact his first time with a man included a person who wasn’t even human thrilled him. It was like having his cake and eating it, too. He’d wanted to experience sex with a guy, and Gil wanted life to consist of more than just the mundane world. He was getting both, and that knowledge made him arch his back as he whimpered into Wayland’s mouth.

  “All mine,” Wayland said against his lips. “You’re all mine.”

  Sex talk was a given, and Gil dismissed Wayland’s words as just that. Men tended to say a lot of things when they were getting their groove on, and even though Wayland was a demon, he was still a man.

  “All yours,” Gil said, giving in to the same need. He dug his nails into Wayland’s muscled flesh as they rocked their hips in a rhythm.