BURN (5 page)

“No,” she admitted in a low voice.

Her honesty pleased his demon, who was extremely impatient to bond and was rearing to do it right then. But Knox knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Harper still wasn’t fully convinced it was a wise idea, and he had the distinct feeling that pressing her any further would make her object just to be contrary. “I have plans for dinner. You’re coming with me.” When one of her brows imperiously slid up, his cock twitched – it made him want to bend her over that desk and fuck that attitude right out of her.

“I am?”

Knox almost smiled at her soft yet dangerous tone. A lesser demon might have cowered. “I’ll rephrase. Come with me.”

Knowing that was as close to a request as he was capable of delivering, Harper asked, “Where? Why?”

“We need to get to know each other better.” He’d use the opportunity to make her more comfortable around him. The sooner that happened, the sooner she’d be comfortable with their situation and agree to bond.

Curling a hand around her wrist, he led Harper out of the office and through the studio – passing her colleagues, who were shooting her enthusiastic, supportive looks as they said their goodbyes. Once she’d slipped on her jacket, he put a hand on the small of her back and urged her outside.

At the sight of the gorgeous, sleek, black Bentley that was totally out of place in this area, Harper halted abruptly. “Holy fuck.”

Knox gestured to the two males guarding the vehicle. “Harper, this is Tanner and Levi, two of my sentinels. Tanner, Levi – this is Harper Wallis, my anchor.”

Harper exchanged nods with the two seriously hot demons, one of whom she recognized as the male sentinel that had escorted her to Knox’s office in the Underground. Both sentinels regarded her with a respect that took her by surprise, considering that lairs weren’t quick to accept strangers. Apparently their respect for their Prime automatically extended to her now.

As Tanner opened the rear passenger door, Harper and Knox slid inside. She pretty much sank into the buttery-smooth leather, inwardly groaning in pleasure. It was good to be off her feet.

Once Tanner hopped into the front passenger seat, Levi threw the car into gear and pulled out of the parking space.

She looked at Knox, who was currently focused on his cell phone. “You didn’t tell me where we’re going.”

“Patience, little sphinx.”

“It’s not a trait I possess.”

Still consulting his phone, he said, “Patient isn’t something I can claim to be either. Relax, you’re safe with me. It’s just dinner, Harper.”

She snorted. “No, it’s not. This is you making sure I’m seen with you. You want it known that I’m under your protection.”

“You’re partly right,” he admitted, liking how astute she was. “After all, if anyone harmed you, I’d have to kill them. They should know that in advance. Call it a preemptive measure. But I also want to know you.”

He wanted to unravel the mystery of her. His anchor was a complex creature. She had a tough, almost aggressive exterior, but he had the feeling that there lay a lot of softness under that hard shell. He wanted to know what had formed that hard shell; wanted to know her better than anybody else did. It was an unexpected urge, but he didn’t care to overthink it.

“I have to warn you that once you know a little about me, you’ll change your mind about bonding.”

“You sound very sure of that.”

“Look, I might biologically be a sphinx, but I’m an imp in every other way that counts. That means I’m unmanageable, stubborn, secretive, I don’t like rules, and I make people tired and irritated – and I take pride in it.”

Knox caught Levi’s amused smile in the rearview mirror. “I consider myself warned.”

Stubborn-assed motherfucker
.

CHAPTER THREE

When Levi opened the car door and Harper slid out, her jaw almost dropped at the sight of the huge, luxurious hotel that she realized was on the Vegas strip. She found herself once again saying quietly, “Holy fuck.” She suddenly felt out of place in her jeans and t-shirt, particularly since she was standing next to Knox, who was looking rather edible in his dark tailored suit.

Seemingly unaware of her attack of self-consciousness, Knox took her by her wrist and led her inside the hotel. The interior was even more impressive; so grand and lavish it was intimidating. Several staff members, most of whom were demons, came to Knox to chat with him; he didn’t even break his stride or release her as he replied to their queries.

Realization dawned on her. “You own it, don’t you?”

“Yes. And stop panicking.”

“I don’t panic.”

His mouth twitched. “Of course you don’t. My mistake.”

Moments later, she and Knox were walking into a restaurant located within the hotel. It too was extravagant and classy – and crowded enough to make her even more nervous. “I’m not really dressed for this kind of place,” she told him. It wasn’t as if she could remain inconspicuous while she was being dragged around by Knox Thorne.

When Knox pulled her into a private dining room, she seemed to sag in relief.
The conversation that’s about to follow wasn’t something I wanted to have in public.

Harper blinked at the unexpected telepathic contact. It was an ability most demons had, including her.
We could have just had it in my office.

But then we couldn’t have eaten.

As they sat and the server offered a choice of different fancy-named wines she’d never heard of, Harper just shrugged. “If it’s red, I’ll like it.” Hearing that the starter was oysters, she almost died.
No way
was she eating an aphrodisiac around the demon opposite her. He
was
an aphrodisiac. “I’ll just skip straight to the main meal, if that’s okay.”

Knox shrugged. “Order whatever you want.” The last thing he’d expected a little thing like her to order was a 12 ounce grilled steak. She kept on surprising him. He found that he liked it. Having ordered his Italian beef stew and watched as the server left, Knox spoke. “What made you become a tattooist?” From what he’d heard, her business was quite successful and she was very popular among humans.

“It was my family’s idea. I’ve always loved art.” It was the one thing she was good at. The talent had been honed by years of creating counterfeit paintings for fun…but that was off topic and not something that he needed to know.

“Speaking of your family, I’d assumed Richie was your father.”

“Nope.” But Knox wouldn’t be the first to assume that was the case.

From what Knox had learned, Jolene only had three children. Richie, who’d bred over a dozen kids. Martina, who hadn’t birthed any despite that she had plenty of practice in the making of them. And…“It was definitely a shock to find that you’re Lucian’s daughter. I knew he had one.” Lucian’s daughter was apparently the only living being that the demon had any true attachment to. “I’d assumed she was an imp. But then, you’re very good at seeming like one.”

He’d said it like she was deceptive. “I grew up with imps, so I was hardly going to be any other way.”

“What about your mother?”

She was a selfish bitch who Harper hadn’t seen since—

She cut off the thought, determined not to waste time on the woman. “Look, I’m not really a fan of personal questions.”

Her guard had slammed up so fast and hard, Knox was surprised it hadn’t shook the room. “Personal questions in general or personal questions about your mother?”

“Both.”

Her glare almost made Knox smile. “Why do you look so offended by me asking you questions?”

Harper’s brow furrowed. “Why are you even asking me questions? I know you did your research on me.”

“I did,” he admitted unrepentantly. “I learned a lot about you. For instance, I learned that you’re responsible for the breakdown of an ex-boyfriend’s bank account—”

“Allegedly.”

“—that you hacked a human police database and messed up their filing system when your friend was unjustly arrested—”

“Hearsay.”

“—that you beat up a male demon who hurt your cousin—”

“I have an alibi for that.”

“—and that you infected an old teacher’s computer with a virus that caused clips of gay porn to pop up on his screen every thirty seconds.”

“Closet gays do the strangest things when the pressure gets too much.” As his mouth curved into a shadow of a smile, the lust pooling in her stomach seemed to thicken. His dark, direct stare probably should have unnerved her but – for some inexplicable reason – having his entire focus on her was a turn-on. She got the feeling that when Knox Thorne was interested in something or someone, it or they had his total and unbridled attention.

Just then, the server returned with their wine. Tasting it, Harper raised her eyebrows. “This is actually pretty good.”

Once he was alone with Harper again, Knox said, “Personally, I think your methods of revenge are very creative.” Demons always got even, one way or another. “I learned something else about you.” He was wondering how best to phrase his question, not wanting to seem insensitive, when she spoke.

“It’s true that I don’t have wings.”

He’d heard whispers of a sphinx without wings, but it hadn’t occurred to him that it was Harper. “You’ve never had them?”

Veiling her hurt, she replied, “No.”

“Do you have the marks?”

“Yes.” They looked like tattoos of wings on her back. They should become real wings at her command. But they’d never come. “Before you ask, it’s also true that I can’t throw orbs of hellfire. I can, however, do this.” She infused her fork with hellfire.

“I noticed you do it during your duel with Mona. In many ways, it makes you stronger than demons who can throw hellfire orbs. You can make anything into a weapon.” She was a walking, talking surprise to him. “Now, back to my question about your mother...”

“It’s not important.”

“Carla Hayden’s a member of my lair, and you’re my anchor, which means this is very important to me.”

“Why aren’t you even a little hesitant about this anchor business?”

“Why would I be hesitant? The vast majority of demons look forward to finding their anchor.” It was typical that his anchor would be one of the exceptions. But if she was someone he could steamroll, Knox had to admit he wouldn’t have found her half so intriguing.

“Yeah, mostly to stop them turning rogue and to become stronger. We both agreed you don’t need me for any of that.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ve told you before; I don’t walk away from what’s mine.”

“Oh,” she drawled. “You like possessions.”

Actually, yes, Knox did like possessions. Having been deprived of those things as a child, he refused to do so as an adult. But she didn’t need to hear that story. Nobody did. So instead, he gave her a different truth.

Leaning forward, Knox said, “Since my mind brushed against yours, every instinct I have has told me that you’re mine and I should protect you and bond with you.” Of course, he also wanted to fuck her until neither of them could walk. But that had nothing to do with her being his anchor. “You
are
mine. Deserting someone I’m supposed to protect isn’t something I’m prepared to do. Now, tell me about your mother.”

After a long inhale, Harper replied, “Carla wanted my father to accept her as his mate. He didn’t want to. She wasn’t happy about it.”

“
He
didn’t want to or his demon didn’t?” In order for their kind to have a deep relationship, to take someone as their mate, both halves of the soul needed to choose the partner.

“Neither wanted her as a mate,” replied Harper. “So Carla left me on Jolene’s doorstep when I was two months old.”

Knox felt a low rumble begin to build in his chest as anger whipped through him. “Why Jolene’s doorstep?”

“Lucian Wallis doesn’t have a doorstep. He’s a nomad.”

“And he then took care of you.”

“Not exactly. Lucian convinced Jolene to take care of me, because he didn’t know what to do with a baby. She agreed because she knew he was out of his depth, and she wanted to be sure I was okay. But she made him promise to visit me regularly.”

“Did he?”

“He turned up every six months or so, which to him was the equivalent of full-time parenting. When I was four, Jolene forced him to take me.”

“She passed you to him like a parcel?” The idea made Knox’s blood boil.

“No. She wanted her son to learn some responsibility, and she thought it was wrong that I didn’t have either of my parents playing a big part in my life. She also thought it might make him settle somewhere.”

“But it didn’t.”

“No. We moved constantly.” She’d attended thirteen different schools before graduating. Being ‘the new kid’ over and over had been irritating in itself, just like repeatedly experiencing the cycle of curiosity, acceptance, and desertion got old fast.

“How did you end up here in Nevada?”

“After I graduated, I told Lucian I was moving here to be around the rest of my family.”

“You were sick of flitting from place to place,” Knox assumed, but she shook her head.

“My upbringing wasn’t horrible or something I’d change if given the chance. I liked traveling, it was an adventure, but I wanted to put down some roots.”

She’d wanted a real home, not a motel or a rental house or someone’s sofa. Wanted a place she could decorate and settle in. She’d gotten sick of repeatedly leaving her friends, her school, and her favorite places; sick of missing her family and all their special occasions.

“Do you see Lucian much?”

“He’s never out of contact for more than five months at a time. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a lot for him. He never really embraced the dad role. He had no behavioral expectations of me, and he allowed me to make my own decisions. He believed I should learn through experience rather than through rules. I’m grateful. It’s made me fiercely self-reliant.”

Knox didn’t understand how she couldn’t feel even a slight element of anger or bitterness. When she spoke of Lucian, there was even affection in her voice – the kind a parent would have for a clueless child. “But you weren’t raised.
You
were the adult.”

“You sound angry.”

“I am. He put his needs before yours.” At that moment, the server entered with their meals. Once he’d left, Knox asked, “Has Carla ever made any attempt to contact you?”

The piece of steak melted in her mouth, and she groaned. “Nope.”

As an almost orgasmic look flashed across her face, Knox’s body clenched. “You don’t seem in the least bit upset by it. Why?”

“I figure if that’s the kind of person she is, it’s better for me that she wasn’t in my life. Be angry at Lucian if you want, but at least he accepted and cared for me in his way. That’s more than she was ever willing to do.”

Thinking it was best that she knew, Knox said, “She has a mate and two sons now. The oldest is twenty-three. The other is sixteen.”

“Yeah, I know, I saw her with them a few times.” Harper sipped at her wine. “Enough about my life.”

Inwardly, he tensed, expecting her to start asking about his life. But she didn’t, she turned her total attention to her meal. And he realized it was because she didn’t see the point in getting to know him as she had no intention of forming the anchor bond. Knox had to wonder if – maybe even on a subconscious level – it was because she didn’t trust him not to leave her. She’d been abandoned by both parents, never had many fixed people in her life thanks to her years of traveling, and quite possibly lacked the ability to trust that anyone would want her bad enough to stick around.

It was then that he recalled what she’d said in the car; that he’d change his mind about bonding once he knew her. So it could be that he was right and she expected him to leave her – maybe not now, but eventually since, to her, people came and went all the time.

If that was the case, he would need to gain Harper’s trust before he had any hope of getting her to form the anchor bond. She would need to be certain she had his complete loyalty, confident that he would be a constant presence in her life. And he
would
be a constant presence. “You’ll come to know me. You’ll come to trust me. And you’ll see that I can be relied on. Then we’ll bond.”

“Yeah, in your imaginary world.”

Her unimpressed, flippant, elusive air was like a challenge to his demon, who was currently fixated on Harper – and not because she was its anchor. It liked her quiet confidence, her refusal to be intimidated, and the strength that allowed her to withstand Knox’s forceful personality. Knox could admit the demon had good taste, and he made his decision there and then – he’d have her. But one thing he could sense about the guarded creature in front of him was that she wouldn’t be easy to seduce.