Vacation Hell: Princess of Hell #4 (3 page)

“You do know she hated those beach visits.”

The wide smile on Lucifer’s face stretched wider. “Of course she did. Who wants a perfectly boring, no excitement holiday? I gave her something to remember and talk about.”

“Despite your twisted philosophy, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want to go the beach.”

“Who doesn’t want to go to the beach?” Mother Nature popped in on a springtime breeze of fresh-cut grass.

“Are you stalking me again?” Lucifer turned to glare suspiciously at Gaia.

“It’s not stalking if we’re dating. It’s called an unhealthy suspicion of your activities.” Mother Nature wore a smile Auric knew all too well. Now he knew where Muriel got it from.

“I hate it when you twist my own sins against me.”

“I know. Which is why you’re obsessed with me.”

“I am not obsessed.”

“Says the man who put cameras in my garden. You bring possessiveness and jealousy to a new level, Luc. And, even better, your perverted attention provides a great example to your minions.”

And there was the guileless expression Auric recognized from both Muriel and Lucinda’s faces. Poor Lucifer didn’t stand a chance.

“I will not discuss the fact that you exploit my weakness, wench. Grave matters are afoot. I sense a change in the force.”

“Would you stop it with the
Star Wars
references already.” Gaia rolled her eyes.

Lucifer promptly replied with a short, spittle-laced raspberry. “I meant the force between worlds. Incoming portal.” He pointed, and sure enough, a rip opened.

That made three portals in only a few minutes. What the fuck? “Why is the concept of ringing the doorbell so bloody hard?”

“It’s a waste of time, and much too polite. I prefer the element of surprise,” Lucifer said. “I catch more people sinning that way.”

“How did you guys open doorways to here anyhow? I set the wards on the house.”

To which both Lucifer and Gaia twittered. “Nefertiti is my witch,” Lucifer reminded. “As such, we had a backdoor put in for our use only.”

“That doesn’t explain how Bambi and Chris got here.” He stabbed a finger at Muriel’s sister, who strode into view wearing knee-high bitchin’ boots, as Muriel would say. Her dress had a skirt that actually fluttered to mid-thigh, and the neckline only plunged halfway. Pretty conservative, considering the outfits she’d donned in the past. Auric wondered if the guy by her side was to blame.

Chris, another good friend, and a wizard who often fought by Auric’s side, held up his hands in a gesture of innocence. “Wasn’t me. I still can’t do portals.”

At Auric’s glance at Bambi, she also held her hands in surrender, but the sensuality of it still didn’t make her look innocent. “I didn’t do it either. Lucinda did.”

A frown creased his brow. “What do you mean Lucinda did? That’s not possible. She’s in her room playing dolls.”

As if to prove Auric’s statement, one of the camera views took over the big screen to show Lucinda in her room, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of her large dollhouse, a naked doll with shorn hair dancing in front of it.

“She hasn’t moved since I flipped the cameras on a few minutes ago.”

“That child is incredibly gifted.” Said by the proud grandmother.

His sweet daughter was also oddly jointed, given she turned her head a full one hundred and eighty degrees and smiled at the camera.

While other people might freak and call a priest, Auric understood that, no matter what, she was his baby girl and, according to Lucifer, “An apt student. She’s obviously been practicing, something I usually hate, as it shows a steadfast determination, but given it’s also a sign of her admiration for her grandpa, completely acceptable in this case.”

Welcome to Lucifer’s world. It was slightly twisted, but not so bad once you got used to it.

With the whole gang gathered, Auric quickly gave them a rundown of what was happening. At the end of it all, Auric wasn’t alone in wearing a concerned expression.

Lucifer started the discussion. “Aim me in a direction and I’ll kill whatever is fucking with her. I just got my cape back from the cleaners, and my boots are much too clean.”

“Can’t kill it if we don’t know who it is,” Chris pointed out, and was it Auric, or was he trying much too hard to avoid looking Bambi’s way? And exactly why had the pair of them been together when Lucinda supposedly opened that portal?

“Why must we assume it needs killing?” Bambi’s question met shocked silence for a minute then snickers.

“Since when doesn’t it require killing?” Lucifer scoffed. “Being old school, I’m more of the torture-them-for-an-eternity sort, but I have to say that Muriel’s more efficient method of head lopping does mean less paperwork and, in turn, allows for more golf time.”

“You and your golf. You’re a man of business,” Gaia reminded. “A leader that needs to pay more attention to his kingdom.”

“Way to suck the fun away from a man.”

“You’re welcome,” Gaia sassed.

“You’ll pay for those polite manners later,” Lucifer threatened.

“I look forward to it. In the meantime, while you two discuss what’s up with Muriel’s beach obsession, I’m going to play dolls and have a talk with my granddaughter.”

With a lingering scent of wild roses, Gaia popped out of the basement, but they all saw her appear on the screen and plop down to the floor, not mindful of her skirts at all.

“That woman is much too sassy,” Lucifer grumbled. “Can you believe she’s been pressuring me to get married?”

“The horror,” Auric retorted dryly. Surely Hell would freeze over again before such a wacky thing happened. “But I’m less concerned about your perverted relationship with Muriel’s mom than I am about Muriel herself. Something is wrong with her. I say we take her to Nefertiti. The crone might know what’s wrong with her.”

“Maybe it’s another spell that needs special magic.” David couldn’t help but grin, especially since every time they needed Muriel magically charged, it meant a mind-blowing orgy.

“Couldn’t we just take her to the beach and see what happens?” Bambi suggested.

Possibly put her in harm’s way? “Never.” Auric never wanted to live through the anguish he’d experienced when he’d thought Muriel was gone forever.

“The succubus has a point,” Teivel interjected.

“She has a name,” Chris growled.

A sharp clapping of hands showed Lucifer beaming. “Excellent tension and truly magnificent glares, but could we go a little lighter on the whole protecting-her-honor act?”

“It’s not an act.”

“I know, which is the pity of it,” Lucifer complained.

Bambi reached out and put her hand on Chris’s arm. Chris didn’t physically move, but Auric noted his frame tightened, and was that a tic by his eye? “It’s all right. I’m not ashamed of who I am.” There was an underlying tone to her words, something that Auric would wager was for Chris alone.

Others, like Teivel, also picked up on it. “Can you two hash out your relationship woes later? We are here for Muriel and her sudden obsession with the ocean. I agree with Bambi’s suggestion. Take her to the beach. See what happens.”

“You want to put her in harm’s way.” Flatly stated.

“How is it harmful if we’re all there? You’re not thinking straight. You said it yourself. She was like a mindless zombie, trying to obey some subliminal order. What if it gets worse? Are you going to follow her every second of every day? Maybe chain her down so she can’t leave?”

“Of course not!”

“Then face facts. At one point, she will slip away from us and go confront whatever is calling to her from the ocean. Alone.”

The obvious logic didn’t mean Auric didn’t want to punch Teivel in the face. “I don’t think we should dangle her like bait.”

David snorted. “You do realize this is Muriel we’re talking about, right? If she knew we were even thinking it, she’d volunteer.”

The term ‘fools rush in’ came to mind.

“Did it ever occur to you that what’s happening might not be dangerous? Remember who she is. She’s tapped three parts of her magic. Who’s to say her power’s not craving a new type of fellow?”

Snapping on Bambi for speaking her mind would not only get him in the bad books with Chris, but it wouldn’t change that she’d said aloud what Auric dreaded.

Are we about to be joined by a fourth?

T
he warm water
in the deep tub didn’t soothe me. Neither did the entire box of bath salts tossed into it. Nor the seashells crunching under my butt.

I craved something colder, wilder, and truly salty.

Argh. And not a pirate type ‘Argh’, but a frustrated one.

I submerged myself underwater, not for the first time, and blew out air bubbles of irritation. What was with this sudden obsession of mine with the ocean?

I hated the beach. Having spent most of my formative years in the pit—where heat and grit proved a constant bane—when it came to getting away, I was more into mountain retreats, winter wonderlands, places where I didn’t sweat, despite the twenty-four-hour assurance on the label of my antiperspirant.

Yet, here I craved, with a need that pissed me off, the ocean. Which meant something was afoot.

Hello, chaos, my constant friend.

I rose from the layer of bubbles, a wet goddess sleek and…screaming like a little girl because Auric, hovering over the tub, stared at me and said, “And here I was hoping I’d have to do mouth to mouth.”

Recovering quickly, I smiled and made sure to rise a little higher so that a certain part of my anatomy bobbed on the surface of the water. “Anytime you want to blow me, I’m more than happy to spread myself wide.”

Could I add that it sounded a lot sexier and not as creepy in my head?

He laughed and flicked bubbles. “Isn’t requests for blowing my line?”

“You want me to blow you? Just say when.” Which might have sounded sexier if a glob of bubbles on my head hadn’t suddenly slid down my forehead and hit me in the eye, whereupon I yelped. “My eye, my eye. I’ve got soap in my eye.” Able to face down a horde of demons but blubbering like a wimp over a little sting.

As my hero, Auric dutifully wiped my face clean and, even better, didn’t laugh. A good thing. He might have died. Lucky for him, I wouldn’t hurt him for the smirk on his lips. Even I could admit it was kind of funny. But if he dared tell anyone about it, I’d strike in retaliation, maybe when I was blowing him.

Then I’d kiss it better.

Being a gentleman—with lusty tendencies—Auric helped me out of the tub and wrapped me in a fluffy towel. I laughed as he briskly rubbed me, his rough scrub to dry the moisture bringing my skin to life.

He wrapped the towel securely around me before sweeping me off my feet and carrying me into our bedroom. I should note it was a pretty big freaking bedroom, with a custom mattress size perfect for the occasional orgy.

What could I say? I was the type of lover who thought of their comfort so they could better please me. And please me they did, alone, together, in bed, out of it.

A sinful shudder went through me. It didn’t take much to get my motor running.

I tucked my head against Auric, breathing in the scent of him. One hundred percent male. My male. Mine.

Coveting, a sin I’d learned at a young age. “I love you,” I murmured.

“Love you more,” he retorted.

I stiffened. “This is not a competition.” A grand declaration that I followed with, “But if it were, I’d win.” Because my dad taught me how to cheat.

Fair play was for those who trusted in chance. I preferred sure outcomes. In that, I was a chip off the old devil.

Auric tossed me on the bed, and oops, I lost my towel on the way. Never one to miss an opportunity, I splayed across the cover, naked, skin dewy and lips parted in invitation.

My consort’s mouth tilted into a partial smile. “We really should talk.”

“About what? My need to feel you inside me? My craving for your lips on my skin?”

“There’s something happening, Muriel.”

“You’re right about that.” I slid a hand down my belly and ran the tip of my finger over the damp lips of my sex.

He averted his gaze. “I’m serious, Muriel.”

“So am I.” I was seriously aroused.

“Something unnatural is occurring.”

“When isn’t there? For once, can’t I have a few months, maybe even a year, where someone isn’t trying to kill me or use me?” I sighed.

“I’m not trying to kill you, but I do want to use you.” How an angel could smile so naughty I’d never understand, but totally enjoyed.

My arms reached out, and I attempted my most beguiling feminine pout. “Can’t we just pretend I’m normal, you’re normal, and as normal people, we’re going to have afternoon sex because it’s fun?”

“But—”

“Please, Auric.” I didn’t want to discuss why I was acting so odd. I feared the answer. I wanted reassurance that some things were still the same, such as Auric’s love for me.

“We really shouldn’t,” replied my consort, in his Mr. Respectable tone, a tone that turned teasing as he added, “but I did lock the door. Seems a shame to waste this moment of privacy.”

His words were encouraging, but I enjoyed even more the fact that he yanked off his shirt before he’d finished talking.

Such a nice view. Auric might have once flown the Heavens as an angel, but he had the physique of a body-building god. Slabs of muscles, bulging biceps, that perfect vee that arrowed down below his waist into his jeans.

He put his hands on the button to his pants, and I licked my lips, anticipation making my body hum.

“So I was talking to the guys,” he said as he slid the button from the loop.

“What guys?”

“David, Teivel, Chris, your sister Bambi, and your dad.”

“My dad?” My eyes lost their focus, and I frowned at him. “I might have grown up in a twisted household, but even I have limits. Do you really think this is the time to be bringing up my dad?” Talk about a mood killer.

“We think there is something abnormal about your sudden urge to go on a beach vacation.”

“Ya think?” I didn’t hide my sarcastic lilt. My attitude was one of my best attributes, that and my long hair, of which I grabbed a strand and twirled nervously. I really did not like where this conversation appeared to be headed.

“We more than think. We know it’s fucked, which is why we’re going on a family vacation.”

“We’re what?” Forget looking sexy, I bounced to my knees.

He continued on, as if his gaze wasn’t riveted by my jiggling breasts. “We leave just before dawn, as a matter of fact. Your dad has given us permission to use his villa.”

“You didn’t sign anything, did you?” A valid question given my demonic overlord of a father tended to put in tiny, yet critical, sub-clauses that usually gave him a person’s soul.

The arched brow was the only reply I got to my question. Auric knew better than to sign anything in blood.

“Aren’t you worried about taking me to the beach? If we’re right, and this isn’t a natural urge, then doesn’t this play right into someone’s plot?”

“Of course I am worried. I never like it when you’re the bait.”

Bait? Some women might take offense at being dangled like a tasty morsel in front of the unknown. I loved it. The fact that it had even made it into the discussion showed Auric had faith in me and my abilities.

For him, I wouldn’t fail. I’d kick ass and cure this obsession with the icky ocean. But not right this minute. First, I wanted a piece of my man. A nice, long,
hard
piece.

“Strip.”

“Are you giving me orders, woman?”

“Trying to.” But while Teivel, the strong guy in public but submissive in private, trembled at my every command, Auric was much too alpha to allow me to control him.

But I loved to try.

“I think I’m going to keep these pants on, baby.”

“That might make things a little more difficult. For you.” I spread my thighs. “Since you’re not dipping your wick today, I guess I’ll have to make do with your tongue.” Such a shame. Not! My angel was gifted in many ways. Pleasuring me orally was just one of them.

“Then again, maybe I should take them off, so they don’t get
dirty
.” He purred the word as he pushed down his jeans, revealing his strong thighs, but of more interest was the cock bobbing between them.

Thick, thicker than I could wrap my hand around. How I loved his size as he stretched me and pounded me.

I crooked a finger in invitation, but he took his sweet time joining me, and when he did, his legs caged mine as he straddled me. But at least he was close enough to touch. I dragged my nails lightly down the smooth skin of his chest, starting from his pecs to the curls of his pubes. Then I grasped him.

He sucked in a breath, and his shaft pulsed in my grip. A smile curved my lips as I looked up at him. Intent green eyes met mine. He thrust his hips enough to slide his cock in my grip. He mimed fucking, all the while staring at me, arousing me. Too easily could I imagine his thick dick inside me, fucking me.

Shudder. My heated arousal and his scorching gaze caused my nipples to pucker.

“Suck them,” I asked. “Please.”

Such a dirty word, a word I was taught from a young age showed weakness. Yet, with Auric, I didn’t feel weak. I felt desire, a burning desire for him to tease and please me.

Slowly, so slowly I could have screamed, he lowered himself until his lips brushed across my erect nubs.

“Yes.” I hissed the word as I arched in invitation.

He accepted, and the hot flick of his tongue circling my erect peaks drew a moan from me. Another shiver. A cry of need as he tortured me with what he could do, but wasn’t. I tried to force him to take my engorged nipple into his mouth by weaving my fingers through his hair and pulling.

As if I could budge a boulder named Auric. He took his sweet time, blowing hotly on my skin, tightening my nipples farther.

My whole body hummed with need so that, when he finally drew my nipple into his mouth, I think I came a little. I certainly felt my sex contracting, and the noises I made were completely incoherent.

The sensual assault lasted an eternity, and his lips sucked at my aureoles. His mouth pulled at my flesh. He divided his attention between both breasts until I fairly panted, mindless with enjoyment, on the brink of something even more wonderful.

And then he stopped.

“No,” I mumbled, only to moan in pleasure as the tip of his shaft poked at my lips. Auric had repositioned himself. He now straddled my upper body, and his hands pushed by breasts together around his thick cock.

As he slid it back and forth in the valley, the head of his shaft in my mouth, I eagerly lapped at the head, tasting the salty flavor that pearled. He pulled back. I whimpered, eager for more. He obliged, pushing himself farther, driving his cock into my mouth so that I could eagerly suck.

Back and forth he rocked, and the more he gasped and groaned, the more excited I became. There was something wonderful about bringing pleasure to someone, especially someone as reserved as Auric. He wasn’t a guy to really let loose…except with me.

I relished these moments where he showed what he felt. Where I heard his enjoyment. So was it any wonder when he took my wondrous chew toy away I growled?

Then again, he moved away for a good reason. His hands gripped my thighs and spread them.

Despite my heavy eyelids, I opened my eyes because I loved watching him. Loved the strength of his body as he loomed over me. Loved the proud jut of his cock from his body. Desired with an insane hunger the drop that glistened on the tip.

“Gimme.”

I must have said it aloud as I tried to sit up because he shook his head and said, “Don’t you move, baby. I want you flat on your back.”

Flat on my back with my legs in the air and resting on his shoulders. How decadent. Almost as decadent as him smoothing that pearly drop over the head of his cock before nudging it against my moist nether lips.

He teased me with short dips into my sex. Push, stretch. Retreat. And then he did it again, just enough to drive me wild.

“Slam me,” I begged.

He ignored my wishes. Heck, he moved away entirely, and I almost killed him, except he didn’t go far. He just moved a little farther down the bed, enough that he could scoop my ass into his hands, lifting me and presenting me to his mouth.

“Mine,” he purred against my wet flesh. So his. Forever and ever.

Then again, I would have agreed to anything the moment his mouth latched onto my sex. At the first wet stroke of his tongue, I had a mini orgasm, a shuddering, shivery delight that made me moan. But there was more to a good licking than that. Flicks of his tongue against my clit were followed by his tongue probing between my lips. He’d jab that freakishly long tongue of his inside me, wiggle it, and then go back to my clit for another flick. And just when I thought I could predict him, he’d change things up and pinch my sensitive button with his lips.

It was torture. It was awesome. It was enough to make me cry, “More!”

I got what I asked for as Auric responded, letting my ass hit the mattress, leaving his hands free to stroke my slick folds. A finger penetrated me, long and seeking. It curled at the tip, knowing how to find my G-spot. He stroked it, and my body arched in reply. Arched and prepared to come.

“Don’t you dare come yet,” Auric threatened.

Ever notice how being told you couldn’t do something made it harder to resist? I tried. I really did, clenching my teeth, fisting my fingers in the sheets. But he set me up for failure when he inserted a second and third finger.

He could demand all he wanted, but he added in a rapidly flicking tongue to the fingers pumping me. Yeah, I couldn’t hold it in. My climax hit me with the force of a train. Hard. Fast. Without any time to even cry out.

My sex contracted tightly around the fingers inside me, clenching then and wringing every possible ounce of pleasure it could. And there was a lot of pleasure. Wave after wave of it.

So intense, so wonderful, my greedy magic expanded within me, filled me to the brim, and then begged for more.

More pleasure. More!

Connected to me on such an intimate level, Auric knew what I needed, and yet, he didn’t rub the swollen head of his cock to appease my magic. He rubbed me for other reasons. Lucky me, my angel had a selfish streak that also demanded satisfaction.

He fed me the thickness of his cock slowly, torturously. He stretched me and filled me and claimed me and drove me wild. But he wasn’t the only one who knew how to cause insane pleasure. I clenched the walls of my sex around his inching length, fisting him tightly, tight enough that I drew a grunt from him, and even better, I felt his cock pulse.