Truth or Demon

CHAPTER 33

Poppy couldn’t imagine that she’d so easily fallen asleep with Killian in her bed, but when she came back to awareness, sunshine flooded into her bedroom. She blinked, looking around her.

Killian was sprawled next to her, his large, muscular body taking up more than his fair share of the bed. She rose up on her elbow, admiring what she hadn’t had the patience to admire last night.

Killian was beautiful all the time, but in his sleep he was almost painfully so. There was a sweetness to his face, like an angel fallen to earth. Lashes that most of the female population would kill for were splayed against his angled cheekbones. Waves of hair shone brown and gold and nutmeg against her pale green pillowcases. Perfect sculpted lips and a chiseled jawline. He was a breathtaking combination of pure beauty and pure masculinity.

Of course, his body was nothing but masculine magnificence. Tall with lean muscles, he had the body of a swimmer, with broad shoulders and tapered hips. His skin was golden and smooth, although fine golden hair covered his forearms and legs. Slightly darker hair whorled around his belly button, then into a line that disappeared under the corner of her duvet, the only bit of blanket that covered him in his sleep. And she didn’t think that had to do with modesty. Killian didn’t strike her as the type to be worried about his nudity.

Using that as her justification, she reached for the edge of the blanket. Carefully she lifted it, peeking underneath at the part of his anatomy that had been inside her, but she’d had yet to really see.

Even soft and nestled amid curling, tidy pubic hair, his penis was large. But then she’d been aware of that fact last night too, as he’d filled her so fully that she’d been sure she would burst. In fact, as she stretched out her legs now, a pleasant soreness reminded her of just how well endowed he was.

She smiled to herself, realizing it was that secret kind of smile where only she knew what had occurred to bring it to her face. She flopped back against the pillows, curling on her side to watch Killian sleep.

He really was amazingly attractive. By far the handsomest man she’d ever seen. How had she gotten so lucky? She didn’t know, but she wasn’t going to question it. After all, this was supposed to be fun. Not too much analyzing allowed.

So she didn’t question herself when she brushed a fingertip over his mouth, tracing the almost pouty curve of his lips. Then she snuggled against him. Even in his sleep, he curled an arm around her, tucking her close to his side. She smiled that secret smile again and let her eyes drift closed.

This was a nice way to wake up and a nice way to fall asleep too.

She moaned in her sleep as a large hand stroked over her skin, fingers plucking gently at her nipples, warm lips trailing kisses along her shoulder and neck.

Poppy opened her eyes, realizing this time she wasn’t just dreaming. She looked down at herself, watching Killian’s hand skimming over her body. Caressing her breasts, then down over her belly and between her thighs. She arched as he swirled a finger over her clitoris, and a broken gasp escaped her.

“Are you sore?” he murmured, his mouth right beside her ear.

“No.”

He continued to tease her clitoris with light, sweeping brushes of his finger, gently bringing her to full arousal. When she was squirming for more, her breaths coming in short, whimpering bursts, he raised her leg and angled her so he could slide his huge erection between her thighs. He rubbed against her, spreading her open, then with low moans of his own, he entered her. Slowly, steadily filling her.

She gasped, arching her back, loving the feeling of him stretching her. Rocking her toward her release with long, unhurried thrusts.

“You feel so good,” he whispered against her ear. “I fit like I was made for you.”

She couldn’t argue that, even if words would come. He did feel like he belonged there, deep inside her, sliding in and out, in and out.

Then his fingertips were back, stroking her. Rubbing that tiny sensitive spot that had the ability to make her scream. To suddenly make her moves frantic, desperate.

“There’s no rush, baby.” He kissed the side of her neck, then reached around to hold her chin, tilting her head to kiss her. His kiss was as thorough and leisurely as his lovemaking.

One hand returned between her thighs, while the other played with her breast, teasing her nipple. And still he kissed her.

The combination was too much, all those delicious sensations, catapulting her toward her climax. She tensed, waves of ecstasy flooding over her, so it was hard to catch her breath.

And still he didn’t stop, touching her until yet another orgasm shook her. Then another.

Finally, holding her tight against him, his arm wrapped around her middle, her back to his chest, his hips slanted between hers, he began to drive into her deeper, harder. His speed picked up until she could feel his own release wrack his body.

He cried out, clutching her tightly to him.

Gradually, his hold loosened, but he didn’t let her go. He again pressed kisses to her shoulder, and once he’d relaxed, she rolled over to face him.

“Good morning,” he said, pressing a sweet, lingering kiss to her mouth.

“Good morning.” She smiled back, then lifted her head to check the clock on her nightstand. “Yep, we just made morning still. Eleven fifty-six.”

He glanced over his shoulder at the clock too. “Well, no wonder I’m starving.”

“Oh,” Poppy said, sitting up, bringing the sheet with her. “I can make you something to eat.”

As she was about to stand, Killian snagged the sheet, causing her to topple back against him. Then he rolled her under him, so she was pinned between his weight and the mattress.

They both dissolved into laughter at the silliness of his behavior.

“So does this mean you don’t want me to make something?”

He shook his head, grinning down at her, his face so handsome, his smile so naughty.

“Not if it means you have to get out of this bed.”

“Ah, so you’re keeping me here all day?”

He raised an eyebrow, pretending to consider the idea. “And maybe all night too.”

He kissed her, even though she was giggling. Or maybe because she was.

“Well, not all night,” she said once they parted. She was still grinning at him, loving how carefree and silly they could be with each other.

“Really? You need a break, huh?” His look was smug as if to say he knew she couldn’t handle that much time in bed with him.

She giggled again. “I don’t need a break. But tonight is the night we make my ex realize exactly what he’s been missing.”

Killian’s smile withered like a cut flower left out of water. Then he recovered, although this smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“That’s right. Tonight is Project Adam. I don’t know how I forgot.”

Poppy studied him, trying to understand his response. He seemed disappointed, and maybe even a little irritated, which made no sense since this had been his idea all along.

He rolled off her, flopping onto his back. She remained beside him for a few moments, hoping some of the easy happiness between them would return. But he just remained still, staring up at the ceiling.

Her gut reaction was to feel awful. To feel his guardedness was her fault, but she caught herself. She couldn’t understand what he was thinking unless she asked. And hadn’t he said they needed to be open with each other? Keep things clear and honest.

She sat up, hesitating when she saw his distant expression.

“Killian, are you upset about something?”

Confusion clouded his eyes as if he was coming back from some faraway place, but then he recovered, shaking his head and offering a smile. Again that smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“No. Not at all.”

She must have not looked as if she believed him, because he broadened his smile. “I’m fine.”

She debated questioning him further, but before she could decide, he touched her cheek.

She met his eyes and held his gaze for several moments. Then he smiled again. It was still not like the smiles of earlier, but better, less strained.

He tugged her down beside him, kissing the top of her head as she snuggled close to his side.

They stayed that way, quietly enjoying each other.

“Do you really believe in all the paranormal phenomena you study?” Poppy asked suddenly. For some reason her thoughts had gone back to the experience she’d had at the Japanese restaurant.

Killian’s hand, which had been idly brushing over her back, stilled. He didn’t answer for a moment, and then she felt him nod.

“I do believe in some of it, yes.”

She nodded too, but didn’t say anything.

“Why?” he asked.

She considered just letting the topic go, but then decided if anyone was going to believe her story or give an explanation for it, Killian was the person. After all, he made his living dealing with the supernatural.

“I—I just had a weird experience in the bathroom at that restaurant last night.” She told him about what had happened and what she thought she’d seen.

Killian didn’t say anything for a moment, and she wondered if maybe she’d made a mistake sharing the story.

Then he said, “If anything like that ever happens again, tell me right away.”

His tone was serious, very serious.

She lifted her head to look at him. “Do you think it will happen again?”

He studied her for a moment, his expression intense, even a little worried. Then he shrugged, all intensity gone, and she almost wondered if she’d imagined the other reaction.

“Not likely, but I like to know about these things.”

She nodded, confused. Was he worried or not? Or was he just interested because of his work?

“You know, I think I am hungry,” he said suddenly as he cupped his large hand around the back of her head and pulled her down to him, kissing her. “And I need to keep my energy up.”

She laughed. “Having trouble keeping up with me, huh?”

“Well, you are an imp. And they are notoriously energetic. And insatiable.”

She rubbed a hand over his chest, appreciating all his hard muscles and hot smooth skin. Her roaming hand headed lower. And lower.

He cocked an eyebrow, then glanced down at where her hand was going. “See, insatiable.”

She grinned, but stopped just below his belly button. “Pancakes? Or a ham and cheese omelet?”

He blinked, then grinned. “Insatiable tease.”

She smirked back, but continued to swirl a fingertip around his flat little navel, the coarse hair tickling her.

He caught her tormenting hand, bringing it up to his lips. He pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, then each finger, and just like that the teasing tables were turned.

He nipped the pad of the finger that had been circling his belly button, then said, “Definitely an omelet.”

She frowned, too lost in the erotic sensations of his mouth on her hand to follow.

“I’ll have a ham and cheese omelet,” he clarified with a smug glint in his eyes. “I need some protein to keep me going.”

She made a face at him, but said, “Omelets it is.”

She crawled off the bed, swathed in her version of a sage-colored, ill-fitting toga, and trundled toward the kitchen.

“Want help?” he called.

“Nah, just rest,” she said, poking her head back in the doorway. “You’ll need that too.”

She giggled as she headed to the kitchen.

Killian listened to Poppy shuffling through the apartment, her sheet trailing after her. But once she was in the kitchen and the noises turned to the clatter of pots and pans, his smile disappeared. He stared at the ceiling.

What was he doing? She had encountered Vepar last night. There was no doubt. And to top it off, he was more upset about tonight’s plans. That shouldn’t be. He wanted her to finally see Adam and deal with her loss of her former boyfriend. Wasn’t that the point of all this? Didn’t he accept that eventually she would be with another man? That she deserved to move on?

But nothing was going as he’d expected. He’d really believed sex with Poppy would be great—which it was. Beyond great. The best of his existence, if he was being honest.

But he’d expected it to just be sex.

He grimaced at his own thoughts. It is just sex. There isn’t an option for it to be more.

Not with Vepar out there, being a lunatic. Not with Killian himself being a demon.

He had to find her a human man. Someone to really love her. Not just have sex with her. He had to.

But even as he told himself that, a small portion of himself held back, unwilling to let go just yet.

He listened to Poppy again, the sounds of domesticity somehow as appealing as everything else about her. Slightly off-key singing filtered through the apartment too, and he imagined how she looked in her sea of sheet, well satisfied, her hair tousled, singing—the Rolling Stones. At least he thought it was the Rolling Stones.

She was truly, amazingly adorable.

And he was feeling that he was in too deep.

But as if her out-of-tune song was the melodic call of a siren, he found himself being drawn out of bed. Called to her.

He couldn’t seem to get enough of her. But as long as he remembered this was just for a brief amount of time, then he would manage to complete the mission he was here to do.

Poppy smiled as she stepped into the shower, the hot water like Heaven on her aching muscles. Today had probably been one of the best days of her life.

She and Killian had spent the entire day together—mainly in bed. Well, and on the kitchen table and on the rug in front of the TV. He’d called her insatiable, but in truth, their desire for each other was unquenchable.

She’d never experienced that kind of need for someone. It was exhilarating and a little frightening all at once.

She closed her eyes and let her head rest on the tile wall, water beat on her back, lulling her. Bed beckoned her, but this time for sleep. Maybe they should just stay home and finally rest. After all, did it really matter if she made some point to Adam? A point he probably wouldn’t even get?

She was pretty sure he hadn’t been as torn up about their breakup as she’d been. Strike that, she was positive he hadn’t been. But, she realized with a smile, after a day of being satisfied again and again by Killian, her heartbreak over Adam seemed years away. And pretty darn insignificant.

She opened her eyes as she heard the doorknob to the bathroom rattle and twist. She opened the shower curtain to see Killian standing there, naked. Amazingly, beautifully naked.

“Can I join you?”

She smiled, knowing the gesture was lazy. “Sure.”

He stepped into the water, closing the curtain, shutting out everything but them and the wonderfully hot water.

“I’m so tired,” she murmured, moving right into his arms and resting her head on his chest as if it were the most natural thing to do.

Even now, after all they’d shared today, her comfort level with him still startled her. He was physical perfection. The kind of man who had always made her feel, well, plain. But she didn’t feel that way with him.

His muscular arms came around her, a cocoon of Killian and water. She moaned.

“This feels like Heaven.” She sighed.

He was silent for a moment, then she felt his head nod against the top of hers. “I think you might be right.”

She stood, half-dozing in his embrace. How long she didn’t know, but eventually he released her and reached for the bar of soap. He lathered a washcloth, then began to rub the slick material over her, soft and soothing.

She sagged against him, her back to his chest as he continued to wash her, his touch so gentle and wonderful, she whimpered. The terry cloth stimulated her nipples as he moved over them, around them, then down her belly.

Unbelievably, her body reacted, and when he brought the cloth between her thighs, she spread for him, telling him silently she wanted him again.

She felt him smile against the curve of her neck and shoulder.

“Not this time, baby,” he murmured. “You’re too sleepy and sore. And we’ll never make it out tonight if we do.”

She wanted to argue and say that was fine with her, but instead she just nodded. Then she turned in his arms and again, rested her head on his chest.

“You’re right,” she said. And for the rest of their shower she tried not to want him. A near impossible feat, but one she somehow managed.

Killian released her and stepped out of the shower.

“I’m going to go get some clean clothes, but I’ll be back down here in five.”

She nodded, remaining under the warm spray, too relaxed to move.

“Stay right here and I’ll be back.”

“Okay.” She didn’t have to be asked twice.

Killian toweled off and threw on yesterday’s clothes. Then he snagged Poppy’s keys. He wasn’t leaving her in an unlocked apartment, even for a few minutes.

Then he hurried back to his place—oddly he was actually beginning to think of the fusty apartment that way.

“Vepar!” he yelled as soon as he entered. He yelled again, looking for the cat in the living room, then the bedroom. No sign of it. Or Vepar.

“Damn you.” What was that psychotic demon’s game? He didn’t know. He just knew Vepar seemed intent on something.

Just kill her.

Vepar’s words echoed in his head again.

That couldn’t be his real goal, could it?