ArayasAddiction Read online

  As her gazed dropped he lifted her chin, “I meant no offense. You’re a beautiful woman. I just meant you damn sure don’t need to be on a diet.”

  He called her beautiful. The sincerity in his eyes shocked her. She’d have thought he was only being nice, trying to make her feel good, had she not seen his eyes. The knowledge shot warm sensations through her body.

  Dropping his hand from her, he turned back to the fridge and grabbed a large tray of blueberries, bananas and mangos and a bottle of wine. “Why don’t you grab a couple glasses and we’ll have an indoor picnic.”

  She smiled at him, liking the sound of a picnic. “Why don’t we sit outside?” she suggested.

  “I don’t think your mother’s ready to let me out of this room,” he said, frowning.

  “No but we can sit on my balcony.” At his surprised look, she said, “But don’t get any ideas. It’s warded. If you try to cross the barrier, the collar will kick in.” She felt bad for his predicament. It certainly wasn’t fair to him. “I’m really sorry about all this.”

  He gave her a look she didn’t quite understand, then agreed. “The balcony it is. Uh, where is it?”

  She grabbed two wineglasses and a corkscrew off a shelf next to the refrigerator, then opened a large dresser and pulled out a green towel and tossed it to him. “I think it’s big enough to fit around your waist.”

  He caught it and treated her to a charming smile.

  “What?” he asked. “Don’t like the view?”

  “The view is…” Too damn tempting. “Well, I thought you might like to cover up. It’s all I have to offer you unless you can squeeze into one of my robes.”

  He eyed her wardrobe as if considering it, then shook his head. “No. A little too feminine for me. It’s definitely working for you though.”

  She flushed at his appreciative gaze.

  He wrapped the towel around his waist and knotted it at one side. It didn’t make the sight of him any less desirable as she’d hoped. He posed a threat to her resolve. She should be keeping her distance rather than planning a picnic.

  She motioned to the far end of the room. “Over there. Follow me.”

  He followed her through the archway at the end of the room and then through a small door that opened to an expansive stone balcony. A white, wrought-iron table and two chairs sat in the middle of the balcony. Plants adorned matching, multi-tiered wrought iron stands on each side of the balcony.

  He placed the fruit tray on the table and opened the wine. She held the glasses as he poured.

  She took a seat and popped a blueberry into her mouth, closing her eyes as she savored the taste. She forced herself to eat a little every day, but the flavors had eluded her since she’d begun weakening. She didn’t know why she felt so much better today but she wanted to enjoy it while she could.

  She took a sip of wine and sighed. Damn that tasted good. Sweet and fruity, flowing down her throat, warming her. She took a larger sip. Then another. So good.

  When she opened her eyes, Kean sat across from her, staring. “What’s wrong?” she asked, feeling self-conscious.

  “Just watching you enjoy the wine,” he said.

  She smiled and popped a blueberry into her mouth. “It’s been a while since it actually tasted good to me. I don’t mean to be a lush.”

  “Don’t censor yourself on my account. Other than bringing out the lush in you,” he winked at her, “I can tell you feel better. I’m glad.”

  “Me too. Maybe I’m in a remission of sorts.”

  He took a long draw from his wineglass, swallowed and refilled both their glasses. “Tell me what’s happening to you.”

  She looked away and sighed, “I don’t want to bore you.”

  “Wouldn’t ask if I thought it would.” he teased.

  “Funny.” She looked at the sky, considering how much she could share with him. “I have a condition. I suppose you could say a nutritional imbalance.” Giggling, she took another big swig from her glass.

  “That doesn’t sound so serious,” he offered. “Eat what you’re missing or take some vitamins.”

  To change the subject, she abruptly asked, “Where do you live? What do you do? Do you have family?” Oh god. She hadn’t thought of that when she’d brazenly accepted his offer to pleasure her. Please don’t let him have a wife and kids at home. She’d never forgive herself and she’d be forced to despise him. She didn’t want to despise him. He was so likeable. And hot.

  He grinned at her. “Not a very subtle change of subject but I’ll play. I live in Texas. My father and grandfather are living. My mother passed away twenty years ago.” He paused and looked sheepish as he continued. “I don’t do anything in the way of working, if that’s what you meant. My family has acquired great wealth that’s been passed down through the generations. With smart investments, the money grows so there’s no need for working. I do volunteer my time for rebuilding and cleanup efforts after hurricanes, oil spills—that sort of thing.”

  She had to smile at that. With his wealth, he could be a totally spoiled, self-centered individual, but he chose to help people in need.

  “That’s really nice of you. I think I’d like to do something like that,” she said.

  He treated her to a breathtaking smile and said, “You should join me sometime.”

  Both of their smiles faltered and an awkward silence followed. What were either of them thinking? She’d be dead soon and even if she wasn’t, they’d certainly never see each other again after this. Dead soon. That sounded so foreign to her at the moment, sitting there with Kean, picnicking and enjoying each other’s company. The undeniable attraction blazing between them. She felt as if they were on a date rather than imprisoned together and she wanted it to last. If only…

  She took another large gulp of her wine and then held her glass out for him to refill it. It tasted so damn good and made her feel all warm and bubbly. She watched him pop a banana slice in his mouth and guessed it wasn’t all that satisfying for a hungry man.

  She wanted to do something nice for him—a small effort to show her appreciation of his company—forced or not. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed herself so much.

  “Hey, stay here, I’ll be right back,” she said as she went inside.

  When she returned, he stood looking over the balcony.

  “Thinking about jumping?” she joked. At least, she hoped he wasn’t thinking about that.

  He turned to her. “No, just looking at the scenery. Lotta trees.”

  “Fruit trees,” she said. She grabbed her wineglass, topped it off and joined him at the balcony ledge. “There are several acres of them on our land. Almost any kind of fruit you can think of is being grown here. My favorites are mangoes and blueberries. Before I weakened, I loved helping the gardeners pick the fruit.”

  “Where exactly are we? The air is thick. And the sky is hazy around the perimeter of all those trees. It’s as if the sun isn’t shining beyond the orchard.” He frowned. “I’m no gardener, but don’t different types of fruits need different climates?” he asked.

  Crap. They were in the veil between the human realm and the demon realm but she couldn’t tell him that. He was right. The air in the veil was thick and the sky hazy. For a price, certain things in the veil, such as plants and trees and light could be manipulated by elemental demons. Beyond their plot of space, in the veil, there was nothing—just a vast, hazy barrier that separated the human realm from the demon realm. Until, of course, you came across another occupied plot.

  “Okay, if you can’t answer the where, tell me more about this nutritional imbalance and why you can’t simply eat differently,” he suggested.

  She sighed then hiccupped. She enjoyed the easy conversation between them and wished she didn’t have to be secretive.

  “Well, Kean. Lemme tell you. I don’t want to eat what is required to fix my issue. It’ll turn me into something I don’t want to be. I’ll be overcome by needs, desires.” She gulped the r
est of her wine.

  Her mother and sister refused to understand. She wanted to talk to someone who might and Kean seemed genuinely interested. Hell, why not tell him? It might be fun and he’d, of course, not believe a word of it anyway. Plus, as she held onto the balcony ledge for support, she realized she was quite buzzed.

  “You definitely have my attention,” he said.

  “If you think that’s good stuff, listen to this. My need is semen, as my mother told you. I am what is called a Sempire. Kinda like a vampire, I suppose. But instead of blood, I need semen to survive. Hence the reason you are locked up with me. My mother wants you to give me your semen because that’s the only thing that will fix my condition. How’dya like that?”

  Instead of freaking out and calling her crazy, he simply asked, “Why do you refuse what will fix your condition?”

  She stared at him, dumbfounded and swayed as she stepped to the table to grab the bottle of wine. Empty. Damn it. “I’ll be back,” she slurred.

  Kean grasped her shoulders, steadying her. “Have a seat. I’ll grab another bottle.”

  She plopped onto the chair. “Good idea. Thanks.”

  He returned quickly and refilled her glass. “You were about to tell me why you refuse what you need,” he prompted.

  “I don’t want to be a whore. I don’t want to be forced to go from man to man to get what I need to survive.”

  Kean seemed to consider her words. “Wouldn’t one man be able to sustain you?”

  She snorted. “It doesn’t seem to sustain my mother and sister. But, they don’t care. They are full-blooded and until I feed I am a half-breed. Being half-human, I’d hoped the human half would win and the Sempire needs wouldn’t control me. My refusal to give in is what’s killing me. Once I do give in, it’s all over. I’ll transform to full Sempire, the needs will kick in completely and I’ll become everything I’ve fought so hard to avoid.”

  “Half human?” Kean asked.

  She nodded. “Yep, that’s right. My mother tells me that’s where my silly notion of a monogamous relationship comes from—my human half. Is it really that silly? What if I meet someone and fall in love and then he is unavailable to me for a few of days? I’d be forced to-to—” she scrunched her face in disgust, “cheat.”

  She couldn’t believe she spewed all that information to a human, but it felt great to purge like that, and she had to swallow the hysterical laughter building inside her. Kean must think her totally insane but was considerate enough to not let on.

  “I see your dilemma,” Kean said.

  Kean couldn’t believe the change in her. Couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She was half human and willing to let herself die because she might fall in love and might be forced to cheat on that person. Shit, her whole attitude toward her Sempire half would probably change if she’d simply give in to her needs.

  He never thought he’d meet a Sempire, and certainly didn’t expect her to be innocent if he did. He liked her and didn’t like the idea of her dying. He also felt like a fucking asshole for what he’d done to her as she slept now that he knew her reasons. Who’d have thought? A romantic Sempire?

  He wondered if the little bit of semen he’d passed to her was enough to make the change in her she’d mentioned. It had certainly strengthened her. Hell, she was sitting there getting drunk with him and telling him, who she thought was human, that she was a semen-reliant demon.

  He chuckled silently to himself. Yeah, he definitely liked her. She had spunk. If she’d embrace her nature, they could be friends, hanging out and cruising clubs for sexual conquests. Maybe have a foursome. Odd, that idea suddenly annoyed him.

  “Araya?” a male voice called.

  “Oh, thanks, Fin. Will you set it here?” She motioned to the table.

  A thirty-ish, muscular male wearing a tight gray t-shirt and jeans carried a dome-covered platter and set it on the table in front of Kean. He sensed demon in the male but couldn’t make out what type.

  “What’s this?” Kean asked.

  “This is your dinner.” She smiled as Fin lifted the dome, revealing a huge, juicy steak and a large baked potato.

  “Holy shit. This looks great,” Kean exclaimed.

  “Anything else?” Fin asked.

  Kean shook his head but Fin stood staring at Kean as if waiting for something more. “Thanks, this should do it,” Kean said. He hoped the guy wasn’t waiting for a tip because obviously he didn’t have a wallet on him. Hello, I’m naked except for a towel.

  Araya stood and hugged Fin. “Thanks for getting that ready so fast.”

  He finally looked away from Kean, hugged Araya back and said, “No problem. I aim to please. How are you feeling? You look different.”

  “A little tipsy,” Araya answered. “But seriously, much better today. Must be the solid sleep I had.”

  “Good to hear,” Fin said, sounding genuinely relieved. “See you later.” He winked at her and gave Kean one last strange look and walked away.

  What was that guy’s problem? Did he have a thing for Araya?

  “Is that one of your lovers?” Kean growled, his mood darkening.

  Araya looked surprised. “Fin? Fin is our chef and a good friend. He’s lived here since before I was born.” The corners of her mouth turned down. “I thought you’d enjoy the steak and potato you mentioned earlier.”

  What the hell was his problem? His good mood instantly changed when Araya hugged Fin and the guy had winked at her. He’d felt like punching the guy who’d just brought him a great-looking meal. Being held prisoner must be getting to him.

  Araya had done something thoughtful for him and he’d snapped at her. He shook himself mentally and forced a broad smile. “I’m practically drooling. This is awesome.”

  There, her smile came back and what a sexy smile it was.

  He cut into the steak, forked a piece and put it in his mouth. He moaned. “Wow. Perfect. You want a piece?”

  She scrunched up her face. “Ew, no. I only eat fruit.”

  “Well,” he said after swallowing a bite of potato, “that’s your problem. You need some protein.”

  Her eyes widened as wine spewed from her mouth. He hadn’t thought about what he was saying. Hadn’t meant it that way. But it cracked him up that she took it that way and he laughed out loud. Hell, she was laughing too which cracked him up even more.

  “Sorry,” he said, leaning back in his chair still laughing, “that’s not what I meant.”

  “Oh my god. I must be drunk to laugh at that. Did I get any on you?” she asked as she wiped wine off her foot.

  “No, but hey, why do you have a chef and steak on hand if you only eat fruit?” He asked between mouthfuls. That Fin could really cook.

  “We tend to have a lot of visitors, such as yourself, in addition to the guards living here.”

  “What? Your mother abducts a lot of people?”

  “Not until recently. Wait, you are the only one she actually kidnapped as far as I know. I still don’t understand that. But she and my sister bring a lot of males here. Some stay a day. Sometimes, if they are really satisfying, they keep them here for few days or a week. Rarely longer than that.”

  “I see. Yeah, I suppose most males wouldn’t need to be kidnapped for providing those types of services to beautiful women,” he agreed.

  “No, most don’t. Why is it that you don’t want to help me? I’m curious. The others were more than eager.”

  “Well, I didn’t appreciate being abducted and waking up locked and collared in a cell. Letting someone force me to do anything isn’t really my style.”

  “You were locked in a cell? Which one?” she asked, surprise evident on her face.

  “You mean there’s more than one?” When she nodded, he asked, “Why do you have cells in your basement?”

  She shifted awkwardly, selected a slice of mango from the tray, slipped it into her mouth and licked the juice from her lips. He never thought he’d be envious of a piece of fruit until now. He t
hought she was going to evade his question but then she spoke.

  “That’s my mother’s business, the family business. Fetish films. That’s what the cells are typically used for.”

  “Wow,” Kean said. “Fun family business. Well, maybe not for you,” he amended when she didn’t share his enthusiasm and decided to bring the subject back to the task at hand.

  He paused and looked into her enchanting golden eyes. “I will help you now, if you’ll let me,” he said in a low, husky tone.

  She drew in a deep breath, the intensity of her gaze as it met his made his cock twitch. Yeah, he didn’t only want to help her to gain his freedom, he wanted to pleasure her again and then feed his shaft into that sultry mouth of hers. He wanted to be the one to strengthen her. He wanted to feel the ecstasy of filling her mouth and nourishing her with his essence as he watched her come alive because of it.

  Her gaze fell to his lap. Yep, she noticed his lengthening cock tenting the towel. She took another sip of wine and licked her lips.

  Bringing her eyes back to his her tone turned husky. “Why are you offering now?”

  “Technically, this is my second offer,” he reminded her. “I changed my mind when I caught you watching me in the shower.”

  She chewed her lower lip as her eyes shifted to his lap once again. “Please don’t,” she breathed. “I told you why. I don’t want that kind of life.” Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. He didn’t like it.

  “Hey,” he said purposefully forcing a cheerful tone, “no problem. Just thought I’d offer.” He picked up a blueberry. “Open your mouth.”

  Her eyes bugged. “What?”

  “Let’s see if I can make it,” he said playfully.

  Understanding, she brushed the back of her hand over her eyes wiping away the moisture and opened her mouth.

  He tossed it right in. She laughed and said, “My turn.” She chose a piece of banana but it hit him square in the nose.

  “Ug, you throw like a girl,” he chuckled as he pulled the banana off his nose.

  Shrugging, she popped some fruit in her mouth and washed it down with the rest of her wine.