ValiasVillain Read online

  She took a step back and strong arms wrapped around her hoisting her off her feet. She didn’t have to look to know it was Rydin. She’d felt him before he’d touched her but she’d been focused on her surroundings. He carried her inside, locked the door then spun her around to face him. He grabbed her by the throat and slammed her back against the wall, the breath leaving her lungs in a huff. She winced at the damage she’d done to his nose. It was bent awkwardly and blood coated his lips, chin and bare chest.

  The rage in his eyes and emanating through his aura might have scared the shit out of her if she wasn’t still turned-on by him. Goddamn, bloody and broken, his nearness melted her. The farther she got from him, the more desolate she felt. What the hell was this thing between them? Did he feel it too?

  She cautiously pushed his hand from her throat and clasped it in hers, rage still pouring from him. Their gazes locked. She walked backward leading him to the bathroom, compelled to clean up the blood she’d spilled. She might as well make nice because she was in the demon realm and the cuffs prevented her from flashing home.

  She took the lone washcloth from the rusty shelf above the sink, wet it, and slowly reached it toward his face. He didn’t move, just watched her intently, glowering at her, a vein pulsing in his neck, as she dabbed the blood from his face, his neck and finally his chest. She truly was at his mercy.

  He hadn’t taken time to put pants on and when she looked down, she was surprised to see his erection. Impressive considering he’d been kneed just minutes ago and she had no doubt it had hurt like hell. It was a little crooked but otherwise intact and she salivated, thinking of kissing it better.

  “Yes, it’s almost healed,” he said in a low, menacing tone.

  She noted his nose was already slightly less crooked too. Ferox must have awesome healing abilities. His eyes closed, giving her a reprieve from the fury in them, while she finished washing the blood from his chest.

  When she stopped, he commanded, “Bathe and I will return with your fruit. I trust you won’t run again now that I’ve seen your reaction to where you are.”

  “I’ve never been here. I’ve always lived in the veil,” she said. She had to admit she was surprised he didn’t kick her ass for what she’d done to him. She sensed he wanted to for sure, but she’d felt him fighting to restrain himself.

  He left her standing in the bathroom, door open. She watched him shrug into a pair of black sweatpants and a black tank top. She didn’t miss his ever-present erection tenting his sweats and she couldn’t suppress her laughter even though she knew it was terrible timing.

  He spun around. “What’s so funny, female?”

  Her eyebrows raised as she gazed pointedly at his crotch. Then she struck a seductive pose. “I can take care of that for you.”

  Rydin started to take a step toward her but shook his head as if to clear it and stopped. “Bathe,” he ordered and then disappeared.

  Valia decided she liked him even though he was obviously confused or high or insane. Whichever. She could do three days as long as she was able to coax him out of his semen. Which, of course, she would because she was awesome.

  She needed to contact her sister Araya, though. Araya would be wondering where the hell she was and why she wasn’t helping with Araya’s wedding plans. She’d need to convince the bossy Ferox to let her phone home. Or maybe she’d search for his cell phone while he was out. That way, her mother could send some guards to search for her in case the Ferox didn’t hold true to his three days. Surely he had one and she’d watched him dress. He hadn’t taken one with him.

  Valia searched the rickety dresser next to his bed. Another pair of handcuffs, and some sort of ledger. She opened it and flipped through the pages. Some pages contained names and descriptions, some contained photographs and addresses. Interesting, but of no use to her at the moment, maybe she’d look at it more later.

  She realized there must be handcuff keys around here somewhere. If she could find those, she’d simply leave. The thought disappointed her but she knew it was the only move that made sense even though the thought of leaving him so soon made her ache in an odd way.

  She moved on to look through his dresser. Just as she opened the top drawer, he appeared, looking yummy but furious again.

  “What are you doing, female?”

  Valia gave him her best smile. “Snooping.”

  “There’s nothing here to steal.”

  She glanced around the dreary room. “Yep. That’s for sure.”

  He followed her gaze around the room and frowned. “You find my home lacking?”

  She flipped a lock of hair over her shoulder and sauntered over to him. “No offense, Ferox, but this place is a dump.”

  His gaze narrowed and she thought he was about to slam her into another wall, but then he surprised her by laughing. It was a beautiful sight. All tension left his face and his amber eyes sparkled, but the lightheartedness was gone in an instant.

  “You are rude, female. Get a shirt from the drawer you were snooping in and come eat,” he said as he turned and left the bedroom.

  She chose a green tank top and pulled it over her head. The hem hung below her knees and the armholes were so large her sides were bare to her hips. She joined him in the other room. She hadn’t noticed what he was carrying until he set it on the table. A round, black…thing. It looked similar to a slimy, black coconut. “What’s that?”

  “It’s your dinner.” He looked at the watch on his wrist and frowned. “Actually, your breakfast. It’s five a.m.”

  “I’m not eating that,” she said.

  “It’s fruit.”

  “That is not fruit. That is gross.”

  He frowned. “This is what your species eats.”

  “That might be what the demons here eat, but I live in the veil. I eat kiwi fruit and pineapples.”

  “Kiwi fruit and pineapples are not readily available here,” he said. “Sit.”

  He produced a large knife from a drawer next to the small sink. Raising the knife to shoulder height, he then brought it down with great force. A loud cracking noise sounded as the gross-looking black thing split in half. The inside was blood-red and oozed juices. He picked up each half and dumped the juice into a cup and handed the cup to her.

  “Drink it,” he ordered.

  She scrunched up her face and shook her head. “No way.”

  He picked up the cup and took a small sip. “I’m not trying to kill you. Drink it.”

  “Didn’t think ya were but uh-uh not touching that.”

  He took another swig from the cup, then pulled her to him and kissed her hard. His tongue snaked into her mouth and the bittersweet juice made her mouth tingle. It wasn’t kiwi or pineapple but it was good. Her body came alive at his kiss but he broke it off and set her away from him.

  “Now, drink it,” he said and sliced chunks of gooey stuff out of the black coconut thing. “And eat these.”

  Valia took a sip of the juice. The thick, bittersweet liquid coated her tongue and tingled as it flowed down her throat. It reminded her of his kiss. When she left here, she’d have to talk to her mother about growing these in their orchard. She popped one of the chunks into her mouth and chewed, the texture similar to a mango.

  Rydin stood watching her eat and she didn’t miss the look of hunger in his eyes nor the erection once again tenting his pants. She slowly stood and then scooted her ass onto the table. She propped one foot on the chair, knee bent, as she leaned back slightly, her arms supporting her. She rested her weight on one hand as she picked up another piece of fruit and rubbed it across her lips, slowly licking the juice from them while gazing directly at Rydin.

  “What are you doing, female?”

  “Eating, as you ordered,” she answered innocently.

  He closed the distance between them. He looked dangerous, determined.

  He settled his hips between her legs, then reached between them and stroked her already wet cunt. She wanted him and she needed his semen.
She could feel herself weakening. She lifted the piece of fruit to his lips. He bit into it and kissed her, pushing it into her mouth. He broke away as he thrust a finger inside her. Every touch of this infuriating male alit her senses.

  “I’m going to fuck you hard and fast, female.”

  He lowered his sweats just enough to free his bulging cock. The sight made her groan with want, with hunger, with a yearning for something she couldn’t put a name on. He slid his arms under her knees and hiked her legs up forcing her to lean back, arms bent beneath her. He pounded into her fast and strong, filling her fully, completely.

  He grunted as her orgasm overtook her, her inner muscles clenching hard around his cock. His face strained as he continued his fast and furious thrusts until her climax subsided and then he pulled free of her again stroking himself as his semen spilled to the floor.

  She tried to get up, to stop him from wasting what she needed but he roughly shoved her back.

  “Goddammit! What’s your game?”

  He released himself and went to the sink to clean himself then used a cloth to clean the floor.

  “I told you this wasn’t a game, Sempire.” His eyes glinted cruelly.

  “Whatever you think I’ve done to you, you’re wrong,” she insisted. “You said you wouldn’t starve me. You know I’m a Sempire. So you must know—”

  “I am well aware of your needs, Sempire. You kept me locked up to feed your needs for three days.”

  He looked so serious. His voice dripped with venom as his lips turned into a sneer. Valia considered busting his nose again. How could he mistake her for someone else? It made no sense.

  She took a deep breath. “When’d I do this to you?” she asked with a calm she didn’t really feel.

  “Why do you pretend? You walked right up to me in that club. You saw me and wanted to flaunt yourself in front of me. But you underestimated me without that collar around my neck.”

  Collar? Her mother had locked her sister’s fiancé in a cell and collared him, along with countless other males in attempt to save her sister’s life. But her sister hadn’t accepted any of those other men. So, the Ferox couldn’t have been one of them. Besides, she and her sister looked nothing alike other than their eyes. There was no way anyone would mistake one for the other.

  “Okaaay. Ya know, if I did what you say, I wouldn’t have been dumbassed enough to let you carry me out of the club and then flash me to the demon realm. Nope. I’m way too awesome for that.”

  He seemed to consider her words for a moment and shook his head. “Go bathe, Sempire.”

  “You go bathe.” She poked him in the chest. “You’re lucky I find you so yummy because you’re getting on my nerves.” She strode past him into the bedroom completely ignoring his demand. She was hungry and grouchy and tired from fighting off the fear that threatened to swamp her. Nope. She wouldn’t be afraid, dammit.

  She pulled the top sheet of the bed back and tossed and turned trying to get comfortable and not succeeding. She turned to see Rydin watching her from the doorway.

  “What?” she snapped.

  “You’re restless,” he mused.

  “I’m tired and hungry and your crappy sheets are rubbing my skin raw,” she grouched.

  He frowned and moved to the bed. He took the sheet between thumb and forefinger and rubbed. He reached out to her and stroked her arm. His aura sparked confusion, concern and annoyance. He produced the handcuff key, from where she didn’t know, and unlocked the extra cuff before securing it to the bed post.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Valia asked. “You know I can’t run. I can’t—”

  “I’d prefer to avoid another broken nose.” His expression darkened. “Or dick.”

  She huffed. “Whatevs.”

  Rydin grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it on the floor on the opposite side of the bed from her and lay down.

  “You don’t have to sleep on the floor. Seeing as how I’m at your mercy here, I probably won’t break any more of your body parts.” She shot him a look. “Probably.”

  “Shut up, Sempire. I need sleep.”

  She mumbled under her breath, “You shut up.”

  Chapter Three

  Rydin awoke on the uncomfortable floor. He’d had a helluva time going to sleep with the Sempire’s scent calling to him. Everything about her seemed to call to him. Even though he’d been furious when she’d broken his nose and his dick, he’d been impressed and he wouldn’t underestimate her again.

  He was certain he didn’t have to worry about her running again. He’d sensed her fear when she’d realized where she was. He’d sensed it as if it had been his own, as though he was somehow connected to her.

  He felt the connection when he fucked her too. It was as if he’d lost a part of himself thirty years ago and the only time he felt whole again was when he was near her, inside her. He tried to shake off the feelings and remember this situation was all about revenge, but he was already going easier on her than he’d intended. Already losing some of the anger that had burned within him for so long.

  Rydin forced himself off the floor and tossed the pillow onto the bed. The Sempire didn’t budge. She lay on her side, her cuffed wrist hanging above her. Her red hair was splayed behind her in fiery disarray, her legs tangled in the sheet. He could see the swell of her breast peeking out from beneath the sheet. He wanted to be inside her again. And he damn well would be.

  He walked around the bed and slid in quietly behind her. He never noticed before but his sheets were scratchy, especially for someone with skin as soft as hers. He growled mentally. Why should he give a damn about her comfort? Although, he’d been comfortable in the cell she’d locked him in. Hell, that cell had been the lap of luxury compared to his domicile. It meant nothing to him before he’d brought her here. Now its lack of…everything, shamed him.

  Pushing those thoughts from his mind, he reached between her legs and cupped her pussy. The back of her body pressed to the front of his, her perfect little ass cradling his erection, drove him wild.

  “Wake up, Sempire,” he demanded in low tone.

  She stirred. “Mmm?”

  He nipped the back of her neck as he massaged her thighs and worked his way back to her pussy. She groaned, wiggled her ass against him and he felt her wetness on his fingers in an instant.

  Ah yes, his little prisoner desired him.

  He rubbed the head of his cock between her soft, wet lips, slowly, back and forth. She thrust her ass back in such an angle that the head of his cock slipped just inside her sweet cunt. She felt so right, he could come in an instant, but wanted to make it last, savor the feel of her.

  “Fuck me, Ferox,” she said in a hushed but urgent tone.

  He thrust into her with abandon. “That’s the plan, Sempire.”

  Goddamnsonofabitch! He denied her his semen again. She was weak. She wouldn’t make it two more days. She was hiding it from him the best she could because she hated showing weakness, especially in front of someone as strong as the Ferox. But, the cramps would begin soon and she’d have trouble hiding that.

  If only she hadn’t neglected feeding for three days before meeting up with him. Araya’s happiness and excitement about planning her wedding had been infectious. Valia loved her sister and even though she didn’t understand her need to tie herself to one male, she was happy for her. It was hard to blame her too. Araya’s mixed-breed Incubus fiancé was yummy. Not as yummy as Valia’s Ferox, but yummy enough.

  Her Ferox? Well, hers for now.

  He uncuffed her wrist and she slowly laid it down on the bed.

  “Stiff?” he asked.

  “Duh,” she retorted.

  “Come, Sempire,” he said, “bathe.”

  She rolled over and sat up to glare at him.

  “I need to call my family so they don’t worry about me.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Call?”

  “Yes, call. Ya know? With a phone?”

  “Sempire, do you see a pho
ne around here? And if I had a phone, I’d not let you use it. I was not allowed any such provisions.”

  Valia jumped off the bed and stood in front of him and poked him in the chest again. “I’ve done nothing to you! We’ve never met! I’m sure I’d remember an arrogant, bossy, delusional, abusive dickwad like you.”

  Rydin’s brows drew together and a muscle ticked in his jaw. His aura was a mixture of anger, confusion, hurt and amusement. And lust. Always lust.

  He seemed to relax after a moment as he reached out and stroked her cheek, the tender action making her feel a strange emotion she couldn’t name. “I have not abused you even though you cost me fifty years.”

  She slapped his hand away and stormed to the bathroom. Her voice rose. “I call starving me abusive.” She jumped in his crappy shower and hoped to wash away her annoyance.

  The hot water felt good but did little to remove the aggravation and confusion swamping her. How in the world could he confuse her with someone else? Sempires all had gold eyes but surely that wasn’t enough to justify such a mistake in identity. He didn’t seem crazy. Bossy and obviously confused, yes, but not crazy.

  Could she have a lookalike running around? She’d like to think her look was unique, but the Ferox seemed so certain it was her. Even if she did have a twin running around and abducting Ferox demons for sexual pleasure, wouldn’t Rydin know when she touched him, when he tasted her, when he sunk into her that she and the other female were not the same?

  She shoved her face into the steaming stream of water and quelled the urge to scream. She just needed to pull herself together and take from him what she needed. Reminding herself that she was Valia and Valia was awesome, she grinned, turned the water off and decided to give him a show.

  No matter how much misplaced anger he might feel toward her, he desired her greatly. Of that, she was certain.

  He smirked to himself as he cut up slices of the cocinus for her breakfast. He’d finally gotten under her skin, other than sexually. She tried to portray it as anger and no doubt, she was angry, but she was also scared. He could feel it. Good. About time.