Chapter Ten

“That look could fry bacon.”

Matuse lifted his head from the paperwork on his desk and let a smile overtake his frown.

“Makin. What are you doing here?”

“Anya sent me. She wanted me to tell you she’s ready for her part.”

Matuse nodded, then pushed the papers aside. With a grunt, he waved his hand and laughed. “Done.”

“So, you’ve been with the she-devil for a week and a half now. Have you tamed her yet?”

“Not quite. I have put some meat on her bones, though. Seven pounds to be exact.”

“Good for you. She was far too thin.” Makin sat down in a chair opposite the desk and ran his hand over his baldbhead.

“Yes, with any luck, I’ll be able to add another ten before our time is up and she’ll be healthier. It hasn’t been easy, though. She’s fought every bite, but when she gets it in her mouth, she loves it.”

Makin studied him, then nodded. “And you? Will you be healthier?”

“Physically, or mentally?”

“Either. Both.”

“I’ll be fine, thank you for asking.”

The room grew silent, and Matuse shuffled the papers again.

Makin studied him, then cleared his throat. “You know, I fell in love with my charge. I didn’t mean to, but it happened.”

“I understand that, but it won’t happen here. I care for her, yes, but what can I offer her? Nothing.”

“That’s not true. You have a lot to offer her.”

“It was easy for you, Makin. You and Anuis had a charge who was soft and accepting, who wanted to be loved. I have one that opens up just enough for me to fuck her, and that’s all. She wants sex, not love. When it’s over, she closes back down again. She’s only let me kiss her once, and she’s never kissed me.”

“Try a seduction scene. It works very well.”

“For you and Anuis it did, yes. I don’t think it would work with Aliya.”

“You never know. It could help move her case along, and who knows what could happen between the two of you.”

“Why are you smiling like that? Do you know something I don’t?” Matuse probed at Makin’s mind, then grinned. “Why you little devil. Is the baby yours, or Anuis’?”

“Both. It’s twins. We figured that was the best way to do it. The girl is mine, and the boy is Anuis’. But you know, the way we see it, the babies are ours, as in they will think of both of us as their fathers.”

“That ought to be interesting. I’m very happy for the three of you. Or should I say the five of you?”

“Anya is like a child with a new toy. She’s running around, wanting to redecorate the whole house before they arrive. She’s giddy with the prospect of being a mother.”

Matuse smiled, then looked away. “Congratulations.”

“You should try it. From what I can deduce, there could be a strong bond between you and Aliya. All you need to do is draw her out.”

“There could be, yes, but I won’t get a child on her. You know the vow I made.”

“Matuse, you overcame it.”

“Yes, but it was hard, so very hard. How can I have children knowing they will have demon blood flowing in their veins? How could I do that to the mother?”

To Aliya. She’d been through so much already. He’d wanted to believe she was just a case, but she was much more than that. He wanted to stay in her life for longer than the thirty days he had with her.

As if she’d sensed him thinking about her, he heard her call his name. There was humor in her voice and he laughed.

“Go to her,” Makin said. “And try a seduction scene. But disguise it as something else. Steal her heart, Matuse. That’s going to be the only way.”

Makin disappeared and Matuse stared at the spot where he’d sat. He knew his friend was right—the only way to get Aliya’s heart would be to steal it out from under her, and then fight her to keep it. But a regular seduction scene wouldn’t work with her. He’d have to think of something that would take her breath away, shock her into opening herself to him.

She called his name again, with a little more force this time, and he stood, an idea forming in his mind. He just had to find the right time to put it into play.

He found her in the kitchen of her house, with pots and pans littering the counter. A heavy covering of tomato sauce lay on the stove.

“What took you so long?” Aliya shook a wooden spoon at Matuse. “I made dinner.”

“You cooked?” When she pouted, he fought back a laugh.

“Yes, I did. I’m so bored sitting around here. And since you won’t let me do my last three apologies, I have nothing else to do except watch TV. Yuck.”

“You could read a book.”

“Yes, I could. But I decided to cook instead.” She put the spoon into a large pot on the stove. Then she turned and offered it to him. “Taste.”

He took the spoon in his mouth, then pulled it out and wrinkled up his nose.

“No good?”

“Salty.” He leaned over the pot, then took the spoon from her and dipped it into the sauce, bringing out a large chunk of uncooked hamburger meat. “What is this?”

“It’s spaghetti sauce.”

He tried to control his laughter. “Darling, you’re supposed to cook the meat before you put it in the sauce.”

“You are? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“I guess I should read a cookbook. I’ve never cooked, you know. While I was working…” she paused to let the words sink in, “…I ate lunch out.”

“And what about dinner?”

“I never ate after four. If I had a business dinner, I skipped lunch.”

“And starved yourself.” He shook his head.

“Well, I’m not starving now, am I? Do you realize I’ve gained eight pounds since I met you?”

“Eight? Splendid. I thought it was only seven. Very good, darling.”

“Are you kidding me? My clothes are getting tight. I look like a cow.”

“You’re starting to look like a woman and not a stick figure. I like it.”

“Yeah, well don’t get too used to it, because when the thirty days are gone, so is the weight.”

He drew himself up and frowned. “Maybe I’ll add an addendum to the contract that allows me to monitor your weight. I would like to see another fifteen pounds on you.”

“Are you kidding me? No way.”

“Aliya, the charts say a woman who is five foot eight should weigh at least—at least—one hundred and twenty-six pounds, if they have a small frame, which you don’t. Your medium frame makes the starting weight one hundred and thirty six pounds. Since you weighed one hundred and twelve pounds when we started, we have a long way to go to get you to your optimal weight. Twenty-four pounds to be exact.”

When she narrowed her eyes at him, he turned toward the refrigerator, opened it, and bent over to peer inside. “Shall we cook together? We can try the sauce again, or—”

Something cold hit him in the back. When he stood, he felt it slide down him, landing in a puddle at his feet. He stared down at the blob, then turned to Aliya, who held the spoon in front of her. It was loaded with sauce again, which she launched at his face.

He wiped it away from his cheek, then grinned at her. “You know, it just occurred to me that you were never punished for throwing that bottle of chocolate sauce at me in the store the other day.”

She reloaded the spoon. “What are you going to do, spank me?” This time the missile landed on his chest.

“You don’t want to start this with me, Aliya. I’m warning you.”

“Don’t I?” She moved quickly, dipping the spoon and flinging its contents at him. In response, Matuse filled the counter with baskets full of messy fruits, eggs and flour. He picked up a handful of the white substance and tossed it Aliya, her laughter as she danced away making his heart jump with pleasure. He’d never heard her laugh before, and the sound was musical.

He tossed an egg at her, then picked up a handful of raspberries and smeared them across her chest as she reached for the eggs. Before long, there was a mess of eggs, flour, spaghetti sauce and fruit on them. The food coated the appliances and the counters as they threw it back and forth, laughing like children.

When Matuse put his arm around her waist and pulled her to the floor, Aliya tried to push him off. He got on top of her, sitting on his knees and holding her hands on either side of her face.

“Are you ready for your punishment?”

“This isn’t it?” She giggled and turned away from him, making a minimal effort at struggling against his body. “Let me up.”

“No.” He stood, then laughed when she tried to stand too, but found herself still bound to the floor.

“This isn’t fair!” But she was still laughing, so he stepped around her and went to the refrigerator.

When he found what he wanted, he walked back to her. “You won’t be needing those.” Her clothes disappeared and he studied her in appreciation. “Your hips are a little fuller, and it looks so very lovely.”

“I’m not going to argue with you about my size. Please, let me up.”

In response he held up the bottle of chocolate sauce. “Recognize this?”

“Matuse!” The warning tone of her voice made his smile widen. “Don’t you dare!”

He popped the lid off the bottle, then turned it, using his power to warm the sauce just enough so it would flow easily.

The stream hit her breasts and her stomach, and he moved it around to her shoulders and arms. She admonished him as he coated her from head to toe, making sure that every inch of her was covered in chocolate. When the bottle was empty, he conjured another one and started the process all over again.

When her body was covered in the sticky substance, he knelt down and ran his tongue over each breast, swirling the chocolate around her nipples. He lapped his way down her stomach as she wiggled in appreciation, her giggles making him smile.

Matuse worked his tongue into her bellybutton, then traced it down to her mons. Her swollen lips were easy to part, and he ran his tongue along her slit, reveling in the hiss of pleasure that escaped her lips. When the hiss turned into begging moans of “please,” he sucked her clit into his mouth. He sucked her until she came, her hips bucking into his face. He got up on his knees, pushed the hood back with his index finger and flicked at her exposed clit with his tongue.

“Matuse!”

She came again as he lazily licked the quivering little bud. Only after he’d started and stopped a few times did he allow her to come again, her body jerking as she whispered, “too much, please, so good.”

He sat back on his heels and caressed her thighs. “Very tasty.”

“You’re wicked.”

“Am I? You don’t know how much I enjoy watching you squirm, then come.” He ran his hands up her stomach, cupping her breasts. “Would you like to come again? I know I’d love to watch you soar one more time before I fuck you.”

They both groaned when the intercom bell rang, indicating someone was outside wanting into the building so they could come visit her.

“Ignore it,” Matuse said.

“Can you see who it is?”

He closed his eyes, then shook his head.

“Darling, I’m sorry.” He stroked her sticky cheek. “It’s your mother.”