Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

Piper woke to the feel of warm lips pressing featherlight kisses along her chest. Now healed, the flesh didn’t sting at the prick of Levi’s stubble. She opened her eyes to find him draped over her, braced on his elbows. His cock throbbed against her folds, hot and hard.

His mind idly brushed hers, and the fog of sleep cleared as she remembered they’d formed the psi-mate bond. Piper tensed. Had he forgotten their agreement? Was he half asleep?

She swallowed. “Levi?”

His gaze snapped to hers, glittering with heat and something she couldn’t quite name. An emotion that made her heart sink. “Need to have you one last time,” he said, his voice thick.

She should say no. She should. This wasn’t starting as they meant to go on. But she heard herself say, “One last time.” And she didn’t have it in her to take the words back.

He dipped his head further down and lashed her nipple with his tongue. Splaying her hand over the back of his head, she let her eyes fall closed, sinking into the sensations as he licked and sucked and palmed and pinched. But there was no blocking out the pain of knowing she’d never feel his mouth and hands on her like this again.

Despite the benefits of the anchor bond, her heart had broken a little when they formed the psi-connection last night, because it had been an ending just as much as it had been a beginning. She was pretty sure she’d hidden her inner turmoil well, which was a relief. She didn’t want him to know how much this hurt her. He’d only feel guilty, and that would do neither of them any good.

Her demon had never been keen on this agreement they’d made. It was no happier about it now. Even at this moment, it huffed and sneered, because it knew this was the end.

Levi began to edge down her body, nipping the skin here and there, tracing her tattoos with his tongue. His hands followed, taking their time as they stroked, shaped, and teased.

It felt like a goodbye. A goodbye to what they’d had. It was in the way he touched her so carefully, so reverently, so desperately … like they’d run out of time.

Hot tears stung the backs of her eyes. It was better this way, she reminded herself. After all, it would be wrong to drag out what would only ever be casual. This thing between them didn’t feel wrong, though. No, it felt a little too right. And that was exactly why they needed to stick to their agreement. So she wouldn’t cry. Instead, she’d soak up every moment.

As usual, he gave a sharp bite to the ivy tattoos Kelvin had given her on her hip and navel, as if Levi didn’t like that Kelvin had marked her skin. But then he paused and planted his face into her stomach, his shoulders rising slightly as he took in a long breath.

She frowned, lifting her head. “You okay?”

Levi met her gaze, his own unreadable. A purring wash of telekinetic power danced over her skin and clamped around her throat, collaring her as firmly as any hand. Her head fell back in surprise, and the power pulsed and tremored. The pressure didn’t hurt, but it was intense and pushed her best buttons.

Levi positioned himself between her thighs, spread them wider, and nuzzled her folds. “I’m gonna miss your taste.” Then he settled in and went to work.

Her breath hitched, and a moan crawled up her throat. Damn that mouth for being so freaking skilled. He explored … everywhere. Her clit, her slit, her folds, her core, the entrance of her pussy, the creases of her thighs.

She writhed and moaned as the tension built and built inside her. It was when he shoved his fingers deep while rubbing the side of her clit with his tongue that she came hard.

She felt a small waft of cool air. Looking down, she saw that his demon had surfaced.

It smoothed one hand all the way up her inner thigh while planting the other on her stomach. “Be still.”

Uh, what?

“I need to send a message that both you and he will understand.”

It swiped its tongue between her folds, and then the skin beneath its hands began to heat. Burn. Scorch. It was almost unbearable and … oh fuck, the demon was branding her. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head. The entity paid her no attention, eating her pussy and driving her up to another orgasm.

She choked on a loud cry as she imploded, her thighs trembling. Not even the wave of pleasure could distract her from the fact that she’d been branded, though. Demons surfaced to leave such marks if they felt possessive of a lover. But she and Levi would no longer be lovers after today … which meant it was highly likely that he’d freak.

Retaking control as his demon retreated, Levi looked at the brands that now marked her body. Hell. He knew that the entity’s intent was to make a statement that it wouldn’t give her—this—up so easily. The demon also meant to ensure that any person who’d think to fuck her or fuck with her would quickly change their mind.

Levi silently cursed the psychopathic shit. Unwilling to back down, it snorted, all ‘game on.’ It was also exceedingly smug, because it knew that Levi liked the look of those brands on her skin far too much.

Inwardly calling himself an asshole, Levi rose above her and covered her body with his own. Glazed eyes stared up at him, fevered with need. This was the last time she’d look at him this way, he realized with a sinking sensation in his gut. She’d never again be under him. Never again take his cock inside her or come apart around him.

A growl rumbled in his chest. A chest that ached and panged and squeezed. The only comfort he had was the knowledge that she’d always belong to him. No one who walked into her life would ever have the rights to her that he did. They wouldn’t be able to take her from him. Wouldn’t be able to deny that, being linked to her by fate itself, she’d been his first.

“Never forget one thing.” Levi hooked one smooth leg over his shoulder and thrust hard, burying himself deep, gritting his teeth as her pussy clenched his dick. “No matter where you are, no matter who you’re with, you’ll always be mine. Fucking always.”

He took her slowly. Lazily. Making sure she really felt every inch, ridge, vein; wishing he could leave an imprint of his cock inside her, so she could never forget how it felt to have him drag along those hypersensitive nerve-endings.

He hadn’t planned to take her one last time. He’d reached for her when he woke, just as he normally did. But then the presence of the psi-mate bond had rung through his very being, and he’d remembered he couldn’t touch her like this anymore. But he’d needed to. Just once more.

He’d fucked up when he suggested their agreement. He’d arrogantly thought he’d be easily able to break things off. But, to be fair, why would he have thought differently? He’d never craved anyone before her, so he hadn’t known exactly how difficult it would be to end those cravings. He hadn’t expected to find himself addicted to her rather than free of their attraction. And now, well, now he was screwed.

He didn’t believe this was any easier for her than it was for him, because she clung to him tighter than usual, scratching at him with a desperation that wasn’t just sexual. At least he wasn’t suffering alone.

“You feel how well your pussy fits my cock, don’t you?” It was a snarl loaded with possession. “Remember it, Piper. Remember how perfectly you fit me … like your pussy was made to take me.”

Levi slanted his mouth over hers and sank his tongue inside. She palmed the back of his head as she kissed him back. They greedily ate at each other’s mouths as if they’d never feast like this again … because they wouldn’t.

He fought the orgasm rising up inside him. He didn’t want to come. Didn’t want this to be over.

She seemed to be wrestling with her own release, but her little whimper told him she wouldn’t hold out much longer. He didn’t want the last orgasm he ever gave her to be a gentle wave of pleasure. He wanted to make her fucking scream.

She gasped into his mouth as he began pounding into her body, stuffing her pussy full again and again. He took her like an animal. Rutted on her. Savagely slammed as deep as he could possibly go, knowing the friction of his skin moving against her newly branded, super-sensitive flesh would add to the pleasure.

When her pussy heated and spasmed around him, he lightly tightened his telekinetic hold on her throat—not enough to take her breath away, but enough to shove her over the edge. She screamed as she came, her back bowing, her nails digging into his shoulders. Levi’s own release swallowed him whole, dimming his vision and stealing his breath.

He let her leg slip from his shoulder and collapsed forward, catching his weight on his elbows, tucking his face into her neck. He retained enough presence of mind to release her throat from his telekinetic hold.

Tremoring beneath him, she splayed one hand on his back while her free hand lightly played her fingers through his hair. She often did that after sex, and fuck if he wasn’t going to miss it.

She coughed to clear her throat. “Your demon kind of branded me.”

Levi tensed. She didn’t sound pissed, but he couldn’t imagine her being blasé about it either. Especially when she saw them. He spoke against her neck, “It felt the need to communicate that it’s not so happy about our agreement.”

“Yeah, I got that.”

“Don’t worry, the brands will fade in time.”

Piper inwardly flinched, because yes, they’d fade … when his demon’s sexual interest switched to another woman. Which it inevitably would. She would actually see its interest in her wane as the marks gradually dimmed until they were gone.

Even with Levi’s warm body covering hers, she felt cold all of a sudden. She couldn’t regret their agreement. She couldn’t bring herself to wish away the delicious memories she now had. But fuck she hated that her need for him still lived and breathed inside her.

Knowing it was time to let him go, figuratively and literally, Piper let her hands slip away from his body. He stiffened for a moment, and she felt his mouth open against her neck as if he might say something. But then he slowly slid out of her and moved to kneel between her thighs, his gaze dropping down her body, settling first on her stomach and then on her inner thigh.

The brands.

She glanced down, and her brows flew up. Black with a faint shimmer, the tattoo-like marks were not at all what she’d expected. Each was a music score that had tiny skeleton heads mingled in with it. They were pretty yet they inexplicably made her stomach roll and a sense of unease skitter down her spine. “What’s with the music?”

He stared at her, his gaze giving nothing away. “It’s the death ballad.”

Piper went stiff as a board. “You’re joking.” It was a stunned whisper.

He shook his head and slipped off the bed. “No joke.”

Her entity barked a laugh, but Piper didn’t share its amusement. She snapped her legs closed and bolted upright. “Your demon made me a walking death note? Seriously?”

Levi winced, unsurprised by her anger. The ballad was no little thing. However … “It will only have a lethal effect on a person who means you harm and is a fully grown adult.”

They would feel compelled to hum the tune. Over. And over. And over. They wouldn’t pause to eat or sleep or drink. They would keep humming until they eventually died—usually of dehydration. Only reapers could snap a person out of their daze, just as only reapers could write the music score.

“That’s not the point, Levi. The ballad is essentially a death curse, and it’s now imprinted on my skin. In two places. And don’t act like this is purely a protective measure. The brand on my stomach mostly is, sure, but the one on my inner thigh? No. Your entity only put it there because it wants to repel anyone who tries to get between my legs.”

Well … yeah. Looking at the score could make a person feel nauseous and uneasy, whether or not they recognized it as the death ballad or were in any way a threat. “Like I said before, the brands will fade.” His demon snorted, certain no such thing would happen; that it would never let go of her on any level. “I’m sorry, Piper. It was an asshole thing for—”

“You don’t need to apologize, I’m not blaming you. I know you’d never do anything like this. But that damn entity of yours deserves a fucking bitch slap.”

That wasn’t something he could or would deny.

She let out a heavy sigh and thrust a hand through her hair. “I need to shower.”

Out of habit, Levi almost proposed they shower together. He gritted his teeth as he remembered that that was one of many other things they would no longer do. “You can use that one,” he said, tipping his chin toward the en suite. “I’ll use the main bathroom. You have some clothes in that drawer over there from when you last slept over.”

She gave a slow, awkward nod. “Okay. Thanks.”

They parted, showered, dressed, and soon after sat at his breakfast bar where they chomped down some cereal and made idle conversation. It was something they did pretty much every morning. Yet, this felt … different. Something was missing from their dynamics. Something warm and comfortable.

It made no real sense to him. It wasn’t like they usually cuddled, constantly touched each other, or invaded the other’s personal space. The only intimacy they’d lose was sexual, so everything should be as it usually was.

Only it wasn’t.

“Do you still want me to stay here until the danger has passed?” she asked.

“Of course,” replied Levi. “Why would you feel the need to double-check?”

She shrugged and looked down into her bowl.

“Piper, just because we’re not sleeping together anymore doesn’t mean I’ll ever be anything other than insanely overprotective of you. I want you here, where you’re safest. I’ve got a spare bedroom you can use.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I am sure.” He pushed his empty bowl aside. “Once you’re ready, I’ll drive you to your place so you can pack whatever stuff you need.” He paused as the intercom beeped. “Give me a second.” He left the kitchen and crossed to the small screen near his front door. Two figures waited on the doorstep of his building. “Piper, your mother and Joe are here.” He pressed the button that would open the main door for them.

“Shit, I forgot to tell you they were coming,” said Piper, walking up behind him. “I called them while you were interrogating the hellbull. I didn’t want them to hear about the attack from anyone else. They wanted to come see me this morning, I told them I’d be here. Is that okay?”

“Of course. They’re your family. They’re always welcome here. I’ve already buzzed them up.”

“Thank you.”

He sighed. “Quit being so formal. You don’t have to thank me. Besides, I like them.” They’d invited Levi and Piper to dinner twice over the past two weeks, and they’d both been warm and welcoming toward him. As that made things easier for her, he was grateful for it.

Within minutes, Whitney and Joe were breezing into his apartment. They didn’t spare their surroundings a glance. They went straight to Piper, anxious and fussing.

“I’m fine, I promise,” she assured them. Several times.

Joe turned to Levi and stuck out his hand. “You’re going to say that gratitude isn’t warranted, but I still want to thank you for getting to our girl and bringing her to safety.”

Levi shook his hand. “No thanks are necessary.” He almost grunted as Whitney hugged him hard.

“We can still be grateful,” she told him, pulling back. “My stomach sinks every time I think of how differently things could have ended. Please tell me you have some idea of who wants my daughter dead.”

They gathered in the living area while Levi gave them a rundown of what the hellbull told him before stiffly adding, “Basically, I have no way of linking him to whoever hired his crew.”

Whitney looked at Piper. “I heard that Jasper confronted you last night. The whole lair considers him the likeliest suspect at this point. Don’t think he’d make an effort to seem innocent and be nice to you in order to cover his ass. Others might put on such an act, but not him.”

Joe nodded. “He’s petty and vindictive, but he has no cunning or smarts. He’s also used to his father lying and covering for him.”

“I’ll be questioning Jasper today,” said Levi. “I might not be able to brand him guilty of being the person who’s targeting Piper, but I can certainly hold him responsible for confronting her. He was warned to stay clear of her.”

“Don’t hesitate to make him hurt,” said Whitney, more bloodthirsty than he would have guessed.

“Your mother and I think it would be a good idea for you to move in with us for a while,” Joe told Piper. “We don’t like the thought of you alone.”

“Neither do I,” said Levi, “which is why I asked her to stay with me. No intruder would bypass the security measures in this building. She agreed.”

Joe gave a satisfied nod. “Even better.”

“I’ll pack your things and bring them here,” Whitney offered. She held up a hand when Piper went to protest. “Let your mom feel useful. There’s nothing I can do to help with all that’s happening. It’s driving me crazy. Let me do this one thing for you.”

Understanding why her mother would need this, Piper lifted her hands in surrender. “All right, if it means that much to you. On a lighter note … Levi and I formed the anchor bond.”

Whitney beamed. “That’s amazing! Congratulations to both of you.”

Joe echoed her sentiments, adding, “That means you’re psychically stronger. I like that. If there was ever a time you needed that sort of boost, it’s now.”

“You ain’t wrong,” said Piper.

Joe’s smile dimmed. “I know Celeste won’t react well and … I’m sorry she acts the way she does, Piper. Don’t say it’s not for me to apologize. It is. Because it occurred to me recently that I let you down in a very big way. I was always so careful to treat you both the same. Or I thought I was. But lately, I realized all my efforts to keep the peace actually also resulted in me putting her feelings first. For your sake, I’d placate and calm and coax her. But that gave her all the attention, didn’t it?”

“It wasn’t only Joe who made mistakes in that regard.” Whitney bit her lip. “I’m guilty of the exact same thing. I just wanted you girls to get along. I thought if we could just make Celeste see that she was loved, she’d stop feeling threatened by you; she’d leave you be. Instead, it seemed to encourage her to act out; seemed to fill her with this sense that her wants and needs should come before yours. And it must have also filled you with that same sense. I never wanted that. Joe never wanted that.”

Joe nodded. “You’re not second to either of us, Piper. We love you. And we are so sorry for the ways in which we let you down. Things will be different moving forward—I promise you that.”

Piper swallowed, her throat thickening. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d needed to hear those words until right then. Oh, she knew they loved her; knew they didn’t deliberately prioritize Celeste’s feelings. But Piper had needed them to verbally acknowledge the mistakes they’d made; needed to hear that things would be different from here on out.

She cleared her throat. “Okay.”

A short while later, Whitney and Joe left after once more thanking Levi for ‘taking care of their girl.’ He’d had to bite back the comment that she was his girl.

Piper folded her arms. “When are you going to question Jasper?”

“Once Harper, Raini, Devon, and Khloë get here,” replied Levi. “I think they might be bringing Asher.”

Her brow furrowed. “You asked them to come so I wouldn’t be alone?”

“No. They wanted to see and check on you. I decided to time it for when I’d be leaving so you’d have company while I was gone.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Let’s be real, you wanted to be spared a morning of girl talk. Am I wrong?”

“No. No, you’re not wrong.”