Ruby Shadows

  “Until you’ve had my cock to the root inside you and been thoroughly fucked…” Laish murmured, his eyes half-lidded. “Until that moment when you have my cum dripping out of your pussy, you are still considered a virgin—at least by Hell’s standards which are the only ones that count here.”

  My breath was already coming short and my pulse was racing but I tried to keep my voice calm.

  “But that’s not what I believe at all.”

  “It doesn’t matter what you believe, mon ange,” he said. “You are in Hell—you must abide by the Infernal rules.”

  His words gave me a tiny sliver of hope. “I don’t know what to think about that—it’s just weird. But if it’s really true, then we might be able to pay the tax without me losing half my power.”

  “It’s a possibility—but a very slim one,” Laish acknowledged. “But before we put it to the test, would you like to refresh yourself a little? Perhaps with a hot shower?”

  “That would be nice, yes,” I said gratefully. “But I thought you told me the hot shower I had back at the Citadel of Knowledge would be my last one down here.”

  He shrugged. “That was before, when I thought you would take the other option I offered. If you had, the barrier would be lowered by now and there would be no time for bathing.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said awkwardly. “I just couldn’t…couldn’t go there no matter how much he deserved it.”

  “Never apologize for being merciful, mon ange.” He cupped my cheek and stroked his thumb gently over my cheekbone. “It is one of the things I value about you—your compassion.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

  Laish smiled. “You’re very welcome. Now go refresh yourself. I will meet you here when you return.” He nodded at the bed and I knew what he meant. We were meeting in bed for one reason and one alone—to commit a sexual sin great enough to pay the Sin Tax and bring the barrier crashing down.

  I just wondered if we would be able to do that without Laish taking my virginity completely.

  Chapter Thirty

  Gwendolyn

  We’d been riding all day and the steaming water spraying down from the little silver shower nozzle felt wonderful. Laish had thoughtfully provided a big puffy scrubbie along with my favorite vanilla jasmine body wash, so I was able to have a wonderful time lathering up and rinsing, taking my time and letting the hot water soothe my tired muscles.

  But after a while I knew I was as clean and relaxed and soothed as I was going to get. The only reason I was still in the shower at that point was because I was stalling. Not wanting to get out and take the next step.

  The minute I realized what I was doing, I made myself stop. After all, as Grams always says, “Soonest started, soonest finished.” In other words, just get on with it already. Although I doubted she’d approve of me applying her metaphor to losing my virginity to a demon, the principle still applied.

  I dried myself with a big, fluffy towel and applied a little scented oil I found on the tiny shelf to make my skin feel nice and soft. The long white dress with red flowers which I’d taken off had disappeared but I didn’t panic. Knowing Laish as I did, I was certain he would have left something in its place for me to wear. And sure enough, I found it—a pile of deep green silky fabric folded neatly beside the stack of towels.

  I expected it to be a slinky lingerie set like the white lace babydoll he’d conjured me to wear the night before. But to my surprise, it was just a simple green silk robe that fell to mid thigh. There were no buttons to close it—only a simple sash and I couldn’t help noticing there were no panties to go with it either. Clearly Laish wanted me completely bare beneath the silky fabric.

  I put the robe on, feeling self-conscious about the way it clung to my curves and outlined the sharp points of my nipples. But I had an idea I wouldn’t be keeping it on for long so I’d better try to get over my shyness now.

  Lifting my chin, I stepped back into the main part of the tent and saw Laish waiting for me. He was lying on his side on the bed, still wearing his suit. Well—the trousers and shirt, anyway. He had taken off the jacket and the red tie that went with it. The crisp, white shirt was unbuttoned, showing his muscular chest. Somehow seeing him still clothed while I wore almost nothing made me feel even more naked beneath the robe.

  “Mon ange,” he murmured, sitting up on the side of the bed and motioning to me to come stand by him. “You look positively radiant.”

  “Thanks.” The word came out as a nervous croak and I had to try again. “Um, thank you, I mean,” I said and came to stand between his spread thighs. He put his hands on my hips.

  “So lovely,” he murmured. “I knew that color would suit you. It makes your eyes look like the purest jade.”

  I could feel my cheeks getting hot with his compliments and the way he was looking at me. Oh Goddess, was I really going to do this? Was I finally going to give it up? How many years had I waited for the right man?

  “I am here, now,” Laish murmured, clearly answering my thought.

  I gave a broken little laugh.

  “I wish that was true. But I’m afraid I meant a man with a soul. If you had one, we could form a soul bond.”

  “Would you want to form a bond with me? Do you feel that strongly for me, mon ange?” He looked at me intently.

  “I…don’t know. I’m sorry, Laish.” I found I couldn’t meet his eyes and had to look away.

  “Never apologize for your true feelings,” he said gently. “It is I who am sorry. If we could bond, your power would be doubled or even trebled instead of being halved.”

  I sighed. “Yes, but unfortunately…”

  “I have no soul. Which puts a crimp in our relationship right from the start.” He seemed to hesitate for a moment. “What if I could acquire a soul somehow? Or even a piece of one?”

  “Are you thinking of stealing one from some hapless, unsuspecting person?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because I wouldn’t want that, Laish—it wouldn’t be right.”

  “Yes, well…it was just a thought.” He shook his head. “Forget I said it.”

  “Look, can we just get on with this?” I asked, shifting from foot to foot. “I mean, before I lose my nerve?”

  “Not very romantic of you but completely understandable.” He pulled me down to sit beside him on the bed. Yes, we can ‘get on with it,’ as you so poetically put it, mon ange.”

  “I’m just a little nervous is all,” I admitted in a low voice. “I’d sort of given up on the idea of ever doing this. Of ever…”

  “Giving yourself sexually?” His eyes were suddenly half-lidded again, glowing like hot coals.

  “Well…yes.” I looked down at my fingers, twisting in my lap. “I guess so.”

  “Gwendolyn…” He raised my chin with one hand, making me meet his eyes. I saw lust burning in those ruby red depths but also tenderness and caring. “I swear, my darling,” he murmured, “That I will be gentle with you. I want your first experience to be completely pleasurable with no fear to mar it.”

  “Thank you. I know you do. I…I trust you.” It occurred to me that even a few days ago I never would have said those words to him, let alone meant them. But they came naturally to me now and they were the absolute truth. I knew Laish well enough at this point to know that he wanted my pleasure more than his own and that he would always put my comfort first.

  “Always, mon ange,” he murmured, stroking my cheek. “So let us begin.”

  “All right.” Taking a deep breath, I stood up again and untied the sash of the robe. Then I let it fall to the ground, baring my body for him completely. If we were going to do this, then I was going for it. No half measures.

  Laish sucked in a breath.

  “So beautiful… You take my breath away, Gwendolyn,” he said in a low voice. “Truly you do.”

  “Thank you,” I said. I could feel my cheeks getting hot but I lifted my chin. “Now you—it’s not fair if I’m the only one naked.?
??

  “True.” He chuckled softly.

  “What’s so funny?” I demanded as he stood and began stripping off his clothes.

  “It occurs to me that not so long ago you insisted that one of us must always be at least partially clothed. You said that both of us being naked at the same time was ‘dangerous.’”

  “Well, that was before,” I pointed out. “When we were trying not to…to do what we’re about to do. Now we’re going for it no matter what, so all the rules are out the window.”

  “Maybe not,” he said. “Let us take things slowly and see where the situation leads us.”

  “How do you want to start?” I asked. The old fashioned oil lamp was turned low and the soft golden light it shed gave the little tent bedroom a magical glow.

  “Like this.” Laish pulled me down to sit on the edge of the bed and kissed me. The kiss started off soft but then it grew in intensity and hunger until I found I was carried away with it and kissing him back eagerly. His mouth tasted like cinnamon and some rich spice I’d never had before and the warm, masculine scent of his skin seemed to envelope me completely.

  At last he drew back, breaking the kiss and leaving me breathless. He seemed so big sitting beside me on the bed—so strong and imposing yet I knew his strength would only be used to protect me, never to threaten me. I felt safe with him, safe enough to bare my neck for him when he nuzzled me there with his mouth…safe enough to moan for more when he kissed and licked the sensitive column of my throat.

  “I’ll give you more, mon ange,” he promised. “But slowly…we must not rush. I want you to enjoy your first time—and I wish to enjoy it with you.”

  I wasn’t about to protest, especially when he kissed his way down my neck and chest and started licking my sensitive nipples.

  “Laish…” I moaned softly as he sucked one into his mouth and nipped the tight peak gently, sending a tingle of pleasure/pain straight to my pussy. “Oh, Goddess…”

  “The Goddess is not here,” he murmured, releasing me and looking up. “Neither are the Creator or the Destroyer. There is only you and me, mon ange, and tonight I intend to worship your body with my own…to treat our union as a holy sacrament.” He kissed my breast reverently

  “Laish…” I whispered again. “That’s…beautiful.”

  “You are beautiful, mon ange. And you deserve to be treated with love and respect—to feel completely at ease during your first time.”

  “You’re doing a pretty good job of putting me at ease so far,” I admitted breathlessly, pressing my other breast towards him.

  “I am glad. Mmm…” He cupped both breasts in his big, warm hands. “I love how dark your nipples are—like ripe berries. I can’t get enough of them.” He sucked my other nipple, lashing it with his tongue, then taking it as deeply into his mouth as he could.

  The hot, wet pull against my sensitive peak made my pussy throb. I gasped and threaded my fingers through his hair as I shifted on the bed, unable to sit still during his sweet torture.

  He seemed to like that because he moved to my right nipple again while twisting the left gently between his thumb and finger. I moaned appreciatively, thrusting my breasts out shamelessly to offer him greater access. I knew I shouldn’t act like this but I couldn’t help how good his hands and mouth felt on my body. And I wanted to enjoy myself—to enjoy this pleasure which was going to cost me so dearly in such a short time.

  Laish seemed to spend forever on my breasts and nipples and I could feel my pussy getting wetter and wetter the whole time as I shifted and squirmed all over the bed, wondering when he would go further. Wondering when we would get around to the main event.

  When at last he looked up from my breasts, I fully expected him to say it was time. I certainly felt like it was—I was wet and hot and ready to do what I’d been dreaming about for years.

  But instead of getting on top of me or getting me onto my hands and knees like the vision I’d seen in the mirror, he slid off the bed and started to part my thighs.

  “Wait a minute.” I tensed my legs, keeping them closed. “What are you doing? We already did this last night—there’s no way we can break the barrier by committing the same sin twice, is there?”

  “This is not just about breaking the barrier to the last circle,” Laish murmured, looking up. “It’s about preparing you…and about tasting your luscious pussy one last time.” He licked his lips and kissed the top of my thigh, letting me feel the wet heat of his mouth. “Also, I need to make sure you’re wet enough to take me. What better way to to encourage your honey to flow and your pussy to open for me than by tasting your sweet cunt?”

  As always, his dirty words turned me on more than I wanted to admit. Although I still felt a little self conscious about letting him do this, his clear enjoyment of it helped me relax and allow it.

  “Well…” I let my thighs drift apart slowly. “I guess if you really want to…”

  “More than anything.” Laish insinuated himself between my legs at once, his broad shoulders splitting me wide. “Gods, you’re already so wet, mon ange.”

  Looking down, I saw that it was true. Last night, at least, I’d had the little white panties to help contain my moisture. Tonight I was bare and my pussy was swollen with need and shiny with my juices. So were my inner thighs—proving exactly how much I wanted him.

  “Goddess…” Feeling incredibly self conscious about my body’s obvious reaction to Laish’s touch, I made a halfhearted attempt to close my legs.

  He put his hands on my knees and held them open gently but firmly.

  “Don’t be ashamed of your needs, Gwendolyn,” he murmured. “Your lust is beautiful to me. I love how wet you get.”

  “It’s embarrassing,” I mumbled, feeling like my cheeks were burning.

  “It’s beautiful,” he countered. “Not to mention incredibly hot. Now spread wide for me, my little witch, and let me lick you clean.”

  Feeling like my heart was pounding in every part of my body at once, I did as he said. I still felt a little embarrassed but what else could I do? I had made a conscious decision to trust Laish and I wasn’t going to change it now.

  Still, I couldn’t help writhing when I felt his hot, wet tongue dragging over the tender flesh of my inner thighs. Laish seemed to enjoy my reaction because he did it again and again, lapping my sensitive skin and sending shivers through my entire body. He really was licking me clean, just as he’d said he would—getting every drop of my honey off my thighs before turning his attention to my pussy.

  The night before when he’d been tasting me, he’d been very slow and careful, simply pressing the flat of his tongue against me and barely moving for most of the time. Tonight, it seemed he’d decided to take a more direct approach.

  He licked me, long and slow and hard, starting at the bottom of my slit and dragging his tongue up to the very top of my cleft, making me jump and moan with each long, deliberate lick.

  I hadn’t thought I could stand direct contact to my throbbing clit but Laish proved me wrong with each stroke of his tongue. Maybe it was because his tongue was so much softer than any hand or fingers could be or maybe it was just because I was so incredibly aroused from the way he’d kissed me and sucked my nipples for so long. For whatever reason when I felt his hot, wet tongue dragging over my swollen folds and sensitive nub, I didn’t jerk away or feel like it was too much. To the contrary, it felt just right—so right I would have come right away if Laish hadn’t pulled back.

  “What…what are you doing?” I gasped, looking down at him. “I was getting close…really close.”

  “I know you were, mon ange, but if we are to break the barrier, we must save your orgasm for last,” he murmured.

  I saw the truth of what he said but I couldn’t help being disappointed. My whole body was attuned to his touch—aching to find the sweet release I craved. But I couldn’t have that—not yet.

  “All right,” I said, taking a few deep breaths to try and regain control. “Now wh
at?”

  His eyes were half-lidded. “It occurs to me that while I have tasted the outer part of your pussy, I have never penetrated you with my tongue. Perhaps we should see if that has any effect on the barrier.”

  “We…we should?” I bit my lip, feeling nervous all over again.

  “I think so. Why, does the idea of my tongue buried in your sweet little cunt make you uneasy, mon ange? Do you fear to open yourself and let me tonguefuck you?”

  I caught my breath at his dirty words. Goddess, I loved when he talked like that—especially when he looked at me with those hot, half-lidded eyes burning with lust at the same time.

  “No,” I said, taking him up on his challenge. “No, I…I’m not afraid.”

  “Good. Then you won’t mind if I do this.” He rose for a moment and grabbed one of the pillows beside me on the bed. Then he fitted it under my bottom, elevating me, making me even more open for him.

  “Laish…” I protested halfheartedly.

  “What?” He raised an eyebrow at me. “I thought you were not afraid.”

  “I’m not,” I said, my voice shaking only a little. After all, he’d had his fingers inside me and he was shortly going to have his shaft inside me too, if this didn’t pay the debt. It was just that this act felt so personal…the idea of his tongue sliding into my pussy was so intimate.

  “It is intimate, mon ange,” he murmured, placing a soft kiss on my inner thigh. “That is what makes it so pleasurable. Knowing that you trust me enough to open yourself completely—to let me taste you to your very core. Gods, it makes my shaft hard just to think of it!”

  Knowing that this turned him on so much made it easier for me to relax. I loved how into tasting me he was—how much it seemed to arouse him.

  “Of course it arouses me,” Laish growled softly, clearly catching my thought. “The idea of pressing my mouth to your sweet cunt…of giving you such a deep and intimate kiss…of bringing you pleasure and lapping away your sweet honey as it flows over my tongue as you moan and buck against me—nothing could be more arousing.”