"Okay." Tara pulled out her phone and looked. "Surprised we don't have a sext yet." She peeked at me with a smile. "I was…maybe a little eager."
I turned to stare out the window, unable to hear past the grinding dread of my assignment. Humiliate her at the restaurant? Not tell her? God. They'd fucking done their homework on me, hadn't they? And by now, they knew I was fucking head over heels for her.
How could I carry out the orders without undoing the fragile progress I'd made with her? Would they intentionally sabotage our future? I mentally sorted through all the people associated with the company we'd met so far. Of those, only the moderator, Danielle, seemed cold-blooded enough to do something so underhanded. But was she really? Or was that just me channeling Tara's dislike of the woman?
"Lucian?" Tara watched me through her lashes, as if she didn't want to meet my direct gaze. "Yeah?"
"What's wrong? You seem distracted. I've seen you like this before."
Fuck. Of course she'd notice. I had to get the nonsense out of my head and give her my attention. I couldn't have her thinking I didn't want to be with her. "Sorry. I guess I'm a little nervous about the demon dominations." What the hell else could I say?
She reached up and brushed her finger along my lower lip. "Don't worry, baby, I'm right here beside you. We'll get through it together. Lean on me all you need."
Her words tugged at my heart. Before I received that fucking text, I'd have been jumping with joy to hear her say that. I smiled. "Thank you, Tara. You have no idea how much that fucking means to me." Now, I worried what I had to do would crush that. By the time we got to the demons, she'd be done with me. "I just hope you don't end up hating me."
"Lucian, I could never hate you." The sincerity in her tone and expression almost made me believe her. Almost.
I drew her hand to my mouth and kissed her knuckles. "I hope not."
She slid a little closer and leaned up to brush her lips against mine. The gentle touch sent a flash of longing through me. Longing for a future with her, a future beyond this fucking game. That was all I needed. I had to keep that goal in sight.
The little warning chime that preceded the lowering of the privacy panel sounded, and the divider slid down a moment later. "Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Bane, Miss Reese. We're coming up to a small town soon and I've been instructed to stop for lunch at a diner." He raised the partition without another word.
Great. I'd fucked that up, too. Steve had helped me, been a good friend. And I'd been a jerk.
I kept my arm around Tara and drew her closer, trying my best to relax a little. The scenery sliding past consisted of a series of semi-rural homes separated by fallow fields and small pastures. No doubt, like everywhere else, one or more farms had been carved up into tracts and sold for private lots. This just happened to be not too far from Montgomery, Alabama. The homes ranged from sprawling McMansions with immaculate landscaping, to run-down mobile homes with junk piles and weedy lawns.
The area told the same sad story I'd seen repeated over and over in different regions. A few people had a lot, most didn't have enough to keep body and soul together, as my mother would have said. Not a very promising preview of the upcoming town. It raised my hopes a bit that perhaps the diner would be empty.
Beside me, Tara curled into the curve of my arm, resting her head on my shoulder. I could have actually enjoyed it if I weren't so worried about what I'd have to do in a few minutes. As it was, I dreaded the passage of every mile. It'd be nice if we had a flat right about now.
The wish for a flat tire reminded me of the flat we'd had during the last Round. We'd received a 'sext', as we'd come to call them—a text from the organizers with a mini-sexual challenge. She'd ridden me and talked dirty. Tara had been so embarrassed when I pointed out how difficult Steve must have found it while changing the tire with the car rocking. My cock stirred at the memory, ready for a repeat performance.
Too bad we seemed to be rolling into the outskirts of a town. Tara sat up and started paying attention to her surroundings. Her phone chirped and she read the text, then turned it so I could see the screen. A broad smile spread across her mouth.
****
The car slowed about the time Lucian really started to relax next to me. The chime sounded to warn us the privacy panel was going down. I sat up a little more, eager to see where we were.
The view to the front opened up slowly, revealing a broad main street with parking on both sides and sidewalks shaded by low trees in an unpaved area by the curb. At the first corner, a sprawling old warehouse hulked over everything, a sign on the front informing passersby that it was the Burley Warehouse Folk Center and Museum. If we had time, I'd love to prowl through it.
Further on, the street was lined with old-fashioned looking businesses, a barber shop, a shoe shop, a pharmacy and several other small shops. A few modern buildings crouched among their historic brethren. One housed a convenience mart, and a medical clinic occupied another.
I smiled at Lucian. "Isn't this the cutest little town?"
He was watching me, paying no attention to the scenery. "If you say so, love." He reached to tuck my hair back. "I'll take your word for it so I can keep looking at you."
The tone of his voice combined with the darkness of his blue eyes made my stomach flip. He wanted to—
A horn blared just outside the passenger door and I jumped halfway into Lucian's lap, ready to panic. He grabbed me up tight and let me bury my head in his shoulder.
Up front, Steve muttered something but Lucian didn't bother keeping his voice down. "Bastard." He smoothed his hand along my back. "You okay, sweetheart?"
I turned my head so he could hear me. "Duh, I'm fine, just startled."
He bent and brushed his lips along mine. Unable to resist his tender side, I gave myself over to his kiss. By the time he pulled back, I could have sworn there was a glint of regret in his eyes. Maybe because there was no time to go further? That must be it. I certainly regretted it.
"Molly's Downhome Café just ahead." Steve slowed the limo to a crawl, watching the side of the street closely.
Just the name excited me. It sounded like something back home and I had to fight back a surprisingly intense wave of homesickness. What would it be like to walk down my Main Street with Lucian? Would he be comfortable there? Or would he prefer to be in a big city? My guess was big city. I couldn't help hoping we might have a chance to explore that question.
The cute hand-painted sign appeared just ahead, suspended above the sidewalk. As Steve drove past, I got a good look at the café. What seemed to be a rambling Victorian home had been remodeled to a nearly unrecognizable form in its current incarnation. The decorative gingerbread trim and steep, multi-peaked roof remained.
Just past the café, in front of a lawyer's office in a far smaller Victorian, Steve sighed. "Finally!" He stopped the car, pulled forward a little, checked all the mirrors, then moved ahead a bit more.
"What are you doing, Steve?" Lucian's tone held a mixture of humor and slight annoyance.
"Sorry, Sir. I need to park the car." With that said, he watched his mirrors carefully and eased the limo back and to the right.
I had to admire the ease with which he maneuvered the huge car into the parking space. Well, two spaces. Most people could barely manage to parallel park a compact car.
He shut the engine off and opened his door to get out.
"Wait, Steve." Lucian kept hold of my hand as he sat forward. "Please?"
Steve glanced over his shoulder and closed his door before peering at Lucian through the rear view mirror. "Is there a problem, Sir?"
"I just wanted to say sorry for being a jerk earlier. You didn't deserve to be treated that way. You've been a good friend to me, and I appreciate it. So can you drop the Sir thing and get back to normal?"
Steve grinned and turned in his seat. "It certainly took you long enough! Did Miss Tara have to coach you?"
I nearly melted in relief, glad to have Steve back on our side.
br />
Lucian laughed aloud. "No, I knew I'd been mean. Just had to figure out how to apologize."
"Well, I'm very glad you figured it out."
All serious, Lucian extended his hand. "I am too."
Equally solemn, Steve shook Lucian's hand. "I get it, Lucian. I can't imagine what it's like to face the worst things of your past. Being a little on edge is completely understandable." He smiled again. "Shall we go in?"
Chapter Five
I guided Tara by the arm as the hostess lead us across the broad planked wood floor, weaving among tables, speaking to various patrons as she passed by. Finally, she stopped by a round wooden table with three spindle back chairs.
"Here y'all go." She smiled sweetly and waited for us to sit, then passed out menus. "Sherry will be with y'all directly to take your orders."
I watched Tara out of the corner of my eye. What humiliation would get me the most points with the least fucking damage? Insulting her body? Intelligence? Definitely not her body. Fuck no. She was too insecure about it already. I refused to prey on that. Mannerisms maybe. She had plenty of those. I loved every fucking one of them. Goddammit.
I raked a hand through my hair. I could do something that would embarrass her. That was the same as humiliation. Yeah. That could work. But what?
"This is such a quaint restaurant." Steve chuckled, gazing over the top of his menu at the surprisingly large crowd.
Elderly crowd, mostly. That was a plus. I think.
Maybe I could serenade her.
No. She might find that sweet and enjoy it. I sipped my water, trying to think inconspicuously.
An elderly gentleman a few tables down exploded in loud guffawing laughter.
"Hmm." Tara tapped her menu. "Maybe you should order whatever he's having, Mr. Broody pants."
I looked at her, confused for a second. "I'm not brooding."
"Ah." She didn't meet my gaze while nodding at her menu. "Maybe somebody didn't have a very good time…earlier?"
I froze, realizing how weird I was acting. Yes, she'd received a sext shortly after I'd gotten the Devil's Text. She'd been ordered to force me to orgasm in five minutes. Which she aced, no problem. Or I aced. We. But we'd finished just before actually entering the town. I hadn't really had much of a happy glow moment with Operation Doom looming in the five foot, five minute vicinity.
Just the thought that she would think I didn't love it added to my panic. "Are you kidding? It was the best ever!"
"Shhhhh!" She hit me with a hard glare.
Holy shit. That was fucking it. I leaned forward a little. "Hey baby," I whispered, just a little too loud, "you ever saw that movie, the one with the blonde chick pretending to have an orgasm at the table?"
A tall blonde stopped at our table. "Hi, my name is Sherry and I'll be your server today. Are you ready to order?" She set small glasses of ice water in front of each of us.
"Harry Met Sally." Steve whispered. He smiled up at the waitress standing with her pad and pen poised. "I'll have the country steak basket," he said in his graceful baritone, "the country vegetables for a side and the texas toast. And an ice cold glass of tea if you have it?"
He winked and she smiled while writing. "Got you covered big guy." She turned to Tara. "What about you, darlin'?"
"Um, I'll take the house special."
"Veggies or salad."
"Salad."
"Dressing?"
"Uhhh, naked."
Sherry the server eyed her doubtfully and waited for clarification.
"No dressing. And a cola, whichever kind you have."
"Naked?" I leaned toward Tara and whispered too loud. "Can I have you naked later?"
Shame flushed her cheeks and she cleared her throat. "What are you having?"
I sat back and looked at the waitress. "I'd like the old-fashioned Coney. The one with the… foot long weiner?" I winked at Tara and gave a naughty low chuckle before biting my lower lip in hunger. I scoped the diner, relieved to find no kids. Thank God. I finally met Tara's pointedly annoyed gaze.
"What?" I leaned in with my arms on the table. "It's not my fault you're so goddamn sexy, love." I kept my voice to a normal conversational volume and hoped no one was offended too badly.
"Shhhhhhhhhh. What are you doing?"
I pretended confusion. "Paying you a compliment?"
"Well…shhh."
I leaned in closer with a secret smile. "You know… she had nothing on you baby."
She gave me a worried look for several seconds. "Why are you acting weird?"
Again I raised my hands and sat back. "Just saying. That girl in that movie?" When she only stared at me in discomfort, I whispered loudly, "You know… the one that…" I closed my eyes and began doing my version of that woman's orgasm, just loud enough to be heard by several tables.
She beat on my arm. "Lucian! Stop it!"
"What? I know that was a lousy impersonation, and she seriously has nothing on you love."
Tara looked around now.
"I mean baby, when you rode me earlier? You were like," I made the soft moaning sounds she always did, starting slow.
"Stop it! Fucking stop!" she hissed. "Oh my God."
"And then you do that sharp cry." I did several of them, nice and loud. "And God, then you move into over-drive."
She got up and hurried out in the middle of my strangled erotic yodel. "What?" I called after her. "Am I doing it wrong?" I got up and followed her out, so fucking glad that was over with.
I followed her to the car to finish the unwritten make it authentic part of the assignment. Biggest challenge yet. "What is your problem? I'm just having a little fun. You said I was being broody!"
She spun on me at the car. "Fun?! Are you fucking serious?" She covered her face with her hands and I couldn't keep from grinning.
"But that's how you sound. I think it's beautiful, nothing to be ashamed of." I pulled her into my arms and she shoved away. "Well, I'm not sorry if that's what you want me to be." I pointed at the diner in my defense. "I just made good memories in there. You should be… thanking me sweetheart."
"Good memories?" She choked on incredulity, seeming clueless to my antics. "If you ever do that again! Oh my God." She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Fine. No more having fun with Miss T-Rex Tara."
She eyed me in anger.
"Miss Bossy Pants."
She put a hand on her hip and cocked it.
I smiled and stepped close to her, looking down into her frigid gaze. "Or….Mrs…. Tara… Bane?"
Her anger came crashing down and a fear so thick, it nearly choked me, followed hard on its heels. She shoved out of my arms. "Stop being stupid."
***
The next text hit not five minutes after we left the diner. I knocked on the window. "Stop at that station." I pointed.
"Yes sir, boss."
"Need the bathroom," I told an inquisitive Tara without looking at her.
"We just…"
"I don't like using bathrooms at diners."
"You prefer gas station urinals?"
"I wasn't thinking about it when we left."
She nodded. "Well, you may be interested to know that I got a text."
I looked at her. "What was it?"
She pursed her lips, building my anticipation. "I'll tell you when you get back," she said when we stopped.
"What? No, tell me now."
She shooed me out with her fingers.
"Well, is it…something I'll like?"
"Oh, I think so."
My cock jerked at her tone. I opened the door and put one foot on the ground, unable to tear my gaze from her. "Does it…have something to do with your ass?"
She angled a scolding gaze at me but I didn't miss the heat in it. Fuck.
"Yes?" I'd been praying for one particular thing. I couldn't stand hurting her so I didn't ask for it. But yeah, I'd fantasized about it. Often.
She let out a deep sigh and chewed her thumb nail.
"Is it bad? To you? I mean?"
She shrugged a shoulder. "Not real sure."
I couldn't keep from drawing an audibly sharp breath. "We don't….have to."
"Umm, yes. We kinda do."
"Is it…"
"Just go! We'll talk about it when you get back."
I sat there, torn. "Okay, fine. I'll…be right back." I ducked my head back in the car before shutting the door. "You want anything? Drink, food?"
She swiveled an annoyed smile at me.
Right. Just ate.
I hurried to the bathroom and pulled the phone out. Please don't be stupid.
Anger Tara. No excuses or apologies until after final demon domination.
God, fuck, seriously? Anger Tara? Didn't they realize how bad that was for me? Fucking right they knew.
I paced up and down in the filthy five foot bathroom with the piss drenched floors, walls, and toilet. What exactly were they grading with this? My reaction? Hers? Both? Fuck, not knowing meant better safe than sorry, which meant bad for me.
I needed to talk to Steve. See if he knew anything.
Anger Tara. Anger the T-Rex. Ruin my progress with her. Just throw it all away. For nothing. No, not nothing. Her Gramma. Fffuuuuuck. Of course I'd do it. I had to help her win so she could save her Gramma. But dammit.
And can't explain to her. Until later. I pulled my phone out and dialed Steve.
"Ummm you okay?" he answered.
"No. That would be a negative." I got out of the piss box and paced up and down the hall next to it. "I'm getting these texts."
"Are you supposed to tell me?"
"It didn't say not to," I whispered, annoyingly unsure. "They want me to-to- do weird things."
Sharp intake of breath. "Ahhhhh so that's what—"
"Yes, the diner show. Humiliate Tara, that was my assignment. No details except that I can't tell her until after final demon domination."
He hissed painfully. "That's not good," he whispered. "Did you get another one?"
"Yes, anger Tara."
"Oh dear. Your plan?"
I laughed dryly. "Very good fucking question."
"Okay, let's…let's think this through. So, you'll do something small."