Mastering the Beast: Taming the Beast, Book 3 Read online

  Thankfully, women had more options these days than they’d had in the past. They made their own dough, lived their lives and could hook up with men for nothing more than a good time, engage in all those BDSM games, dominance, submission, punishment.

  He smiled at the thought of enjoying that with Zoe. Damn, she was feisty and would be a delight to tame.

  She stopped suddenly, as though Taro had spoken his thoughts alone, and turned to face him and the others.

  Like a good boy, Taro affected his poker face, not about to give away his thoughts.

  The flames in Zoe’s eyes flashed brightly. She jabbed her thumb at the open door and the room just beyond it. “In there.”

  Chapter Two

  Calm down, dammit.

  Zoe tried, but it was hopeless and ultimately humiliating. While most demons simply destroyed everything in their path when they were upset, she restrained herself, playing it cool. Or so she tried. Every time she was pissed or frustrated, smoke poured from her hair and shoulders.

  Damn, why had Becca done this to her? Zoe didn’t need to relax, she craved constant work to keep her mind off sex and how lonely she was. Having these bad boys around tempting her with foolish need wasn’t going to change that.

  Annoyed, she followed the guys into her office but kept the door open to prove she didn’t trust them. They were too full of themselves, even now. None of them bothered to glance at her many awards, given for being the best enforcer five years running. In all that time, she’d never pulverized any of the clients even when they’d deserved it. She’d been strictly professional, leaving them with nothing more than a few bruises that Heather had healed.

  Not that the unholy trio would be impressed by that or even care.

  Stefin kept sniffing the smoke that rose from her shoulders, his grin wide as though she’d emitted the stuff to arouse him. Anatol appeared lost in thought as he took her in from her saddle oxfords to her Peter Pan collar. Taro ran his thumb over his bottom lip while he studied her mouth, his face a mask, not giving away any of his thoughts.

  Not that they mattered. Zoe knew none of them found her remotely attractive for the long haul, just as a fast fuck when no one else was available. She was too short, flat, plain and independent. Certainly not the fawning demon they’d probably expected, sporting spike heels, a tight dress and a brain-dead smile while kneeling at their feet, begging them to do her.

  They would too if she let them. Zoe had no doubt of that, images of their nudity flooding her mind. She pictured their powerful bodies slick with sweat, muscles bunched as they imprisoned and used her. Hands caressing her boobs, tongues licking her clit, cocks in her cunt and anus, tunneling deep and then plowing away while she screamed in delight.

  Oh yeah.

  Oh no. She fought another wave of intolerable longing. Didn’t help. Sensuality and raw male power oozed from them, drawing her closer, getting her feet to move independently of her mind. One more step and she’d be smack in front of them, close enough to kiss or do something more.

  They noticed.

  Stefin’s grin had already faded while the pinpoints of light in his eyes burned brightly, some might say hornily. Anatol lost his preoccupied look and met her gaze, his expression expectant. Taro lowered his hand and leaned closer.

  So did she, only to stop. What are you doing?

  Startled that she kept losing control so easily, Zoe backed up. They followed as one, like the damn Rockettes.

  Their musk and intense heat enveloped her. In another second, they’d all burst into flames from too much carnal hunger. Once they’d satisfied their basest urges, they’d ignore her and pounce on other women. Possibly Heather, maybe even Becca or Constance. That’s just the way guys were with someone as ordinary as she was, and Zoe knew it. Been there, done that.

  “Hold it.” Panting, she held up her palm to stop their advance.

  They edged closer, their breaths warming her fingers.

  Unsettled, she dropped her hand and stepped back once more. “I’m in charge here.”

  Stefin’s smile was broad and patronizing.

  At any other time, that would have made her batshit crazy. Right now, Zoe couldn’t manage a hell of a lot of anger, she was far too busy fighting pressing need. As if Stefin knew, he kept advancing while she didn’t have anywhere else to go. Her desk was in the way.

  She considered crawling on top of it but couldn’t. Stefin had already trapped her with his body and size.

  “How you smoke,” he said, his thick accent rasping the words, his voice so deep the sounds vibrated in her belly.

  Zoe’s knees sagged, bumping his.

  His complexion darkened even more, his expression nearly feral with a demon’s lust. “I know why.”

  She nodded then stopped. “Why what?”

  “Why you’re smoking as you are. I know the reason.”

  He did?

  “And I agree with what you want,” he added.

  She stared. He was actually conceding victory and would follow all her orders from now—

  Zoe’s thoughts paused as he slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her into his solid chest, nothing but hard slabs of muscle that made her skin tingle. He pressed his hips to hers, his cock blossoming against her cunt.

  All the spit in Zoe’s mouth dried up. She would have protested but couldn’t seem to form words.

  Stefin pressed one of her smoking tresses to his nose and inhaled for a long moment, his expression dreamy. “How delightful.” He made an indecent noise filled with lust. “I’ve never known another demon who flirted like this.”

  Like what? Who the fuck was flirting? Zoe was already light years past flirting and was straight into reckless desire. Without thinking, she wreathed her arms around his impossibly broad shoulders and pressed her body to his, a purr quivering her throat.

  He grinned rakishly. “Now you’ll see who’s boss.”

  What? Gawd.

  His lips were silky and hot against hers, his stubble oh so masculine as it scoured her skin. He pulled her close, held her tightly and speared his tongue into her mouth.

  Zoe sagged against him, adoring his sinfully rich scent and impressive bulk. Even so, it was no match for his decadent flavor that spoke of the depths of Hell, sinful nights, shameless need.

  He plundered her mouth, his passion demanding that she suckle his tongue. She did quite brazenly, not recognizing the sounds that poured from her. A delicate whimper. A feminine moan. Noises that a submissive makes.

  What in the hell was happening to her?

  Growling, Stefin deepened the kiss and slipped his hands over her ass, cupping her cheeks. Oh hell. Zoe was so on board with him lifting her to him, she wrapped her legs around his lean hips and enjoyed herself as she hadn’t in centuries—or ever really—pushing her fingers through his thick, silky hair, rubbing her small boobs against his chest.

  He staggered back but didn’t pull his mouth free. She would have bitched if he had. Groaning like the undead, Stefin angled his head for better penetration, filled her mouth even more with his tongue and carried her out of the room.

  A piercing shriek tore down the hall, joined by loud thumps, curses and a lusty wail.

  Zoe wasn’t certain whether that last sound had come from her. Breathing as well as she could, given how Stefin had welded their lips together, she dove in for more, finally pushing his tongue aside to shove hers into his mouth.

  He stilled as though he hadn’t expected that or didn’t like it.

  Zoe seized the moment, stroking his tongue, exploring the insides of his cheeks and teeth.

  A rumbling sound rushed from deep within him, his chest quivering with it. He tightened his grip on her and tried a door.

  Snapping sounds and growls poured out of the room from one of the weres.

  As Zoe continued to kiss him, Stefin mov
ed down the hall and tried the next door. “Hey,” a staffer snapped. “We’re busy here.”

  Someone, or rather something, shrieked loudly. The staffer slammed the door, blocking the racket.

  Other sounds intruded, mingling with the noise of Zoe’s sloppy kiss. She knew it was artless but couldn’t change that. She hadn’t had a lot of practice and wanted to make up for that now. Digging her fingers into Stefin’s skull, she kept him close, his mouth on hers.

  He opened another door and staggered inside that room, his breathing rough, hands roaming. He fondled her right boob while also cupping her ass, sliding his fingers down the furrow between her cheeks.

  A riot of forgotten sensations raced through Zoe, settling in her cunt that ached dully with need. Trembling, she wanted more even as her thoughts screamed wait.

  Stefin didn’t. He lowered Zoe to her feet and looked over at Taro and Anatol, who’d followed them inside. Taro swung the door closed and stepped closer. So did Anatol.

  Zoe couldn’t catch her breath. The room listed as they surrounded her, the scent of sulfur and musk thickening the air.

  She warned herself to leave or to move back at the very least. Her legs wouldn’t cooperate. She turned from one man to the other, each of them a mountain, completely irresistible. Just what she needed.

  Are you nuts?

  Was Stefin?

  Zoe gaped as he undressed quite casually, the mortal way, as though his slow striptease would be even more exciting to her and was the most natural thing in the world to do during office hours. Anatol and Taro watched for a split-second, exchanged a glance and then did the same, tossing boots, socks, slacks and shirts until all of them were down to their stretchy boxers. Anatol’s were a dark gray, Taro’s navy, Stefin’s black, the bulges between their legs ginormous.

  Her mouth sagged open.

  They peeled off their underwear. Their cocks were hard and proud, seeming to point at Zoe from their hairy groins, their curls exactly as she’d envisioned. Thick and fragrant in blond, black and auburn. Short hairs dusted their fleshy balls that were round and firm with need. Prominent veins snaked up their erect shafts, the heads swollen with lust, dark with desire, pre-come glistening on their tiny slits.

  Zoe wanted to taste them so badly, she would have given her soul to do so but couldn’t. She’d already sold the stupid thing to get her first guy, who hadn’t been impressed.

  What was she thinking even being in here alone with them?

  “Whoa. Hold it. Stop,” Zoe ordered breathlessly, like she was really turned on rather than riled. Squaring her shoulders, she finally got tough. “What in the hell are you doing?”

  “Nothing,” Stefin said first. “You’re over there. We’re over here. That won’t do.” With a playful grin, he gestured her closer and then pointed at his feet, as though he wanted her there.

  Like a master would. A man who’d take what he wanted while delivering exquisite satisfaction, making her cry out from the punishment, shriek with joy at the pleasure and finally shiver with release.

  Again, Zoe fought her arousal, cursing herself for it. Not budging, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Here’s a newsflash. This isn’t the fourth century. You can’t behave like Neanderthals in this place.”

  They exchanged a glance. Anatol appeared confused. “Surely, you’re not including me in that, chéri.” He wiggled his brows. “I know how to treat a woman.”

  His rod thickened a bit more, making Zoe weak with wanting. His French accent was to die for, delightfully musical, the sound a sweet caress.

  He’d be a patient but ardent lover, until he took off and forgot about her, which he would.

  She frowned.

  So did Taro. “What’s a Neanderthal?”

  Anatol rolled his eyes. “What you are, crude and vulgar.”

  “Actually,” Zoe said, “a subhuman that strutted around naked. Like you guys.” She tried not to drool over their sculptured abs and pecs, muscular legs, hair-roughened skin. “Get dressed. All of you. We’re not here to play.”

  Stefin made a face. “Then why are you smoking?” He lifted his chin, his expression miffed. “You’ve been coming on to us.”

  Holy hell, he was beautiful but fucking dense when it came to women. “I’m irritated. That’s why I’m smoking. Let it be a warning to all of you in the future.”

  They looked as if they couldn’t care less. None of them were getting dressed. Anatol and Taro stroked their cocks absently, making them thicker and longer. Stefin crossed his arms over his chest as if he expected her to service his rod.

  Zoe was sorely tempted but stood her ground. “Just so you know, there are laws against workplace and sexual harassment.”

  Stefin shrugged. “Then quit harassing us.”

  “What?”

  He thrust his head forward, the veins bulging in his thick neck. “You’re trying to deny us what’s rightfully ours.”

  “Sorry. Didn’t know you were nudists. Does Becca know?”

  Anatol sniggered. Stefin threw him a frown and then turned back to Zoe. “You know exactly what I mean.”

  “’Fraid not. Maybe you better spell it out.”

  “As you wish.” He tightened his arms against his chest, which rippled his massive biceps.

  Zoe’s lips parted at that rugged display of male prowess and his sexy-as-hell tat.

  “From this moment forward, you’re working for us,” Stefin said. “Doing whatever we demand, including taking care of our carnal needs. Trust me, there are many. We call the shots, not you. We’re in command, not—”

  He didn’t finish. Couldn’t actually. Flinging her hand, Zoe released a good deal of her pent-up power that she’d promised never to use again. She’d tried to be nice and where had it gotten her? Stefin saying she was going to be his office and sex slave.

  Yeah, right.

  With a thunderous crack and a flash of blazing light, she was suddenly outside the room while the three men were locked inside. Hopefully for good.

  Constance turned into the hall and stopped mid-step, her full-length gown swishing around her legs. Its dusty-rose color matched her turban, complementing her ebony complexion. She stared at Zoe and walked slowly around her.

  Looking over, Zoe turned in time with Constance until they were both moving in tight circles.

  Dizzy, Zoe stopped. “What?”

  Constance pointed at Zoe’s clothes.

  She looked down, surprised her blouse was unbuttoned to her waist. When had that happened? One of its tails hung out of her skirt, which was unfastened and had fallen to the tops of her thighs.

  Swearing beneath her breath, Zoe buttoned, zipped and smoothed her clothes until she was back to her old self, pissed and smokin’ away. Damn.

  Constance regarded the treatment room. The old door was gone, replaced by a thick steel one, the kind used for a bank vault or a morgue, to keep stuff inside. Constance leaned toward Zoe. “Who, or what, is in there?”

  “Pricks.”

  She regarded Zoe’s outfit and then her mouth.

  Zoe stepped back. Her lips felt as if they were twice their usual size from Stefin’s hard and ruthless kiss. Passion that went so deep she could still taste him on her tongue. Her pussy couldn’t have gotten any wetter, her soft folds plumper.

  Tapping her finger against her cheek, Constance smiled conspiratorially. “Someone’s been bad.”

  “They started it.”

  “They?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” She pivoted and strode down the hall.

  Catching up, Constance grabbed Zoe’s arm and dragged her back. “Ah hon, you can’t leave them in there forever. By the way, how many are we talking about? What are they exactly? Vamps? Weres? Satyrs? Zom—”

  “SOBs. Three of them, all right?”

  “If you say so.” She lifted
her hands. “I’ll just remove those nasty memories from you, and you’ll be as good as new.”

  Zoe backed up so quickly, her ass hit the wall. She looked over at it and then back at Constance. “Don’t touch my head or one freaking memory.”

  Constance gave her a knowing smile. “Wouldn’t think of it.” She dropped her hands. “Those pricks must be something if you want to remember them that badly.”

  Zoe spoke through her teeth. “Even you couldn’t erase the stuff they just did.” Those memories were burned in her mind for all of eternity.

  “Oh yeah?” Constance grinned. “That good, huh?”

  Freaking amazing and hopeless since their lust for her wouldn’t last long. It never did with guys like that. This was about taming her, having their way. Lots of luck with that since she wasn’t playing.

  “Come on,” Constance coaxed, “tell me. Maybe I can help.”

  Yeah, sure—wait. Maybe she could remove their memories and they wouldn’t recall ever having been here. They could go somewhere else and bother other female demons.

  Zoe smiled and then frowned at the thought of them with someone else. Finally, she sighed, knowing that was the only way to get them out of her life before they did real damage. “Okay, here’s what happened. First, he’s all over me, then they strip, then he tells me I’m here to do his bidding in bed and out like everyone died and made him the freaking ruler of Heaven, Hell and Earth. Can you imagine?”

  Constance’s dark eyes sparkled with interest. “Absolutely, I’ve had fantasies like that. They’re real cavemen, huh?”

  “He thought I was smoking to turn him on.”

  “Well, hey, as long as he’s cute, it doesn’t matter if he’s not the brightest bulb in the pack.”

  “Try totally clueless when it comes to women.”

  Constance turned to the door. “Maybe I can help get him on track.”

  Or in her bed. Zoe’s skin got even hotter and then went ice cold. Dizzy with unexpected jealousy, she growled, “Don’t worry, you’re never going to have to meet them.” Or remove their memories as she’d first thought. No matter what Becca might say, Zoe wasn’t letting them out of the room for anything. They’d made her forget the promise she’d made never to use her powers again, to do things the mortal way, to suffer without love or sex. Dammit, they’d made her yearn. For that, they deserved to be locked up forever.