Hunting Lucy Read online

  I hug her quickly, the dress and shoes pressed between us. “Thank you, mom!”

  “Go get ready, I’m sure you don’t have much time as it is.”

  I look over at the clock and see that I only have a little over a half hour before I need to leave. “Ahh, I’m going to be late,” I exclaim, grabbing the dress and tossing it on the bed. “Getting in the shower. Thanks again, Mom.”

  The sound of her laughter is drowned out by my shower.

  Three

  Balor

  “What the fuck is she wearing?” I growl to myself as I follow behind her in the darkness of the night. And those shoes? Jesus Christ. She’s going to sprain an ankle, and I’ll be forced to reveal myself to her. If she were mine, I would have never let her out of the fucking door dressed like that. As soon as the idea pops in my head, I immediately dismiss it. Lucy Quinn is too good of a person to ever be mine. On the spectrum of good and evil, we are on opposite sides. I will never taint her with vile things I’ve done.

  Lucy’s brown hair which is usually up in a bun is hanging loosely around her bare shoulders. Even at night, my vision is more than perfect, and I can see goosebumps covering her arms. The light shawl that matches her too short dress will not keep her warm as the night becomes colder. Everything inside me is telling me to make her warm, but I can’t give in. I won’t!

  The day she was born I promised myself that I would watch over her and protect her. There was something about the newborn that pulled me to this tiny town and kept me here. The bond that I once shared with Lucifer had somehow been severed, and a new, much stronger one had replaced it. I didn’t realize what it was until the day she turned eighteen and everything about how I looked at her changed.

  I wasn’t a sexual being. I knew others of my kind who spent every night in another person’s bed, while others would date long term but eventually end things. That drive that so many had was missing inside me. I had never craved the touch of another or wanted the attention that came with such an act. Not once in my life had I ever had an erection, until the morning of Lucy’s eighteenth birthday. I had been dreaming of her like I often would, but that night the dream had taken quite a different turn. I wasn’t prepared to catch her undressing after work, or the feelings that staring at her soft pale skin would evoke in me.

  I woke up startled and aroused by what I had just seen. My dick was painfully hard, and the mere brush of my hand sent tingles through my balls and up my spine. Guiltily, I took myself in hand and replayed what I had just seen in my dream. I felt like the worst monster picturing the girl who I had watched over from afar for her entire life. When I came, her name falling off my tongue, I knew that everything from now on would be different.

  Lucy wasn’t just some girl. No, Lucy Quinn was now a woman, and the temptress invaded my mind at all times of the day. My need to be near her has grown profoundly over the last several months. Thank God she chose to stay home for college. I don’t know what I would have done if I had to watch her be surrounded by horny men looking to get between her thighs. It would have never fucking happened but living through it day after day would have been torture. Most people around town leave her alone and don’t bother asking her out. There have been a few that I’ve scared away. This new guy isn’t as easy to scare away. I swear he looks for me before he enters the bookstore now.

  With my sharp focus I’m able to stay far enough away that she can’t sense me, but if she needed me, I could get to her in seconds.

  I hold back as Lucy knocks on Chrissy’s door. Good thing Chrissy only lives a few houses down she was going to make it much further in those heels. I have no idea how she’s going to make it through tonight’s festivities while wearing them. I’m picturing rubbing her sore feet between my hands when I hear Chrissy and Ellie walk outside. Those three have been best friends since they were in kindergarten. Lucy is more into studying and literature while they joined cheerleading and went out for sports.

  “Damn girl. You look freaking amazing! Where did you get this dress?” Chrissy asks walking up to her and twirling her around so she can see it all.

  “It’s so hot Luce, vintage is totally in right now,” Ellie says.

  My irritation goes up another notch. I just know that fucking dress is going to be a problem.

  Lucy blushes. “It was my mom’s dress a long time ago. She’s letting me wear it tonight.”

  “Momma Quinn has good taste. Are those her shoes too?”

  “Yeah, but they were not a good idea. My feet are already hurting. I should go home and change.”

  “Beauty is pain, my friend. Plus we don’t have time for you to change your shoes. We’re already running late.”

  “Tonight is going to suck. I don’t even know why I agreed to go.”

  “Because you’re eighteen and need to meet a guy before your vajayjay gets cobwebs,” Ellie says as if Lucy should know better.

  Lucy smacks her in the shoulder. “My vajayjay is none of your business! And you are one to talk missy. I know you’re just as much a virgin as I am.”

  Hearing Lucy say she is virgin is like a straight shot to my dick. Fuck. My dick grows hard against my thigh, I know she hasn’t been with anyone because I know nearly everything there is to know about her, but hearing her say the words has my dick hard as a rock. “Mother fuckers better keep their hands to themselves tonight,” I growl under my breath.

  “Was that a dog?” Chrissy asks.

  All three girls look around Chrissy’s driveway before they shake their heads and jump into Chrissy’s SUV. She pulls out quickly driving off in the direction of the Halloween party.

  I follow close behind, keeping a careful eye on their vehicle while flying to the side where no one can notice me. People are stupid tonight, and I don’t need anything happening to my Lucy.

  Four

  Balor

  I arrived ten minutes ago, leaving the girls to park and head inside on their own and me to scope the place out for any dangers that may be lurking around this place. I’ve already scented a few shifters new to town but judging by their scents, they’re busy with their own women. Thankfully, Demons are gifted with extra enhancements that everyday humans don’t have. For example, not only can I fly and teleport from one place to another, but I also have exceptional senses, making it easy for me to hear long distances and since when someone is near. If any danger were to come to her, I would know it and be there before she got hurt.

  I don’t know what it was about my soul that destined me to be a demon over a human or an angel, but that was my lot in my very long life. There were nights when I would lay awake and wonder what my life would be like if I weren’t the King of Hell’s top errand boy. Something changed the day Lucy was born. It’s like because of her, I’m something more than I was as if my purpose has changed. I haven’t heard from him since then. Oh, I’ve seen the occasional demon here or there pass through town, but no one that I recognized or vice versa. I have never heard of a demon being released from Lucifer, but it happened that day and haven’t ever felt as free.

  I take a sip from my scotch that the bartender just handed me. Whoever hosted this event even sprung for an open bar. I’m enjoying the taste of my scotch when I hear two guys on the other side of the room suck in a breath and then groan. I roll my eyes as I listen to their conversation.

  “Fucking hell.”

  “Who knew she had a body like that hidden behind those baggy sweaters.”

  I don’t bother turning. Whoever she is, I doubt she can compare to Lucy. No one will ever compare to her. I might not be willing to claim her, but I’m not stupid. I love that she has no idea just how gorgeous she really is. Some might call her a nerd, but I think her little quirks make her even sexier.

  The first guy whistles appreciatively. “I’d probably be hanging out at the bookstore more, that’s for fucking sure.”

  I look up immediately and spot the two guys talking about my woman. I slam my drink down on the bar and start stomping in their dire
ction. In my peripheral I see Lucy walking in, arm in arm, with her two best friends. I’ll deal with her ass later. Wearing a fucking half dress around other people. She should know better than that. The closer I get to the pricks talking the more control I’m losing.

  “How much you wanna bet she’s untouched?” His friend asks.

  “With tits like that, I don’t care if I have to break her in first. It’d be worth it to show her how I like it.” He smiles lewdly in another direction adjusting his dick in his pants as he licks his lips.

  Fuck. No. I change directions immediately. I’m not stopping until Lucy is mine. All Mine. I knew she was mine the second she became a woman, but I held back my desires, not wanting to taint her with my shame. There’s no more waiting. I can’t. Not when she walks in her showing everyone what is only mine to have.

  When I’m about twenty feet from her, the girls stop and stare. I know I must look like a madman, but I don’t give a shit. All three of their eyes are wide and round, but I’ve only got my sights set on one of them. The only one who matters. Lucy sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and nibbles on it nervously. She has no idea who I am, but her rapidly beating pulse tells me she likes what she sees.

  “Lucy I’m Balor. Could I get you a drink?”

  She crooks her head to the side, studying me. “How do you know my name?” She eventually asks.

  “It’s a small town. Doesn’t everyone know everyone around here?” I try for light, but the edge to my voice is making that hard to pull off.

  “I don’t know you, and I’ve lived here since I was born.”

  Ellie elbows her in her ribs. “He said his name was Balor Lucy.”

  Lucy gives her a dirty look, and Chrissy snorts. “They are a mess. I’m Chrissy. I’d love to get a drink with you.”

  “Back off. I never said I wasn’t getting a drink.” Lucy says with a sexy little growl to her voice she probably doesn’t even realize she has.

  Ellie and Chrissy both raise their eyebrows in surprise. “Come on Balor. I see the bar right over here.” She loops her arm through mine and starts walking in the direction I just came from.

  I happily take over and lead the way, loving the way she feels pressed to my body.

  “I’ll have a scotch, and she’ll have a Shirley Temple,” I tell the bartender, knowing that’s one of her favorite drinks.

  “How did you know?”

  “There’s nothing about you that I don’t know Lucy.” I know I’m pushing it, hell I’m more than pushing it. I’ve gone way too fucking far. Ask me if I give a fuck. I can’t stop myself at this point though. Her scent is driving me crazy. She smells like cinnamon and honey, and I lean in close, so I can get a better smell of her. Naturally, her body melts against mine like we’ve touched like this a thousand times. I slide my arm around her waist and pull her closer to me, gripping her by the hip. She sighs and leans her body against mine, the side of her ass rubbing against my achingly hard dick. When she feels it she backs away, but I pull her right back into me, rubbing my dick against her.

  “This is exactly where you are meant to be Angel. Don’t be frightened. The last thing I would ever do is hurt you in any way.”

  “You’ll let me go when I ask?”

  “I never said that.”

  Five

  Lucy

  Oh my god. This can’t be real, he can’t be real. I’ve never even had feelings like this for anyone before, and they are all rushing forward the moment he storms in my direction. I’m not a people person. I don’t like meeting new people or making small talk, and he doesn’t seem like he does either. Why does it feel like he is more somehow? Balor feels important.

  “This is exactly where you are meant to be Angel. Don’t be frightened. The last thing I would ever do is hurt you in any way.”

  Holy hell who tells someone that right after they meet? I know he means every word of it too when I search his dark red eyes for the truth. “You’ll let me go when I ask?” My body strung tight, hoping he tells me he’ll never let me go.

  “I never said that.”

  His gruffly spoken promise sends shivers down my spine and makes my panties wet in a matter of seconds. His thick muscular body pressed against mine is not helping to keep my thoughts in the right place. What would it feel like if he shifted his hand further south and rubbed me between my thighs? I shudder at the idea, and moan, my pussy pulsing with desire and drenching my already soaked panties.

  “I know what you are,” I whisper. Manchester is a small town, but it’s full of many supernatural beings. I’ve met a few demons in my day,

  “I think it’s kind of hard not to Angel. It’s the eyes.” We both say the last part at the same time making us laugh.

  I don’t think Balor is the kind of guy my mom was hoping for me to date. Judging by the look in his eyes, a date is not what he’s looking for. His dark features are all man and nothing about him screams safe. It’s funny though because he makes me feel safer than I ever have before. Safe in a way that lets me know he’d never let anyone do anything to me I didn’t want. He’s not just protecting me from danger, he’s protecting my happiness. Where the hell did he even come from?

  “Everything I know about your kind warns me to stay away, but there’s something about you, I don’t know.”

  “Tell me, Angel.” He commands.

  “You aren’t what I expected.”

  “What am I missing?”

  “It’s not that. If it weren’t for your eyes, I might not have been able to tell. I’m sure most people think you’re human.”

  He laughs darkly. “I’m far from human Lucy. Most people would tell you to stay away from me. There are things I’ve done in my thousand years on this earth that I will never speak of. Those were different times, and I was a different man. When it comes to you Angel, there is nothing you need to fear.”

  I take a sip of my favorite drink and let everything he’s said sink in. “So, are you from here? I haven’t seen you around before.”

  “I’ve lived here for a long time, but I mostly keep to myself. I’m not much of a people person, and It helps that I work from home.”

  I smile, I just thought the same thing. “Me either. I’d rather get lost in a good book then go out surrounded by my generation. I think I was born in the wrong time. Anyway, what kind of work do you do?”

  “I’m an independent contractor. I help companies with IT problems. Sometimes I need to clean up their business programs, other times I need to train their guys on new systems. I never have to leave my home, and that makes me very happy.” He says smiling down at me. I feel like I’m missing something that I should know the answer to.

  “That must be cool. I’m going to school online. I love everything about it except when the professors make us do group projects. Isn’t the point of going to school online, so you don’t have to work with people? Half the time they are unreliable, and I end up having to do someone else's work, so my grade doesn’t get marked off. It just pisses me off.”

  He laughs at me. “You’re sexy when you’re all fired up about something.”

  “Oh, and I’m not sexy other times?” I ask with my hand on my hip. It slips out of my mouth so quickly I can’t get the words back. “I didn’t mean to say that,” I say quietly, unable to look at him.

  With his other hand, the one that isn’t wrapped around my waist, he cups my cheek and turns my face in his direction. “You are the sexiest fucking creature I have ever come upon Lucy. There is nothing more beautiful than you in this world, and there never will be.”

  He leans down and presses his firm lips against mine. As soon as he does, I open my mouth to suck on his bottom lip. The scruff of his day-old beard scratches against my skin deliciously as he deepens the kiss. I clutch his arm and stand on my tippy toes kissing him back for all I’m worth. Slipping my tongue along his mouth, he opens letting me in. I stroke my tongue against his, but he immediately takes over. All too soon he pulls back with a groan and rests his forehe
ad against mine, both of us breathing heavily. “Jesus Lucy. You’re trying to kill me.” I giggle. “Why are you laughing?” He asks making me think I hurt his feelings.

  “That was more than I ever hoped for in a first kiss, it was something magical,” I tell him shyly, looking down, anywhere but at him.

  “That was your first kiss?” He growls.

  I release his arm and lift my chin defensively, staring him directly in the eyes. “I thought you knew everything there was to know about me Balor, which we will be talking about later, but my first kiss is a pretty big thing.”

  He stares me down, and I level him with a stare right back. He releases me, and steps back and then just as quickly throws me over his shoulder and swats my butt. “Hey!”

  “Listen, you sassy little thing. I had hoped that I would be your first, but I wasn’t sure. How you went your entire life without some asshole stealing a kiss from your sweet lips is beyond me.”

  He stomps through the party and down some side corridor, the noise of the party growing silent behind us. “Where are you taking me?” I ask smacking his firm butt and laughing when he growls.

  “You do that a lot you know.”

  “What’s that?”

  “These weird growly noises keep coming out of your mouth.” Not that I mind much. If I'm completely honest, because I am, those growly sounds are making my body tingle in places I never knew tingled. “It sounds just like something I heard earlier tonight. Wait… was that-”

  I’m in the middle of asking him a question when suddenly we appear in a big beautiful kitchen I’d love to cook in. It was as if I closed my eyes in one place and when I opened them, we were somewhere completely different.

  Six

  Balor

  I transport us back to my home before she can try and wiggle free from my hold. It’s so quick that she’s finishing her question in another place entirely.