Pan's Salvation (Dueling Devils 5)

He grabbed the slapper and delivered five light raps. She ground into his knee, leaving her dew there. “You come to life so beautifully under my tutelage.” He leaned down and kissed her reddened skin. “Thank you for trusting me to make your body sing. I know you want to come.

I’d like to give you release, but you have to pay the price for your behavior. No touching yourself tomorrow. I want you thinking about me and how good it’ll feel when I finally allow you to come. Lay down on the bed now, little bird. I need to pamper that delicate skin now.” He helped her lay down on the bed and went to get ice and cream to soothe her skin.

Lark groaned and he knew he had her back. His little bird was delicate and flighty. She had one foot inside the cage and one out. It was his job to make sure she liked it better…here with him.

Chapter Seven

It felt odd being back at work. Like she’d been lost in some sort of alternate realm. The daily grind at Naughty Emporium cleared her head. The duties were engrained in her muscle memory. She did them on autopilo

t. Who knew that one day, folding underwear and setting up new displays would save my sanity. The normalcy cleared her mind. Things with Pan were spiraling out of control. Every day she handed over another portion of her control. She’d come to rely on him. That was dangerous ground to be on. She heard his argument with his brother.

Trading a person with one addiction for another wasn’t on her to-do list. How can I dismiss it so quickly, after all he’s done for me? He cared for her like no one else in her life had. It complicated everything.

The bell above the door jingled. She glanced up and smiled at the sight of Tanya. The

brown-eyed redhead was the closest friend she had. Her long legs ate up the space between them and she allowed herself to be embraced. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla swirled around her as she rested her head on her friend’s ample bosom.

“Lark, I am so sorry.”

“Me too,” she said.

“Why didn’t you tell me? The girls and I would’ve been there at the funeral for you.”

“I didn’t want that. I’ve had so many ups and downs with my sister. The final goodbye

wasn’t pretty.” Lark pulled away and wiped away the tears escaping the corners of her eyes.

“I understand. Addiction is a hard thing to deal with for more than just the person affected.”

“Yes, but I’m back and I’m glad to be here. I need this stability and routine in my life.”

“Then you got it babe. We’re all here for you.”

Lark squeezed her hand. “Thank you for that. Everything has been so crazy,” she whispered.

Tanya lifted a pin-up perfect eyebrow. “I sense this is about more than your sister.”

“Cliff Notes version. I had some issues with people; Robin owed money to.”

“Oh, my God, are you okay?”

Lark held out her hand. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just. There’s a man who helped me out when he didn’t have to. He had my back and he stuck with me when I needed it most.”

“He sounds amazing. So, why am I sensing a but?” Tanya’s brow furrowed.

“Because he’s not my type. When I’m with him, I’m someone else and I don’t know if I like that. He’s—into things I never imagined I’d like.”

“So, he’s kinky?” Tanya whispered.

“To say the least,” Lark replied dryly.

Tanya laughed. “Lark, in case you’ve forgotten you work at the Naughty Emporium. Isn’t

that throwing stones in a glass house?”

“What?” Lark huffed. “No, we sell beauty, glamor, fantasy and spice inducing accessories.”

Tanya laughed. “That’s why you do all our PR.”