The Blaze: Succubus Studies Serial (Succubus Harem Book 7) Read online

  Cold fingers touch my cheek. “Are you better now?”

  Embarrassed, I yank myself free and stumble against the table, only Tac’s large body keeping me on my feet. “I was fine before.”

  “If you say so.” He turns to the kitchen. “What’s for dinner?”

  Glad he let the subject drop, I follow behind him. “Spaghetti.”

  “I don’t want spaghetti.”

  My hands move to my hips. “Well, that’s what I’m making.”

  “I want caramel sauce.”

  “That’s not a dinner option.”

  “Are we discussing dinner ideas?” Tobias sets his teacup down on the kitchen island. “I want sushi.”

  I glare at him. “We’re having spaghetti.”

  His thick eyebrows pinch together. “But I don’t want spaghetti.”

  “It’s my night, and I’ll make what I want!” My feet thump against the kitchen tiles as I stomp over to the stove and dig out the stockpot to fill with water for the pasta. “We’re having spaghetti!”

  The two men exchange glances that look like a mental high-five.

  Are they needling me to make sure I’m okay? My chest tightens at their concern. Three weeks ago, they wouldn’t have cared. But three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have cared either.

  ***

  When I wake up for work the next morning, I make it through my morning routine without a fight for shower time with Emil. The smell of bacon hurries me to finish getting ready, and I venture downstairs.

  Emil and Tobias rarely eat breakfast, so finding Kellen in the kitchen doesn’t surprise me. “Hey, what are you still doing awake?”

  “I wanted to hear how your interview with the perspective chef went yesterday.” Kellen scoops sizzling pieces of crisp bacon out of the pan and onto a plate covered in paper towels. His lightning blue gaze fixes on me. “Slater said there was an issue?”

  I settle onto the stool across from the stove and tuck my heels up on the bottom rung. “Have you met his roommate?”

  “Which one?” Kellen slides more pieces of bacon into the hot pan.

  My wings shift against my spine, uncomfortable even talking about it. “The fairy touched one.”

  “Oh, Reese.” Kellen nods absently. “Nice kid. I’m surprised he left the house, though. He’s a little reclusive.”

  I prop my elbows on the counter. “You know him well?”

  “I helped him and his brother find a place to live a while ago.” With a fork, he flips the bacon over. “Slater and his best friend were looking for people to share the rent with.”

  “It doesn’t bother you that he knows what we are?”

  Humans find out about us sometimes, and as long as they’re discreet about it, the higher-ups look the other way. But to befriend a potential hunter…

  “He’s a good kid,” Kellen repeats, his voice firm. “They all are.”

  That Kellen vouches for him eases some of my worry.

  He turns off the stove and transfers the last slices of bacon to the plate before he slides it, along with a box of pastries, across the counter.

  When I hesitate to take them, worried about the trade value for breakfast, he says, “I got these for free from one of the clubbers.”

  “Weird gift.” I take two hot slices and stack them on top of a maple bar.

  He smirks as he walks around to take the stool next to me. “It came with an offer to come over and make me breakfast.”

  “Of course, it did.”

  Since I don’t see a scantily clad woman in the kitchen, I assume he turned her down. Though he could have finished with her and sent her home already. Or maybe she’s passed out in his room. At the idea, my fingers tighten around the donut.

  Kellen’s knee bumps against mine. “I turned her down.”

  “I didn’t ask.”

  “But you were wondering.” He trails static sparks down my arm. “I’m holding out for something better.”

  “Ever think your expectations are too high?” I take a bite of donut and bacon, reveling in the combination of sweet and savory. Swallowing, I lick my lips. “You’re bound to be disappointed.”

  He reaches out and swipes at the corner of my mouth, a trail of maple frosting on his thumb. Lightning flickers across his pupils as he licks it off. “Any succubus that can make my legs weak with pleasure is worth the wait. And you’re the first to do that in five hundred years.”

  Our first encounter at Fulcrum involved a battle of wills that ended with Kellen laid out flat on the floor, cum in his pants. He hadn’t seemed to mind then, and the heat in his eyes now asks for an encore.

  But anxiety swamps any hint of temptation in me. What if feeding off him now brings back that sensation of coming apart? What if it doesn’t fade away this time?

  “I need to go to work.” I hop off the stool and glance away to avoid his disappointment. “Thanks for breakfast.”

  He shifts on his stool to watch me walk toward the archway that leads out of the kitchen. “Anytime.”

  Progress

  I pull into the parking lot behind the bakery, unsurprised to see the HelloHell Deliveries' van there, fog from the tailpipe puffing away in the early morning chill. As soon as I park beside it, Philip hops out and runs around to the passenger side to let my imps out. Today, they wear another horrible array of stripper clothes, most likely pulled from the miscellaneous bin at Julian's office.

  The sight of platform shoes and peekaboo tops makes me want to rush them to the nearest second-hand store to buy sweats and t-shirts. But my bank account struggled to clear yesterday's purchases.

  Should I let them wear their uniforms home? It would mean more laundry, but the added effort would prevent anyone from suspecting my bakery is a front for a whore house.

  Sighing, I grab the bags from the passenger seat, then stare in confusion at the pastry box I discover beneath. Then my brain reminds me I brought the leftover cupcakes home last night for Tac and the guys.

  With one hesitant finger, I nudge the lid open to find a puddled mess of melted buttercream and sprinkles. When I lift the box from the seat, relief rushes through me that it didn't seep through to the seat beneath it. I pile the bags on top of it, grab the entire unbalanced load, and kick open my car door.

  Childlike Philip doesn't wait around to greet me with a blatant offer for a feeding. Instead, he waves as he jogs back to the driver's door and climbs inside the van, giving the horn two happy honks before he speeds out of the parking lot. Julian must have an early job lined up today that needs all his transport vehicles.

  I smile at my imps. "Ready for another day at work?"

  Silent nods answer me, but I take it as a sign of progress. While they still huddle together, their relaxed spines and straight posture make them appear more at ease. Three of them still sport the high ponytails they wore yesterday, but Sabrina has its hair styled into four small buns on top of its head, and another's brown hair now ends at its ears in a neat bob.

  Progress.

  We walk down the alley, and I unlock the side door, then hold it open to let them enter first, the fruity smell of coconut oil tickling my nose. Did Julian slather it over them as soon as they returned last night, or does he not wash the clothes he throws into the miscellaneous bin? Both options roll my stomach.

  I set my bags on the center island. "Okay, today I want to see if anyone can make espresso." Two of them give me uncertain smiles, and I lock eyes with them. "Why don't we start with both of you as soon as I get the first batch of cupcakes in the oven?"

  They lean their heads close together to chitter with excitement.

  "While I get baking, I have more reading material for everyone." I pull the two books out and hold the first up. "This is a book filled with names and their meaning. You don't have to choose a different name, but there are a lot of options if you'd like to look."

  I set it on the counter and hold up the other book. "And this is a book about what humans call gender. Despite what my cousin may have told you,
it's not one or the other. You have a lot of options, including staying as you are now. If you don't want to choose any gender, I can talk to you to make sure you're well informed on what that would mean for how you interact with humans, okay?"

  The doll-like smoothness of imp bodies will terrify humans as something unnatural, which I never understood. Their children play with Barbies, so the form should be familiar to them. If any of the imps want to keep their original form, it’ll make their lives harder, but it’s an option.

  And if giving them choice means I'm breaching my contract with Julian, then fine. I'll just have to figure something out.

  ***

  Tally arrives at two o'clock on the dot, a cheerful puff of happiness as she bounces into the shop. "Adie, I found more bakers last night and ate their dreams! Today, I won't make any mistakes!"

  "Tally, don't forget your lunch." The man behind her holds out a large, cloth bag with purple flowers on it.

  My eyes meet his, and relief washes over me to find them a nice, normal brown. With his spiky, dark-brown hair and slightly pointed chin, he resembles Reese enough to be related, but he's not fairy touched. A dark tattoo peeks out of the collar of his t-shirt and black plugs fill his earlobes, giving him a sharper edge.

  "Oh, thank you, Xander!" Tally spins on her heel to go back for the bag. "Adie, this is Reese's brother, Xander. Xander, this is Adie."

  "Yo." He gives me a brief nod before reaching out to tuck a tuft of Tally's hair behind her ear. "I'll be back at six to pick you up. You have your cell phone?"

  Tally pats her pockets before lifting out a rhinestone covered phone. When she holds it up, I notice little cat ears on top. "Yes, and before you ask, I know which one is your number."

  He ignores her as he adds, "And Slater is nearby, too, if you need anything."

  "Xander, stop." She glances over her shoulder at me, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

  His brow furrows with concern. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay? My laptop’s in the car."

  "Go!" She shoves him toward the door. "I'll be fine."

  Over the top of her head, his gaze fixes on me. "You're not…hungry are you?"

  My eyes widen in shock.

  "Oh, my God, shut up!" Tally rams her shoulder against his chest to force him out the door before she yanks it shut and snaps the lock in place. She turns to face me. "I am so, so sorry."

  "He's worried I'll feed on you?" My nose wrinkles, her clay scent unappealing.

  Humans and other demons always tickle at my need to absorb energy on some level, but she doesn't register as food. Some of my cousins like to play with baku when they're in dreamland, but I never saw the appeal while I existed there.

  "Yeah, they're overprotective. I've told them most succubi stick with humans, but…" She shrugs helplessly.

  "We have a reputation."

  Guilt swamps me for how I treated Reese yesterday. I let my race's prejudice dictate how I reacted toward him when he'd done nothing wrong. The next time we meet, I need to apologize to him.

  "I had time last night after I practiced the flower designs, so I made lunch if you're hungry." Tally swings the bag in her arm. "There's enough for the imps, too."

  I smile, warmed by her thoughtfulness. "The last batch of cupcakes is cooling, so it's a good time for a break."

  We walk back to the kitchen where the imps hover around the kitchen island, small cups of espresso in their long-fingered hands.

  Tally waves. "Afternoon, everyone!"

  Large, brown eyes blink at her before Sabrina ventures, "Good afternoon, Tally."

  The pink haired demon grins at the response. "Are you hungry? I brought sandwiches."

  They nod as a group, and the one with the bob stands. "Would Tally like an espresso?" Its eyes shift to me before it taps its chest. "Martha will make you one. Martha means lady."

  Tally's eyes flicker to the baby name book on the tabletop before she gives a slow nod. "That's a fine name, and I would love an espresso."

  Pride fills me as Martha hurries through the swinging door, her steps light. I feel like a mom watching her kids grow up.

  Sabrina raises her hand to shoulder height. "Iris means colorful rainbow. It is a girl's name."

  I grin at her. "I think that suits you perfectly, Iris."

  As I watch, her eyes brighten to a sky blue, and each of her nails takes on a color of the rainbow. I wait for a moment to see if the other three will announce new names, but they stay silent.

  When Martha comes back in, a small cup of espresso in her hands, her new, blond hair catches the overhead lights, and soft curves stretch the seams of her chef coat.

  Crap, I hope the espresso machine blocked her enough that no one glancing through the front window witnessed her shape change.

  Her cheeks form apples as she smiles down at Tally, who now stands a couple inches shorter than the imp. "Espresso with foam."

  "Thank you very much, Martha." Tally accepts the cup and takes a sip. "It's delicious."

  Martha beams as she rejoins the group on the opposite side of the island. Of the five, she makes the best espresso with the little gray imp coming in a close second.

  "Now that we're all here, I would like to make an announcement." I put a hand on Tally's shoulder, and the baku demon glances up at me in surprise. "I would like to welcome Tally as our new baker."

  "Really?" Tally throws the lunch bag on the counter before she flings her arms around my waist. "You won't regret this! I promise!"

  I pat her shoulders. "You did well yesterday. I have faith that, by the end of the week, you'll be able to run the kitchen on your own."

  She releases me, her hands clasped in front of her chest, mahogany eyes shining. "I will eat all the baker dreams I can find!"

  Excitement flows through me, and my wings rustle against my spine in anticipation as I glance around the room. "We'll have a busy week figuring out everyone's positions in the bakery, but I think we'll be ready for a soft opening next Wednesday. What do you all think?"

  Tally thrusts her fists into the air. "We can do it!”

  One Step Forward

  "We open in ten minutes. Is everyone ready?" Nervous, I glance around the kitchen at my waiting staff.

  Training and preparation made the week pass faster than I expected. Tally continued to improve every day until I became confident that we'd be able to set up a baking schedule that kept Boo's Boutique Bakery covered at all times.

  Now, her hands open and close in front of her with excitement as she nods, the pink braids on either side of her head swaying. "Are the cupcakes on the tables? And is the drink bar set up?"

  "Martha." My attention shifts to the motherly imp. "You ready to have your espresso skills tested?"

  She nods, her apple red cheeks bright with excitement. "Yes, ma'am."

  "Kelly, we won't need a cashier tonight, so I need you to make sure that the cupcakes stay stocked."

  "Yes, ma'am." Kelly, who decided to keep the name after discovering it means warrior, tugs the hairnet off his newly grown beard.

  Two days ago, he took on the form of a muscular man with full facial hair, a long, black ponytail, and tattoos that cover his entire torso and arms. Tonight, he wears a button up shirt Tally borrowed from Slater. We'll need to get him his own clothes soon; the stripper bin can't keep him covered anymore.

  I focus on the rainbow-haired imp and the little gray one. "Iris and Jesse, are the silverware and plates polished?"

  "Yes," Iris answers for them both.

  I worry about the gray one. It seems to become more timid as its fellow imps shift their shapes.

  "Perry." I glance at the last imp, who had settled into a shaggy blond surfer look, with heavy-lidded eyes and a lazy smile. He tucks a pink sparkle ball into his pocket as he straightens to attention. "You'll be outside, handing out free samples and business cards. When you need a refill, you let Kelly know, okay?"

  He gives me a lazy salute.

  My hands move to my hips,
face serious. "Try to resist the urge to hide any of our guest's possessions. An unattended jacket is not an invitation to pilfer. Car keys are to be left alone."

  Unhappy mutters come from around the room, but the imps nod. Even Tally joins in, eyes wide and serious.

  I clap my hands. "Okay, everyone get to your posts. We open the doors in two minutes."

  As they scatter, I crouch next to the oven and open the little hatch. Torch flares blue in greeting. "Hey, buddy, you did good today. How about you take it easy tonight?"

  He flickers at me.

  I pull an expensive bag of pellets from my jacket pocket and shake out two fragrant wood chips. Yellowish and fine-grained, they hold a creamy scent. "I got you a little treat for tonight."

  He flares white hot as I drop the pellets into his bowl and shut the hatch.

  "Adie, it's time," Tally calls.

  ***

  "You're doing great," Tobias whispers as he drops a quick kiss on my cheek. "The food critics can't stop taking pictures of the cupcake flower bouquets."

  "Do you really think so?" I resist the urge to stare at them and instead smile at the rest of the room.

  I sent out invitations to catering businesses, party planners, food critics, bloggers, and the local businesses in our neighborhood, but I hadn't expected the huge turnout that flooded into my shop when we opened the doors almost two hours ago. Kelly has to stay on her toes to keep the trays filled, and Iris left the kitchen to make sure Perry's stays stocked with samples out front.

  "You shouldn't be surprised." Emil wipes blue frosting from his fingers. "Your projections for the bakery were solid."

  "Be a little more enthusiastic," Kellen scolds him before grinning down at me. "You did great tonight."

  Warmth floods through me at the compliment.

  "I suppose, if you really have to work, that this isn't so bad." Julian gives the crowd a hungry stare. "So much happiness just floating around in here."