Soul Stripper (6 page)

I
woke up to the sound of beeping and the smell of industrial cleaning agents. My eyes fluttered open, and the light was blinding.

“There you are.” I recognized Drew’s voice immediately. “I didn’t have the new boyfriend’s number to call, so I waited.”

“The new who?” I put a hand to my head, putting the pieces together. I was in a hospital. Drew was with me. . . . I had a boyfriend? Oh, right. I have a boyfriend now. Sort of.

I sat up, immediately dizzy. “He’s not new.” My voice sounded gravely in my head. “He’s an old boyfriend. A very, very old boyfriend.”

“Okay,” Drew said. “Either way, I didn’t have his number, so I sat with you.”

“It’s in my phone,” I said. When he didn’t say anything more, I fell back onto the pillow. “How long have I been out?” I put a hand to my head, which was now only slightly throbbing.

“Oh, maybe forty-five minutes.” He coughed to hide his smile. “The doctor said it was better that you were out during the stitches.”

“Stitches? I needed stitches?”

“On your leg. I have to say—I wouldn’t have guessed you to be the squeamish type around blood.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

A pregnant pause hung in the air. “Well, let’s get you home.”

“I’m allowed to go home?”

This time he didn’t try to hide his laugh. “Yes, Monica. They rarely keep people overnight for a few stitches.”

I glared at him overdramatically, then sighed. “Okay, then. Let’s go home.”

As we walked out to Drew’s car, he held my arm to steady me. I could feel the ache deep in my bones; the itch was raging. My powers were very low, and being this close to Drew made the sexual urge so strong that it physically hurt. His skin burned on mine. I could feel his heart beating against my body, and his other arm snaked around my shoulder. I took a deep breath and let my head fall onto his chest. “This is nice,” I said. I could always blame what I said on the painkillers.

His arms clenched around me. Nervous. I was making him nervous. The tightness only reminded me of how hard and defined his muscles were beneath those clothes. A flare of heat shot between my legs and up through my torso. “Even though the doctors told me it was just a simple case of fainting, there was a part of me that worried you wouldn’t wake up. Irrational, I know.” He looked down at me, the slightest hint of a smile twitching at his lips. “But when you care for someone, irrational thoughts pop up now and then.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” After a moment, I added, “So, you care about me, do you?” My crooked grin was tilted up toward him, and his smile grew wider.

“Oh, c’mon, now. No fishing for compliments. You’re my best friend—you know I do.” He gave my shoulder a little squeeze and then released me to open the car door.

“I’m your best friend?” I asked, my words starting to slur. “We hardly see each other outside of work.”

He shrugged as he balanced my arm, lowering me to the seat. “Guess I’m sort of a loner.” Once I was in the car, he reached over me and pulled the seat belt across my body to the buckle. In doing so, his hand accidentally brushed across my breast. He jumped back as though my nipple had burned him. He mumbled something in the form of an apology.

“I could have done that, you know,” I said, referring to buckling myself in.

“Really? I’m not so sure you could. Not after all those Vicodin.”

“You totally copped a feel, dude.” Man, maybe I
was
high.

He immediately pulled back and put his hands on his hips. “It was an accident.”

I nodded.
Shit, why’d I have to tease him.
“Of course.”

“Touching your breast was just a perk—um, an
accidental
perk.” He walked around the other side of the car and slid into the driver’s seat. “Quite the perky perk.” He turned the key and the car growled to life. “Guess God decided to throw me a bone for helping ya out.” He glanced over at me, a contented smile relaxed onto his face.

“I think God threw
me
a bone,” I said, my eyes drifting to his crotch.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, probably adjusting himself.

After a few moments of silent driving, Drew spoke up again. “You might want to call in tonight at your—um, other job.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, that makes sense, I guess. Not many guys get off on seeing stitches.”

“God, I hope not. I can call the club for you.”

I nodded, feeling my eyelids getting heavy. After another minute, I could barely keep my head off the back of the seat.

“Painkillers are working, I see,” Drew said. Only in my ears the words sounded deeper and stretched out.

I had my hand in front of my face, fingers splayed out. I was staring at my hand as though it held the answer to the universe. Drugs don’t normally have much effect on me—I had to admit, this was sort of fun.

To my left, I could hear laughter. Who was laughing at me? I was going to have to kick someone’s ass. My head felt heavy, like a bowling ball. I couldn’t lift it to see where the laughter was coming from. My chin flopped over to my shoulder, and I was again looking at perfection. My Drew.

“Drew,” I said.

“Mm?”

“Dreeeeeeew.”

He laughed in response. I’d let it slide. Just this once. “An-dreeeeew.”

“What is it, Monica?” He put his hand on my knee, and if I could feel anything but numbness I was sure I would have felt the excitement between my legs.

“Drew. What do you see in Adrienne?”

I could hear a sigh come from my left. “You don’t know her like I do, Monica. She’s really very sweet when she wants to be. When she opens herself up to being vulnerable—she really is a lot like you sometimes. I think you two could be friends, even. It’s like she . . .”

And that’s about the point I fell asleep. Maybe even by choice. I sure as Hell didn’t want to hear any more. Don’t even know why I asked.

T
welve hours and a blissful night’s sleep later, light spilled in through my bedroom window, washing over me. I stretched, my nude body gliding over the silky sheets. I was moist between my legs and could feel the swelling and throbbing of my clit. Eyes still closed, I slid one hand down, lightly tickling my breast, abs, and thigh along the way. My other hand pinched my left nipple, and I moaned at my own pleasure. The flesh was soft and smooth between my legs, and I inserted two fingers as deep as I could, crying out at the sweet release of my touch. I thought of Drew, his lips on my neck, nipping at my earlobe. No, wait—I should be thinking of Wills.
Wills
licking me down between my breasts, lapping at my nipple. Oh well. Hell—why can’t they both be here? It was my fucking fantasy.

I imagined both men in my bed—teasing me, licking me. At my service. I thought of their lips trailing down my neck and body and brought myself to climax with two men’s faces flashing in my mind.

I imagined myself collapsing onto Drew’s body, sticky and sweaty once we had all finished. I was lying on my stomach, and I could feel the weight of Wills lying down on top of me like a Monica sandwich. I felt lips on my shoulder. On my neck. On my ear. On my cheek. Which was weird—in most of my fantasies, they ended after everyone came. Cuddling is not typically fantasy material. The weight on my back felt all too real—

I opened one eye and found myself staring at a curtain of jet black hair. There was someone lying on top of me—but whereas in my dream it was hard pectoral muscles, here I felt soft breasts and a slim stomach against my bare ass.

“Well, good morning, star shine.”

The voice was familiar, but I screamed and jumped out of bed anyway, grabbing my sheets around me. I took a moment to gather myself. “Kayce! Fuck!” My best friend sat on her elbow, spread out on the bed.

She laughed and lit a cigarette. “Ha,
fuck
is right.” Her voice was raspy, as though she had been to a party the night before. But I knew better; that was just her voice. She sat up in my bed and tucked one foot under her. “Want one?” She held out the pack to me. “Looks like you may need it after what I just saw.”

I hesitated, thinking of what Lucien had said the other night. But no mortals were around . . . and she was right. A cigarette would take the edge off. I looked down at my naked body wrapped in the sheet. “Why am I naked? Drew took me home last night.” I paused and then added, “And why the Hell were you lying on top of me?”

Kayce shrugged, a small smile teasing her lips. Her eyebrows arched as she handed me the lighter. When she didn’t bother answering, I lit up, making eye contact with my best friend’s almond brown eyes. “What the Hell, Kayce. What did I tell you about teleporting into my apartment?”

“I
didn’t.
” She took a drag and blew the smoke high into the air above her head. “You left the damn door unlocked. What have I told you about doing that?”

I shook my head at her. Kayce seemed so tough sometimes but still got caught up in such mortal practices—like locking doors.

“Did you hear what I said? Drew brought me home last night. I was tanked on painkillers. I guess he forgot to lock the door behind him.”

Kayce’s face crinkled. “That doesn’t sound like Drew. He’s Mr. Protective.” She took another drag of her cigarette. “Painkillers? New addiction?”

“No, not quite.” I lifted the sheet to show her my stitches. “Addiction to masochism? Also no.” I handed her the cigarette and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Even though I don’t need to, I’ve always liked the way my mouth feels after. All minty fresh and shit.

“How the Hell did that happen?” Her voice raised an octave, shrill enough to match the mating call of the stray cats outside.

“It’s a long story. I’m fine now. Besides, Kayce, we’re immortal. We don’t need to lock our doors. If I wanted to, I could shift into a three-hundred-pound man and kick the shit out of any intruder.”

She made a
pffshh
sound through her teeth, similar to the noise a leaky tire makes. “Yeah, right. You’d have to sleep with someone much better than the trash who hang out at your club to have enough force in your reserves pull that off. Someone like . . .”

“Don’t say it, Kayce. . . .”

“Drew.”

I groaned. “In
theory,
Kayce. Hell.” I ignored her comment about Drew. “Besides, I can sense most immortals who come within fifty yards of my home. They’re the only real threat. No need to ever lock my door.”

“Really? You can
sense
when another immortal is near?” Her tone was biting and sarcastic. Behind me, I could hear the rustle of her standing up.

“What?” I asked through a foamy, toothpaste-filled mouth.

“If your senses and powers are as strong as you think they are, why are those stitches still in your leg? Just heal yourself.” She stood there haughtily, sucking on her cigarette. “And while we’re at it, why don’t you go ahead and retrace the events of this morning.”

“Ummm, OK.” I matched her cynical tone. “I was sleeping. Then masturbating. Then your annoying ass came in and fucked with me.”

Her weight was on one foot and she jutted her hip out like some Renaissance-styled sculpture. She cocked her head and smiled sarcastically. “Close, but not quite.” I wanted to smack that smug little smile off her face. “I was watching you for almost twenty minutes before you woke up and noticed me. And even that was only because I took a little action.”

I stared at her, foaming toothpaste gathering at the corners of my mouth. “Twenty minutes? Could you be any creepier?! Besides, what does that prove?” I asked again, spitting into my sink. “Outside of you being a voyeur—” The toothbrush dropped from my grip, clinking next to the drain. “Oh, my Hell. I couldn’t sense you! Kayce, why couldn’t I sense you?” I could feel the strain in my throat as my voice became more shrill. For a second, I had a glimmer of hope—was I no longer immortal? Maybe Hell had released its hold on me and I was getting another chance at mortality.

“I don’t know.” Kayce’s smug look faltered momentarily, showing her concern for the situation. “I just figured you were low on your powers. Maybe the painkillers threw you off your game? How long has it been since you had sex?”

“The night before last. And he was a
good
guy, too. Had a wife and everything.” I put the toilet seat down so I had somewhere to sit. “You know, I knew something was off yesterday. I was way too tired for having just had sex. I figured I had just pushed myself too hard and with Wills being back in town . . .”

“Wills? The guy from World War Two?” Kayce’s eyes widened. “Holy shit, that’s awesome! Is he just a bag of wrinkles now?”

“No,” I said, still sitting on the can. “No, he’s actually a demon now. Sold his soul back in the day on the battlefield.”

Kayce paused, forehead crinkled in thought. “That’s a bit odd. Do you think he has something to do with this?”

I shook my head. “No, he’s a lower-level demon. His powers were barely even a blip on my radar. He doesn’t have the abilities for something like this.”

“Okay,” Kayce said. “Who else did you come in contact with last night?”

“Seriously? I was at Hell’s Lair—there were a ton of people there.”

“Who did you talk to, though?”

“Lucien and I had a long conversation. There was Lenny—he was pissed I was late again. T, as usual. And then Erik is the guy I had sex with. And of course I was around Drew and Adrienne—”

“You don’t think Adrienne has some sort of power over you, do you?”

I thought for a moment. “I never got any power readings from her. Her aura was bright red, though.”

Kayce tsked. “No shit? She’s banging some other guy? Poor Drew. Oh well . . . he’s an idiot if he thought someone like Adrienne would ever be faithful.”

“He’s not an idiot,” I said. “He’s just trusting.” My stomach growled a long, low grumble. “Holy shit.” I brought my hand to my abs. “I’m hungry.” I smiled at the thought. “I’m
actually
hungry.”

“Hello! Monica, reality check here. Try doing something succubus related. Try shifting into your clothes for today.”

I stood up from where I was sitting on the toilet, closed my eyes, and imagined myself in a leather skirt and bra. My stomach growled, but nothing else happened. “Wow.” I stared at my reflection in the mirror. “I don’t have any sort of glow, either. I just had sex two nights ago with a guy who had an affair—I should still be emulating that.”

“This is terrible!” Kayce exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. “How are you going to get around without your succubus powers?”

“Calm down. I’ll get around like any other human.”

“But you’re
not
human, Monica. And scary things that go bump in the night might be coming after you.”

“You are awfully melodramatic today.” I laughed. “We’ll go see Lucien after I eat some breakfast!” I was more excited than I wanted to admit about feeling this hunger thing after so long. I mean, we succubi eat and enjoy food. But I hadn’t actually felt hungry in quite a long time. I went to my closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a fitted, black backless shirt. I looked up at Kayce. She was biting her nails and her eyebrows were furrowed over her eyes. I decided to change the subject—for her sake. “You’re looking awfully good, though. Get lucky last night?”

“You know it,” she said, lowering her fingernail from her mouth.

“So, who’s the guy you bagged?”

She rolled her eyes and plopped down on my bed. “Ugh, I fucked the geekiest comic book nerd last night. Total virgin. We had to be quiet all night so not to wake his mom, but it was worth it.” She gestured to her body. “Got a good glow from it.”

Kayce had chosen a gorgeous body as her mortal persona. Asian, with jet black, waist-long hair and enormous coffee-bean eyes. Comic book readers were her main target—and a good one, too. Typically a pretty wholesome crowd. She tended to hit the con circuits, scouring the fans for those virgins.

Over an hour later, I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup. I forgot how much time regular women put into their appearance. Shit, it almost wasn’t worth it. Drew’s face flashed into my mind. Then again, some men make it worthwhile, I suppose.

I was gathering items from my nightstand . . . my phone, keys, and some extra cash hanging out on the side table. Under my keys was a yellow envelope, the type you get with a greeting card at Hallmark. My name was written on the front in a cursive script. I pulled the card out, and on the front was a group of cartoony gravestones and at the top
Happy Halloween
was written in sparkly orange lettering. This was weird for a few reasons: (1) It was April. (2) Who the Hell sends Halloween cards? It’s not a greeting card sort of holiday, is it? I opened the card, and in the same cursive, loopy handwriting, a short note was written.

And that was it. That’s all it said. A strange saying from a children’s game that I never quite understood, anyway.

From my living room, Kayce shouted something at me. I shoved the cryptic note into my purse and ran out there to meet her. “What did you say?”

“I said: I’m bored! Let’s
go.
”

“Ok, okay.” My keys were already in hand, and as we left my apartment, I hesitated a moment, the tip of my key touching the lock.

“Yes,” Kayce said. “Lock the damn door, Monica.”

I didn’t bother arguing this time. Especially in light of the weird note that was definitely not on my nightstand the prior morning.

My ponytail swung back and forth across my shoulders as we walked out of my building. My phone buzzed, and I looked down to see a text from Wills:

 

 

I texted him back:
Let’s do drinks instead. Later tonight. I’ve got some errands to run first.

I waited for his confirmation and then tossed my phone back into my purse.

“I wouldn’t mind getting a bite to eat, either. One of the best things about being a succubus—I can eat a whole box of doughnuts and not worry about my hips. You on the other hand, should probably order egg whites. Just in case.”

I paused a moment, imagining bland egg whites. Then I imagined myself with an extra fifty pounds. My stomach growled again, and I shot Kayce a look. One breakfast wouldn’t kill my figure. “Egg whites? Only if they come on the side of my pancakes. Where do you feel like eating? A diner?”

“Anywhere close. Let’s grab bagels at your coffee shop.”

I stopped midstep. “You
cannot
be serious.” Kayce stood there staring at me. “Kayce! I can’t let Drew see me like
this!
” I gestured up and down my body.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Monica, you look
fine
. He’ll love the ‘wholesome’ look anyway!”

“Fine. But if Adrienne is there all dolled up, we are turning around immediately!”

“Fair enough.” Kayce picked up her speed. I had to take twice as many steps just to keep up with her.

The bells atop the door jingled as we walked in. Sitting at the front table was Erik. I began to wave, but his wide eyes made me pause. Sitting next to him was, I assumed, his wife. She was dressed in a very plain but expensive-looking suit, reading her buzzing iPhone. She looked up upon hearing the jingle of the door, but her eyes barely gave me a second’s glance before she went back to her phone, her mousy brown bob falling in her eyes as she lowered her head.

“Yum-
my,
” Kayce whispered to me when she saw Erik. “Was that your last fix?”

I nodded, taking Kayce’s arm in mine and dragging her to the front. Glancing back over my shoulder, I could see Erik’s hungry gaze watching Kayce and me walking together.