Courts and Cabals 2 G.S. D'Moore (the little red hen read aloud .txt) 📖

I gave her a look, and she smiled weakly. We both knew there was a better chance Hell would freeze over. When Lilith returned, she was still steaming; but it wasn’t directed at me. Dani and I both reassured her that I would resist, but she told us to stop lying to ourselves.

“She’s paying you a hundred grand for the evening,” the succubus added, and I tried really hard not to look happy about that. “This isn’t your fault,” she reassured me, and gave my hand a comforting squeeze. “If my mother has plans, we can’t stop them. She’s a force of nature. It’s better to face them together and try to weather the storm.”

Despite her statement, I found myself alone outside Venus’s room at exactly six o’clock. The last time I met a succubus at exactly six o’clock, my life had turned upside down. I hoped history didn’t repeat itself.

I’d dressed for battle; loose, baggy, and unappealing layers adorned me. I’d had Fern assist me in getting on the fashion equivalent of a chastity belt. Lilith had supervised, and although she appreciated the effort, we both knew resistance was futile.

“You can do this . . . deep breath . . . no means no . . .” I actually gave myself a psych-up speech to avoid getting laid. My life was weird.

I raised my hand to knock, but she beat me to it. “Hello, Cameron,” she pulled open the door before my fist made contact.

She was in a pair of mom jeans, a t-shirt that didn’t show any cleavage at all, and wearing an apron with a “kiss the chef” slogan. She pulled a strand of dark chocolate hair away from her eyes that had escaped her ponytail, and wiped beads of sweat from her forehead in the process.

“Come on in,” her smile didn’t hit me like a nuclear missile. In fact, my cock barely stirred under the several layers of clothing.

“Um . . . thanks,” I was completely off balance as I stepped into her private quarters.

“The coat rack is by the door, the table is set, and I’m almost finished with the meal. Give me five minutes, and help yourself to some wine,” she walked away, and I was able to resist the temptation to watch; even in mom jeans, her ass was undoubtedly fantastic.

“So far, so good,” I decided to take off my jacket because it was hot in here.

Her suite was noticeably bigger than mine, which didn’t surprise me. It had a family room with a large TV, and a dining room with enough space to fit a dozen comfortably. I assumed that was where the Venitas family Christmas Eve dinner occurred. Only two places were set; the head of the table and the space to the right. The china, glassware, and silverware looked ordinary, and not what I’d expect from a creature whose net worth had to be at least ten figures.

I took a seat at the right hand of the table and grabbed the decanter of wine. I was no aficionado, but it smelled complex. I was only eighteen, but Venus didn’t seem to care, and if I was being honest, I needed a drink. Just one; enough to take the edge off, but no more. I wasn’t going to let her get me drunk.

“Damn that’s good,” I was a beer guy all the way, but this was some good wine.

I heard her whistle as she came closer – I swear to all the other gods it was the theme to the Andy Griffin Show – and she appeared with two steaming plates in her hand. She placed one at each table setting, pulled off the apron before sitting down, and tossed it haphazardly in the corner. She took her seat with a smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back; not because of her charms, but because the meal looked delicious: a filet mignon, baked potato, and broccoli on the side. I was literally a meat and potatoes guy, and she’d nailed what I was craving.

“You had to know this was my favorite meal?” I asked, cocking an eye at her.

“Guilty,” she smiled, and it still had no hypersexual effect on me. “I called your mother.”

I’d started to cut up my stake, but her words paralyzed me. In all the shit that had gone down, it hadn’t occurred to me to call my folks and let them know I was okay. Not only that I was okay, but I wasn’t some heartless criminal. They needed to know that I wasn’t what the UN, FBI, or even that mountain lion shifter Sheriff chick were saying about me.

“Don’t worry,” Venus gave my hand a pat, which sent a jolt of craving through me. It was nothing I couldn’t handle. It could easily have been that I was starving and the meal looked damn good.

“You’ve been through hell the last week. No one expected you to remember to call home while running for your life. I spoke with your mother and father. I told them you were okay, and that this whole thing is a misunderstanding we’re going to clear up. They wanted me to send you their love, and we both thought this was the best way to do it,” Venus waved at the meal in front of me.

“The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” I remembered what mom used to say as she baked cookies for dad.

“Yeah, that’s easy for you to say,” I was still upset about not remembering to call the people who took me in and cared for me for the last decade. I tipped back the glass of wine, and poured myself some more.

“Easy there, minor,” she grinned, but took a sip of her own glass. “Tell me about your