Mortal Seductions Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  PRAISE FOR

  Mortal Temptations

  “Angry goddesses, hulking demons, love scenes that will melt wax . . . A brilliant release! Kudos to Allyson James—I definitely think she has a successful series on her hands.”

  —Romance Junkies

  “To say that Ms. James has a knack for paranormal romance would be an understatement . . . A beautiful, erotic romance that exemplifies once again the power love has to conquer all obstacles.”

  —Wild on Books

  “Ms. James has a way with words . . . This book is a prime example of how to do erotic romances well.”

  —Eye on Romance

  “When readers stop panting and drooling . . . they will be pleasantly surprised to learn that they’ve picked up a little travel, Egyptology, and mythology knowledge along with the advanced sexuality seminar taught by Professor James. I can’t wait to see what’s in the syllabus for next term.”

  —Romance Reader at Heart

  “The balance of intrigue, romance, and unbridled sexual fantasies makes James’s story of gods, demigods, and mortals a sizzling page-turner!”

  —Romantic Times

  The Dragon Master

  “Allyson James has created a delicious story you can read more than once!”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “The dragons are back and ready to rumble in this high-octane series from James . . . Tops yet again!”

  —Romantic Times

  The Black Dragon

  “More dragons, please, Ms. James.”

  —Night Owl Romance

  “The audience will relish this compelling entry.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Dragon fans rejoice . . . tasty and tempting reading.”

  —Romantic Times

  “Never lets up, not for one single, solitary, wonderful moment . . . Allyson James has a winning combination that makes The Black Dragon a story to remember!”

  —Romance Reader at Heart

  “Destined to leave a smile on your face and dragons in your dreams.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  Dragon Heat

  “A unique and magical urban paranormal with dragons, witches, and demons. Will keep you enthralled until the very last word!”

  —Cheyenne McCray, New York Times bestselling author of The First Sin

  “Exciting and passionate, this story is gripping from beginning to end.”

  —Romantic Times

  “[A] delightful romantic fantasy.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  Titles by Allyson James

  DRAGON HEAT

  THE BLACK DRAGON

  THE DRAGON MASTER

  MORTAL TEMPTATIONS

  MORTAL SEDUCTIONS

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada

  (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

  Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

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  (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

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  South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is an original publication of The Berkley Publishing Group.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  Copyright © 2009 by Jennifer Ashley.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  HEAT and the HEAT design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Heat trade paperback edition / September 2009

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  James, Allyson.

  Mortal seductions / Allyson James.—Heat trade pbk. ed.

  p. cm.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-14006-2

  I. Title.

  PS3610.A427M66 2009

  813’.6—dc22

  2009013295

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  PROLOGUE

  Three thousand years ago

  DEMITRI really knew how to screw. Val straddled him in the impossibly green meadow, feeling him deep inside her as his hips rocked like a boat on the water. He splayed his hands over her breasts, dark on white skin, his liquid brown eyes heavy. His cock was thick, twisting inside her, the best she’d ever had.

  Val raked her nails down his chest, letting her claws extend and draw a little blood. Demitri jumped, growled in pain, and let his eyes flick to tiger yellow. The big faker. He loved it.

  The meadow flowed under them all the way to the misty mountains, the azure sky perfect. Of course it was perfect. These were the fields of Olympus, the sacred mountain. Demitri had brought her to this forbidden place, and the sex was all the sweeter for it. Demitri had proved he wanted her enough to break the laws of his own people.

  “Worth it,” she moaned. “You are worth it, my love.”

  “Shut up,” Demitri panted.

  He balled his fists and thrust his hips upward, his huge cock stabbing her deep. Val closed her mouth. He was right—they should just enjoy.

  Demitri’s body was tight with muscle, his skin made brown by the sun. His chest was wide, nipples nestled in dark hair. He had flat abs, hips made for sexing, and the biggest cock she’d ever seen.

  She loved that cock, thick and full and throbbing every time Demitri looked at her. She loved to sink to her knees, wrap her lips around his huge arousal, and suck him all the way in. She loved to lick her way around his tight balls, part his legs, and dip her tongue toward his anal star.

  Demitri would groan and wind his hands through her hair. He loved whatever she did to him. Sweet man. She’d trapped him, the tiger-eyed demigod with the gorgeous body. Or maybe he’d trapped her.

  V
al dug her hands into his chest, this time without the claws. She could be sweet. “Come for me, lover.”

  The wide cock was doing its trick. Val rocked her hips, driving it in. At the same time Demitri reached between them and shoved his thumbs against her clit.

  Val screamed. This was why she’d let Demitri catch her, why she risked death screwing him in this meadow sacred to his people. She was forbidden here, a half-demon demigoddess from another pantheon. But she came here for Demitri. She’d do anything for him.

  Demitri groaned. He half sat up, his gorgeous face and beautiful lips coming to hers. She screamed again as his seed scalded her inside, the excess trickling in hot droplets between them.

  She clasped Demitri’s face between her hands and kissed him. She delved into his mouth with her tongue, wanting to swallow him whole.

  She could. She could turn to her true form and gobble him up. He’d die in ecstasy and he’d always be part of her.

  Val’s heart twisted. No, don’t hurt him.

  What a strange thing for her to think. She hurt everyone. She was Valenarian, the destroyer. She annihilated adulterous men, foolish mortals who ran from the beds of their wives, unable to resist Valenarian’s call. They got their just punishment.

  But Demitri was different. Demitri was . . .

  “Demitri,” she whispered against his mouth. “I love . . .”

  A blinding white light filled the valley, and the stink of divinity punched her.

  “Shit.” Val shook Demitri, but he basked in afterglow, his eyes half closed. A growl came from his throat, his pupils slitted like a cat’s. “Demitri, we have to go. Get us out of here!”

  Val shrieked as strong hands reached down and lifted her right off Demitri. Demitri’s still-hard cock slid out with pleasant friction, but Val went sick with fear.

  She landed on her feet and found herself facing an enraged goddess whose beauty was terrible. Val’s impulse to fall to her knees and press her face to the grass nearly overwhelmed her, but she forced herself to remain upright. She was demon, she was the destroyer. She’d not bow before the Goddess of Love.

  “This is my grove,” the goddess said, her voice both sultry and terrifying. “Defiled by you. Now you will face your punishment.”

  “Demitri brought me here. He defiled your grove.”

  Aphrodite slapped her. Val spun with the blow, nauseous with pain. Her heart thumped with terror, knowing that the goddess was tempering her strength. If Aphrodite let loose, Val would be dead.

  “Is that all you’ve got?” Val said, refusing to be cowed.

  Aphrodite ignored her. “Demitri. Rise.”

  “He already has,” Val snorted. This earned her another blow, and she wiped blood and tears from her face.

  Demitri stood before Aphrodite, sorrow in his eyes. “Be easy on her. I’ve watched her for a while now. She doesn’t understand the sadness she causes.”

  Val’s heart wrenched. “Demitri.”

  Demitri looked at her, his eyes dark again and filled with pain. “I’m sorry, Val.”

  “You tricked me.” The heartbreak of that overrode even her terrible fear of the goddess. “You planned to give me to her all the time.”

  Demitri looked away. He was still naked, still beautiful, tall and glorious in this summer meadow.

  “You son of a bitch,” Val cried. “You told me you wanted me, that you couldn’t resist me.”

  “No,” Demitri said, his voice tight. “You believed me because you wanted to.” He looked at Aphrodite. “She truly doesn’t know.”

  “Well, she will learn.”

  “What do you mean, I don’t know?” Val snapped. “Don’t talk about me like I’m a child. I’m a daughter of Heka. I’m the slayer of unfaithful men. They bleat to their wives that they love them, but all I have to do is crook my finger, and they come running.” Val pointed at Demitri. “You did the same.”

  “She entices them to stray when they wouldn’t have,” Demitri said. “She leads them to their doom. I’ve seen the aftermath, the broken families, the hungry children.”

  “They’re cheating, lying bastards!”

  “She does this to innocents?” Aphrodite asked.

  “She used to be a simple vengeance demon,” Demitri told her. “At first she did slay only those men who ruined women’s lives. Somewhere that warped inside her. Now she calls all men, whether they are guilty or not. She used to destroy for justice, now she’s caught in the joy of it.” He looked sad. “She does it well.”

  “What about you?” Val said desperately. “You couldn’t resist me. You love me.”

  Demitri put a hand on her shoulder. It was such a warm, caring hand that she almost melted. “Aphrodite asked me to help her stop you.”

  Val jerked away. “No. You love me. You told me.”

  Demitri’s eyes flickered again, tears welling inside them. “You did make me happy, but I knew it was illusion.”

  “No, with you it wasn’t.”

  “It always is, Val. You’ve lost the capacity to understand the pain you cause. Aphrodite will help you.”

  Tears of rage streamed down her cheeks, smearing the blood and dirt on them. “You lying bastard, you said you loved me. I’ll kill you.”

  Val lunged at him with claws extended, flailing against his flawless skin. Demitri deflected her with one rapid blow. Val stumbled back into the goddess, and Aphrodite’s arms closed around her like a trap.

  Tears rained down Demitri’s face. “Take her and go.”

  “Demitri, I love you.” Val struggled against the goddess, but it was like fighting a mountain. “I didn’t lie when I told you that.”

  “Maybe. Which is why Aphrodite will be kinder to you than you deserve.”

  Aphrodite grabbed Val’s face, twisted her head around. “Look into my eyes.”

  Val fought desperately. To look into the eyes of a goddess was death to a demon.

  The goddess put two fingers on Val’s eyelids, forced her to meet her gaze. Sudden, awful power washed through Val’s body, and she stopped struggling. She stopped thinking, stopped doing, stopped everything.

  Demitri watched Val’s lovely body go limp, her red-streaked black hair uncurl down her back as though magic had kept it in its enticing ringlets. She hadn’t been wrong about Demitri loving her—when they’d been alone, and Val had forgotten herself, they’d laughed and loved, argued and made up. It had been the best experience of Demitri’s life.

  But Aphrodite was right. Valenarian had to be stopped.

  “Thank you, Demitri.” Aphrodite gave him a nod, the only reward he’d get for his broken heart. “She will serve me now, and be healed.”

  Demitri bowed, unhappiness robbing him of words.

  A flash of light, and the meadow was empty. No Aphrodite, no Val, nothing but untouched beauty. Insects hummed and birds called to one another as they floated over the flower-studded grass.

  Demitri fell facedown on the ground and wept. He wept like a demigod, his tears streaming so thick and fast a little rivulet formed under his body and flowed away across the grass.

  He felt a touch on his shoulder, a male hand, calloused and hard. “You all right?”

  It was the voice of Andreas, his friend and companion, a demigod who could take the shape of a white leopard. Demitri rolled over and looked up at him. “No.”

  “Let her go,” Andreas said. “Plenty more in the world where she came from. We’ll show you.”

  “Leave him be,” another voice rumbled. Demitri’s friend Nikolaus stood on his other side, the man’s silken black wings flowing to his heels. Both men were naked, muscles gleaming in the sunshine.

  Demitri got to his feet, wiping away tears. “It was necessary,” he said.

  “Doesn’t mean it was easy,” Nico said. He wrapped a consoling wing around Demitri’s shoulders.

  “No.” It had been surprisingly difficult. The damn woman had gotten under his skin.

  Nico ran a thumb across Demitri’s jaw, then slanted a com
forting kiss to his lips. “We can’t erase what happened, but maybe we can ease the pain a little.”

  Demitri looked into his best friend’s dark eyes and nodded. Nico and Andreas were a mischievous, incorrigible pair, always in trouble, but they were loyal friends and companions.

  Andreas, always more direct, closed his fist around Demitri’s deflated cock and squeezed. Then he kissed Demitri, released him, and called his leopard form. “Let’s run,” he said as he changed.

  Demitri’s tiger flowed through him, altering his body into that of a sleek beast. He hit the ground on all fours, easily catching up to and overtaking the smaller cat of Andreas. Nico skimmed behind them, black wings outstretched, his god’s body glowing.

  Friends for eternity, Demitri thought. Nothing will part us. Nothing . . .

  1

  WE need to help her, Demitri.” Demitri had returned from his luncheon with his organization of hoteliers to find the Goddess of Love waiting in his office. Just what I need. Aphrodite wanting a favor. You couldn’t exactly say no to the gods, even if it meant destroying your life to help them.

  Outside the dirt-streaked windows, Cairo seethed at a dizzying pace. Even in the heat of the day, the streets were packed with cars, trucks, buses, and tourists. Demitri’s hotel was a lush, cool oasis of calm in the huge city. His office reflected the luxury of the small hotel, with lattice screens, comfortable chairs, and a tiny whispering fountain.

  Aphrodite had chosen to wear a bright blue Indian sari, because she had no idea what country she was in and didn’t much care. Her hair was neatly pulled back into a knot, and her nails gleamed with pale pink nail polish. Jewelry bedecked her fingers and bracelets whispered on her arms. She looked like a lovely upper-class Indian lady visiting exotic Egypt.