The Devil's Dream: A Dark Romance (Dark Romance Novel Book 1) (3 page)

“This is as far as we will go tonight,” he said suddenly, appearing to read her mind once again. “When I take you, you will be begging for it,” he whispered.

She gulped, knowing that he was probably right. Skilled fingers quickly brought her to a body shattering orgasm. She screamed out, unable to contain herself. “Beautiful,” he breathed. “Again.”

“No, I c-can’t.”

He pushed deeper, increasing the pace of his strokes, touching something inside of her that drove her over the edge. Her hips began to move on their own accord, pushing against his hand, begging for another release. “Now, Kiana," he ordered. To her amazement and embarrassment, her body complied. Another orgasm gripped her, sending her into uncontrollable convulsions. He didn’t stop, soon bringing her to the height of ecstasy once again.

Kiana lay on the bed, her limbs relaxed and totally useless. Her eyelids drooped, and she tried to force them open. Fingers caressed her cheek. “Don’t fight it,” Stavros whispered. She pried her eyes open one last time to look at him. A cold chill ran down her spine. He was looking down at her with rapacious and feral eyes. She caught a glimpse of something dark. She knew he would bring her nothing but trouble. But for some twisted reason, she couldn’t wait for that trouble, and she couldn’t wait until he took things further, giving her more than slight touches with his fingers. He grinned salaciously down at her, indicating that he knew exactly what she was thinking. She scowled.
How fucking annoying
, she thought before drifting off to sleep.

Stavros stared down at Kiana after she gave in to sleep. He frowned. If it was any other woman, he would have fucked her into tomorrow, right here in the cold, sterile clinic. But for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to do that to Kiana. He studied her relaxed body on the bed for a long while. “I have big plans for you,” he said into the silence. But he knew he would have to be careful with this one—he couldn’t let emotions get in the way too much. He got up and walked out of the room.

He sat in his office with his feet elevated on the desk. He puffed a cigar, deep in thought. He could think of nothing but the woman sleeping in his clinic upstairs. Muttering a curse, he whipped out his cell phone, determined to get rid of the thoughts. “Jeremy, how’s business tonight?”

Chapter Five—Stavros

Stavros stared at the woman sitting in front of him. Her lips were moving, but he wasn’t hearing a word. He had taken Kiana home early this morning, but she still consumed his mind. He shoved down a grin, remembering her horrified expression when she had woken up to find herself in the clinic. “Why the hell didn’t you wake me and take me home?” She had seethed.

“Don’t you feel much better after getting a few hours of sleep?” He had asked. She blushed and nodded grudgingly. He recalled the emotions that had flitted across her face: shame, fear, and gratitude. It seemed that his method of relaxation had been very effective.

He wanted to see her again tonight, which puzzled him, because he always avoided spending too much time with one woman. He never gave them time to become too attached. The woman sitting in front of his desk leaned forward, bringing his attention back to the interview. She smiled at him, her gaze flirtatious. “Are you alright, Dr. Kane?”

He nodded. “Fine.” He glanced down at her file. “So, Ms. Kate Morrow. How long have you been suffering from insomnia?”

“Just Kate,” she purred, batting her eyelashes. “And over five months now.”

He studied her closely, trying to get a read on her. He tapped his pen on his clipboard. “I see.”

She smiled at him, “Something wrong, doctor?”

“Not at all Ms. Morrow—I mean, Kate,” he corrected when she gave him a pout.

“Good, because I’m hoping you can help me with my sleeping problem and… anything else you are willing to help me with.” Her gaze ran over him appreciatively.

His eyebrows shot up. “You fit the requirements for my study, Kate. Look for a call before the end of the week.”

She got up and leaned over his desk, extending her hand. He stood up and accepted, taking her hand in his. “Thank you, Dr. Kane. I’m so anxious to get this pesky sleeping problem resolved.” She pinned him with green eyes. “I am confident you are just the man for the job.”

He smirked. "I’m glad you think so, Kate.” He dropped her hand and took his seat. If only she knew what she was getting herself into. Sure, he would help her with her problem, but she would be assisting him as well. His lips twitched. He thought his plan was the most brilliant one he had come up with yet.

Kate looked back and smiled sweetly once she reached the door. He smiled back and watched her exit his office. He let out a breath. “Another long day of interviews,” he muttered. He could think of a few things that he would rather be doing, and they all involved a certain woman who was fighting her attraction to him. He smiled. He would break her soon enough.

Chapter Six—Kiana

Kiana glanced at her overnight bag anxiously. Tonight would be the first night she would spend at Stavros Kane’s clinic. After what took place last week, she wasn’t sure if she should still go through with the study. In her opinion, things between them had gotten way too personal. She flushed at the memory of their encounter. Now she wouldn’t be able to look at the clinic bed the same. She stuck a finger into the high collar of her dress and pulled in an effort to let a little air inside. Heat emanated from her as she relived every touch. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she could feel his fingers inching up her thighs.

She let out a frustrated moan. How could she go back to his clinic and face him? She could already see the smug look he would give her. It would look exactly like the one he had given her the morning her took her home. She still couldn’t believe she had allowed things to go so far, and what was even more unbelievable was the fact that she enjoyed his touch. “It’s only because I’m sex-deprived,” she muttered to herself, trying to justify her feelings.

Looking at the overnight bag again, she made up her mind.

I’m not going through with this
. Just as she made her decision, her cell rang.

“Hi, Jaz.”

“Get your butt out here. I’m in front of your building.”

“Oh, okay. And uh, I’ve decided that I’m going to drop out of the study.”

“What?” She gave an exasperated sigh. “I’m coming up.”

Kiana rolled her eyes. She didn’t see any need for Jasmine to come up. She dropped the phone and went to open the door. Jasmine appeared at the doorway, breathing heavily. “Girl, why don’t you live on the first floor?” She panted.

Kiana stepped aside to allow her in. “You could have used the elevator.”

“Never mind that. Now, what is this I hear about you not going to the clinic? What happened to suddenly change your mind?”

Kiana shrugged. “I just don’t feel like doing it anymore, that’s all.” She couldn’t tell her sister that she was backing out because she couldn’t face the handsome doctor in charge of the study.

Jasmine gave her a look of disbelief. “But you
need
this, honey. Look at you! I can see the exhaustion in your eyes. I didn’t agree with this sleep study stuff at first, but the more I think about it, I really think you need it.”

Kiana averted her gaze, “Actually, I’m feeling much better.”

“Right. I guess that’s why you can’t even look me in the eye.” Jasmine glanced at the couch. “You’re bag is already packed, I know you wanna go. Grab it and get in the car.”

Anger rose up in Kiana. “You can’t tell me what to do, Jaz. It’s really none of your business.” She threw her sister a heated look. “Why are you so concerned about me all of a sudden?”

Taken aback, Jasmine regarded her with confusion. “What do you mean all of the sudden? You’re my baby sister.  I’m
always
concerned about your wellbeing!”

Kiana grunted, “The past has proven otherwise.”

Jasmine paused, with hurt clouding her features. “Kiana...”

“You know what? Fine. I’ll go.” She grabbed her bag and headed to the door. “I will get into your damn car and I will go to the clinic.” She stopped at the doorway and looked back at Jasmine. “Well, let’s go.”

Jasmine sighed heavily, “What the hell was that for?” She asked, walking to the door.

Folding her arms, Kiana gave her an annoyed look, “You’re really asking me that?”

“Are we ever going to talk about it?”

“I really don’t think there’s anything to talk about.”

Jasmine opened her mouth to protest, but seeing the determination set in her sister’s face, she closed her mouth and walked off.

Kiana stared at her retreating for a few seconds, then let out a breath. She wasn’t up for discussing their past, not when she had Dr. Kane to worry about. So in order to avoid talking about it, she chose what was, in her opinion, the lesser of two evils. She would much rather face Stavros than dredge up her miserable past.

Sliding into the passenger seat of Jasmine’s car, she glanced at her. “I could have driven myself, but thanks,” she grumbled.

Jasmine shook her head, “I’m getting fed up with your attitude toward me, baby sis.”

Kiana rolled her eyes, but remained silent. She had every right to give her sister attitude after Jasmine left her when she was younger. “Sorry,” she grumbled at last, hoping her half-assed apology would make her drop the subject entirely. When Jasmine had offered her a ride to the clinic, she should have refused, and all of this would have been avoided.

They fell into silence, which made the drive awkward for them both. Kiana squirmed in her seat and prayed for them to reach their destination soon. Jasmine stole glances at her sister every now and then and let out distressed sighs, which Kiana pretended not to hear. “We’re here,” Jasmine finally announced.

Thank God
. Kiana didn’t think she could endure another minute in the confined space with Jasmine throwing her pitiful looks of regret. “Great, thanks. So I’ll see you later,” she said, jumping out of the car.

“Wait, I’m coming up with you.”

She stuck her head back in the car. “There’s really no need for that.”

Jasmine sucked her teeth and slid out of the car, disregarding Kiana’s words. She followed behind her through the glass double doors.

Kiana looked over her shoulder with a deep scowl but made no comment.
Let her come along, no big deal
. They reached Dr. Kane’s office. The receptionist, Marie, smiled warmly. “Ms. Taylor, hello.”

“Hi. You remember my name?”

“Of course I do. I’m very good with names and faces. How are you?”

Nervous as fuck
. “I’m alright, thank you.” Kiana’s eyes flitted around the room anxiously, looking for any sign of Stavros. She let out a breath, realizing that he wasn’t there. Marie’s eyes landed on Jasmine. “Uh, this is my sister, Jasmine.”

Marie smiled, “I can see the resemblance.” She picked up a clipboard and stepped from behind the desk. Handing the clipboard to Kiana, she said, “You are required to sign a few more documents before you go up to the clinic.”

“Sure.” Kiana accepted the clipboard and took a seat. She shook her head, musing at the amounts of documents she had signed since deciding to participate in the study. She peered down at the paper, attempting to read the fine print. She hoped she wasn’t signing away her soul. Stavros’s cool gray eyes flashed across her mind, and she shivered. Maybe she
was
signing over her soul to the devil, Stavros Kane. There was something about him that she couldn’t put her finger on. Something dark.
And dangerous.
She finished filling in the blank spaces on the form and turned it in.

Mari scanned the document and smiled, satisfied. “Alright, Ms. Taylor, you can go ahead upstairs. Just follow the signs and the arrows.”

“Thank you.” She knew her way to the clinic very well. Every detail of the night she spent with Stavros was prominent in her mind. When they reached the elevator, Kiana turned to Jasmine. “You don’t have to follow me up there.”

“I'd like to see the clinic.” Placing her hands on her hips, she gave Kiana a pointed stare. “Why are you trying to get rid of me?”

“Whatever, come along if you really want to,” she snapped as she stepped into the elevator. She tapped her feet anxiously as the lift ascended.

“So, should I come and get you tomorrow?” Jasmine asked.

Kiana shook her head. “No, it’s fine. You don’t have to leave work to do that.”

“It wouldn’t be a problem.”

“I said, no.”

They fell into silence until the elevator doors slid open. Kiana eyed Jasmine, “Just have a quick look around and go. I swear, you’re like an embarrassing mom taking her child to school.”

“Fine,” her sister snapped. “Excuse me for caring.”

They entered the clinic to see women lounging around with overnight bags. Kiana took a deep breath. She wanted to turn around and make a run for it, but she had come so far, so she might as well go through with it.

“It’s all women,” Jasmine observed.

“Yup.”

“Hmmm, okay.” She glanced around, “Well I suppose you're in good hands with the professionals and all.”

“And I’m a big girl,” Kiana added.

Jasmine gave her a fleeting look. “Yeah, call me when you get home tomorrow, and let me know how it goes.” She pulled Kiana to her, who stiffened, but didn’t pull away.

“Sure, see you later.” She watched Jasmine take her leave with sagged shoulders.

Kiana sighed and searched for an empty seat. Plopping down, she stared at the door, feeling slightly guilty about her cool treatment of Jasmine.

I’m trying so hard to forgive her
, she thought. But, there were times when she was consumed by anger and resentment, and her behavior toward Jasmine was borderline bitter. She clutched her bag and took in the women around her. They all looked as tired and stressed as she was, except for the redhead sitting in a far corner. She appeared watchful. Her gaze landed on Kiana, who flushed, embarrassed to be caught staring. The woman just smiled and looked away.

She felt the prickle of her skin before she saw him. Sitting up in her chair, Kiana looked up to see Stavros emerging from doorway. He was dressed in a lab coat, in full doctor mode. Several women could be heard gasping. He was an imposing figure, invoking thoughts of silk sheets and hot sex. 
Get a grip, girl
. His gaze landed on her, holding her captive. Her breath stopped, and she stared at him, unable to look away. His lips lifted faintly before he released her from his scrutiny to glance at his other patients. “Welcome, ladies,” he began. “Thank you all for your participation. I hope I can help you just as much as you will be helping me.” His eyes twinkled, and he flashed a brilliant grin, bringing most of the women in the room to a near swoon.

Kiana’s brows shot up. She saw right through his presented charm. His bright, friendly smile was more of a mischievous leer. She couldn’t help wondering what exactly any of them could help him with. She shrugged it off. He couldn’t be speaking of anything but his study. Studying them would help him garner information for whatever he was working on.

***
 

Kiana sat on the edge of the bed in the sterile room while a female employee clad in a lab getup attached nodes to her face and chest. She glanced down at herself and frowned. She was strung up like a turkey for Christmas. Glancing at the woman’s name tag, she inquired fretfully, “Janine, is all this really necessary?”

Janine smiled. “Yes, we need to monitor your brainwaves and heart rate while you sleep.”

“Right. Will all of you be watching me through that window, all night?” She pointed the dark one way window.

“No, only Dr. Kane. He insists that we leave by a certain time. He is the one who will be monitoring all of you for the night. He’s so hardworking and considerate to his staff,” she gushed.

Kiana refrained from rolling her eyes. Was there anyone who wasn’t completely smitten with the doctor? She found it suspicious that he let everyone go home. Who wanted to take on so much work by themselves? She frowned. Once again, she was thinking too much.
No wonder I can’t sleep
. As Janine left the room, it finally registered that Stavros would be watching her while she slept or trying to sleep. The thought of those gray eyes studying her every movement was rather disconcerting. She groaned, “Why didn’t I just stay home?”

Lying on the bed for what seemed like hours, Kiana started to feel drowsy. Her eyelids drooped, feeling too heavy to keep up. She frowned. Why did she feel so strange? She attempted to lift her head up, but she found she couldn’t move. Forcing herself to stay awake, she failed, and a sleep soon consumed her. She stirred when something warm slid down her cheek. Was someone in the room with her? Making an effort to open her eyes, she wanted to growl in frustration when they remained glued shut.

A finger swiped across her bottom lip and trailed downward. She inhaled sharply as the hands lingered at her breast. A familiar scent assailed her nostrils.

It was
him
.

She would know that masculine fragrance anywhere. She had laid down with Stavros Kane on her mind, and now she was dreaming about him. The buttons of her pajama top were popped open, and cool air whipped across her skin. Her heart skipped a beat when she felt her nipples being pinched and squeezed, sending desire shooting through her. She tried to move her legs to squeeze her thighs together to assuage the sexual urge, but she still couldn’t move.

The small mattress dipped, and a warm body was aligned alongside her. His scent was now more potent—intoxicating, sending her further into a frenzy of desire. The strings of her pants were loosened, and the garment pulled down. Her dream was getting more erotic by the minute. She wasn’t sure if she was now naked, but she knew she was exposed. Her legs were parted, and something pressed against the folds of her entrance, and panic started to kick in.
It’s just a dream
, she reminded herself, calming down somewhat.