Damned When I Didn’t Exclusive Excerpt
You’d think one had the right to know how her life had ended and why she’d been cast into damnation like the scum of the Earth, but apparently, the leaders of Hell felt differently. I would have freaked out if hellhounds or horned beasts had strolled by or if Cole had led me through a dismal wasteland littered with souls of the condemned, but there seemed to be some mercy in my sentencing.
I followed Cole up a winding staircase. My fingers trailed over the polished railing as I admired the crystal chandelier that dangled above the slate foyer below and the breathtaking sunset seen through the windows. And speaking of awe-inspiring, spending eternity ogling Cole wasn’t exactly punishment. He had a natural swagger that made it hard not to notice that his jeans hugged his butt nicely.
“This place is incredible,” I commented as we passed an enormous bedroom.
“Looks can be deceiving.” Cole opened a dark wooden door halfway down the hallway. “Don’t let the décor suck you in.”
A large four-poster bed with an azure-blue comforter occupied the center of the room. Against a wall was a wardrobe half filled with clothes that could’ve been plucked right out of my closet at home. The other half was stuffed with guy’s jeans, shirts, and shoes. I ran a hand over the fabric, causing the hangers to clink as they hit each other.
“Lilith put them there for you—well, the girl stuff, anyway,” Cole said. He made himself comfortable on the bed.
Was I dreaming? At any moment, would I wake to find myself at home, laughing at my weird imagination? My gaze fell on two black-and-white glass penguins. They stood motionless in a gliding position on the nightstand.
Cole closed his eyes but not before pointing to the door next to the wardrobe and saying, “Shower’s through there.”
The fresh scent of the sea wrapped around me as soon as I stepped into the pearl-blue bathroom. A tall, clear jar was filled with white sand. Smooth, black stones dangled from a rope wrapped around its neck. Not far from that was a flat bowl of seashells and a pile of clean, white towels. The place screamed oceanside resort. My fingers grazed the edge of a soaking tub. A bath would have been wonderful, but I didn’t know how much time I had, and Cole was waiting for me in the next room.
I dropped my stained clothes, letting them land in a heap next to the pedestal sink, and stepped into a shower big enough for two. A curved glass divider separated it from the rest of the bathroom. On the far wall, a large selection of body wash in tantalizing fragrances such as strawberry daiquiri, coconut-lime, and mint-infused stood like enticing soldiers. There was an equally impressive selection of shampoos and conditioners. I chose mango body wash and raspberry- vanilla shampoo, hoping the sweet scents would help me relax. Cole had said that the sooner I accepted my fate, the sooner I’d be allowed to return to Earth. The first thing I planned to do was call my parents and ask about Gracie. I’d tell them I wasn’t gone forever. Instead, I was dead-turned-demon.
I rolled my eyes at how my God-fearing parents would take that news and figured I had a little time to work on the wording.
My senses reeled in delight as the sweet scent of mango lather washed away the last of my human aches and fears. Being dead didn’t have to be the end. Not if a succubus got to live on Earth with her family and friends. It seemed too good to be true. I made a mental note to ask Cole what the catch was as I closed my eyes and let the beads of water flow over me, rinsing the suds from my hair and body.
“I knew you’d feel better after a shower.”
I froze, hands on my head ready to push the last of the conditioner from my hair. Please tell me I didn’t just hear Cole’s voice as if he were standing in the same room. That had to be my imagination. I opened one eye but couldn’t see anyone or anything through the steam on the glass wall. Quiet surrounded me. After a second or three, I exhaled a sigh of relief and even managed to giggle at myself for daydreaming that Cole was in the bathroom with me. He was everything I liked in a guy: sexy, muscular, kind, and not a leering creep.
Hello! My conscience knocked on my brain. Cole’s a demon! Bad boys are SO not your type.
“Want me to wash your back?” Cole asked. I did not imagine that. “Don’t you believe in knocking?” One hand flew to cover my breasts as the other did what it could to hide my lower parts. A fig leaf would have done a better job than my skinny fingers. A quick glance around the steam-filled shower showed I’d forgotten to grab a towel. I cursed under my breath.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Cole said, not bothering to hide the chuckle in his voice.
“I’m okay, thanks.” I opened the door wide enough to stick my arm out and prayed the glass walls would remain frosted with stream. “Can you please hand me a towel?”
“Sure.”
Yet plush terrycloth didn’t touch my fingers. I peeked out, one arm still covering the girls. Cole leaned against the sink, jeans hanging low on his hips and feet crossed at his ankles. His bare chest confirmed he was all muscle. He held a towel out in front of him.
Did he think I’d prance over to him au naturel? More importantly, why were his shirt and shoes off? Flabbergasted at seeing him, I failed to form a witty comeback.
“Can you bring the towel closer?” I asked, feeling the heat of embarrassment warm my cheeks as Cole’s eyebrow rose in a questioning way.
“Don’t tell me you’re shy.”
“Just because I’m not willing to sashay around naked in front of a guy I just met doesn’t mean I’m shy.” I stuck my chin in the air. “It shows I have dignity and self-respect.”
He smiled wickedly. “Sashaying is optional.”
“The towel.” I wiggled my fingers in a come-closer way. I would have stomped my foot, but the glass was clearing and I was using my leg to help cover my lower. To my relief, Cole took two small steps forward, his eyes not straying from mine.
“Thank you,” I said a moment too soon.
Cole released of the towel just as my thumbs brushed cotton. It fell in a cozy pile outside the shower. He smirked as he slid back to the sink.
Okay, an eternity with him might drive me to do something that would be Hell-worthy. I’d actually earn my sentence.
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Thanks so much for hosting!
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