Chapter 4: You Burn for Me

She was going to be late. It was date night. Patrick planned a night out with just the two of them—a new sushi restaurant had just opened up downtown and afterwards he booked a table at their favorite and very romantic wine bar where they would discuss their wedding plans. But Sarah couldn't wait.

The glass doors opened to her building and the night guard eyed her suspiciously, but she waved her badge and he gave her the go ahead. Five minutes later, her high heels clacking loudly on the freshly polished floors, she was in her office, hunting for the Roman case files. She was afraid to leave them at work, unsecured, open for anyone to see or worse, steal…

She had spent the past week pouring over every line and detail of this case. When Sarah first opened the file, she thought her law firm was partnered with Richard Roman on whatever alleged criminal charges were brought against him. But to her astonishment, the case was against him. Allegations as huge as kidnapping, extortion, fraud even and missing employees. The second Sarah agreed to consult on the case with the branch in New York, they sent over boxes of paperwork, all regarding the illustrious Richard Roman and the people that had mysteriously disappeared while under his supervision.

Now, Sarah was neck deep in the case. Fact checking and working with the New York's D.A.'s office. Her nerves were right on the edge too. If Richard Roman was such a powerful man, who could get to anyone- anywhere, Sarah feared it was just a matter of time before he found out he was being investigated by their law firm. Hence why the New York branch sent her the case. She was the back-up if anything failed on their end. Problem was, Sarah wasn't too sure she was comfortable with that idea, especially after everything she read about Richard Roman.

Power like that doesn't just bestow itself on the weak and incapable. And if Sarah knew anything about powerful men—it was that most of them plundered their way to the top with little to know thought about the ones below them—or simply sold their soul to a demon. It unnerved her to think about how far someone like Richard Roman would go to hide his secrets. If all these people went missing under his employment, she wondered what he did to his enemies.

Sarah brushed her fingers through her hair, tossing the thick of it over her shoulder as she bent and retrieved the box of files she had collected for the case. She didn't feel having it at the office was safe anymore. She'd been working on the case for little over a month and Roman had to know by now that he was under investigation. So the jig was up in her opinion, and date night or not—putting these files in a safe place was her first priority. Her apartment felt like a fairly reasonable place. She quickly taped the sides of the box, ready to carry it out to her car.

"My, my, Sarah—don't you look rather fetching this evening," drawled out an achingly familiar voice.

Her heart thudded before she saw him. Startled, she spun and saw the last person she ever expected to see again. Crowley, in all his demonic form, leaned casually against her darkened office window which shown with the city street-lamps and buildings behind him.

Her pulse leapt and her hands tightened around the box. Every memory and sensual sensation of that night came flooding back in a crashing tidal wave and it took every ounce of strength she possessed to look unaffected by his presence.

As though he could read her mind, Crowley narrowed his eyes cuttingly across her face, his hands in his black overcoat, studying her from across the room. He looked as handsome as ever, dressed in his fine black suit and with those intense, unreadable emerald eyes. And why did his sultry voice always cause a shiver of excitement to spread like wild fire all over her body? Maybe because she vividly recalled how he purred sweet, sexy nothings to her in bed, enchanting her, pleasuring her, caressing her...

But she had a distinct feeling that Crowley wasn't here for that again. At least that the impression he gave as he stared her down coldly. Now, that sultry voice meant to scare her. Intimidate her. She was no longer dealing with Crowley the lover. No, the one who stood before her now was Crowley the demon, Ruler of Hell.

"So… where are we headed tonight?" he inquired casually.

She gripped the box instinctively, not sure why. "I have a date."

"Aw—a date… how," he hesitated before filling in, "normal."

She swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. "Yes very. Patrick and I are going to go over our guest list." Sarah paused then, unsure why she was even telling Crowley this. He wasn't a part of her life anymore than she was in his.

His eyes searched her form and the box she carried. His gaze landed on the engagement ring. She waited to the surprise—shock, anything. Nothing. He tilted his head sideways and coolly smiled.

"Yes, I can see that you're getting married." He stated blandly. "Congratulations. You're Patrick is a lucky man."

She said nothing, though her body was betraying her and responding too much to him. Sarah just hoped she wasn't blushing. It was her awful tell and she hated it. And she very much hated the man who caused it. He had to right to make her feel guilty or regret her decision with going to him. She did it to be free of him—she did it to finally know what it was like to be with the demon who haunted her dreams for so long. Now that she had him, she could focus on being entirely and completely on Patrick. Crowley was a thing from her past. It was time to move on.

"I doubt you came here to talk about my engagement, Crowley. So what do you want?" she asked carefully.

He eyed her curiously then shrugged, strolling away from the window towards her. "You're right. I don't make it a habit to pay personal visits. So let's cut to the chase, shall we?" He glanced at the box in her arms. She swallowed. "A birdie told me your firm is working on a case against the all mighty Dick Roman."

Fear made her stiffen when he approached. But not in fear of him, but in fear of letting him too close. Letting him slither his way back inside her chest and coil around her heart once more. She couldn't afford that. It had been a month since they last saw each other. A long, grueling month of forcing herself to forget and move on.

"We might be," she replied coolly.

"Well, if you are… I just wanted to stop by and give you a fair warning, dove."

She hesitated and then shrugged indifferently. "I know he's powerful, Crowley. I can handle myself and men like him. Don't worry about me," she said drily.

He smirked, "Are you implying that I'm concerned for your safety?"

That was if you had a heart, she thought bitterly. Instead she retorted, "Why else would you be here? Unless you want something from this office—from me."

He chuckled sinisterly, "Please- I know everything there is to know about Mr. Dick Roman and trust me, it's more than I'd like." He stepped ever closer, her body tensing. "Yet—you're right. I did come here to warn you. I'd hate to see a friend get swallowed hole by that monster. So, be warned, dove… this case against him will not end well for you. I suggest you hand it off to someone else and forget all about Mr. Roman."

"I can't do that," Sarah said sincerely. She wasn't going to give up this case. No matter who it was against. People in power shouldn't abuse it especially when others ended up hurt or worse, dead. "You don't know who you're up against, Sarah…"

"Then enlighten me," she countered hotly.

He sneered, "You know I can't."

"Funny, neither can I then." Sarah cradled the box into her arms. "Wow, this is getting heavy and I better run. Don't want to keep Patrick waiting," she said dramatically and headed for the door.

"Sarah," Crowley said disapprovingly as he reappeared suddenly in front of her exit. "This isn't some David and Goliath battle. More like a massacre with little chance of survival. So my suggestion is to take the high road and dump this case on someone else. This is not your responsibility."

Something finally snapped inside her. Crowley was no longer allowed to be her knight in shining armor. That role vanished the second he did. He didn't get to revive the role now—not again.

"And I'm not your responsibility either," she snapped indignantly. "Now get off your horse and save some other damsel. Because I'm done being yours."

Crowley's eyes blazed furiously.

She hesitated. She had never seen him so angry before. Though she would dare never admit it, Crowley scared her a little. Her jaw clenched with tight determination as she attempted to get past him. "I have to go. This conversation is over."

All of a sudden the box was flung from her arms with an invisible force and she was knocked off her feet and pushed backwards into her tinted window in her office. The glass was hard and unbreakable, but his fury made them shiver. She gasped.

Crowley stood before her, eyes burning with the intensity of all Hell. His handsome features were cold and unforgiving. A dreadful fear shot through her as she hung effortlessly in the air, her feet inches from the ground.

"Not too many people have the nerve to stand up to me much anymore. Only the small minded and ignorant try to call themselves my equal," he explained venomously. "Ever since I took up this new post as manager, I have perfected many things in Hell. However, I believe my greatest achievement, besides the infinite cue, has been in the art of slow torture."

Sarah fought frantically at the invisible chains pinning her against the window. But nothing worked. She might as well fight a brick wall because she wasn't going anywhere and from the look in Crowley's eyes, he intended that.

"What are you playing at, Crowley?" She bit out. "Do you think that scaring me into submission is really going to work? Because you know it won't. You don't scare me."

Crowley's jaw muscle flexed as he stepped closer to her. "And why is that, dove? Why don't I frighten you? Is it because you think you're special to me? That I wouldn't harm you?"

Sarah inhaled swiftly but said nothing.

He cocked his head to the side, smiling. "Aw, so that's why."

"Put me down." She demanded, attempting to cover the fear clogging her throat.

"You're scared, Sarah." He stepped forward, touching the side of her naked elbow. She shivered. "You should be…" he whispered huskily, his face darkening with carnal lust as his eyes scrutinized every curve of her body in her knee high strapless maroon dress.

His hands felt rough against her soft skin as they trailed effortlessly from her shoulder to the curve of her neck. She felt every finger brush her skin. It was tantalizing and awful. She wanted to lash out, fight back. But he was in control. He wanted to demonstrate his power over her. His other hand caressed the side her waist, his touch searing hear through her dress as he reached beneath her breasts.

"Don't," she whimpered breathlessly.

Crowley stepped closer until his mouth hovered over hers and their eyes locked.

"I should've taken your soul ten years ago. I should've forgotten all about you the moment I met you. Yet somehow you keep coming back to my open window and I don't know if I should cage you, or just kill you."

His hands finally moved and roughly palmed her soft breasts through the dress, abusing her yet enthralling her at the same time. She choked back a cry of pleasure as he pressed himself against her now, his hard body molding into hers perfectly. Her skin warmed feverishly, but her blood spiked when his hovering mouth finally took hers.

She resisted, fighting the sensuality of his tempting mouth. She bit down hard on his lower lip.

He pulled back, wincing.

"Don't do that again."

He smirked, licking the blood off with his tongue. "You're right—not good enough. I'm much better than that."

The next kiss was pure, hot passion. He tasted of briefly of metallic blood but also of fire. It was a fiery, harsh kiss that left her breathless. He had never been this rough—this desperate. It was as if he had wanted her just as badly as she had wanted him. Now he was giving her everything. And it was intoxicating. His hungry desire quickly swept her up until she found herself responding with an eagerness that matched his own. He let out a long, low growl at her response to his kiss. Sarah couldn't help it. Despite everything, she needed him.

Tongues danced. Lips opened, wild and torridly hot. A hand shot out to capture the back of her head, tangling his fingers in her hair as he forced her mouth harder into his. She was dizzy from his kiss and she never wanted him to stop.

Crowley's other hand squeezed her breast once more, sending sparks of fire to her loins before sliding downwards over her backside, pushing her hips forward until she brushed into his towering manhood. She gasped against his lips as he rocked his hips forward, making her burn between her thighs causing her to ache furiously.

Crowley sensed this and the invisible bonds ensnaring her fell away and the second they did, Sarah moved. She wrapped herself around him, letting her dress hike as she slid her leg around his waist and arched her back, feeling his cock brush her most over-sensitive part between her legs.

Crowley groaned at her wanton movements and without wasting any time he grabbed her and led her backwards to the desk. He cleared it with his powers, sending her case files crashing to the floor. Her heart raced. Her breath came out fast as he gracefully positioned her on her back, hips on the edge of the desk, legs opened before him. He devoured her greedily with his eyes as he loosened his tie, unbuttoning his shirt and letting it fall open but not taking it off. She watched him under heavy eyelids as he unclasped his belt, his pants dropping soundlessly to the floor. She bit her lower lip in pure excitement as she saw his heavy arousal between them.

Try as she might, she couldn't deny him. She didn't want to. It felt right to have his hands touch her, his fingers on her bare thighs, questing upwards to find the part of her that craved him so intensely it frightened her. His fingers found the aching place between her legs, and his thumb rubbed the little nub nestled in her silky folds of skin, making her respond instinctively by arching against his hand with a little mew of pleasure.

To her shame, the more he stroked, the more wantonly she yearned for it- for him. She closed her eyes, cheeks flaming.

It was then she felt his warm breath against her neck as he whispered in that incredibly sexy voice, "I thought about this all month, Sarah… I've thought of nothing but touching you, hearing you moan for me… being inside of you…" all of a sudden he was. He thrusted forward with a fierce need, pumping more deeply into her with each stroke.

She cried out in rapture, her legs tightening around his waist as he fucked her right there on her desk in the middle of her office. His large, thick manhood filled her completely. Her body trembled at how perfectly they fit together, whether he realized it or not. Each thrust pushed her higher upwards, until she felt closer to the edge of orgasm. Crowley was barely inside her before she was begging for release. All he had to do was whisper her name and look at her with those smoldering eyes and she was wet with wanting.

Crowley growled as Sarah stretched and arched upwards like a cat, greeting his furious pumps with newfound energy and want. She wanted this—wanted him. More than she ever thought possible. Piercing hot excitement flared inside her, stroking the fires within.

She felt Crowley's fingers pull at her strapless dress and with a yank, tore the front open until her breasts were exposed before him. He kneaded her breasts ruthlessly, his other hand clutched to leg. It was a furious, wild dance and both knew the steps and tempo, it was only a matter of time before one of them burst into flames.

Crowley tilted his head backwards, hips rocking forward mindlessly. Sarah crossed her feet behind him, trapping him to her, locking him inside her. She wanted him so deep inside her—she wanted him to touch her very soul.

Ahead was danger… and excitement. She could feel it just beyond her grasp, beckoning, drawing her in. He groaned, his face grew strained, his eyes burned with an unholy light, yet he kept moving inside her, building the tension until with unexpected quickness it exploded inside her and rocked her with wave after wave of pleasure.

A hoarse cry escaped her lips as she clutched Crowley close, quivering and shaking from the after waves. Seconds later, Crowley let out a strangled gasp and she felt his cock tighten and he climaxed. She gripped him with her muscles in her legs and thighs, drawing out his orgasm, milking it from him, until he collapsed on top of her completely drained. She cradled his head against her stomach, her fingers running though his hair and her breathing choppy.

She felt his fingers grip the sides of her waist before he wordlessly slid out of her and dressed. Sarah nervously bit her lower lip and sat up, holding her ruined dress over her chest and inching down her dress down over her exposed thighs as she continued to sit on the edge of her desk. When he finally looked at her his eyes were unreadable and intense. Then he noticed her hand clutching her dress and his face softened. He reached out and touched the shredded material.

"Shame, I liked this dress," he rasped out gently.

"Me too," she replied breathlessly as he continued to touch her.

His fingers touched her chaffed, reddened lips now. Her stomach fluttered. Feeling dangerous, she opened her mouth and captured his fingers with a sensual suck. His eyes darkened and he pulled away, only to claim her mouth with his lips, possessive and sizzling. A moan escaped her throat as he drove his tongue into her over and over, filling her with renewed need.

He pulled back, jaw twitching, "What have you done to me?" he asked vulnerably.

Her heart stopped. He kissed her again, this time slowly. Agonizingly slow. She sighed.

"Stay away from Roman, dove." He said unexpectedly.

Her eyes widened curiously, "Tell me why."

"He's dangerous."

"So are you."

He smirked, "Yes, I am. Glad you finally noticed."

She smiled softly up at him.

His finger caressed her cheek affectionately. Sarah didn't know what to think in this moment. Her heartstrings were being pulled by a snake and she wasn't sure if she was smart enough to ignore them like before, or just let herself be pulled into the jaws of death. Because that was Crowley was. Death. Her death.

"I'm not giving up the case, Crowley." She replied. "People have gone missing from his campaign and under his employment. Dozens, if not more. I can't ignore that."

Crowley's soft touches stopped abruptly and he pulled away. Her heart felt like it was being ripped from her chest. But she didn't react. She couldn't afford to look weak. Not to him. She didn't want him to know how much he affected her. How she feared that she secretly loved him. And that she always had.

"Why do I get the feeling that anything I say to try and stop you, would be useless?" he asked picking up his overcoat from the floor.

She said nothing, just watched him.

He turned to glance over his shoulder at her. "Well, I can't have you go out in that dress. I'll be right back, Sarah. Don't go anywhere."

He vanished within a blink of an eye and she barely had time to absorb it when he reappeared once more. She gaped as he held a shimmering, silk colored ash black dress.

"I thought of you when I saw it," he said. "Delightfully sinful, yet tasteful."

She slid off the desk and numbly unzipped herself from the mangled dress that he had torn around her shoulders. She took the dress from Crowley and with sudden vulnerability turned her back to him, unable and unwilling to see those intense eyes on her naked form.

She felt his hands caress her back as he pushed the dress off her. She took a breath, her lungs suddenly empty. The new dress slid in her hands. It was long and the material wonderful to the touch. Sarah held it out before her and slightly bent about to step in it when she felt Crowley's hand trail down the curve of her spine. She stiffened.

"You have no idea how seductive you are," he whispered hoarsely. Sarah flushed, quickly slipped it on and felt Crowley slowly zip up the fine material in the back for her.

It felt like she was wearing a slip. Yet it was the design of the dress. Before she could turn she felt Crowley's warm lips press into the crook of her neck and shoulder. "If I see you in this dress, I fear I might not leave. But I must, dove."

Unthinking, Sarah whirled around and wrapped herself around him. "Don't," she whispered against his neck, kissing the warm stubbled chin. "Spend the night with me."

He hummed at the idea. "I'd love too, but I've already over stayed my welcome. Besides, you have a very important date."

Her heart shattered and she abruptly pulled away from him. Eyes brimming, but she choked down the ridiculous emotions. "So what is this then, Crowley? Am I your occasional fuck and flee?"

He arched a dangerous eyebrow. "If you'd like."

"Not really," she stated drily, holding back her anger.

"Quit being dramatic," he retorted. "What did you expect getting involved with a demon? Love sonnets and flowers?"

She shook her head, suddenly feeling very foolish. "No, just maybe a little respect would be nice."

"Respect," he said carefully. "I thought I was being very respectful when I ravished you on your work desk."

Sarah's hand shot out in a flurry of emotion and with one hard, resounding slap, Crowley's cheek reddened.

Mild surprise crossed his face. "My, my, this birdie bites."

"I can do more than that," she countered.

"So can I," Crowley said and in one fluid move, he grabbed her, twirled her around and trapped her back against his chest. She fought, but it was useless. His demonic powers kept her ensnared against him. He tilted her head to the side and breathed huskily into her ear. "I swear- you must have a death wish." He muttered. "Why else would you fight me so much?"

"Maybe because you're an ass."

He chuckled, "True." His hand slid down her stomach then, lighting a burning fire to her skin. The dress was so thin it was almost like his touch was on her very flesh. "But you have to admit, Sarah… we've got chemistry."

She stiffened, which made him laugh again.

"Come off it, dove. You and I…" his hand slid slowly lower until cupping her womanly delta through her dress, causing her limbs to loosen from the sexual heat erupting all over her body. "We balance each other. You, pure and good. Me… well, I'm just full of sin and indulgence. But somehow, we fit."

She swallowed.

He kissed the soft spot beneath her ear. "I'll be seeing you again, Sarah. Real soon." His sinful fingers slid further between her parted thighs, making her gasp and writhe against him. He heard him let out a frustrated sigh. He wanted her too—she felt his hard erection against her back. He could no longer pretend to be unaffected.

"Remember who you belong to, Sarah." He whispered softly. "Not some simpering meat bag or passionless moron who forgot what to do with a beautiful woman like yourself. But me. You belong to me, Sarah. You're my dove now."

"Who says I want to be yours, Crowley?" she asked breathlessly.

His empty hand moved over her breast, resting directly above her heart. "This… this tells me you want to be mine. I'm the King of the Cross Roads. I know what everyone desires the most. And you…" he sighed and nuzzled the flesh of her neck. "Miraculously, you want- no you burn… for me."

She shivered, trembling in his arms. "And what about you?" she asked, hoping he would give her some hint to the nature of his heart.

He hummed, "I get more of this… more of you."

Sarah closed her eyes as the pain of his words ripped through her. She knew he couldn't love her. But she had desperately hoped for it. And like a fool, she fell in love with him.

"I must go," he said, withdrawing his hands and stepping away. "No rest for the wicked."

She didn't turn, afraid to look at him.

"And you're welcome by the way… for the dress."

And with that, Crowley- the demon she had fallen in love with, vanished.

TBC