Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(105)

He jogged around and opened the driver side door. “You have me to protect you.”

“I want more than your protection, Matthias.”

His jaw ticked. “What more do you want from me?”

“I want your love, damn it.”

You have it, Serah. You just can’t know it. “That can’t happen,” he said instead.

The words tore him up inside.

***

“I know you have feelings for me. Why can’t you admit it?”

Kalli had said he was protecting her. But was he protecting her from Salome or protecting her from himself?

“Now is not the time.”

“It’s never the time.” Serah clenched her fists. She needed to speak her mind, before it was too late. “I’m not weak, you know. I can protect myself. You’re overreacting about this.”

“I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”

“You’re not going to lose me. We’re going to beat Salome.”

“Maybe not today, but some day.” Matthias shrugged. “You’re better off with someone like Daniel.”

“Daniel?”

“You two seemed so comfortable together.”

“In a totally platonic way.” She rolled her eyes. “I accidentally kissed him and it was weird. Not at all like our kisses.”

“Huh?”

“It felt like I was kissing my brother, not a lover.” And that was the truth. “That sort of thing doesn’t get my rocks off, if you know what I mean.”

He raked a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth. “You don’t know what you’re saying. It’s the excitement of the impending battle.”

“Fine, then I’m going to ask you just one favor.”

Matthias nodded. “I can respect that. What’s your request?”

“Let’s discuss this afterwards.”

“So be it.” Matthias’s face became more sullen. “After the battle and we’ve had time to relax. Let’s see if you still feel the same.”

Oh, she had no doubts at all. Her feelings wouldn’t change. She’d never been so sure of anything ever in her entire life.

“That’s all I’m asking,” she said, a sly grin curving her lips. With that, she stomped past Matthias and headed up the path to the front entrance.

She threw open the door and promptly wished she could close it. She’d never seen her kitchen so busy. There were people everywhere. Cameramen bustled around, testing their cameras. The director adjusted his headset, and began barking out orders. Other people bustled about. Was this a major motion picture or a TV show? What had she gotten herself into?

Then again, she wasn’t a coward. She took a deep breath.

You can do it!

Oh, brother. There she went, channeling her inner Rob Schneider. But any little bit helped.

You know what? I can do it. She had to. Connolly Park depended on her. Heck, the world depended on her. And even Matthias depended on her, even if he was too stubborn to admit it.

“Serah!”

She turned and spotted Daniel over in the corner discussing something with a woman. She took a huge gulp. A beautiful woman. She wore a bright fuchsia sweater that accentuated her more-than-ample bosom, and completed the ensemble with a tight, leather pencil skirt and stiletto ankle boots. The woman snapped her head up to lock gazes with Serah. Her turquoise gaze narrowed. She would’ve thought a color like that would be dazzling but, on this woman, there wasn’t anything brilliant about it. Absolutely soulless. Salome.

She couldn’t blow her cover. She had to remain cool. Quite a feat recalling the stories she’d heard about this bitch. She took calm, confident steps toward Daniel and the mystery woman. “You take your production seriously, don’t you?”

Daniel grinned. He did not miss a beat. He definitely had Academy Award potential. “Serah, may I introduce the producer, Sally Lohman.”

Sally extended her hand, with an unconvincing smile. Men had fallen for her charms? All Serah felt was the desire to yak up her caramel macchiato. Then again, the scent of curdled milk and roses didn’t help matters much either.

She took Sally’s hand, shivers of revulsion coursing through her. She gave it a quick shake and just as hastily pulled it away.

“I didn’t realize so much went into producing a TV show,” Serah said in an attempt to make nice with this walking cup of sour milk. “I hope I can make it through the entire taping.”

Sally grinned. “I hope so too.”

Yeah, I bet.

“Should I show you to the banquet area?” It wasn’t much of a banquet room, but it was large enough to serve fifty. Perfect for Salome’s little production.

“Certainly.”

“I had some of my hired help come in early and set it up.”

Hired help. More like hired hand. The magical hand of Kalli.

Serah inserted a key into the lock and twisted. She pushed open the door. “Daniel said we’d have about fifty, so I decided ten tables should be plenty. And there’s room for the camera crew.” She pointed to the parquet dance floor. “Just be careful. It’s new flooring.”

Salome nodded. “Indeed, I will.” She wove her way between the tables, drawing her fingers across the backs of the chairs.