Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(13)

And she didn’t like it at all.

“When will your inadequate idea of protection be returning?”

“Mr. Whiskers may be small, but I wouldn’t call him inadequate.”

“A cat can’t follow you everywhere—like a true bodyguard can.”

“I was fine on my own. I’m sorry my friends dragged you into this mess. They tend to overreact anytime anything weird happens to me.”

God love ’em. Not that she didn’t appreciate a little friendly intervention now and again, but it was starting to seriously dampen her cooking mojo. If she wanted to succeed, she needed her mojo intact, and having a six-foot-four, rock-hard giant lounging around wouldn’t help things either. Even if he was a giant jackass, he was still a distraction.

Matthias scraped a hand through his light brown hair, his onyx gaze narrowing. “Your friends care about you.” He opened his mouth to say more, but instantly shut it. He took cautious steps toward her, his eyes smoldering.

Her breath caught. A huge lump formed in her throat. Sweat beaded on her palms. Her heart thumped a wild beat. Images flashed in her mind. Matthias’s gaze was burning into her, closer and closer. His strong arms wrapped around her. The ridges of his glistening pectorals pressed into her. His fingers wove through her curls, pulling her closer to him. His strong lips brushed against hers. Her mind swam. Dear Lord.

“What the hell are you doing?” she demanded.

“Nothing.”

Sure it was nothing—to him, maybe. She should have known the power of suggestion was his demonic trait. “Yeah, right. If you do that again, I’m going to imagine my knee in your nuts. Got it?”

“What happened?”

“Like you said—it was nothing.”

Matthias’s onyx gaze grew solemn. His face was as immobile as granite. He grabbed her by the shoulders and glared. “What happened?”

Like she was going to tell this man her mind was fantasizing about him—even if he did suggest it. She wouldn’t let him know he got to her. “I’m sure you know. Don’t you demons know everything that goes on in a human’s head?”

“I don’t read minds, Serah.”

“Sucks to be you, then.” As his grip relaxed, she pulled herself free and spun away. “Whatever you’re doing, I’d appreciate you doing it to someone else.”

“I’m not doing anything! I swear…”

A sarcastic chuckle burst from her lips. “Swear to God?”

“You know as well as I do that a demon cannot swear to God.”

“But you’re a Paladin, right?”

Matthias lowered his gaze to the carpet below. “Not yet.”

“Wow. The Fore-Demons sent me a Paladin-in-Training. Priceless.”

Matthias cracked his knuckles. “I have centuries of combat and tactical experience. I once was an armed guard for Napoleon Bonaparte.”

“Oh, and look where he ended up.”

“He deserved it.” His gaze hooded. “Besides, I protected him earlier in his reign.”

“And that makes it all right?”

Matthias shrugged. “I’ve lived a long time. Even demons do things they aren’t proud of. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”

Oh, she understood, all right. More than she wanted him to know. Regret—well, it could be her middle name. Her heart clenched. She sucked in a breath. She needed to be strong—for Nonni. She reached into her pocket and clasped her hand around the watch she had so callously discarded earlier. The diamonds warmed against her skin, and peacefulness seeped into her pores. Yet she wasn’t at peace. She would never be.

“Yeah. You’re right. Being a human and all,” she fibbed. Quickly caressing her grandmother’s watch, she pulled her hand from her pocket.

“I have some questions about what happened this afternoon. I need details so I can gauge the situation.” Narrowing his gaze, he motioned her to sit. “Please.”

The last word strained his lips. She stifled a chuckle. He apparently hadn’t muttered the P-word all that often. Then again, a man of his size and strength probably didn’t have to beg for much.

“Since you asked so nicely.” She swayed toward the desk that took up most of the corner and sat down. Following her lead, he took the seat across from her. With a soft click, she shut the laptop and leaned in. “Interrogate away. From the looks of your getup, I’m sure you’re good at it. Or is truth serum your demonic talent?”

Matthias snorted. “I see you are a witty woman, Ms. SanGermano. I appreciate that, but this is serious, whether you choose to believe it or not.”

“Fine. Sorry. I’ll cooperate.” She shifted in her chair. If he glared any harder, she’d catch on fire.

“Good.” Sitting in the office chair he dwarfed, he stretched his legs. Even in that brief, uncomfortable shift, she caught a glimpse of the pure muscled strength that rippled through his entire body.

And here she thought the questions would make her uncomfortable. She gulped down a breath of air. Get it done already, so she could get this guy out of her sight—and away from her overactive hormones.

“Did you see anything when the explosion occurred?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary. Just the flames burst a little.”