Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(4)
“I’ve got some industrial cleaners, Edie. I’m sure Serah won’t mind you taking off early.” A sly smile spread across Kalli’s lips. She turned to Serah and narrowed her gaze. “Right, Serah?”
“Uh, yeah.” Serah balled her hands into tight fists. “You can take the rest of the day off, Edie.”
Edie arched an auburn brow, her lips pressed firmly together. “Everyzing iz okay? You sure?”
“Yes.”
She nodded. “Okay. Don’t forget to feed le chat.”
Serah smirked. Le chat was quite able to feed himself. The cat, who had adopted her as his own, was way too intelligent for his own good. Why did all the strange beasts wind up on her doorstep?
“This is getting old really fast,” Lucy ground out as soon as the door clicked shut. Raking a hand through her always perfectly styled hair (one of the few benefits of being part sex demon), she rolled her tongue between her teeth. Her hazel eyes sparked as she shot Serah a penetrating glare.
Serah threw her hands up in frustration. “What now? How many times do I have to say it was an accident?”
“Rafe says you’re hiding something.”
“So can he read minds now?”
“Not funny.”
“So speaking of your other half, where is he?”
“He’s meeting with the Fore-Demons to discuss our impending nuptials and… other matters.”
“Don’t tell me you need their permission to marry.”
With a roll of her eyes, Lucy grabbed the only stool not coated with chocolate and took a seat. “Like I’d listen to them anyway.”
“You are the Sex Princess, after all.”
Being the daughter of the Sexubi King definitely had its advantages. Then again, it had its disadvantages too. Serah saw what could happen if Lucy’s powers were unleashed. Pheromones from hell. Thank goodness she’d learned to control those powers, or she’d never be able to go out in public. Then again, she and Rafe did enjoy their privacy.
“It’s Sexubi Princess. Big difference.” Her gaze softened. “Seriously, hon. We’re worried about you.”
Were they suggesting she have herself committed? Then again, some days that’s what she thought she should do. The odors that barraged her night and day. The imps who liked to play. Luckily, with the protection charms they insisted she use, she was safe. Then again how good was a protection charm when it couldn’t protect her from herself?
Chapter 2
The princess got her way.
Then again, even if she wasn’t royalty, Lucy would still get her way. One of the reasons Serah loved her so much. She never gave up.
“We’re going to talk about this privately.” Lucy dragged her toward the door leading to her office.
“I work better alone, anyway,” Kalli said, flinging the fondue pot into the sink.
“Don’t you remember anything from that day?” Lucy asked as she kicked the door shut. She flopped into the leather, high-back chair and steepled her fingers. As if on cue, she tapped her foot. Impatience certainly wasn’t a virtue. Then again, she was part sex demon. She probably didn’t need to worry about virtues.
“What day?” Serah asked nonchalantly. She slung herself into her chair and kicked her feet up on her desk. Swiveling the chair from side to side, she flashed her friend a sweet smile. Of course she knew what day. They’d been through this before.
“I told you I don’t remember. One moment I’m on the phone with you, the next I’m being yanked by my coat by a man who’s too blond for his own good.” If it wasn’t for the cinnamon and sewer smell that lingered in the air, she might have been attracted.
“We don’t have time for this, Serah.” The greenish-amber glow of Lucy’s gaze sliced into her. “This is the third time this month Kalli and I have come to your rescue.”
“Maybe I irritated some demon king,” Serah said. “It’s nothing, really. I have Mr. Whiskers to protect me now anyway.”
Lucy rolled her eyes, something she was way too good at. “The hell it isn’t.” Lucy wrinkled her nose. “Mr. Whiskers? What kind of name is that?”
“Whoever had him before cut his whiskers.” She balled her fists. Who in their right mind did that to a cat? “It seemed appropriate.”
“Poor guy. Speaking of the little ball of fur, how’s he handling his new home?”
“Too well. He’s already out chasing the Persian tail next door.”
“Sounds like a cat.” Lucy scraped fingers through her mussed hair. “I thought he was neutered.”
“I have no idea. Nothing surprises me anymore.” She blew out a breath. “So what other matters is Rafe discussing with the all-knowing Fore-Demons?”
Lucy looked down to the floor and let her gaze roam to the wall. She punctuated her review with a small sigh. Serah knew that expression well. She was hiding something.
“Another mission, huh?”
Lucy shrugged. “I guess.”
“Is there another demon outbreak?”
Lucy scooted the chair closer and leaned over the desk. “I don’t know. Is there?”
Serah contained her gulp. Did she know? God she hoped not. She wanted a normal life, away from imps, ghouls, and demons—present company excluded. “How would I know?”