Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(50)

Daniel took her hand in his. Warm and inviting, not electric and hot like Matthias’s. Was that good or bad? She bit her lip.

“Sorry, I was already up and about and I dislike being late.”

She finally got her first good look at him. Blond hair hung loosely around a tanned face. He stood about six foot four and the long wool coat he wore did little to hide his wide shoulders. What was the deal with all these tall, muscular guys hopping into town lately? First Rafe, then Matthias, and now Daniel. Luckily, Daniel was of the human variety—from what she could tell.

Serah smiled. “No apology necessary. They always say the early bird gets the worm, right?”

“That’s true.” Daniel’s abnormally crystal blue eyes twinkled. She’d always liked blue eyes, but seeing his up close and personal did nothing for her. Was she secretly turning into a lesbian? Not that there was anything wrong with that, but she’d always had a thing for men. Especially blond-haired, blue-eyed ones who looked like they just stepped off the beach. Something was wrong—very wrong.

“You’re much prettier in person.”

Even his compliment did little to get her heart thudding the way it thudded when Matthias… Oh hell no.

“You’re taller than I thought you’d be.”

Seriously, that’s all she could come up with for a response? Then again, it sure beat You’re not as hot as I thought you’d be. She needed this television bit. Insulting him would get her nowhere.

Daniel flashed a wide toothy smile. “I get that a lot.” He leaned in and brought his face to her ear and whispered, “The secret is the hidden platform the guests stand on.”

Again, nothing. It was like her libido had packed up and taken a vacation. Then again, maybe that was just what the doctor ordered. No obnoxious fangirls to make matters complicated or awkward. She’d seen a few of those episodes. The ones where the women—and sometimes men—threw themselves at him—so blatantly obvious and even more annoying. And Daniel handled each with nary a misstep. Who knew, maybe he was gay? “Ahh. Good idea.”

Daniel shrugged. “I wish I could take claim for it, but it was all my producer’s doing. She’s the mastermind behind the show.”

“Well, your secret is safe with me.” Serah winked. “By the way, the show would tank with anyone else but you.”

“Whew. Thank goodness. I value being employed, especially in this economy.” He reached to grab the door handle. “And thank you for swelling my already ballooning ego.”

The door swung open. Daniel fell forward, catching himself on the ledge. The coffee teetered in his hand. “Whoa!”

Matthias stood in the doorway, arms crossed and gaze narrowed. He lunged forward and grabbed the tray of coffee before it fell to the ground.

Oh shit. This wasn’t going to be pretty.

Daniel blew out a huge breath of air. “Wow! Good catch, man.”

With a gruff snort, Matthias continued to stand there, blocking the entrance. “We need to talk, Serah.” He turned his gaze to Daniel and offered another gruff snort. “What’s he doing here already?”

Apparently Matthias had done his research. Sadly for Matthias, that research wouldn’t get him very far. She’d already gone down that road herself. Checked out his biography, looked up his picture, scanned the Internet film database to see everything he’d starred in. But no, she wasn’t obsessed. She just wanted to have something to discuss with him.

Daniel was the spokesman for boys next door all over the world. He was smart, somewhat funny, and generous to boot. He even sponsored a community center in the neighborhood he grew up in and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities all over the Chicago area. Oddly enough, she wasn’t as attracted to him as much as she thought she’d be.

Maybe that gaydar worked after all. And here Lucy had said it was perpetually broken.

“Is it a crime to be early for an appointment?” Serah asked.

Daniel scratched his forehead. “The file said you only had one employee and a cat that thinks he’s the boss.”

Serah shrugged. “He’s… umm… an outside investor.”

“Uhh. Okay.” Without further invitation, Daniel stepped into the building. He extended his hand to Matthias. “Daniel Blackburn. Nice to meet you.”

Matthias took his hand and crunched his fingers around Daniel’s and shook. “Matthias Ambrose.”

“That’s a powerful grip you’ve got there, dude.” Daniel rubbed his fingers then gave Matthias a friendly pat on the back.

Matthias took a sharp breath. “I work out.”

“No supplements at all?”

Serah managed to control the snort that threatened to erupt. Supplements? If Daniel only knew. He’d want nothing to do with those types of supplements.

Matthias simply shook his head and his nostrils flared. “No. I don’t need supplements.”

Daniel stepped back. “No need to get defensive. But I seriously want that workout, dude. Need to work on my upper body strength.” Daniel flexed and grabbed a bicep.

“Looks fine to me,” Matthias muttered. “I don’t think you could handle my workout, anyway. It has killed bigger men.”

Serah thanked the higher power that she was not sipping coffee, because she would have coughed and choked on it. What a way to state the obvious in a totally casual and nonchalant way—not.