Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(61)

Matthias nodded. “Ahh. I don’t want to break your furniture the moment I sit on it.” He set the catalogs down on the table. “You know I could just build you some sturdier furniture.”

Why did he just offer her that? He wasn’t going to stay here long enough to even attempt such a feat. Although the thought wasn’t all together unpleasant.

He didn’t plan for the mission to last more than a few days. Until Serah accepted her powers and learned how to use them. He needed an in-and-out mission like he was used to. Get the job done, leave, and never look back. But could he forget? And keeping himself from looking back wouldn’t be that easy either.

“That would take too long. Unless your carpentry skills were supersized when you decided to go demon.”

Matthias’s heart sunk. There was no decision for him. He’d been robbed of his life and his soul. He clenched his fists, fingers digging into the magazines he still held. “Sometimes things get decided for you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Never mind.” He turned away to glance out the window. He couldn’t let her see his pain. He’d gone so long keeping it hidden. “You and Lucy go. I’ll stay here and look at these catalogs.” He gripped the windowsill tight. Please, just go away. Before he did something he would regret.

“Are you sure? Did I say something to upset you?” He felt her standing behind him. He inhaled sharply. “I’m fine.”

She reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I might not know you that well, but I can see something’s bothering you. Please?”

He jerked his body straight. “I said I was fine,” he barked out.

She yanked her hand away. “Fine. Lucy, let’s go.”

He kept his back to her. He couldn’t turn around. She would hate him. It was better this way.

The sound of footfalls echoed in the room, followed by the slamming of the door. No, he’d never have anything with Serah like the relationship Rafael and Lucy had.

He only had himself to blame.





Chapter 25


“Unbelievable!” Serah grumbled. “See what I mean? He’s got some serious mixed signals brewing in that big head of his.” She threw her hands up in the air, her frustration raging inside.

Lucy shrugged. “He seems conflicted, really. To be honest, you should probably keep your distance.” Shaking her head, she snickered. “Well, as much as you can, considering the situation.”

“I think I’m just going to handle this like business-as-usual, with a few extra spectators.”

Lucy grinned, that’s the spirit. “Did I smell tiramisu when I came in earlier?”

“Yeah, you did.” She adjusted her chef’s jacket and headed toward the kitchen. “Daniel wants to do a bit on the origins of tiramisu. He’s doing research right now. That should keep him busy for a couple hours.”

“What is its origin?”

Serah smirked. “No one really knows for sure. Various experts have different stories. But I know this. It tastes damn good.”

“You are bad, you know that?”

“Yep.” Serah grinned, giving her friend a friendly punch to the shoulder.

“So who is this lovely lady?” Daniel’s smooth voice echoed in her ear.

She spun around. Daniel stood there, a stack of paper and books in his arms. “Daniel, I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. This is my best friend, and reluctant guinea pig, Lucy Gregory.”

Daniel nodded. “Nice to meet you, Lucy. I’d shake your hand or hug you, but my hands are little full right now.”

Serah’s eyes popped. “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?”

“Look at all this information I found! I hope you don’t mind that I used so much paper, but I don’t have a printer at my hotel.”

Serah shook her head. “No problem. I’ve got plenty of paper to go around.” No one person could acquire so much information in a matter of an hour.

“How’d you get all this information so quickly?”

“My assistant emailed me some links. God I love having someone to help me.”

“Trust me, I’d never be able to do this job without Edie, so I know what you mean.” She glanced at her friend. “Lucy knows too, right?”

“Without my two guys and Kalli, my shop would fall apart.” Lucy couldn’t help the smirk.

“Literally,” Serah added under her breath, audible only to Lucy.

Lucy grumbled and waved her fist in mock frustration.

“I had the mother of all pipe bursts last year. Without them, my shop would have been closed for good.”

“Praise be for that, huh?” Daniel shuffled the papers and books in his arms.

“Do you need any help with those?”

Daniel shook his head. “I can manage. I got this far with them. I also took a quick trip to the bookstore, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine. I had to discuss the arrangements with Matthias, Lucy and Rafe anyway. I’ll talk about it with you when your hands aren’t so full.”

“Cool.” He shuffled and stacked the printouts, books and magazines in his arms. “I contemplated writing a book on all this information I found about tiramisu.” Daniel sighed. “Alas, someone already beat me to the punch.”