Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(98)

“Call it an early birthday gift.”

“My birthday was over three months ago.”

“Okay, a really early birthday gift, then.”

“Fine, whatever.”

Lucy strolled over and gathered Serah in her arms. “Rafe took care of it,” she whispered. “He used his Paladin Express card. He never leaves limbo without it.”

She couldn’t tell if Lucy was joking or not. The Paladins and Fore-Demons were a strange bunch. “Umm… okay.”

“So it’s been taken care of by the Fore-Demon Council. No IOU needed.” Lucy gave Serah a quick hug. “See you tomorrow, girl.”

She turned to Matthias, giving him a knowing gaze. “It’s a pleasure working with you, Matthias.” She held out her hand.

“Matt,” he replied. “The pleasure is mine.”

Matt? What the hell? He was on a nickname basis with them now? What was she? Boiled cabbage? No, she was worse than that. She was a brussels sprout.

Lucy smiled. “Take care, see you tomorrow, Matt.” She turned and winked at Serah, like he would give her the same pleasure.

After the earlier sex, his actions pretty much said it all. He wanted to keep his distance. And probably a good thing. Bad things happened when you mixed business and pleasure. Take a look at Bodyguard. The moment Kevin and Whitney got together, their whole world blew apart.

Lucy looped her arm through Rafe’s. “Cramped sardine can, here we come.” With that, she let Rafe lead her out.

“Can I measure?” Kalli asked eagerly. It was weird. She’d never seen Kalli so ready to ax the demons.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I can’t help much tomorrow, so I wanted to make it up to you. I figured helping prepare the food would be as good a way as any.”

Serah smiled. “Ahh, okay. You are more than welcome to help.” She handed Kalli the Kahlúa. “Have at it, hon.”

“Yay!” She unscrewed the cap and poured the dark liquid into the measuring cup. Pushing the bottle to the side, she reached for the silver. Cracking open the lid, she poured the clear liquid in with the liqueur. Swishing the cup, she mixed the liquids.

So far so good.

She glanced over at Matthias. He stood in the shadows, his facade unrevealing. Arms crossed, he glanced up. Sorrow flashed in his eyes.

“Did you want to help?”

“I don’t want to burn down another kitchen.”

“There’s no oven involved.”

She wished she knew what was going on with him. He was passionate enough. She’d seen that earlier, but now he was distant, aloof. She didn’t like it. Bodyguard be damned. She couldn’t stand Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston anyway.

“I insist you help.” She handed him a bag of ladyfingers. Soaking them in alcohol and silver was simple enough. Something so easy even Lucy could do it. “All you need to do is roll them in the alcohol and silver.”

A tiny smile curved his lips. “I can handle that, I think.” He leaned in, his breath inches from her ear. “Thank you, Serah.”

“You’re welcome, Matthias.”

He didn’t correct her. That answered her question.





Chapter 37


It was torture being so close to her and not reaching out to stroke those luxurious curls. He had to refrain, however. He didn’t want things to be any more complicated than they already were.

Serah covered the last pan of tiramisu with foil and put it in the fridge. She took out the pan she had made earlier with Daniel and unrolled the foil.

“Anyone want a slice?”

“Me!” Daniel said.

“Me too.” Kalli licked her lips. “If it’s as good as that filling we just made, I’ll be in heaven.”

“You ate some of the silver-tainted filling?” Daniel asked, concern etched across his face.

“Blessed silver doesn’t hurt the Paladins,” Kalli said, giving the spatula a lick.

Daniel nodded. “Makes sense.”

Matthias supposed he should have some too. That way he could have a little piece of Serah. “I’d like some.”

“All righty then.” She grabbed a knife and cut four slices of tiramisu. With a warm smile, she handed him a plate. It looked delicious. Layer after layer of ladyfingers lay nestled in a bed of fluffy filling. A sprinkle of cocoa dusted the top. A chocolate-covered coffee bean sat on top, giving the cake a simple elegance. He scooped up some with his fork and took a bite.

The mixture of coffee, cream, and mascarpone exploded along his tongue. He’d had tiramisu before, but not quite like this. Delicious was an understatement. More like divine.

He angled a covert glance at Serah, who handed a plate to Daniel. She patted his shoulder and giggled cheerily.

Divine, indeed. Just like the woman who’d made it. He gritted his teeth and fought back the emotions that brewed. It was better this way.

“Can I bring a piece to Sally? That way she isn’t suspicious,” asked Daniel.

“Great idea,” Kalli said, grabbing the knife. She slid the knife through the tiramisu. “Any to-go boxes?”

Serah nodded and opened a cupboard. She pulled out a small, foam container and handed it to Kalli. “Here.”

“Not much of an environmentalist, are you?”