Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(99)

Serah smirked. “Spare me the lecture. They’re recyclable.”

“Okay.” With that, she lifted the cake server and plopped the tiramisu into the container. She closed the lid and handed it to Daniel. “There you go.”

Daniel smiled. “Thanks.”

The sound of wind chimes echoed through the kitchen. Daniel sighed. “It’s probably Sally.”

He set the foam container down and reached into his back pocket. With a nod, he tapped on his screen. “Hello?” He blew out a frustrated breath. “We had to make an extra pan. We forgot about the display.” There was a pause. “We’re just finishing up. I’m bringing you a piece so you can try it.”

So far so good. The guy was a natural. He would have eventually made it on his own, even without Sally’s—Salome’s—help. Too bad he’d gotten wrapped up in the wrong crowd.

“I’m leaving now, Sally… All right… See you soon. Bye.” With that, he mashed his finger on the screen and ended the call. Matthias decided right then and there that he’d help Daniel straighten out his life. After all, if he could do it, Daniel could too.

“So?”

“She doesn’t seem suspicious.” Daniel shook his head. “Doesn’t mean she’s not. But she’s not pleased that I’m late.”

Typical Salome. Controlling and callous. If he could march right into that hotel and give her a piece of his mind, he would. He would not let her corrupt another human—or demon for that matter.

“You’d better get going,” was all he said. He bit his tongue.

Serah nodded in agreement. “The last thing we want is her angry right now.”

Daniel nodded. “She wants me back here at nine. The taping starts at eleven o’clock. Is that okay?”

A sly smile curved Serah’s lips. “It will have to be. If you try to defy Sally—Salome—whatever—she may become suspicious.”

“Okay!” He wrapped his arms around Serah and pulled her into a tight embrace. Serah returned the hug, her arms wrapping just as tightly around him.

Matthias stifled the growl. Why in the hell did he have to be so jealous? Serah needed someone like Daniel, someone with a clean conscience. Someone who hadn’t lived almost a millennium.

Daniel fit the bill perfectly.

Daniel withdrew from the hug and gave Kalli an equally warm hug. Daniel then turned to him. “Thank you for allowing me to help, Matthias.” He held out his hand.

“Call me Matt.” He took Daniel’s hand in his and gave him a hearty shake. He glanced over toward Serah, her face in a tight scowl. What now?

He gave Daniel a pat on the back. “Be careful, friend.”

Daniel smiled. “I will.” With that, he gave a quick wave and made his way toward the front door.

Matthias blew out a breath. Maybe some of this jealousy would abate with Daniel gone. He could only hope so.

“I’m heading off too.” Serah said, grabbing her keys from the wall.

“Not without me, you’re not.”

“Not this again.”

“I don’t want a repeat of this morning. You are too important to—the world. I can’t lose you.”

Kalli arched a brow. “I think I’m going to go poof. I have a feeling you two need some alone time.”

“No!”

“Sorry, but I think it’s best for both of you.” Kalli gave them no chance to answer. “Don’t worry, I’ll use the office.” She spun toward the office and strode off.

“You’ve been acting weird all night, Matthias. What is the deal? Daniel is harmless. I saw the way you looked when he hugged me.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Yeah, sure.” She spun away from him.

He reached out and grabbed her elbow, bringing her to face him. He took her chin and angled her face to meet his gaze. “I worry about you, is that so wrong?”

“No,” she breathed out.

He allowed his arms to reach around her neck and wind his fingers in her curls. He knew he should resist, but the damage had already been done. He lowered his lips to hers. With slow tentative sweeps, he pressed into her mouth, his tongue sweeping against hers. A soft moan escaped her lips as her teeth grazed against his tongue. It was too much. His member pulsed and throbbed.

He couldn’t do this to her. Not now. It was the excitement from the impending battle that affected him. He’d seen it in battle before. But not like this. Not so tender or caring. Bloody hell. He was in love, that’s why.

He withdrew from the kiss. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you. We can’t do that again.”

Her lips trembled and her sapphire eyes clouded. “You’re right. We can’t.”

Those words cut him to the core.

***

They rode home in silence. Serah turned the corner and pulled into the driveway. She just wanted to go to bed and make the night go by faster.

It was a hard task with Matthias so close. She glanced down at her phone. How did she miss all these calls? A number she didn’t recognize. She pushed the button on the machine to get her messages.

“Farquie, where are you baby? The human went out on a date. I’m all alone.”

Serah shivered. She really didn’t want to know.