Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(17)

What was the deal with asking permission? “She’s my friend, that’s permission enough.”

“Very well,” Rafe said. “But heed my warning for future reference. A mortal may never touch a demon without permission.”

Not this again. “Not you too! How in the hell can I be a demon? I have two very mortal parents.”

“Succubus,” Rafe mumbled with a shake of his head.

“Suck a what?” Serah asked, interrupting the not-so-private conversation.

Rafe grabbed Lucy and turned her head to face him. “You’re a succubus. A sex demon.”

Yeah right! Because she was just screaming sex. “And I bet you’re the pope come to save me from eternal damnation?”

Rafe pulled her closer, their lips inches apart. His breath danced along her lips and she ached to kiss him. Absolutely nuts!

His eyes glowed hot and angry, leaving her hungry. “We have serious problems, succubus, so I wouldn’t joke.” He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and inched her head up. The action, even though forceful, held gentle care. His gaze smoldered like hot embers. Lucy’s body quivered with need.

“I am not a succubus, demon, or whatever. Do I look like I’m seeping sexual energy?” But he certainly seeped plenty of it.

Rafe’s breath teased her cheek. “Your energy was latent. Opening the chest has changed that.” His lips remained centimeters from hers. Kiss me, her mind urged. What the heck?

“I know what you’re trying to do, my dear Lucia. It won’t work. It only works on humans.” He ripped himself away and turned his back to her.

Lucy exhaled a deep breath. “Oh, so you’re a demon, too?” She turned to her friend who stood still, broom in hand. “Hey, Serah, do you believe this?”

“I don’t know,” she replied as she swept up the shards of glass with her own broom. “You obviously have some powers. How do you explain what happened?” She gave Rafe a once-over. “So are you going to introduce me or what?”

Lucy sighed. “My bad. Mr. Rafael Deleon, meet my friend Serah SanGermano.”

The wannabe demon bowed. “Call me Rafe.”

Serah nodded and extended her hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you.”

He took her hand in a hearty shake. “I wish your friend here were more accepting of her condition, as you are.”

“So say I am in fact a demon,” Lucy countered. “What’ll happen to me?”

Rafe crossed his arms. “You’ll need to feed… soon.”

“I suppose since I am a suck-you-whatever, I need to suck someone’s blood?” She turned to Serah and smiled. “Give me your wrist, baby.”

Rafe rolled his eyes. “Your humor does little to help the situation. A succubus feeds on the sexual energy of men.”

“Sounds fun,” she replied with a wink. “Let’s get it on then.” Bonus if he accepts. The way her body acted, she hoped to hell he would. But sensing the hot and cold vibe this man gave off, she doubted he would. One could hope, right?

“I’m not a mortal. I will be of little use to you.” Rafe blew out an exasperated breath. “Perhaps it would be better if we discuss this in the morning.”

Lucy nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll meet you at eight a.m. at the Starbucks on A-Line Road.”

“I can’t leave you alone. You and your friend are in danger. Belial will come for you and the chest.”

“Oh please!” As much as she fought the truth, she knew something was happening. It was in her blood. It kept her alert… wanting. “Fine. We’ll go to my house. What about Serah?”

“She’ll have to come with us for the time being.” Rafe roved around the salon, gathering their coats. “I need something to cover the chest. When the handprint is exposed to the moonlight, it becomes a beacon. Every demon on Earth will know where we are.”

Lucy grabbed a styling cape from the back of her chair, brandishing the purple nylon as if she were a matador tempting a bull. “Voila!”

She threw the cape down, letting it drape across the chest, and turned to Serah. “Are you okay? You took quite a hit.”

Serah nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little frazzled.”

“You really think I’m a demon?”

Serah shrugged. “Something’s going on. Look at your shop.”

She did have a point. How many boxes came with a free fireworks display and light show—and a hunk with glowing silver eyes, of course?

But Lucy Gregory? A demon? What would her mom say about that? She didn’t even want to dwell on that reaction. Another thing her mom could add to her long list of disappointments.

Throwing on a coat, she heaved a sigh. “I know. I’m just trying to understand this all. Imagine if it were you?”

“I get your point, Lucy.” Serah brushed her fingers through brunette curls. “Yeah, I’d do the same. I’m such an angel, you know.”

What a bunch of bull. “Yeah, you go on and think that.”

Rafe cleared his throat. “We don’t have time for idle chitchat, women.” He scooped the chest beneath his arm as if it were a weightless feather. Amazing. “The longer you dawdle, the quicker Belial’s guards will find us.”