Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(30)

“You’ve said that—numerous times.” She extended her legs and stretched. “But now it’s time to open my shop. I have customers to serve.”

Rafe scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “I understand. Kalli and I can attempt an enrapture similar to yesterday afternoon.”

She knew it! “Ha! I knew you had us under some sort of spell.” Not that she was complaining. After all, he had taken care of Mrs. Carlson. “Next time warn me when you do something like that.”

Rafe arched a brow. “You, my dear Lucy, were unaffected.”

Unaffected? Yeah right. That man had her wanting to swoon on sight. No way in hell had she not been affected. She still was affected almost twenty-four hours later. “Bullshit. I was just as enthralled as Gerardo and Mrs. Carlson.” If not more.

“Maybe,” Rafe said, rising from his perch. The muscles in his arms and legs flexed with each step toward her. His silvery gaze burned into her, causing her body to shiver in delightful excitement. “But the fact that you were aware of the situation proves everything.”

The heat radiated from his body, inches from her, and flooded her. Her pulse raced and goose bumps sprouted all over her body. God, he was good.

“Okay, enough already, Rafe.” Lucy crossed her arms across her chest and stiffened her lip. “I get your point.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Enough of what? I wasn’t doing anything—yet.”

“Really?” She shook away the tingles of excitement that kept barraging her body. Yeah right! Like her body always did that when a hot guy gave her a searing gaze. “I felt something.”

“He’s telling the truth. The effect of an enrapture is more like this…” Kalli turned to face her, her eyes sparkling like two giant amethysts. Tiny pricks of electricity tickled her brain. “The effects on humans aren’t quite so dull.”

Dull wasn’t quite how she would’ve described it. Maybe because she was only half succubus? Well, if she was a succubus. She was falling into this story a little too easily.

“Fine. Do what you gotta do,” she said, turning toward the back hallway. “I need to talk to Gerardo and Frankie.” She flashed a bright smile Kalli’s way. “New employee and all.”

Kalli nodded. “Fair enough. Rafe and I will manage.” She turned back to gaze out the window and shuddered. Men pressed and pushed against the door.

Blinking, Lucy shook her head. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Pressed against the plate glass window was none other than Josh Carlson. His blond hair hadn’t changed one bit since college. Same style and all. Heaven forbid a strand fall out of place or he’d probably have a heart attack. Predictability had been his forte—until now. Now he stood there acting like a fool with the other one hundred or so male admirers.

This wouldn’t be pretty. Josh fawning over her would be just what her mother ordered. Not what she had in mind as a way to win her mother over, either. Hopefully, Rafe and Kalli could truly handle the situation—for her already-dwindling sanity’s sake.

Kalli popped to attention, her eyes wide and alert. “What is it?”

“Ex-boyfriend, ten o’clock.”

Rafe exhaled long and deep. His jaw tightened. “Bloody hell. How long has he been your ex?”

“Five years, but he’s engaged to someone else now.” She’d be damned if she break up Josh and Larissa and leave his meddlesome mommy with something more to harp on about. “I’m supposed to style the hair for their wedding,” she added lamely.

Kalli’s brow shot up in an ever-permanent arch. “You must be strong if you can overtake the power of love.”

Rafe groaned. “This isn’t good, and I don’t like leaving the chest unattended.” His silver glare seared. “Go talk to your employees. As soon as the crowd is controlled, I’m going back to check in with the council. Do what you need to do here, Lucia.”

The formal use of her name sent her heart plummeting for some unknown reason. With a curt nod, she spun on her heels and stalked toward the storage room.

Wasting no time, she threw open the door.

“Hon, that chimp ain’t talking.” Frankie grabbed a bottle of developer and sat it up on one of the shelves. He breathed a sigh of relief and stretched his arms. “Hey Lucy, honey.” He sauntered over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. His other hand snaked down and massaged her ass.

Not Frankie too!

“Get your manos off mi mujer. I saw her first.” Gerardo, holding two gigantic bottles of Ultra Shine Spray, came into focus. “I am her photographer.”

“Hell no, she’s mine.”

She flashed a glance at Serah. “How long has this been going on?”

Serah’s lips tightened. “Too long. Gerardo pulled out your mug shot and it’s been on since.”

Ha! At least someone agreed with her. “I told you to get rid of that photo, Ger.”

Gerardo sighed and batted his lashes. “Oh, my dear, I had every intention of tossing it, but your beauty called out to me.” He dropped the hair spray and threw himself into her arms. “Take me, mi amor.”

“Oh, hell to the double no!” Frankie grabbed Gerardo by the feathers of his shirt and ripped him from Lucy’s arms. He took his fist and gave Gerardo a girlish punch to the shoulder.