Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(32)

Josh’s lip jutted out in a big pout. “I just had this epiphany today, Lucy. I love you! I don’t care if you don’t want to be a doctor.” Throwing himself at her, he wrapped his arms around her and slapped wet kisses all over her lips and cheeks. “I saw you driving by as I finished my morning run and I knew what I was missing. You!”

Anger and jealousy flashed in Gerardo’s and Frankie’s eyes. Scanning the salon, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. The other men had since been cured and sent on their way.

She craned her neck toward Rafe, whose gaze bore into her. What was he thinking? She still hadn’t figured the man out. She needed to… had to. He turned his gaze from hers. “The men who know you best are more affected.”

“Even ones that don’t swing that way?” she asked, pushing Josh away. “Sorry Josh, but you’re marrying Larissa. She’s so sweet, and I won’t let you break her heart.”

“Larissa who?”

Lucy swiveled her body and flashed Kalli a concerned gaze. “Do something!”

Kalli nodded, closed her eyes and spoke in her Greek language. She lifted her arms and threw a bolt of energy at Josh, then two more at Frankie and Gerardo. Josh let out a loud gasp and slumped against a counter. He rubbed his head. “Wh… Where am I?” He looked around. “Lucia? What’s going on?”

Kalli snapped her fingers.

“I came to say thank you for the offer to assist Larissa and her bridesmaids.” He rubbed his head some more. “What a horrible headache.”

Lucy arched a brow at Kalli, whose lips spread into a wide grin. Thanks, I owe you, she mouthed to her and turned back to Josh. “Would you like some ibuprofen?”

Josh nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Kalli will go get you some. Right, Kalli?”

Kalli shrugged. “If you say so.”

Gerardo and Frankie slumped down on the waiting room seats too, their heads in their hands. Frankie moaned softly.

Gerardo groaned. “Something’s in the air.”

Serah sidled up next to Lucy. “Something in the air alright,” she whispered. “Pheromone freak.”

Rafe shrugged. “Perhaps.”

Kalli arched a brow. “Glad I brought the entire bottle,” she said, shaking the Advil.

She padded around the seating area, handing out pills and little paper cups filled with water. All that was missing was her nurse hat. Naughty nurse, maybe. Lucy stifled a chuckle.

She stopped in front of Josh, a spark of amethyst in her gaze. She scrunched her brow in consternation and her lip straightened. “Here you go, Joshua.” She thrust the Advil and a cup of water into his hands.

“Thank you, Kalliope.” He placed the pills in his mouth and tipped his cup before downing the contents. Just like Josh to insist on calling someone by their given name. He still insisted on calling Frankie Francis, much to Frankie’s chagrin. Judging from Kalli’s faraway expression, however, she seemed to enjoy it. Now that was odd.

“I hate to stop in and go, but I need to get to work.” Standing, Josh turned to Kalli. “Nice meeting you, Kalli and Rafael.” He nodded at Gerardo and Frankie and flashed Lucy a smile. “Larissa will be stopping by later to make arrangements.” His gaze grew warm. “I appreciate it. My mother was so pleased with her hair the other day.”

Lucy stifled the chuckle. After all, it was Rafe he should thank. Not her. “Sure thing, Joshua. Come by some time for a trim.”

He turned to flash Kalli a surreptitious gaze. As if they all wouldn’t notice. “I certainly will.” With that, he left, the door jangling with his wake.

Scratching her head, Kalli turned to face Lucy. “We need to talk… Your boyfriend has the scent of succubus on him.”

Rafe lifted his head from his magazine, instantly attuned to the conversation. He threw down the magazine and rose, taking quick steps toward them. “This private conversation of yours involves me too.”

“Whatever,” Lucy said. “Knock yourself out, buddy.”

“Is he truly your ex?” Kalli’s expression remained deathly serious.

A flash of something lit in Rafe’s eyes. He clenched his jaw. You’d almost think he was jealous.

“Yes, I haven’t slept with him—or anyone else—in over five years.”

So don’t get your boxers in a knot, Rafe. Oh that’s right, he went commando. She did her best to hide the blush as she remembered the flying buttons and the glimpse of his excitement beneath the black leather.

“Maybe it’s left-over energy?”

“Perhaps,” Kalli said. “From the way he attached himself to you, I see no reason to doubt that assumption.”

“Which means you’re strong, Lucy. Stronger than we realized.” Rafe’s intense gaze left her stunned, as if she’d been slammed against the wall. “We need to take care of the chest, so we can get you to Lilu.”

What? She crossed her arms and raised her chin. There was no way she’d let them take her away from the shop, especially when the place they wanted to take her to was Hell. “I don’t think so. I’m not leaving. Send the king of kink here.”

Kalli shook her head. “Lilu will not walk Earth. As if things could just be this simple. We wouldn’t be here otherwise.”