Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(69)

“Coby?”

“Yes.”

Scrubbing a hand through his hair, Rafe took a deep breath. “She’s incredibly brave, has been her entire life.”

“It must be genetic.”

Rafe arched a brow. “Pardon?”

“You’re pretty brave, too.”

“Thank you. Sometimes I don’t feel that way.”

Lucy rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

Lowering his gaze, he turned his head. “As for my sister, she chose to protect the chest. Only the strongest and the bravest choose that.

“I begged and pleaded, as did Nic, our best friend.” He shook his head. “She stood her ground and went behind our backs. She approached the Fore-Demon Council herself. They were all too happy to approve, even when they knew we didn’t.”

“Oh.” How bureaucratic! “So democracy is out in Hell?”

“Limbo,” Rafe muttered.

“Sorry. I’m still getting used to all this underworld shit.”

“No apology necessary. Anyhow, Coby took her position, despite our pleadings.” He let out a deep sigh. “She’d been doing an excellent job of it too. Damn Belial and his Infernati bastards.”

Noticing his jaw twitching and his fists clenched, she took control of the conversation. “So how long did she protect the chest?”

“Sixty-five years.” His grip loosened. “One of the longest held posts. She’s extremely dedicated. I can’t believe this happened.”

He leaned back. “Even though I originally begged her not to join, I still take great pride in her achievements.”

As he should. What a man, fiercely loyal to his Paladins and his family. She reached over and took his hand in hers. “She sounds fascinating. I can’t wait to meet her.”

“I appreciate your optimism, but Coby’s chances are bleak.” Rafe brushed a fingertip across her cheek, sending a stray strand of hair behind her ear and her senses roaring to life.

Not if she had anything to say about it. She’d be damned if she didn’t do something to help him and his sister. She owed him, after all he’d done for her. “I’ll find a way to help you rescue her. My father has connections, I’m sure.” She turned to face him, gazing right in those beautiful swirling silver eyes. “If I have to storm the bowels of Hell myself, I will.”

“No. It’s too dangerous, Lucy. I won’t risk your life.”

“I have to do something. I care for you, damn it.”

Had she just said that? Those words had a tendency to send men packing. Especially hotties built like Rafe. Heck, those words had sent her packing a few times. Case in point: the undreamy neurosurgeon. Then again, he’d said a few other words of affection that would make a greeting card writer vomit.

She was losing her cool. Rambling in her mind, catching her breath whenever he looked at her with that swirling silver gaze, almost swooning at his touch. Now she was certain. She had it bad for him.

Much to her delight, Rafe didn’t run away. He only gripped her hand tighter in his. Waves of thick powerful energy radiated between them. Despite the heat, calmness surrounded them, drawing them closer. Was it so wrong to just to be wrapped in his arms, to wrap him in hers? She certainly didn’t think so.

They should have been training, but the lure of his body, his scent… everything about him was too strong to resist. Sucking in a deep breath, Rafe sat ramrod straight. Yet he grasped her hand tighter. Despite the power in his grip, he clenched his teeth. Turmoil swirled deep within his silver eyes. What was he thinking? Did he want her? Did he hurt? She could only imagine.

His spicy scent wafted to her nose, filling her entire being. Intoxicating warmth spread from her head down to her toes, and some tender spots between. His hand gripping hers only intensified the effect as energy pulsed through their fingers. Every receptor in her body fired with need.

Damn him, he better act fast before I explode.

“Please, Rafe,” she whispered. “Let me kiss you again.”

With a daring she was now becoming accustomed with, she pressed her body closer, her cheek brushing the stubble along his chin. It sent delightful tingles racing through her body.

Taking a deep gulp of air, his body shivered against hers. His fingers poised to take her in his arms—or so she hoped. Yep, he wanted her. The pulse bobbing in his neck couldn’t hide the fact.

“Oh bloody hell,” he growled. Mmm. She loved that sound. Throwing that stubborn resolve of his out the window, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against the hardness of his chest. Pleasure spiked as energy flowed between them. Rafe’s eyes glowed like two giant moons, full and bright. Good, he felt it too.

It filled them, sending heated jolts through their bodies. Strange as it seemed, they were connected. Not just in the physical sense either. It drove her mad with desire. Desire she never knew existed. There was no doubt now, he was the one who had the control over her—no matter how hard he tried to deny it.

Lifting her chin with his thumb and forefinger, he gazed down into her eyes, beckoning her to jump into the depths of the swirling silver pools. Yes, they shouldn’t be doing this, but nothing seemed so right… so perfect.

Ahh… Perfect. She held back a chuckle. Rafe was wrong about one thing. Perfection did exist. And he was it. From his silky dark locks, every angle and curve of his ripped physique, and those eyes. Especially those eyes. Even now they sparked glints of silver. She could get lost in those eyes… Oops! She already had.