Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(78)

“Fine, go ask Rafe.”

“Okay.” Covering the phone, she turned to Rafe, who pulled his T-shirt back on. She held back a sigh. There was no more time for play. “So Serah wants to come back here.”

Rafe shook his head. “It isn’t safe. Even Kalli is keeping vigil in the shop with your employees.”

“All right.” She put the phone back to her ear. “He says it’s still not safe.”

Serah’s long breath of air reverberated in her ear. “Fine, bye. Squeaky and I are going to watch The Godfather trilogy for the millionth time. Why can’t he have a fetish for historical sagas instead?”

“Sorry, girl. I’ll call you back when Rafe and I have more news.”

“Rafe and you,” she said, sarcasm dripping on each word.

She bit her lip to prevent herself from lashing out. It wasn’t like she wasn’t the only person who was stressed. Taking a deep breath, Lucy composed herself. “Look, I’m just as aggravated as you. I’m cooped up in this tiny house with your dusty box and only Rafe to keep me company.”

Serah snorted “Try spending the evening with a stupid primate and The Godfather movie marathon. At least you have a sexy man to keep you company. I have a f*cking monkey!”

“But you love Squeaky. And, remember, he’s a chimp, not a monkey.”

“Kiss my ass.”

Her eyes rolled to the ceiling. “Whatever. Just wait a few more hours. Rafe says that once the solstice has passed, the threat lowers.”

“Fine. I suppose I can play Donnie Brasco or Prizzi’s Honor instead. That’ll keep him occupied for another three or four hours.” There was no masking the sarcasm in her voice.

“Good.”

“Are you sure I can’t come over? There’s something about Rafe I don’t like.”

Blowing out a breath, she adjusted the phone at her ear. “I know he comes off as standoffish, but he means well.” She smiled. “He’s very protective.”

“That’s what you think.” Serah clucked her tongue. “He’s hiding something. Has he done anything to you?”

Did she know they did it? Her mind reeled. She hoped not. “No. He’s been all right.”

“Only all right?” Her voice raised an octave. “I would’ve thought he’d be better than that.” Was that a lip smack? Then again, it shouldn’t surprise her. Besides shopping, Serah had one other weakness… the opposite sex.

“If anything happened between Rafe and me, you’d be the first to know.”

“Good.” The phone scratched a bit. “Squeaky! Stop. I’ll call back later.” The phone went dead.

Flipping the phone shut, she turned to Rafe. “That was weird.”

“Your friend seems strange in general.”

She shook her head. “Weirder than usual.”

With silver eyes blazing, Rafe strode toward her. His expression still stern, he raised her chin to meet his gaze. “She just found out her best friend is a sex demon. Give her a break.”

And just earlier, she’d said she didn’t trust him? Yet Rafe had just defended her. “Yeah, I will.”

Rafe smiled. “Good.” He reached down and took her hand in his. Bringing it up to his mouth, he let his lips brush across her fingertips. Tingles and sizzles raced through each finger down to her toes. He had a way with… everything.

“Thanks, Rafe. I know this isn’t how you planned on spending your winter solstice.”

Rafe chuckled and pulled her closer. “We don’t have seasons in Limbo.” He gazed down at her, his silver eyes sparking. “Regardless of my initial displeasure, there isn’t anywhere I’d rather be.”

“What about your sister?”

“Shh.” Rafe brought his fingers to her lips. “Her rescue is in capable hands. The Fore-Demons brought me here for a reason.”

“Yeah, and they brought Squeaky here for a reason. I’ve yet to learn why. The little guy seems more attached to Serah than you.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “I still don’t fully understand how the Fore-Demons work. But over the centuries I’ve learned not to question them.” A slow smile crept to his lips. “Enough chitchat. We need to clean up before Kalli arrives with the sword.”

“I suppose we can’t have her smelling us on each other,” she said with a shrug. Truth be told, she enjoyed the spicy scent he left on her. She didn’t want to wash it off at all.

A loud chuckle burst from his mouth, a sound that was becoming more frequent. “No, I just thought you would like to freshen up. Kalli’s pretty astute. She’ll know what we did, with or without showers.”

“Yeah, she is. I’m sure reading people’s minds helps somewhat.” Thank goodness she’d learned how to keep inquiring minds out.

“A little too much, I’m certain.” Rafe reached out and hauled her against him. The hardness of his chest against the soft roundness of her breasts caused her skin to sizzle. “One more kiss before you shower.” He took her lips with his, savage hunger filling both of them as tongues tangled and swirled against each other. His hands moved up and down her back, strong, demanding, and protective. Heat flamed between them, hotter than Hell itself. She never wanted it to end.