Ripper (Hunter #1)(40)

I wanted to believe it so much that it scared me.

I pulled away and Gray sighed.

He let me go, though I could tell he wanted to push the issue. “Go on, Kelsey. I need to get dressed and make a few calls. Why don’t you wait for me in the den? I won’t be long and then we can go over what we’re looking for tonight.”

I was out of the room before he’d finished the last sentence. I hated my cowardice and wondered what it would cost me this time, but Gray seemed like a big old fire I was close to getting really burned by. I forced my heart to stop racing as I made my way to the den. I had to relax around the man and decide what the hell I wanted. He was going to start thinking my name was synonymous with cold shower if I didn’t stop running away or falling asleep every time he got a hard-on.

My mouth was still dry, the only lingering effects from the night before, so I walked through the den and into the kitchen. I opened the door to the stainless steel fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. Gray’s fridge was well stocked. It was totally different than mine, which usually only held days-old take-out containers and beer. Gray was acquainted with grocery stores.

“Is there anything I can help you with, ma’am?” a soft voice asked, and I nearly dropped the water as I turned. I needed to get my head out of my ass because I was tired of getting snuck up on.

The small man who stood before me was at least an inch shorter than me and probably weighed ten pounds less. He was dressed smartly in a severe black suit and dark silk tie and appeared to be a courtly gentleman of around sixty years.

But there was something wrong with him. Something about him that made me look twice and then again.

He continued speaking as I tried to put my finger on it. “I must say I am surprised to see a female here. The master usually stays with his female…dates rather than bringing them back to his home. I should warn you, my master rarely stays more than one night with any female. If you’ll leave your address on the bar, I will send you the requisite bouquet to thank you for your sexual services.”

I laughed outright at that because it was so awkward. I knew I was supposed to be horribly embarrassed and outraged at the thought, but it struck me as funny. What can I say? I have an awfully dark sense of humor. It was obvious that the servant didn’t approve of Gray’s sexual conquests, so I had to needle him a little. It was all a part of my perverse personality.

“Don’t worry about the flowers. I already got the cash, buddy. Your boss was generous with the tip.” I gave the shocked servant a saucy little wink.

“My master has brought a prostitute back to his home? This is the home where he is supposed to one day bring my mistress. How dare he?” The little man drew himself to his full height, and as he turned I caught the slightest glimpse of red eyes before they flashed back to dull brown. “I shall speak to Master Grayson immediately. You should prepare to leave. Your services will no longer be needed.”

“You’re a demon.” Now that I really looked at him, I could see the faintest outline of haze around his body, like the lines were softer where his flesh met his clothes. “Are you wearing a glamour?”

He turned back to me, his eyes flaring and a little look of wonder coming onto his face. “You’re the Hunter.”

I think I was happier when he thought I was a hooker. Hookers make people happy. “I’m not a hunter. I don’t do that.”

The older man’s smile was sly. “That isn’t what I meant, miss. Hunter is what you are not what you do. I apologize sincerely for mistaking you for less. I am Syl. It is my honor to welcome you into my master’s home. If you do not mind, I will dispense with the glamour. I prefer my own skin, though if it offends you I will, of course, suffer through.”

His face was sour, as though he expected me to choose whichever option caused him the most discomfort. I shrugged and opened the bottle of water. I was glad we weren’t going to talk about my father’s profession. “Do what you like. It won’t bother me.”

“And a kind mistress at that,” the demon purred and the old man was gone, replaced by a red-skinned demon with tiny horns. The dimensions of the demon didn’t change. He was still shorter than me and his clothes were exactly the same except for the shoes. Goat-like feet poked out from his trousers.

“See that’s freaky.” I took a long drink.

A single shoulder came up in a gesture that told me he’d heard it all before. “It is normal where I come from. Your pale skin seems a little…freaky to me.”

“I can live with that,” I said, slowly digesting the fact that my almost lover had a demonic housekeeper. “So you work for Gray?”

“I do, indeed.” He went about putting the kitchen to rights, gathering dishes and wiping down countertops. He poured a glass of orange juice and set it in front of me. “I have been Master Gray’s familiar since his birth. I was a gift from his father. Here, drink this. It’s freshly squeezed. It has to be better than bland water. Or would you prefer coffee? I can make anything you like.”

I took the drink because I wanted to get back to the topic at hand.

“His familiar? Like a witch’s familiar?” I asked, confused by the terminology. I ignored the fact that he’d been given a person…bipedal humanoid as a gift for his birthday. My father had been concerned with werewolves. I knew next to nothing about demons.