Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(36)

“My sister will be looking for me,” Tori said, anger glowing over her smooth skin.

“Aye, and we’ll let her know what’s going on.” Hell, the woman probably already knew. “I think Adam Dunne is heading over here to help you.”

Tori breathed out and rolled her eyes. “Great. Is there anybody other than Adam who could help?”

Simone bit back a smile. “Why?”

“He’s a chauvinistic, arrogant, narcissistic *,” Tori said evenly.

Interesting. Fascinating, really. Adam was definitely arrogant, but not the other adjectives. Was Tori blushing? Simone kept her face stoic. “I’m afraid he’s the one who’s been assigned to help you.” Not exactly true, but Simone could make that happen. She hadn’t considered the two together before, but with Tori’s wild ways and Adam’s logical precision, they just might be the opposites that would combust. “When he finds you, be nice to him.”

Tori scoffed. “Every time I try to be nice, he says something that makes me want to kick him in the face.”

Maybe it was attraction. Maybe not. Simone stood and gathered her skirts. “I have to get to work, but I hope to make it back here tonight and answer any further questions you may have.” She’d also love to figure out what kind of enhanced ability Tori had. “Any chance you can move things with your mind?”

“No.” Tori also stood and walked over by the tall windows. “If I get the opportunity, I’m out of here.”

Simone paused. “Oh. You should know that the Guards are all witches, and they can burn you with plasma. If you insist on making a break for it, please wait until I’ve concluded my business, and then I’ll help you. I promise.” If she was found guilty, they could both go on the run. If not, she’d use her position to get Tori to safety.

“No promises.”

Simone tried to keep a positive look on her face, but her concern was real. The Guard would never let a human go. “We’ll get you out of this. I promise.”

Tori didn’t answer this time.

Nick exited the kitchen. “We have to get going.” He smiled at Tori. “I’m Nick, and it was nice to meet you.”

Her chin lifted. “You’re my first demon.”

His smile widened. “That you know of.”

“Good point,” she said rather grimly.

Nick opened the door, and Simone followed him into the hallway. “She’s mad at me.”

“She’ll get over it.” He reached down and took her hand, his gaze scouting the hallways and stairs for any threats. “This is a big knock to her sense of equilibrium, but since her sister is mated to a witch, it’s a good thing. Secrets between sisters can’t be good.”

That was a wonderful point. Simone brightened. Even so, her stomach rolled again. What in the world was wrong with her?

Her phone dinged, and she glanced down to read the face. “A couple of investigators I have in Seattle have tracked down two dealers of the planekite drug. They’re small fish, but they may be able to lead us to the main distributor in Seattle. We’re also closing in on the Los Angeles distributors.” She glanced up at Nick. “We have got to find out who’s behind the manufacture of that poison.”

“We will.” He pivoted at the base of the steps and put her against the wall.

The breath swished out of her lungs. “What are you doing?”

He leaned in, all male animal. “You’ve been so preoccupied all morning, you haven’t given me a decent kiss.”

Ah, she knew what he was doing, trying to distract her from Tori’s unhappiness as well as banish any fear of the upcoming hearing. “Who says you deserve a morning kiss?”

His eyes darkened at the challenge.

A slow shiver wound down her back.

“After the things I let you do to me last night, you could at least give me a kiss.” He leaned in, amusement quirking his lip.

“The things I did?” she gasped. “You were a, well, a demon last night in bed.” Humor bubbled through her, and she leaned up to press a hard kiss against his lips.

“Good one.”

Aye, it was. Even with the world disintegrating around them, there was something fun about teasing Nick. Temporarily, of course. Yet, for the first time, Simone wondered whether she could have it all. Could she have an important leadership position with the Nine and be with a demon, one of the most powerful in his nation? What if their peoples did go to war again? What then?

He rubbed her forehead. “Stop worrying about undesirable scenarios. The worst is behind us.”

Was it? “You mean, except for my trial with the prosecution seeking the death penalty?” She licked her lips. “You can’t distract me.”

“Can’t I?” he murmured. His nostrils flared, and he leaned down to run his tongue where hers had just been. Desire blasted through her, and she had to concentrate not to tackle him and start destroying clothing. His chuckle brushed her mouth, and then he settled his lips against hers, just exploring.

Her breath caught, and she fell into his kiss, her hands grasping his dress shirt.

With a low growl, he encircled her waist and drew her tighter, his mouth becoming more forceful as he bent her back. She would’ve fallen had he not kept her pressed so tightly against the wall, his heat all but surrounding her. Exhilarating, drugging, his touch was fire and lightning. Breathing became secondary to the feeling of the demon against her.