by Sarah Bailey
“And Finn is your client?”
“Finnegan, yeah. He’s high up, but not a Duke like Beleth.”
“Did you not want Tom to meet me?”
He frowned.
“No. Don’t need him reporting back to Finn I have a human who’s not quite a human working with me.”
“But aren’t I on Hell’s payroll?”
He rolled his eyes.
“They don’t give a shit who gets paid, as long as it’s worth it.”
“Am I worth it?”
He brushed her cheek, his touch gentle.
“You’re an important part of my team.”
“Don’t you work by yourself?”
“Usually, you’re the exception to the rule.”
She bit her lip. There was something else to this he wasn’t saying.
Her phone buzzed on the bedside table and she reached over to pick it up.
Oh shit. It was Daisy.
She winced. She’d been ignoring texts from her best friend since she’d met Lukas.
“Hi, D.”
“Where the fuck have you been?”
Lukas raised his eyebrows. She knew he could hear her friend shouting down the other end.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Bullshit, Ella. You’re never busy.”
“I’m sorry, all right.”
“You missed my show.”
She slapped her hand on her head. Shit. She had forgotten. Daisy’s show was last night and she was too busy getting drunk with the demon in front of her. Idiot. Idiot!
“Daisy, I’m really, really, sorry! I didn’t mean to miss it.”
“What the fuck is going on with you? Why have you been avoiding me?”
She flinched. It was half true. She’d been ignoring Daisy because she didn’t know what to tell her.
“Can we meet up? I promise I’ll explain everything.”
She heard Daisy let out a frustrated sigh.
“Fine. Our place. How long do you need?”
“Give me an hour.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
Daisy hung up before she could say anything more. She dropped her phone and put her head in her hands. What the fuck was she going to say to her best friend?
“Are you all right?”
“Not really.”
“She sounded… nice.”
She raised her head to look at him.
“Daisy is just intense sometimes and it’s also my fault. I’ve been avoiding her because of all this.”
She waved her hand at him.
“Me?”
“Not just you. Everything that’s happened since we met.”
“I see.”
“I don’t really have time for this. I don’t even know where we are and I have nothing to wear.”
“Hey, hey, calm down. You can borrow something of mine if it’s that important.”
She rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh of irritation.
“You’re a guy.”
“And?”
She threw up her hands in frustration. She really didn’t need this right now.
“Okay, fine. I need a shower. I feel like shit.”
“You did have a little too much to drink.”
“Thanks, Captain Obvious.”
He chuckled and rose from the bed, going over to one of his wardrobes.
“Go, shower. I’ll find you something.”
Chapter Ten
Half an hour later, Ella paced Lukas’ living room, dressed in one of his t-shirts and a hoodie that was far too big for her. He told her she looked cute, but she scowled at him. She still wore her own jeans and black Vans. This would not help her case with Daisy. Not one bit.
“Come on, you don’t want to be late.”
“You’re not coming.”
“Oh, yes I am. Your friend sounds delightful.”
She shook her head in annoyance. Her head still hurt. She could quite literally eat a horse. She didn’t have it in her to argue with him as they left his house and hopped on a bus.
“Daisy is going to flip when she sees you. How am I supposed to explain any of this to her?”
“She doesn’t know about your extra abilities?”
“Of course not!”
“You could tell her I’m your new boyfriend.”
Her heart pounded at his words. Lukas most certainly was not her boyfriend.
“What?”
“It would explain why you’re wearing my clothes.”
“It wouldn’t explain why I’ve been ignoring her for days and why I missed her theatre show.”
“Mmm… I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”
She prodded him in the ribs.
“You’re not being helpful.”
“You do look rather fetching. I should let you borrow my clothes more often.”
She groaned and turned away from him. Trust Lukas to make inappropriate comments. She hoped he wouldn’t do it around Daisy. Why had she agreed he could come with her?
“Come on, Ella. You could just tell her the truth.”
She turned back to him, glaring.
“Are you serious?”
“Perfectly.”
“Why would you let me tell her you’re a demon? Don’t you have this whole keeping Hell on the down low thing going on?”
He shrugged and smiled at her in that damn devastating way of his.
“You trust her, right?”
She nodded.
“Then I trust she’ll keep her mouth shut.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to him.
“I was serious about the boyfriend thing. It would explain everything without telling her about the otherworld.”
“No. Don’t be ridiculous.”
She could feel his breath on her ear as he turned to her.
“I’m sure it would be believable. I’ve seen you naked.”
She felt her face heating up. Why is he saying stuff like that? He has this knack of flustering me. So annoying.
“That’s not funny.”
“Didn’t you like it when I had my tongue between your legs?” His voice was low and sultry.
She shivered, feeling a very different place heat up. His tongue flicked out, curving around her ear.
“Stop it.”
She wanted to hit him. They were in public and she was trying to work out what the hell she was going to tell her friend. Her relationship with Lukas was already confusing and complicated enough. This was not helping matters. Not one bit. He still blew hot and cold with her. If he wanted her so much, why was he still holding back?
She was glad when their stop came around. She used the opportunity to keep her distance from him, uncomfortably aware her body thrummed from his words. There was no way of relieving the tension coiling inside her. She snuck a look at his face. He was smiling in a self-satisfied way. Jerk!
“Ellabear!”
She looked around for the source of the screech as she entered the coffee shop. Daisy was sitting in a booth near the back, waving frantically. It was their booth. She smiled and weaved her way through the tables, Lukas on her heels. Daisy jumped up and threw her arms around Ella, squeezing tightly.
“Hey, please don’t call me that.”
“Why no… Oh, hello.”
She’d noticed Lukas then. Ella sighed a little.
“Daisy, this is Lukas. Lukas, Daisy.”
She pointed at the two of them in turn.
“Nice to meet you,” Lukas said with a smile.
Daisy raised an eyebrow at Ella as she shook Lukas’ hand before she slid into the booth. Ella sat opposite her as her demon squeezed in beside her. His hand found its way onto her knee under the table. She jumped, scowling at him.
“Ellabear?” Lukas whispered.
“It’s a stupid nickname,” she hissed back before she turned to Daisy. “I’m really sorry about the show. How was it?”
“It went really wel
l, everyone I spoke to after loved it.”
“I’m so pleased for you.”
“So, are you going to tell me why you dropped off the face of the earth?”
She glanced at Lukas who shrugged.
“I… don’t really know where to start.”
“Start at the beginning.”
“Can we order first? I’ve got a stinking hangover.”
Daisy gave her a questioning look but nodded. They looked over the menu for a moment before the waitress came over and took their order. She was back soon after with their drinks. Ella sipped her tea before she took a deep breath.
“Daisy, I… there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“Ella, honey, you know you can tell me anything.”
There was a kindness in Daisy’s eyes that had her reconsidering her words. How could she shatter her friend’s illusions about the world?
“I missed your show because well… I met him.” Ella pointed at Lukas. “And a lot of shit happened after that.”
“Do you want me to tell her?” Lukas interjected.
Daisy was looking between them with interest.
“No. I just… Daisy, I’m not sure how to say this.”
Daisy was still looking at her, expectation in her eyes. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t tell her friend she wasn’t human.
“I didn’t want to tell you I ditched you for a guy, okay?”
Lukas stifled a laugh. She kicked him under the table.
“It just kind of happened, didn’t it?”
She looked over at him with wide eyes, begging him to play along with her.
“Yes. It’s my fault really.”
Daisy narrowed her eyes at the two of them. Ella couldn’t tell if she was buying it or not.
“Are you serious right now?” Daisy asked.
“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”
“You could’ve just told me that on the phone, Ella. Why all the secrecy?”
“I wanted you to meet him.”
Daisy turned to Lukas with suspicion.
“You’re responsible for my friend’s sudden disappearance?”
His expression was a little sheepish as he wrapped an arm around Ella’s waist.
“I can only apologise. You see, when we met, there was just something about her. I couldn’t stay away.”
He looked over at her with such tenderness, she almost melted on the spot. She smiled up at him.
“I see. Well, I suppose I can forgive Ella. This time.”
She turned back to her friend.
“I really am sorry.”
“I know. I get it.” Daisy eyed Lukas. “You better be taking care of my best friend here.”
“Oh, I am. I’d protect her with my life.”
She flushed as his hand disappeared under her clothes, stroking her bare stomach. His fingers were so warm. She couldn’t help but lean into him a little. It wasn’t just because she wanted to convince Daisy that they were together. She craved his hands on her and he knew it.
Lukas excused himself to go to the bathroom when they’d finished their meals.
“You sly, sly dog, Ella. Mr Hottie Pants is like sex on legs.”
“Daisy!”
“What? Please tell me you’ve taken him to bed.”
“I… well…” Ella’s face flushed at the memory of Lukas’ artful tongue between her legs. “Kind of.”
“What? You haven’t fucked his brains out yet?”
“Oh my god, Daisy!”
“Come on, Ella, you’ve got to give me something. You missed my show because you were hanging out with a sex god.”
Ella shook her head and sighed.
“Okay, okay.” She lowered her voice. “His tongue, the things he can do with it… I’ve never had an orgasm quite like it.”
Daisy almost screeched. Ella hushed her. Several people looked over at their booth. She wanted the ground to swallow her up. She wasn’t a prude but talking about sex was always more than a little bit embarrassing.
“He seems to be smitten with you.”
“He does?”
There was no way he was smitten with her. He wouldn’t even go all the way with her. She still didn’t understand why. What had his demon friend, Tom, said? Something about making deals. Did that have something to do with it? But now really wasn’t the time to be thinking about it.
“Yes, he looks at you like you’re some kind of goddess, Ella. I can’t believe you kept this quiet the whole time. Man, I would be screaming from the rooftops if I had a guy like that into me. I’m so jealous. He’s totally fucking hot.”
Ella shook her head. Her friend didn’t hold back. She was thankful Lukas chose that moment to return, but it was short-lived. His eyes told her he’d heard exactly what Daisy had just said. She wanted to sink under the table. Why did Daisy have to be such a loudmouth?
Daisy winked at Ella before she got up herself to use the loo.
“I’m totally fucking hot, am I?”
His eyebrow quirked up.
“Daisy doesn’t mince words.”
“Clearly, but what do you think? Am I?”
“Lukas!”
She shoved his arm.
“I’m serious.”
“Do you really want me to answer that?”
“Yes. I believe I do since you’re so reluctant to tell me.”
“Yes, you’re totally fucking hot. Happy now?”
She folded her arms over her chest and gave him an exasperated look.
“No need for sarcasm.”
“What do you want me to say? You must know how attractive women think you are.”
“I care about what you think, not other women.”
I’m not getting out of this one. I just know it.
“Look, thanks for going along with this whole thing with Daisy.”
“Ella.”
He leant towards her, amusement and mischief in his eyes.
“Please, can we drop this?”
“No.”
His face was so close to hers, his eyes on her mouth.
“Fine.” She lowered her voice. “I can’t stop looking at you.”
“You can’t?”
“You take my breath away every time. I don’t really know what it is you see in me. A guy like you could have anyone he wanted.”
There were sparks between them as they stared at each other. She bit her lip. He’d really gone and forced a confession from her.
“If we weren’t in public right now…”
“What?”
“I’d bury my face in your hot, wet pussy and make you come so hard you see stars.”
She gulped. His gaze was so intense. She was burning for him.
“Am I interrupting something?”
They sprang apart. She pressed a hand to her heated cheeks. Daisy was back in the booth, looking at the two of them with a knowing smile.
“No. You’re not,” Ella said.
“Wait, Ella, aren’t you meant to be at work today?”
Ella looked over at Lukas with alarm. How was she going to explain that one? All the pent-up desire inside her disappeared with a flash, worry replacing it.
“I… um… quit.”
“You fucking what?”
“You know how much I hated it.”
“Excuse me, may I speak to my friend in private for a moment?”
She knew she shouldn’t have lied to Daisy about the whole situation between her and Lukas. She should’ve straight up told her the truth, but there was no way they could go back on it now.
“By all means,” Lukas said.
Lukas got up to let her out. Daisy dragged her away to the corner of the room, by the toilets. She looked pissed off. She felt more than a little guilty for lying.
“What the hell? Did you quit your job for him?”
“What? No. It’s not like that, Daisy, I swear. I’ve got it handled.”
“This isn’t like you, babe.”
“What isn’t?
“Quitting your job, ditching your friends for a guy. Seriously, Ella, what is going on?”
“Nothing. I promise.”
“What are you doing for money?”
“I told you. I have it handled. I promise Lukas isn’t some random I met who whisked me away to Budapest on a whim.”
“What? You went to fucking Budapest with him? How long have you known this guy?”
“Like a week.”
“Fuck.” Daisy put her hands up in frustration and shook her head. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
“Calm down. Please. I swear to you it’s fine.”
“It’s not fine, Ella. Shit.”
“Daisy.”
“No. You promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I am being careful. I promise.”
Daisy looked as if she wanted to say more, but she glanced up at the clock over the counter and sighed.
“All right. Look, I got to dash, but seriously, don’t be an idiot about this.”
The two of them made their way back over to Lukas who was watching them with interest.
“Hey, man, it was nice to meet you. Look after my girl, okay?”
“I will. It was nice to meet you too.”
Daisy gave her a bear hug and fished out a tenner, which Ella waved away, saying she’d got this one. Daisy raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment further. When she left, Ella slumped back down next to Lukas, her head in her hands.
Chapter Eleven
“Fuck.”
“She seemed a little pissed at you.”
“She thinks you made me quit my job.”
Lukas chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
“You did that all by yourself.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Come on, let’s get you home.”
“Whose home?”
“Mine.”
She didn’t object as they paid and caught a bus. The meeting with Daisy had not gone to plan at all. She’d meant to tell her the truth, but she just couldn’t. Now her best friend was suspicious and pissed off at her. Just great.
He wisely said nothing else until they were back at his house.
“Are you all right?”
“Not really.”
She kicked off her shoes and sat on his sofa, feeling a little wiped out. Her hangover had gone, but it was a replaced by a sense of unease. Her life had been turned inside out in the last week.
He knelt on the floor in front of her, taking her hands in his.
“Why didn’t you tell her the truth?”