Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
The head waitress materialized, her brow creased. “Draya, I don’t know why you’re over here—go serve the customers in your section. This one is mine, as you well know.”
Irritation flared in Draya’s gaze, but she quashed it fast. “Apologies, Bianca, I was—”
“Don’t care,” said Bianca, as no-nonsense as always—a trait her mate Valen adored. “Go.” She waited until the other waitress was out of hearing range before turning to Luka. “She wants in your pants, in case you didn’t know.”
“I do know.”
Bianca sniffed. “Anyone here want drinks?”
They all answered in the negative.
“Holler if you change your mind.” With that, she walked off.
Nikandr spared Draya a subtle glance and then looked at Luka. “I thought you were planning to hit that at some point.”
Luka draped an arm over the back of the sofa. “I’d considered it, but then I changed my mind.”
“I’m guessing it was a certain siren who brought about that change,” hedged Mikhail, his eyes smiling. “I get it. She’s stunning, not to mention your type. Have you done anything about it yet?”
“I made my intentions clear to her last night. I only left as soon as I did because her psi-mate showed up.”
“So she’s on board?” Nikandr checked.
“I got the sense that she is, though she didn’t verbally confirm it. I’ll find out for sure later tonight when I go back to her place.” Luka scraped his teeth over his lower lip. “I had intended to hold out a little longer, but then Iain brought her fully onto my radar by fucking up so spectacularly.” If he was honest, he didn’t like knowing that the psi-demon had touched her. His entities loathed it.
“On that note . . . by all reports, Iain is staying away from her as ordered. But I’m keeping a tail on him until I’m confident that his obsession has worn off.”
“It shouldn’t take too long,” said Nikandr. “Right?”
“Another ten days or so. Two weeks at most,” Luka estimated. “If he’d met and bonded with his anchor, it might have helped him recover quicker.”
“Speaking of anchors, I doubt Naomi’s psi-mate will be good with you edging your way into her life,” said Mikhail. “He didn’t seem happy that you were at her house. She might turn you down so as not to be at odds with him.”
“She might,” Luka allowed. “Especially when it can’t be denied that he has reason to dislike my being around her. I didn’t exactly support Ella’s involvement with Viper, so I’d be a hypocrite to condemn Tobe for voicing his objections out of protectiveness. As for whether she’ll turn me away to placate him . . . I suppose I’ll find out soon enough.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Naomi had just finished washing the last dish in her sink when a knock came at the front door. Her belly did a little flip. Because it could only be Luka, couldn’t it? He’d warned her that he’d be back, and he didn’t strike her as someone who’d procrastinate.
She set the dish on the drainer and then wiped her hands on a small kitchen towel. It might not be him, she told herself as she walked through the house. You live among most of your lair—any one of them could have decided to pay you a visit.
But as she looked through the peephole, she saw that she’d been correct in her initial assumption. Luka stood outside, staring right at the peephole as if he somehow knew that she was peering through it.
She pulled back and adjusted the strap of her dress, a sizzling excitement crawling through her system. Given who Luka was and what he could do, she supposed she should at the very least be a little conflicted about reaching out to take what he’d offered. Or, more specifically, declared that he wanted. But, well, that simply wasn’t the case.
Mentally, she’d gone back and forth over it throughout the day. Really, she didn’t see a true reason to turn him down. He’d only want something light. He wouldn’t shove his nose into her business. And if the rumors were true, he had some serious game in the bedroom.
Where were the negatives?
Oh, there were likely some. But she knew that she’d nonetheless cave at some point, so what did it matter? It was really just a matter of when.
When might as well be now, mightn’t it?
Her entity certainly thought so, having no reservations about him; still a big fan of the danger and power he embodied.
Bracing herself for the up-close impact of him, Naomi opened the door. And her breath did a little hitch. Because there was really no bracing yourself for Luka.
God, he was one magnificently masculine bastard. A bastard as imposing as the need he roused in her. She wasn’t sure it would go away unless she actively slaked it. Another reason to hesitate turning him down.