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)
Luka’s brows lifted in surprise. “I will respect it when there’s something she doesn’t want to share,” he promised, but the demon’s hard expression didn’t soften.
“If you discover what she fears you might, you will keep it to yourself.” Malice churned in its eyes. “If you reveal her secrets and cause her harm, there will be a reckoning. I will bathe in your blood once I am done with you.”
His entities had mixed reactions to that proclamation. Abraxas huffed, affronted that it didn’t have the demon’s utter devotion. Belial smirked, liking its vengeful streak. Dagon was offended that the entity would even think Luka was lying . . . even though lying was all Dagon really did. Luka, well, he wondered why Naomi’s demon would feel so confident that it could take him down.
“It won’t come to that,” he assured it. “I’m not in the habit of revealing people’s personal business.”
The entity’s only response was a steady glare of warning. Then it retreated, and Naomi’s eyes were back to their usual gray-green.
“So,” Luka said, “your demon doesn’t trust me.”
“No. But don’t take it personally,” she advised. “It’s mistrustful by nature.”
“Then we have that in common.”
His mind flicked back to the entity’s comment. If you discover what she fears you might . . .
It was the word “fears” that stuck out most, because what could Naomi possibly fear him discovering? What could be so monumental that it would drive her demon to threaten him that way? Not many entities would dare. In fact, he couldn’t recall any having done so in the past.
“Your demon wasn’t bluffing just now.” Letting his hand slip away from her throat, he threaded his fingers through her hair. “It meant what it said. It would truly seek to make me pay if I brought you harm.”
“It’s very protective of me.”
“Good. So am I. In which case your demon doesn’t need to worry that I’d ever commit an act that would negatively impact you. I don’t expect it to take my word for that. I have the feeling that it won’t anyway. But I’m making the statement nonetheless.”
She studied him closely, and her lips twitched. “It bothers you that my demon isn’t being friendly toward you,” she correctly sensed. “It doesn’t dislike you, Luka. The opposite, actually. But for my entity, ‘like’ and ‘trust’ aren’t mutually compatible.”
“Hmm, I can relate.”
“But it still bothers you.”
“A little,” he conceded. “My demons aren’t too pleased about it either. But I’m sure your entity will relax around us eventually. We can be patient.”
“Can you?”
“No.”
Her smile went up a notch. “You’re spoiled.”
He gave a small, unapologetic shrug. “I’m used to having my own way. Comes with having been a Prime for so long, I suppose.”
“Well, since there’s nothing I can say that will improve your mood regarding this particular subject, maybe we could switch topics. Or . . .”
“Or?”
“Or go upstairs, get naked, and fuck each other stupid. Personally, I’m leaning more toward the latter. You?”
Like that, his mindset shifted and his body began to stir. “I think we’ve done enough talking for one night.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Glad you see things my way.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Yawning, Naomi slid a reference book back on the bookcase in her workspace. Having finished her most recent project, she’d already cleaned her hands in the sink and was now tidying a few things away. The rest of the clutter would have to stay where it was, because she had somewhere she needed to be.
At this hour on any other Monday, she would have been pulling a shift at the pizzeria. But the other hostess had wanted the extra hours so she could save cash for her upcoming trip. This made it easier for Naomi to go ahead with plans to meet with Luka this evening.
A week. It had been a week of Luka following through on his intent to get to know her better. He plied her with questions, edging as close to her secrets as he could all while sticking to his promise not to push her. That had made her demon relax a little more around him.
She didn’t get the sense that he was making an active attempt to build something with her. More that he’d simply decided not to fight his wish to learn more about her.
To an extent, it made her uncomfortable. She was used to being ogled. Objectified. Leered at. Hit on. Treated as arm candy. She wasn’t used to having someone around who wanted to know her.
Since turnabout was fair play, she’d tossed some questions his way. To her surprise, he’d been fairly open with her, though he avoided any mention of his family and he never spoke of his illegal business dealings. The latter was no surprise.
Although they’d shared a bed for two weeks at this point, they so far remained trapped in an endless loop of indecently carnal hunger. She felt all but enslaved by it at times.