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)
“Questions you can’t answer?”
“Yes.” Taking another sip of her drink, she lifted a finger. “And before you think to complain, just remember that I didn’t whine when you failed to cough up deets on the ‘other matters’ you mentioned earlier.”
He lowered his head. “I respect your need to guard your secrets, Naomi, but I’m not fine with anything that puts that look on your face,” he added, softly tapping her cheek.
If he wasn’t careful, she’d start to wonder if he cared. Something she almost said aloud as a joke, but then he was talking again.
“If you tell me what’s wrong, I’ll fix it.”
Ugh, did he have to be so protective and supportive? It felt way too nice, and made it harder for Naomi to blow him off. Something that amused her entity. “The offer is appreciated. I’ll bear it in mind.”
“Be sure that you do.”
“Now can we move on from this? I came here hoping you’d distract me and improve my mood. So far, that isn’t happening.”
Luka stayed silent for a long moment, watching her carefully. “All right, we’ll move on. Just know that I’m here if you need me, even if only as a sounding board.”
“A sounding board? Pfft.”
“Why pfft?”
“I’m not dumb, Luka. You’d never be content with simply knowing the issue.”
“I wouldn’t?”
“No. You only offered to be a sounding board in the hope that I’d tell you what you want to know. Then you would have gone meddling in whatever ways you felt necessary.”
Luka felt his lips bow up slightly. “Maybe.” In truth, there were no maybes about it. The idea that something—or someone—might be bothering her grated on him and his demons. “But only because I want you safe and well.” He paused. “Do you have another obsessed admirer on your hands? Is that what’s wrong?” Konstantin hadn’t reported that any males were giving her issues or tailing her, but . . .
“No, nothing like that. While we’re on the subject of admirers, though, are you still planning to release Iain tomorrow?”
“Yes.” Though with some reluctance. “I could have done it days ago, really. The effects of your song have fully worn off, and he readily admits that he was under its thrall. But I wanted to give it a little extra time.” It wasn’t so easy to free a prisoner who might wish harm to a person who mattered to you. Iain had assured him that he bore Naomi no ill will, but Luka suspected there might be some resentment there.
“He’s definitely back to his normal self?”
“He is.” Luka drained his glass and then set it on the counter. “His demon wouldn’t have retreated if that were not the case.”
“True,” she conceded with a slight tilt of her head.
“He wanted to apologize to you in person, but I made it clear that he’s not to go anywhere near you. He swore to me that he’d stay away. Still, as I’ve already told you, Konstantin will remain your guard until we’re all satisfied that Iain will no longer be an issue for you.”
“I don’t foresee him making waves again, but I’m not going to put up a protest.”
Taking her empty tumbler from her, Luka placed it beside his own. “Good. It would have made no difference. I’m protective of what’s mine. And you” —he snaked a hand around her throat, watching her pupils dilate—“are very much mine.”
Luka sipped at her mouth once, twice. Her lips parted beneath his, and he swept his tongue inside. He snagged her nape as he feasted on her, slow and thorough, licking at every crevice of her mouth.
For him, kissing was usually a means to an end. The beginning of a dance. Not something he found himself moved by on any level. But the taste of Naomi made a wave of visceral lust wash over him and torch his insides.
Growling, he snatched her by her hips and propped her on the counter. He stepped between her legs, saying, “Let’s see if you did as I asked.” He skimmed his hand along her inner thigh, pushing up her dress as he went . . . and his fingertips brushed over her bare pussy. “No underwear. Good girl.”
“I’m always good.”
“Only when you want to be. Which you usually do, because you’re all about instant gratification and don’t like to be made to wait for what you need. Other times, you test my patience for the fuck of it. Belial happens to enjoy those occasions.”
“Because it then has reasons to spank me?”
“It really doesn’t feel it needs a reason to do that, but yes. Your ass turns such a pretty shade of red.”
“So will your face if Belial ever takes shit too far.” Naomi shivered at the low chuckle that breezed out of Luka. The wicked sound made static sparks skip along her skin, raising the little hairs there.