Page 41 of The Devil and His Sparrow

“I’m just talking, Z,” Dante appeased, and even though he was smiling, there was something else, something darker, hiding in his grin, especially when it found me again. “So?”

My mouth dried, but I forced out, “I wasn’t looking for anything. It was an accident.”

He leaned closer so that we were nearly nose to nose and growled, “Nothing in this world truly happens by accident, human.”

He pulled back and turned away from me. My heart beat so hard that I feared it would leap right out of my chest. The tension in the air disappeared as quick as it came, and the demons started talking amongst themselves, like Dante hadn’t just made me nearly piss myself. He’d been much more charming in the interviews I’d watched.

Zagan grabbed the pitcher in the center to pour himself a drink, also seeming unfazed by the interaction. He raised a pierced brow at me and queried, “I’m assuming you want water, right?”

Eager to down my nerves with something cold and refreshing, I nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Okay. I’ll—”

“Eeeep!”

My eyes widened at the sudden squeal, and I watched dumbfounded as a curvy, topless strawberry-blonde bounced over and fell into Zagan’s lap, nearly whacking him in the face with her tall and thin, pointy black horns. She wrapped her arms around his neck and straddled him in his chair, her round, perky, perfect breasts right there.

“Zagan, Zagan, Zagan. You busy-body. I can’t believe you actually came tonight!”

Zagan’s blank face stayed level with hers, and his hands rested on the table top next to the pitcher and glass he’d been in the middle of pouring. “Yeah, I’m here. Deaf now after your yelling but here. Did you bring what I texted you?”

“Sure did! Where is—” She turned to look around the table, and her golden eyes—the same as Xander’s—found mine. Her face instantly brightened, and she released Zagan to face me and leaned across the table. “Oh my gosh, is this her? She’s so beautiful!” She grabbed my hands and squeezed them. “Hi! I’m Eden! Are you Zagan’s new bond?”

It took me a few tries to get words out of my gaping mouth. “Y-Yes. I’m Iyla.”

“Iyla! Such a gorgeous name.” She stood and grabbed a shopping bag from under the table. “Come with me, Iyla. I’ve got you something absolutely stunning to wear.”

The energy of this girl had my head spinning. If a golden retriever transformed into a person, it would be her. I was sure if I looked over her shoulder, I’d even see a fluffy tail wagging furiously.

“You’re fine with her,” Zagan said to me. “Eden is a whirlwind, but she’s harmless.”

Eden wiggled her waiting fingers at me. She didn’t seem to care at all about her bare boobs hanging out. Maybe that was a normal occurrence for a demon club. Who freaking knew? So with my mind still reeling from her seemingly boundless energy, I took her hand and let her pull me after her.

“I suggested you change back there, but Zagan said you were modest,” Eden explained as she pulled me down a hall and into a spacious bathroom. “So you can get ready here.”

The moment the door closed, she sat the shopping bag down and rummaged inside. She pulled out a strapless red dress and heels, holding them out for me. I stopped breathing. Even without putting the thing on, I knew it would leave nothing to the imagination. I might as well be naked like her.

“Um—” I reached out to take the clothes, trying to form a polite reply.

Before I could, she cheerfully announced, “I’ll wait for you in the hall.” The bubbly demon left me alone as quickly as she talked.

I held up the dress at eye level, and my stomach fluttered with fresh nerves. I’d never worn anything like it … but I kinda wanted to. I wanted to see what I looked and felt like in a dress like this.

So with a momentary sense of curiosity and excitement, I shed my clothes, leaving on just my panties. I pulled the soft dress on. The hem barely reached midthigh, and the neckline sat low, exposing the tops of my breasts. My nipples poked through the fabric, and no matter how I adjusted it, that didn’t change.

I was so focused on smoothing out the dress that I didn’t notice the person slipping into the bathroom until hands landed on my bare legs below the hem of the dress. I gasped, but before I could turn, the warm body pressed into my back.

“You can’t wear underwear with this kind of dress, Sparrow,” Zagan’s rough voice whispered against the side of my neck.

I let out a shaky breath as his hands glided up the swells of my hips, reaching under the dress to hook around my panties. My core throbbed when his body slid down my back, following the tug of my underwear down my legs. I stepped out of them and turned to face him just as he stood and tucked my panties into his pocket.

“Those are mine,” I protested, but even I heard the lack of fight in my voice.

He smirked. “Not anymore.” His red-slitted eyes slowly traced over my body, starting at my head and working their way to my feet then back up again. “You looking fucking exquisite.”

I averted my eyes as a fierce heat swept over my face. My hands fumbled to smooth down the dress, which had risen up around my thighs. “Thank you.”

He gestured to the door behind him. “Eden is getting impatient, wanting to dance with you. I made her put a top on since I figured you’d be more comfortable with that.”

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