Page 9 of The Blood Widow

A summoning! I gasped. He winced at his words, so he didn’t mean to tell me that. Someone had his blood and his demon name? That would make him a slave to that person.

“How—”

A stern glare he that said ‘drop it’ stopped me from asking any questions. The demon in him showed itself, hardening his features. The happy guy I thought he was had shifted. Was the golden retriever personality a façade? Surprisingly, it just made him more interesting to me. I really wanted to know more and even help him if I could, but gave him a nod that I understood. I wouldn’t bring it up unless he did.

His smile was forced this time, but it still reached his eyes as he changed the subject. “You’re spilling all the ingredients with that crazy stir of yours. Slow it down, sweetcakes.” He stepped behind me, his body pressing into my back as he guided my arm. “We’re not trying to beat the pancakes into submission.”

This would distract us both and I could be his distraction. Summonsing could hurt if they resisted the call. I followed his lead and let myself relax. My muscles warmed at his nearness.

His firm touch guided my hand, and his touch buzzed against my skin. He leaned closer to whisper in my ear. “You’re cute when you're flustered.”

Barking out a goofy laugh that I was surprised came from me, I gently pushed him away with a flirtatious smirk. His presence was soothing. “Cooking does that to me.”

“Uh huh. I’m sure it’s the pancakes.” After a short pause, he leaned into whisper. “You’re not like other demons I’ve met. Mind you, I’ve been an outcast my whole life, so I could be wrong, but it’s refreshing.”

My cheeks heated at being found out twice in one night. I usually had better hiding skills than this, but it just meant he had power on his side. That knowledge worried and thrilled me at the same time.

“No. You’re not wrong. My vampire side gives me more control over my urges, and I know when to not push a subject.” The last part was barely audible. I winced at telling him I was a halfling. It just spilled out of me like I sprung a leak or something. Was he using magic on me? I was pretty sure that I’d be able to sense it if he did, but who knew with demons. I’d just call us even, secret for a secret.

His eyes widened at my words. “A halfling? Weird, you feel too powerful for that.”

I slammed my bowl down on the counter. The ingredients splashed around in the bowl and spilled onto my hands. My flirtatious mannerisms morphed into anger in a flash. I grabbed a towel to clean myself off as I spoke. “Don’t believe everything you hear about?—”

“Whoa, whoa.” He put down his bowl as well. “Don’t flip that switch on me. My life just flashed before my eyes.” The smilethat stretched his lips gave me pause. “I wasn’t trying to be rude or give you shit over it. I couldn't care less that you aren’t full blooded or whatever the pretentious assholes like to call it. I was merely saying you’re powerful. Your demon call doesn’t feel different.”

My shoulders loosened, but my eyes still scanned him for any hint of a lie. Was it a sore subject for me, hell yes. Did I care if my short fuse made me look young and naive… fucking yes, but I couldn’t control myself after that particular trigger.

When he picked up his bowl, I did the same. I went back to stirring as his words ran over me, loosening the edge of my anger little by little. I had always gotten shit from people who found out about me, so it was refreshing Dominic didn’t seem to care.

His clean laundry scent mixed with fire washed over me. He was close enough I could feel the heat of his body. I glanced his way. My curiosity was too great. He dipped his clean finger in the flour and bopped my nose. The white stuff stuck to the tip.

“Cute,” was all he said before going back to his work.

My chest heated this time, making me look like a flaming hot Cheeto. I didn’t say anything, just wiped my nose and focused on the tan shit in my bowl, letting the thrill of learning something new send energy through my muscles. I was still tired, but it wouldn’t keep me from learning. All my attempts had been disastrous. I didn’t have family or many friends, and the friends I did have were just as busy. We didn’t have time to braid each other’s hair and go to cooking classes. That was fine with me. People’s lives were more important. I knew how to boil water and call for takeout. What more did I need? Yet the thrill and excitement were there. Maybe I could make pancakes for Beaut for helping me tonight.

Even with my focus on the cooking and his instructions, I still caught him sniffing my way every so often. I couldn’t blame him. My demon probably sent him a mating signal or some shit. I hadno idea when I did it or how to stop it, which was why I stayed away from demons. That side of me was a mystery even after all these years.

Four women chose that time to come out of the bathroom. “Hey, meet the other person that’ll be staying here tonight,” Dominic shouted as he peaked his head through the bar opening that let us look into the living room. Three of them were bruised with dark bags under their eyes, so I wasn’t surprised at their tiny nods of recognition as a skittish shake to their body like they expected me to lash out on them. The fourth seemed stronger as she gave support to the others. It was better that we didn’t exchange names anyway.

Once they were in the living room and settled, Ezra put on a movie for them and stomped back into the dining room, grumbling to himself as he glanced at his phone.

Cole sat with his face in a laptop. His dark red hair was normally in a short fade, but he’d let it grow out slightly. His tan skin with a few freckles along his nose seemed paler too. I really hoped he was okay. It was difficult to think of Cole as anything but hard and rugged. His body was built but sitting next to Ezra he didn’t seem like it. His square jaw had a couple small bruises on it, and his cheek bones that put a shadow over his eyes had darkened. Right now, he didn’t look like a man that spent years as a marine. It hurt me to see him like this. I wanted to hug him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. Cole must have felt my eyes on him because his angry green gaze glanced my way and sharpened like lasers that wanted to strike me dead. Even with all the anger shining at me, I could see the hurt mixed in. I looked away and focused back on the food.

A hand went to my lower back and slowly traveled to my ass. Before it could make it, my eyes snapped to Dominic’s.

“Do it, and I’ll cut off your balls.”

He removed his hand and laughed. “Can I keep you?”

I folded my arms and glared at him. He put his hands up in surrender.

“Alright, alright, I wasn’t going to touch your ass. I just needed your attention.” He shrugged. “It worked, didn’t it?”

I rolled my eyes and turned to the pan and ingredients he got out. “Fine, but next time just say my name or something.”

“How do you want me to say it? Deep and sensual Novem? Breathy and filled with desire Novem?” Chills ran down my spine as he stepped into my space again and a flood gate opened in my panties. The way he changed his voice was going to make me pant like a dog if I wasn’t careful. He continued, oblivious to my struggles. “Or moaning as if you were riding my cock, N…”

I covered his mouth with my hand.

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