Page 98 of Legacy of Chaos

And the flutters in his belly only got worse.

Chapter 24

Cyan hadn’t been this nervous in her entire life. She didn’t even know why she felt this way. She’d spent a lot of time with Stryke at this point, so it made no sense why the pending dinner with him should make her so anxious.

He’d sent her a code to enter his office and another to operate his office Harrowgate to his Canadian home. It made her wonder what it had cost him to get a private Harrowgate like that.

And who he’d paid. Only the highest-level demons had the authority to authorize personal Harrowgates.

She clutched the bags of food and stepped out of the gate and onto his deck. He’d cleared the snow, but light, dry flakes swirled around her as she walked. She’d always loved the cold weather, especially when she could be out in it.

And being out in it…was part of her plan for tonight.

The door opened automatically as she approached. Stryke stood there, still in his black work slacks and a tailored black button-down. He’d gone casual, though, with rolled-up sleeves and his shirt partially unbuttoned.

He was so freaking hot her hormones practically vibrated.

He took the bags from her. “What is this?”

She followed him to the kitchen, admiring how his pants hugged his backside. “Since you don’t like eating, I thought I’d bring something you areguaranteedto like.”

He laughed, then sobered, looking at her as if she was a dumbass. “You’re kidding.”

“Not. At. All.” She unpacked the appetizers and handed him the plate. “Try one.”

Cocking his head, he studied the little wafers. “What are they?”

“Just try one.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Why?”

“Eat one of the wafers, and I’ll tell you.”

Now, his eyes narrowed to slits. “And if Idon’teat one?”

“Then you’ll never know how this experiment turns out,” she said glibly, taunting his innate curiosity.

As predicted, he appeared intrigued, one eyebrow arching and a spark lighting his dark eyes. “This is an experiment?”

Kind of. “Do you know Azagoth’s daughter Suzanne?”

“Who doesn’t? She has a show calledAn Angel in the Kitchen. She uses her angelic powers to infuse food with emotion.” He glanced down at the wafer in his hand. “Is that what this is?” He put it back on the plate and shoved it at her. “I don’t want artificial feelings—”

“That’s not how it works. No spells or trickery involved. It’s more like…you know how laughter is infectious? Or when someone you’re with is in a good mood, it can help lift yours? It’s like that. Give it a try.”

“No one infects me with laughter, and my mood isn’t dependent on—”

She grabbed his hand and plopped a wafer into his palm. “Just try it.”

He shot her a petulant glare that made her smile, but took a bite. A nibble, really. Stared at it. Took another bite, bigger this time.

“Huh. It’s not bad.”

“See, it’s already working.”

He popped the rest into his mouth. “What’s it supposed to do?”

“It’s going to help me rewire your brain.”

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