Page 129 of How Not to Date an Angel

Julian’s words were torn from his lips as he materialized in Hell.

No, no, no, no!

He blinked at the familiar cream-colored walls of a plain office, and lowered his gaze to a demon sitting in an office chair, wings out, horns on display.

His boss.

“Well, Julian. It seems you managed to complete your assignment.”

“Carl, send me back,” Julian said, planting his palms on the edge of the desk. “Please.”

Carl arched a brow at him, ignored his plea entirely to glance down at a tablet, lips twisting.

“You tempted the untemptable. How ever did you manageit?”

Julian’s nostrils flared. That’s right. He technically had succeeded, even if he hadn’t wanted to.

He’d tempted the angel.

That meant Julian had completed the assignment. He could go back to Earth!

He’d win Rami over eventually. He’d done it once, and he could do it again, this time with no ulterior motives. He could just find Rami again and they could work this out. Together.

So for now, he just had to play along until his position was permanent and he could return.

He took his hands off the edge of the desk and shoved them into his pockets, standing straight like he was right where he was supposed to be.

“Right. Well, I learned it helps if you… befriend the target first. If they trust you…” Julian’s chest ached, but he fisted his hands to keep from rubbing at the sore spot. “If they trust you, they’re more likely to listen to the temptations.”

Carl hummed. “Quite a success for your first assignment. Color me impressed. I think this means I can make your promotion permanent.”

Julian nodded, smothering his urgency. “Thank you, sir.”

“In fact,” Carl said, looking satisfied as he slapped the cover on his tablet shut, “I’ll do you one better.”

Julian’s stomach lurched with nerves. “How so?”

“I’m promoting you to a trainer,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “It’s simple. You’ll train the newly appointed demons on how to tempt. Here. In Hell.”

Julian blinked. “But when I took this job, you said—“

“Oh, I know what I said.” Carl waved a hand, ring winking in the too-bright light of his office. “This is a much better deal, honestly. More respect; a new, fancier house. Working internet,” he drawled.

Julian’s eye twitched. “With all due respect, I’d like to remain in my current position.”

“With all due respect,” Carl sneered, “I don’t give a shit. You’ll be staying here in Hell, just like the rest of us.”

Julian suppressed his anger. “You know I took this position for one reason.”

“I do,” Carl said, not an ounce of remorse. “I didn’t think you’d manage to corrupt an angel, of all people.”

“Let me get this right,” Julian bit out. “You set me up, hoping I’d fail, hoping to deny me the promotion. But now that I’veearnedsaid promotion, you’re not giving it to me.”

“Right on, dickhead,” Carl said, smug with power the asshole should’ve never had.

“You’re a miserable old cunt,” Julian growled, and planted his hands on the desk, leaning over. “Just because you couldn’t trick some poor, unsuspecting human into marrying you, you think everyone deserves to be as miserable as you are.”

Carl shrugged, not even showing a hint of give. “Maybe so. Do you feel better now?”

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