Page 24 of Infernal Hearts

“That was manipulative.”

“I don’t think so. That trance gives him a high. It’s the closest thing to ecstasy he’ll feel next to me sleeping with him.”

Jason narrows his eyes and bores his gaze into me. “Oh, is he not your type?”

I laugh, running through my thousands of past clients in my mind. “I wouldn’t say he’s not my type. I don’t have one. I’m a businessman.”

“What are you talking about? You know full well you can make deals without having sex.”

I let my voice get huskier, giving him a smoldering gaze. “For one, kissing or fucking makes the magic stronger. You and I just made a magical agreement to make our words a bond. For two, it’s fun, and I’m good at it. So why not?”

His eyes narrow. “You really wouldn’t want to just settle for one person? Maybe a boyfriend?”

I chuckle as I run my fingers through my hair. “Aw, are you asking to be my boyfriend? How sweet.”

“Not me, you dunce.” He sighs. “Have you never been in love?”

“Nope. Never been in a relationship. There were rules.”

“Rules?”

It’s easiest to keep it simple. “From my Maker. No relationships. No love.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t really know.” This may become a much bigger conversation later. Surface level does just fine for now. “He never really explained it to me. There are a lot of things I don’t know about my kind, and right now, the only one other than me is my brother.”

“Your kind?”

“Kind of demon.”

He narrows his eyes distrustfully. “What kind are you?”

“An incubus.”

The heat in his body rises to a palpable degree from where I’m sitting. “You’re an incubus?”

I smile innocently. “Yes?”

Jason closes his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t think it mattered.”

He lets out a single, sarcastic laugh. “I had a feeling you were one of the more powerful ones, and I didn’t want to press earlier because I thought it would be rude to ask about your label. But you’re the most dangerous kind of demon there is. I can’t think of one story I’ve ever read where an incubus didn’t bring about ruin or death.”

“Exactly. Stories. Those are just vicious rumors started by my kind to keep us safe. Besides, a deal is a deal. No?”

The tension in Jason’s jawline could cut diamonds. “Fine. But no more secrets.”

“That wasn’t exactly a secret, just more of something you never asked about.”

He looks at me with an intense focus. “You know what I mean.”

“Come on, man. The detail doesn’t matter. It’s irrelevant to our agreement. Like whether I prefer chicken or pork, top bunk or bottom bunk—”

“Enough. I get it. Just tell me now, is there anything else I need to know so I’m not irritated later?”

I smirk. It’s so easy to push his buttons. “Bacon and both. Any other questions?”

---