Page 23 of Minions and Magic
I blotted the grease off the bacon as I took each slice from the pan, then neatly layered it onto a dish. Xavier was pouring the champagne, and I smiled at him as I sat the plate of bacon on the table. Then removing the French toast casserole out of the oven, I carried it over and carefully sat the baking dish into an ornate metal stand. Two cups of coffee followed, and we were ready.
Xavier came around the table to pull out the stool for me. In an impulsive gesture that mirrored my new positive attitude, I took off the apron and sat down for breakfast naked as the day I was born.
He laughed and whipped off his towel, tossing it across the room as he circled the table to take his seat. Our eyes met and he picked up his glass of champagne.
“To wood-fired pizza ovens.”
I grinned. “ToMugnainiwood-fired pizza ovens.”
“Of course, because only the best will do for my witch.”
We touched glasses, drank, then tucked into the food in a companionable silence. Finally Xavier leaned back and sighed, patting his stomach.
“That was amazing. I wish you didn’t have this catering job. We could cook, eat, and have sex all day, or week, or month, or forever.”
The idea sounded oddly appealing, but as fast as I was falling for this demon, I knew that relationships could burn out in the blink of an eye, leaving me alone with the one thing that had never failed to give me solace in times of sorrow.
“I love my job.” I told him. “You can’t be the only one to enjoy my talents in the kitchen.”
His eyebrows shot up. “And your talents in the bedroom?”
“Those I’ll gift to you alone.”
“You better.” He got up and came around the table, pulling me off my stool and into his arms. “I don’t like to share. If I can’t be the sole recipient of your culinary skills, I better be the only one in your bed.”
“So sex with other people in my van is okay?” I teased. “Or a room in Hollister’s Inn? Or that pond off Dillon’s Bend Road?”
He smiled down at me, but something dark flickered in his blue eyes. “I’m changing my mind. You’re too tempting to be around these mortals. I’m going to spirit you off to hell and lock you away where you’ll always be mine.”
I shivered a bit, searching his face. The darkness was gone, leaving the sexy demon I’d come to know the last few days. He could never take me by force. I might not have anything in the way of defensive or offensive magic, but my sisters did. They’d never let anyone hurt me. And if Xavier did drag me off to hell, I’m sure Cassie could get Lucien to do something about it. Hewasthe son of Satan, after all.
But what if I went voluntarily? I had my career and my family, but what else was holding me here? Hell had always been portrayed in a terrifying light, but maybe there were nice areas that would be good for a holiday with a sexy demon. It could be like vacationing in Hawaii and checking out the volcanos. Would I have to be dead first? Could I squeeze a trip to hell in between catering jobs?
“I’m so busy.” I reached up to put my hand on his cheek. “Maybe I can put a long weekend on the schedule sometime in the next few months.”
He turned his head to kiss my palm. “And what if I want more than a long weekend?”
If the last few days were any indication, I would want more than a long weekend as well. I’d want a lifetime. How would that work? His job as a crossroads demon, and my booked-solid schedule? The goblin party hadn’t been all that difficult to prep for, and the barbeque was mostly meat, but what would happen when I was spending every waking moment for weeks prepping food, attending events, and rushing home to clean before launching into more prep?
“Let’s take it one day at a time.” I moved his hands from my waist and took a step back.
One day at a time. And if some miracle occurred and this thing between us had staying power, well then maybe I’d do what I’d never considered before and start saying “no” to jobs. Maybe I’d make room in my life for more than just my career.
Chapter 13
Glenda
Iarrived just before noon, waving to Antwan as I hopped out of the van. He looked completely out of place—a tall, muscle-bound, bald, black man who looked like he should have been a CrossFit trainer or a bouncer standing in front of a putt-putt course. He’d moved to Accident five years ago but was more comfortable in the human world than most of our residents. He’d bought this putt-putt course, and construction was underway to build an old-fashioned arcade to the side, and he seemed to be happy in our community even though he took vacations a three or four times a year to head to the coast. No doubt our lakes and marshes weren’t quite what the shark shifter was used to.
Antwan waved back, giving the parking lot a quick scan before opening the door for me.
“Everything good?” I asked him.
He nodded. “Your sister was here putting up the charms an hour ago. I made sure all my regulars knew today was a private party.”
Bronwyn and Sylvie had partnered to work on a set of charms that would deter humans from even entering the parking lot. If any somehow managed to pass those, then Antwan would make sure they left before they saw anything.
And trust me, if Antwan asked someone to leave, they left. I’d grown up around trolls, werewolves, and even a dragon, but Antwan was the most intimidating person I’d ever met.
