Page 47 of Heal Me

“With those heels on, yes, ma’am, you do,” I say, devouring her body from head to toe as she slowly makes her way to me.

“Thank you for coming with me tonight. My dad just showed up after Jen called to tattle on me like a child.”

I wrap my arms around her and pull her to my lap. “I should have commanded Jen to stay out of your business as well as your room.”

“Not your fault. And before you even think about it, I don’t want you working your magic on my dad. Either he accepts my decision or he doesn’t. That’s on him,” she says, giving me a quick kiss. Using her thumb, she wipes a smudge of her lipstick from my bottom lip. Red lipstick. My cock jerks thinking about where else she could leave a lipstick smudge.

“Who’s to say my magic would even work on him? You are your father’s daughter,” I deflect.

“True. But I still don’t want you trying.” She stands and grabs her purse. “Bye, Doogie. We’ll be back later.”

“Doogie,” I say, giving her cat a parting scratch.

Following Charlotte downstairs, I get a nice view of her curvy ass in that sexy dress and those heels. Damn, those heels. I intentionally made her no promises about using my magic, as I’m never going to make a promise to Charlotte I might have to break. There are too many variables to predict what might happen this evening. Just as Charlotte is her father’s daughter, I am my father’s son.

Arriving at the restaurant, we walk inside to find Dr. Patel seated in the lobby. Charlotte and her dad greet each other with a hug. “Dad, this is my boyfriend, Gabe Jennings. Gabe, my dad, Sanjay Patel.”

“Dr. Patel.” He rises and we shake hands. I’d estimate Charlotte’s dad in his late forties to early fifties. Of course I would know more had I read Dr. Patel’s background file that appeared on my desk earlier today. I came close to opening the file, but I ultimately decided against it. What if there’s dirt in there about the good doctor Charlotte doesn’t know? Then I’d be in a terrible position of either keeping it a secret from her or telling her, then having to explain how I know. A lose-lose either way. Rumel, in his weird way, is only trying to help. He sees everyone in his path as a potential threat. Dr. Patel doesn’t strike me as a threat. An obstacle? He’d certainly like to think so, based on the disapproving look I’m receiving.

“So, you’re the new boyfriend,” he says, eyeing me. He’s around five feet eleven, with short black hair beginning to gray around his ears. His complexion is a few shades darker than Charlotte’s beautiful honey-colored skin. A good-looking gentleman, but he has a condescending air to him.

“I am,” I say, linking Charlotte’s hand with mine.

He turns to Charlotte. “What happened to William?”

“Dad, we broke up months ago.” Goodbye and good riddance to William.

“This is news to me. I’ll have to have a chat with William senior.”

“If you want. I don’t know whether William has introduced his new girlfriend, Allie, to his dad or not,” Charlotte says, subtly putting an end to this line of questioning.

“Jennings, party of three,” the hostess calls, and we follow her to our table. I pull out Charlotte’s chair, taking my seat next to her.

Before Dr. Patel can begin the interrogation, Nicholas approaches. “Gabe and Charlotte, so nice to see you this evening,” the demon says in a thick Yankee accent, opening a bottle of wine and pouring me a taste.

“Hello again.” Charlotte gives him a friendly smile.

“Nicholas, thank you,” I say, tasting the wine to my satisfaction. “This is Charlotte’s dad, Dr. Patel,” I make the introduction as Nicholas pours wine for Charlotte and Dr. Patel.

“Dr. Patel, so nice to meet you. Gabe, if your party needs anything, please let me know,” he says with a bow.

“So Gabe, what is it that you do for a living?” Dr. Patel asks me, likely wondering how I have such an in at this fine dining establishment.

“I’m a business consultant,” I say, taking a sip from my water glass. Hydrating for the grilling that’s about to commence. Please. I make demons sweat on the stand for a living; I can handle an arrogant human doctor.

“In Jackson, Mississippi, correct? That’s what, over three hours from Memphis?” So the good doctor has done his homework. Maybe I should have read his file after all.

“It is, but I don’t mind the commute.” Teleportation is a wonderful demigod perk.

“So business consultant. What is that exactly?”

“A professional problem solver.” Of the supernatural variety, I don’t add.

“What’s your alma mater?”

“Dad, enough,” Charlotte interjects.

“What? I just want to know more about your new boyfriend.”

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