Page 66 of Love in Unexpected Places

“Certainly, sir,” she says, typing on the computer in front of me.

“That’s not necessary,” Lucas says as he tugs on my sleeve. “Just somewhere warm is fine.”

Turning to him, I take his face in my hands. “We will have the finest room, and you will get some rest. Do you understand?”

His bottom lip trembles, but he gives in, whispering, “Thank you.”

I nod and face Lauren.

She smiles again. “We have the presidential suite. How many nights?”

“Three.” I’m not sure how long we’ll be here, but that’s enough days for Lucas to rest and regroup.

Lauren types a few more keys. “That’ll be nine thousand two hundred and fifty-four dollars.”

Lucas starts to protest, but I hold my hand up to stophim. I pull out the wallet that comes with this body and slide the black card over to Lauren. Money is no object to me on this plane.

After she runs the card, Lauren hands me two key cards and directs us to the elevator to take us to the top floor.

Once inside the room, I snap my fingers, and clothes appear on the bed for Lucas. “Take a shower, little one. Then you can relax.”

I look down at him, and his eyes are wide, looking at where the clothes appeared from thin air. It takes a moment to remember that clothes don’t just appear like that here on Earth.

Lucas steps away from me to pick up the clothes, eyes locked on mine as he brings them to his chest. “How did you do that?”

“Are you sure you want to talk about that now? You have been through enough tonight.”

“I’m sure. How?”

“I am able to do a lot. Here on Earth, demons can do many things. Summon anything.” I snap, and a burger and a bottle of water pops up on the table beside him. Lucas jumps with a small yelp. “Some can teleport.” I close my eyes and appear behind him. He turns around with his hand over his mouth. “We have many … what do you humans call them? Party tricks.”

Lucas stares at me for many long moments, face inscrutable. Finally, he says, “A demon? How did you find me?”

“You asked for me. As my mate, your pleas reached my ears.”

“I’m your mate?” Lucas sways on his feet, like he’s absorbing too much information and can’t handle it.

Sighing, I take his arm and lead him over to the bed. Irub his back as I say, “Use the shower and get yourself together. We can discuss?—”

“Show me.” His voice is firm and sure, his eyes determined. “Show me that you’re a demon. Right now, you just look like a guy.”

“You will fear me.” With other humans, I don’t care if they’re scared of my form or not. But I don’t want Lucas to flee when he sees what I really look like.

“I saw you kill a man, and I’m still here. You can’t be scarier than that. Please, Vernimer.”

I can’t deny him when he says my name and begs so sweetly.

Standing to my full height, I whisper in Xendailish, calling forth my true form. I hear a gasp, and when I open my eyes, Lucas has his hand at his throat, and his eyes are so wide I fear they’ll pop from his head.

While the shirt I had on is in tatters at my feet, the sweatpants I’m wearing hold, though they’re a little tight. I’m glad, so my cock isn’t out. I’m more endowed than a human, and I don’t want to really scare him.

Silence crackles around us. I let Lucas look his fill, not moving so I won’t startle him. After a few more beats, he approaches me. Lucas can’t be taller than five-five, a full foot and half shorter than me. His soft hand lands on my abs, touching me gently. His fingers dip between the valley of my six-pack. Lucas’s lips part as his hand drifts over my body, touching me everywhere he can.

“You’re red,” he whispers.

“Yes.”

“And big.”

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