Page 25 of Mated
Tanner’s goth compatriot, Caine, stands sideline, fists lined in fives, tens, and twenties as he peers around with Tanner's sunglasses on top of his head. The shades match his and seem to be keeping his dark hair from his face.
My temper flares.
Wow. Look at how much they have gotten done. They’re obviously doing a whole hell of a lot in the way of looking for the asshole that attacked me.
Sure.
I try to navigate my way down the slope gracefully. But it's hard when there are no fucking steps.
My sneakers slip and slide in the rocks, and the last few feet I damn near ski across the dirt. The back rows of shifters turn. Their eyes glow softly, ready smiles fading to ones of open curiosity, and, in the case of a handful of women, discontent.
I ignore them. I've never had much reason to deal with other women. A lot of them are catty bitches who would rather tear a fellow woman down instead of building them back up, and most of the ones glaring at me seem the nasty type.
Keeping my head up, I make my way through the crowd where I can watch as Tanner guzzles down a bottle of water before wiping his mouth with one dirt-stained hand. His back is partially to me, giving me the long glorious view of his tan back and the dimples just above his ass.
Caine basically ignores me as I step up, counting the cash in his grip. “Want to make a bet little—” His brows disappear into his hairline as he finally turns to me. He grins. “Why, Ms. Rawlins, how nice to see you. Care to make a wager on our rather handsome contender?”
I take in the money in his hand and the faint trace of light pouring behind his glasses. I lean closer and whisper, “Demon?”
His smiles grows. “Very good. Now, can you guess what flavor?”
“Mammon?”
He pouts. “Oh that wounds me, truly.” He lowers his glasses and the ruby red light in his eyes seems almost opaque, backlit in fire.Hellfire.“Try again.” His irises pulse, and the heat in my core flares like a bonfire doused with gasoline.
Low rumbles pour around us and half the shifters turn as one toward us.
I pant. “Asmodean?”
He shivers. “Very good, pet.” He leans into my front and a trace of amber flows past the brimstone fragrance of his skin. “You will cause a riot, pet. Think cold thoughts.”
I laugh, surprised at the Peter Pan reference, but some of the lust fades to something tolerable. He steps back, his smile once again in place. “Good girl.”
My lips twist.
I would be offended, but the asshole seems to breathe naughty thoughts into my head just by standing next to me. All of them with him whispering ‘pet’ over and over from behind as he—
I shake my head hard to clear it and glare at him. He cackles.
“Please tell me you're going to be around for the full moon?”
I turn as a slim woman speaks next to me. Her eyes glow like beacons under a headful of red curls. But her gaze isn't on me. No, she is locked on the demon with interest.
Caine beams. “Why wait?”
“Aren't you supposed to be taking bets?” I ask.
The demon turns to me and shoves the money into my hand. “Guard my winnings with your life.” He trails his eyes over me and cocks his head. “Or I can hand them to someone else and you can join us?”
The redhead laughs, the sound low, heated. “She can come, too, but I get to go first.”
I glance at her, a blush filling my face.
She shrugs. “Pack hierarchy.”
“She's new, Daisy, not an idiot. Or, I hope not. We don't have the time for that shit here. Do we,chicana?” The voice is scathing, bitchy. And female.
Go figure.
