Page 131 of The Demon's Fire
“Oh! You’re going to be sorry.” She pounded more vigorously on his back, using the sharp heel of her retrieved shoe as a weapon.
“I’m already sorry. Chay, get to the stronghold. Arrange quarters for my reluctant piece of baggage. In a second-floor guest suite. The rest of you, with us. We’ll head to Skyler’s house so she can pack.”
“I’m not packing.”
He touched a finger to one of her legs.
“Ouch.” A mild electric shock fired to every nerve ending.
“You know you’re happy to come with me. Now, be a nice female and gather your belongings. You can’t stay in this skirt and blouse forever. Of course, maybe you can borrow something from a nymph. Some leather pants. One of those short tops to show your belly. It might be a little on the skimpy side. But…”
“You’re despicable.”
Kole’s shoulder bobbed up and down against Skyler’s stomach when he chuckled.
****
The commander paced while the other Firebrands occupied themselves with their usual MO, slinging wisecracks.
“Nice space, huh, Comm,” said Brak from Skyler’s sofa, his knees almost to his chin with a plate teetering on them. “The chief’s got some great lunch meats in her fridge. Grab a bite. Ram made sandwiches.” He waved a half-eaten one. “This one’s salami. Who’d a thunk Ram could make something good to eat.”
“I can hear you, and I’m insulted. What do you think I do for food, demon?” Ram yelled his retort in from the kitchen.
“I think you bang a different female every night so she’ll fix you dinner.”
“Are you kidding? He doesn’t stick around long enough to dine on anything other than her arousal,” said Galena.
“I’m insulted by the direction of this conversation. I go out of my way to feed all of you and all I get is a kick in the ass. I can slap a bunch of shit onto two slices of bread. You don’t hear Dax biting the hand that feeds him.”
“Dax says he’s surprised, too,” said Galena. When the surly black-haired vampire frowned at her, she shrugged.
“Keep me out of this,” he growled.
Kole strolled into the kitchen, eying the sandwiches piled on a plate. They did look good. He was hungry, and Skyler was still packing. The Amazon continued to hassle an insulted Ram, each with a sandwich in hand. Dax leaned against the counter near the fridge, also munching on the satyr’s edible creation.
ChapterThirty-One
“Getout of my way.” Skyler rammed a shoulder into Sabine, trying to push her away from the closed bedroom door.
The nymph Firebrand was a lot more immoveable than she looked.
“The commander says you’re packing. That’s what you’re gonna do.” Sabine cracked the door, peeking into living room where the males waited. She shut it softly. “You know he’s just going to make you. Better to do it yourself. Less embarrassing.”
Muttering under her breath, Skyler began slamming drawers. Open. Shut. She tossed items into a suitcase. “He can’t get away with this.”
“He can.”
Skyler sank onto the bed.
Blood Coven. Shit.
She was in danger, but she couldn’t go to the stronghold where she might see Kole every day. Not after he’d walked out on her. She was in love with him.
There. I said it. Yes, dammit. I’m in love with a demon brute.
Her pride would not allow her to beg the man who had rejected her. She would have to fall out of love.
Still leaning against the door, Sabine let her arms fall to the side in a more relaxed stance. “We’re trying to protect you. You’re a smart female. Go with it.” The nymph scrunched her brows together.
