“Wine?” His voice was hushed and intimate. The wine was my favorite. I rolled my eyes and waved my hand toward my glass. His mouth twitched as he poured, and the table went silent as everyone watched him.
Watched him serve a human. I opened my mouth— to say… I don’t know what— but the servers chose that moment to take our empty bowls.
Huge platters of food were placed on the table in front of us and my stomach let out a howl.
Of course the demons heard it, their senses superior to mine in every way. Every head turned toward me, and my face flamed.
Vas laughed. “Better feed her boss.”
Oh hell no. Even I knew that little tidbit about demons. Which Vas was well aware of after our conversation about the cookie. Feeding someone was symbolic to demons in ways I didn’t quite understand, and I didn’t need Samael to pull any more of that bullshit with me.
I shot him a warning look and he sat back in his chair, his lips twitching.
Lilith smiled at me, obviously thawing slightly. “I’m starving too,” she said. “I’ll fight you for the yellow curry.”
“I love yellow curry,” I said, grateful for the subject change. “But Iadorecashew chicken.” And in a fight againstLilith, I’d be dead within seconds.
The server placed a huge platter of my favorite dish within arm’s reach, along with a massive bowl of rice. The scent hit my nose and I served myself before my stomach could embarrass me again.
It can be difficult to do cashew chicken well. Thankfully, the chef hadn’t included pineapple— my pet hate. The flavors exploded in my mouth— the perfect amount of heat, salty, and sweet. The cashews crunched, while the chicken was so tender it practically melted in my mouth.
I moaned, and the table went silent again. Asmodeus grinned wickedly. “I think she likes it.”
“I’m just going to crawl under the table to eat the rest of my food,” I announced, and chuckles sounded. Next to me, Samael was very still. I glanced his way, finding his gaze glued to my face. His silver eyes glittered, his cheekbones were flushed, and his gaze dropped to my mouth as I licked my lips.
Lust roared through me, and his eyes darkened even further. He shifted in his seat and his wings rustled. Time slowed.
I took a sip of my water. I would not embarrass myself anymore in front of these demons. I refused. Turning away, I ate the rest of my food in silence, half-listening to the demons talk business, laugh about shared history, and tease each other.
I declined dessert— not because I didn’t want it, but because I felt… sad.
I hadn’t been part of a family since my mom had taken me and run, leaving my sister behind to be raised by her coven. Unsurprisingly, Evie wanted nothing to do with me now.
Sitting at the Samael’s table was nice. Better than nice. I’d watched the way his friends interacted, with the good-natured ribbing and gentle teasing. They’d told stories from the past couple of centuries, steering clear of their time in the underworld, but including me where they could.
I’d expected many things from Samael’s Monday dinners, but I hadn’t expected whatever this feeling was that clamped around my lungs andsqueezed.
“I need to head home,” I said as I got to my feet. They called out goodbyes, and Vas stood as well.
“Stay,” I ordered him. “Seriously. I’m going straight to my apartment.”
He glanced at Samael, who narrowed his eyes on my face. “Yes,” he said. “Stay and enjoy the rest of the meal. I’ll take the witchling home.”
I gaped at him. “That’s unnecessary.”
“Regardless.”
I knew that tone. That tone made it clear arguing was futile. The mark on my arm gleamed gold in the candlelight and I studied it. Finally, I waved once more at the table and walked toward the elevator.
Samael was silent as the doors opened. His wings brushed my face and I glanced at him, but he was staring at the elevator doors as if nothing had happened.
“Are you seriously going to try and squeeze into my car?” It was one thing when Vas did it, but I couldn’t imagine Samael fitting his huge body in my passenger’s seat.
“No.” He glanced at me and his eyes warmed. “My wingspan is too… big for me to fit comfortably.”
My mind went to a dark, dirty place, and Samael’s eyes turned heavy-lidded with satisfaction.
Focus, Danica.
