I slam back another glass of whatever this syrupy sweet drink is that the bar concocts. There’s no high or buzz from it—at least not strong enough to counter what I’m already feeling from knowing, or at least hoping, that Valentino is on his way—but it does coat the throat nicely.
Every time the door opens, I turn and look, irritated at myself for acting like a demon with no game. I have tons of game. The most game. Other demons wish they were as gamey as me. Wait. I tilt my head. That came out wrong. Anyway…
My pulse races suddenly, and I start to get antsy to the point of wanting to crawl out of my skin. This time, when the door opens, instead of turning to see who it is, I already know. I canfeelhim long before I can see him. Every step he takes thunders in my ears, and not for the first time, I wonder what’s in dragon cum that’s got me so whipped.
The heat of his body envelops me as he closes in behind my seat at the bar. I try to play it nonchalant, but I swear to Hades, my body is vibrating from his proximity. What the actual fuck? We haven’t even truly fucked yet, so what is this connection about?
Valentino drags one of his big hands through my hair, making my skin prickle with the heat of his touch, and I can’t help but swing around to face him. The cocky grin on his lips melts my guard almost instantly.
“You’re late, Dragon.”
“I’ll make it up to you, little demon. Thanks for waiting for me.”
“You’re lucky I was having so much fun,” I lie. “A boy can’t catch a break here. I just got off the dance floor before you showed up.”
His grin falters as his eyes narrow and the dragon peeks out at me. The sight of his beast gazing directly at me is as warm as the summer sun on my face. I expect some sort of quip, but instead he leans close, inhaling deeply before stepping back and releasing a tendril of smoke. Fuck, that is so hot.
“Do you need another drink?” he asks.
“No. I need to pick up where we left off a few hours ago.”
Valentino nods, but his eyes flicker back to their human form as he glances around. “I have a little problem I need to deal with first.”
I rub my hand over his beefy chest, dying to see what he looks like completely nude. I bet he’s pretty sunbathing on a rock. “I thought you were here for me. Don’t you want to have fun?”
A growl rumbles in his chest, vibrating through my hand where it’s touching him. “I’m definitely here for you.” He tickles his fingers under my chin and my eyelids flutter. “But this is a family matter, and for me, family is always first. I’m looking for an asshole demon who’s fucking with my little brother.”
I swallow hard, nodding and wishing I could just twitch my nose and disappear, but that would be equivalent to a flashing sign screaming “It’s me. Hi. I’m the asshole you’re looking for.”
Valentino lifts his left hand, wiggling his index finger, and my eyes fixate on it. Shiny pretty on his finger. My ring looks incredible on him.
Valentino turns his intense gaze to the club. “You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find the owner of this ring, would you?”
Oh, now this is a conundrum. The way I see it, I have three options. One, I can dip to the demon realm and lie low. Two, I can tell the truth, which sounds terrible, honestly. Or three, I can lie, fuck this beautiful dragon once for the road, then run like hell before he roasts me like a marshmallow.
I release an involuntary flood of pheromones so strong that Valentino actually sways into me.
Well, there it is. Option three for the win.
Chapter Six
VALENTINO
I’m sure we were in the middle of an important conversation, but I’m having a hard time remembering what the fuck it was about. And really, how important could it have been if all it takes is one good whiff of the pure sex smell rolling off of Montrose in waves to banish it from my mind entirely?
I lean into the fiery demon with a low rumble in my throat that’s all dragon. He makes a deep purring sound in response and slides off his stool. Pressing his body up against mine, he runs his hands up my chest again, teasing the sensitive pebbles of my tight nipples through my shirt.
“I’ll answer all your questions, deliciae,” he murmurs, leaning in and nuzzling my throat. My pulse speeds up and my cock twitches with a needy throb. “But I think we should get out of here first.”
Questions?I absently run my thumb over the smooth metal of the ring on my finger, warmed to match the heat of my skin. Right, the ring…My brother.
I shake my head, trying to clear the horny fog that’s taking deeper and deeper hold with every pheromone-laced breath I inhale.
“Shh…” Montrose presses a hot kiss against the thundering pulse in my throat. “I’m not doing anything to you, dragon. Nothing you aren’t doing right back to me, anyway.” I can feel the grin that spreads over his lips still tickling my throat. He cants his hips so I can feel the thick outline of his arousal, pulsing with the same impatience as mine.
“You shouldn’t smell this good,” I say with a growl, threading my fingers through his auburn hair and tightening them. He gasps as I jerk his head back a little more roughly than necessary. His pupils blow wide, then narrow into rectangular slits that are as disturbing as they are oddly hot. I’ve never bothered to wonder what a demon looks like in their true form, but now I’m curious. Are they the stuff of nightmares like everyone claims?
“Neither should you, deliciae, but here we are.” He smirks, licking his lips slowly as he holds my gaze. “Now, do you plan to continue manhandling me right here in the bar, or would you rather go across the street?” Montrose peels his hand off my chest and snaps his fingers. A hotel room key appears between his first fingers, and he grins again.
