“Told you.” I nod for him to walk through the door first. “And the others?”
“Dempsey is a sweet little nugget. I have no idea why Draydon agreed to participate today, but he was a good sport.”
“Denying Lake something he wants is useless.” I chuckle. “Besides, Draydon isn’t as tough as he seems. He likes Lake and Demps.”
“I felt that.” He glances around the living room. “I hate to clutter your space. Is there a good spot to put all of this until I can get home again?”
The mere suggestion that he’ll leave someday sends my dragon into a tizzy. My breath hitches and I stumble back a few steps.
Montrose tilts his head. “Something wrong, dragon?”
A lump of unidentified emotion clogs my throat, so I clear it. “Nope.”
“Are you sure? If I’m in the way, I can go.”
“No,” I almost roar, then jerk my head back, surprised at my own outburst.
Montrose’s eyes soften. “Okay.”
“I have guest rooms upstairs. We can put your stuff in one of them.”
“Perfect.” He saunters across the room toward the grand staircase, emitting a wave of pheromones that lands differently. It isn’t lust I feel. No. It’s something else.
He smiles and winks as he passes me, drawing me like a moth to flame.
“To the left,” I mumble when we reach the top of the stairs.
Montrose enters one of my unused rooms, glancing around as he drops his bags on the bed. A cloud of dust wafts up.
“Sorry about that. I haven’t had anyone stay here.”
“That’s okay. It beats what’s waiting for me in the demon realm.”
Ignoring that reminder, I set the other bags down. “Did you find some nice things?”
He turns to face me, his teeth grazing his bottom lip as he nods. “Want to see my favorite piece I bought?”
Eager to see him smile, I nod. “Yes.”
He picks through the bags, looking at store names, before lifting one from the bunch. Inside, he digs past tissue paper and produces a long, slinky piece of gold material. As he straightens it out and holds it up to his chest, what it is becomes clear.
“Isn’t it delicious?” he purrs. “It’s not vintage, but it reminds me of Halston. What a loss.” He tuts. “Did you know him?”
I blink, trying to process his words beyond the haze of his happiness pouring off him. “Halston? No.”
“Shame. I think you would’ve liked him. He was brilliant, and so decadent. It showed in his designs.” He sways back and forth, allowing the jumpsuit to follow the motion. “It’s a knockoff, but it’s Lake approved.”
“It’s pretty,” I say around a dry throat. “Try it on for me?”
His gaze sizzles as he nods. “I’d love to, but close your eyes. I want maximum impact.”
“Fine.”
I close my eyes, listening to the rustling as he moves. His scent gets stronger with each piece of clothing he removes—at least, that’s what I think is happening. My dragon is restless, swishing around and clearly longing for another peek at our pretty demon.
“Okay, lover.”
I open my eyes, and I’m absolutely stunned. Blinking rapidly, I try to speak, to smother him in praise, but all that comes out is a lick of flames as my dragon goes wild.
