Still studying him with an uneasy gaze, she pursed her lips and raised her chin. “So, what was that creature?”
“That was Hyacinth, my former commander. He’s the one who turned me into a dog in the first place. It was supposed to be a punishment because I uh…” he broke off, embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. “Well, I had a fling with his daughter. He didn’t like that, so he forced me into the canine body and locked my powers down so I couldn’t use them. I couldn't turn into this human form. I didn’t have any contact with him again until just before Glenda did her thing. He appeared in the middle of the night in the backyard. You were asleep. That’s when he told me to corrupt you, and he would give me my powers back as a reward. But he warned me that if I failed, he would punish me with a fate worse than final death. So, that’s why I have to leave soon, because I won’t go through with it. I won’t corrupt you.”
Chuck took one step closer. “I see,” she said. She gently placed her hands on his arms and gazed into his eyes. “Malachi, I also remember I told you, you belong with me, and he can’t have you.”
Trembling, he gazed back at her, overcome with whatever this emotion was. “Kelly,” he said before his throat closed.
“Shh, Malachi. Thank you. I believe you. I know I shouldn’t. Common sense says no.” She took his hand and placed it over her heart. “But this… this tells me to take this chance. I was never one to listen to reason. My dad always told me to follow my heart.” Leaning forward, she kissed him again. Softer this time and with more emotion than lust.
“Kelly, I have to know something. If I can’t find a way to break away from Hyacinth, he will kill me within days. I don’t have long. So, I need to know, what is this between us? How do you feel about me?” His breath caught, and he shook inside, his stomach twisting and aching, waiting for her answer.
Shaking her head, she smiled softly. “I don’t know what to call it. But I care about you a lot, and I could see being happy with you. I don’t want you to leave. I don’t want anyone else in your life or anyone else in mine. Is that enough for now?”
Nodding, he closed his eyes in relief. “More than enough. Chuck, no one has ever cared for me before. I’ve never cared either.” He opened his eyes and brushed his fingers over her cheek. “Until now. Until you. So… please. Be patient with me. I guarantee you I’m going to mess up and say something stupid. Do something stupider. But always know, you’re it for me.”
“I do have one question, though,” Chuck asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she tried but failed to keep the grin from her face. “Do you have another form? A demon form? Like that plant guy? That was horrible, and I don’t know if I want to see you like that.”
Malachi blinked once in surprise, then threw back his head and laughed heartily. “I do actually have another form. A demon form. It’s nothing like his, though. He comes from one of the ‘pure’ demon lines.” He shook hishead as he made sarcastic finger quotes. “There are a lot of demons that believe the uglier you are, the closer to Satan you are, therefore the more powerful you are. I don’t subscribe to that, but looking like I do, I had to fight my way up the ladder to get where I was.”
“Can I see it?” Chuck asked timidly, a small voice unlike her usual confident tone.
Sighing, Malachi shook his head. “Not yet, please. I’m not ready for that. Soon, though,” he reassured her as her lips parted to argue. She looked disappointed and relieved at the same time, and he congratulated himself on making the right choice. His elation was short-lived as she smirked like she was plotting something. “What?” he asked warily.
“Now we have to go hang out with your buddy Jaxon and sing badly in front of other people!” she crowed. Spinning, she hurried back to her room to grab her purse.
It was only then that Malachi realized Chuck, his Chuck, was wearing a dress. A red body-hugging dress with cap sleeves and a flowing skirt that billowed around her legs. He’d seen her in far less clothing than this, but somehow, this felt more intimate. All his blood rushed south to his groin, and he grimaced. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to walk around like this. Shaking his head, he hurried to put on the shirt she mentioned. She may have been play-acting for Hyacinth, but he knew she was serious about liking this outfit.
Entering the bar with Chuck on his arm, watching all the men’s heads turn at the sight of her, Malachi wanted to roar in pride. She was gorgeousand captivating. And she was his. He didn’t mind other men looking; he enjoyed eye candy as much as the next guy, or demon. Women were the most amazing and frustrating creatures on the planet. He could find something to appreciate about each and every one, regardless of their size, color, or personality. But Chuck was special, and he wanted to show her off.
“Stop it,” she snapped through her teeth as she faked a smile, waving at her friends while they approached the table.
Tilting his head in question, he raised his eyebrows in inquiry.
“Quit strutting like a peacock. It’s weird,” she hissed, glancing at him.
“Can’t help it. I have the prettiest girl in the city on my arm. Every man in here wants you. Some of the women, too. Those who don’t want you, want to be you. So yeah, does my ego good.” He smirked at her astonished expression as she stumbled and stopped. Leaning down, he brushed a light kiss over her parted lips. “Incubus. Sex demon. I know when people are lusting,” he reminded her.
Shaking her head in amusement, her eyes suddenly widened. “Wait,” she gasped, her expression now horrified. “You can tell when people are turned on?” she squeaked.
Nodding with a large grin spreading from ear to ear, he moved closer to her. “I can. Including you. Do you haveanyidea how difficult it’s been to keep my hands to myself? Lucifer’s left butt cheek, Chuck, every time you look at my hair, it gets me hard. Keep your eyes forward unless you want me to embarrass myself here.”
With a strangled hum, Chuck’s eyes flew to her friends, and she plastered her fake grin over her lips again as she tugged him forward.
A chuckle slipped from his throat as he murmured, “All one hundred of my peacock ass eyes are rolling at you right now. That smile isn’t fooling anyone, you know.”
Stopping again, she whirled and glared at him, her fake smile disappearing faster than a cat in a rocking chair factory. She poked him in the chest. “Bad dog,” she scolded.
“That’s my sassy girl!” he smirked and stepped against her. “But don’t call me that. It makes me want to prove what a good boy I am. Now get that perky ass over there before your cop friends come arrest me.” He smiled brightly, much better at fake grins than she was.
Taking a moment to arrange her features carefully this time, she turned to resume her journey to her friends. “Hey, guys, sorry, Evan just surprised me by telling me he’s a huge karaoke fan. I had no idea. Shocking really. But now I can’t wait to hear him sing.”
“That’s me, I’m Evan. Apparently, she’s so surprised she forgot to introduce me. Oh, wait, Jaxon, right? I met you in that parking lot.” Malachi smoothly offered his hand as everyone else introduced themselves. He nudged them all to like him instantly. All except Jaxon. He let that one stew in his own irritation.
“Evan,” purred one of the dispatchers. “Where has Chuck been hiding you? I’ve never heard your name from her lips. Of course, I can see why she’s keeping you to herself.” The woman ran a hand over her hair and inhaled deeply, thrusting her leopard print-covered breasts forward, her push-up bra fighting a valiant battle against gravity.
Malachi took a moment to enjoy the display before he turned an adoring gaze on Chuck. “Well, I’m not surprised. I’ve been keeping her to myself as well. There’s just something so incredibly captivating, mesmerizing, and completely irresistible about this stunning woman.” He gently stroked the back of his knuckles over her cheek, rubbing his thumb over her lower lip. Shaking himself as if waking up, he smiled abashedly at them. “Sorry, I just get so caught up in her I tend to forget others are around.” His eyes drifted back to her, like he couldn’t keep them away.
As the others in the group stared in disbelief, Chuck only had eyes for him. Finally, she remembered where she was and smiled at the others. “He’s a charmer, isn’t he? So, who’s singing first?”
