Page 7 of Demon’s Temptation

“Shit.” She threw her lipstick down and sat back in her chair.

The male was so closed off. How the hell could she get through to him? If she wasn’t sure he felt something for her, it would be a heck of lot easier to give it up. But the electricity that flowed between them was undeniable. Had been since she moved to Chicago where Brent’s other club was located, and where he first gave her a job.

For so long it had just been her and her sister. After their mother died, they hadn’t had anyone else. And unlike other demi-demons, they’d known what they were since they were young. Which meant forming long-lasting relationships was a waste of time, because they knew a day would come when the demon half of their DNA would make itself known and they’d have to leave it all behind, start again.

When it did happen, she’d been excited. Finally, she could start living, could allow herself to care about someone else, put down roots.

As soon as she’d seen Brent, she’d known he was that person for her. No other male existed to her after that.

Unfortunately, he didn’t see things her way.

The guy was a sex demon, an incubus, and she understood that he needed this place and what he could get here for his survival. She did her best to keep her jealousy at bay when he was with someone. But the guy was a demon, or half one at least, just like her, so she understood that what he did in that room behind that glossy red door was pure instinct, was the nature of the demon side of his DNA. Still, it wasn’t easy to watch, to accept.

But she understood. She got it.

What she didn’t get was why it couldn’t be her.

One of the biggest problems, she was sure, was the stubborn jackass didn’t think she could take it, couldn’t take what he needed in that playroom, and unless he let her prove herself, how could she ever prove him wrong?

Music started blaring from her phone, making her jump. Picking it up, she checked caller ID. Eve.

“Uh…hey.”

“How did it go?”

Chaya cringed. “It didn’t.”

“Oh, hon…”

“Stop. Don’t say another word. I can’t talk about it, not yet. Anyway, my humiliation is probably being posted on YouTube as we speak. Just search dancing dork in cage and you should find it.”

Eve and her mate, another knight named Lazarus, had stayed in one of the apartments above the club back in Chicago when they’d needed a safe place to hide out. She and Eve had quickly become friends, and alarmingly, it hadn’t taken long for the other female to work out how gone Chaya was over her boss.

“Come on, Chay, give me something?”

She blew out a breath. “He pulled me out of the cage but didn’t take me to the playrooms.” She winced. That part was the worst. How pathetic she must have looked trailing after him like some lovesick puppy. “I knew it wasn’t going to happen, so instead of pushing for what I wanted, I bottled it and played dumb to the whole thing.”

“Jesus…you know I love Brent, but that male is a complete idiot.”

“You didn’t tell Mia, did you?” The last thing she needed was her sweet, overprotective younger sister concerned about her. Not to mention if she involved her intense, rather terrifying mate, the guy would more than likely fly over and break both Brent’s legs for upsetting her, then all holy humiliating hell would break loose.

“No, I’d never do that, though I haven’t exactly had much of a chance to talk to Mia lately. That girl’s still all loved up. We only see her when Zen’s out on patrol.”

Not a surprise. Chaya had never seen two people more in love.

She heard Lazarus’s voice in the background and Eve chuckled. “Let me finish my call with Chaya.” There was more murmuring in the background. “Oh, for God’s sake. Sorry, Chay, hang on a sec. Yes, you big oaf, I am also completely loved up. Is that better?”

The next time Laz spoke he was clear as a bell. The guy was obviously right there by Eve and demanding she show him just how loved up she was.

Eve squealed. “Um, I’m sorry, Chay. I have to go.”

Her chest squeezed. What would that be like to have someone love you like that? Want you like that? “It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“Hang in there, hon. We’ll talk more when I see you tomorrow.” Then the phone disconnected.

Chaya had been hiding out long enough. The club was busy and her break was well and truly over. Grabbing her favorite pleated leather skirt, she slipped it on, covering the flimsy lace panties she’d bought on a whim. A complete waste of money. After another check in the mirror, she fought down her embarrassment and lifted her shields. No one would know Brent had hurt her because she refused to let anyone in to see. And she sure as hell didn’t want a dose of the emotions they were feeling when she walked back out either.

As she suspected, the club was packed when she hit the main floor, the bar staff run off their feet. She signaled to Eric behind the bar that she was back from her break, pointed to her section, and got back into it.