“God, you’re an asshole.”
“I wasn’t thinking that.”
“You should be.”
He smoothed his hand down her back. “The only asshole I’m interested in is yours.”
“Pfft. You can be as interested in it as you like, but my ass is an exit-only zone. Nothing goes up there. Definitely not your cock, because there ain’t anything slim or small about it.”
“All right.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Enough with the indulgent ‘I’ll let her believe what makes her feel better because I’ll eventually get my way’ smile.”
He lathed her lower lip with his tongue. “Kiss me.”
Raini sniffed. “Not feeling the vibe right now.”
“I’ll make you feel it.” He slid his hand around her hip and down to her pussy.
“I’m not in the mood to—” She gasped as he started doing some very clever things to her clit, unerringly finding every hot spot. “You know my body too well,” she grumbled.
“It knows me. It knows I’ll give it what it wants. As do you, so just lay back and enjoy.”
Shutting the top drawer of his dresser early the next morning, Raini turned to Maddox, who stood a few feet away with his hands in his pockets. They’d collected her things from the penthouse an hour ago, and he’d shuffled some of his clothes around to make room for her own. Not liking the self-satisfied look on his face, she clipped, “There, I’m unpacked. Happy?”
He stalked toward her. “You really should stop sulking. It makes your lips pout, and that just makes me want them wrapped around my cock. I’m pretty sure you’d rather eat breakfast before you do anything else.”
As if to back him up on that, her stomach rumbled.
His mouth curving, Maddox took her hand. “Come on.”
He teleported her to the main hall, where most of his demons were gathered, eating, drinking, and talking. The delicious scents of toast, eggs, bacon, and breakfast potatoes laced the air.
People said their good mornings or nodded in greeting before going back to their food and conversations. There’d been a time when the descendants had seemed awkward whenever she joined them at mealtimes. Now, well, it was old news. The only people who ever gave any real sort of reaction were Marcella and Euan—usually by going stiff in their seats or offering brittle, insincere smiles. Like Raini gave a shit.
Maddox guided her to their usual table, where his sentinels were already seated.
“So, you all moved in?” asked Hector.
Piling food on her plate, Raini replied, “Temporarily, yes.”
Hector snorted. “Temporarily. Sure.”
Carmen elbowed him hard. “Is there anywhere you need to go today, Raini?”
“Nope,” replied Raini, shaking her head. “I need to go over my plans for the upcoming party I’m throwing, but I can do that through video calls.”
She wasn’t in the mood to venture out, because it had become clear that the halo-bearers had no problem with striking in public places. If she went anywhere, she’d be on edge, expecting an attack. And it was possible that Castiel might be planning to launch one, so why make it easy for him?
Just then, her mother’s mind touched hers. Listening to Evangeline’s telepathic heads-up, Raini felt her mouth tighten. “Dammit.”
“What’s wrong?” asked Maddox, stilling.
“My dad almost leveled a city block last night.” Raini sighed, slicing into her bacon a little harder than necessary. “No casualties, just utter mayhem. He’s almost as bad as Jolene when he’s pissed. The only difference is she uses her ability to cause that kind of destruction; he uses household fucking chemicals.”
Hector grinned. “I think I could like your father.”
“Hmm.” Raini shoved a forkful of food into her mouth. “I love my dad. He’s a freaking treasure. He also drives me insane. I guess, as an imp, it’s sort of his vocation.”
“I saw him a few times while guarding your house,” said Carmen. “He always spotted me, no matter how well I hid, and gave me a subtle salute. Your uncle usually sensed me, too. He waggled his tongue all Hannibal Lecter like.”
Raini cringed. “Bram is inappropriate in so many ways.” Deciding it was time for a change of subject, she turned to Maddox. “What are you doing with your day?”
He took a sip of his coffee. “I need to go to the club and see to a few things. You can come, or you can stay here. I’d rather you didn’t leave the monastery, but I won’t force you to remain here. You’re not a prisoner.”
Raini couldn’t help but smile. “You say that like you could force me to stay. You’re so cute at times.” Adorable, even.
Hector snickered.
Maddox gave her a droll look. “I’m well aware that you could take me out with psychic hellfire, but I don’t believe you’d ever use it on me.”
Raini tipped her head to the side. “Whatever makes you think that’s the only notable power I possess? See, so cute. I just wanna squish your cheeks together right now.”