At least, if she had fallen for another demon, they could have asked Lucifer to keep their kids out of the succubus line of work
Wait.
If she had fallen for another demon?
Ruby shook her head and took another step away from Ethan. She had known him for twenty-four hours. She hadnotfallen in love with him. Not only was that impossible, but it was also way toohumanfor her, thanks very much.
It didn’t matter that a voice in the back of her mind reminded her that humans had choices, and that was the thing she envied the most about them. Her choice couldnotbe a shifter who would have zero sway with Lucifer.
“There you two are,” Portia called out, waving. She made her way to them, smiling bright and wide. “You almost missed us.”
“What?” Ruby asked.
“The couples’ excursions, sweetie. It’s going to leave in a minute. You’re gonna be just in time.”
“Oh, we don’t need that.”
Portia arched a brow. “Are you not a couple?”
“Of course, we are,” Ruby said just as Ethan stepped closer to her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. He was really trying, but in the process, he was making Ruby’s knees weak.
Get your shit together! This isn’t real. It’s all pretend.
“We wanna do our own thing,” Ethan explained.
“Ah, that’s nice, but no. You’re coming along.” Portia sashayed on her heels and didn’t even bother to turn around to see if they were following. She knew they would. What else were they going to do? Argue with her?
“You know,” Ruby said loudly as they trailed behind her. “I didn’t know that a resort manager would be spending so much time worrying about her guests’ marital status. Shouldn’t you be in the office taking care of … well, business?”
“That’s why I have Una!” Portia laughed softly. “I would trust that pixie with my life. With her at the desk, I’m free to fulfill my other duties.”
Ruby narrowed her eyes. “Duties? What other duties?”
“Never you mind. That’s between the boss and me.” Portia’s smirk was so mischievous that even Ethan couldn’t stop from commenting.
“Why don’t I like the sound of that in the least?”
“Because you’re a shifter, and you have a naturally suspicious nature. See you out there, sweeties. Don’t forget! If you don’t join, I’ll be forced to call in the big guns.” She waved her fingers at them and vanished.
“Lovely family member you’ve got there,” Ethan teased.
“Ha! You don’t know the half of it. Believe it or not, Aunt Portia is actually the nicest one. My mother is a piece of work. And I mean, it would take so much therapy to wade through all of the shit that she has done.”
“Sorry.”
“Oh, no. Don’t be sorry. Succubi aren’t exactly maternal figures. Some do just fine because they have an actual caring nature. Portia is an example.”
He balked. “You callthatcaring?”
“Well, yeah. I get that it might all be a little manipulative for someone who has more of a human life, but honestly, you should see other demon mothers.”
“I’m guessing you don’t want kids, then.”
Ruby gulped, and her face flushed. He took a step closer to her, his hand going to her lower back. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t want to upset you. I didn’t think.”
She waved him off. “No, no, you’re fine. It’s not like you know.”
“Know what?”