Demons Like It Hot (23 page)

Serah lowered her gaze to the black-and-white-checkered floor and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I know you’re here for a good reason. I… It’s just a lot to deal with all of the sudden.”

Matthias knew he shouldn’t, but seeing Serah in this state pulled at him. He reached out and brushed a stray curl from her cheek. “I understand. Trust me.”

He let his hand linger on her cheek, letting the sizzles spark against their skin. His breath caught. God, her skin was so soft. He traced his thumb across her cheek, brushing away a teardrop.

He looked down at her and gazed into her eyes, bright blue and sparkling. God, she was so beautiful. He wanted so much to kiss her—right then and there.

She reached up, brought her hand to his, and brought his hand closer to her skin. What on earth was she doing? Bloody hell, she was a temptress and didn’t even know it. And that made her dangerous.

Then again, he never shied away from danger. Why should he now?

He reached out with his other hand and grabbed Serah’s waist, pulling her to him. With gentleness he never knew he possessed, he cradled her head to his chest and laced his fingers through her sable curls.

With slow, tentative strokes, he stroked her hair. He leaned in, his mouth inches from her ear. “I understand… more than you know.”

She looked up with those disarming, sapphire eyes and placed her hand on his chest. “So what’s your story?”

His breath caught. It amazed him how just a simple touch made his blood boil. If they continued this close of contact, he’d do something he’d regret.

“My story would make your blood curdle, Serah.”

With that, he pulled away and stormed toward the door. The brisk winter air would do him some good.

***

The door slammed shut. Serah blew out a trembling sigh. She shouldn’t like the hulking demon, but something drew her to him. She shook her head. She knew he sensed it too. What was his deal? One moment he was tender and in a millionth of a second, he was cold and distant. He was hiding something. As for knowing his past—she wasn’t quite sure she wanted to know.

“So he’s that kind of investor, huh?”

Serah spun around to see Daniel with his elbow propped on the buffet, a sly smile spread across his lips. “Huh?”

“I saw the way he held you.”

Serah gasped and shook her head. “It’s not what you think. Seriously. He’s too arrogant for me.”

Daniel’s smirk grew even wider. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

“Whatever you say. And there’s no need to hide anything. I’m doing the show.”

“Seriously?”

“As serious as a heart attack. Congrats. I’m just waiting for the producer to call and finalize some things.”

Serah nodded. “Don’t producers usually come along to these things?”

“Not always. Sally’s a little private and prefers to remain in the background. Put her in the spotlight and she’ll melt.”

“Sounds bad. I can recommend a good psychologist if she needs one.”

Daniel grinned. “You don’t look like the type that would need a therapist.”

Oh, how wrong he was. She managed to keep her snort contained. “Ha ha, very funny. Someone I dated.”

“Oh, well Sally’s not one to see a shrink, but I can take the name anyway. She’s pretty content with her reclusiveness.”

“To each her own, I guess. So when do you plan to start shooting?”

“Does tomorrow work?”

“I’ll make it work.”

“I like your style.”

“How long does shooting usually take?”

“Two to three days usually. Unless you’re Diner Diva, then we’re looking at one week to shoot and three weeks post-production therapy.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

“Good. And I have to discuss Matthias with you.” Daniel blew out a deep sigh. “Sally believes it best if he stays away from the production.”

“He’s already been banned from the kitchen, so no worries there.”

Daniel arched a brow. “Banned?”

“Yes,” Serah replied with a nod. “He’s a horrible cook.”

“Sally doesn’t like outside investors. She doesn’t want him anywhere near the crew.”

Matthias wouldn’t like this one bit. She wrung her fingers and bit her lip. “That isn’t going to happen.” Maybe she should just be as honest as she could with him. She never was much of a liar anyway. “Umm… Matthias isn’t really an investor.”

Daniel slapped his hands together. “Hah! I knew it. You couldn’t hide that electricity between you if you tried.”

“Heck no! He’s not my boyfriend. We only met yesterday.”

“Yesterday? Really?”

Serah nodded. “He works for a private security firm. He’s a bodyguard.”

“I think you are taking this whole TV show a bit too seriously. Even I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“Look at yourself. Does it look like you need one?”

Daniel shrugged. “I guess not, but still.”

Here comes the hard part. She took in a huge gulp of air and clasped her hands together. “A while ago, in my desperate days, I filled out an online personal ad. One of the guys that responded was a little more into me than I was him.”
No
one
is
going
to
believe
this
shitty
story.
She rambled on. “He sent flowers every day. Then chocolates. Then he would show up at random places. The grocery store, the mall, some of my catered events. I finally put my foot down and told him to leave me alone. One night he broke into my house and drilled a hole in my fishbowl. I woke up the next morning to find my precious Goldie belly-up in an inch of water.” She snorted out a fake sob. “It was horrible.”

“Oh, my God. That’s terrible.”

“That day my friend and her fiancé called the security guard company for me. He’s here for my protection.”

It was either that or tell him the truth, and the truth was too much to believe. She might as well give him a more believable and laughable story. The less people knew about demons, the better.

“Did you file a restraining order?”

Serah nodded. “He waits for the restraining order to expire then starts the madness all over again. It expires tonight.”

“And the cops won’t do anything?”

“I’ve tried, but until he acts again, they can’t be bothered.”

“That doesn’t sound right.”

“Tell me about it.”

Daniel reached out and grabbed her hand. “I’m sure Sally will understand. I’ll let her know what the deal is.”

“Thanks, Daniel.” She leaned over to place a kiss on his cheek. As if she were in a cheesy romantic comedy, Daniel chose that exact moment to move his head. Instead of brushing his cheek, she met his lips instead. And she always rolled her eyes at those parts. That never happened in real life, or so she thought. And then the hero and heroine knew in that precise instant that they loved each other. However, this was anything but romantic. Awkward was an understatement.

Daniel made a sound similar to a dying cow and she squeaked against his just-as-surprised lips. Birds did not sing and there were no butterflies or any romantic ballads. There were no sparks or zaps—absolutely nothing. It was like she was kissing a cousin or brother.

Daniel pulled back and quickly wiped his lips. “Wow. That’s a first.”

“You’ve never been kissed on the lips?”

“No. I’ve never been kissed on the lips by a guest.” A nervous chuckle burst from his lips. “Did it do anything for you?”

Serah moved from one leg to the other and twirled a finger around a curl.
Aww
heck
. She’d lose the show before they even started shooting. However, honesty was always the best policy. “No, not really.”

“Whew, me either.” Daniel giggled. “I hate saying this, because you’re truly lovely, but it was like I was kissing my mom.”

Serah winced. “Good thing your name isn’t Oedipus, then.”

“You know Oedipus?”

“Yeah, he’s a complex character.”

Daniel burst out laughing. Finally, someone got her joke. “That’s a good one.”

“Yeah, what can I say. I try.”

“You’re smarter than you let on, aren’t you?”

Serah shrugged. “I like to read, but all that math and science stuff drives me crazy. Those are more Lucy’s expertise.”

“Lucy?”

“My best friend. She and her fiancé will be here any minute.”

“Oh. We can’t have too many people here. You know what they say?” Daniel flashed a soft smile.

“What’s that?”

“Too many cooks spoil the broth, you know?”

She never was much for those old proverbs. “Oh, yeah. That.” She felt her cheeks warm as a blush took over.

“It makes for a better show when it’s a more intimate setting. Plus the kitchen can get kind of crowded, even if it’s only two.”

“Don’t worry about Lucy or Matthias.” Serah covered her mouth and giggled. “Lucy can’t even boil a pot of water, and Matthias? Let’s just say he almost burned down my house. Neither of them will be anywhere near the kitchen, so don’t worry about intimacy issues.”

A wide smile spread across his lips. “The show is somewhat scripted too. To sort of draw on some of that intimacy. Is that okay with you?”

“Scripted? I didn’t know I was signing up for a production of Shakespeare in the Park. Jeez. Now you tell me.” She blew out a sarcastic sigh.

“Even reality shows follow some sort of script. Did you know that?”

Serah snorted. It didn’t surprise her one bit. “They need to hire better writers, then.”

“I won’t disagree there. Since I write most of my scripts, I will assume you’re not talking about my show?”

“No, I’m talking about any un-real housewife in any big town. Where’s the
Real
Housewives
of
the
Midwest
?” Serah threw up her fists in frustration. “And don’t even get me started on those guidos and guidettes down in New Jersey. Is this where entertainment is taking us? Steroid-popping, orange-skinned idiots?”

Daniel shrugged. “I am one of those stars you know.”

Serah’s mouth fell open and she gasped. “Oh. But
Princes
and
Paupers
was a great show. I could see how real you all were. And I can tell the difference between fake bake and a real tan. This stuff now? It’s just crap.”

“People watch it, though.”

“I know. It’s just that… I’d rather keep up with a turtle than… well you know.”

“It’s the days of fifteen minutes of fame, what can I say?”

“To each his own. YouTube doesn’t help much either.” Fingering the diamond-encrusted locket around her neck, she flashed a smile. He was as friendly off camera as he was on camera.

“Some good musicians have been discovered that way.”

Including
Justin
Bieber
, but she kept that to herself. “You have a point. My main issue is with the idiots who make fools of themselves just so their stupid videos go viral.”

“We have a lot more in common than just cooking, it seems. I hate that too.” Daniel wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her back a friendly pat. “Enough chitchat. Let’s see this awesome tiramisu I’ve heard so much about,” he whispered in her ear.

No tingles. No shivers. Again, nothing. Her libido was indeed shot.

Matthias should have stayed outside. He sat at the desk and mashed keys on the keyboard. He’d seen Serah kiss Daniel. It had been the most clichéd, overly romanticized kiss ever, but he still saw it. He wished he hadn’t.

He gritted his teeth. Why in the hell did he feel this way? He was supposed to be strong, to keep his emotions in check. Ever since he laid eyes on Serah, his resolve had gone out the window. He was doomed.

Sera continued to laugh and giggle, pulling out mixing bowls and various utensils. He had no idea what they were or what they were used for, but the way they shined told him one thing. Silver. He relaxed slightly.

Daniel followed her around like a lovesick schoolboy, following Serah’s lead. So much for relaxing. All he wanted to do was retch. Unfortunately, as a demon, that was impossible.

Daniel reached up and brushed Serah’s shoulder. She smiled at him and tapped him on the back with a wooden spoon.

“Owwie,” Daniel yelped in mock pain. He leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

His conscience warred inside. He wanted to tune in and hear Daniel’s words, but he wanted to respect Serah’s privacy as well. He clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palms. He didn’t care if he bled. It was the only way he could keep himself sane.