Page 124 of Hell Fae Commander

He gave me one of his disarmingly seductive smirks. “If this bores you, there are other things we can do.”

My flat stare didn’t waver, but the heat of reminiscent Hellfire returned to my skin.

Maybe Melek knew how to get to me, or maybe hewasto blame for my stupid dreams.

I tilted my head, carefully crafting my words in my mind. So far, Melek’s deals had at least taught me the importance of word choice. “You know, I learn a lot better ‘on the job,’ so to speak. Why don’t you and I make a deal? You know, for practice.”

His multicolored eyes sparkled. “I’m not sure you’re ready for that, sweet angel. Who do you think penned most of these deals?”

“No more dreams,” I demanded. Whether or not he was responsible, perhaps he could do something about them.

He set the pile of documents on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. His focus homed in on me, remarkably reminding me of Az’s predatory stare.

I had better tread carefully, but I wasn’t lying. Melek would be great practice when it came to deals, and at least I knew he didn’t want to kill me.

Worst-case scenario, he might trick me into bed—but would that be so bad?

Fuck, Cami. Think of Ajax.

Except, when I thought of Ajax, all I could see was his dark intrigue.

Damn it.

Melek took my hand and turned over my palm. He ran his fingers down the lines as if reading my future.

Or, more likely, he was memorizing parts of my body. That seemed like a Melek thing to do. He was becoming infatuated with me, but I kept reminding myself that it was like a dog with a bone.

Once Melek sank his teeth into me, I would be a broken toy, tossed aside never to be whole again.

Or maybe I would be his treasure, to be adored and protected.

I shook my head, not letting those errant thoughts take control. Because they weren’t real; they couldn’t be.

If anything, I would be a trophy to put on display somewhere for all to see.

Like a certain cage in a bar while I had been dressed in chains.

Melek was Lucifer’s. And anything that belonged to Lucifer was corrupted.

Including Az,I reminded myself.

“Tell me about your dreams,” Melek said, drawing me back to him.

I shook my head. “No. The deal is for you to stop the dreams. You don’t need to know what they are.” Melek was powerful. I had no doubt he could take care of my Lucifer lust problem when I was trying to rest—whether or not he was responsible for it.

He tilted his head, his eyes sparkling again as blondish-brown hair fell over his gaze. “You’re right. I only ask because I’m curious.”

I pinched my lips closed as he continued to stroke my palm. It was such an innocuous place to touch me, but it didn’t get past me that he was caressing the place where Ajax had kissed me.

How long had Melek been watching?

If he’d heard the whole conversation, he didn’t need me to repeat what my dreams were about. He already knew.

The wicked gleam in his eyes suggested he wanted me to say it out loud. To illustrate the fantasy for him as if this was another sensual game.

“Can you do it or not?” I asked, keeping on topic.

Melek’s smirk evolved into a grin. “Very good, Cami. It’s important when making a deal not to be distracted. Ty will certainly try to lure you off course to direct a deal in his favor.”