Page 37

“Right now, it isn’t the only one,” she said as her peripheral vision was snagged by something. “That woman over there is giving you the stink eye. Like you betrayed her.” It was making Naomi’s demon want to throw something at her.

Luka’s brow furrowed. “What woman?”

“The waitress at the bar. Ella said her name’s Draya.”

He looked close to sighing. “There was no betrayal. But in her view, some light flirtation was a firm promise that I’d be making a play at some point. She considers herself an injured party even though she admits that I did nothing to lead her on.”

Naomi felt annoyance skitter through her. “It pisses me off when people do that. So many act like they’re entitled to more from you just because you let them buy you a drink or joked around with them or whatever.”

“You’ve had to deal with that?” he asked, a stiffness to his voice.

“Yup. Then I was often called a bitch or cock-tease for turning down what they offered. Everyone has the basic right to say no. I don’t know why some people struggle to grasp that.”

Anger glittered in his gaze. “Tell me who did that to you. Give me names. I’ll deal with them.”

“Kill them, you mean?”

“Same thing.”

“No, it isn’t. And it’s a reminder that I should be careful when agreeing for you to ‘deal’ with things.” She cast Draya a quick glance, finding the waitress now focused on the bartender. Good. “I would’ve thought she’d quit her job if she’s so deeply unhappy with you.”

“The tips here are good, especially in the VIP area,” he said distractedly, his eyes tracking the movement of his fingers weaving into Naomi’s hair. “Just ignore her.”

“That’s what Ella said.”

“You should listen to her.” Luka leaned into her. “Draya is my employee—nothing more. I don’t want her. Why would I want other women when I have my pretty little plaything?”

“Why indeed.” Naomi hummed into the light kiss he planted on her mouth. “Is she part of your lair? I only ask so I know what Prime might get upset with me if I end up scalping the bitch.”

Luka’s lips twitched. Oh, he thought she was joking? Yeah, no.

“She belongs to Maddox Quentin’s lair,” he clarified, referring to Raini’s mate. “Have you always been part of Jolene’s?”

“Yup. For which I’m glad. Imps aren’t the most ethical of beings, but they’re funny as fuck. My childhood was a happy one.”

He angled his head slightly. “How long have your mother and stepfather been a couple?”

“Since I was a toddler.”

“And your biological father?”

Don’t tense, don’t tense. “He pops in and out of the picture every few months,” she said with a blasé shrug.

“I suspected he was around.”

She stiffened a little at that. Forcing her muscles to relax, she asked, “Why?”

“A lot of people whose stepfather played a huge part in their lives would call him Dad, especially if they loved him. I can tell by your tone of voice when you speak of Alfie that you care for him deeply and consider him a father figure. But you refer to him by his name.”

Naomi narrowed her eyes. “Have I mentioned before that I don’t like how observant you are?”

Luka’s lips curved. “No, but I picked up on that as well.” He nuzzled the hollow beneath her ear. “I take it you’d rather not talk about your biological father.”

“Maybe one day. Not today, though.”

“All right.” His gaze cruised intently over her face, sweeping over her cheekbones, tracing the outline of her mouth, delving deep into her eyes as if he might see all she hid from him.

She arched a brow. “Do you really have to stare all the time?” He truly did it a lot.

“No.”

“Then you’ll stop?”

“No.”

Figures. “Is there a reason for that?”

“Yes.” But he didn’t elaborate.

Naomi exhaled a heavy breath. “I give up.”

He stifled a smile and sipped at his drink. His eyes abruptly went out of focus, telling her he was having a telepathic chat.

She took a few swigs from her glass as she waited for him to finish.

Finally, his gaze sharpened on her. “I have to head down to the basement.” He tossed back what remained of his drink and stood. “Wait for me here; I’ll be no longer than a few minutes.”

“No rush, I’ll be fine.” She admired his very fine ass as he walked away. Her demon made plans to grip it tight when they did the dirty later.

Not a bad idea.

To pass the time, Naomi did some people-watching in between taking more swigs of her drink. A drink she’d just finished when someone materialized in front of her. Instantly, her demon’s mouth tightened. Because this particular someone was Draya.

The waitress smiled kindly and reached for Luka’s empty glass. “Let me take this away for you.” She carefully rested it on her tray. “You’re from Jolene Wallis’ lair. Noma, right?”

Oh Lord. Pretending that you didn’t know someone’s name was such an old and boring game. Deciding to toy with the bitch a little, Naomi grinned and said, “That’s right.”

Draya’s pleasant smile trembled, irritation bleeding into her expression. She couldn’t call Naomi on the lie without admitting that she knew her name wasn’t Noma.

“Guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you caught Luka’s attention,” she said, the slightest bite to her voice, as if it was taking everything she had not to snarl. “Every man’s a sucker for a siren, huh?”

Naomi was no doubt supposed to feel upset at the implication that Luka wouldn’t otherwise want her. Snort. “It makes it super easy to reel in guys.”

Draya sucked in her cheeks slightly. “Well, heads-up—he doesn’t keep women around for long, so enjoy it while it lasts.”

“Oh, I am enjoying it. Very, very much, as it happens.” Naomi handed the woman her empty glass. “I’m curious, though . . . If you’re so confident that I’ll be out of the picture soon, why be bothered that I’m in it at all?”

Draya set the glass on the tray a little harder than necessary. “I didn’t say it bothered me that you’re around.”

“You didn’t have to. It’s written all over you. Makes sense, really, since you have your eye on Luka. Yeah, I heard about it. As you stupidly see it, I’m in your way. Right?”

A condescending smirk curved Draya’s lips. “If I wanted to lure him away from you, I could.”

Naomi almost barked a laugh at the ridiculous claim. “That so?”

“It is.” The waitress’s grin died as Luka reappeared.

Naomi looked up at him, smiling. “She’s funny. You didn’t tell me that.”

His expression dark, he bounced his gaze from her to Draya. “What’s going on here?”

“Nothing,” the waitress replied quickly. “I was just collecting empty glasses.” With that, she hurried off.

“What did she say to you?” Luka clipped, staring down at Naomi.

“Nothing upsetting.” It hadn’t even been all that annoying. “It was more entertaining than anything else.”

Seemingly unconvinced, he retook his seat and seized her gaze with his. “Tell me what she said.”

Persistent bastard. “She merely advised me to make the most of my sexual time with you because you switch partners often . . . and she claimed she could lure you away from me if she chose to do so.”

Those inky-black eyes narrowed. “Did she now?” he asked, the words a little rough.

“As I said, it wasn’t upsetting. I already knew that you kept your arrangements short and sweet. As for her latter claim, well, I don’t believe that for a second. You told me that you didn’t want her.”

“And I don’t,” he verified. “What I do want is to inform her that she’s to stay away from you in future.”

“Can you put a pin in that? She probably approached me hoping that you’d pull her on it so that she’d then have your attention.” Naomi leaned into him. “Don’t give it to her, give it to me.” She nipped his lower lip.

His pupils dilated. “Oh, I’ll be giving you more than simply my attention.”

“The question is when. Help a girl get herself some, would you?”

Mirth lit his expression. “Always in such a rush to get my dick in you. I suppose I should be flattered.”

“Be flattered in your office. I’m good to go. So hold off on the warn-Draya-to-behave talk, yeah?”

With a long, put-out sigh, he stood and held out his hand. “Fine, I’ll have one of my sentinels speak with her instead so I can go fuck you. But I have to say I’m feeling very used right now.”

Naomi felt a smile tug at her lips. “Oh, you made a funny. I didn’t think you could. Go, you.”