“Smart ass.”
"So?"
"That is by far the best looking omelet I have ever seen." Clytie answered, watching Ben work the kitchen. "Where did you learn to cook?"
He leaned across the Island across from her. Spatula in hand, he waved it warningly. "I’d tell you but then I'd have to kill you."
Clytie nodded, "Right. Top-secret cooking school. I gotcha."
"I taught him everything he knows.” Macs voice came from behind them and Clytie turned to see Mac followed by Demon enter the kitchen.
"Everything?" She asked twirling around on the stool. She very purposefully didn't look at Demon, having no idea what to do or say. She knew she blushed but was as helpless to stop that reaction as to stop the liquid that pooled in her sex when he entered the room.
"Everything." Mac said heading for the coffee pot to pore himself a cup.
Ben snorted, smiling his toothpaste smile when Clytie glanced his way. "He lies." He shrugged his impressive shoulders and waved the spatula is small circles at his temple. "Delusional."
"You...” Whatever Clytie thought to say cut off when her stool flipped back around and Demon yanked her into his arms. His mouth smashed down on hers before she could do more than squeak. The kiss long and thorough felt more like a statement than a kiss. Mine. When he pulled back, she clung to him, arms around his neck, legs cinching his waist. They both breathed hard.
"Good morning baby.” He drawled out. Placing another kiss on her forehead, he placed her back on her stool, and Clytie had to concentrate to get her hands and legs to release. He swung her stool back around and she grabbed the edge of the island with two hands. A plate of omelet appeared before her eyes and she picked up her fork with shaking hands. When she looked up Mac had his head ducked into the refrigerator and Ben got busy mixing eggs. Only Demon watched her from above the rim of his mug leaning by the coffee pot. He seemed entirely too satisfied, the Jerk. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Clytie narrowed her eyes in challenge and jumped off the barstool. He placed his coffee cup down on the counter and watched her approach. She was glad to note he appeared a little less self-assured then he had a minute ago. She stopped right before him, standing between his balanced legs, she placed her hands on either side of his hips where they leaned against the counter and crooked her finger at him. He bent down to within kissing distance, his eyes going to her lips when she spoke.
“Demon?” Clytie rubbed her hand down his cheek, feeling the stubble he had yet to shave this morning.
"Yeah baby?" His voice a rough growl of words they danced heat along her nerves. She leaned up on tiptoe and licked him from his collarbone to bottom lip with a tiny pink tongue. Demons whole body locked down.
"I have a name. Don't call me baby." She turned and went back to her omelet. Hopping back up onto her barstool with a shiny smile, she dug into her food while Demon stood frozen by his coffee, an uncomfortable tent in his jeans and a hot look in his eyes.
She groaned as the first bite hit her tongue. Demon picked back up his coffee while she smiled at Ben.
“You have a gift.” She stated with verve.
Ben smiled back, sweeping an exaggerated bow before him and making her laugh. Demon plunked the cup back down on the counter with enough force the cup shattered. Coffee splashed out hitting the counter, the floor, and Demons hand. Clytie jumped up with a gasp, pushing Ben out of the way to get Demons arm and pull him over to the sink.
“Shoot.” She said, turning on the tap, testing the water temperature and holding his hand under the gushing water. “Hold on, the cold water will stop the burn.” She glanced up, the worry clear in her eyes. “Better?”
He held still under her ministrations. His scar garish in the morning light, his tattoo stood out against the neckline of his black t-shirt. Her eyes trailed down his muscled seven-foot frame. She looked back to where she held his large hands under the cold water for a coffee splash. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. She let go stepping back and looking around at the three large men staring at her as if they had discovered a new species and didn’t know if it was dangerous.
She cleared her throat, “Sorry. I guess I overreacted.” She tried to make a joke of her worry. “Imagine what I’d do for a paper cut.” She walked back around to her stool and tried to concentrate on eating her cooling omelet.
“Can I get my purse back now?”
“You’re not leaving.” Demons voice loud in the silence of the kitchen and Clytie gave him a warning glare. Ben got busy with his own breakfast, doing his best to be invisible. The absurdity had Clytie rolling her eyes. Mac smiled at her, as inscrutable as ever. “I’ll get it.” He said leaving the kitchen.
Demon leaned over the kitchen island beside Ben and put both hands on either side of her place setting. “You.” He said, poking a big finger toward her nose. “Are not leaving.”
She tried to bite his poking finger but he jerked back. “Of course not.” She said, exasperated with him in particular and men in general. “I’m going to eat my breakfast, check my messages, and find out what plans you have today.” She got back to her breakfast. “I thought if you don’t have anything planned maybe I can take you to lunch.” Her cheeks had barely faded from the last blush and were rosy red again. “I’ll understand if you can’t. I thought...” She trailed off and he placed a warm palm under her chin and raised her eyes to his which were a heated chocolate brown. She would have never expected such tenderness from a man so strong.
“What did you think?” His voice had become smooth velvet and the tone made Clytie shudder with longing and close her eyes.
“I thought we could spend some time together.” Good grief, how did people do this? She felt stripped bare before his eyes. Waiting for his answer a nauseous fist of anxiety hit her stomach.
He kissed her softly across the island and she opened her eyes. “I’d like that ba... Clytie.” Her smile was blinding, so pretty he had to kiss her again.
"Jesus that's sweet. Don't you think that's sweet Mac?" Ben's voice rolled over them and Clytie pulled back blushing yet again.
"Like Cotton Candy and balloons." Mac answered placing Clyties purse beside her on the counter.
"And puppies." Ben finished, grinning down at them.
Demon flipped them off without lifting his head and Clytie laughed. She kept the smile on her face all through breakfast and clean up where she wasn't allowed to do anything but watch. It was no hardship watching such beautiful men razzing each other around the kitchen. Unfortunately, her messages were enough to kill the after glow.
“I need to go by my sister’s shop. She is having some issues with the payroll program I installed.” She looked up at Demon. “Maybe we could meet for lunch?”
“I’ll take you.” He said instead.
Clytie hesitated and then shrugged. “I can show you the shop.” She made a study of the white kitchen with the stainless steel appliances and complete lack of color. “You could maybe use the inspiration.”
Chapter 5
When they reached the cookie cutter street of shops where the Amber Dragonfly was located Clytie began to get a little nervous. When she saw how many cars were parked in the employee section of the parking lot she groaned. Oh no. "What day is it?" Please say it’s not Wednesday. Please say it's not Wednesday.
“Wednesday, why?"
"I am in so much trouble." She sank down in her seat and wondered what had happened to her brain in the last 24 hours. Oh yeah, mind blowing sex. "Uhm Demon, it might be best if you waited in the truck, or maybe went to get a cup of coffee at the cafe, and I'll walk over when I'm finished."