growls in my head. “Did someone just say they’d fuck you?”
I laugh to myself, which Lousen mistakes for appreciation of her joke. But really, I know Ire is probably on his way over here. I can’t help feeling excited about that. Their protective possessiveness over me is a real turn-on.
Lousen looks me over one last time before she nods. “You’re now acceptable.”
I snort out a laugh. “Thanks?”
“Not acceptable. Beautiful,” Vudu grunts out, a heavy frown creasing his brows as he glares at the she-demon.
I blush lightly at his words, but inwardly, I’m secretly hoping he’ll come over here and kiss me. All over. But he doesn’t. I can’t help the sigh that slips past my lips.
Lousen starts to pack up like her Rapunzel hair is on fire, and honestly, it’s probably smart with the way that Vudu is looking at her, and the fact that Ire is on his way over to yell at her appreciation of my nipples.
“Hey, I meant to ask before, what happened to Shateel?” I ask Vudu curiously.
My mate’s eyes dart away for a second. “Umm…”
A smile threatens to come over my lips at his sudden discomfort. “What did you do?” I press suspiciously.
He shrugs a large, plated shoulder. “As soon as you left, I buried her alive in the tunnel.”
My eyes widen and my mouth pops open. “Vudu!” I exclaim with a shocked laugh. Even though it’s probably really messed up, I can’t help it, and I’m not sorry. She deserved her end for almost getting my mates killed.
“What? She had plenty of air to last her for the night,” he says dismissively. “Besides, I wasn’t going to let her hurt you or disguise you ever again. I didn’t like your face and body being hidden from me.” His words are fierce and protective, and my amusement immediately dies away for an appreciative aww moment, my heart squeezing in my chest.
As she continues to pack up, Lousen bends down to retrieve the body-hugging satin dress from the floor, but Vudu suddenly stalks over and takes it from her hands. “We’ll hold onto this one too,” he declares in his deep, rumbly voice, and my cheeks heat at the knowing look she gives him.
“Of course,” Lousen says before shooting me a wink.
Vudu drapes the other dress across the back of the chair and then sits down casually. Turning around, I press my palms to my stomach as though it will calm the nerves floating around. I feel so out of my element, all dressed up and decked out, off to spend a night with the Devil and his inner circle of the Seven Sins. I mean, just saying that out loud sounds completely crazy, but that’s my life now.
This will be the first time since getting here a week ago that we’re venturing out of Ire’s wing of Wrath’s palace. We’ve just been resting, eating, talking, and getting to know each other every second of each day.
Unfortunately, aside from the time in the tub, I haven’t been intimate with any of the guys. Even Ire’s been holding out on me. He says it’s only fair until I’ve solidified things with Vudu and Toreon, which sounds all gallant and respectful, but honestly, it’s been a difficult cross to bear. More difficult than I thought it would be, because being around them so much has made me want them more and more.
My connection with each of my mates has grown stronger, but...not physically yet. I don’t want to push Toreon or Vudu until they’re ready and feel safe and right about things, but it’s hard being patient. Despite Vudu’s claim that he would have me soon, neither he nor Toreon have initiated anything.
Tricky gargoyle. Bet Elisa didn’t have to put up with this crap from Goliath.
I try to tell myself that, in the Mortal Realm, this wouldn’t be a big deal. But the fact is, I’m not human, and neither are they. Plus, dealing with the pull of mate bonds is intense, and it’s wreaking havoc on my damn hormones. It’s seriously messing up my whole no time like the present mantra that I’ve adopted. But more than anything, I just want to make sure that they still want me. I worry that now that things have settled, they’ve changed their minds.
What if they don’t want me as their mate anymore?
I try to bury that fear deep in a box and shove it into the naughty corner of my mind, but it’s hard to ignore it all the