"Your story has many chapters, Glory. No end in sight." He ignored the cat and ran his thumb along the side of my neck. "I'm patient and here for you. If the Scotsman lets you down, keep that in mind."
"Rafe, you're going to get hurt and very tired of waiting." His warm touch disturbed me just like it always did. Then there were his dark eyes on mine, reading me, trying to see if I was tempted and seeking ways to take advantage if I was. If I was? It took everything I had to shift my body away from his.
"I'm going to call Simon and ask him to come to the shop. Freddy says Simon was turned down by the goddess when he asked to invite a female Energy Vampire, but Simon doesn't know I know that. I'll use that as my opener. But what if he just tells me over the phone to forget it?" I threw out the question in a desperate attempt to get this conversation back where it belonged.
"Before all this came up, CiCi called me about a surprise birthday party for Freddy. She wants to hold it at the club. I'm sure she didn't plan to invite Simon but you can mention it and tell him you have the perfect gift for Freddy. Claim you can pressure CiCi to include him on the guest list. That should bring him around." Rafe relaxed at his end of the couch. Apparently he'd seen enough of my confusion to be content.
"Yes, that should do it. Not looking forward to this." I shuddered and finally let Boogie jump down and run back to Penny's door.
"I can be there with you." Rafe moved close again and picked up my hand. "I'm allowed to use my own demonic stuff in this case without worrying about payback."
"I want to do this on my own." I slipped my fingers from his; this constant touching was not a good idea. "But we've got to have something to offer Simon in return besides this relationship with his son. He seems to have everything he wants as head of the EVs. What else would Lucifer have to offer him?"
"I thought you'd never ask." A man shimmered into view in front of us and I wished for my sunglasses. He glowed with a white light, almost blinding me. Finally he settled into a mortal form. But beautiful, so beautiful I wanted to reach out and touch.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Rafe held my hand again. "This is Lucifer, Glory. Just stay put. No sudden moves."
"Good advice, Rafael. You do the same." Lucifer smiled and his perfect teeth were a dazzling white. He had shiny blond hair, pale skin and brilliant turquoise eyes.
I licked my lips. I've known a lot of good-looking men, though my taste runs to muscular types who know how to fight. This guy was glorious, long and lean with hands that looked like they had never touched a sword or a plow. He was as pale as a vampire but without the fangs. While I watched, he added more muscles and stronger hands. Hmm. Perfect. I realized I'd leaned forward, straining against Rafe's hold on me.
"Don't underestimate my strength, Gloriana. I can break a man or woman with a fingertip, mentally or physically. Can't I, Rafael?"
Rafe swallowed. "Yes, he can. I've seen it. Lucifer has more power in his pinky than Simon's goddess could ever dream of."
"Good man, that's the party line." Lucifer smiled. "I would like to be rid of that vacuum-sucking sex addict but, alas, there are rules. You, however, could annihilate her and no one could object, now could they?" His grin dazzled me. "Do that and just imagine the rewards. I have the power to give anyone their heart's desire. Simon; even you." He waved his hand and I looked down.
I gasped. There I sat, a size six again. Small breasts, narrow hips and - I felt my face, yes! - cheekbones. I had on a different dress too. It was a chic Parisian number, red silk with the kind of tiny straps that didn't allow for a bra. My normal size would never have fit in it. I looked down at my feet and had the gorgeous designer shoes to match in a shiny red crocodile platform heel.
"How do you like that demo, Glory?" Lucifer's voice flowed into me, deep and resonant, stirring me like one of Ray's sexy love songs.