Page 82 of Legion
“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 sheknewher 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,verymuch, 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?”
