Page 3 of Demon Unleashed

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Zoltan looked at Enya’s plump lips while she replied to his question, imagining what they would feel like around his cock. But he had to be careful and play his cards right. If he came on too strong, she would most likely reject him like she’d done with the previous guy who’d made a move on her. The slightly inebriated man had looked well off and handsome enough, but he hadn’t read Enya right. She wanted to be in charge of picking whom to go home with tonight. She had to feel that it was her choice, and hers alone.

He would play along, because a woman like Enya needed a challenge. Besides, if he was too insistent, she would probably smell a rat. He couldn’t afford for his plan to go up in smoke, because she became suspicious of him. But if she believed that she held the reins, then he had a chance to lure her into his net. Patience was what he needed now, even though his cock was already throbbing with the need to thrust into her and make her his.

“I live here too,” he said casually. “Walking distance, actually, but I don’t go out much. It’s my first time at this bar. Seems like a decent enough place.” He shrugged. “Apart from the occasional nitwit who thinks just because a woman is on her own, she’s fair game.”

Enya took a sip from her cocktail. “Can’t avoid those. But I’ve learned to deal with them.”

He chuckled. “How? With a kick in the balls?”

“Something like that.” Enya winked at him, and her blue eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief.

“Sorry I got in the way. It’s a reflex. I grew up with a younger sister and had to play the protective older brother for so long that I guess it’s ingrained now.” Of course, that was a total lie. He had no siblings, and growing up in the Underworld, a place where only meanness, brutality, and reprehensible deeds were rewarded, had meant looking out for only himself. His childhood hadn’t exactly been a walk in the park. Survival of the fittest had been the motto. Still was.

“Don’t apologize.” She put her hand on his forearm, and even through the suit jacket and the shirt beneath, he could feel her warm touch. “It’s a good reflex to have.”

To his disappointment, Enya quickly removed her hand from his arm, but the mere fact that she’d touched him gave him hope that he was on the right track.

“And you? Any siblings?”

“Three younger brothers.”

“Guess that means you had nobody to look out for you. No wonder you’re a tough cookie.”

She laughed softly, and the sound trickled down his spine like a sensual caress. Yes, she would make the perfect sex slave—once, he’d annihilated her race.

“What makes you think that I’m tough?” she asked.

He’d seen her fight, seen her make mincemeat out of his demons. He knew she was a ferocious warrior, a woman tough as nails. But, of course, he couldn’t reveal what he knew about her. “You strike me as tough. You know, the way you talked to that guy, with such a calm and determined voice, I could sense that you’re strong. Guess that drunk imbecile didn’t see that, or he would have never tried to come on to you.”

“So why interfere when you thought I was tough enough to deal with him myself?” Her eyes scrutinized him.

“As I said, it’s a reflex. And when a man puts his hands on a woman uninvited, I see red.”

“Mmm.” She dropped her lashes a little, suddenly looking like a shy doe. “I guess I’m not used to a man fighting my battles for me. I’m sorry if I was ungrateful.” She lifted her eyes to meet his. “I’ll make it up to you.”

At the obvious offer, Zoltan swallowed away the lust that bubbled up.

Down, boy! Let’s not surrender too easily. Remember, she wants a challenge.

He lifted his glass. “You’ve already bought me a drink. But I guess I won’t say no to a second one if you insist. Though I have to warn you: the more I drink, the less civilized I get.” As if he needed any alcohol to unleash his true self.

Enya raised her eyebrows while she waved to the bartender for another round. “I’m curious to see what it looks like when you’re less civilized.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“Not drunk. What would be the point of that? But maybe another drink will loosen you up a bit.”

He leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “You don’t know what you’re unleashing.”

Before Enya could say anything else, the bartender placed their drinks in front of them. “I’m closing out your tab, Enya. Anything else for tonight?”

Enya directed her gaze to the bartender. “No, thanks, Drew. I’ve got everything I need.” She looked back at Zoltan.

He recognized that look. She wanted him, and she was waiting for him to make the suggestion to go somewhere else, somewhere more private. It was his turn now, but he would play it his way, forcing Enya to make the first move.

“A shame it’s closing time,” Zoltan said, and took a big gulp from his second drink. “I had a really nice time talking to you. Would you… I mean, perhaps we could… Would you give me your phone number so I can call you sometime?”