Demons Don't Always Tell The Truth (Kate Storm Series Book 3)

by Meredith Allen Conner

  Snake stood in my waiting area.

  I wanted to curse.

  The chained loop at his waist jingled as he strode towards me. It was about the only spot of color in his otherwise black attire. Black t-shirt, black jeans and black biker boots.

  I glanced down at my dark green t-shirt. Snake, Phil and I should probably go shopping with Désirée.

  "Hey, Kate." Snake stopped just in front of me. He had a habit of crowding one's personal space. It was the Dom in him. "Where's Désirée?"

  "She's fine." I patted his arm. Snake wasn't one to parade his emotions around, but I knew he was worried about my secretary. "She just left a few minutes ago with Phil. They went to lunch. She's totally safe."

  For the time being at any rate.

  "Good." He frowned, not fooling me in the least. "I was headed to work and thought I'd swing by to check on her."

  Both his motorcycle shop and his house were on the other side of town. He'd gone out of his way to check on Désirée. Despite his tough appearance, Snake had a soft heart.

  "You found anyone for me to date yet?" He was also tenacious.

  "I was just looking at your file. I'll call you as soon as I find someone."

  Snake nodded. "Good. Great." He cleared his throat. "It would be nice to find someone." He stiffened as if he just heard his own words. "Life's good and all. I'm not complaining. I just . . ." His voice trailed off, uncomfortable trying to put his feelings into words.

  "It's okay, Snake." I smiled at him. "I work with love for a living. I know exactly what you mean."

  I worked with love and yet I couldn't figure it out in my own life.

  "Good. Well, I gotta go." He patted my shoulder, stopped and tilted his head as he studied me. "Everything okay? You look tired."

  Good Doms have to be extremely observant. I'd read all about it when I'd taken Snake on as a client. Doms give their subs safe words to use in case things get too intense, but a really good Dom keeps track of their physical tells as well.

  I'm a terrible actress so I whispered a calming spell as I lied to him. "I'm fine. Just didn't get a lot of sleep last night." Finally. A tiny smidgen of truth.

  "You need help with anything?" Snake's hand rested more heavily on my shoulder. I couldn't tell if he'd done it deliberately, a sort of reflex Dom action, or if my conscience was lashing out at me.

  "Nope. All good. Nothing at all to worry about. I'm just a little tired."

  It was definitely my conscience. Snake's hand felt like a boulder now. But I'd rather lie than take a client up on his "offer". Or admit my own personal love crisis.

  Neither one was good for business.

  "You let me know if you change your mind." Snake squeezed my shoulder, stared me in the eye and then left.

  It made me wonder if my spells were even working. My calming spell should have completely fooled a suspicious Dom.

  They had to still be working. My magic was about all I felt I had left at the moment.

  I straightened my shoulders and headed over to my desk. At the very least, I was determined to find a match for Snake today.

  An hour later I found her.

  No wonder it had taken me so long. And, honestly, of all people, I should know better than to judge someone by their appearance. But I had.

  If I hadn't, I might have found the kindergarten teacher's file sooner. Instead she had been at the bottom of the pile. And nearly made me doubt my magic again.

  Brown hair, brown eyes and worked out. All boxes checked on Snake's preferences. There was nothing in her file about being a submissive, however, she was one of the clients I'd taken on before I met Snake. There was nothing in her file about her sexual preferences - other than heterosexual - period.

  My magic begged to differ.

  Again, I couldn't get a perfect read from their photos, but every time I nudged them together, they glimmered. Just a slight sparkle. Enough for a matchmaking witch.

  I wasn't entirely sure how she would hide her nipple piercings from her class of six year olds, but that also wasn't my problem. And Snake seemed like a thorough Dom. I was sure he'd figure out a solution.

  I called him right away.

  Then I called Martha, the kindergarten teacher, and arranged a date for the next night. I'd already given Snake the parameters for his behavior, which I doubted he'd listen to, so I described him to Martha as "confident, take charge and determined".

  I didn't worry after that. Her sigh told me all I needed to know.

  I'd also like to say it made me feel better. More positive. A teeny tiny bit happy.

  Something.

  Anything other than the knot in my stomach and ache in my chest.

  My determination to ignore things with Ash was slowly being eaten away. I couldn't continue on this way. I knew this. But I wasn't ready to dig at that wound. The only thing holding me together, allowing me to function, was the band I had wrapped around that bubbling turmoil inside.

  Once I cracked the lid, the cauldron would overflow.

  It terrified me.

  I didn't know what would happen. It could truly mean the end of Ash and I. And while the hurt and enraged part of me was almost ready for that, another part of me still held out hope.

  The crazy optimistic side that pushed me to open a business based on love, the side that encouraged me to get involved with Ash despite being cursed to Fail in Love. The hopelessly romantic part of me that still believed in happy endings.

  In my own happy ending.

  Our big confrontation would change the course of my life forever.

  And that scared me as much as anything.

  ****

  I liked Désirée Norma-Sue's charm. It suited her.

  We spent the rest of the afternoon making it after she and Phil returned from lunch.

  I'd added every protection spell I could think of, plus a few extras, just in case, and then Désirée added a glamour spell.

  It could change colors to match any outfit she wore and was the shape of a glittery disco ball necklace.

  I'd thought it was perfect for her.

  Désirée Norma-Sue thought she needed an outfit to match the lavender shade we discovered when we tested the color scale of the charm.

  I was now alone once more in the office.

  As an employer, I knew I should insist on more work being done. However, Snake's match had satisfied my matchmaking ethics and Désirée had offered to find a bright t-shirt for me in a non-wrinkling material.

  It was a win win as far as I was concerned.

  I was reviewing some current files when the bell jingled over my front door.

  The god was back in my waiting area.

  His muscles had multiplied since I last saw him. I knew his dimples had grown deeper and more adorable and his midnight hair made my fingers itch to touch it.

  He wore a black button down embossed with shimmery silver scrolls, black chinos and black loafers. The same wide black watchband on his wrist.

  Handsome didn't begin to describe him. Luscious, temperature-heating and divine came closer.

  He spooked me.

  I wanted to avoid the hand he held out, but, unless I planned to run off my clients, even the ones I didn't want, I didn't see any options.

  This time visions of a warm summer evening picnic flooded my mind. Bubbling glasses of pink champagne perched on a wooden tray next to ripe, red strawberries coated in melted chocolate so realistic, I swore I could taste them on my tongue.

  The scents of nature called to me, filled my lungs. Tangy evergreen, sweet lilies, heated, musky bark. The fresh scent of a soft breeze just ruffling the leaves.

  It whispered my name, beckoning me with the promise of safety and peace. The lull of a happy childhood. Loving times spent casting spells and playing games with my mother and aunt in the woods.

  The pull was so strong I actually moved towards him. Reached out with my other hand as if to hold him to me.

  The phone rang.

  And the spe
ll was broken.

  I moved back several steps. Then an extra one just as a precaution.

  I didn't want to get close to any magic that powerful.

  I could still smell the hint of evergreen hanging in the air.

  I took another step back and hit the wall next to my HC office.

  The frown over Adam Night's face came and went so quickly I might have imagined it. He gestured gallantly towards the ringing phone, teeth blinding white as he smiled, "Please, feel free to answer it."

  I had no plans to either turn my back to him or split my attention. Like a beautiful cobra just waiting to strike, he held my full awareness.

  "The answering machine will pick up and I'll call them back."

  "You should consider hiring a secretary." His deep blue eyes twinkled at me and urged me to move closer.

  I gripped the edge of the doorway until the pain overrode my sudden desire.

  "I do have a secretary. She's out running some errands right now."

  "We're all alone then?"

  He was slick, I'd give him that.

  I knew I should kick him out. To hell with any bad press he might spread as a rejected client, but frankly, I was down right scared witch-less and caught between bad magic and my equally terrifying common sense.

  Adam Night had some sort of hidden agenda. And he wasn't afraid to use black magic to achieve whatever it was he wanted.

  As much as I so desperately wanted to kick him out - as far away as I could - I realized I'd actually be safer if I kept him in my sites. Learned as much about his plans as I could so I could foil them.

  And keep myself - and possibly - my secretary safe from any harm he intended.

  "She should be back soon." I smiled widely at him as I lied.

  Désirée Norma-Sue was a champion shopper. I didn't expect to see her until closing time. More than likely the next morning.

  "Ah. Shall we finish my questionnaire?"

  I'd made up an excuse and shooed him on his way when Adam had stopped in the first time.

  I'd been convinced I could somehow dissuade him from wanting to use my services.

  His new seduction attempt completely squashed that plan.

  It wasn't a simple spell that would target any witch. It had been specifically designed for me. Tempted long ago memories and wooed my broken heart.

  Adam Night had done his research.

  I didn't know how he'd found out about Ash, but he'd clearly plotted accordingly for our meeting.

  "Why don't you come into my office? I have your file there." I straightened from the doorway, determined to bluff my way through our little cat and mouse game.

  I didn't worry that Adam Night would attack me while he played out his little charade. He was quite smug and confident in his sneaky, cowardly techniques. Cowards always attack from behind.

  I'd keep him at the front of my desk and my wand close at hand.

  I pulled out his file. The one I'd hoped to toss in the recycling bin. We'd managed to get through about half of it during his last visit.

  I picked up a pen, clicked it and smiled widely, "Let's finish this, shall we?"

  Something dark and evil flashed behind his eyes. I held my breath, wondering if I'd totally misjudged the situation. My witchy instincts had failed me over and over again recently. Something I hadn't considered in my decision to learn as much as I could.

  I gripped the wand I'd placed in my lap.

  Adam blinked lazily, the evil disappeared and the dangerous seducer emerged, as if one and the same. He smiled, flashed both dimples and said, "Yes. Let's get this done."

  I held my breathe a moment longer, but when he made no move to attack, I began reading off the questions and dutifully writing down his answers.

  Adam Night had very specific taste in women.

  Most of my clients do. They have hair and eye and body shape preferences. Certain personality traits like humor and an easy going attitude were usually popular. As was good money management and a passion for sports games or shopping.

  Most clients had certain things they could live with and things they absolutely despised.

  And most wanted a little bit of a challenge. Not a perfect Ken and Barbie match. Just a little something to add in some spice.

  Adam Night wanted none of that.

  Not that I had any plans to actually match him with someone, but it still gave me the willies. He wasn't lying about his preferences. I don't think my questionnaire mattered to him at all.

  He was simply going through the routine until he got what he wanted. Whatever his end game was. And since the questions didn't matter, he didn't bother lying.

  He preferred tiny blondes with perfect features, a perfect body and a non-personality. He didn't want anyone with a sense of humor or a positive outlook on life. Or anyone who liked sports or didn't like sports. Or anyone with hobbies or interests of any kind.

  He wanted a perfect doll he could do with as he liked.

  He was twisted and evil in ways I'd never thought of.

  I wrote the answer to the last question down, dropped my pen and folded my hands to disguise their trembling.

  "Well, I have everything I need. I'll go through my files and call you."

  I wanted him out of my office. I wasn't sure I could maintain the pretense a minute longer.

  Adam Night stood and reached out his hand.

  I shrank back in my chair. I couldn't shake his hand. I just couldn't.

  But he wasn't reaching for me. He leaned over my desk, picked up my pen, set it in my pen holder and straightened the loose questionnaire papers scattered over the surface. He placed the entire file neatly and precisely an inch from the edge of my desk.

  "I'll look forward to your call." His dimples winked and then he left.

  I didn't understand the purpose of his visit, unless it had been to spook me and see if his new seduction spell would work. It hadn't, but it had been close.

  But at least now I knew who had broken into my office.

  20. Progress.

  Adam Night's visit scared me in more ways than one.

  1. I hadn't picked up any clues as to what he was up to. And while my common sense told me playing his game was the way to go until I knew what he wanted, since I hadn't discovered anything during his visit, I could have booted him out and saved myself a lot of stress.

  2. My brief debate about keeping him on as a client or letting him go had highlighted the importance of my business. Love Required wasn't just my dream, the baby I had nurtured and fed and filled with all my love, it was now the livelihood not only for me, but for Désirée Norma-Sue as well now.

  I had someone depending on me.

  I couldn't allow Adam Night to hurt me or damage my business.

  Love Required was the only positive in my life at the moment.

  Of course, I had Aunt Tabs and Morgan and Drake and Désirée Norma-Sue and Phil. Good friends I could count on. But for the day-to-day, the sense of meaning and purpose, the love I needed, I was down to Al and my matchmaking business.

  Not that I planned to share that slightly depressing thought with my Chihuahua. He'd take it and run with it.

  Well, shit.

  If I couldn't make any progress with any of my problems then I could at least clean. Do something physical, find my zen with lemony furniture polish and forget about bad magic and lying demons.

  As if he heard my plan and was determined to smash it to smithereens, Ash walked through the front door before I reached my storage closet.

  His big body immediately took up more than its fair share of space. Muscles bunched and tightened as if anticipating a fight. His horns were covered with a chocolate knit cap. Broad chest exposed in a dark brown leather vest. Thick thighs encased in black jeans. Topped off with heavy biker's boots.

  Big, bad-assed King of Demons.

  Destroyer of dreams.

  My heart stopped, clenched with a sudden jab of pain and then sped up.

  No matter what, my body
always reacted to him. Went on high alert, caught fire and yearned. Damn it. For him.

  I wondered if this was part of his power as well. Was it his sin that made me feel these things? Had every single thing been a lie?

  "What are you doing here?"

  I couldn't get my legs to move. They were locked in place. While my heart raced.

  I knew what this was - flight or fight. My body reacting instinctively to danger. Poised at the brink, trying to decide whether it could win the battle or if it was better to cut ties and run like hell.

  My mind wanted to jump in, cast its vote, but I couldn't think clearly. I was torn physically and emotionally.

  "I want to talk." Ash stopped about five feet from me. He watched me closely, as if afraid I might break and flee.

  Smart demon.

  Damn him. Why did he have to keep battering away at me? Why couldn't he give me some time? Space so I could sort things out in my own fashion?

  "I want you to leave." My hands began to shake. I stuffed them in the pockets of my jeans.

  Ash narrowed his eyes. He took one step toward me. His movement calculated and determined.

  I stepped backward, maintaining the same distance between us. I was just as determined. And so very, very confused.

  "You look afraid. Do you think I'd hurt you?" Ash sounded appalled at the thought.

  I knew he wouldn't hurt me physically. Ash was a massive demon. He'd learned the strength of his size when he was younger. And how to control that power.

  He'd always known how he touched me, whether gentle or a deliberately more forceful touch. Maybe that was a product of his sin too.

  I'd never been afraid of him physically.

  "I know you won't attack me."

  I hated that my feelings were so exposed, but there were other ways to hurt someone. And that's what I was afraid of.

  Ash stalked forward another step. I edged backward.

  "I should hope so. I'd never do anything to hurt you, Kate."

  "What do you call your lies?" I couldn't believe his gall.

  "I told you, I never lied to you. I didn't tell you the entire truth, but I never lied," he gritted the words through clenched teeth.

  My heart didn't make the same distinction. It just ached.