Demons Prefer Blondes

by Sidney Ayers

  “¡Ay Dios mío!” came Gerardo’s frazzled voice. “Who let him in here?”

  Guess they saw Josh. For some reason, they—along with Serah from time to time—liked to blame Josh for the “breakup.” And to make matters worse, they were her newest admirers. She wasn’t looking forward to the cat-and-dog fight that was sure to follow.

  Time to make her presence known.

  She took a peek in the mirror and scraped her fingers through her hair—even though she didn’t need to. How great it was to have hair with a mind of its own when it did exactly what you wanted. Bad hair days were obviously a thing of the past. Throwing open the supply room door, Lucy took determined steps toward the vicinity of the commotion.

  “Where’s Lucia?” Josh asked. Same ol’… same ol’. In the five years they dated, he always called her by her given name. Then there was the coronary he had every time she dared called him Josh. Then again, that was his boring nature. He always said Joshua sounded more professional. Lucy thought it sounded like he just stepped out of the Old Testament. “I’ve missed her so much.”

  Yeah right, like a heart attack (unless the heart attack belonged to a patient, of course). It was only his pheromone-induced hormones talking, not his mind.

  “Five years, Josh.” Serah said amongst the clamor of voices. “You think she hasn’t moved on?”

  Josh sighed. “It’s Joshua… only Lucy can call me Josh. And I certainly haven’t moved on. Last I checked, she was still single, so I know the feeling has to be mutual.”

  Oh, this became even more interesting. Her own private soap opera in her little salon. And did she notice a hint of arrogance? Josh was bolder than she last remembered him. She loved a good soap opera every so often. But not now!

  “What about the lovely Miss Harding?” asked Gerardo, his Mexican accent carrying across the room. “Your—madre—was here yesterday and gave Lucy the honor of styling your bride’s hair.” When Gerardo slipped into Spanish, all hell would soon break loose.

  Bemusement filled Josh’s face. “I want to marry Lucy.”

  Squeaky let out a high pitched chuckle. “Damn, Lucia. You have your own posse. Need some more bodyguards? I got some underground connections, y’know.” Squeaky had apparently watched one too many episodes of The Sopranos.

  Ignoring Squeaky, she gazed directly into Josh’s eyes. “No you don’t, Josh,” she said, striding into the sitting area. “You love Larissa. I’m way below your mother’s standards. Especially since I dropped out of med school.”

  Josh’s lip jutted out in a big pout. “I just had this epiphany today, Lucy. I love you! I don’t care if you don’t want to be a doctor.” Throwing himself at her, he wrapped his arms around her and slapped wet kisses all over her lips and cheeks. “I saw you driving by as I finished my morning run and I knew what I was missing. You!”

  Anger and jealousy flashed in Gerardo’s and Frankie’s eyes. Scanning the salon, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. The other men had since been cured and sent on their way.

  She craned her neck toward Rafe, whose gaze bore into her. What was he thinking? She still hadn’t figured the man out. She needed to… had to. He turned his gaze from hers. “The men who know you best are more affected.”

  “Even ones that don’t swing that way?” she asked, pushing Josh away. “Sorry Josh, but you’re marrying Larissa. She’s so sweet, and I won’t let you break her heart.”

  “Larissa who?”

  Lucy swiveled her body and flashed Kalli a concerned gaze. “Do something!”

  Kalli nodded, closed her eyes and spoke in her Greek language. She lifted her arms and threw a bolt of energy at Josh, then two more at Frankie and Gerardo. Josh let out a loud gasp and slumped against a counter. He rubbed his head. “Wh… Where am I?” He looked around. “Lucia? What’s going on?”

  Kalli snapped her fingers.

  “I came to say thank you for the offer to assist Larissa and her bridesmaids.” He rubbed his head some more. “What a horrible headache.”

  Lucy arched a brow at Kalli, whose lips spread into a wide grin. Thanks, I owe you, she mouthed to her and turned back to Josh. “Would you like some ibuprofen?”

  Josh nodded. “Yes, please.”

  “Kalli will go get you some. Right, Kalli?”

  Kalli shrugged. “If you say so.”

  Gerardo and Frankie slumped down on the waiting room seats too, their heads in their hands. Frankie moaned softly.

  Gerardo groaned. “Something’s in the air.”

  Serah sidled up next to Lucy. “Something in the air alright,” she whispered. “Pheromone freak.”

  Rafe shrugged. “Perhaps.”

  Kalli arched a brow. “Glad I brought the entire bottle,” she said, shaking the Advil.

  She padded around the seating area, handing out pills and little paper cups filled with water. All that was missing was her nurse hat. Naughty nurse, maybe. Lucy stifled a chuckle.

  She stopped in front of Josh, a spark of amethyst in her gaze. She scrunched her brow in consternation and her lip straightened. “Here you go, Joshua.” She thrust the Advil and a cup of water into his hands.

  “Thank you, Kalliope.” He placed the pills in his mouth and tipped his cup before downing the contents. Just like Josh to insist on calling someone by their given name. He still insisted on calling Frankie Francis, much to Frankie’s chagrin. Judging from Kalli’s faraway expression, however, she seemed to enjoy it. Now that was odd.

  “I hate to stop in and go, but I need to get to work.” Standing, Josh turned to Kalli. “Nice meeting you, Kalli and Rafael.” He nodded at Gerardo and Frankie and flashed Lucy a smile. “Larissa will be stopping by later to make arrangements.” His gaze grew warm. “I appreciate it. My mother was so pleased with her hair the other day.”

  Lucy stifled the chuckle. After all, it was Rafe he should thank. Not her. “Sure thing, Joshua. Come by some time for a trim.”

  He turned to flash Kalli a surreptitious gaze. As if they all wouldn’t notice. “I certainly will.” With that, he left, the door jangling with his wake.

  Scratching her head, Kalli turned to face Lucy. “We need to talk… Your boyfriend has the scent of succubus on him.”

  Rafe lifted his head from his magazine, instantly attuned to the conversation. He threw down the magazine and rose, taking quick steps toward them. “This private conversation of yours involves me too.”

  “Whatever,” Lucy said. “Knock yourself out, buddy.”

  “Is he truly your ex?” Kalli’s expression remained deathly serious.

  A flash of something lit in Rafe’s eyes. He clenched his jaw. You’d almost think he was jealous.

  “Yes, I haven’t slept with him—or anyone else—in over five years.”

  So don’t get your boxers in a knot, Rafe. Oh that’s right, he went commando. She did her best to hide the blush as she remembered the flying buttons and the glimpse of his excitement beneath the black leather.

  “Maybe it’s left-over energy?”

  “Perhaps,” Kalli said. “From the way he attached himself to you, I see no reason to doubt that assumption.”

  “Which means you’re strong, Lucy. Stronger than we realized.” Rafe’s intense gaze left her stunned, as if she’d been slammed against the wall. “We need to take care of the chest, so we can get you to Lilu.”

  What? She crossed her arms and raised her chin. There was no way she’d let them take her away from the shop, especially when the place they wanted to take her to was Hell. “I don’t think so. I’m not leaving. Send the king of kink here.”

  Kalli shook her head. “Lilu will not walk Earth. As if things could just be this simple. We wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

  “Doesn’t he need to feed?” Serah asked, plopping into a pedicure massage chair. She picked up the controller, pushed some buttons, and relaxed. “Mmm.”

  “No,” Rafe paced back and forth. “He absorbs the energy from his subjects. When the Sexubi split, it weakened him. He has no
t stepped on Earth since.”

  So a long distance orgy, Lucy guessed. Kinky. But then again, not being able to walk the Earth must’ve sucked. After all, Hell was… umm… hell? She really felt for this Lilu dude.

  “Poor guy, not being able to visit Earth and all.”

  Kalli shrugged. “He made the decision on his own.”

  “What a king, to forgo his pleasure for his kingdom.” If only some of the world’s leaders would do the same.

  “What are you all going on about over there?” Gerardo demanded, stomping over to them.

  Crap! In her excitement, she forgot her employees were in the same room. She had to be honest with them. They were loyal and she could trust them with her life. They deserved the truth—as fucked-up as it sounded.

  She turned around and motioned Frankie to join them. Always the dutiful employee, he bounded from his chair and loped across the salon to stand next to Gerardo. “What’s going on, Lucy?”

  “Frankie… Gerardo…” With a sigh, she sought out the right words. “Ahh… you better sit down.” Jeez, she sounded like she was about to close the shop. Not on her life!

  Guessing from their stricken expressions, that was what they thought she was about to do. “Oh, don’t worry. The salon’s fine. It’s about me.”

  “Oh no!” Frankie clutched his chest. Melodrama was his forte. “Tell me you ain’t dying!”

  Lucy snorted out a laugh. “No.” She bit back more giggles. Immortality more than likely was included with her succubus powers. “Umm… I’m healthier than ever. Check out the new makeover.”

  “I was going to say,” Gerardo replied. “You’re smokin’ hot. So can I take your picture now?”

  “No.” It was bad enough dealing with a small crowd of men. Imagine what would happen if she went international. She cringed.

  Serah cleared her throat and took the blunt approach. “Lucy’s a succubus.”

  Thanks, Serah. Now all hell would break loose.

  Chapter 9

  “A what?” Gasping for breath, Gerardo threw his head back. Laughter rose from his throat and filled the salon. With a feminine fanning of his hand, he succumbed to a fit of giggles.

  Frankie rolled his eyes. “Very funny, Lucy, but we…” He prodded his friend. “…we aren’t buying it.”

  Rafe crossed his arms and strode to the sofa where they sat. His silvery gaze intense, he leaned down to face the two. “She speaks the truth.”

  Gerardo’s dark eyes flashed and he raised his chin. “Why should I believe you? You waltz into the shop and act like you own us.” He blew out a breath of air. “I recognize you from yesterday. Love your hair.”

  “Thanks, I think,” Rafe mumbled.

  Lucy rose from the sofa and pulled Rafe to the side. “Does he remember you trying to kill him?”

  “I did not try to kill your friend,” he said through gritted teeth. “And, no, he doesn’t remember. The only thing he recalls is to ask for permission.”

  “Mind control. Cool.”

  Rafe’s eyes flashed. “We do not control thoughts. We alter perception. Infernati are the ones who misuse mortal minds.”

  “Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. I’m a newbie, you know.”

  Rafe’s expression softened. “No offense taken.”

  Smiling, she glanced up at him. Beautiful dark hair danced around his face and silver eyes sparked at her perusal. She laid a gentle hand on his gloriously ripped chest, reveling in the feel of hard muscle pressed against the tight cotton T-shirt he wore. If only they were alone and… ahh… naked. Perhaps she should close shop and send everyone home. Everyone except Rafe.

  The thudding of his heart increased, yet his gaze remained steady. Talk about control. Could she ever break through? From the way his heart raced, he had to feel something.

  The door chimes jingled, announcing the arrival of their first customer. Alas, alone time with Rafe wasn’t meant to be—for now.

  “Lucia!” Her mom’s frantic voice grated in her ears. “Please help me.”

  Not now! She wasn’t ready to foist this woman onto some poor unsuspecting demons. She couldn’t spring the news of her demonic destiny to her either. If her shop was bad after she opened the chest, she didn’t want to see the fury of mommy dearest.

  Her mother scanned the shop. “I love what you’ve done here. Business must be doing well.”

  Props to Kalli for that. The only time her mom had been impressed by anything regarding her job, and it wasn’t she who’d done it. At least she’d gotten somewhat of a compliment.

  “Uhh… thanks Mom.” She replied lamely. “What do you need help with?”

  Her mother’s eyes widened with panic. “Tammy overbooked. I need my hair done for the Christmas party tonight.”

  Not the family Christmas party. It would take a small miracle to get out of this one. “Oh.”

  “Don’t tell me you forgot!”

  Lucy cleared her throat. “Not exactly, but we’re busy tonight. Holidays and all.”

  Her mom huffed. “You have four employees. Surely you can take off early.”

  “I’m not an employee,” Rafe stated firmly. “I’m a customer.”

  Thank you Rafe!

  “I’ve come to get my hair cut.” He scrubbed his silky locks. “It’s getting too long.”

  Never mind. She took back that thank-you. No way in whatever they called the underworld would she cut those gorgeous locks. “Gerardo, take care of Mom.” She flashed Kalli an apologetic smile. Sorry, Kalli. She preferred to keep her mother’s head intact—for now. She turned to Rafe and flashed him a smile. “To the shampoo bowl, sir.”

  “Lucia!” her mom demanded. “I want you to do it.”

  What the hell? Why all of a sudden did she want her to do her hair? She’d never shown an interest in her job in the past five years. Lucy wasn’t ready to hear her fuss when she wasn’t satisfied. “Sorry, Mr. Deleon has an appointment. Gerardo is one of the best stylists in the River City region. You’re in excellent hands.”

  “I need you.”

  She leaned into Rafe. “Now would be a good time to do your rapture thing.”

  Kalli arched a brow and joined the little powwow. “It’s not working.”

  Rafe squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his fists. “Bloody hell. Your mother has a demon’s protection. And since I can’t break through the barrier, it’s a strong demon.”

  “Maybe that’s why the thing didn’t work on me the other day.”

  Rafe shook his head. “If that was the case, you wouldn’t have been able to open the chest.”

  “Oh.” Leave it to Rafe to deflate her hopes of getting out of this succubus thing. The idea of screwing the life out of a guy wasn’t how she planned on spending the rest of her days.

  “Lucia, please, I’m begging you.” Her mom’s pleading voice, although five years too late, tugged at her heart. Whatever inspired her was big, and she wouldn’t stop until Lucy agreed.

  “Fine,” Lucy said with an exasperated sigh. Not because she had to bond with her mom, but because she was losing the chance to run her hands through Rafe’s water-soaked hair. Ah, hell, it was probably a good thing. Going orgasmic in front of her mom wasn’t something she wanted. She turned to the walking art display. “Kalli, please give Rafe a trim.” Emphasis on the word trim.

  Gerardo sighed. “I wanted to cut his hair.”

  “What can we do?” Frankie asked, coming to stand next to his partner in crime.

  “Clean the foot spa.” Lucy replied with a wink. “Just kidding.” With Kalli’s fine detail, there wasn’t any need. “Watch the phones.”

  “Aye, aye, captain.” Gerardo replied with a salute. Gerardo marched to the reception desk and stood poised and confident, Frankie following with equally confident strides.

  Kalli grinned and tossed the same rag she was reading earlier onto the table. “Interesting title, crappy literature. A haircut would be a welcome change. Like I care about Jessica Simpson’s new rack.”

/>   “Inquiring minds want to know,” Frankie said, his hands defensively on his hips.

  “Wrong tabloid, Frank,” Serah replied. She let out an exhausted sigh. “I suppose I’m on chimp duty?”

  “Nope.” Squeaky popped out from underneath the desk. “I’m on Rafe duty. You’re dismissed. Arrivederci.”

  Her mom gasped, eyes wide with amazement. “Is that a chimpanzee?”

  “No, it’s a kid dressed as a chimp,” Lucy quipped. Wow! Mom knew her primates!

  Lucy snuck a glance at Squeaky who was equally impressed.

  Her mom nodded. “Ahh… That explains the talking. I thought I’d have to call my therapist there for a second.” She smiled at Squeaky. “Great costume.”

  “Umm…” Was there something her mother wasn’t telling her? “Yeah, well…” she turned to glance at Rafe, whose eyes had narrowed into silver slits.

  “This is impossible. I need to talk to the council.”

  Kalli nodded. “Maybe it’s the solstice?”

  Not this again. Eclipses, solstices. What’s next? Halley’s Comet? “Don’t ask me. I failed geography and astronomy.” She contemplated a smartass comment, like she mistook it for astrology, but, taking in their dire expressions, refrained.

  “No.” Rafe shook his head. “I don’t think so. This is strange. Two mortals who can communicate with lower imps?”

  Kalli shrugged. “It’s obvious her mother had a connection with a strong Sexubi.” She turned to Serah who sat on the sofa, scratching Squeaky’s head. Lucky—or unlucky—for Serah, Squeaky warmed up to her and murmured contentedly.

  “Hello, Lucia dear. Hair?” Her mom tapped her toe.

  “Yes, Mom, be right there.” It amazed her how calm she remained. Perhaps it was her mother’s new enthusiasm. This situation, despite the bizarreness, was real. Direness clouded Rafe’s expression. “Don’t feel obligated to stay here and protect me. I’ve got Kalli and my new tools at my defense.”

  “You’re only part demon, Lucy.” He said it like she was a freak of nature. Then again, she probably was. She wasn’t quite human, and not quite demon. She was… Well, she didn’t know what she was. She didn’t like it one bit.