The Price of Possession, Dakota Brown [i have read the book a hundred times .TXT] 📗

Still, it was a few more minutes before I reluctantlypulled away from his warm embrace.

"Probably ought to show up at the shop for a few.Guess you can come along," I grumbled.

Sabian didn't say anything, simply followed behind aswe went from the air-conditioned house out into the hot evening air. He watchedme closely as I got in the car and put on my seatbelt, before doing the same onthe passenger side.

Once he was secure, I pulled out of the driveway andheaded into town.

We didn't speak, though I was completely aware of hispresence. It was like sitting next to a lightning bolt. My skin prickled,sending jolts all the way down to my core. Having actually been on the otherend of him using his power, I didn't think he was actively trying to dosomething to me, he was just being him. Unfortunately, my body was reactingstrongly to his presence and it was a touch uncomfortable.

I wasn't ready to call Malak yet. We'd just partedways, and I thought a little distance between the two of us might not be aterrible thing. Maybe I'd just have to have a solo party with my vibratortonight.

Thinking of that got me even more bothered and Igritted my teeth.

I managed to make it to the pizza shop without pullingover and jumping Sabian on the side of the road, and once we were out of thecar and I was able to breathe in a bit of the dry, dusty desert air, I managedto calm down some.

He never said a word, just followed me from the air-conditionedcar through the blast of heat, and into the air-conditioned pizza shop.

I inhaled the overwhelming scent of garlic and sauce,hoping it would chase the memory of Mal's spicy scent away. It didn't.

Sabian followed close behind me until I noticed I wasgetting curious looks from my staff. At least a few of them had been presentfor me throwing over ambitious lovers out of my restaurant and knew my personalrule about not bringing anyone else by.

I glanced at the hostess, pointed at Sabian andmouthed 'table.'

She held up two fingers and I led the demon over totable two. I couldn't help but notice how everyone's gaze followed the incubusand I doubted it was pure curiosity that motivated that.

"What do you like?"

"What do you mean?" Sabian was lookingaround, studying the décor and he turned his attention back to me.

"To eat."

"Besides sex?" He grinned at me.

I groaned. "Yeah. Cause that's not on the menuhere."

He faked a pout before answering. "I don't know.I'll try your favorite. You need dinner, too."

Sabian had a point, so when Stacy came over, I orderedmy favorite, all the cheese, and then extra cheese, mushrooms, and pepperoni,and a couple of ginger beers.

"Stay here and be nice to Stacy. I need to go dosome paperwork." Maybe I should have defined nice, because the expressionshe directed toward Sabian was a bit more than just friendly. I wondered if hecould tone his power down a bit more, but it wasn't the best time to ask withother people around.

He pushed his lip out in another pout.

"I'll be back before the pizza gets cold."

Sabian turned his adorable, pouty lips up into abright smile and I kind of wanted to suck his lip into my mouth so I couldtaste it. There were other things I wanted to put in my mouth, too. I clearedmy throat when Sabian's smile slid into the seductive range and jerked myattention away from those kissable lips and practically fled to my office.

Billy came in a few minutes later and I gestured forhim to take my place. "You've done payrolls before, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay, let's get started."

He raised his eyebrows and I realized I had neglectedto tell him he was taking on that responsibility.

"Yeah, think it's time I handed that over to you."

"Sure, boss. No problem. Who's your friend?"He slid into my vacated seat.

"Just a friend." I sighed.

"Sure." He didn't press, though hiscuriosity was palpable.

Shortly, I had him reviewing time records and since hewas already familiar with the payroll system, I doubted it would be long beforehe was better at it than I was.

"I'm going to go eat. Let me know if you have anyquestions. Otherwise, I'm probably going to take off early. There's not muchelse to do on the paperwork end and I need to get a few other things done."

"That's fine, Chris. It should be a quiet night."

I chuckled. "You just jinxed yourself."

"Ugh, let's hope not."

"Yeah, mate. Okay. Holler if you need me." Iclapped him on the shoulder before leaving the office and heading back out tothe dining area.

The pizza had arrived by the time I got there, butSabian had waited for me.

"Go on." I slid into the booth.

He stared at the pizza and I understood he actuallywasn't sure how to start.

"Okay, like this."

Demonstrating the finer points of successfully eatinga ridiculously cheesy pizza kept us occupied for another hour.

"So, pizza going to do it for you tonight? Or doyou need more?"

Sabian eyed the empty tray before turning his gem-likeamber eyes on me. Things inside tightened and I really should not have beenconsidering dragging him back to my office, kicking Billy out, and locking thedoor.

"I will be okay for a while," he allowed. "It'sa lot easier if I just feed every night."

"Noted. Um, where do you want to go?"

He studied me for a few minutes before shrugging. "Someplacewhere sexual energy is high. That would be best."

"There's a seedy strip joint out in the desert away," I offered hesitantly. "Only place I know around here. Closerthan going all the way to a big city."

"That would probably do it."

"Great. Well, let's go then. You tell me when you'refull though so we can leave. I don't mind the girls, it's the clientele thatbothers me."

Stacy walked up just then, because of course she did.She gave me a quizzical look but was too polite to ask if she'd heard what shethought she had.

"Need anything else, Chris?"

"Naw, thanks, mate."

She nodded and headed to another table. I threw down atwenty as a tip and slid out of the booth. Sabian followed.

The sun was considerably lower in the