Behind Duke’s back, Hubrie winked exaggeratedly, several times. “I’ll watch Wanda.”
“But she doesn’t know you,” Nat pointed out.
Hubrie shifted. He emerged from his mess of clothes as a raccoon, dancing on his hind legs. “She’ll know this.”
Well, Nat couldn’t argue against that. He followed Duke into the office, his heart thumping.
“Close the door,” Duke said. “And lock it.”
9
UNLOADING
Nat’s blood rushed south.He carefully locked the door, adjusting himself in his tight pants. “I didn’t think your meeting would end so soon.”
Duke smiled sharply. “The department heads like to fight over trivial things. I had them get to the point. It’s shocking to see how much time gets wasted on unnecessary arguments.”
Nat followed Duke deeper into the office. “So, um, did you change your mind?”
Duke’s smile softened, but it also grew hungrier. “Come closer. I would like to make sure that Lector’s work is his usual quality.”
“Don’t you mean the Sentient Sewing Machine of Doom?”
The demon laughed, so handsome and sexy that Nat’s throat went dry. Duke was sitting on the edge of his desk, his feet stretched out, ankles crossed. Nat went up to him and stopped at his side.
Duke curled his hand around Nat’s collar. Despite the coiled strength in his body, he tugged Nat forward gently, until Nat’s thighs bumped against the side of his leg. Nat gulped.
Duke slipped his thumb into Nat’s collar and flipped it further down, leaning in to inspect the stitches. His breath rushed against Nat’s jaw; his thumb slid further back, pulling the fabric away from Nat’s nape. “It looks good.”
They were so close now that his warmth soaked into Nat’s front. Nat couldn’t help breathing in his cologne and that hint of brimstone.
But that wasn’t all Duke wanted. Duke pressed his fingertips against Nat’s nape and pulled him even closer, so he was leaning over Duke’s lap. It unbalanced him; Nat fell forward and grabbed Duke’s leg, bracing himself so he wouldn’t fall over. “Eek!”
Duke chuckled. “Should I not have done that?”
Nat shook his head. “No, you’re fine. I was just surprised, is all.”
A muscular thigh flexed beneath his hands. Nat squeezed it before he could think.
I’m touching Duke’s thigh!
He snatched his hands away. “Sorry! I-I didn’t mean to!”
Duke’s grin was all sharp teeth. “You may touch me wherever you want, Nat.”
Nat gulped; his gaze dropped to Duke’s crotch. The man smiled wider.
“Isthere something you’d like to touch?” Duke murmured.
“You’re really hot,” Nat said. “And I don’t mean in the Hellfire way.”
Another laugh. Duke stroked his fingers up Nat’s throat, sending a shiver through him. “You’re very lovely.” He leaned in, pressing his nose behind Nat’s ear. “You smell lovely, too. Earthy. Also like a summer breeze.”
“Not like trash and apples?” Nat asked wryly.
Duke snorted and sniffed Nat again. “Did you read the full list of tasks that Hubrie gave you?”
Nat gulped. “The, uh, the list of sexual acts?”
