“Chivalry may be dead, but I’m not that big a bastard. Let me buy your breakfast.”
Her chuckle seemed to sneak out of her against her will. “Fine. You have a point.”
She disappeared into the bedroom to get dressed, to his consternation. He’d wanted more sex, not damn pastries. But Eva was human and needed to eat. Sex could come after. He wasn’t leaving without it.
She came out in a bulky sweater and leggings and slipped on her high-tops, carefully avoiding his gaze. “I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home.”
He leaned against the piano, trying to figure out why she was so jumpy. “Do you want me to leave?”
She finally looked at him. “What? No.”
He didn’t believe her. “I’m not one to linger, Eva. Say the word and I’m gone.”
For the first time, her gaze softened. “I want you to stay, I swear. I don’t do this very often, and I guess I’m being awkward.”
He felt the need to reassure her, though he wasn’t sure why. “I don’t do this often either.”
“Really?”
“Really.” And when he did, he left so fast, the female hadn’t even caught her breath before he’d finished dressing and evacuated the premises. Demon females were likely to claw his face off if he stayed, and human women were likely to start crying when they realized how desperate they had to be to have sex with someone they found as sexy as potting soil. And what little pride Ash managed to retain throughout those miserable encounters dictated he get out of there fast to avoid subjecting himself to that.
“Can I be honest?” Eva asked.
“Sure. I want you to be.”
“I just... find that hard to believe. I mean, look at you. You’re not exactly average looking.” Her gaze darted away again, but this time from shyness instead of suspicion. He preferred that.
And he damn well enjoyed the compliment. Fuck if he didn’t deserve it after all this time. He knew he wasn’t actually ugly or boring, but it still felt good to get a little validation now and then. He smiled.
“Let’s just say, I’m not a people person. I tend to keep to myself.” It was all true. Since he’d been cursed, all his wily lust demon ways had been replaced by an increasing broodiness that annoyed him but was his only refuge from feeling shitty and embarrassed in public settings.
Eva finally smiled at him. “Well, I’m glad you went out with me last night. You’re an incredible musician, and you shouldn’t hide it. I’m taking you back to Bootleg next week, and you’re going to jam with all my friends, and they’re going to love you.”
He winced. “I don’t know about that.”
“I have a week to talk you into it. Now don’t go anywhere because I’m just running downstairs to get our food, and I really do want you to stay. Promise you’ll be here when I get back?”
“I’ll be here.”
She slipped out the door and was gone. He sat down at the piano again and was about to play when movement from the kitchen caught his eye. Looking over, he saw a little gray cat watching him. He’d forgotten Eva said she had a pet.
For the most part, cats hated demons. The little bastards had good instincts and knew they were in the presence of something wicked. The creature arched its back, its fur standing on end. It hissed at him, baring tiny fangs.
Asmodeus allowed his own fangs to grow nice and long and his hands to morph into claws. He flexed them and hissed right back. The cat jumped about a foot in the air and then took a few crab-like side steps, making that god-awful wailing sound only a cat could make as it slunk away to Eva’s bedroom.
Ash smiled, pleased with his victory.
Then he turned back to the piano and, for the first time in decades, played for no other reason than because he wanted to. Even last night hadn’t counted because he never would have done it if Eva hadn’t coerced him into it, not that he regretted it.
But right now washischoice. No one was there to listen. He played because there was a piano in front of him, and because playing made him feel that euphoric emotion that was the furthest thing from demonic but felt too good to care.
Eva really was going to the cafe to get them some breakfast, and she really hadn’t wanted Ash to leave, but she also had a hidden agenda:
Phone Mom. Part two.
The second she was in the elevator, she dialed, waiting for her mom to pick up.
She did, yawning. “Eva, honey, it’s too early.”
