Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“So, I take it you’re relieving the demons out there of their temporary guard duty?” Harper said to him. Knox had assigned two members of the Force to stand outside the studio and keep watch.
At the hellhound’s nod, Devon groaned. “Lucky us.”
“Admit it, kitty,” said Tanner with a smile. “You were worried about me.”
Devon gave him a haughty “you’re delusional” look, but Harper knew the hellcat had in fact been concerned for him.
“So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Tanner asked.
Harper smiled. “Well, it’ll go a little something like this.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Reaching into one of the drawers of the walk-in closet, Knox pulled out his navy-blue, pin-striped tie. He straightened it out, ready to hook it around his neck. And then he sighed. He wasn’t seeing this. He wasn’t.
But he was.
Not sharing even an ounce of his demon’s amusement, Knox walked into the bedroom. His mate was sitting on the edge of the bed, slipping on heels that were the same turquoise shade as her lacy stop. She also wore the black slim-fitting pants that never failed to draw attention to that pert little ass.
Seeing the silver earrings that he’d given her dangling from her ears, satisfaction bloomed in his gut. He liked when she wore something he gave her; they branded her as his, in a sense. But that didn’t mollify him right now.
Clearing his throat, Knox held up the tie. “I thought I was forgiven.” But apparently not, because she’d sown pink sequins to one of his favorite ties.
Smiling at him, Harper shrugged. “You are. I always forgive.” Slyly, she added, “I just never forget.”
Knox sighed again. Really, he shouldn’t be surprised. Demons always got even, one way or another. “I like this tie.” Mostly because she’d bought it for him.
“I happen to think the sequins are a nice touch,” said Harper. “They give it some color.”
“You can’t be serious.”
Of course she wasn’t, which was why she smiled.
He rubbed his temple. “I don’t suppose there’s any way you can remove the sequins without fucking up the tie?”
Sure there was. “Nope.” She wanted to laugh at the tic going crazy in his cheek.
“If sometime in the future you feel the need to do such a thing again, choose something that wasn’t a gift from you.” He narrowed his eyes at her noncommittal sound. “Harper.”
“Cool your engines, I can fix the damn tie.” Standing upright, Harper straightened her shoulders. “Well, I’m ready. And you’re not, I see. Get moving, we have an opening to attend.”
He cocked his head. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re so eager to leave because you’re so eager to have the whole thing over with?”
“Um, because that’s exactly it.”
Moving to her, Knox loosely curled an arm around her waist. “Everything will be fine. The day will run smoothly. You don’t need to be nervous.”
“I’m not.” At his arched brow, she said, “Okay, maybe I’m a little nervous. But not bad nervous.”
“So what has you so keen on getting it over with?”
Wasn’t it obvious? “I’ll have to talk to people. Like really talk to people. I’ll have to sell myself and my co-workers. It feels awkward and false doing that when I’m not the type of person who seeks to impress people. I also don’t have any charm to dazzle them with, which will make it harder. Mingling is just not my thing.” It annoyed her.
“You charm people all the time. You just don’t realize it.” Many found her openness and lack of façade refreshing. “You have my demon completely charmed.” He kissed her, resting his hands on her ass. “You have no need at all to stress.”
She wasn’t so sure about that. “I predict I’ll offend quite a few people.”
“If it looks like it could happen, I’ll step in,” said Knox. “But I don’t think it will come to that.”
However, it did come to that. Many times, in fact. Especially since a lot of the people were damn chatty, which irritated her demon. Thankfully Knox would sense Harper’s discomfort and smoothly step in; oozing charisma. He sure was handy to have around at times.
Though colorful banners, flyers, and balloons were plastered around the Underground to advertise the opening, Harper hadn’t expected so many people to turn up. She supposed most were probably lured there by the scents of meat grilling, corn boiling, hot peppers, and smoke coming from the grill. But they hadn’t simply grabbed some food and gone on their merry way. They’d stuck around and checked out the studio, sure to take a half-price certificate when they left, which was encouraging.
There was lots of free food on tables lined in front of the studio and the nearby businesses on this side of the strip. The deli, coffeehouse, bakery, ice cream parlor, and diner had all agreed to get involved in the opening. Lots of people stood around, talking and eating and drinking, while listening to the live band that was set up across from the studio. Kids, several of whom were her cousins, were squealing and laughing on the bouncy castle.