Read Online Demon's Plaything by Lydia Rowan - Free Book Online Page A

her scalp, and she was suddenly aware that she was being watched. An instant later, she caught a whiff of that clean, woodsy scent, his scent, clear and unmistakable even in the mass of bodies and smells that packed the space, and then she felt him beside her.
    Her lips curled up into a smile before she could stop them, and she realized she didn’t want to stop. He was the only sliver of goodness to come out of this mess, and she’d replayed their meeting at the Diner, as ugly as it had ended, in her head a million times, again and again feeling herself pulled into those teasing green eyes, let herself relive the lightness he made her feel, however briefly. Even worse, she’d relived that kiss a thousand times, the feel of his lips against hers, the way their bodies had touched, so vivid a sensation it was almost real. Each time it made her burn for him, making her wish with all her heart that they hadn’t been interrupted. That was one thing that she knew with crystal clarity: she wanted this man, knew that, despite her resolve to stay away, despite who he was and what she suspected he was involved in, she would have him if presented a chance. There was no use pretending otherwise.
    That awareness filling her mind and charging her blood allowed her to push everything else aside until the fight faded, the people faded, Ian faded, and even that small part of her that was solely dedicated to her “pre-mourning,” as Nana had dubbed it, faded.
    All that remained was him.
    “Now that’s a greeting, Doc,” he said, his deep voice sliding through her, rich and heavy with suggestion and such a stark contrast to the lightness in his eyes.
    “I haven’t said anything,” she responded, loving how natural and easy the simple act of flirting was with him.
    “That’s not true. You smiled. A real, genuine smile of greeting. All for me.”
    “Maybe I was smiling at him.” She inclined her head toward the executive type who had each arm around a girl young enough to be his granddaughter.
    “Nope. Definitely not. It was for me.”
    She turned her gaze on him fully, and smiled again at the slight hitch in her chest.
    “You got me.” She held her hands up in placation. Then, in a mock-stern tone she said, “But don’t read into it. I’m just pleased to see a friendly face.”
    “Ah yes, a friendly face but not my friendly face in particular.”
    “Right.” She nodded.
    “ Right .” He nodded back.
    She laughed and pushed him slightly, feeling like a middle schooler playing at being an intriguing woman but enjoying every second of it.
    “Would you like to go somewhere more private?”
    She quirked a brow and pursed her lips.
    “Does that ever work?”
    “Surprisingly well, actually, but in this case, my motives are pure.”
    “That’s a good thing, right?”
    He chuckled low. “Nope, but I’m feeling noble today. Come with me.”
    He offered his arm, and Shayla placed a hand at the crook of his elbow, taking a brief moment to look at Ian and nod in the direction she and Demon were walking before she let herself fall back into the moment.
    “Here, this should be more amenable to friendly conversation,” he said when they reached a restricted area away from the action but close enough that Shayla could be easily reached if needed.
    “So, Mr. Demon,” she started, “of all the beautiful, available women here who would love your attention, why share ‘friendly conversation’ with plain old me?”
    “It’s Demon, just Demon,” he responded. “And you’re interesting.”
    “You haven’t talked to me enough to determine that, Demon, just Demon.”
    “You’re wrong, Doc. One look and I knew you were worth getting to know better.”
    She laughed. “That’s not the same thing as interesting.”
    “But it’s a good start.” He shrugged. “So tell me something interesting. You’re a doctor, I know. What kind?”
    Shayla froze at the question, and Demon appeared to pick up on her hesitation.
    “Sorry,