Truth or Demon (32 page)

And from the looks Gina kept throwing him, Killian got the impression she’d like to repeat history. He ignored her. Gina was not his type.

He’d definitely developed a rather strong attraction to petite, pixielike women with dark eyes and dimples.

“I’m going to find the restroom,” Poppy said, flashing that dimple temptingly at him. Her cheeks were flushed, and he could see the wine had gone to her head a bit.

“I’ll join you,” he whispered so the rest of the table couldn’t hear him. He felt safe with her near him. Vepar might be nuts, but he had enough sense not to approach Poppy with Killian at her side.

“You had your chance at bathroom sex earlier. As I recall you turned me down.”

“Stupid, stupid me.”

She laughed again, then stood, excusing herself.

He’d let her go, but follow. He didn’t want her to become aware that he was nervous about her being alone. That would lead to questions he couldn’t exactly answer.

After a few seconds, he excused himself to quickly make his way toward the restrooms. Then he leaned against the wall to wait. He’d give Poppy five minutes before he entered the ladies’ room—rules and politeness be damned.

“So,” a female voice said from close beside him, and he looked to see Gina standing very close indeed. She’d followed him, he had no doubt. “I heard Poppy telling Nancy that you are from Sweden.”

Killian stepped away from her, not liking the hungry look in her eyes.

“Yes, that’s right.”

She raised an impressed eyebrow. “That’s pretty exotic.”

He shrugged. “Not really.”

“It is to me,” she said with a laugh, touching his arm.

He looked down at her hand, then decided to just ignore her advance. “I’m going to have another drink. Can I get you anything? Another dirty martini?”

She considered, then said, “Actually, what I’d really like now is a screaming orgasm.”

Killian stared at her for a moment, stunned she’d said that. Of course, what mortal women did in bars really shouldn’t shock him anymore.

“So you and Poppy,” she said, clearly having no intention of continuing on to the restroom. “It’s hard for me to imagine.”

Killian frowned at the woman, disliking her more by the minute. “Why’s that?”

“Poppy was always such a little mouse. Timid. Quiet. And you seem like the type to want a bolder, more self-assured woman.”

He pretended to consider her words, then simply said, “Nope.”

Gina looked shocked by his casual rejection. She glanced around as if she intended to flounce away, but instead she leaned against the wall, making herself at home.

“Really?” she said, doubt in her catlike eyes.

“Really. I quite like my Poppy. Although she’s far from a timid mouse. She’s caring, sweet and funny. Very talented. And believe me, she’s bold and self-assured where it counts.”

“I’m self-assured where it counts too.” She laid a hand on his chest, fiddling with one of the buttons of his shirt. Then she stopped, her attention moving to a place just beyond his shoulder.

When he followed Gina’s gaze, he saw Poppy standing in the doorway of the ladies room. Her pale face was a sickly white, her eyes wide.

“Poppy,” Gina said as if pleased to see her. “Killian and I were just chatting.”

Poppy nodded, but didn’t say a word. She started toward them, her eyes looking anywhere but at Killian and Gina.

Killian fell into step beside her.

“That was nothing,” he assured her, and Poppy instantly nodded, flashing him a quick glance that didn’t hide her hurt or doubts.

“Oh, I know.” Her voice was airy, but he knew she didn’t feel as unconcerned as she sounded.

Poppy’s stomach clenched. It was like history repeating itself. Adam had said that very same thing about Gina all those years ago.
That was nothing.

Poppy had found them flirting outside one of the bars where he’d played regularly. The two of them were standing close together. Gina touching his arm. His shoulder.

That was nothing.

Adam left her not a week later for Gina.

And now Gina wanted the man Poppy had now. But she didn’t even really
have
this man. Dread filled her.

“I forgot something in the restroom,” she told Killian, spinning on her heel, not waiting for his response. “I’ll meet you back at the table.”

“He’s not yours,” Poppy said to her reflection in the ladies’ room mirror as if saying it aloud would make her heart feel different. It didn’t work.

But they were only having a fling. He’d told her he was interested in settling down … but obviously not with her. She was only affair worthy. Whereas Gina could be just the type Killian wanted to really date.

God, she felt sick.

But she had to pull herself together. She had to remain cool. She’d known this was one risk of agreeing to this relationship.

And she couldn’t hide in here all night. She had to go back out there and act as if the interchange she’d seen between Killian and Gina didn’t matter. Didn’t shake her confidence. She wouldn’t give Gina that satisfaction again.

She braced herself, fixing her hair, applying more lip gloss. Then she opened the restroom door. She half-expected to see Killian waiting for her. Instead, Adam stood there.

Disappointment washed over her.

“Hello, Adam.”

Adam smiled, and she noticed his front teeth overlapped slightly. Had they always been like that?

“Poppy, it’s so great to see you. You look fantastic.”

She forced a smile. “Thanks, Adam.”

“You know, I’ve thought about you so much over the years,” Adam said, shifting closer to her.

“Have you?” She didn’t believe him.

“Yes. I often regretted how I handled things. I sort of panicked when your parents died. The idea of having a kid around, of essentially becoming a parent …”

Poppy didn’t say anything.

“I wanted to contact you. To see you again.”

“But you didn’t,” Poppy said.

“No, I was a chicken. I’m sorry.”

Poppy stared at this man in front of her. Adam. But not the Adam of her memories. She didn’t even know this guy.

“Poppy, seeing you tonight, I know I can’t lose you again.”

She gaped at him. Was he serious? Did he really think she’d take him back? After what he’d done? Leaving her when she’d needed him most?

“I’m sorry, but you lost me years ago.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way. I could make everything up to you. Poppy, you are so lovely. Seeing you, I just know I made a terrible mistake.”

Poppy almost wanted to laugh. She’d fantasized about this very thing. Adam standing in front of her, willing to leave Gina the way he’d left her. Begging her to take him back. Acknowledging he’d made bad choices.

“Poppy, I think I’ve always known you were my soul mate.”

Soul mate. The phrase hit Killian like a sucker punch to the gut. Adam was Poppy’s soul mate. Maybe his whole time here had been leading up to this moment.

Poppy would be reunited with the love of her life, and he’d go back to Hell. He waited for that idea to please him, but instead he still felt like he couldn’t breathe.

He watched as the two shadows merged. Coming together in a kiss. He watched, a sickening dread rising in his chest. He’d leave now. He knew it, without ever getting to tell Poppy what she meant to him.

Suddenly the smaller of the shadows jerked and the other shadow moved back.

“Adam! What are you doing?”

“I had to kiss you. I’ve been thinking about it from the moment I saw you.”

Poppy made a noise, a muffled whimper.

“Adam.”

“Poppy.”

Killian frowned, instantly sensing something was different. The sound of Adam’s voice. The energy in the air. Something wasn’t right.

Killian moved to peer around the corner. Adam held Poppy in his arms. Poppy didn’t struggle, but nor did she look pleased.

“Just tell me the truth,” Adam said in that voice that wasn’t quite right. “Do you love Killian O’Brien?”

There was no hesitation.

“Yes.” The one word, so certain, so true. “Yes. I love him.”

C
HAPTER
35

K
iillian stepped into the hallway.

“Adam, you’d better let her go.”

Adam shot him a sneer of a smile. A smile Killian recognized instantly. Vepar.

“I think our boss will be very interested in this,” Vepar said. “You wasting your time with a lovesick human.”

Killian saw Poppy gape at him, trying to comprehend what was going on.

“Why are you doing this?” Killian demanded.

“Because I can. Because I think it’s time for Satan to see who is the worthy demon. The one who deserves more power.”

Killian shook his head. That was what this was about?

Again Poppy stared at Killian, terrified. She struggled in Vepar’s grip, but he held her easily.

“Let her go,” Killian said, his voice a low growl. “Clearly this is between us.”

Vepar laughed and tightened his hold; a whoosh of air escaped Poppy’s lungs.

“You can’t even get yourself out of a magic spell. You aren’t even trying. Instead, you are dallying with an insipid little mortal. While I work. While I bring more damned souls to Hell. Why would Satan favor you?” Vepar spat.

Killian stared at his coworker. He was doing all this just for job advancement. He was simply spying to report back to Satan. Nothing but a lowly tattletale.

But then Vepar stunned him. With lightning speed, he moved his hands from Poppy’s waist to her throat. He snaked his hands around her fragile neck, squeezing.

Poppy made sickening gasps, her fingers clawing at the hands choking her, desperate for air.

Killian leapt to grab Vepar/Adam, his own hands going for the other demon’s throat. Killian slammed him repeatedly against the wall. Over and over until he released Poppy. She collapsed to the floor, and Killian prayed, yes, prayed, she’d just fallen unconscious.

When Killian let go of Vepar/Adam’s neck, he too crumpled to the floor. Behind him, Killian heard the gathering of a crowd, but he didn’t look toward them. He rushed to Poppy’s side, checking her pulse. She was okay. Breathing. Alive.

He scooped her up against his chest and shoved his way through the crowd. He saw Eric in the sea of faces and called to him to check Adam. Then he left the bar.

He didn’t really recall the trip home, his attention centered solely on Poppy. She was okay, but she’d never understand or accept what had just happened. Who he was.

When he finally got her to her apartment, he took her straight to bed. Carefully, he placed her in the center, then sat down beside her, watching her. Afraid she wasn’t really okay.

After a few minutes, maybe hours—he didn’t really know—her dark eyes fluttered open, and she stared up at him.

“What—what happened?” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

He didn’t speak, waiting for her memories to return.

“Are you okay?” she finally asked, and he couldn’t tell if she recalled anything. Then she added, “Did you and Adam get into a fight?”

She didn’t remember—not clearly anyway.

“Yeah, we did, but we are both okay.”

Poppy nodded, closing her eyes again. “No reason to fight over me.”

Killian watched her rest, then murmured, “You are the
only
thing I would fight for.”

She smiled slightly, but didn’t answer.

Within minutes, Poppy’s breathing became even again. He just listened to the soothing sound. Had he ever just listened to someone breathe? He didn’t have to strain his memory over that one. The answer was no.

Yet at this moment, he felt this was the only place he could be content. Okay. She’d used the word
Heaven
to describe their shower earlier, and he’d thought perhaps she’d been right, not that a demon had any idea about what Heaven was.

But now he really understood Heaven. It was a place where Poppy was safe and alive and still …

I love him.

He heard her saying those words she’d said to Adam—when Adam had still been Adam. And he knew she’d meant them. He could just—tell.

Love. Yet another thing he’d never contemplated. Love—not a foreign concept to demons, but to him, yes.

She roused then, nestling among her pillows. She smiled sweetly at him, and something in his chest tightened. A painfully full feeling.

“Time for bed?” She still didn’t remember. But she would.

“For you, yes.” He brought her thick duvet up, tucking it around her.

“You aren’t coming to bed?” Her face fell like a child being told she couldn’t have a toy or a piece of candy.

“I will in a minute. You just rest.”

“Now,” she said with languid bossiness.

He chuckled. And he was so tempted to hold her, just for a moment.

But he couldn’t. He didn’t feel that he deserved to hold her. Not after the events of tonight. Not when she would eventually be repulsed by him.

“In a bit. Rest.”

She sighed, then murmured, “You’d never fall for Gina, would you?”

He almost laughed, amazed that was all she’d retained of their crazy night.

“Not in a million years.”

She smiled again, and he did allow himself to lean in for one last kiss. Her little hands came up to cup his face, the touch both sweet and sensual at the same time. Just like her.

He pulled away, telling himself he had to leave. Gather himself. Get real.

But instead of leaving, something urged him to stay. He walked around to the other side of the bed, watching her. Then he eased himself onto the mattress, just lounging beside her, arms crossed. Not touching her.

He’d stay just a little longer, until he decided what he had to do.

Small hands touched his body, slipping inside his shirt over his skin. His sleep-quieted body hummed to life. Every nerve ending centered on that touch. Phantom lips joined in, hot, moist, feathery kisses following the path forged by roaming hands.

He pressed his head back into the pillows, arching his body in response to both caresses. He just wanted more. More.

And more came. Hands teasing down past his navel, down lower, lower. He moaned as fingers curled around his rigid cock. Then the hand began to stroke. Up. Down. Up. Down. A slick palm and fingers squeezing over his shaft. Over. And over.