Three
Jonas
She’s pissed and it’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen in my whole entire life. I want to scoop her up and plant little kisses all over her perfect face. Then eat her pussy until she forgets what she’s upset about.
But also, concern rolls around my mind. I’m a minotaur who helps run a demon crime ring. Can a human woman accept that?
I take a calming breath. My nostrils flare again as I get another whiff of her scent. Something gently citrus but deep, I decide.
“The Emerald Moths are… offering to acquire business loans for all small businesses on this street. In exchange, we’ll evaluate interest rates, with a guaranteed drop in interest, access to professional development and connections, and protection.
” I run through my usual spiel, but most folks know who the Moths are, so I’m not sure she quite understands that it's not really optional.
She studies me for a moment. “Hmm, I don’t know,” she finally says. “This seems like a pyramid scheme or something.”
“Let me take you to dinner,” I blurt without thinking. I hurriedly add, “A business dinner. To go over details.”
Her eyes narrow as though she doesn’t believe me. Her eyes drift down my body, and I fight the urge to toss my head and preen for my mate.
“Alllllright,” she drawls, an indulgent look on her face. She grabs a different journal and flips it open. “I’m free Friday,” she offers, finger running down a line in the book.
Friday is four nights away. I can’t wait four nights to see my mate.
“I’m booked,” I exclaim a bit too loudly. “Tonight?”
She looks up at me and arches a brow, her deep red hair falling into her face. “I have my stitch and bitch tonight.”
Before I can say anything, she continues, “But I suppose I can miss a meeting.”
My inner bull huffs happily.
“Great! I can pick you up?”
Another look from my sassy mate. “For a business meeting?”
She sees right through me, doesn’t she?
“Uhh—”
Margo cuts me off, “I’ll meet you somewhere. Where were you thinking?”
I blank completely. I date folks now and then, but rarely make it far. Humans are either after a quick fuck or their demon destined. And while I wouldn’t be opposed to dating and settling down with a human who wasn’t my destined, they never call back.
“There’s a nice bookstore in west San Hades, has an amazing coffee shop next to it?” I offer nervously.
My mate raises a dark eyebrow. “For a business meeting?”Oh shit. Right.
“Uh, yeah, it makes it easy to take notes.” My palms start to sweat. I’m fucking this up.
She tilts her head, lips pursed. “Ohhhh-kay.” She slides a pad of paper forward. “Give me the address. What time?”
I pick up a pencil from her desk and start to write. “Say seven?”
“Sure,” she responds.
When I finish writing and look up, she has a wry look on her gorgeous face. I nod and head for the door.
Halfway there, I realize I’m still holding her pencil. I turn back and sheepishly put it on her desk. She crosses her arms under her ample chest but is silent.
I hightail it the fuck outta there before I can make more of a donkey of myself.