Chapter 25 #2
“Now we have to go hang out with your buddy Jaxon and sing badly in front of other people!” she crowed. Spinning, she hurried back to her room to grab her purse.
It was only then that Malachi realized Chuck, his Chuck, was wearing a dress.
A red body-hugging dress with cap sleeves and a flowing skirt that billowed around her legs.
He’d seen her in far less clothing than this, but somehow, this felt more intimate.
All his blood rushed south to his groin, and he grimaced.
He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to walk around like this.
Shaking his head, he hurried to put on the shirt she mentioned.
She may have been play-acting for Hyacinth, but he knew she was serious about liking this outfit.
Entering the bar with Chuck on his arm, watching all the men’s heads turn at the sight of her, Malachi wanted to roar in pride.
She was gorgeous and captivating. And she was his.
He didn’t mind other men looking; he enjoyed eye candy as much as the next guy, or demon.
Women were the most amazing and frustrating creatures on the planet.
He could find something to appreciate about each and every one, regardless of their size, color, or personality.
But Chuck was special, and he wanted to show her off.
“Stop it,” she snapped through her teeth as she faked a smile, waving at her friends while they approached the table.
Tilting his head in question, he raised his eyebrows in inquiry.
“Quit strutting like a peacock. It’s weird,” she hissed, glancing at him.
“Can’t help it. I have the prettiest girl in the city on my arm.
Every man in here wants you. Some of the women, too.
Those who don’t want you, want to be you.
So yeah, does my ego good.” He smirked at her astonished expression as she stumbled and stopped.
Leaning down, he brushed a light kiss over her parted lips.
“Incubus. Sex demon. I know when people are lusting,” he reminded her.
Shaking her head in amusement, her eyes suddenly widened. “Wait,” she gasped, her expression now horrified. “You can tell when people are turned on?” she squeaked.
Nodding with a large grin spreading from ear to ear, he moved closer to her.
“I can. Including you. Do you have any idea how difficult it’s been to keep my hands to myself?
Lucifer’s left butt cheek, Chuck, every time you look at my hair, it gets me hard.
Keep your eyes forward unless you want me to embarrass myself here. ”
With a strangled hum, Chuck’s eyes flew to her friends, and she plastered her fake grin over her lips again as she tugged him forward.
A chuckle slipped from his throat as he murmured, “All one hundred of my peacock ass eyes are rolling at you right now. That smile isn’t fooling anyone, you know.”
Stopping again, she whirled and glared at him, her fake smile disappearing faster than a cat in a rocking chair factory. She poked him in the chest. “Bad dog,” she scolded.
“That’s my sassy girl!” he smirked and stepped against her. “But don’t call me that. It makes me want to prove what a good boy I am. Now get that perky ass over there before your cop friends come arrest me.” He smiled brightly, much better at fake grins than she was.
Taking a moment to arrange her features carefully this time, she turned to resume her journey to her friends. “Hey, guys, sorry, Evan just surprised me by telling me he’s a huge karaoke fan. I had no idea. Shocking really. But now I can’t wait to hear him sing.”
“That’s me, I’m Evan. Apparently, she’s so surprised she forgot to introduce me.
Oh, wait, Jaxon, right? I met you in that parking lot.
” Malachi smoothly offered his hand as everyone else introduced themselves.
He nudged them all to like him instantly.
All except Jaxon. He let that one stew in his own irritation.
“Evan,” purred one of the dispatchers. “Where has Chuck been hiding you? I’ve never heard your name from her lips.
Of course, I can see why she’s keeping you to herself.
” The woman ran a hand over her hair and inhaled deeply, thrusting her leopard print-covered breasts forward, her push-up bra fighting a valiant battle against gravity.
Malachi took a moment to enjoy the display before he turned an adoring gaze on Chuck.
“Well, I’m not surprised. I’ve been keeping her to myself as well.
There’s just something so incredibly captivating, mesmerizing, and completely irresistible about this stunning woman.
” He gently stroked the back of his knuckles over her cheek, rubbing his thumb over her lower lip.
Shaking himself as if waking up, he smiled abashedly at them.
“Sorry, I just get so caught up in her I tend to forget others are around.” His eyes drifted back to her, like he couldn’t keep them away.
As the others in the group stared in disbelief, Chuck only had eyes for him. Finally, she remembered where she was and smiled at the others. “He’s a charmer, isn’t he? So, who’s singing first?”
Jaxon grunted, “I think I’m up in a few more songs.” He glanced over towards the sign-up table, his expression that of someone drinking sour milk.
After some good-natured jokes, the others crowded around the song list and made their selections.
Malachi went along with Chuck’s announcement and signed up as well.
Sitting beside her again, he leaned to her ear, whispering, “I don’t detect any darkness here.
Just doucheness.” He glanced at Jaxon with a leer.
“Stop it,” she scolded. “Bennett’s the only one missing.”
After a few more singers, Jaxon’s turn came up, and he sauntered to the stage amid a few cheers from some of the ladies in the bar. He winked at them and grabbed the microphone in a confident manner that screamed he was a regular. It was apparent he felt he was about to command the room.
Malachi settled back in his chair and narrowed his eyes. He hummed and blurted, “Nickelback. He’s going to sing a Nickelback song, isn’t he?”
Snorting in amusement, Chuck covered her mouth to stifle her giggle. The others held no such restraint, and the whole table burst into laughter.
“Oh, man, he already knows him well, doesn’t he!” barked one of the other officers, clapping Malachi on the shoulder.
The laughter grew even louder to the point that everyone in the bar was staring at them.
The stares included that of Jaxon, who was so thrown off that he missed the intro to the song and had to scramble to find his place.
To his credit, he did sing well, having a pleasant tenor, but it was indeed Hero, by Nickelback.