Dual Desires (Dueling Devils 1)

“I know, but there are a lot of rules.” She raised her shoulders and gave him a small smile.

“You’re a smart girl with a good head on your shoulders. What you don’t know, you’ll figure out.”

Dani reappeared with the kids, and everything about him changed. Even in public there was a softer side to this man when his kids were involved. It gave her hope. Maybe this arrangement wouldn’t be as terrifying as she first thought.

***

Shit. Demon watched the white cut-off shorts creep up the back of Ardy’s legs as she lifted Harley into her car seat. He’d have to be dead not to notice the coke bottle shape she was rocking. Yet, it was his attraction to her gentle spirit he hated. A woman like that didn’t belong with a man like him. He was done trying to do long-term.

She backed out the car, and he licked his lips. Over the past couple of days with Harley on her hip and Rocket by her side, many had mistaken her for their mom. The thought acted like a bucket of cold water to his hard-on. All the more reason to keep this shit platonic.

“Having issues there, Demon?” a familiar female voice said.

He glanced down at the tiny thorn in his ass named Dani and scowled. “No, and it’ll stay that way as long as you keep your mouth shut.”

“What? I’m offended.” Dani placed a hand on her chest.

“No, you’re sneaky, and always trying to match-make.” Demon glowered down at her.

“I just think it’s time to get back on the horse,” Dani said.

“I’m fine as-is, Dani.” The pint-sized pixie meant well. While Dani respected him and backed his every decision, there was no underlying fear of him like some of his members held. A perk of being raised up like brother and sister.

“It’s not me you should be worried about. She’ll be living with you when we get back.” Dani patted his back. “I’m going to join her so we can head back to the hotel.” She strolled off, and Demon did his best not to go after her and wring her neck. Dani knew his type—tall, curvy, and sincere. This life had a way of hardening people. When he came home, he wanted to shed that skin and sink into something soft.

“Yo, you coming or what?” Lefty’s voice pulled him from inside his own mind.

“Yeah, man, I’m coming.” Demon turned away from the domestic display and followed his vice president back to the tent to close down shop and head to the local bar to shoot the shit.

“What was Dani on about?” Lefty said.

“Her usual mischief.” Demon shook his head.

Lefty chuckled. “She trying to push you and the newbie together?”

“That obvious?” Demon winced.

“Only to me. You have to admit, she’s your type.” Left shrugged.

“Was. I don’t have a type anymore.”

Lefty snorted. “You might not commit, but you definitely have a type.”

Demon rolled his eyes, but remained quiet as they moved to the tent and began to lock down the empty space. Taking all their things out every night was a pain in the ass, but if someone got in and stole something expensive, he’d be out for blood. Better to avoid it altogether. In a town like this, hovering on the border of poverty, one of these parts could go a long way.

“You know, she’s cute,” Lefty said.

“Dani?” Demon said. “I always knew there was a spark between the two of you.”

“That ball buster? No way in hell, I’m talking about your little house mouse, Ardy.”

Demon snorted. “We both know she’s not a house mouse.”

“Why, because you’re putting her in the role of nanny? Please, she’s living in your house until her family’s debt’s been paid. If that’s not a house mouse, I don’t know what is.”

“I don’t want this kid to get a bad label. You know?” Demon shrugged. He tried not to completely sully clean things, and this girl might as well be Snow White.

“Kid? Isn’t she twenty-three,” Lefty said.