“Yeah, the message you sent me before was pretty out there. You are okay though, with the whole Demon Power thing?”
“Yes, just fine. I will see you on Saturday.”
“Saturday? I thought you were coming back on Friday?”
I sigh as Devon moves behind me and picks up the comb from the dresser. He sits me down and starts to comb out my tangled wet hair. I am comforted by the familiar gesture and it relaxes me more than the bath did.
“I’m sorry, baby. Saturday. Devon has agreed to come home with one condition.”
“That you give him all day Friday,” Cole says.
“Yes.” I glance at Devon in the mirror, who can quite clearly hear both sides of this conversation, but he avoids my gaze, intent on his task.
“Days of the fucking Week Underwear,” Cole snaps suddenly and I jump. “You will be here on Saturday morning early enough so that we go to bed together. Do you hear me, Liv?”
I stare speechless at the phone for a moment wondering where the Hell that a
udacity came from. Devon raises his eyebrow at me in the reflection of the mirror with an amused expression.
“Liv? Do you understand me?” Cole barks at me.
“Err, yes, I hear you. I will be there.”
“3 AM on Saturday. No later.”
Or else what, I wonder, but have the good sense not to say it out loud.
“Yes, Cole. I said I would be there,” I say, highly put out by his tone.
“Good,” he says then, happy. “Call me later. When you are alone please,” he orders and hangs up.
Christ, that’s me told. On the surface, I am furious with him for dictating to me but underneath he has every right to make demands. Fuck knows everyone else does. Coupled with my overwhelming guilt, I will take it and do as he asks and more.
“Time for bed, my sweet,” CK says, handing me a large glass of blood.
“Thank the gods,” I say taking it and gulping it all down. “Thank you,” I say when I finish it and hand him the glass back.
“More?” he asks sarcastically, and I nod.
“If you don’t mind.”
He grumbles something about slave labor but goes off anyway. Devon leads me to the bed.
“Do you have clothes or do you just magick them up when you need them?”
In response, I magick on some pajamas. I haven’t worn pajamas ever, I don’t think, but no one is coming anywhere near me again tonight. I am exhausted and for the first time ever, completely sexed out.
Devon chuckles at my outfit of long bottoms and camisole top. “Nice choice,” he says. “Get in.”
I climb into bed and he tucks me in. He kisses my forehead. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I nod sleepily. “Okay. I love you.”
“I love you.” He leaves as CK returns and he hands me another glass. I drink it more slowly and I feel loads better. Less exhausted but still worn out.
CK climbs onto the bed with me and pulls me to him. “Sleep now, my love,” he whispers as he too kisses my forehead and I fall asleep instantly.
I wake with a start; something has woken me. CK is lying on the bed next to me reading and he looks startled at my movement.