“It would, and it would explain why my mom’s family cut her out and tried to make it look like she didn’t exist. The line of those Lancaster witches is very proud of its heritage. I’ve heard they’re kinda stuck up about it, actually. But it would be a huge shame on the family name to know one of their own was practicing Satanism.” I let my head fall against the headrest. “Damn.”
“They’d probably be proud to have a Nephilim in the family,” Julian says seriously.
I turn to him, amusement on my face, and smile. “You know, that’s the nicest compliment I’ve gotten in a while.”
Julian returns my smile. “I suppose it is a good compliment.”
“Thanks for not wanting to kill me like the rest of the angels.”
“They’re mistaken.”
“Totally.” I turn the Jeep off. “When will I see you again?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Will you see my dad anytime soon?”
“Yes,” Julian says. “I haven’t reported back to him in a while, so I’m due to.”
“If possible, can you tell him I know about my mom and the whole worshiping Lucifer thing and I’d really love a detailed explanation over coffee someday? Soon. Someday soon.”
“I will relay the message, but know he won’t come until it’s safe.”
“I know. It’s sucks, but I know. Thanks, Julian. And if you have time to just hang out, you know I’d like that. We could see a movie or something normal.”
He smiles. “And I would like that. I hear movie theater popcorn is good.”
“It is! And look at you, learning more about the human world.”
“I won’t feed you candles anymore. Or lotion, which also smells good.”
I laugh. “I’d appreciate that. And now that I’m talking about food, I’m hungry. You can’t come in at all?”
“I should get back before I’m noticed,” he says, and I remember he said he was able to slip away unnoticed, which means he probably shouldn’t be here.
“Okay. Be careful doing whatever it is you do.”
“You too, Callie.”
I hug him goodbye, and he disappears in a whoosh. I gather my purse and phone and get out of the car. The garage will be connected to the house eventually, but we had the contractors focus on finishing the house so we could move in. The breezeway that connects the garage to the house will also lead to the pool house, and since the pool isn’t going in until the ground thaws later this year, the breezeway hasn’t been completed yet. Still, actually having a heated garage is a game changer for me since I’ve parked outside since I’ve owned a car.
I hurry into the house, chilled again by the time I get inside.
“Honey, I’m home!” I call, closing the door behind me. Scarlet lumbers forward, and my familiars are all in the little mudroom, waiting for me. “I missed you, too,” I tell them as I take my boots off. “You guys hungry? What do you want to eat?”
Binx meows and rubs against my legs. I take my coat off, toss it on the hall tree, and pick him up, kissing his furry head as I walk into the kitchen. I put him on the counter right as Lucas walks in.
“You look nice,” I tell him, wiggling my eyebrows. He’s wearing a suit that’s pretty much begging me to rip it off his muscular body.
“So do you.” He speeds forward and takes me in his arms, one hand landing on my belly.
“I think I felt the baby move today,” I tell him as I hook my hands around his neck. “Or maybe it was gas. Something like a fluttery feeling.”
“You’re far enough along to start feeling the baby.” He puts his lips to my neck, and I close my eyes, desire flooding through me. Yes, that suit is definitely coming off before we leave the house for dinner.
“I’m far enough along to start looking pregnant, too,” I tell him. “I caught Betty looking at my stomach a few times, so I told her. What a weird conversation that was.”
“I like people knowing I knocked you up.” He nuzzles his face into my neck.
“It’s getting obvious now.” I run a hand down his chest. “People will look at me and know you laid me down and fucked me. That your cock pushed inside my tight pussy and—”
Lucas cuts me off, kissing me in a fury of passion. Scrambling, I untuck his shirt. Lucas steps forward, holding onto me as I step back so I don’t fall. Sweeping my hands up, I take the top button of his shirt between my fingers, desperate to get him naked.
His tongue pushes into my mouth, and he cups my face as he kisses me deeply, bunching up my dress with his other hand. He breaks away once my dress is up around my waist, looking at my swollen belly.
“You are so beautiful,” he breathes.