The Devil I Crave (Devil's Knights 2)

“Luca,” I warned. “Don’t start with me before I’ve had my coffee.”

With his cup raised midair, he scanned every inch of me, his eyes traveling up and down my body. I wore a simple black skirt that stopped a few inches above my knees, though with the way he looked at me, it was as if I stood before him naked.

“Where’s Kali?” I said to no one in particular.

I had expected to see her in the morning. I’d heard her screaming from Damian’s room last night. It was clear Luca’s brothers had the same stamina, though I wasn’t sure how Kali could handle both of them. Two of Luca would have killed me.

“Photo op with our future governor,” Bastian muttered.

“She’ll be back later,” Damian confirmed. “You’re having lunch with her on the back patio.”

“Glad to know she’s still alive,” I deadpanned. “After what I heard last night, I was afraid I would have to attend her funeral.”

Two of the creepiest smirks crossed both of their mouths. They were beautiful but terrifying.

Luca beckoned me with his finger, and I moved toward him like I was under a spell. He dug his fingers into my hip and shoved me onto his lap. “Is this how you greet your future husband?”

My lips pulled into a tight line. “I don’t remember you proposing.”

“If memory serves, you said yes a lot last night.”

“I also said, Oh, God. And the last time I checked, you’re not a deity.”

His evil laughter floated through the room.

“I rolled over this morning, not the least bit surprised you were gone.” I scowled. “Like old times.”

“Important matters required my attention.”

“More important than me?”

“I’m leaving after breakfast.” He brushed his lips against mine. “I’m going to New York for the day. I have to deal with something for work. Marcello will stay with you until I get back.”

I shook my head, irritated with him. “If I hadn’t come downstairs, would you have said goodbye?”

“Needy isn’t a good look for a queen.”

The Devil had many faces.

This was one of them.

And I was fucking pissed.

“I’ll be home by dinner,” Luca said.

I frowned. “Have a safe trip.”

He tugged on my curls and moved my mouth to his. “Where’s my goodbye kiss?”

I leaned into Luca, and he grabbed the back of my head, fisting my curls in his hand. His lips crashed against mine, rough and possessive, so hard and fast he sucked the air from my lungs. When our lips separated, Luca released his grip on my hair, his haunting blue eyes laser-focused on me. He rolled his thumb across his bottom lip, a sexy gesture that would have made most women melt.

I attempted to slide off Luca’s lap, but he threw his arm across my legs, holding me in place. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m not in the mood for games.”

He nibbled on my earlobe. “Say you’ll marry me.”

“I’d rather watch you beg.”

His hand glided up my stomach as he sucked my earlobe into his mouth. “No, baby, you’ll be the one begging.”

Luca raised his hand, and the butler appeared at his side. “We’ll have a plate of fruit, no pineapple. More toast, fresh butter, and preserves.”

The man lowered his head in acknowledgment, then set off toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, the kitchen staff appeared with fresh fruit plates cut into perfect slices and a stack of toast with all the fixings. My stomach rumbled as they set the food on the table in front of us.

Luca moved the fruit plate in front of him. “I’m hungry.”

“So eat.”

He smirked. “Feed me.”

“You have hands.”

He tipped his head at the plate. “Start with the grapes.”

I snarled at him. “I want to poke your eyes out with a knife and shove them down your throat.”

“I know.”

Not a hint of sorrow or guilt crossed his handsome face.

Annoyed, I lifted a bushel of grapes in my hand, knowing he would only become more of a thorn in my side if I fought him. It was breakfast. Whatever, I could pop a few grapes into his mouth and send his miserable ass on his way.

Luca buttered a piece of toast. I plucked a grape from the vine and pinched it between my fingers. He opened his mouth, licking my skin as I dropped the grape onto his tongue. His touch sent a bolt of electricity up my arm.

I continued the charade until Luca licked my fingers clean. He hooked his arm around my back. As I reached for the plate of eggs, my shirt rode up my stomach. Luca slipped his hand beneath the fabric.

I knocked his hand away.

Luca moved the plates toward the center of the table, sending silverware crashing to the floor. He raised his hand to dismiss a servant who attempted to clean up after him, exiting the room in a hurry. Clutching my hips, Luca lifted me and dropped me onto the table in front of him, spreading my thighs apart with his hands. The legs of his chair slid across the tile as he moved between my thighs.