My key shot out of the lock, snapping my head upright. I was up and beaming by the time Ronin walked through the door.
“Hello, Mr. Belphe, welcome back.”
He cast a disinterested glance over me, then flicked over to the spread laid out on the coffee table. “What’s this?”
I giggled. “Why, it’s dinner, of course. I noticed how noises and crowds tire you, so I thought you’d prefer a nice, quiet meal here.”
Quirking a brow, he looked from me, to the sausages, pasta, fruit, and cheesecake beckoning him over, and then back to me. “You poisoned it,” he dropped like it was a simple matter of fact. “And what? You think I’ll find your murder attempt endearing because I was intrigued by your pointless act of defiance?”
My glowstick grin went nowhere. “You’re so funny, Mr. Belphe. Of course I didn’t poison you. Why would I poison the wonderful, handsome, talented demon that it is my privilege to serve?”
Pale lips curled. “Ugh. What the hell’s the matter with you? You talk like you dress.”
If anything, my smile widened. It was true, I looked particularly insane in bright pink velour sweatpants and acanary-yellow blazer with some serious shoulder pads, but Lucifer’s attempts to humiliate me, couldn’t touch me right now. It was just too much fun seeing the mix of disgust and confusion on Belphe’s normally expressionless face. Why?
The only other time he broke his stoicism was when he hurt me in front of everyone. If there was anything I learned from my time in middle school, it’s that sociopaths lose interest quick when you take all the fun out of bullying.
I made up my mind right there in the middle of class that just because Belphe had power over me... it didn’t mean he’d get to enjoy it.
“If it’s not poisoned, eat it,” he ordered. “Now.”
I shrugged. “As you wish.” Skipping over to the table, I picked up the fork and happily helped myself. I figured he’d be suspicious of anything I served him, so I only chose food I wanted to eat.
“Yum,” I chirped, digging into the cheesecake. A symphony of creamy vanilla, butter, and sugar burst on my tongue. Say what you would about hell, but this place would get no complaints from me about the food. “Are you sure you don’t want some?” I teased, waving a speared piece of sausage at his darkening expression. “Yummy, yummy, tasty, tasty.”
I don’t think it was possible for anyone to look more disgusted than he did right then.
“Enough,” he said, turning away. “Prepare my bath.”
Shrugging, I brushed past him and went into the bathroom.
Every time I went into it, I was knocked over by the luxurious finishes and obscene expense. Would I have liked to live in this dorm without the demon intruder? Absolutely. But I had a strong feeling that no matter how much I irritated him, I’d be the one forced out, and not him.
Wonder if there’re any more dorms this nice hidden among the demon wing?I thought as the tub filled. Under the sink Ifound a bottle of sweetly scented bath oils, so I dumped them indiscriminately into the water.There were still a bunch of keys left over in the box, so I could just grab a bunch and go around trying every one until I find a room that’s comfortable for me and Sab—
The door flew open.
I looked up in time to see Ronin quickly swipe a piece of cheesecake off his lip, and then scowl at his reflection—as if he was pissed at it for not warning him he left evidence of enjoying the meal I brought for him.
“That’s enough,” he said, jerking his chin at the running faucet. “I’m ready.”
“Okay.” I turned it off and stood to leave. “Have a wonderful bath, Mr. Belphe, and—” I pulled up short, blinking at him.
He stood between me and the door, those cool, glittering ruby eyes reflecting my confusion. Expressionless, he held out his arms.
It took me a full thirty seconds to realize what he wanted me to do.
My smile vanished. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”
His smirk curled into his cheeks, setting free two tempting dimples. “What’s this? Your phony deference disappears so soon?” Ronin clicked his tongue, setting my teeth on edge. “Pity.”
Phony deference? He saw through me and what I was doing that easily?
No,a stubborn voice butted in.It’s not going to be that easy at all.
“What? What are you talking about, sir?” I chirped. “Forgive my surprise, I just couldn’t believe you wished me to sully you with these unworthy hands.”
I paused, hoping against hope that hewouldtell me not to sully him with my touch, but all I got for my awkward silence was a raised brow.
