Soul Stripper (12 page)

I nodded, though I didn’t entirely believe him. I sure felt like I had a lot to be sorry for. “Could you do me a favor?”

“I suppose that depends.” His stance became rigid once again, fearing the worst.

“Don’t eavesdrop on
everything
I think. Leave me some privacy, please.”

He nodded, just one sharp movement. “Very well. I will do my best to leave as many of your thoughts alone as I can.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, and swayed to bump his arm with my elbow.

He shot me a crooked smirk and bumped me back.

As Julian and I were stealing playful glances, the double doors swung open and there stood Drew. I took in his look—well-fitted jeans, a button-down plaid shirt with opaque buttons, and slightly scuffed brown leather shoes. His eyes grew wide as he realized it was me standing before him, and a giant smile spread across that glorious face of his.

“Monica? You made it!” He ran over and picked me up in a giant hug.

It happened so quickly, but I managed to rest my cheek momentarily on the soft cotton on his shoulder, breathing in his cologne mixed with the smell of coffee that consistently permeates his clothing. My feet lowered back down to the floor, and when I opened my eyes, I saw the two men staring at each other. Julian’s body language was still rigid and his eyes were unmoving, assessing Drew. Drew shot me a sideways glance, unsure of how to react to this scrutiny.

“Hi.” Drew stuck out his hand ceremoniously. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“No. We haven’t.” Julian raised a hand to Drew’s, eyes not leaving his face.

Drew looked over at me, his forehead crinkling with concern, no doubt curious about where Wills was.

I screamed out Julian’s name in my head—hoping if I thought forcefully enough, he’d be able to hear me.
You’re creeping him out, Jules!

Julian grunted—whether it was aimed at Drew or in response to my thoughts, I wasn’t sure.

On an exhale, Julian finally let his mouth twitch into a smile. “Julian,” he said quietly.

Drew shot an unsure glance back at me. “Julian, pleased to meet you. I’m Drew, Monica’s boss. Are you two—uh, together?”

“Does it
look
like we’re together?” Julian smirked, taking my hand and wrapping it around his elbow as if I were a debutante about to be presented to society. “We arrived together.”

I rolled my eyes, pulling my arm away from his. “We are not
together
together. Though, yes, we did come here together.” I scowled quickly at Julian before returning my gaze back to Drew. “We’ve known each other for, like, centuries. I just wanted to have the comfort of a
friend
”—I glanced again at Julian, whose mouth was turned upward into a serene smile—“here tonight.”

Drew looked relieved. “Oh, phew! I was afraid I had offended you, man, when I hugged our girl, here.”

Julian puffed a laugh. “Of course not. I’m happy to see Monica has friends who influence her for the better.” He looked over at me, a bemused smile on his face. “You should come to more of Drew’s church functions, Monica.”

I put my arm around Julian’s back, pinching him as hard as I could. “Yes, well—we all know my work schedule makes evening functions a bit difficult.” I spoke through gritted teeth hoping Julian was reading my angry thoughts at that moment.

“Right, right. I’m sure both Julian and I have heard all your excuses, Mon.” He winked at Julian, his smile creating creases that framed his mouth. “I’m just glad you could come tonight.” Drew extended his hands toward the rec room and mocked a bow. “There is food and drink inside. Please help yourself to anything.” He looked directly at me. “And have fun.”

My stomach growled again at the mention of food. This whole eating thing really gets in the way of your day, doesn’t it?

T
he room was decorated rather plainly. There was a bar area serving beer and wine as well as some nonalcoholic beverages, and a small buffet had a variety of potluck items that people from the church had no doubt whipped up themselves. Several tables had long tablecloths that had seen better days. The lighting was low, and candles sat clumped on every table and in every corner. Must have been Drew’s attempt at romantic lighting.

I went to town on the buffet, loading a plate with mac and cheese, potato salad, little mini cheeseburgers, and every other homemade goody sitting atop the dollar store serving platters. When I looked to my right, Julian stood there, staring.

“Slow down, Monica. Gluttony is a sin, you know.”

“Yeah, well, so is jealousy, mister.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” His eyes looked hot as he turned to face me.

Between chewing, I answered him. I wasn’t about to put down my food for this conversation. “You don’t fool me. You usually regard people so warmly—particularly churchgoers. But with Drew, you held back. Jealousy.” I emphasized the word by poking his chest.

Julian shoved two hands into his black flat-front pants. “I was
not
jealous.”

“Well, what would you call that little display, then?” I didn’t tear my eyes away from the potato salad. Man, what did those little church ladies cook these in? Holy water? I’d never tasted anything so delicious in my life.

“I’m protective of you. That is not a sin.”

“So there was no jealousy whatsoever?”

“None.”

I lowered my eyes at him.

He stared right back at me, his eyes softening. “I promise you, Monica. I was just getting a read on Drew. And I have to admit—I like him. He’s a good person to be in your life. I can see why you don’t want to pursue him. His soul is pure.”

I sighed and dug into the mac and cheese. No arguing that.

“Julian!” Drew’s voice boomed as he walked toward us. Next to him stood a curvy, brunette girl. She looked about twenty-five and was wearing a black skirt, cardigan buttoned up to the middle of her throat, and pantyhose.
Pantyhose.
In the middle of Vegas in spring. Crazy bitch.

Drew approached us, and the girl looked shyly at the floor. “Julian, this is Annie. She’s been part of our parish for a couple years now. I thought the two of you might have a lot in common.”

Jules smiled at the girl with the warmth and exuberance he normally showed in a first meeting.

“Hello.” Julian took Annie’s hand. “You Make Me Feel So Young” started playing on the iPod speakers. “Would you like to dance?” Julian didn’t wait for a response. He swept her into his arms and fox-trotted her off onto the dance floor in one fluid motion. Damn, that angel was smooth.

I heard that.
His voice rang in my brain.

Well, shit,
I thought back.

Drew looked over at me. “You look beautiful tonight.” His eyes flicked down to my feet, taking in my entire look. Obviously, I was dressed the same as earlier, but with the fixed hair I’m sure I looked a hundred times better.

I flushed. “Thank you.”

“I’d ask you to dance, but I’m sort of on duty here tonight.”

Julian’s voice entered my head again.
He’s lying to you. He doesn’t want to dance because he
can’t
dance.

“Shut
up,
” I said, clenching my jaw.

Drew looked shocked. “Excuse me?”

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
“Not you! My phone . . . it won’t stop buzzing.”

Drew nodded. “Ah. Probably Wills. Don’t you two have a date tonight?”

Double shit.
“Yep, it’s probably him checking up on me. Be right back.”

I grabbed my phone and headed outside into the vestibule area to dial Wills’s number.

“Hello, Pocket,” he said, ever so cheery. Clearly he did not know of the Hell that was my day.

“Hey back at ya,” I said, trying desperately to match his tone.

“I’m going to see you tonight, right? Not backing out on me again.”

“Nope, I can’t wait.” I was smiling. It was the truth, even if I did keep forgetting about him. Things were so easy with Wills. Of course, I knew that Lucien or Kayce would be a step behind us monitoring me. They’d just have to deal with it. I needed the human touch—or demon touch . . . whatever. And I was getting it tonight. Despite whoever would be listening. “I just wanted to check in and say hello.”

“Your
hello
s are always welcome.”

At that moment, a familiar high-pitched, high-maintenance voice echoed in the rafters as the front door swung open. “What in the world is this about, Damien?”

“Wills, I gotta go!” I spoke in a hoarse whisper and snapped my phone shut. I looked for an escape, a place to hide, but it was too late. Damien entered with a blindfolded Adrienne. He flipped the blindfold off her eyes, and I was seen before I had even hung up my phone.

“What are
you
doing here?” Adrienne put her hands on her hips, her acrylic nails digging into her cheap jersey knit dress.

“I met your lover earlier today. I told him this was a swingers’ party. It seemed right up your alley.”

Damien stood behind her and stifled a laugh, just a slight quirk of his lips upward revealing his amusement.

“A what? A swingers’ party?” Adrienne put two fingers to each temple and rubbed in circles.

Her voice lowered, the squeaky girly tone to it completely disappearing. “Look—I’m not messing around here, Monica. What is going on here? Where are we?” Her collagen-injected lips were pressed into a straight line. Her hair had been recently bleached again and stood tall and teased. She looked ridiculous and slutty in her strapless dress.

“I’m kinkier than you think, Adrienne.”

Damien’s half smile turned into a whole smile. “I’d believe that.” His eyes glistened with lust, and I couldn’t help but smirk back at him.

Adrienne’s jaw just about fell out of its socket, and she glared at Damien, her eyes wide, exasperated. “Not
you,
too.” She rolled her eyes and took a step closer to me. “I see it constantly—every man falls all over himself to get to you. Back off.”

“All except one.” My voice was quiet.

“Don’t be so sure,” she whispered. She turned away, and her heels clacked toward the door. “I’m leaving. You’re coming, right?” She held open the door, gesturing to Damien.

At that moment, Drew poked his head out from the party area.
Triple shit,
I thought.

“What’s going on out here?” He looked around, first noticing Damien and me, and then he saw Adrienne at the front door.

She shut the door and turned as though she had just walked in. “Drew! Hi, baby!” She squealed and ran toward him on her toes. Guess it proved too difficult to run in her heels. Amateur. But there on her face—outside of the shock of seeing him—I saw happiness. And love. She nuzzled her nose into his neck, kissing him. She was actually happy to see him, even caught red-handed with her lover.

“Adrienne? What are you doing here?” Drew hugged her back, though looking absolutely confused. He looked over at me still standing there in front of Damien. “And who’s this?”

“This? Um, I don’t know . . . must be a friend of Monica’s.” Adrienne looked at me, her eyes pleading.

I looked at Drew, the poor schmuck. He planned this cute little event and here I was about to ruin the entire night for him. Julian was right—it was a terrible idea. Drew will learn that Adrienne’s wrong for him, eventually. I shouldn’t be the one to bring him to the conclusion—he needs to get there himself. “I’ve only just met him today.” I sighed. It wasn’t even a lie—Jules would be so proud.

Damien pulled me into his body in an embrace, and I pushed myself off his chest, trying to wrench myself from his grasp. “Damien, this is Drew. Drew, this is Damien.” Damien gave a crooked smile and held out a hand to Drew, not releasing my body in the process. Drew took his hand hesitantly.

“Nice to meet you,” Drew said, flashing a wary eye at me. “Mon, can I talk to you a second?”

I slipped out of Damien’s grasp and we stepped away from Adrienne and her boy toy. “Monica, I don’t know what is going on here, but you have a nice guy waiting to go on a date with you tonight. And if I’m not mistaken in reading Julian, I think you have another nice guy inside pining after you. I’m trying not to read too much into this third man you’ve invited here—”

I held up a hand to silence Drew. “I met him briefly. Julian was standing right near me when I invited Damien to this event. I didn’t invite him
with
me. He’s actually dating a—
friend
—of mine.” I said the word
friend
through gritted teeth, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“Oh.” Drew nodded, but his eyes narrowed, still skeptical. “I just assumed by the way he was looking at you.” He glanced back over at Damien. “Just be careful—he looks like trouble.”

I nodded, and Damien was looking at us, his eyes glistening as though he could hear our every word. “He sure does, doesn’t he?”