Unexpected Love

My gaze darted between the two males, and then I saw Torin approaching. What the hell was going on tonight? Couldn’t a female simply get laid?

“Fellas, give us a minute? Please?” Torin stood at a distance with his hands shoved into his pockets. If anything would happen tonight, I needed to let him have his moment. It didn’t matter that it came with condemnation.

Dez and Hiro glanced at me. Their look said what we all knew. Torin could be a stubborn ass when he chose to be. “It’s okay, guys. Let me just—”

Hiro cut me off. “We can do this another time.”

Not what I wanted, but hey, a girl had to do whatever was necessary. “Tell you what. Leave me your numbers, and I’ll call. We’ll set something up.”

Both pulled out their wallets and removed their calling cards. No one could ever accuse Lilin of not being prepared. One never knew when a hook-up might turn into a long-time connection. Any incubus or succubus worth the time carried a card. Holding my hand out, I took them—one gold and one silver—and slipped the cards into my skirt pocket. I gave each male a chaste kiss on their cheeks. As the males left the rooftop, I buttoned my blouse, my gaze fixed on my friend.

“What gives, Torin?” Instead of curiosity, weariness entered my voice. “I just wanted a little fun.”

His bright-colored eyes met mine, and I saw a hint of fire in them. It was unexpected and gave me pause. He hadn’t looked at me with such intensity since that night back in high school. My heart skipped a beat before common sense intervened. Torin made it perfectly clear that we could never be more than friends, no matter what I wanted.

“Sit for a minute.” He pointed to one of the sofas. As soon as we were seated, he said, “Sybil, we’ve always been friends.”

Slowly, I nodded. Friendship had always been a barrier between us. As kids, I flirted constantly with Torin. I thought we had a chance in high school, but he proved me wrong. Broke my heart. Said it was a mistake. It took years to get our relationship back on track. Just friends. All we’d ever be.

“I’m only looking out for you, Sybil. Taking up with Dez and Hiro isn’t a good idea.”

Nonsense. Any succubus needing a good fucking would seek out the Dezmonds and Hiros of the world. Why should I be any different?

Because a Nakamura of quality breeding didn’t do those things.

I crossed my legs, leaned in, and said, “What’s the purpose of a meet and greet, Torin?”

His eyebrows touched. “To hookup. Find a potential mate.”

“And how am I supposed to do either of those things if you’re forever blocking me?”

Torin’s forehead creased. “I-I’m not.”

“Yes, you are,” I pointed out. “Last week, you dragged me away from the event with some made-up emergency. The week before you intruded and told me the incubus was married.”

“Well, he was,” Torin exclaimed.

“Not the point.” I paused and studied my friend for a moment. How I wished I knew what was going on with him. “Torin, why don’t you take advantage of these events? You might find someone worth spending time with or even marrying.”

Torin shook his head, reached for my hand, and intertwined our fingers. “That’s not happening at a meet and greet. Don’t worry about me, Sybil. Besides, I’ve already met the female for me.”

“Really?” My eyes widened as I tried to ignore the sharp pain in my chest. “Do tell.”

He blushed. “It’s not important. This is about you.”

“Whatever, Torin. But stop blocking me.” I patted my pocket with the cards in it. “I’m calling these guys.”

He shot me one of his all-too-familiar disapproving looks. I arched an eyebrow in response. “So, you’re not going to take my advice?”

Cocking my head to the side, I asked, “Are you going to take mine?”

A smile tugged at his lips. “Probably not. Just do me a favor and keep away from Khan Najex.”

Waving my free hand in the air, I say, “Not a problem. He gives me the creeps. What’s your issue with him?”

Torin lowered his voice like we weren’t alone. “For as long as I’ve known Khan, he can’t be trusted. He’s an underhanded incubus who uses trickery to get what he wants.”

“You mean witchcraft?”

“Yes. Just stay on your guard with him.”

My lips curled up. “Have you forgotten who my family is? All I have to do is make a phone call.”

“I know, but if you keep your distance, there’s no need to trouble the Toraiado.”

Toraiado is Japanese for Triad. My family runs the supernatural version. “No one troubles the Toraiado. The Nakamura Demons are happy to respond.”

An understatement.

My family delighted in causing havoc—decapitations, ripping out hearts, dismantling bodies. When they couldn’t exact retribution, my uncles and cousins were miserable.

Torin tapped my hand. “Okay. I called a cab for you and London. Let me walk you downstairs.”

I looked down at our conjoined hands and wondered what it would be like to be permanently united with this incubus. Sadly, I didn’t think the thought ever crossed his mind.