Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39596 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39596 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
As for Lonnie, his wide smile was shining as bright as his eyes as he looked around at all the demons in awe. “I wish I had a camera,” he murmured.
“Wouldn’t work. Glamours hide truth.” Callan led Lonnie to a standing pub table in the corner a little away from the competition. The noise level was deafening, and the smell of sweat and beer permeated the air. He pulled Lonnie closer, nestling him under his arm, his heart swelling when Lonnie snuggled in close.
Rafe yelled over the noise, “I’ll go get us drinks!”
Lonnie handed him a credit card. “Put mine and Callan’s on that, please.”
His brother nodded as he took the card. He and Nathanial pushed back through the crowd.
Bart leaned over the table. “Darts?”
“Do you want to play?” Callan asked Lonnie, leaning in close to his ear. His sweet, musky scent was so much better than the odor of the bar.
Lonnie nodded eagerly. “I would love to. It’s been some time since I played, but I used to be pretty good.”
Five dart boards lined the back wall, and that part of the bar was heavily packed with huge bodies. Callan would have to keep a close eye on Lonnie. He nodded to Bart, who left the table to sign them up.
Rafe and Nathanial returned with their drinks. Nathanial’s gaze was glued on Lonnie, and Callan shot him a fierce glare.
Nathanial nudged him and winked. “Can’t help but look. He’s so pretty.”
Lonnie’s cheeks turned bright red. “Th…thank you.”
Bart came back to the table, grinning. “They had openings. Will be about an hour.” He leaned closer to Lonnie. “Tell us about you.”
Lonnie, still snuggled into Callan’s side, shrugged. “I teach creative writing—that’s about it. I’m not terribly interesting.”
“Why do you need a bodyguard?” Nathanial had leaned closer as well. “Are you in trouble?”
Lonnie nodded. “I’ve got a stalker, though I’m at a loss as to why. My sister hired Callan for me.”
“He’s strong. Will keep you safe.” Nathanial leaned even closer, his mouth opening again but he shut it when Callan put one hand on his face to push him away. Nathanial’s grin turned sly. “You like my brother?”
“Very much. He’s wonderful company and takes his job very seriously.” Lonnie picked up his beer and took a sip, then sputtered and coughed. “Holy shit, that’s strong.”
“Demon ale,” Rafe said, thumping a fist over his ribcage. “Will put hair on your chest.”
Lonnie set his glass back down, eyeing it warily.
Callan pushed it to the other side of the table with a quick frown at Rafe and Nathanial, both of whom should have known better. What the hell were they thinking? “We’ll get you regular beer,” he told Lonnie. “You don’t need that.”
“I’m sorry,” Nathanial said, shaking his head as he pushed away from the table. “We thought it would be funny. I’ll go get it.”
It was a rather strong brew since demons metabolized alcohol at a different rate than humans. He should have first made sure his brothers get Lonnie a human brand of beer, but he’d been too busy looking over the crowd and trying to pick up the elusive scent of the wizard again. Just knowing a preternatural was after his mate had him so hyper-vigilant he could focus on little less. And though he normally enjoyed outings with his brothers, he couldn’t help but wish they were spending his birthday at Lonnie’s house, preferably snuggled on the couch while eating popcorn and drinking the cans of green tea that took up a huge chunk of Lonnie’s pantry. He’d kind of grown addicted to it himself.
He took a healthy swallow of his own beer, planning to stick to only the one since he was still on the job. Besides, with Lonnie buying his drinks, he wouldn’t have had more anyway. He’d picked up on the fact things were tight with Lonnie.
Cheers erupted near the dart boards, and Lonnie turned to look, sending a waft of his scent to Callan. He inhaled it deep, then met Rafe’s gaze, his brother giving him a knowing look. Bart was also watching him, and he saw nothing but pleasure in their faces, knowing he’d found someone. He would have to tell them that some humans could be soulmates. It could change everything for Bart and Nathanial.
When their time to play darts arrived, Callan leaned against the wall and watched Lonnie interacting with his brothers. They divided into teams of two, so he sat out this round. Lonnie’s first turn came up and since they were playing Cricket, he nailed three twenties right off the bat. Rafe, his partner, cheered and slapped him on the back. Lonnie staggered a bit and Callan straightened up to glare at his brother as he walked over to pull Lonnie protectively against him.
“Sorry,” Rafe muttered as he looked at Lonnie. “Forget my own strength sometimes.”