Beelzebub Girl (3 page)

I barely got out of my SUV, an expensive reminder of my family heirloom, when I smelled something in the air. Kneeling on the naked ground, I caught a whiff of a sweet scent I couldn't pinpoint. My heart fluttered in my chest, my legs turned to jelly. This sure beat even the turmoil at work.

Oh, this is good stuff.
Kinky was back, his moaning interrupting my concentration.

"It's probably just drama, someone getting into big trouble," I whispered, unlocking the front door. The reflection of a guy mirrored in the glass. My breath caught in my throat, as I stood frozen to the spot. The hazel eyes, dark blond hair and golden skin disappeared again, and for a moment I wasn't sure whether I imagined seeing him.

You should get a piece of that
, Kinky said.

You know you mustn't. Your mother would be very
disappointed
, Pinky said.

Kinky snorted.
Shut up, Stinky. You wouldn't know fun if it bit
you in the—

Don't you dare call me 'Stinky'. Unlike you, I bathe every day
and—

"Shut up, both of you." I shook my head and headed up the stairs, eager to lock myself up in the privacy of my four walls. I might not be able to escape the irritating angel and devil sitting on my shoulders, but at least I could pretend.

"Cass?" Dallas's voice echoed through the corridor. I turned, my heart catching in my throat. Even though we met months ago and barely exchanged a word, I'd recognise his scent from a mile.

Hundreds of thoughts raced through my mind. What was he doing in London? Did he live nearby? Was he seeing someone? Did he like chocolate?

I peered down at my crumpled denims, and ran a hand through my red, unruly hair, then turned to regard him.

Standing in the hall, a hesitant smile playing on his lips, he was staring straight back at me. His face looked pale against the black of his jacket; the fluorescent light cast a garish glow on his shiny hair. He inched closer, hesitant. "I'm Dallas. You probably don't remember me."

I did. How could I forget the face I'd been thinking of for the last few months? Granted, I could've called over some of Dad's demons and demand they track him down, but that wouldn't have been the brightest idea. For one, they might've decided to bite off a leg or two in the process, or worse—tell Dad about my new love interest. Dad didn't need to know I'd fallen for a mortal, and no less one that couldn't keep a job for longer than three months.

"I know who you are." My voice almost broke off. A hot rush washed over me. My vision blurred. I sniffled, then sneezed very
un
ladylike. I gathered I must be coming down with a cold.

He beamed, nodding. "Want to grab a cup of coffee? I know it's late and…" He trailed off.

"Sounds great." I smiled and marched over to him, ready to head out again. No harm done in joining the guy for a drink. Dad would never find out. It wasn't like I was running off to marry Dallas, or anything.

"Sorry about the call," Dallas said as soon as we had taken our seats at a nearby café. "I didn't mean to come across like a total jack-off."

I frowned. "What?"

"I'm usually much friendlier, but I really need that security stuff."

My eyes scanned his features because I had no idea what he was talking about. Then it dawned on me. "You're the one pestering me all day."

"I'm sorry."

"Did you follow me?" My voice sounded thin, barely more than a whisper.

He winced, a tiny frown crossing his brows. "I guess you could call it that. I thought I'd pay Skylife a visit to complain when you walked out the door. Your hair seemed so familiar."

I couldn't blame him. A red, unruly mane wasn't very common in the land of
L'Oreal
and hair straighteners. I smirked. "I'm glad you remembered me for something."

He reached out, his hand stopping inches from my fingers. "How could I forget you? I love your style."

"Thank you. As Oscar Wilde once said, Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." My cheeks flushed. The guy obviously had a great fashion sense 'cause there weren't many people who understood my style of crumpled jeans and lots of colour.

His eyes shimmered in the dim room. "I'm just glad we got to meet again."

One couldn't exactly call it an accident, more like accidental stalking. Come to think of it, it wasn't even accidental since he
chose
to follow me home. His insolence would have had any other girl fuming, but I was compelled to feel flattered. Guys weren't usually mesmerised by my hair, colour or cut. And then my father's DNA came with a few perks as well, like causing uneasiness in the pit of a mortal's stomach if he so much as glanced at me from a distance in a crowded room. Naturally, some were more receptive than others.

Dallas must belong to a rare species that was completely oblivious to the danger pouring from my every pore.

"Are you angry?" he asked.

I shook my head, mesmerized by his gaze, not to mention the bulging muscles. "Don't assume because I have red hair, I jump to being a hothead."

Dallas shook his head. "Never." I couldn't help but smile. His hazel eyes peered into my very soul as he continued, "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

I blinked, surprised at a guy asking such a question. "I don't." Or so I thought, until a few seconds ago. But I wasn't going to blurt that out.

"I don't follow pretty girls home, but you captivated me like no other I've ever met," Dallas said. "I had to talk to you, no matter what it took. I'm sorry."

"Water under the bridge." I laughed, feeling a slight pull toward him. "But you'll have to work on those telephone manners of yours."

Tell him to jump in the lake.
I shook my head at Kinky who'd just made his grand appearance again.

"Let me make it up to, I insist. How about dinner at the place of your choice?" Dallas asked.

I looked at my watch, stalling for time. Did I really want to have dinner with a gorgeous yet mortal guy? Dad would be livid. "It's late."

"My telephone manners might suck, but my dinner manners are halfway decent. I do eat with my mouth closed and I've recently learned to use a fork." I laughed. Dallas's eyes sparkled with humour.

"Listen, it's the least I can do for you. I won't be able to go to sleep knowing I treated you like crap. I'll look like a zombie tomorrow with big bloodshot eyes and—"

Say yes. We'll order lobster and let him foot the bill,
Kinky said.

Dinner's very romantic
, Pinky whispered.
Tell him he mustn't
forget the flowers.

Who needs flowers when she can smell him, you idiot?
Kinky yelled.

"Shut up," I hissed.

Dallas frowned. "What?"

"I mean,
shut up
! I'd love dinner." I shot my two companions an imploring look, hoping they wouldn't ruin this date like they ruined everything else such as my life.

"What about right now?" Dallas cocked a brow, expectantly. "I don't have any plans."

I nodded and grabbed the menu, burying my face into the thick cover because I figured if I kept looking into those gorgeous gold-speckled eyes I might just faint. I'd never felt so drawn in before; he was making my head all dizzy. Something was wrong. Maybe the coffee was too strong, causing my blood pressure to jump through the roof.

It's the bond,
Pinky squealed.
How magical that you should
meet your soul mate this way.

You don't want to be tied down for the rest of your life like
some ball and chain
, Kinky said.

Did he just say 'soul mate'? I blinked, my mind unable to comprehend Pinky's insinuation. It couldn't be. I'd know if Dallas was
the one
, my soul mate, the one given to me by Fate.

It's him. I can see the silver thread drawing you to one another.

Pinky started clapping in my ear.
Look at you! You make such an
adorable couple.

"What are you having?" Dallas asked, eyes beaming, face glowing unnaturally. The thought of food made me nauseous. And I was never one to turn down a good steak. Dallas didn't seem to fare any better though. Tiny beads of sweat trickled down the side of his face. Maybe he was as nervous as I was. When he noticed me staring, his cheeks grew red as though he was burning from the inside out.

"Is something wrong with your temperature?" I leaned forward and pressed my palm against his forehead. His skin felt like fire.

Maybe I should run and get him an ice pack. Or pour out the glass of soda and dump the ice over his head. Boy, that'd make a great first impression on our very first so-called date.

He caught my hand and kissed my wrist. His soft lips made my whole body tingle, his hot breath grazed my skin as he whispered,

"Never felt better." Something sparkled between us, the air crackled.

A shiver ran down my spine. Dallas dropped my hand again. "I didn't realise what I was doing."

Something wasn't right. I had to get out of here. I jumped up mumbling, "I need to use the restroom."

"Cass," Dallas called after me, but I didn't stop.

Forcing my way through the crowded tables, I reached the cold bathroom and locked myself inside, then took out my phone, dizzy. I speed-dialled Aunt Krista's number because she was the only person who would know. I mean, the woman had been married a million times, so she had plenty of experience.

"Darling-girl, so good to hear from you." She sounded genuinely excited. I gathered I had her attention for all of ten seconds.

I took a deep, steadying breath. "Auntie, you know the
bond
?

Have you ever felt it with anyone?"

She let out that high-pitched helium laughter of hers. "Of course I did."

My heart calmed down a little at the prospect of finding out what was going on. "What was it like?"

"Can't tell you before you're eighteen. Your father would kill me."

Ready to lie my way through this conversation, I rolled my eyes.

She wouldn't know anyway. "I turned eighteen a while back."

"When?"

I shrugged even though she couldn't see me. "A few hundred years ago."

"Are you sure, darling?"

"Don’t you think I know my date of birth?" I said. "Want me to fetch a demon to bring over my birth certificate? He'd be there in a jiffy." I bit my lip, hoping she bought my bluff.

"You're so lucky you don't look it," Aunt Krista said.

"Must be my DNA."

"You're right. When I was your age people thought I—"

I slapped my forehead, irritated. If I didn't stop her, the woman would chatter for hours. "Auntie, we were talking about the bond!"

"I know that. Let me think." She paused. "You know how everyone complains about a dizzy head when they have the flu?"

I tapped my chewed nails against the tiled wall. "Yes?"

"That's it."

"You mean, you compare the eternal bond between two people that are meant for one another with flu symptoms?" I laughed. "You're nuts."

"Not everyone has the same symptoms, and they usually go away after the first date. Why are you asking?" She sounded suspicious. I sat up straight, frantic, because she mustn't know. If she talked to someone, Dad would find out in a heartbeat.

"Because I've sworn off men forever and have decided to become a nun. I need to know the feeling so I can run in the other direction, if the opportunity ever presents itself. Thanks, Auntie. See ya."

Aunt Selena laughed. "You young people. Your emotions are all over the place. You want to be a nun today, and tomorrow a racecar driver—"

I groaned inwardly. The woman could really go on for hours. I made a crackling sound into the phone. "Bad connection. Got to go." I hurried to hang up and returned to my seat.

Dallas's cheeks turned bright red as he stood and pulled the chair aside to make room for me, a frown crossing his face. "I thought you were making a run for the hills."

"Run? I'm already sweating a river." I wiped off my face with my sleeve. My stomach clenched at his sight. My fingers itched to touch his skin.

"Are you all right? You look like you're going to be sick any minute."

I felt like telling him he didn't look any better, but stopped myself. "The air's a bit stuffy."

He nodded, staring at me, wide-eyed, as he leaned over the table. The air crackled again. "Tell me about yourself. I want to know everything."

I leaned back, putting a bit of distance between us, but it didn't ease the tension inside me. "Is this a date or a job interview?"

He smiled. "I love a girl with a great sense of humor. Let's start over again. Do you live with your parents?"

I shook my head. "Not since last year. I moved out when I got my job."

"Where did you grow up then?"

I didn't even want to try and explain that one. "Let's go back to question number one." I peered around, searching for facts that would make me seem fascinating in his eyes. The trouble was, I wasn't fascinating. That was more Dad's thing. "I'm very spontaneous," I said.

"Really?" He walked around the table and occupied the seat next to me. My heart started to race. "Me, too. What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?"

"Let me think." I tapped a finger against my chin. What about the one time I climbed the Eiffel Tower in the middle of the night?

Couldn't tell him because I was tipsy and only trying to impress one of Dad's demon shape shifters. Dad went ballistic. Come to think of it, every single thing I ever did involved something that would piss off my parents. "Oh, I know. I eat the weirdest food combinations, like vanilla ice cream with ketchup."

Dallas nodded, impressed. "That rocks. How about we top that?"

"I'm listening."

"What do you say we do something
really
spontaneous and shock everyone?"

I cocked a brow, my heartbeat speeding up at the prospect of drama. I liked him a lot already. "Like what?"

He shrugged. "Let's move in together."

Yeah, baby. Rent free. We'll freeload off of him big time,
Kinky said.