“Duly noted. Mine's been revoked at least a dozen times.”
I laughed and threw myself into Hayden’s strong arms. He wrapped himself securely around me and buried his face in my hair.
“You smell so good.” He ran his lips along my jaw and kissed the corner of my mouth.
I placed my hands on either side of his face and touched my forehead to his. Being so close to him sent shivers of delight through me. I eased away and searched his eyes. “Will you come see me?”
“I will.” He captured my lips and made me forget my name. I wrapped my legs around his waist and tried to wrestle him down on my bed.
“Oh no you don’t.” Hayden laughed as he flipped me over and locked my arms over my head while trapping my legs under his thigh. His desire made me bold.
“Well, I like this too.” I fought to free my arms so I could wrap them around his neck.
He slowly lowered his face to mine. Butterflies were having a smackdown in my stomach. My lips parted willingly under his and I gave myself freely to the passion of his kiss. He raised up and gazed into my eyes, “I have waited so long for you, Dixie.” His voice was low and intense.
“Was I worth the wait?” I whispered, completely lost in his eyes.
“Without a doubt,” he said.
“Hello, Dixie darling.”
“Holy shit,” I screeched as I sat up and conked heads with Hayden so hard I saw stars. “Dad, you’re supposed to knock!”
“Why should I knock on my own daughter’s door?” he asked, truly stymied.
“Because I’m an adult and I was busy.” I was mortified.
“And who is the young ma. . .” My father froze, his fists clenched at his sides and the room got chilly. Literally. It dropped about thirty degrees. “What are you doing here?” my father hissed at Hayden, giving him a brutal and unfriendly stare.
“Hello, Lucifer, it’s nice to see you again too,” Hayden replied as he made himself more comfortable on my bed.
Something was really wrong here. Why wasn’t Hayden afraid of the Prince of Darkness?
“I believe,” my dad spoke slowly through clenched teeth, “I asked you what you were doing here. I’d also like to know what in the Hell are you doing with my daughter.”
“I’m here because I’ve finished my task and I’m with your daughter because I’m in love with her.”
Hayden stood up and went toe to toe with my dad. Sweet Baby Beelzebub, Hayden really was as tall as he was.
“Impossible,” Satan bellowed. The room shook as his power bounced off of my walls like a ping pong ball on crack. I shrunk back into a corner, not liking where this was headed. I felt certain it would not end well.
“Not impossible,” Hayden countered. Holy Hades, I could feel his power dancing all over my room along with my dad's. Who in the Hell was he—or better yet, what was he? Why in the world would he challenge my dad like this? He either had a huge amount of power and magic or a gargantuan death wish. “You knew she was mine yet you sent me away all these years.”
“She’s just a child,” my father fired back at him.
“She’s a woman."
“Exactly,” my Dad shouted. “Young. Woman. And she’s mine. My little baby girl.”
“Helloooo,” I said to the two “Tug on Dixie” participants. “She’s sitting right here.”
“Quiet,” they yelled in unison. Well, alrighty then.
“She is not yours, she’s mine,” Hayden smugly informed Satan. Ooooh, my dad hated smug.
“I could destroy you so quickly and it would be so much fun.” My father bestowed an icy smile on Hayden. He was stunningly beautiful and viciously evil at the same time.
Hayden laughed, his beauty as riveting as my father's. “Try it, old friend. See how far it will get you.”
I was confused and pissed off. Clearly Dad knew Hayden. And Hayden must have some major magic mojo if my dad couldn’t kill him. How in the hell old was he? Had I been lip-locked with somebody that was around before mortals roamed the Earth?
“Lucifer, if you don’t approve of me. . .” Hayden stared pointedly at my father. “Are you prepared for the alternative?”
He got right up in Satan's face. He was either really brave or really stupid.
My dad turned his back on Hayden in a show of disrespect and walked away. He leaned against my wall and ran his hand through his thick hair. “No,” he conceded. “The alternative is unacceptable.”
“Good, then it’s settled.” Hayden reached for me but I backed away.
“I’m glad you guys worked that out,” I told them, my voice heavy with sarcasm. “But you forgot one minor detail. You neglected asking me what I want.”