Page 19 of Last Minion Standing
No.
The shock of the revelation saw me sitting up in bed. Surely I was misinterpreting my emotions. But crazy as it was, and foreign as well, I—the love ’em and leave ’em gal—missed a man. Wanted a man. Not just any man, Drake.
“No, no, no.” I rushed to look at myself in the mirror, and my familiar features stared back. Physically, I hadn’t changed, but inside, oh damn it all to Hell, I cared for him.
How and when had it happened? Sure, I’d lusted after his body, and I’d admit he was the best lover I’d ever encountered. But this was all about sex. No emotions. Just great sex with some conversation and cuddling thrown in.
I groaned and dove on the bed, hiding my head under the pillow. How could this have happened? And an even better question, what would I do about it?
Drake had implied he’d be sticking around for a while, a thought that didn’t send me in a panic and rushing for an airline for an impromptu vacation in a very remote location. Actually, I’d kind of gone all soft and warm inside when he’d promised to see me after the show.
Speaking of which, I had to get ready. Hopping out of bed, I had another shower since the first one had led to more sex and... Well, let’s just say I had some sticky areas that really needed cleaning.
The titillating memories of the morning, the previous night, the middle of night, and the shower wouldn’t stop running through my head so that, when I finally wandered out of my room, I couldn’t help the silly grin plastered on my face.
“I see someone had a good night,” Jezzie said with a wide smirk.
A beatific smile plastered to my lips, I poured my coffee and told her, “Drake slept over.”
Liquid spewed as Jezzie choked on her java. “You did what? Is he still here?” she wheezed.
“No, he had to leave to get ready for the competition today.”
Jezzie suddenly looked nervous, and I watched her suspiciously as she chattered brightly about inane topics while making breakfast and then tidying up. Given Jezzie never did either, it wasn’t hard to figure out something was up.
“What are you hiding?”
“Me?” She opened her eyes wide in feigned innocence.
“Spill it before I tell about the Rocky Mountains incident on national television.” I knew more than one secret she wanted to keep under wraps.
Sweating and fidgeting, she tried to avoid my eyes, but I possessed a pretty good glare when riled. It was only a matter of time before she caved and divulged. “It wasn’t my idea, honest to Satan. But the network, they said it would make an awesome segment, and I didn’t realize when we’d signed the contract, they’d included the clause to–”
Impatient, I interrupted. “What’s going to happen today?”
“Each of the three remaining contestants has to discover and divulge a juicy secret about you or that directly relates to you. It might be something you know or don’t.”
My mind worked furiously. What secrets did I hide? A few, like any semi-demon of my age, mostly schoolgirl pranks I’d gotten away with. As for something involving me without my knowledge, well, I’d admit that was information I’d like to know, actually.
“It’s okay.” I said the words absently, suddenly wondering what secret Drake would reveal. The way I liked it when he bit down on my nipple as he fucked me? No, not secret enough, just ask any of my previous lovers. I both dreaded and anticipated what I’d learn, and in front of an audience.
Things kept hidden should remain so, for the simple reason revelations usually meant someone would get hurt—then killed. Demons, even half ones, weren’t known to turn the other cheek. Vengeance was our middle name. Seriously, according to the public registers of Hades, Vengeance ranked number one for middle names followed by Misery.
I now wondered more than ever what Drake would do to win this round. What secret about me had he discovered? And would whatever he revealed force me to never see him again?
It wasn’t just my mind that screamed “no!” to that scenario. My head and heart did, too.
I spent the day in a nervous state. Pacing. Eating. Eating some more. An ass like mine didn’t happen overnight; it took work.
In an almost trance, I readied for my appearance on the reality show that I now regretted. I just wanted this farce over with. Wanted to return to my old life of collecting escaped souls, shaking my booty in clubs, and shopping. But my old life didn’t have the hot and delicious Drake.
Argh.
The moment of truth, literally, arrived. I barely heard the emcee as he detailed the task for the remaining minion contenders. Okay, I lied. I listened to every word and alternated between simmering irritation and nervousness. I’d take battling a creature with claws and spitting acid over dread any day.
This time, when the curtain lifted, revealing me on my throne, I didn’t smile. My eyes veered right over to Drake and held his gaze. His face didn’t betray any emotion, something I didn’t find reassuring.
First up stepped the dwarf, looking nervous for once. He fidgeted before the microphone, and I impatiently squirmed, too, not really giving a shit about what he had to say.