To Hell And Back (The Lily Harper #3) by H.P. Mallory

Author:H.P. Mallory [Mallory, H.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-10-26T00:00:00+00:00

“Made entrance downward by a path uncouth”

– Dante’s Inferno

NINE

“Do you care for dessert?” Alaire asked when the sliding door to the dining room opened again. A silver platter of cakes, cookies and pastries appeared in thin air, moving toward us as if being carried by invisible hands, which it probably was.

“No, thanks,” I answered, anxious for our dinner to be over and done with as quickly as possible so I could get back to my apartment in Edinburgh. I felt more than sure that Bill was probably beside himself with worry by now. Actually, in truth, he was most likely in a drunken stupor after partying it up for nearly a week.

“No?” Alaire repeated as the tray of desserts arrived at his side. It set itself down on the table in front of him. He scanned the pastries quickly, as if he were counting them, his index finger itemizing each one. Then he glanced up at me. “I’m disappointed in your decision, Ms. Harper. I specifically asked that one of my less fleshy employees serve the dessert course since it appeared you were rather uncomfortable with Boris.”

“Thanks,” I grumbled, even though I was truly grateful for that. Ghosts were much less scary than Boris, or his equivalent.

Alaire just nodded before anxiously returning his attention to the platter of sweets set out before him. He reminded me of a little boy trying to decide which candy to select from an assortment. He chose a wedge of what looked like chocolate cake by pointing at it. Then a serving knife, that was previously sitting lifelessly, rose up and slid beneath the piece of cake before depositing it on Alaire’s plate. “Are you certain you’ll not have anything?” he asked, looking at me with an arched brow.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” I answered, taking a deep breath as I wondered what might await me at the end of our … date?

No, this is definitely not a date! I mentally scolded myself. This is a simple meeting with Alaire in order to keep you from getting an infraction. Don’t you dare start thinking of it as a date!

“I must admit, Ms. Harper,” Alaire said, interrupting my internal diatribe as he forked a bite of his chocolate cake and brought it to his lips. He began making all sorts of sighs of pleasure and moans, which, I was more than sure, were intended to punish me for refusing dessert. Not that he was successful in his attempts …

“You must admit what?” I asked, frowning because he was intentionally taking way too long in finishing his mouthful.

“I must admit that it surprises me to find,” he started and then took another bite, taking four seconds to swallow it. “That you did not dig very deeply concerning a few of my remarks earlier. I,” he interrupted himself with another bite of cake and another equally long pause before swallowing it. “I thought you would have exhibited more intrigue in our discussion.”

“What are you talking about?” I grumbled, irritated when he speared another bite of chocolate cake on his fork.

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