Truth or Demon

She raised an impressed eyebrow. “That’s pretty exotic.”

He shrugged. “Not really.”

“It is to me,” she said with a laugh, touching his arm.

He looked down at her hand, then decided to just ignore her advance. “I’m going to have another drink. Can I get you anything? Another dirty martini?”

She considered, then said, “Actually, what I’d really like now is a screaming orgasm.”

Killian stared at her for a moment, stunned she’d said that. Of course, what mortal women did in bars really shouldn’t shock him anymore.

“So you and Poppy,” she said, clearly having no intention of continuing on to the restroom. “It’s hard for me to imagine.”

Killian frowned at the woman, disliking her more by the minute. “Why’s that?”

“Poppy was always such a little mouse. Timid. Quiet. And you seem like the type to want a bolder, more self-assured woman.”

He pretended to consider her words, then simply said, “Nope.”

Gina looked shocked by his casual rejection. She glanced around as if she intended to flounce away, but instead she leaned against the wall, making herself at home.

“Really?” she said, doubt in her catlike eyes.

“Really. I quite like my Poppy. Although she’s far from a timid mouse. She’s caring, sweet and funny. Very talented. And believe me, she’s bold and self-assured where it counts.”

“I’m self-assured where it counts too.” She laid a hand on his chest, fiddling with one of the buttons of his shirt. Then she stopped, her attention moving to a place just beyond his shoulder.

When he followed Gina’s gaze, he saw Poppy standing in the doorway of the ladies room. Her pale face was a sickly white, her eyes wide.

“Poppy,” Gina said as if pleased to see her. “Killian and I were just chatting.”

Poppy nodded, but didn’t say a word. She started toward them, her eyes looking anywhere but at Killian and Gina.

Killian fell into step beside her.

“That was nothing,” he assured her, and Poppy instantly nodded, flashing him a quick glance that didn’t hide her hurt or doubts.

“Oh, I know.” Her voice was airy, but he knew she didn’t feel as unconcerned as she sounded.

Poppy’s stomach clenched. It was like history repeating itself. Adam had said that very same thing about Gina all those years ago. That was nothing.

Poppy had found them flirting outside one of the bars where he’d played regularly. The two of them were standing close together. Gina touching his arm. His shoulder.

That was nothing.

Adam left her not a week later for Gina.

And now Gina wanted the man Poppy had now. But she didn’t even really have this man. Dread filled her.

“I forgot something in the restroom,” she told Killian, spinning on her heel, not waiting for his response. “I’ll meet you back at the table.”

“He’s not yours,” Poppy said to her reflection in the ladies’ room mirror as if saying it aloud would make her heart feel different. It didn’t work.

But they were only having a fling. He’d told her he was interested in settling down … but obviously not with her. She was only affair worthy. Whereas Gina could be just the type Killian wanted to really date.

God, she felt sick.

But she had to pull herself together. She had to remain cool. She’d known this was one risk of agreeing to this relationship.

And she couldn’t hide in here all night. She had to go back out there and act as if the interchange she’d seen between Killian and Gina didn’t matter. Didn’t shake her confidence. She wouldn’t give Gina that satisfaction again.

She braced herself, fixing her hair, applying more lip gloss. Then she opened the restroom door. She half- expected to see Killian waiting for her. Instead, Adam stood there.

Disappointment washed over her.

“Hello, Adam.”

Adam smiled, and she noticed his front teeth overlapped slightly. Had they always been like that?

“Poppy, it’s so great to see you. You look fantastic.”

She forced a smile. “Thanks, Adam.”

“You know, I’ve thought about you so much over the years,” Adam said, shifting closer to her.

“Have you?” She didn’t believe him.

“Yes. I often regretted how I handled things. I sort of panicked when your parents died. The idea of having a kid around, of essentially becoming a parent …”

Poppy didn’t say anything.

“I wanted to contact you. To see you again.”

“But you didn’t,” Poppy said.

“No, I was a chicken. I’m sorry.”

Poppy stared at this man in front of her. Adam. But not the Adam of her memories. She didn’t even know this guy.

“Poppy, seeing you tonight, I know I can’t lose you again.”

She gaped at him. Was he serious? Did he really think she’d take him back? After what he’d done? Leaving her when she’d needed him most?

“I’m sorry, but you lost me years ago.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way. I could make everything up to you. Poppy, you are so lovely. Seeing you, I just know I made a terrible mistake.”

Poppy almost wanted to laugh. She’d fantasized about this very thing. Adam standing in front of her, willing to leave Gina the way he’d left her. Begging her to take him back. Acknowledging he’d made bad choices.

“Poppy, I think I’ve always known you were my soul mate.”

Soul mate. The phrase hit Killian like a sucker punch to the gut. Adam was Poppy’s soul mate. Maybe his whole time here had been leading up to this moment.

Poppy would be reunited with the love of her life, and he’d go back to Hell. He waited for that idea to please him, but instead he still felt like he couldn’t breathe.

He watched as the two shadows merged. Coming together in a kiss. He watched, a sickening dread rising in his chest. He’d leave now. He knew it, without ever getting to tell Poppy what she meant to him.

Suddenly the smaller of the shadows jerked and the other shadow moved back.

“Adam! What are you doing?”

“I had to kiss you. I’ve been thinking about it from the moment I saw you.”

Poppy made a noise, a muffled whimper.

“Adam.”

“Poppy.”

Killian frowned, instantly sensing something was different. The sound of Adam’s voice. The energy in the air. Something wasn’t right.

Killian moved to peer around the corner. Adam held Poppy in his arms. Poppy didn’t struggle, but nor did she look pleased.

“Just tell me the truth,” Adam said in that voice that wasn’t quite right. “Do you love Killian O’Brien?”

There was no hesitation.

“Yes.” The one word, so certain, so true. “Yes. I love him.”

CHAPTER 35