Double Down (Take a Gamble) by Stella Price, Audra Price, S.A. Price, Audra Page B

though he had his own issues."
    “I did live through the inquisition and the reign of spandex through the eighties.” He frowned. “And my aunt making me paint the palace odd colors. I think I can handle your quirks love, though if you’re going to talk costumes, always know I’m the big bad guy… no reason to be a henchman.”
    "But henchmen are more fun." she pouted. " There's more of them and I can make them do anything I want."
    “So now I know what to get you for The Sleeping then.” He turned and ran his fingers down her torso. Her muscles constricted and she got gooseflesh as he went.
    "The Sleeping? Sounds kinky. I don’t need my own henchmen," she arched her back pressing against hm. "I'm thinking maybe now and then the big bad guy might not be so bad... if you know what I mean."
    “ Isn’t that what you demons call the deep winter holidays? Djinn call it The Birthing, it coincides with the festival of Yule and the Christians Christmas… I had thought I was being clever knowing what your high holidays are. As for the bad guy…” he said and reached up and pinched her nipple. “I think I can oblige you. Now about today...”
    "I like Christmas, I'm a fan of Santa’s sack." she nuzzled his cheek. "What about today? I assume by that you'll want to leave this room. Or is it technically a cabin?"
    “A state room actually, but that’s beside the point. We are anchored off shore of that beach you so wisely suggested last night… though a good portion of the day is already over.” He motioned to the clock on the mantle of the fireplace. “ It’s past one.”
    "And that’s the beauty of the way we live. Its morning somewhere." she wiggled down further into the covers.
    “But that means your suggestion of naked sunbathing on a deserted beach is all for not. So…” he said and slid outta bed. “ I’m going to have a shower and then take care of some shit. When you’re among the living meet me in the living room ok?”
    "But I'm going to miss you in here, your keeping me warm." she caught his hand , her Shadows pulsing between them. "Five more minutes?"
    Caleb laughed. “Lady demon, gotta make the money love. Breakfast will be available once you get up.” He winked and then was gone through a side door.
    She gave frustrated growl falling back into the bed. Fucking big bad guys having to get their own way all the time.
     
    ***
    Caleb sat back at his desk and put his feet up. He looked over at the clock and realized that his next appointment, one that was supposed to be there personally, was late.
    True, he had run over with dealing with the buyer in Hong Kong, but it wasn’t like his business partners to be late.
    Unless , of course, they couldn’t find the boat. He smirked to himself. Odds are they were trying to figure out how to get to him on the open water. For all the power each of them had, he was damn sure traversing large bodies of water wasn’t one of them. They would have to source a boat, and that would take some time once they figured out The Demeter , his Yacht, wasn’t docked.
    He sat back and closed his eyes, lacing his fingers together across his chest and sighed. Shade was still abed, snoring softly last he check ed on her via the security camera, and wrapped in Shadows. Damn but that was sexy. He turned on the security channel on his TV and watched her again, trying to figure out how he got so lucky. The woman was a surprise, one that he was very enchanted to have with him. Even though the Shadow Scar he was now sporting was a bit disturbing. Being marked by another species really never boded well.
    "I hate," came a rough growl from behind him along with a wet dripping noise. "This boat." growled a very large , very wet hell hound.
    "Hunter had a little  problem stepping aboard." said a smaller, more smug hound.
    "Fuck you." Hunter snarled all but lunging for him before checking himself as he shook most of the water into the room. "It’s not a problem when someone kicks my