Now he was a nice, harmless old man.
A nice, harmless old man who had a gorgeous woman who didn’t look a day over twenty-five calling him baby? Maybe he was filthy rich and she just didn’t know it.
But as confused as she was by the two of them, it was none of her business.
Val shifted nervously from one foot to the other. “I’ll just get out of your hair and let you get back to . . . whatever it was you were doing.”
“Are you all right?” Barlow asked, his brow wrinkling even further.
She shrugged. “I’ve been better. I’ll talk to you later.” She glanced at Alexa again. “If you aren’t too tired, that is.”
Alexa grinned at her. She was really gorgeous with long, raven-colored hair, a tight black skirt, and four-inch spiked heels that showed off mile-long legs. Creamy flawless skin, full red lips. The woman positively glowed.
And I clean toilets, Val thought.
“I’ll call first,” she said.
“Valerie—” Barlow began as she turned away. “Uh . . . very well. We’ll speak later.”
“Valerie?” Alexa repeated. “As in, Valerie Grace?”
Val glanced at her. “That’s right.”
She smiled. “Very interesting.”
“Alexa . . .” Barlow’s voice held an edge of warning. “Leave her alone.”
Her smile widened. “Valerie, dear, would you care for a piece of cake?”
Val’s stomach growled. The cake did look pretty tasty.
“Well,” she glanced at Barlow. “So . . . uh, you didn’t tell me. What’s the occasion? Whose anniversary is it, anyhow?”
“Ours.” Alexa moved toward the cake and started cutting it up with a big knife.
“‘Ours,’ as in who?”
“Me and Barty. It’s our fiftieth anniversary.” Alexa slipped the first piece of chocolate cake onto a paper plate and brought it to Val.
She frowned with confusion. “Fifty what?”
“Alexa,” Barlow growled. “I’m warning you.”
She laughed. “Fifty years of being together.”
“Fifty years?” Val shook her head. “How is that possible?”
“Valerie, dear.” Alexa smiled and shook her pretty head. Val looked into her eyes and saw the flames dance behind them. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’m Barty’s assigned Tempter.
He’s a fallen angel just like you.”
“Huh?” Val squeaked. “He’s a what?”
“A fallen angel,” Alexa repeated. “You look surprised.”
Val stared at Barlow with wide eyes. He was a fallen angel just like her? When did that happen? Did she miss the memo? No, it was impossible. She would have known something like that, wouldn’t she? Sense it somehow?
A fallen angel just as she was.
And Alexa was a demon just like Nathaniel?
No way.
Barlow didn’t say anything to either deny or agree with what Alexa said. He went back to his armchair and sat down heavily.
Val’s mouth felt dry and her heart pounded hard and fast.
Alexa looked at her appraisingly. “So I see that Nathaniel hasn’t succeeded yet?”
“What?”
“Nathaniel. He must have made contact with you by now. Didn’t he manage to sweep you off your feet?”
Val turned her stunned gaze to the beautiful demon. “Not even close.”
“Is it perhaps that he’s simply not your type?” Alexa walked a slow circle around Val, looking her up and down, then smiled. “I find that hard to believe. He’s quite something, don’t you think? Tall, dark, and handsome. A voice that melts against your skin like chocolate. Full lips meant to be kissed. A body meant to be worshipped. But if he’s not your type . . .” She trailed off expectantly and raised an eyebrow.
Val swallowed. There was no way she was going to admit that everything Alexa had just said was true. She’d only been human for two months, but if she had to admit to having a “type,” then Nathaniel was it. But, nope. She wasn’t going to admit that. “He’s not, okay?”
Her smile held. “Then perhaps I should pay you a visit some time, instead. It would be my pleasure.”
“Alexa,” Barlow said. “That’s enough.”
She moved her flame-filled gaze from Val’s to look at the old man. “I was simply trying to be helpful.”
“I find that difficult to believe. Just go away.”
She pouted, and her hurt expression didn’t look completely put on. “But it’s our anniversary.”
He stood up quickly to stare at her, but started coughing so violently that he had to cling to the side of his chair. Alexa rushed to his side.
“Baby, are you all right?” She murmurred, stroking his hair, his arm, his back. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
Val frowned at her and felt a flood of concern for Barlow. That was not a healthy cough.
He finally got it under control, straightened up and shrugged her hands off him. “I’m fine.”