Water Waltz by Hayley B. James

Water Waltz blurb:

Elemental Attraction book one: In a land where humans are enslaved as sexual toys, angels and demons are in constant conflict with their playthings. The demon Varun works with STAR, an organization devoted to human liberty, and it’s a never-ending battle.

 Two years ago, the angel Triste broke Varun’s heart by choosing to be his butler instead of his beloved, giving Varun no explanation and no hope. However, that doesn’t mean that Triste will simply sit back and watch as Varun takes the human Elden under his protection, and Triste’s secret investigation will unearth terrible secrets, including the kernels of a pernicious plot.

Despite appearances, Triste and Varun are still in love, and Varun may well risk everything to protect Triste and discover why the angel left him heartbroken. But a still worse danger hangs over them as they seek to calm the threat of a catastrophic war.

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Water Waltz Excerpt:

Fremont removed his hat and placed it on his knee. The red hair, freed of the confines of fabric, fell into place. Longer locks around Fremont’s face framed his high cheek bones and gave view to temples without horns.

“Why?” he asked.

“Why have I not returned calls?” Varun sought clarity.

Fremont smiled, shifted in his seat and freeing his tail from beneath him. “I don’t really care when I’m ignored by you. I ignore you as well. I want to know why you’re here and why now.”

“Would you believe I’m lonely?”

“No.” Fremont laughed, placing his arm behind Varun on the seat. “I heard about Barish. I assume that was your doing.”

“Is there anyone who hasn’t heard about Barish?”

“Since the lounge opened this morning, the whispers have all been about Barish. Some say he was murdered, and others say he choked on his favorite wine.” Fremont’s lips curved into a smirk. “But the odd thing is: no one cares. It’s just another death, and I can’t say most cared one way or another about him while alive.”

Varun nodded slowly, watching as Fremont’s tail snaked across his thigh. He’d allow the intrusion “Are humans still in the brothel?”

“Yes. Where there’s a demand, there’s a supply. Sally wished to relieve the two strays she already employed, so she accepted three more. You know she treats them fair.”

“Male?”

“Yes. The desire to seek a female human for sexual gratification doesn’t exist.”

“Which are seen more with the humans?”

“It’s about even.” Fremont scooted closer. “The angels like humans because they’re tough like demons without being demons. The demons like humans because they’re soft like angels without being angels.” He tilted his head before adding, “And devils like everything.”

“Devils are insatiable creatures,” Varun chuckled. “And they have wicked tails.” His hand closed around Fremont’s tail, removing it from his lap. “Mind your manners, Fremont.”

“My tail has an entirely different set of rules to live by.” Fremont winked.

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