Page 43 of Claiming a Demon

“Do you know what mates are?”

He scoffed. “Duh. I read romance novels. Are you saying we’re mates? How do you know?”

I lifted a shoulder. “A gut feeling, mostly. I’ve never been drawn to someone the way I’m drawn to you.” I frowned, averting my gaze. “I can’t say I’d be a good mate. I have a lot to work on. I should’ve noticed sooner how sick you were. I promise I’ll do better.”

Zach’s hand on my chin urged me to face him again. He crawled back into my lap, resting his forehead against mine. And then he gifted me with that bright, beautiful smile that I loved so much. It eased my worries and settled the fear in my gut that I wouldn’t be good enough for him and he’d walk away.

“I’d love to be your mate, Mal. I feel drawn to you, too.”

Wrapping my arms around him, I hugged him close, burying my face into his shoulder. I never thought I’d be so lucky to have someone so beautiful inside and out, saying they wanted to be with me. I almost worried I was dreaming. If it was a dream, I never wanted to wake up.

Zach only sat still for so long. He pulled back, a giddy look on his face. “So, do we have to do something to make it official? Like a bite during sex?” He waggled his eyebrows at me.

Chuckling, I shook my head. I was almost worried about what kind of books he read to get the idea that we had to bite our mates. Why would I want to cause him any pain? He pouted at me, but I kissed the look away before explaining.

“No. There’s nothing technically that needs to be done to be mates. But… Demons are possessive by nature. Often, to make a claim, a demon will have sex with their mate somewhere that they can be overheard. Sort of like an announcement that their mate is very well taken care of and everyone else needs to stay away. I’m not sure I’m into that, though.”

He made a face. “I don’t think I’ve ever been into the idea of public sex. I’m outgoing, but not that outgoing.”

That was a relief. Callum did it because Felix pissed him off. Felix did it because… well, because he’s Felix. I never saw myself doing the same thing. I could publicly claim Zach without bringing strangers into our sex life.

Zach sighed. “Still, it seems anticlimactic just to say the words.”

I hummed my agreement, but I didn’t say anything. I’d plan something for him. He deserved to be shown off. He was the best mate a demon could ask for. He took care of me, stood by my side, and supported me when things were rough. I couldn’t imagine a mate better than him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

MALAKAI

It took a few days for Zach to feel better. For a little while, he was reliant on the potions to function. But once the worst had passed, he slowly started to look and act more like himself. He smiled a lot and his energy came back. Not even the aches and pains that came and went could keep him down for long. Especially when he walked me through giving him a massage.

“Oh god, I created a monster,” he moaned into the pillow. I had just helped him shower and started rubbing his back when he collapsed face first onto the bed.

“Me?” I queried, shifting lower. He said the aches were in his lower back last night. Probably a combination of illness and being bedridden for a few days. I had to be careful of my claws and only use the pads of my fingers, but Zach’s noises proved he didn’t mind the difference.

“No, me. I’m addicted to this. It’s going to take work not to beg you to do this every time I’m sore.”

I chuckled, pressing against the muscles in his lower back and earning another loud groan. “Ask anytime. But fair warning, if you weren’t sick right now, those noises would make me think of doing something else entirely.”

He shifted, shooting me a lecherous grin over his shoulder. “I wouldn’t say no to the massage with a happy ending.”

I raised my eyebrows at him, fighting off a grin. Under the soothing effects of the potions, he’d asked more than once for a quickie to distract him. I always refused. He didn’t need that kind of attention while he was supposed to be resting. I studied him. He looked a lot better than before. His skin wasn’t pale anymore. He ate his meals without getting sick. He could move around without help. The only reason I helped him in the shower was because I was more clingy since he agreed to be my mate.

My hands moved lower, almost like a question, and when I reached the edge of the towel, I lifted an eyebrow at him. He bit his lip, wriggling to get my hands lower, his eyes hooded and lust filled.

Tugging the towel free, I continued my massage, rubbing along his pert behind. Everything about him was cute, even his ass, and I couldn’t resist nipping at the soft flesh. He squeaked in surprise, but his hips shoved backwards automatically, silently demanding more. Spreading him open, I gave him one long lick, reveling in the noises that spilled from his lips.

“More. More! Oh god!”

“So demanding,” I chuckled, even while I gave in to what he wanted. I licked his hole, opening him up for me, groaning as he ground against my face. So bossy, even beneath me. I loved that about him.

It’d been a while since we last got to do anything like this. It left me hard as a rock and almost desperate. I jerked away from him, shedding my boxers that I'd pulled on after the shower. Zach seemed just as urgent as I was. He scrambled to grab the lube off the bedside table, squeezing a heavy amount onto his fingers and reaching between his legs. I groaned, stroking my erection in tandem to the little thrusts of his fingers.

It didn’t feel like enough time for prep before he was reaching for me, but he didn’t give me any room to argue. He shoved me onto my back, knocking my hand away from my cock and replacing it with his own. He lined my length up to his entrance, a breathless smile flashing across his face. As he sank down, his expression melted into pure bliss, his head thrown back and his eyes squeezed shut. He rocked a little, taking more of me, until he sat completely, a moan escaping him.

“I feel like you were made for me. You’ve got the most perfect dick on the planet,” he breathed, rolling his hips once. I groaned, barely hearing him over the roar of blood in my ears, the tight hot pressure surrounding my cock almost too good. I bucked my hips, urging him on, my words strained.

“We were made for each other. I–” I groaned as Zach lifted his hips and dropped back down, starting a pace slow enough to drive me wild. “Shit, I love you.”

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