Page 11 of In My Closet

He seriously made me feel like a villain with how dejected he looked over the next hour as I attempted to work again. It was bad enough that I almost caved and apologized to him. Too bad I was too stubborn and petty.

Begrudgingly, I gave out a displeased mutter before spinning my chair around a few times to try and release my stubborn knot before snapping my head over to Valphan. Cute idiot sat there staring at me with stars in his eyes, being so freaking patient like some saint. "My shoulders feel a little tight… Can you get the knots out?" I relented after a moment of struggling to get my words out. "Just quit looking like I killed your puppy," I muttered.

"Well, if that's all it takes, then I will forever look like this to get your sympathy." I wanted to wipe the wide grin off his face and take my words back, but it was too late now.

Well, I couldn't complain about the result. "Oh God, yes." Sighs and moans of pure pleasure heated my room up as I slumped back into my chair.

Valphan's face twisted in annoyance as he begged, "Don't say his name like that." Running a hand down his face, he let out a low, scoffing groaning. "Actually, don't ever say his name in any kind of way that has to do with pleasure. Seriously, what is up with you humans and moaning his name in vain like that during the worst moments?"

"What? You prefer I say yours?" I teased with a smug chuckle.

"It would be the best thing to ever grace my ears besides your voice, that would put lust demons to shame." Damn sweet talker. Something like that shouldn't sound as alluring as it did, but I couldn't help the heat from flooding my cheeks while my chest swelled with pride. "Your voice really is something else, my little blessing. Even the best choruses of angels would be nothing in your shadow. I would pick you over the sounds of the tormented souls any day, too."

"Uhh, thanks…?" Was that last part supposed to be a compliment? I mean, I know my voice wasn't the best or worst around, but being compared to tortured souls did not feel much like a good thing.

Probably sensing my confusion and discomfort, Valphan chuckled amusingly at me. "It is a good thing when it comes from a demon who can get off on the screams of suffering souls in the fields of punishment."

As if that made it all any better!

Rolling my eyes, I let out a drawn-out sigh as I let my head lull over his direction, connecting my lazy gaze with him. "Can't you make some kind of sweeter comparison? You were doing so well until the tortured souls part." I remarked with a breathy sneer.

"Aww, does my little pink princess like compliments and praises?" Valphan's voice softened and rose in pitch with his teasing words as he leaned his grinning face a little out of the closet.

"Oh, just hush and go back to rubbing my shoulders, Val."

"Whatever my little blessing wants."

Chapter 8

Valphan

~2 weeks later~

"Val! Open the doors up this instant!"

She could pound on the doors all she wanted, but I won't budge.

"Val! I know you're in there, and you can hear me! So, open up!" Funny, she actually sounded a little mad with how strained her voice came out, along with the grunts and groans. "Val! You're going to make me late!"

Satisfied with my little sabotage, I crossed my arms behind my head as I continued to lounge in my makeshift bed. "Good." I raised my voice slightly to ensure it carried through the shut doors that jiggled violently from her struggles.

A frustrated outcry followed by a stomp vibrated the floor, causing me to laugh a little as I held the closet doors shut using my shadows. "You little asshole! I take back what I said about you yesterday. You're a jerk!" A loud thud jolted the wooden doors following her words. "Goldie is so much cuter and better than you! And he's a better cuddler! And at least he can give me kisses!"

Oh, that does it!

My irritation slammed against my ribcage so hard, along with the gust of the closet doors being thrown open, that I nearly winded myself. "You're going to regret that," I growled as shadow hands shot out and wrapped themselves around her limbs, yanking her right into my arms.

Unbridled lust stormed my body like invaders to a castle the moment I wrapped my arms around her pear-shaped body and pressed her softness right up against me. With an arm tightly around her waist and lower back, I move the other against her back, pressing the full length of it against her slender spine as I grab the back of her head. "I will kiss every inch of your body until nothing is left untouched after I claim this smartass mouth of yours," I growled against her lips before kissing her roughly, bullying my tongue into her mouth while holding her protestant head as still as possible.

Fuck, she tasted so divine and unholy. Like the earthy soils of home after fresh snow has dusted it, and like the fresh snow itself. The kind of snow from home that was made of suffering and tears. She also tasted forbidden, like the fruit Eden bit into after giving into temptation.

Sweet mother Lilith.

I was addicted.

Mind-numbing bliss shattered with my muffled grunt of pain. Instinctively, I reeled back at the sudden sting around my tongue akin to a guillotine. "Mother—" Hissing in pain, I let go of her head to hold my bleeding mouth.

Boiling anger from having my tongue attacked by her teeth simmered out to thrilling arousal as my lips pulled into a dark, bloody grin. Amused, I watched her pull her hand back and swing it at me, only to be stopped by a shadow tendril before her open palm could sting my cheek.

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