Page 44 of My Demon Mate

“You’re doing it now. You’re here, keeping me company and being the best mate I could ask for. Can we stay a few days here?”

“As long as you like.”

We stand there, looking out over the horizon as the sun rises. It’ll be a warm day but not scorching.

After the sun gets too bright to look at, we walk back to the villa to shower and wash the sand off us. Then we go out to breakfast, talking and spending time together. Being with Raven puts me at ease.

While we’re here, I want to grieve for my mother but not hold on to that pain. I made sure the man that did that to her can no longer walk the Earth. He will never hurt anyone else. If I was brave enough, I would have gotten rid of him years ago, but I wasn’t. I’ll have to live with that.

After breakfast, we return to the beach and lie on chairs under a large umbrella for a while. Raven slathers me down with sunscreen so I don’t burn, but he smiles as he tells me, “If you do, I can always heal you.”

“You just like touching me,” I mutter as he runs his hands up my thighs. They travel higher, going under the legs of my shorts to palm my ass. I bite back a moan, not wanting to bring attention to what he’s doing to me.

He swiftly kisses my shoulder before he removes his hands. “Yes, I do. I cannot get enough.”

Raven lies on the beach chair beside me, looking at me with love shining so bright in his eyes, a lump forms in my throat. “I love you, Raven.”

His smile is fucking beautiful. It illuminates his entire face and my heart goes pitter patter in my chest. “You said it before. Do you truly mean it?”

I lean up on my elbows. “Of course I do. I might not have ever been in love before, but I know what I feel for you is real. It’s like … it’s like I can’t live without you. You burrowed your way deep into my heart. If I get rid of you there, I won’t survive. It’s so intense, sometimes I think I’ll choke on the feeling if I keep it bottled up.”

“Do not bottle it up,” Raven says, grabbing my hand. “You can always tell me how you feel. I feel the same for you. You are mine. And I love you.”

Smiling as tears spill over my cheeks, I lean over and give him a long kiss.

No one besides my mother has loved me before. It’s a heady feeling to have the love of this demon, this perfect man. I’ll never take it for granted. If ever I’m feeling down on myself or bad memories try to invade my thoughts, I’ll remember I have the love of my demon mate.

“What do you think about taking a trip to Xendail?” Raven asks as he pulls his lip from mine and wipe the tears from my eyes. “I think it would be a nice change of scenery.”

My smile hurts my face as I nod eagerly. “Yes, please. I would love that. What about the day after tomorrow?”

Just as Raven opens his mouth to answer, my phone rings. Sighing, I pull it from the bag between our chairs. I honestly should have left it in the villa. With the events of the day before, I don’t want to be bothered. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around my father killing my mother and my phone is a distraction.

A number I don’t recognize appears on the screen. I raise an eyebrow at Raven, but he only indicates I should answer it.

“Hello?” I greet whoever it is nervously.

“Is this Mr. Carver?”

“It is,” I say, looking at Raven. He motions for me to put in on speaker so he can listen in.

“This is Officer Shade from The Plainsdale PD. Are you in town?”

My wide eyes meet Raven’s. This is about my dad—about Jack. I try to keep my breathing under control, but it’s like I can’t get enough air in my lungs. I don’t regret killing him, but I didn’t think they’d know it was me so fast.

I hear Raven’s voice in my head, immediately calming me. “Just tell him no and ask what this call is about. They know nothing. There is no evidence to tie a crime to you.”

I nod and do what he said. “No. I’m away with my boyfriend. What’s this about?”

“We need you to come back in town if you’re able. We have some questions for you.” His voice is stern, like no amount of persuading will have him divulging information over the phone. Or maybe it’s because I said I was with my boyfriend.

After glancing at Raven, who nods at me, I say, “I can come back tomorrow. Is that okay?”

“That’s just fine, Mr. Carver. We’ll see you then.”

I blow out a long breath after I hang up. “What do you think they want?”

Raven shrugs, coming over to settle himself behind me on my beach chair. He pulls my back to his front, wrapping his arms around me. I sigh, closing my eyes to soak up the calming vibes he’s exuding. “I am sure it is because of Jack. But as I said, they have no evidence. I do not leave any behind since I am not human, and it is natural that yours is there since you lived there. But on the body, none of your DNA will be found. I swear it.”

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