Page 35 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

"Little troublemakers." His deep voice rumbles with affection. Luna bounces impatiently, arms raised for her turn.

I grab another towel, doing everything I can to stop the thoughts from bubbling up in my mind again. I haven't stopped thinking about our kiss, about how much I want to give into him and how stupid I'll feel if I do and it goes wrong. I feel trapped in a different way than I ever have been.

"Up!" Luna demands. Karn scoops her up one-handed, Nova tucked in his other arm.

I follow him down the hall. "Here." I hand him Luna's nightdress, and when our eyes meet, I forget why I'm holding back. But then he looks away, and I try to shake off the feelings that come with being beneath his gaze.

I've been avoiding him since our kiss, drowning in my own confusion and thoughts even as the memories plague. But the twins notice everything - especially the way my eyes follow him when he's near.

"Storytime?" Nova asks through a yawn as Karn helps her into her nightgown.

"Of course." Karn's voice softens. He carries them toward their room while I clean up the water, trying to steady my racing heart.

Just his presence has triggered the thoughts again. Kissing him…was everything. And the more I've thought about it, the more I've wanted to do it again.

I'm tired of overthinking it when I'm craving him like he is damn air.

In their bedroom, I watch him tuck them in with gentle hands that can bend metal to his will. His copper hair falls loose around his face, and I remember how it felt sliding through my fingers that night.

Luna grabs her favorite book. "The princess story!"

My cheeks burn again. Karn glances at me, a question in those violet eyes. I look away first, but I can still feel the weight of his gaze. I wonder how much he heard earlier.

I settle beside the girls, letting Karn take care of the story tonight. He does great voices as he practically recites the book, and I let myself stare at him.

Emotion washes over me with the way his eyes brighten with magic, how he gives his all to the story. He loves his nieces so much, he's been so kind to me. He's smart and strong…and hotter than the forge downstairs. He makes me feel safe and like I can smile and laugh and he won't let anyone get in the way.

I don't know what tomorrow holds. I don't know if I'll be here forever - but I want to be. And I'm damn tired of holding back from the only one who has ever treated me like a real person.

I miss the end of the story, but soon, Karn is closing the book, kissing the girls goodnight. I climb out of the bed as he tucks them in, following him out.

My body thrums with this need to give in, to feel him, to taste him. My mind screams not to trust him, but I've learned that Karn is not like other demons. Last night alone proves it. I can trust him, and I don't want my past to define us any longer.

He shuts the door and turns to me, his eyes lifting from the floor. "Mira-"

He doesn't get the words out as my resolution snaps into place. I surge forward, pressing my lips to his. My fingers tangle in his copper hair as I pull him closer, desperate to taste him again. His strong hands span my lower back, burning through the thin fabric of my dress.

"Mira-" He breaks away, but I chase his mouth.

"No more running." I kiss him harder, deeper. "I'm done being afraid."

His grip tightens, and a low growl rumbles in his chest. The sound shoots straight through me, igniting every nerve ending. He tastes like smoke and metal, and something uniquely Karn that makes my head spin.

My back hits the wall opposite the twins' door. His massive frame cages me in, but for the first time in my life, being trapped doesn't terrify me. This is Karn. The demon who gave me sanctuary when I had nothing. Who trusted me with his precious nieces. Who looks at me like I'm a real fucking person when no one else has.

I arch into him, my hands sliding down to grip his shoulders. The solid muscle beneath my fingers reminds me of all those times I've watched him, dreaming of touching him like this.

"You've given me everything," I whisper against his mouth. "A home. A family. A life worth living." My voice breaks. "I never should have let my past keep us apart."

Because now… Now I want to give him everything.

His violet eyes blaze with an intensity that steals my breath. The same intensity I've caught glimpses of when he thinks I'm not looking. His calloused thumb traces my cheek with impossible gentleness.

"You didn't." His voice is rough, desperate. "I've just been waiting until you were ready. Since the moment you walked into my shop."

I pull him down for another kiss, pouring everything I feel into it. All the gratitude, the trust, the want that's been building for months. His arms tighten around me like he never plans to let go.

And for the first time in my life, I pray he never does.

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