Page 27 of How Not to Date an Angel

Julians throat was dry as he answered. “Yeah. Just… feels nice.”

Shut up, already!

“Good tohear,” Rami murmured, and then the cup dipped. Hot water skated over his hair, soaking it to the root.

There was a long pause, and then the clink of the glass again—ah, the angel was drinking their wine as well. Julian should do that, too.

He let his eyes close and just listened to the angel move around behind him. It was intimate. Julian’s skin itched and the hot water wasn’t making it go away.

“Since you didn’t like the scent of the body soap, you might like this better. Itismore of that—what did you say? ‘Floral shit,’” Rami mused.

Julian’s mouth popped open at the curse. It wasn’t even the first time he had heard the angel swear, and yet it still surprised him, like the words didn’t belong there.

He tensed as he heard the snap of the cap and then the inhale of plastic as they gathered the shampoo.

“Hands,” Rami warned, before, certain enough, their hands carded through Julian’s hair.

He shivered at the touch again, but thankfully Rami refrained from remarking about it.

Their hands were slow and their touch was smooth as they worked the shampoo into his locks. Julian hummed without meaning to, but the angel only faltered for a second before continuing.

Interesting.

With a sigh, Julian attempted to sip his wine, and ended up spilling a bit. Rami paused their motions for a moment while Julian managed a less messy sip.

So thoughtful. Dammit.

Then the angel’s hands were back in his hair, fingers scraping along his scalp. Not only did chills break out again at the touch, but a strangled noise slippedfrom Julian’s lips.

The angel didn’t hesitate this time, continuing to scrub circles against his scalp.

Julian sank into the motions, letting the angel support his head as they worked.

“I think we might do two scrubs,” Rami said after a long moment.

Julian was barely conscious. “Hm?”

“You’re filthy.”

He blinked an eye open at that. “Rude.”

“It’s simply a fact,” Rami said, cupping a hand against his forehead again as they poured water over his head. “The suds are pink from the dried blood in your hair.”

Sounded like more head scratches to Julian. “Fine,” he said, in fact, very okay with the situation.

“Oh, don’t sound so torn up about it,” Rami said, sarcasm dripping like the water down Julian’s neck and shoulders.

“I’m a demon; I’ll curse you and shit… hmm,” he hummed, leaning back into Rami’s scrubbing fingers.

The angel laughed, but Julian pretended he didn’t care. Rami worked their fingers over every inch of his scalp, the back of his neck, behind his ears. Julian had never felt anything sonice.How did humans get anything done whenthisexisted?

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Rami murmured, amusement making their tone light.

“So, would you like to tell me why you showed up on my doorstep?” Rami asked softly.

Julian blinked his eyes open. The bathroom lights were softened so he didn’t have to squint. “Not necessarily,” he answered honestly. Was that the angel’s game? Get him all relaxed and then pry?

“Would you anyway?” Rami asked.

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