Page 120 of Married to the Devil

The sex had been mind-blowing for me, and I loved the sensation of Ben filling me entirely too much, but for Ben…he seems changed.

Some resistance that he had been holding on to had utterly dissolved. Whatever wall had existed, Stoneheart had broken it down with methodical cruelness and is building something new in its place with care.

I’ve never seen Ben so at ease.

“She isn’t fertile,” Stoneheart says with a shrug, and there’s an air of relief to him that Ben is speaking again. The gargoyle had been covertly scenting him as if checking for distress.

Ben hasn’t put the scent blocking charm back on yet. I didn’t know it was offending Stoneheart so much, but every time I breathe in Ben’s sweet scent, I can’t be sorry that the gargoyle removed it.

“Ben gave me a potion to make me fertile again. That was the real plan for tonight,” I say, my cheeks heat from more than just the hot water.

Stoneheart’s brows lift.

“I haven’t taken it yet,” I clarify. “We were waiting for you. Apparently, I might become ravenous.” I snap my chopsticks at him.

His lips twitch. “Which is so different from your usual state, greedily begging for our cocks and pouting when you don’t get your way.”

“Hey!” I complain playfully and flick water at him, but it doesn’t reach far because I’m being careful to keep the takeout container I’m eating out of balanced. I’m sure we’re not supposed to eat in the soaking pool, but it would have taken a stronger willed person than me to ignore Stoneheart’s demands.

Stoneheart becomes serious even while he’s curling Ben’s hair around a finger. “That’s a valuable potion. Who is the potion master?”

“It’s made ethically, and I’m not revealing my source to you.” Ben rolls his eyes but pauses. “They are discreet, but there’s been talk?—”

Stoneheart makes a sound. “Yes, the rumors. I’ve heard them. I’m not concerned.”

Ben frowns.

“What rumors?” I ask.

“That I’m too close to you,” Ben says. Each word of this conversation adds a little bit more tension back to his posture.

I blink, thinking back to our interactions today. The sadness lining his eyes before desire took over. “Are you planning on leaving us?”

Ben hesitates, and my heart falls.

Stoneheart scowls. “That’s unacceptable. The rumors are merely mosquitos buzzing. The territory would accept you with us given time.” He grips Ben’s hair, and the demon sighs at the tension. “If you must keep your secrets, don the bracelet again. The water here removes scents.”

Huh, well that’s helpful since Ben came inside me without the charm on.

Ben doesn’t say anything until Stoneheart releases his hair.

“I planned for this to be the last time.”

“So you’ll leave us after tonight over whispers?” Stoneheart sneers.

“It would be the best thing for the two of you, but…” He looks lost as he trails off, his hand rubbing his chest. “I don’t know if I can.”

My shoulders drop in relief.

“Don’t make decisions for us,” Stoneheart says, but the anger coiling in him eases. “Neither of us mind taking the more challenging path.”

“You’ll consider staying then?” I ask, not specifying for how long. The idea of him leaving hollows out my chest. With everything happening how it is, I can only focus on one thing at a time.

Ben frowns, but his eyes are conflicted.

I place the empty food container on the side of the pool and glide my way through the water to the two of them. I sit on his lap and wrap my arms around his neck, water drips everywhere but the contact has him relaxing.

“Please,” I say, brushing my lips over his in a soft kiss.

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