Page 23 of Spookily Yours

I’d never been insecure about my appearance. From a young age, even in the demon realm, they had praised me for my looks. My dark hair and pale skin. But to have Willow’s eyes on me, tracing over every inch of my six-foot-six frame, was something completely different.

When I’d shifted back into my form, I’d had half a thought to conjure clothes before scooping her up. I was still wearing that same tight black t-shirt and pants. In all the heyday with making sure she was okay, I hadn’t changed this morning. But watching the way her eyes trailed appreciatively down my body, I was almost glad I didn’t.

No one had ever looked at me likethatbefore.It was a curious stare, like she couldn’t believe who stood in her kitchen.

Closing the refrigerator doors so the food wouldn’t spoil, I moved to stand in front of her.

“You did it,” I confirmed, willing myself not to touch her. To take a step back. I couldn’t think straight with her this close to me. Not with her scent invading all of my senses.

How had I not noticed before just how lovely she was? Even with her hair tousled from sleep and in hardly more than pajamas, she was beautiful. I towered over her, and it struck me how much smaller she was than me when I was in this form.Littlewas fitting. In every sense of the word. I had to be at least a foot taller than her.

Maybe it was because it had been so long, but for the first time in my life, I felt like having access to my full powers had completely overwhelmed my senses. Or maybe they were just flooded withher. Especially when she was so close to me and looking at me likethat.

She hummed in response. “I guess I did.” Her eyes focused on my face. “How do you feel?”

Even now, Willow was more concerned about me than herself. I didn’t know how to feel about that.

“Normal.” My powers thrummed through my body again, my access no longer limited. I let a sliver of darkness weave through my fingers before turning my attention back to her. “What about you?”

Her cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. “I’m okay. Really. I didn’t know using that much magic would overwhelm me. But I feel fine this morning. Thank you.” She bobbed her head. Shook it. “You didn’t have to stay, you know?”

“What do you mean?” I murmured, my hand moving to cup her jaw.How could I not?

“Damien…” Her voice was quiet, but—sweet.

I removed my hand from her face. Fuck. I couldn’t keep touching her like this.

Distance. I needed distance from her. Clearing my throat, I changed the subject. “What do you want to do today, little witch?”

She looked surprised. “Today…?”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Well, after feeding you, I was thinking maybe you could show me around town.”

“But… I thought… Don’t you have to leave?” She trailed off. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes that I didn’t think that I’d imagined. Like maybe she didn’t want me to leave, either.

So I’d stay. Of course I’d stay. How could I leave her?

“Not right away.”

My body thrummed with the decision. With therightness.

Maybe I was supposed to be here. There was obviously a reason I’d ended up here, in this town. I’d been tracking signatures of magic, looking forher.So maybe it was okay that I stayed.

She perked up. “Really?”

“I was thinking about staying for a month or so.” Clearing my throat, I finally moved away from her. “There’s still some… unfinished business I have here, actually.”

Something that started with aW.

Now that I was back in my form, I needed to focus on my mission. Not on the witch in front of me. But fuck if she wasn’t alluring. I didn’t want to part from her.

Willow raised an eyebrow. “Really? Here in Pleasant Grove?”

I nodded. “Yes. So, I’ll just stay with you. Lay low while I fi—.”

“What? No.” Willow interrupted, suddenly flabbergasted. “You can’t stayhere.”

But she hadn’t wanted me to go before, had she? Yet, she looked flustered; her face an even brighter shade of pink than before.

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