Page 45 of Hell Gate

I play with the bottom hem of my top. This date isn’t grand or fancy, but it’s perfect. Once we’re stockpiled and Matthias pays, we get back in the car.

“This was fun.” I rub my fingers together before reaching for his hand. He twines our fingers together and kisses my knuckles, drawing a soft smile from me. “I don’t think the others would care, but this is more than anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.”

He watches me from the corner of his eye. “They would care. And we’re not done yet. The best part about getting pie is enjoying it.”

“We’re driving in the opposite direction from the motel.”

“It’s just up ahead. Found it while I was scouting past our perimeter last night.”

I shake my head. “Do any of you actually sleep?”

“We can go a long time without it.” He shoots me a wink. “We have excellent stamina.”

Heat bolts through me at his sexy tone and I lick my lips. Matthias grins without looking at me. He lifts his chin and inhales, eyes hooding.

“Fuck, you smell good. When you’re wet, my mouth fucking waters and I can’t wait for my next taste. Just hold on a little longer, petal.”

“W-what?” I cover my mouth, hissing through my fingers. “You can smell when I’m—turned on?”

His grin stretches. “That’s right, mate. Your scent is better than the sweetest sin.”

“Oh my god.” I press my legs together while the bond practically purrs in my chest from the praise of my fated mate.

The car pulls into a parking lot with a sign for hiking trails. He hops out of the car and produces a sheet from the trunk.

“Is that from the motel?”

He waggles his brows. “Yeah, I swiped it. We’re having a picnic.”

I bite my lip around a warm smile. “I’ve never had a picnic.”

We grab the donuts and pie, strolling along the wide sandy trail. Matthias teases me by bumping against me and pretending he didn’t do it. He switches sides, blowing on the back of my neck, avoiding my eye with a playful smirk. I get him back by flicking sand at him with my boot. He retaliates by smacking my ass with a deep laugh.

“I’ll get you back for that,” I promise.

“Don’t drop our pie,” he taunts.

My attention falls to his tattooed arms. He has a geometric wolf and a badass lunar moth on his biceps. The one that makes me most curious is the random dolphin.

“How does a demon have tattoos? The ones you got here, I mean.”

He smirks. “Who says I got them in the mortal realm?”

“Come on, I can’t picture a demon tattoo artist inking butterflies and swallows on people. Plus, Valerian’s aren’t like yours. His move.”

“You’re right. He got his in the underworld.” He shrugs. “I like these.”

“I like them, too.” The charming crooked smile he gives me makes my chest expand with a soft glow. “What about the random ones?”

“They’re my expression of self. None are random.”

“The bright ass dolphin?”

He laughs, cheeks coloring as he scratches his nose. “Ah, it was the nineties. It was the thing to get.”

The trail opens up and my good mood evaporates. I freeze in terror at the edge of the trees. The lake would be beautiful and peaceful to anyone else. To me, it makes my stomach cramp and my limbs turn to statues. The pie box crinkles between my death grip.

“Lily?” Matthias turns serious, scanning the area for a threat. “What’s wrong?”

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