Page 62 of Hell Gate

He waggles his brows. “Before I became of age, I kept sneaking through the gates. The demon academy had a hell of a time controlling me. It was decided that I’d be assigned as a gate guard. They thought it was a lesson in restraint, but I lived my best life every time I got to go topside.”

I shake my head, smiling easier than I have all night. “You showed them.”

“You know it, babe.” He cups my face. “I think I was so drawn to this realm because I’ve been searching for you.”

Our bond hums, twining around my heart in contentment.

“Okay, so if not a movie, what would you do, then? Pretend we’re not on the run. Hit me with your ideal day.” The corner of his mouth lifts. “I promise to make it happen because you deserve the world, my pretty girl.”

A warm glow fills my chest when he talks like that, like he cherishes me. I guess a fated mate is wired to love the one they’re bonded to, but I still have trouble believing he feels that way for me.

I blush, licking my lips. “I doubt Vale and Alder would let us do that.”

Matthias brushes my cheek with his knuckles. “Pretend the underworld isn’t in chaos and our lives aren’t at stake. What would make you happy?”

“I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that,” I admit. “People in my life were always more focused on how messed up they believed I was.”

His smile falters and he draws me down for a kiss. “You never have to face that again. I’m asking you now, so tell me.”

I roll my lips between my teeth as I open up a part of my mind I’ve kept closed off and neglected. What I want… Scenes from my isekai manga pop into my head.

“I’ve always dreamed of seeing the world. The foster system bounced me around, but I’ve never been to the beach. If I could do anything, I’d want to do that.”

“And swim in the ocean?” he asks cautiously. “I’m surprised after your reaction at the lake.”

“Oh. Well, I know the ocean is saltwater. I think I would be okay. It’s just freshwater that makes me think of—”

I blow out a breath. I can tell him. It’s scary, but I have him and the others to protect me now. I’m not alone anymore.

“Of the well water. The taste, the smell. It makes me relive what I’m afraid of.”

“We’ll rewrite all the bad memories with good ones. I promise.”

Relief spills through me at his lack of judgment. “You’d really take me to the beach?”

“I’d take you anywhere you want to go.” His serious expression clears and he winks to lighten the mood. “Plus, I love sex on the beach.”

I pinch him. “Matthias!”

He smirks. “I could put on the costume we found downstairs and we could indulge in a sexy role play game to cure ourselves of going stir crazy.”

“I’m not a monster fucker, you dick.”

“Just demons, then?” His dimpled grin is unapologetic. “You do bring out the beast in me, mate. I can be more monstrous for you. Anything you need, baby.”

When I sock him in the side, he snickers, forked tongue poking out from the side of his mouth. I kiss him to cut off his laugh, chasing that mischievous tongue. He threads his fingers in my hair and rolls us over, pinning me to the couch while he claims my mouth. The kiss turns hot fast, fueled by our anxiousness and uncertainty. We both need to feel right now.

Matthias slides a hand under my shirt and we break apart so he can whip it off. My bra follows and I arch with a moan as his mouth captures my nipple while he palms my other breast. He trails his way down my body, worshiping every curve, every dip and fold with sultry kisses, murmuring how beautiful and soft I am.

I gasp as he drags my shorts and panties off. “I need—”

“I know, pretty girl.” He gets on his knees and tugs me to the edge, settling between my spread thighs. Blond hair falling across his forehead, he peers up the length of my body, snaring me in his sultry golden gaze. “I can smell how badly you want my cock, and I’m going to give it to you, baby. But I’m fucking starving for you. I need to feast on you first.”

“Oh god.” The first swipe of his tongue is heaven.

Like the kiss, the glide of his mouth on my pussy heats up quickly. He doesn’t draw it out to tease me with sweet torture, but insists I come on his tongue. He devours my pussy. When his tongue pushes inside me, I whimper, grabbing hold of his hair. He groans against my slick folds as my hips undulate.

Then I shatter for him, the tidal wave of pleasure rolling through me for long moments. He releases a gravely noise as he positions his thick cock at my entrance and thrusts inside, filling me with his dizzying length. I gasp, nails scrabbling on his back. The ridges on his cock rub the sensitive spot still throbbing from my first orgasm, another one racing up to steal my breath as he sets a hard, wild pace.

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