Page 54 of My Saintly Demon

X’s voice fills the air and with a soft whoosh, Dave’s wings surround me, hiding me from X.

“You need to wear a bell,” Dave growls.

“You two should have sex behind closed doors and stop showing off if you don’t want people to see you.”

“That’s no fun,” I offer, and Dave gives me a pinch. “Ow! What was that for?”

“I don’t like people to see you naked. I indulge your desires to be outside, but I hope nobody watches.”

Oh. Okay, maybe it is kind of fun then.

“Anyway, Mike is back, and he was asking if you two were around to talk. I told him you were likely getting busy in the garden. So, clean up and join us in the kitchen when you can.”

He whistles as he returns to the house, and Dave keeps me in this cocoon for a few minutes longer.

“We’ll finish this later.” He kisses the top of my head and stands, offering me a hand up. “Are you okay? I was pretty rough.”

“Just how I like it.” I tug on his hand towards the house. “Lets get cleaned up quick. I have lots to tell you.”

* * *

We rushedthrough a shared shower that got a little handsy. I’m not the only one insatiable, it seems. But after speaking with X and now that Mike is back, my excitement bubbles over and for once I’m not thinking about boning the demon-angel dude who literally swept in and saved me.

As Dave bends over to search for his other shoe, grumbling under his breath about needing to buy something other than dress shoes, the domesticity of the scene slams into me. His clothes sit in a pile or are still in shopping bags. Mine are in boxes stacked neatly in the corner except for the ones I’ve folded and left on a chair. The bathroom counter is all my various hair products and shave creams, colognes and toothpaste. Dave has a single blue toothbrush set off to the side.

I’ve never shared a bed or space with anyone long term before. Matthew could never leave his things or spend the night. But Dave seeps into this space with me. Separate, but also together in more ways than I could ever hope for.

A new start, with everything I’ve ever dreamed of, is right here.

“Are you ready?”

Dave grumbles and tosses a shoe aside.

“Yeah. I’m just going with socks. Who needs shoes inside, anyway? We need to go shopping again, though. I need real shoes.”

“Of course. We can go after we chat with Mike.”

He walks over to me and slides his hand down my arm. “This time you don’t leave my sight, though.”

Threading my fingers through his, I tug him to the door. “I won’t.”

When we reach the kitchen, Mike and X are waiting with… lemonade.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Dave pulls out my chair before settling next to me and pouring each of us a glass.

“Did you make this, X? I love lemonade.”

“I did! First time. I hope you like it.”

He watches as I take a sip, and it’s good. When I smile and nod my approval, he beams.

“Are you all getting along well, then?” Mike asks.

“We are. A lot happened since you told me about my mother. Looks like I’m staying here for a while. Or permanently, if I can. You said this was a place for those who don’t know where they belong, right?”

Mike nods with a small smile. “You’re more than welcome to stay here. In fact, I’ll probably need your help in the future. What about you, Charles?”

I glance at X, and he nods with a happy smile.

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