Page 26 of Beauty's Monstrous Demons

LORELEI

I’m so warm, and the bed is vibrating. Wait, what? It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s almost an inhale and then a growl.

My lashes twitch along my cheeks as I struggle between the decision to let it ride or wake up. Deciding the warmth is safe and nice, I let myself be lulled back to sleep for a while.

The next time I pull myself from sleep, I’m alone in a bed I don’t recognize, the smell of bacon in the air. Someone who kidnapped me wouldn’t be making something that smells so delicious, right?

Yawning, I blink slowly as I inhale deeply. The scents of peaches and fresh rain on the sheets help me remember where I am, and I relax slowly.

“Did you forget where you were?” Samael asks, now two feet in front of my face.

My lips round into an ‘oh’ that’s a cross between panic and surprise, before I nod vigorously.

“Shit, and I managed to scare you,” he says, making a face as he tosses something onto the bed and slides in with me. “I went to your dorm room to get you clothes. This way you don’t have to go back to change.”

“Not having to do the walk of shame is appreciated,” I sass, enjoying when he hauls me across his body to lay on him.

He’s wearing a pair of sweatpants and a light blue shirt that makes me want to stay in bed with him all day.

“No shame here, Baby Girl. Say the word, and I’ll make you mine forever,” he whispers along my skin. Shivering, I find myself wanting that, despite the fact that it’s too soon.

My life has been lived from moment to moment of survival for a long damn time, trying to appease some invisible need tofind my scent matches. This is it, right? I’ve found them, I should be safe from the ominous shroud of danger I’ve been living with.

Something deep inside of me clenches, making me wince. Ugh, if my instincts could explain themselves to me, that would be really nice.

Samael plays with my now dry curls, and I sigh.

“I look like a poodle, don’t I?” I ask. “I don’t usually fall asleep with wet hair.”

“It’s poofy, but I also found some of your hair products too. Hopefully one of them does the trick to tame it a little. Not too much, I love it wild,” he says.

I’m wearing someone’s shirt, and I think it’s probably Phenex’s. I have this irrational urge to steal it so I can sleep in it tonight.

“Your thoughts are loud, baby,” he murmurs. “What are you thinking about?”

“This shirt,” I say honestly. “I want to take it with me to sleep in.”

“If you take his, I want you to take this one too,” he says immediately. “It’s only fair.”

“Just like that?” I ask, gazing up at him. His skin is beautiful, his eyes appearing as if they’re staring into my soul. For all I know, he is.

“Of course,” he says. “Whatever you want that we can give you is yours. Even if you don’t want to accept it.”

“They’re my favorite pair of boots,” I remind him. They’re also my only pair. I won't tell him that, though.

“Mmhmm,” he says. “I’ll find a way, Lorelei. Now, let’s get up, lazy bones. Otherwise, you’ll be late.”

Carefully rolling off him, I find the alarm clock on the nightstand. It’s eight in the morning.

“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever slept in this long,” I admit, standing.

“You don’t need to be up before the sun,” he grumbles.

Standing, I don’t answer as he gets up and lifts me up and over his shoulder. Releasing a frightened half scream, I hold tightly onto his shirt, scared to wiggle at all.

“Samael!” I hiss. “I can walk!”

“This is so much better, though. Your fear tasted so fucking good too,” he purrs. “The perfect morning snack to top me off.”

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