Page 27 of The Devil in the Details

“Tears of joy,” he said. “As irresistible as the rest of you.”

Not knowing how to respond, she buried her face in the cat’s damp fur. Was she blushing? Hush. You’d blush, too.

Mal walked her back to her building. Once she reached a puddle of light, she turned to thank him for his help, but he had already vanished back into the mist.

She smiled and said, “We’re gonna be fine.”

Maybe life wasn’t what she had envisioned, but everything would work out. She had her cat, a job, a pushy but well-meaning boss, and a demon who found her irresistible.

What was next? Was this thing with her demon turning into something serious? She had no idea but couldn’t wait to find out.

MALGRAXON

She was meant to be temporary. A means to an end. It wasn’t meant to becomplicated. He loathed complications. He cooked for her, for fuck’s sake.

Amiron Yan now owed him a favor. He could feel that obligation binding them together, and he would keep it in place as long as possible. Having the richest person on Mars bound to him was no small thing, after all, yet Malgraxon was not satisfied.

He wanted more.

Her taste lingered on his lips, and he yearned for another taste.

Definitely a complication.

He had only meant to observe her building. It was a good idea to monitor contacts and she could be useful in the future. But she had been upset, struggling not to cry in the rain, and he could not stand it.

That would be the end of it, he vowed, yet his wandering always returned him to her building. She was vibrant, more vivid and intriguing than anyone he had encountered in a century. No matter where he went on this small planet, she drew him back.

Now he waited in her apartment for her return.

Mal stroked the feline’s head, causing the creature to purr. Paws kneaded his lap, claws pricking through the fabric of his trousers.

“This is vicuna wool, you heathen,” he said, continuing to pet the cat who did not care a jot.

But Mal cared, and that was the problem. Somehow, the human female had wormed her way past his barriers. He cared about her fragile emotions when that lout Walker insulted her. He cared about her approval when she asked him not to drop the same lout off the top of a very tall building. He wanted nothing more than to turn her tears of sorrow into tears of joy. He wanted her to know that she was desirable and worship her. Honestly, it was no bother at all worshiping her luscious form.

Caring. Bah.

He rubbed his chest at the unfamiliar sensation. His kind did not form attachments to their prey, and humans were most definitely prey. Imagine the scandal if he formed a mate bond with a human.

For a moment, he gave himself the luxury of imagining just that. The first thing he’d do is install his mate in proper quarters, one with an adequate security system. Her current dwelling was a hovel, and the security system a joke. It took no effort at all to bypass, and she had not updated her passwords. Any novice could break in.

Proper quarters with a challenging security system. It was decided. Then he’d teach her how to break the most advanced security systems. Zelda seemed the sort to enjoy a spot of breaking and entering, no matter how she claimed she was a law-abiding citizen.

Law-abiding citizens did not make deals with his kind.

Taking a human mate wasn’t strictly forbidden. Other Daimoni would not be pleased at his choice, but would their displeasure be limited to empty words, or would there be consequences? Further complications?

Mal was reluctant to jeopardize his soulstone. For so long, he had hoarded his remaining lives. He was a selfish male.

Something had changed, and he did not approve.

Not long ago, the idea of sharing his days with anyone seemed abhorrent. Cutting his lifespan short for what? Companionship? Sex? He had never experienced any great difficulty obtaining either of those, but if it was with Zelda, who burned as bright as a falling star… Yes, that was different.

It was strange and wonderful and more than a little frightening.

In other words, perfect.

The door chirped, and the ancient lock turned.

“What are you doing here?” Zelda stood in the doorway, key in hand, her luscious mouth rounded with surprise.

By all the stars in the sky, she was a delight. An approving growl rumbled in his throat.

“I have a proposition for you,” he said.

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