Page 36 of Dead End

“Did they hurt you?” he asked.

“The Corporation doesn’t share Lucifer’s sadistic streak.” I gazed at his face, committing every line and curve to memory. “I didn’t leave on the best terms, though.”

He grunted. “I can imagine. I wish I’d been there to see it.”

“I wish you’d been there, too.” I watched his eyelids flutter closed as sleep pulled him under. “Sweet dreams,” I whispered.

That night I dreamed of a small girl with raven hair and whisky-colored eyes. Her tiny fingers gripped my hand as she walked me to the edge of Bone Lake. I expected her to show me a monster lurking within its depths or some other creatures from which she required protection. Instead she giggled as a water sprite danced across the surface of the water. My muscles relaxed, no longer on guard, and I let myself savor the moment. Despite the sprite’s otherworldly appearance, this girl was unafraid. She either possessed the Sight or she was a supernatural herself. Considering this was my dream, the choice was whichever I wanted her to be.

When my eyes finally opened, Kane was still beside me. It felt good to start a new day together. I edged closer so my bare skin was pressed against his. I instantly warmed. There. Now I felt even better.

Kane stirred. “Is it morning already?” he murmured.

“It is.”

“I haven’t slept that hard in a long time.”

“You needed it.” I turned to rest on my hip so I was facing him. “How do you feel?”

“Rested.” His gaze met mine. “Happy.”

“I’m sorry about the club.”

“All solvable problems.”

“I’m not talking about the closure.”

He entwined his fingers with mine. “Good thing we decided to move in together.”

I propped myself up by the elbow. “Are you sure you want to move in here? We can send Camryn to your lair with a wagon full of sage and her shamans.”

He smirked. “We can do that regardless, but I think the universe wants me here.”

“Screw the universe. What doyouwant, Kane Sullivan?”

His fingers skimmed my cheek. “I want to wake up with you each and every morning. I want to watch you burn toast and pretend you like the taste. I want to plant flowers in your garden.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Is that literal or metaphorical?”

“Perhaps both.”

My heart skittered to a halt. “None of those things will come to fruition while The Corporation is still a threat.”

“We killed Lucifer, Lorelei. The supreme leader of hell. If we can do that, together, we can do anything.”

The hollow space in my chest filled with hope. “I believe you.”

His mouth locked on mine. My body grew soft, pliant. “We can wait until you’ve fully recovered,” I said. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

His tongue grazed the length of my neck. “It’s the best kind of pain.”

“If you’re sure…”

He pulled me on top of him, hands gripping my hips. “Do your worst. I can take it.”

And take it he did.

I awoke to a bleeping sound. I groped for the phone on the bedside table. A text message from Ashley Pratt. Word had spread that the demons were gone. She and Steven wanted to visit their grandmother. I typed back an immediate ‘yes.’ Nana Pratt would be thrilled.

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