Page 19 of Laid Bare

Somehow this massive demon and I move around my small kitchen with practiced ease, like we’ve done this a million times already. He grabs the mugs after I point out the cupboard they’re in while I start brewing the coffee. The freshly brewed aroma curls around us, the scent doing the trick to finally ease some of the tension in my bones.

Zane pops the fridge open, rummages around, and comes back with my precious bottle of French vanilla creamer and enough water for all seven of us. He takes the water directly to the coffee table before coming back and waiting with me for the coffee to finish.

It’s all so damn domestic, it makes my heart throb.

Leaning against the counter, I watch the red demon, surprised at the lack of fear I have of him now. Yeah, when they first walked in, I was scared. Nervous. Dread radiated off of me in thick waves. But something as simple as this has eased all those worries. How? Who the hell knows. But maybe, just maybe this won’t be as bad as I think.

Zane comes to stand next to me, his posture mirroring mine. My shoulder brushes against his forearm, highlighting our height difference. Because let’s face it. When you put the two of us together, I look like a damn child compared to him.

My eyes catalog his features, starting with those onyx eyes of his all the way to the streaked wings crushed against the counter. An involuntary twitch in my fingers makes my breath catch as I realize I so badly want to reach out and touch him. Him. Zane. My babysitter. Not one of my mates.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I finally get some dick. Good dick at that. Times two. And now I want this man—this demon—in front of me.

No.

Something’s not right here.

Ghostly fingers trail a blazing path delicately across my lips and down my throat before circling both of my nipples simultaneously. Alarm bells ring in my head as they tighten into hardened peaks, and my breathing grows labored. Warmth blossoms in my belly, soaking my panties instantly.

No.

No, no, no.

Panic grips me in a vise, sending me stumbling away from the demon who is watching me with horror painted on his features.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I shriek, garnering the attention of the guys in the living room.

“I… I…” Zane stutters but can’t seem to form a full sentence.

Bane barrels into the kitchen, shoving his brother further away from me. With the forced distance put between us, those feelings that didn’t seem like my own disappear, leaving me in a state of confusion.

What the hell just happened?

The word incubus flits through my brain, but that can’t be right. From what I know about those types of demons, I shouldn’t have been able to resist him. I should have thrown myself at him like a cat in heat, ready for him to give me the relief only he could provide.

But that’s not what transpired. So, again, what the hell?

Loud cursing, shouts, and thunder rumbling bring me back to the present. Every person in my dorm room is hurtling harsh words at Zane, even as Bane tries to put himself between the enraged men and his brother.

Shock hits me momentarily at the sight of Jasper also yelling at the pair, but it quickly dissipates. Seems he’s finally doing his job of protecting me as a headmaster should of his student. But I can’t forget he’s a council member who left my fate to the rest of the council. So maybe his protection is council-warranted, not the other way around.

Ugh. I’m so over this shit already.

“Stop.” At my plea, everyone freezes, the room going utterly still. Not a finger twitches, not a muscle moves, nor is there the slightest rustle of clothing. It’s so damn quiet, I can finally hear the thudding of my heart as it beats wildly against my ribs. “I don’t know what that was, but I think it’s time for you guys to go.”

I don’t need to name names. They know who they are.

Luka and Axel come to stand next to me, a cool palm resting on my lower back and warm fingers interlacing with my own. We stand as a unit—the three of us—clearly drawing a line in the sand.

The others leave without a word, but it’s the hint of longing as Thaddeus gazes back at us that leaves me with more questions than answers. Maybe it’s seeing us together that makes him think of Miss Izzicle and what they had. Who knows. But I no longer have the mental bandwidth today to dissect that look.

All I know is I’m ready for cuddles, pizza, and time to stop so I don’t have to face the firing squad on Monday.

Well,this situation has just gone from bad to even fucking worse.

For Zane, at least.

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