Page 67 of Elora and the Crow

“It’s for your safety,” he said.

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“Don’t lie to me about why you don’t want a relationship.”

“It is dangerous for you to date me,” he said flatly. “I’m not lying.”

“I can take care of myself,” she said, “and you forget that I’m related to a shapeshifter. I know how careful you are to keep your loved ones safe.”

“It’s still dangerous for you,” he said.

“The world is a dangerous place,” she said softly.

He didn’t reply, and she leaned in and kissed the top of his shoulder. “Why are we fighting about this? I told you I was fine with what you could offer. I’m happy to do a friends with benefits thing, okay?”

His stomach curdled, and he seriously regretted how much pizza he’d eaten. He should be happy that Elora wasn’t angry or upset with him, that she was content to do what he always did. So why did he feel like she’d run him over with an eighteen-wheeler?

She smoothed more paste onto his skin and kissed his shoulder again. “All done.”

“Thank you,” he said.

She washed her hands in the sink. “Okay, I should get going. Are you good with me leaving most of my stuff here until tomorrow? It’s late, and I’m too tired to pack it up tonight.”

He tugged her into his lap, kissing her upper chest. “Stay the night.”

“I have to work in the morning,” she said.

“My house is closer to the store,” he said.

She laughed. “By, like, two minutes. We can’t have sex again tonight. I don’t want you overdoing it, and I don’t want paste all over me.”

“I know,” he said. “Stay anyway.”

She hesitated, and he nuzzled her throat. “You have clothes here, and the shower and the coffee are way better at my place.”

“That’s for sure,” she said with a small smile. “All right, you’ve convinced me. Are you good with me sleeping in your bed again? I don’t have it in me tonight to do a fire protection spell on the guest room.”

“Obviously, you’re sleeping in my bed,” he said.

“I don’t want to assume. Some people don’t like their friends with benefits to sleep in their bed if they’re not getting the benefits part.”

“You’re always welcome to sleep in my bed, whether we’re having sex or not,” he said before patting her ass. “Come on, let’s get some sleep.”

They left the bathroom. He dropped his sleep pants, inwardly grinning when Elora glanced at his dick as he climbed into bed. He settled on his side, his back tingling from the paste, and watched as Elora changed into her pajamas and disappeared into the bathroom again. She returned with minty breath and a makeup free face and climbed into bed beside him before shutting off the light.

When she didn’t cuddle up to him, he reached over and dragged her closer, throwing one leg over hers and sliding his arm around her waist.

“So, you’re a naked sleeper and a cuddler, huh?” she grinned.

“Does that bother you?”

“No, but you’ll want to give me more space as I’m starting to fall asleep. I get… kicky in my sleep.”

He laughed. “I’m aware. I slept in your bed for two years, remember?”

She traced his jawline, her fingers moving lightly across his skin. “I like sleeping with human Jonah a lot better. Even if you take up more space.”

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