Page 20 of Tall, Dark & Horny

I still didn’t understand so much about this world and the bond between us. But I didn’t need all the answers to know that I wanted the opportunity to explore whatever was happening between us. To experience the passion I felt for the first time while I had the chance since my trip was only supposed to last for three more days.

I stepped closer until his body nearly enveloped mine. His wings slowly lowered to wrap around my back.

My voice didn’t waver this time when I said, “I want you.”

9

ADAN

For all the years I’d existed, I’d never heard anything so precious. My demon surged with feral hunger at Calliope’s confession, rising like a tide in my blood and demanding I take her now. Brand her as mine in every possible way.

But I couldn’t. Not yet.

She didn’t know what that kind of demon claiming meant. Not in the permanent, soul-bound way it would change everything for us.

Before that happened, Calliope deserved to choose me fully, not be swept away by instincts she didn’t understand. So I clenched my fists at my sides and wrestled my darker half back down where he belonged.

Still in my demon form, I closed my eyes and let out a slow breath, drawing my power inward. I felt the shift begin—bones realigning, flames dimming. My horns retracted, wings tucking in and fading into smoke. Heat rippled across my skin as the armor melted away, replaced seamlessly by what I’d been wearing.

When I opened my eyes, Calliope stared at me with open wonder. “Your clothes came back. Just like that.”

“Demonic perks. Comes in handy when you don’t want to traumatize hotel guests.”

Her soft laugh wrapped around my ribs like a tether, grounding me at this moment with her.

“You sure?” I asked, just to be certain, even though my last thread of restraint was close to snapping.

Calliope didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

That was all I needed.

In a single, fluid motion, I bent and swept my fated mate off her feet, cradling her against my chest like the priceless treasure she was to me.

Her eyes widened, a surprised gasp leaving her plump lips as her arms twined around my neck. “Adan?—”

“I’ve waited lifetimes for you,” I murmured as I carried her toward the bed. “Now let me worship every inch of your perfect body.”

She rolled her eyes with a snort. “You better not be expecting perfection because you won’t get it.”

“We’ll have to disagree since you were born to be mine.”

I laid her on the mattress, and she sat up slowly. I reached for the tie at her waist, moving carefully as I undid the knot. The robe slipped from her shoulders, revealing the soft slope of her collarbone and the tops of her breasts. My breath left me in a slow exhale as I took her in.

Calliope didn’t see herself as I did. To me, she was utter perfection. And she was mine.

She reached for the hem of my shirt, and I helped her tug the material over my head, tossing it aside.

She brushed her hands over my bare chest. “You’re so warm.”

“That’s because hellfire lives in my blood.”

Her hands flattened over my heart, and her lips parted, but she didn’t speak. Then again, my almost-human mate didn’t know what hellfire was, so she couldn’t possibly understand how rare I was. Not yet, but we’d have forever to learn everything about each other. I would do whatever it took to make that happen.

I’d start by giving her what she wanted.

I leaned in and kissed her again, slow and deep. Letting her feel everything I hadn’t said. Hoping she understood this wasn’t just desire. It was destiny. And I was going to make damn sure she felt like fate had made the right choice.

Her bottom lip trembled as she looked up at me, blinking slowly. Her green eyes were hazy with passion.

---