Page 22 of Tall, Dark & Horny

She sighed softly. “That feels good.”

Her eyes were still closed as she snuggled into the pillows. I stroked my palm down her spine. “Still hungry?”

“Famished now.” She flashed me a mischievous grin. “I worked up quite the appetite.”

“I’ll bring you a chocolate croissant, some fruit, and coffee while I get the kitchen to make us a fresh breakfast.” I was going to make sure she ate, but the rest of the stuff I’d brought had gotten cold while we were otherwise occupied.

I would do anything to take care of Calliope and give her every reason to stick around so I could convince her to accept my demon brand and cement our mating.

10

CALLIOPE

Istayed curled beneath the sheets, my body still tingling in places I hadn’t known could feel like that. The warmth of Adan’s touch lingered on my skin, along with the echo of his voice—low and reverent, like I was someone he treasured.

I’d just given my virginity to a demon I’d known for less than a full day, but I didn’t regret the decision. What should have been reckless had instead felt inevitable. Like crossing a threshold I’d been walking toward my whole life without realizing it.

I wasn’t sure what to make of the deep sense of rightness still humming beneath my skin, except that it must be connected to the whole fated mate thing. The concept of knowing you’d be with someone forever without even the tiniest bit of doubt was foreign to me. I didn’t know if I could trust it, but I definitely wanted more of those mind-blowing orgasms.

I propped myself up on one elbow, tucking the sheet around my chest to keep myself covered, when Adan returned with a tray in his hands. The scent of chocolate croissants and fresh fruit hit me first, followed by the richer undertones of dark-roast coffee.

“Room service offers breakfast in bed now?” I teased.

“Only for you.”

The wicked curve of his lips was dangerous for my libido, so I forced my gaze away from him before I started something my body wasn’t quite ready for again. Not while I was deliciously sore from our lovemaking.

I noticed the antique bell sitting on the small table beside the bed. It was brass and delicately engraved with elegant scrollwork. I lifted it and asked, “Is this for summoning you?”

Adan’s brow arched. “That wasn’t there last night.”

I gave the bell another little shake. It chimed sweetly, the sound almost musical. “Because I was thinking it might come in handy.”

He walked around the bed and set the tray beside me, then studied the bell more closely. “It’s a twin to one in my suite. I haven’t seen a second since the day I moved in. The Abyss must have placed it here.”

“I wonder why,” I murmured as I set the bell back down on the table.

A slow grin tugged at his mouth. “Because it sees you as the lady of the manor already.”

I remembered the mysterious woman in the window last night and how she’d called him my lord. “Oh.”

“It probably recognized you before I did since you managed to find your way here when humans normally don’t.” He poured us each a cup of coffee before setting the carafe on the table next to the bell. “If not, I would’ve given it away when I put you on my private floor in the room next to mine. No one else stays here.”

My pulse skipped. I wasn’t sure I was ready to unpack the weight behind his words. Instead, I reached for a croissant and took a generous bite. “Well, I guess I’ll have to ring if I want a refill.”

He leaned down and whispered near my ear, “Careful. That bell might summon more than coffee.”

I flushed so hard I had to focus on chewing so I wouldn’t choke. We sat in comfortable silence, nibbling on pastries and fruit until an entirely new breakfast spread was delivered. A discreet knock sounded at the door just as we finished the last bite of fruit. Adan rose, slid on his pants with effortless grace, and crossed the suite. I slipped on my robe before he returned with the wheeled cart.

This breakfast was even more elaborate than the first—an egg soufflé, truffle potatoes, thick slices of quiche, and a variety of sweet and savory crepes. It looked like something served in a five-star restaurant.

“You weren’t kidding about the full service.” I gave him a wide-eyed look as he poured me another cup of coffee.

“I meant what I said. I want to take care of you.”

His words were simple, but they landed hard. So much of my life had been spent doing everything on my own. It was a little jarring to realize how nice it felt to have someone else do something for me.

We ate side by side on the bed, leaning against the pillows. The food was amazing, but I was suddenly more aware of the way our arms brushed with each bite and how his thigh warmed the space next to mine.

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