Page 41 of Infernal Hearts

“Yeah, oblivion. Like death, but more final—you just disintegrate. Cease to be on any plane. Can’t be undone. It’s a relatively easy way to make sure people hold up their end of the bargain.”

“So if I broke the deal with you…” He bites his bottom lip. “Oblivion?”

I run my thumb across his cheek, his stubble rough against my fingertip and sending a shiver up my spine. “No. I wouldn’t let that happen to you.” It would be easy to get lost in the moment, but I quickly break it off and start walking him along. “But then I’d most likely turn to dust and you’d be an orphan, so your choice.”

He scoffs, pushing against me. “You’re such a dick.”

I pull him close again and let out a loud belly laugh. “And I hear that my dick is perfect, so thank you.”

Jason grumbles under his breath, but I’m still able to pick up his words with my demon senses. “Not like I’ll ever find out.”

“What was that?”

He hiccups again and looks away. “Nothing.”

Good to know.

We make it back to the top of the hill and stop at the front of Jason’s office. He fumbles with his keys so I help him unlock the door.

He gives me a hazy stare. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Good night.”

“Do you…” His voice stops me in my tracks as I turn to leave. “Want to come up for a nightcap?”

My eyebrows raise as he sways in place. “Sure you haven’t had enough?” I have to stay strong. Nothing is going to happen between us tonight. I won’t let it.

He shrugs. “One more won’t hurt.”

Oh, he’s going to be so hungover in the morning. I smile and follow him inside, locking up behind me. We climb the stairs to his apartment, and the second he opens the door, a gigantic dog tackles me to the ground and starts licking my face.

“Grover! Off!” Jason orders, but Grover just keeps nuzzling at my face.

“Hey there, buddy.” I pet the back of his ears and push myself up, rubbing the sides of his body with my hands.

“Weird.” Jason looks down at the pair of us, pupils a little larger than they were at the beginning of the night. “He doesn’t usually like guys. He hated Michael.”

“I think everyone hates Michael.” I stand, while continuing to rub Grover behind his ears. He whimpers, entwining himself between my legs.

Jason walks into his kitchen, pulling a crystal bottle from the top of his fridge. “I have whiskey. That work?”

“Perfect.”

Sitting on the couch, Grover makes a home on my feet and looks up at me expectantly. My fingers run through his coarse fur as his tail wags, and the pets continue for as long as Jason wants to take.

Finally he comes over, plops next to me, and hands me my mug. “You really aren’t so irritating, you know. Except when you’re trying to be.”

“Um… Thank you?” I take a sip. It’s the cheap stuff. I need to remember to buy him a decent bottle of cognac if this all turns out well. His head is definitely gonna be split wide open tomorrow drinking this trash.

“No problem.” He chugs the rest of his drink, then slams it down on the coffee table. “Your turn.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk?”

He yawns. “I just want to see what happens when you get on my level.”

“I doubt you have enough liquor in the house to get me to that point.” But still, I down what’s in the mug and set it next to his.

He pulls his legs up on the couch and grabs a TV remote. “I can never sleep after I’ve been drinking.” Which is funny, because between the hiccup and how his eyes are already half closed, I know that’s not true. “Anything you like watching?”

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