Page 20 of Unleashing Mayhem
Yes, very active in his rest.
He’d been much more docile when Nightmare had been lying beside him, the little human’s limbs reaching only to wrap around Nightmare before settling contentedly for the night. But repeating that closeness did not seem wise at this juncture.
Of course, Nightmare had given in to Matteo’s subtle pout at the beginning of the night, sitting with his back to Matteo’s headboard until his summoner fell into slumber. But then Nightmare had returned to his corner, choosing the embrace of his shadows over the sweet torture of Matteo’s clinging form.
Things were progressing much more quickly than Nightmare had anticipated.
He’d been prepared to go years—perhaps forever—without a physical side to their relationship. He was aware he was not the type of demon humans were drawn to, especially tender young men afraid of the dark. Nightmare had been prepared to possess but not to claim. To covet but not to grasp.
But his sweet was full of surprises.
Even now, Matteo’s arm shifted again, reaching across the bed as if searching for Nightmare in his sleep.
Nightmare could wake him with soft touches this very moment, could slip Matteo onto his back without a word, could hold back his sharp teeth and taste his summoner’s sleep-soaked skin. Nightmare could go further, even. He could slide into him with fingers or tongue or cock, take what he wanted while hislittle human’s body was still lax and unassuming from his recent slumber.
Matteo would let him; Nightmare was sure of it.
But Nightmare could do more damage than good, pressing too soon. Matteo seemed unsure of his own attraction. He’d likely been suppressing that side of himself his entire life, judging from the innocence that glowed from his soul piece like moonstone.
So Nightmare would be patient. He would help Matteo coax it out, this sensuality brimming inside him, just waiting for an outlet.
Nightmare would even enjoy himself in the process.
He thought of the little breathless gasp Matteo had made that morning, when he’d realized Nightmare was aroused. When he’d thought it was a mindless physical response and not a direct consequence of Matteo’s small, soft body rubbing against Nightmare in his sleep.
Nightmare’s lips curled into a smile, and his shadows trailed out from him, reaching back to Matteo in turn.
Yes, Nightmare would enjoy himself.
He was no mindless brute. He could be kind and soft and sweet with his summoner, for as long as he needed to be. For all of eternity, if that was what was required.
Gentle touches in exchange for pretty, wide-eyed looks. Soft kisses given for breathless, tender smiles.
And when Matteo finally blossomed into who he should have been all along—who he might have been if cruel men hadn’t taken him in hand…
A sweet, tender being with teeth as sharp as jagged knives.
ThenNightmare would devour him whole.
Nightmare was still staringat his summoner—on his back now, one slender arm thrown over his face—when he heard the noise.
Something on the house’s porch. Something trying its best to be quiet in the dark. It could have been a prey animal, perhaps, trying to escape a mortal predator.
But there was a scent in the air: the acrid taste of ill intent.
Nightmare sent his shadows out to investigate, and they returned quickly with their findings: an image of a human man, of average height and muscular build, dressed in dark clothing. He was attempting to open a downstairs window; he had a tool to aid him and a human weapon tucked into the back of his jeans.
How interesting.
Nightmare approached Matteo’s bed. He lifted Matteo’s arm away from his face and stroked his summoner’s cheek with his talons. “Wake, my sweet.”
Matteo blinked awake slowly. And though Nightmare was in demon form, looming over him like a ghoul, he woke with a smile. “Is it morning?” His brow furrowed immediately, and he shook his head. “No, it’s still dark. Was I—was I snoring?”
Nightmare’s lips twitched at the corners. “No, little human. But there’s a man breaking into the house.”
Matteo immediately tried to jolt up and out of bed with a strangled cry, and Nightmare pressed a hand to his chest, holding him down. “Hush, sweet. It’s all right. No one will harm you.” He took a seat on the bed, brushing Matteo’s hair from his face. Nightmare’s shadows were keeping an eye on the would-beintruder; they were in no hurry. “Tell me why you summoned me now, Matteo. At this time. What prompted it?”
Matteo’s large eyes were still wide with shock, but he lay there docilely enough, with Nightmare’s hand on his chest. “I thought—thought I saw someone.” He swallowed, loudly enough to be heard in the quiet of the night. “In town. One of his men, maybe. But I was just imagining it, I think. I—I thought.”
