Page 37 of Halluci-Dating A Demon
He doesn’t push me at all.
“It’s okay. It’s just a question, baby. And no, I don’t drive anymore. I don’t feel safe. Maybe one day when I feel like I know my body well enough and get a better hold on my cataplexy.”
“That makes sense.” His face relaxes and his fingers play with mine as we stop in front of his door. “I hope you reach that point someday. That’s only if you really want to. I don’t even know how to drive.” A chuckle pushes past his lips.
“No? Have you ever thought about learning? Is there some driver’s ed course here for you to take?”
Jingling his key in the lock, he shoves open the door. “Sometimes, but I also like riding in the back seat. I get to enjoy the view that way and don’t have to focus on watching the road.”
“That’s a good way to look at it. I don’t go to many places, so I don’t get to sit in the back seat very often. I’ll try to appreciate the view when I get to ride with you to the carnival in less than two months.”
His eyes light up and he fiddles with his keys. “Will you get on all the rides with me when we go?”
“As long as you let me taste cotton candy from your lips on each one.”
His lips form into a grin and he rushes inside, craning his neck to glance back at me. “Deal.”
Following him in, I rummage through his fridge and order pizza when I don’t find anything other than lots of cheese. I chuckle at that. He did say food wasn’t a requirement for his survival, but apparently cheese is. All flavors too, from cheddar to gouda.
As we wait for the food to arrive, Arien curls up beside me on his bed and I read him the first few chapters of one of my favorite childhood books. His smiles encourage me to keep going each time I reach the end of a page, and I don’t stop until the food arrives. We both eat and Arien paces, muttering words to himself as he closes his eyes.
Walking beside him, I grab his hand and kiss his cheek. “We don’t have to go there if it’s too much for you.”
His face relaxes and he smiles. “No. I want to take you. I do. It’s really a beautiful place and . . . and . . .” He nibbles on his bottom lip. “I think it’ll be really good for you to fish again. I can tell you miss it. I’m just trying to find the best spot for us. I want to get us as close as I can too, so it’s taking a lot of channeling.”
“As long as you’re sure.”
He presses his lips to my chin. “I’m sure.”
Stepping back, I give him some space as he closes his eyes again. His charm glows and the light spreads around his body. It’s mesmerizing. I take his hands and he reaches out for me,and vibrations travel between us. His lips press to mine and we spin around the room, lifting in the air toward an opening in the ceiling.
We’re tucked up inside as soon as we touch it, everything changing around us as we go from his living room to a forest. Green leaves and grass surround us. Long vines curl around my leg, and they slap at me when I shake them off.
“Behave yourselves,” Arien scolds. “Don’t worry, these guys are harmless. They’re just very curious about everyone and everything.”
The vines shrink into themselves, making high-pitched sounds. This place is incredible. More so than in my dreams. Flowers are singing and Arien tells me which to ignore, along with where not to step. Lying on a fallen branch under a tree is a small man with pointy ears and long white translucent wings. His eyes are partly shut, and his hands and arms are folded behind his back.
Stepping ahead of me, Arien sticks his hand out, cautioning me to wait as he rests a hand on the half-asleep stranger. He has nothing on but a small loin cloth and shoes made of what looks like leaves.
“They’re after you,” he whispers to the man. “You can’t get away. They are so close.” Arien’s expression is sullen, and he blows some kind of dust over the creature’s face. This is hard for him, and guilt sinks into my stomach knowing he’s doing this for me. His gaze snaps to me, eyes shaking in the corners.
“What’s wrong?”
“We don’t have to stay. I can wait to come here in your dreams. I don’t want to make you do something that hurts you.”
With a quick breath, he smiles softly and lifts his hands. “It’s okay. Being out there on the dock with you will be worth it.”
“And you will be. It doesn’t have to be today, though. No one should have to suffer before getting to be happy.”
He exhales slowly. “But I want to do this for you.”
Swiping hair from his face, I smile gently. “How about you allow someone to do something for you instead just for once.”
His gaze bounces between me and what I believe to be a fairy. At least, he matches all the descriptions you hear in story books and see in movies only more exquisite. But he’s nothing compared to the gorgeous demon standing in front of me, always eager to put others before himself.
“I . . . I really don’t like how scared he is.”
“I know, baby.” I pull him into my arms, inhaling the sugary scent from his hair.
