Page 55 of Hooked on a Demon
It doesn’t take long for him to get to the studio. His attempts to calm himself along the way have not helped. He was lucky that the only thing that happened back there was a cloud of smoke. Yes, he told Eliana that he had to practice to control himself and his demon abilities when he was younger, and that’s true. But there are times, particularly when he feels threatened, that the demon inside him takes over, and he has no choice but to let the bastard lead.
He parks his motorcycle out front of the studio and swings his leg over the seat, turning so he faces the building and leans on the side of the seat, flowers in hand as he waits. He can’t help but replay everything that happened over and over in his mind, wondering how he could have made it go at least a little more smoothly. No ideas come to mind.
A few minutes later, Eliana emerges, and his heart clenches at the sight of her. She looks as radiant as ever in her standard leggings and oversized T-shirt.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” he says at the same time she softly says, “Hi, Mr. Grace.”
He opens his arms. “Come here, Oaks.”
Hades, he needs her.
Moving toward him, she drops her bag on the sidewalk next to him and steps into his arms. She slides her arms over top, wrapping her hands around the back of his neck as his arms close around her. Her peppermint and grapefruit scent mixed with the saltiness of sweat envelopes him. As he takes a deep breath, continually trying to imprint her into his brain, he finally feels the angry toddler within him relax.
Home,his demon internally states.
Fucking right,he agrees.
She pulls back and gazes into his eyes. “You alright?”
“I’m perfect now.”
“But before?”
He pauses, hesitating. He had no intention of telling her what happened. Or anything that ever transpired between him and any other woman. As far as she is concerned, Declan is a virgin. But the concern painting Eliana’s face is enough to break his heart. He can’t have her worrying about him. He also doesn’t want to keep secrets from her.
He takes a deep breath, deciding to at least give her the soft version of the truth. “I had a bit of a run-in on the way here with someone I dated. It wasn’t pleasant. She wasn’t happy. But I’m here with you, now, so that doesn’t matter. You are the only one who matters. The only one who will ever matter.”
She eyes him for a moment but doesn’t push it further, which he’s thankful for. She may be the only person he wants to spend time with, and he can’t stop thinking about her, even when he shouldn’t be, but he’s definitely not ready to tell her that he loves her.
Wait, does he love her?
Oh fuck.
CHAPTER33
Eliana
He releases her and she steps back to pick up her bag. When she stands, the beautiful bouquet he was holding earlier greets her. “These are for you. They reminded me of you.”
He got her flowers. Not any flowers. But her favorite ones. Without even knowing. “They are beautiful,” she replies, her voice thick with an emotion she doesn’t want to identify.
“Like you,” he replies, kissing her cheek, causing heat to rise to the surface of her skin at the exact location he made contact. “They are bright and pretty, but not too in your face. They remind me of sunshine and warmth. How it feels when I’m around you.”
Well, Hades, come and take me now.
She swallows and blinks, trying to keep the emotion at bay. “Thank you. Gerberas also happen to be my favorites.” Her eyes catch the look of pride that flashes across his features, also not missing the extra little puff in his chest. “They are perfect.”
He steps forward, placing his finger under her chin and kissing her softly on the lips. It’s a brush of the lips, really, but it sets her stomach aflutter, and she lets out a quiet moan of contentment upon contact. When he pulls away and she opens her eyes, his face still lingers right in front of hers. Desire burns in those eyes. A desire likely mirrored in her own as the flutter in her stomach turns to more of a burning flame licking heat to her core.
“Shall we go?” he asks, his voice almost growling at her.
“Ye… Yes. Where did you have in mind?” she asks. He puts the flowers in his little saddlebag thing on his bike and holds his hand out. When she doesn’t give him anything, he gently takes the strap of her bag off her shoulder and secures the bag to the bike as well.
“I thought we could pick up some ice cream? Or an actual meal if you want something more substantial? And then head back to my place and watch a movie or something?”
She smiles at him, finding his uncertainty endearing. Well, not so much uncertainty, as more of a concern for what she wants. She sees how he wants her to be comfortable. That the ultimate decision lies up to her. But he’s also thought ahead enough to have a base of a plan in place. It tells her that he’s considered her and her feelings and also isn’t afraid to relinquish that control. That’s something Sam never would have done. Frankly, he never would have picked her up in the first place, let alone had a plan to spend a casual evening together.
Ugh. Sam.
