Page 155 of The Demon's Pet

“That works for me,” I said, drawing my knees up to hold them. “What we’ve done together, I like it. And I want more. At least, I think I will. But I’m not looking for someone to control me. To mate me.”

“I control you now,” he said, eyeing my collar.

“No,” I said. “You may call me your pet, but you treat me like your equal. You fight for me. You come for me.”

He sucked in his cheeks. “Maybe I would do that for all my pets.”

“Then anyone is lucky to be your pet.” I put my hand over his, just for a moment, and he went paler, looking like he didn’t know what to do.

So I gave him a light pat and pushed off the bed, making sure I was steady before standing fully.

“Stay down,” I said, waving him away when it looked like he wanted to escort me to the door. He was wearing red pajamas and appeared ready to sleep, and I wanted him to rest and get better.

And I needed some time alone to think.

I also didn’t want another fight like we had before, about being exclusive.

I now knew he was possessive, but since there was no one else I wanted, for now, I didn’t mind.

“Tomorrow, you’ll start training. I’ll be catching up with matters here and arranging for transfer of the creatures Zadis had.”

It felt so odd to be talking normally after I’d just ridden his face until I passed out, but I realized that was just how things went in his world.

Too much to do for any breaks.

“You’re taking them?” I asked, thinking of the black unicorn and pausing by Sam’s door.

He nodded. “They’re ‘tainted,’ meaning demonic influenced. But that doesn’t mean they can’t find a place. My brother used to run this place. Now I run it for him instead. I’ll still take any creature that cannot find a home.”

I wanted to ask him more about that. I wanted to spend time with him.

But he’d said he needed rest.

“I will see you tomorrow, Cleo, after you get fitted for a new restraining device. We can start training your inner demon.” A wicked glint lit his tired eyes. “She should be more awake now, after all.”

She was. I could feel her.

Then again, being around someone like Sam, who did what he wanted when he wanted, had helped as well.

I was no longer the omega from my haven, fighting helplessly but never allowed to be fully strong.

Here, I could become strong like him. Learn to fight like him.

“I want to be able to fight like you did against Zadis,” I said quietly.

He grinned at me. “We’ll see, little wolf.” But I could tell he was affected by the compliment.

“Good night, then,” I said, putting my hand on the doorknob. After what we’d done, it felt odd to leave him.

But we’d both gotten what we needed.

“Good night, Cleo,” he said. “And thanks for the meal.”

He’d infuriated me with that phrase before, but this time, I just smiled at it.

“You’re welcome,” I retorted, seeing a flash of surprise on his face at my audacity, before I jerked open the door and shut it behind me, smirking as I left.

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