Page 64 of The Demon's Pet

Looking at him, you’d never know everything he’d done in the past two days.

He looked down his perfect nose at me as if still trying to gather his words. Then he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“You need to stop looking at me like that,” he said, letting his hand drop to the side and cocking a hip as he looked at me.

“Like what?”

He sighed. “Like you want me. Like you trust me. You’re just my pet. I should have set this out at the jail, but watching you with Griffin, hearing you defend me, I need to make some things clear.”

I gave him a nod.

He put his hands on his hips and paced in front of me. “I’m used to traveling alone. This is an aberration. I’m still figuring out what you are and what to do with you. For now, you’re a useful pet.” He took a step closer. “But just because I showed mercy to you doesn’t mean I’m someone to look up to. I’m using you, nothing more. Don’t get ideas about why I protect you.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “I didn’t even think you were protecting me in particular.”

“Don’t fall in love with me,” he shot at me, gold glinting at the centers of his dark eyes.

My jaw dropped, and a pile of offended protestations was about to fall out. “You egotistical—”

“Jerk,” he finished for me. “I know. But I know my effect on women… on people, and I’m warning you now. There isn’t a heart for you to find. I’m not something broken to be fixed. And if you try to dig deeper inside me, you’ll only find more darkness.”

I just stared at him. The audacity. Sure, I’d found him attractive. One would have to be blind and frigid not to. But falling in love? I’d only just gotten my freedom back.

“Who gives a flying fuck about love?” I retorted, glaring at him as fire lit in his eyes that only stoked the fire burning in me. I raked my eyes over him, the way he did to me. “Sure, I’m attracted to you. But I’m also attracted to Griffin and Os.”

Sam let out a low growl at that, for some reason.

“But I’m not here to date or fall for anyone,” I said, my hands clenching into fists as I took a step toward Sam.

He held his ground, though I could tell he was shocked I was challenging him.

“I may be your pet because death was my only other option, but don’t you ever think I’m easy.” I laughed caustically. “Fall in love with you? Unlikely. How could I love anyone who puts me on a leash?”

Sam stared at me for a long moment, then exhaled. “As long as we agree.”

He turned to go, and hurt was still lashing through me for some reason. Being preemptively rejected just sucked.

It was not because I was already getting feelings for him. It was just because he kept confusing me.

“Why did you kiss me?” I shot at him, realizing too late that Griffin and Os could probably hear us.

My heart pounded at my own boldness as Sam’s broad shoulders turned and he faced me.

“I never said we couldn’t fuck,” he said. “I kissed you that night for reasons I can’t explain until we’re somewhere more private.” He looked around us. “We’re too close to celestial haven territory. I can explain more later.”

“So we can have sex, but I can’t fall in love with you.” I cocked my head. “And why would I want to have sex with you anyway?”

He came closer, grabbed me by the arms, and pulled me in.

Though I should have been scared, heat exploded in me just at the closeness. The way he was holding me.

The fire in his eyes.

“There are things we can’t discuss in front of Os and Griffin.” He released me. “Just don’t fall in love. That’s all I’m going to ask.” He looked at my collar. “I’ll even take that thing off you, once you can control yourself. I’ll only ask you one favor when all of this is done. Do we have a deal?”

“What is the favor?”

“I can’t tell you,” he said.

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