Page 23 of Her Filthy Reverse Harem Romance Collection

I drop my eyes back where they belong, on my own plate. “Where’s Warren and Erik?”

“Meetings.” His eyes come to rest on mine and he flashes me a brilliant smile. “It’s just you and me for the day.” I know the serious Daemon and even the horny Daemon but the playful version of him is just as exciting. A small thrill runs through me.

After a quick breakfast, Daemon ushers me into a heavy coat, scarf and gloves and pushes us out the door.

Window shopping isn’t my style, but we spend hours walking up and down cobblestoned streets, taking in every sight to behold of this glorious city. Every once in a while, Daemon leaves me to dash off to one place or another only to return with a coffee, muffins, bread…oh my God! The bread here is off the charts. And my fave, buttery croissants.

I never pegged him as a foodie but you know what they say about judging books by their covers. He labels every ingredient of each delicious treat.

Full and a little tired, I lean into him more and place a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Thank you,” I don’t want to forget to say thank you in case I fall asleep when we get back. “Thank you for taking the time to show me so many beautiful spots. I’ve never seen any of these places in brochures.”

We dodge a pile of snow and weave around some late-evening shoppers. “That’s because these places are hidden treasures for the locals. None of the places we visited today are on a tourist map.”

“Ah,” I say. “And you know this…?”

A wistful look comes over him and I see memories cloud his dark eyes. “Because my grandmother on my mother’s side is from here. Born and raised. I spent every summer and holiday with her until she passed when I was a teenager.”

I tighten my grip on his arm and lean my head against his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Daemon. I guess that explains how you speak the language so fluently.”

When I first heard him I admit, I was shocked.

“Before my mother sent me away the first time, I kept to myself. Always tucked away in some library with little friends and fewer interests in activities like soccer or fishing. Regular boy things.”

“And after?”

“My mother had no interest or time to focus on me. My grandmother on the other hand taught me everything there is to know about cooking since she couldn’t run after a ball.”

“That sounds kind of nice. Why did your mother have so little time?”

“She paid more attention to her work as the CEO of a large business. Not too many people have time to raise kids when they are trying to run a business. I guess I have her to thank for my work addiction, though.”

Hurt colors his words and I have a feeling he has rarely spoken these words aloud to another soul. How could a mother not have time for their own child? I mentally ask myself the question and instantly understand his pain. “Though not exactly the same I live with similar pain. My mother and father have little time for me since I didn’t take the path they wanted me to take.”

He looks at me and for the first time I see Daemon. The real man behind the scowl he’s always wearing.

“Like souls, the two of us.”

He leaves it at that and wraps his arm around me. I tuck my head a little closer. We walk like this linked together and I can’t help but feel like a real couple.

I change the topic to a brighter one. “What would you like to do next? We should probably get back. I need to call the school, my friend and roommate. My work. Oh, Lord. I forgot to call in. They’ll be worried. Plus, there’s the question about my tuition.” I start to walk faster.

Damn. How could I be so mindless? I clap a hand over my forehead.

Daemon comes to a stop and so do I since he has my hand in his. “All taken care of. You don’t need to worry.”

I shake my head. “What? How? Um, yeah I do need to worry,” I say flatly. “I need that job and my apartment. Or ratherroominside said apartment.” I take a deep breath. “As lovely as this has been, I don’t get to just pick up and go. We’ve talked about this, Daemon.”

The bastard plasters an amused grin on his face like he finds me cute. I’m tempted to jerk my hand out of his and leave him standing in the middle of Paris.

Only what he says next stops me.

“Before you let the worry take over, come. Let me show you one more thing I’d like for you to see.” He nudges my chin up. “Please.” We’re standing at the head of a street that looks endless before us. Most of the locals hurry along or have already gone home for the day so it’s just us.

On either side of the street small shop buildings are awash with fading sunlight, the light catching on reflective surfaces that make them look dusted in magic. It quickly morphs as the sun sets to bathe the street in an amber gradient, giving off a romantic glow. Low-hanging beams are slowly turning the sky orange and pink above. Thankfully the snow clouds are clearing and we witness the light show. Shop lights flicker on one by one and the lights along the street take my breath away.

“Daemon. It’s so beautiful.” I can’t look away.

He growls something but I don’t know what because he’s coming in for a kiss, wiping the hard drive of my brain clean. It’s tender and slow, unlike the last few times he’s taken my mouth. Unhurried, passionate.

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