Page 24 of Her Filthy Reverse Harem Romance Collection

He presses his forehead against mine. “I’ve traveled the world,belle, and this right here is the single most beautiful place on Earth with you here.”

“Belle?”

“Beautiful.”

His hands come to rest on my face and I move mine over his. The movement makes my bracelet jingle and it catches his eye. How could anyone ever not have time or love for such a tender soul as his?

He takes it in hand and studies each piece like it’s a puzzle he needs to figure out.

“These hearts. Past lovers?”

Is that pain I hear in his voice? Can’t be. I shake my head, not entirely ready to give up all my secrets.

“And this?” He brushes over the snowflake. For a second I wonder if I should tell him my secret, but talking about my father is the last thing on my mind. I’d rather be here in the now with Daemon, but I can’t stop the wave of sadness coming over me.

He tightens a hand around my arms and spins me into an alley. He pins me against a brick wall, hovering his large frame over me.

“Tell me. Who was he? I will kill the man who has put that hurt in your eyes and Erik and Warren will bury the body.”

I pale for a second and then suddenly laugh. It’s hard not to when I hear such conviction and see the truth staring back at me through thick black lashes.

I place my hand over his heart. “No. No crimes that would take any of you away from me. Especially with the short time we have together. Plus, he’s not worth it.”

A dark look returns to his expression. Did I say something wrong? Out of line?

He doesn’t say anything for a second and turns his gaze to a point down the alleyway. “Daemon?” I ask timidly.

He whips his head back and when our gazes lock, I feel the full force of his power hit me head-on. “I knew you liked us,belle.”

That easy smile of his doesn’t fool me for a second. Something is going on behind the mask he wants me to see. Deep down I fear I might have hurt him.

“I think that part is obvious,” I say, returning the smile.

A light wind flits by and with it comes the smell of fresh bread, sweet flowers and rich coffee.

He wraps an arm around my middle, guiding me to another side street, this one narrower and quainter than the last. There’s a small café with light rimming the edges of the storefront windows. We duck inside and find a table overlooking the street just as it begins to snow again.

I take a seat but he doesn’t join me. Instead, he kneels beside me, his lips next to my ear.

“Tu es plus belle que le flocon de neige le plus parfait,” he murmurs in the huskiest voice that has hot liquid pooling between my thighs.

“What does that mean?”

He takes the snowflake between two fingers, considering it from all angles. “You’re more beautiful than the most perfect snowflake.”

He kisses me on the forehead. “Wait for me here?”

Curious, I nod and watch him step out the door and cross the street.

I need the breather anyway. So much of Daemon has my head spinning. The airplane ride here. The city of love. My three professors taking me. It’s all so much. I don’t know what to think outside of how I’m crazy and what they do to me erases all good sense.

His heavy winter coat blows in the wind as he briskly walks away. He looks like a mix between a cage fighter and a man who has spent years in the military. Though I don’t know if either are true. He’s a bull to most but I got to see a kinder side of him today. One I don’t think many have experienced.

I smile to myself. I also got to see the hard side of him and I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more.

I watch Daemon disappear around a corner. What is he up to this time?

Jemma

---