Page 8 of Cuddly Demon

Saint lets out a laugh. "Maybe I should drag my friends to Hell and leave them there. Then, I wouldn't get jealous."

"You're ten times cuter than your friends and a bazillion times sweeter. I can sense their energy, and it's too jock-y for me. I like cuddly humans. Sweet beautiful boys like you. Ones I can wrap in my arms and never let go."

Saint's chinks are redder than a cherry tomato. "You're the best."

We finish our treats and head back to campus. As we walk, I can't help but feel grateful for Saint's presence by my side.

He's kind, adorable, and even though we haven't spent too much time together, he's already helping me adjust to the modern world.

Maybe it's the sugar talking, but I think Saint's one of the best humans to ever walk the face of the Earth.

That's when a soft pain thrums behind my temples.

I growl, palming my forehead, trying to push it away.

What's... going on?

A memory flashes through my mind. It's my father telling me that, when a master doesn't pay for our services, we're tormented with excruciating headaches until we take what we're owed from them.

THREE

SAINT

I've had the best afternoon with Onyx.

It's crazy to think that I'd never met a demon before yesterday. Onyx's life seems so real to me, almost as if I've known him since the dawn of time.

Right now, we're snuggled up in my bed, reading a book on my Kindle together. It's an adorable one that I showed Onyx I'd borrowed on Kindle Unlimited, a guilty pleasure.

Unlike my usual fare, it's not "literary."

No, it's sugary sweet and full of ooey gooey goodness.

Exactly like the brownies we ate this afternoon.

"I can't believe how cute this book is." Onyx presses his hand to his blue chest, his muscles rippling.

I snort out a laugh, burrowing my cheek in his shoulder. "I know."

"The Daddy in this novel cares for his baby boy sooooo much." Onyx shakes his head in amusement. "He treats him exactly like I used to treat my boys back in the day. Before my master locked me in the tomb."

"I still can't believe he did that." My fingers curl into fists. "What a jerk."

"You can say that again." Onyx's expression turns serious. "But I'm grateful to be out of there and to have met you. You're different from any other human I've ever met—even the boys I really liked in Etruria. You're kind and understanding, and you don't judge me for being a demon."

"Of course not." I stroke his back soothingly. "You're just like a person, except with abilities that are beyond what humans can do. You have thoughts and emotions like a human. But you're so much more."

"I'm glad you think so."

Onyx leans in for a kiss, and I meet him halfway, my lips pressing against his.

The kiss is gentle at first, but soon it grows deeper, more passionate.

Onyx's hands slide down my back, pulling me closer.

I break the kiss, gasping for air. "I... don't know if we should be doing this."

"Why not?" Onyx pants as his eyes gleam with desire. "I want you. I've never felt this way about anyone before."

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