Page 25 of Unholy

Surprise flickered across Malachi’s face, followed by a bashful smile. “I don’t know about that. Word has it the nice guys aren’t the ones getting one-way tickets to Hell.”

Luke shrugged. “Apparently I have a thing for bad boys.”

Malachi brushed a kiss against Luke’s shoulder. “Lucky me.”

Chapter 10

Malachi

Malachi gleefully walkedthrough Luke’s nighttime rituals with him. A shower turned into round three, and he lingered in the bathroom doorway, naked and shrouded in shadow, while Luke brushed his teeth. Their eyes met in the mirror’s reflection as Luke’s electric toothbrush buzzed. It was so goddamn domestic. He’d fight tooth and nail to stay here by Luke’s side. This was what he’d been waiting for all those weeks of pining from afar.

When they climbed into bed together, Luke’s warm, naked body pressed against him, and Malachi suppressed a groan. Luke’s ass fit snugly against his groin, and a moment later, Luke chuckled.

“How are you hard again? I haven’t come this much since I was a teenager.”

“I told you, I’m a demon. We don’t have much of a refractory period.”

“Muchof a refractory period? You don’t haveanyrefractory period,” Luke teased.

“Okay, first of all, that’s not true. It takes a few minutes. And second of all, today has been… an outlier.”

“An outlier? How so?”

Malachi pressed closer, curling an arm under Luke’s head and the other around his waist. His lips found the bare skin of his shoulder as he spoke. “I’ve wanted this for weeks, treasure. Forgive me for my excitement.”

Luke went so still, Malachi wasn’t sure he was breathing. “Excitement?” Luke whispered, turning his head. “You were excited to finally be with me?”

Malachi raised his head. He could see perfectly well in the dark, and there was enough ambient light from the street outside coming through the slats in the blinds for Luke to see him, as well. “Are you kidding? I’ve watched you for weeks, dreaming of the moment I could finally put my hands on you. This is everything I’ve been wanting.”

Luke’s brow furrowed, and Malachi kissed the wrinkle it made on his forehead.

“Don’t worry, treasure. We’ll work on your sense of self-worth.”

Luke snorted, but it was halfhearted.

“I’m here now,” Malachi went on, laying his head down and burying his nose in the fresh cedar and citrus scent of Luke’s hair. “You’re never getting rid of me now.”

Luke melted against him, one hand encircling Malachi’s wrist. Slowly, his breathing evened out. His fingers twitched against Malachi’s skin as he fell asleep, and Malachi’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. His human trusted him enough to sleep in his presence. Incredible.

He didn’t want to fall asleep. He didn’t want to miss a moment of this. It felt so right to have Luke in his arms,pliant and trusting. Was this what it was like for Talon? If so, he finally understood. He’d do anything to keep Luke with him like this. Great and terrible things.

A part of him wondered why he felt this way at all. No human had ever affected him like this. Was there something special about Luke—besides his smell and his handsome face and his killer personality? There had to be a reason Talon had felt drawn to his human, too. Why them, and why those humans? Malachi wouldn’t change a thing, but he did wonder.

After a while, Luke’s soft snores filled the air, rhythmic huffs of breath that made Malachi feel warm in a way he wished he could bottle and keep with him forever. When he shifted over onto his back, Malachi gently rose onto his elbow to peer down at him, listening with a smile as the quiet snores grew a little louder in this position. His fingers brushed Luke’s bearded chin. He had no flaws whatsoever.

Luke inhaled—and stilled. Malachi’s head tilted curiously, and the silence that extended between them sent unease down his spine. Luke wasn’t breathing.

When he exhaled, it came out as a quiet groan. His head tossed to one side, followed by a sharp inhale. One of his legs jerked, and his brow furrowed in sleep.

He was having a nightmare.

A broken little sob spilled from his lips, and Malachi couldn’t stand another moment of it. He laid a hand flat on Luke’s bare chest, shaking gently.

“Treasure. Sweetheart, wake up. You’re dreaming.”

Nothing. With a growl, Malachi shook him more firmly.

“Luke, wake up. Wake up!”

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