Page 28 of Unholy

“Perfect. Where’s my phone?” He moved as though to roll away, but Luke’s arms held him in place.

“In a minute,” he said, guiding Malachi’s grinning mouth to his again. “I’m not done with you yet.”

Reality waited for no one.Luke knew that better than most. He could afford one day off—one blissful day, during which he and Malachi stayed naked for as long as possible. But the following morning, Luke woke to his shrill alarm and dressed for the day. He had to put in the required time at the training yard, and he needed the guild to think all was normal with him. If he disrupted his routine, they would know something was different, and he couldn’t afford for them to look too closely at his comings and goings.

Malachi was dozing in his bed when Luke finished getting ready, a travel mug filled with coffee that tasted like regret. He’d never wanted to go to HQ less than at this moment. Malachi’s black hair spilled like ink on the white canvas of his pillowcase, his long, lean body on display, as the sheet had shifted down to his hips and barely covered his modesty. Laying on his back, the dusting of dark body hair was visible on his chest and down his flat stomach. The sheet did little to hide the bulge of his groin, and Luke swallowed hard, his mouth watering.

“Don’t just stare,” Malachi murmured sleepily.

Luke smiled. “I have to go in to HQ for a while. Duty calls.”

“Whatever will I do without you?” He cast a hand out, and Luke took it, letting Malachi pull him closer.

He chuckled. “Dream of me, I guess.”

“Mm, but dreams pale in comparison to the real thing. I’ve had you, and now I can never go back.”

Luke flushed. Normal people just didn’ttalklike that.

“Give me a kiss before you go. How long will you be gone?”

“Six hours or so, probably.” He leaned in obligingly, pressing his mouth to Malachi’s.

“Hm. Maybe I’ll run home, then, have a shower and get some clean clothes.”

Something small and tremulous fluttered in Luke’s chest. He was loath for their time to come to an end, and even more reluctant to let Malachi leave. It felt too much like goodbye. “And later?”

Malachi’s crimson eyes blinked open, and he smiled. “Just text me, and I’ll be here in a heartbeat.”

And just like that, the flutter faded, unfurling into warmth and affection. “Okay. That sounds good.” He kissed him again, unable to resist. “Stay as long as you’d like. I’ll see you later.”

Leaving his apartment had never been a hardship. Devoid of personality, it was just a shelter to sleep and shower. It had never really felt like a home before. But now, there was something within it that called him back.

He barely noticed the drive to HQ. Thoughts of Malachi warmed him as surely as the cheerful sun up above. The morning was as bright as his mood, the sky crystal blue. The halfling had burrowed deep inside him and taken root. He couldn’t forget the taste of his skin, the shape of his mouth on Luke’s body. He feared he was changed, fundamentally.He’d let Malachi in, and like a stain, he would never get him back out. The prospect was far less terrifying than he would’ve guessed. He felt complete with Malachi in a way he’d never experienced before. Every touch, every kiss, felt like a permanent brand in his flesh. Malachi’s touch would never rinse off, and he never wanted it to.

Training often quieted his darker thoughts. Maybe it would help this bubbly distraction, too. He needed to act normal here so no one would ask questions, and that meant not smiling like an idiot every time he thought about the red-eyed demon he left slumbering in his bed—a far more challenging feat than he ever would’ve expected.

When he pulled into a parking spot behind HQ’s towering walls, he paused to drain the last of his coffee before he stepped out of the car. A gravel path trailed from the parking lot through the grounds, and the crunch of it under his sneakers was familiar and relaxing. Despite his best efforts to turn his thoughts toward the day ahead, he wondered what Malachi was doing, if he was still asleep. Where did he live? Was he still sleeping in Luke’s bed, or had he gone home already? What did a demon’s home even look like? Maybe he’d get to see it one day.

“Paladin Morgan,” a familiar voice called, and he turned to see Nathan approaching, his expression stormy. The training yard was within sight, the clack of practice swords echoing through the air, but he suddenly had a feeling he wouldn’t be joining them.

“Captain Accardi,” Luke greeted warily. He’d only just set foot on the grounds. Had Nathan been waiting for him to arrive? “What can I do for you?”

Nathan glanced around, ensuring they were alone, and said, “Sloan wants a word.”

His stomach dropped. He fought to keep his expression blank. “With me? Why?”

Nathan shifted from foot to foot, his mouth pursing. “To be frank, you were spotted with a halfling. Sloan has some questions.”

Adrenaline zinged through his veins, but he relaxed his shoulders. “Oh, that. Yeah, I can explain that. It was nothing.”

Nathan nodded, looking equally relieved. “Oh, good. I believe you. No one is accusing you of anything, as far as I know. Everyone is understandably on edge regarding any interaction with the halflings. He just wants to touch base with you, find out what the halfling wanted.”

Anxiety slithered through him. “Right.”

“He’s waiting in his office now. Best not to keep him waiting.” Nathan clapped him on the arm and turned away, the matter resolved as far as he was concerned. “Come find me when you’re done. I’ve got some hours to log on the training yard.”

“Yes, so do I. I’ll be back soon.”

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