Page 50 of My Demon Assistant

Forthelastfifteenminutes, we'd all been doing our own thing. I'd spent hours with my friends just like this, and the small bit of normalcy helped me not worry about Eshim too much.

Kat was scrolling on her phone while Archer fed Gunner, and I...I was checking my emails and worrying about my boyfriend. And my dog.

Eshim had texted me before going to his meeting that he'd made a pit stop to my home to give Tom some food, so heshouldbe okay for a few more hours. Eshim had also installed a doggy door in my backdoor a few days ago, and built a fence around my backyard that made sure Tom couldn't get out, so there was no reason I should be fussing about anything happening to Tom.

"We're back!"

I jumped at the sudden sound, then jerked my gaze up, finding Eshim's blue eyes instantly.

"Hey, Jerry," he murmured as I shot to my feet. I could hear Kat and Archer talking to their partners, but I had no idea what they were saying because all my focus was on Eshim.

"You're okay," I murmured once I'd made sure there was no blood or injuries on his person, and he smiled.

"I am. I told you I'd be back in one piece. All we did was talk," he said as he closed the distance between us, and I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a kiss.

My heart felt like it'd finally settled after spending the last few hours buzzing with a low but constant level of anxiety.

I kissed Eshim like we hadn't seen each other in ages, and he kissed me back just as intensely, his hands tight around my hips. I missed his other hands in that moment, and wondered if it would be weird if I asked him to take his true form right now.

Just as my lungs were starting to demand oxygen, Eshim pulled back, then rested his forehead against mine. "Hey," he said again, making me smile.

"Hey, back."

"Were we that sappy when we first got together?" Fressia asked with a note of horror in her voice, making Eshim pull back to glare at her.

"Fuck off, Fres. It's not my fault you can't even spell the word romance. I feel sorry for you." The last part was directed at Kat, who snickered like it was the best joke she'd heard all day.

"Hey, I have moves."

"You do, baby," Kat said, patting her arm in a comforting gesture while her eyes twinkled with amusement.

Once Lux had given Gunner a good cuddle, he and Kat brought out dinner, and we sat around the coffee table eating while the three demons told us about their meeting.

The thought that there were some evil souls running around out there looking for someone to turn into a host body for themselves scared the shit out of me, but I knew Eshim would keep me safe. Not everyone had their own demon to protect them, though, and I hoped the dark souls and demon would be captured soon.

Once everyone was done eating, we didn't linger. Quick good night wishes followed, and then Eshim took me home.

The moment we appeared in my living room, Tom came racing to me, his butt wriggling madly in his excitement.

"Hey, buddy. Did you miss me?" I asked as I sat down on the couch and Tom jumped onto it. Eshim sat down beside me, and Tom jumped over our laps, ecstatic that we were both here. I was too, and I didn't want Eshim to leave.

Turning to him, I took his hand in mine, linking our fingers together. "Will you stay the night?"

"Yes!"

I smiled at his quick, enthusiastic response, my heart feeling light enough I was afraid it would've floated away if it wasn't caged. I felt safe with Eshim, not physically per se, but emotionally. I felt like I could let my guard down around him, be vulnerable and trust him to not take advantage of it, to not hurt me.

Once Tom was satisfied we were going to stick around and stop disappearing, he hopped off to his bed, ready for a night of sleep. I decided to take him into work tomorrow as a reward for being a good boy today. He deserved a change of scenery after spending so much time stuck at home.

Eshim and I cleaned up one by one, then climbed under the covers. Having Eshim in my bed feltright. I hadn't shared this bed with anyone since Kat. I'd slept with people, of course, but I'd preferred to do it at their place, in a hotel, or a few times, even in a club bathroom.

My bedroom was mine alone, but I didn't mind sharing it with Eshim. In fact, I kind of liked it.

I turned on my side and Eshim followed suit, smiling softly when our eyes met. I let my gaze roam over him, admiring his smooth, tanned skin, his firm muscles.

"You can drop the human form, you know. You don't have to keep it up when you're home if you don't want to," I said, and his smile brightened.

The magical camouflage he wore flickered, then fell away, revealing my big, beautiful demon with his massive arms that immediately latched onto me and pulled me closer, smothering my face into his chest.

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