Page 101 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
“Are you insulted that I don’t find you scary?”
“Of course I am! I’m a demon, for fuck’s sake. If I’m not scary, then what the hell am I?”
Kat grinned. “Adorable.”
Nex inhaled deeply. “Not funny.”
“Okay, okay.” She moved up and kissed his cheek. “How about this? You were terrifying when I first met you, and had I not gotten to know you, I’d still be scared of you. Is that better?”
“I suppose,” Nex grumbled.
“Don’t be mad.” Kat pouted and laid her head on his chest, looking up at him through her eyelashes. “You’re the scariest demon to ever have lived.”
“Now you’re coddling me.”
“Nex?”
He sighed. “What?”
She set her hand on his face and smiled in the way that always melted away any annoyance. “You’re my favorite demon.”
He wanted to still be annoyed. He didn’t want to smile. He couldn’t help it, so he looked away. “I’m going to get you to watch a scary movie.”
“How about you watch the movie that’s on right now? It’s a good movie.”
“I’m not denying it’s interesting.” Nex dragged his hand up and down her back. “I just don’t know why humans enjoy movies that make them sad.”
Kat rested her head on his chest again, focusing on the screen. They were quiet for a while before she spoke, softer. “It was my dad’s favorite.”
Nex paused stroking her back. Christmas Eve may have been a great night for them intimately, but the entire holiday the next day left her less able to deny how much it hurt to be without her parents. Her cheerful self was not quite as cheerful. She’d put a lot more effort into it than she usually did.
“What did he like about it?” Nex asked, flattening his palm on her back and holding her tighter.
Kat chewed her lip for a moment. “It’s real. It doesn’t dance around hard topics and shows that time and people are precious.” She traced the collar of his shirt. “Sometimes things we think are important don’t mean anything because we won’t remember every time something didn’t go how we wanted. We remember moments. Moments where time stands still, and everything is perfect. And those moments are infinitely more precious because you know it can’t stay that way forever. Art is important because it captures those moments.” She looked at the TV again. “That’s why it’s so good. Because it shows special, unforgettable moments in the midst of tragedy and loss and injustices, and that’s how real life is. Things don’t always go like you hope. The people you love don’t always get to stick around. People you should be able to trust hurt you. It tells us to cling to what’s important and not let the other stuff bother us so much we forget to live in the moment.”
“What’s important to you, Katherine?”
Kat blushed and peeked up at him. “Right now?” He nodded. “You. You’re everything to me.”
“And will our perfect moment not last?”
“I don’t know. Are you going to stay with me or . . .” Her heart sank at the thought. “Or are you still trying to get home?”
“Katherine.” Nex pulled her closer and held her face. “I am home. My home is where you are.” He kissed her.
The air left her lungs, her heart leaped from her chest, and every inch of her filled with contentment. True intimacy, true openness, true . . . Worry lines creased her forehead. “You’re not going to leave me?”
The words he couldn’t say floated in his mind but failed to find an escape. At least not before. But as Nex stared down at her big eyes full of fear, his hesitance washed away. She needed to hear it more than he was scared to say it. “I . . .” His heart pounded. “I’m not going to leave you.” He leaned closer and ran his thumb over her cheek. “I can’t.”
“Because I won’t pick a name, I know.” Kat’s voice grew quieter. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s not why.” Nex caressed her jaw. “I can’t leave because I can’t be away from you. Because I . . .” He swallowed and stared at her. He wasn’t supposed to be able to feel this way. He thought he was losing his mind, but her eyes told him there was no denying it. “I love you, Katherine. I’m not going anywhere.”
Kat’s eyes widened, and she set her hand on his face. “You love me?”
“I do.” He brushed his lips against hers. “Very much.”
“I love you too.” Kat wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “So much,” she whispered against his lips. “I love you so much.”
