Page 110 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
“Nex,” she said softly, pushing dark strands off his forehead.
The moment her fingers touched his skin, his eyes snapped open, and his arms constricted the remaining air from her lungs. “What’s wrong?”
Kat wheezed. “I can’t breathe.”
“Fuck.” He loosened his arms and kissed her forehead. “Sorry. How’d you sleep?”
When he returned home, his fellow demons let him know she’d been restless, though that changed when he climbed into bed with her. She was still restless but less so once he held her. Shaken from what happened, he’d inadvertently gripped her tighter and tighter all night.
“Fine.” Kat assessed the dark circles beneath his eyes. “Did you sleep?”
“Some.” He nuzzled her nose and rested his cheek against hers. “Don’t worry about me. You never ate last night. Are you hungry?”
“I have other things on my mind.” Kat sat up. “When are you going to talk to Gabriel?”
Nex laid his head in her lap and cuddled her waist. “I already did.”
“Last night?” Kat frowned, and Nex nodded. “I didn’t know you left.”
“I didn’t want to, my angel.” He reached up and skimmed his fingers along her jaw. “I had to deal with it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You almost died. I didn’t want to put anything else on you.”
Kat combed her fingers through his hair. “I’m tougher than you think. What happened?”
“Gabriel wasn’t the one responsible. It was Uriel, and he’s a fucking cunt.” Nex growled. “I still don’t trust Gabriel. Melchizedek is the one who’ll hopefully help us.Ifhe can be trusted.”
“Melchizedek?” Kat’s frown deepened. “Uriel?”
“Uriel’s the one who sent someone after you. Melchizedek was the weird customer at the bookstore. They’re here together.”
Kat nodded, then shook her head. “I don’t understand. I’ve read about these angels, but why would they all need to be here?”
“Because of me.” Nex burrowed against her stomach. “Because I’m a bigger problem since I’m a higher rank.”
“So, a higher rank means what?”
“That my actions are judged more harshly.” Nex remembered Death’s words. “Because I’m a role model.”
“Oh.”
“Let’s get you something to eat.” Nex sat up and kissed her. A long, deep, intimate kiss that had her chasing after him when he pulled away. He rested his hand against her cheek and stared at her while her screams from the night before echoed in his mind. “Fuck, Katherine, can you ever forgive me?”
“Forgive you for what?”
“For letting that happen.” He closed his eyes, unable to look at her. “For not being more careful.”
“That wasn’t your fault.” Kat guided him to face her. He reluctantly opened his eyes, exposing the pain and guilt swirling within them. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“I knew it could become a problem, and I didn’t watch over you like I should have. I never should’ve let you out of my sight.” He slid out of bed and shuffled toward the kitchen. “I don’t know how you can stand to look at me.”
“Because you didn’t do anything.” Kat climbed off the bed and followed him. “I don’t blame you. I only wish you would’ve told me something was going on, but I should’ve told you about Gabriel. I don’t blame you for any of it.”
In the kitchen, Nex shook his head and reached for the kettle. “You should.”
Kat wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her cheek against his warm back. “I love you,” she whispered. “Don’t hate yourself, please. Just let me love you. Let me love you enough it takes the place of everything negative.”
