Page 125 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
“I missed you so much.” Kat’s words were whispered through the growing lump in her throat. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I told you I’d find a way back to you, but you saved us, didn’t you?” A smile pulled on his lips. “Youdrovefor help.”
“I was terrified, but I was more afraid of losing you.”
“You’re not going to lose me.” He ran his thumb over her freckled cheek. “I’m never going to be away from you again.”
“You hated being human.” The eleven days he was upset when his powers were gone had been awful. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
“I could handle the worst pain imaginable. It’d still come second to losing you.”
“So, you’re staying?” Kat’s eyes overflowed. This time, it wasn’t hopelessness escaping; it was relief. Relief to have the man she loved back in her arms. “For good?”
“I told you.” He cupped her face. “I love you. I’m not going anywhere.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips that had them sinking into each other, holding on like they would never let go.
And they never did.
Epilogue: Personal Heaven
Nexstoodinfrontof the mirror. Not used to dressing up, he tugged at his clothes. When he’d been on Earth before, he’d stuck to jeans and T-shirts. Today, he wore a button-up shirt and black pants. He pulled at the tie Katherine put on him and sighed, walking into the kitchen where Katherine crouched, rubbing Venandi’s belly.
“You’re such a good girl, Nandi,” Katherine cooed. Venandi barked playfully, sat up, and licked Kat’s face.
“Really?” Nex crossed his arms. “With the nicknames?”
“Says the man who gave me a nickname shortly after meeting me.” She ignored Nex’s scowl and scratched behind Sicarius’s ears. “You’re a good puppy, too, Cari. You’re going to take good care of the house while we’re gone, aren’t you? You’re going to be so good for Jeremiah.”
“Cari?” Nex huffed. “Absolutely not. We’renotcalling Sicarius,Cari.”
“You can call him whatever you want,” Kat kissed Sicarius’s head and stood, “but I’m calling him Cari.”
“You’re asking for it.”
“You think I’m always asking for it.” Kat pecked Nex’s cheek. “I think it’s wishful thinking on your part.”
“Don’t pretend you don’t like the idea too.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her lips to his.
Kat melted against him and circled her arms around his neck. “It’s time to go.”
“Or, we could stay home.” Nex slid his hands under her lavender and white sundress, gliding them up her legs and lifting her. “And be alone.”
Kat moaned when he kissed her harder. Using all her inner strength, she pulled out of the kiss, panting. “You’re welcome to stay home, but I’m going. We can be alone as much as you want later.”
“But I want to be alone and not go anywherenow.” Nex dropped his head into her neck and kissed where she was sensitive.
“Stop trying to distract me. It’s not fair. You know I can hardly ever say no to you.” Throbbing for him already, she squirmed and pushed until he set her down. “You don’t have to come. I didn’t ask you to.”
“I know you didn’t.” Nex made a face and kept his arms loosely around her waist. “How long does it last?”
“About an hour.” Kat gave him a light kiss. “I’ll hold your hand the whole time.” She walked over and opened the back door, then crouched and gave both dogs a hug. “We’ll be back, puppies.”
Nex grimaced and stayed inside while Kat went out to fill the hounds’ water dishes. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes landing on the photograph Katherine made them take on Christmas Eve. At the time, he wasn’t happy about having his picture taken. Now, he was glad he had the reminder of his friend.
The photo was taken before they left for their walk to look at lights. The two of them with Marcus and Lucian. Demons didn’t take pictures, so this was the only one they had of Lucian. Kat had it printed and framed, devastated when she learned what had happened to him.
Every day, she’d pick flowers from the backyard and set them by the picture on the windowsill. Nex wasn’t surprised when she came back inside with two bunches of flowers and arranged one bunch in front of the picture, keeping the other in her hand for their next stop. She smiled sadly at the photo, ran her fingers along the edge, then reached for Nex’s hand.
