Page 83 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
Kat’s eyebrows lifted. “Excuse me? Are you suggesting I’m doing something wrong?”
His smile faltered. “Areyou doing something wrong? Are you letting yourself be tempted by demons and carried down a dark path? People are not always what they seem. Your boyfriend won’t accompany you to church. What does that say about him? Perhaps he isn’t the best person for someone who seems otherwise honorable.”
“I don’t appreciate your forwardness.” Kat’s tone was clipped. “Nex being my boyfriend doesn’t mean he has to believe what I believe or attend church with me. Him not wanting to come doesn’t make him a bad person. There isn’t anything I’ve done that I should feel guilty for, and you know why? Because my morals are ironclad, and if I had something Ishouldfeel guilty over, then I would. But I don’t. I know the difference between right and wrong. Based on your behavior, I’d wager you don’t. Take your convictions to Pastor Brighton if that makes you feel better. As for me, what I do and what I believe is right are between me and who I choose, be it another person or God. My convictions are my own. They’re not something I have to explain to you.”
Kat stalked away, but Gabriel caught her arm. “Katherine—”
“I’ll thank you not to bother me again, Gabriel.” Kat yanked her arm free and returned to Bernice with the salad, trying to keep the smile on her face despite the shake in her hands.
Don’t look at him.Don’t give him the benefit.Hair on the back of her neck rose, and she looked over, finding him talking to someone else. The moment her eyes landed on him, his gaze darted to her. That peacefulness he usually exuded wasn’t so calming. Something about him was off, and she squirmed at the prospect of walking home alone, so she broke the tense silence with Nex.
Kat: Wanna have dinner with me at that bar you like?
It didn’t matter that Kat was underage. If anyone considered asking for ID, one look from Nex changed their mind.
Kat chewed her lip and waited for his response. Usually, they came fast, but he wasn’t happy when she left. He often walked her to church, but today he was so mad he didn’t. Her phone vibrated, and she swiped open the text.
Nex: Trying to make up for spending all day in a place you know I can’t be? They don’t have any of your healthy food at that bar.
Kat sighed and typed a response, then deleted it, typed another, and deleted that. Thumbs hovering over the screen and heart aching, she frowned. She hoped he would’ve cooled off by now. Another message came in, and her shoulders relaxed.
Nex: You don’t have anything to make up to me. It’s not your fault I can’t go on holy ground. I’m sorry for fighting with you this morning. The truth is, now I’m only upset with you because you ruined a surprise. I made dinner for you. As part of my apology for losing my temper and being an ass. So no, I don’t want to go to a restaurant with other people. You’re the only one I want to see. I miss you, my kitten. Do you miss me?
A warm smile spread over her face. Part of her wondered if she should bring up Gabriel instead of misleading Nex, but he got overprotective too easily, and as annoyed as she was with Gabriel, she didn’t want Nex doing anything rash. Lilith scared her. Nex’s short temper would definitely come out if he knew what happened with Gabriel today, and that could attract Lilith’s attention.
Kat: Of course I miss you. I always miss you. Will you come walk home with me so I don’t lose any more time with you today?
The hair on the back of her neck rose. She glanced back, then snapped her head forward when she saw Gabriel still staring.
Nex: For fuck’s sake, stop ruining every surprise I have. Look outside.
Heart hammering, she walked to the window. Outside the church boundary stood Nex. She had planned to stay a little longer, but now she wanted to be in his arms. She gave him a small wave then said quick goodbyes to her congregation.
On the snowy path, she ran and threw her arms around Nex. “I’m sorry.” She buried her face in his neck. “I’m not trying to hurt you by coming here.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Nex stroked her hair. “I’m sorry for being an asshole. I know it’s important to you. I’ll stop pestering you about it if you agree that however long you spend where I can’t reach you, I get equal time with you completely naked.”
“Oh, good grief.” Kat rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand. “As if you don’t get that already.”
“You misunderstand, kitten.” Nex squeezed her hand, then released it and wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked. “I want you naked, not just in the bedroom. I want you naked all the time. Fighting with your hair, making your tea. I think it’s time to enact thatno-clothes-at-home policy.”
Kat leaned into his side. “Not happening.”
Nex shrugged. “Challenge accepted. I’ll make it so you can’t get to any of your clothes. Then you’ll have to be naked for me.”
“I thought you were trying to make up this morning to me?”
“I was, but you ruined the surprises I planned, so now you have something to make up to me.” His fingers pressed into her waist, and he kissed her temple. “I’ll decide how you do that. It’s not an easy decision because I do very much like watching your face twist in pleasure while I fuck you, but I also thoroughly enjoy bending you over. Perhaps I’ll do both.”
Kat smacked his chest and glanced around to make sure nobody was nearby. “What did I say about talking about these things in public?”
“I don’t know. I stop listening when you tell me what I’m allowed to say to the woman who belongs to me.”
Kat turned her face into his coat to hide her embarrassment as they crossed her snow-covered yard. “You’re ridiculous.”
Nex scoffed. “You like how I am. Don’t bother denying it. So . . . How was it?”
“You don’t have to ask. It’s not for you. That’s okay.” She unlocked and opened the front door. “We don’t have to agree on everything, Nex. We can respect each other without agreeing.”
