Page 13 of A Beginner's Guide to Demonic Possessions
“About what?” Paz asked. “I get it. Dating apps do suck—angels blame us for that one, but I don’t think anyone downstairs created those. I totally think that was an angelic endeavor gone wrong, not that they’ll ever admit it. And it’s perfectly reasonable to want a relationship and feel awkwardabout hooking up with strangers. So don’t feel bad about anything at all,” Paz reassured Trent.
Ok. You were just quiet. I didn’t know if it was a judgy quiet,Trent half laughed.
Paz was throwing pillows on the couch, but he stopped and walked into the bathroom, looking in the mirror. He looked super serious, and Trent felt his nerves coming back. Geez, it was like he was on a date or something. He had nerves and awkwardness ever since the whole hook up conversation had started. Hence his blurting.
And, yeah, Trent could admit it to himself—it was because he actually liked Paz. And honestly the whole shopping experience, the decorating, and now confession time sort offeltlike a date. Only he didn’t think he’d ever had a date go so well.
“Listen, because I’m serious,” Paz said, looking into the mirror. It was weird, because he was looking at himself, but he was also looking into Paz’s eyes at the same time, and they had taken on a slightly reddish hue. “I willneverbe judgy about you. You are a nice, kind, sweet guy. You’re a bit grumpy, yeah, and I really don’t get the whole sitting in the dark in the morning thing, but I won’t judge you for it. That’s just you, and there’s nothing whatsoever wrong with you. And anyone who tells you differently is an asshole, and you don’t need them in your life. Because you’re amazing.”
Yeah, but I didn’t decorate my apartment for six years,Trent joked nervously. Then he would’ve smacked himself if he could’ve. Someone paid him a compliment, and he pointed out his flaws.
Paz just smirked in the mirror, though. “Yes, well, I didn’t say you wereperfect, just amazing. No one is perfect. Besides, you had me to help you decorate, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
Yeah, thank you for that. The place really does look better,Trent admitted.
“Yes, and almost all the unpacking is pretty much done. So maybe it is time for a little fun,” Paz smirked, winking at Trent in the mirror. Then he stripped his shirt off, staring at his bare chest. If Trent could’ve blushed, he would’ve. He was pale and not the most built guy out there.
Trent chuckled nervously again.Ah, yeah, I could probably get to the gym a bit more.
“Hush with that,” Paz murmured. “You have a totally sexy body. Trust me, I’ve seen every inch of it.” Then he smiled wickedly at the mirror before looking back at his chest in the glass.
Then, ever so slowly, his hand inched up and flicked a nipple. Only Trent could actuallyfeelit. It was like suddenly he was connected to his nipples and his dick, and he felt his dick stirring with that flick.
Fuck.
What… uh, what are you doing?Trent mumbled.
Paz just smirked in the mirror, his fingers squeezing Trent’s nipple and gently tugging it. Only Trent didn’t feel his hand, so it was like someone else was doing it to him.
He tried to stifle a moan, but Paz’s smirk got bigger, so he didn’t think he was very successful.
Paz let his hand drop down, and Trent didn’t know whether to feel disappointed or relieved, but then Paz was stripping his pants off.
“Time to get clean,” Paz said, heading over to the tub to turn the water on. It sounded flirty to Trent, unless he was just imagining dirty things (which was highly possible).
Trent waited for him to start the shower up, only he pulled the knob to let the tub fill instead.
“Are you taking a bath?” Trent asked. He never bothered using the bathtub, although he was kinda glad he did clean it regularly anyway.
“Mmmm, you have such a nice big tub. Seems like you’re right and I ought to enjoy some of the pleasures of being human. A good, hot soak is just what this body needs,” he murmured.
Trent would’ve blushed if he had a face, although he didn’t think Paz meant that to sound dirty. He didn’t feel his body anymore, so he guessed that little flirtation was just Paz teasing him. He needed to get his mind out of the gutter.
Paz sat on the side of the tub—it really was a large bathtub—and Trent wondered why he never soaked in it. He loved the water. He guessed with work and trying to find a boyfriend (scrolling and chatting on dating sites was practically a second job), he just never really slowed down to enjoy things.
The dating sites and the whole scene had become sort of tedious, too. He didn’t really enjoy any of it anymore. He hadn’t really enjoyed anything in quite awhile, truth be told. He liked his job—he worked finance for a small company—but he’d even been dreading that lately. He had great coworkers, but he supposed the fact that they kept suggesting he use his vacation days should’ve been a sign that he had been grumpier than normal.
Maybe it was time to switch things up. Maybe he’d really book that vacation. Hell, maybe he’d get Paz to do it for him so he couldn’t back out. And he was going to get off the neverending treadmill of dating sites, because it wasn’t even fun anymore. Maybe he’d go out with coworkers and work on building his friendships up. Or else he’d find a hobby. At the very least, he could enjoy a good book—he loved reading, but he couldn’t think of the last time he’d done it—and a hot bath (and he’d do it when he could actually feel his body soaking in the warmth).
He knew he’d been cranky and down lately (although mornings did not count—there was no other way to be in the morning besides grumpy), but he hadn’t realized how much he had been needing a change. Paz had started the process—he really did love the way his apartment looked, and he knew Paz wasn’t even done yet—and he figured even once his demon was gone, he could keep on improving life.
And if thinking about Paz being gone made him feel out of sorts, well, he’d ignore that for now and focus on the moment. After all, they had a hot bath to enjoy.
Chapter
Nine
BATHS ARE VASTLY UNDERRATED
