Page 45 of Boyfriend From Hell
“So, you really like it?” he asked, sheepishly.
“What do I need to do? Pry my brain out and plop it into your hands? I love it. I more than love it. It’s beyond perfect, Raios.”
He grinned at that and his worry-rigid body seemed to loosen. I reached for him, wanting to hug him, the amount he worried over such a small thing was endearing. As I wrapped my arms around him and felt his body relax further into mine, I couldn’t resist but marvel at the simplicity of the action. This was our first hug—obviously not a groundbreaking milestone by any means, but it was a funny thought, realizing I had ridden his cock before even doing something as simple as this.
I held the devil to me, and thought loud enough for him to hear.
I wouldn’t mind spending all of eternity withyou.
We spent the following days fully enthralled in one another. Creating that room for her was the best decision, it truly opened her up and brought her a sense of comfort I didn’t realize could be brought upon by (what I had deemed) invaluable objects.
The days were filled with answering her questions about Hell and its inhabitants—how people ended up here, if pets end up here, how demons came to be and what they are. We lightly touched on our childhoods and how they differed and what it was like for both of us growing up. After the last few days—I felt as if I had known her for a lifetime. I explained mortality to her and did my best to explain how, and why, I was immortal—though the best I could come up with was ‘that’s just how it is’.
We also had a lengthy discussion about how our anatomies differ slightly, and that there is no way she could get pregnant from my seed—that was a far more awkward (though very valid and reasonable) conversation. And that’s saying something, considering it’s competing with the moment I had to confess my virginity to her. I knew some of my flippant answers didn’t fulfill all of her curiosities, and I acknowledged that, realistically, Ishouldknow more than I did. But growing up,I had next to no interest in learning about the history of this place or its people. Granted, I still don’t—I’ve more or less succumbed to the fact that, regardless of my wants, I’m meant to fulfill a role of destiny and take over the family business of running the Underworld. But I digress.
“Raios?” My sweet one said, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked at her and gave a sheepish grin.
“I’m sorry—what were you saying, love?”
“I need help choosing a color for the hallway walls.” She gnawed at her bottom lip.
I noticed she did that when she was either deep in thought, or weighing her options. It was a small thing I had picked up on instantly and I was glad she wasn’t aware of the habit because she would surely attempt to stop the adorable quirk. I tilted my head to the side and examined the four, extremely similar, colors that were pulled up on her laptop—all of which were damned near the exact same shade of beige. Good thing Hell had no shortage of contractors, because there was no shot I was doing this solo. I’d have to send Mal or Cam topside to grab the things we needed—unfortunatelyHome Depothasn’t made its way down here—yet.
“Hmm,” I hummed, leaning over her and the cozy little nest she’d made for herself on her couch. “I like that one.”
“Really?”
She looked up at me, her face screwed into a look of distaste. I couldn’t help but chuckle. I had settled into the realization that I loved her shortly after our ‘date’ in Gluttony district. Every small thing she did felt like taking a bullet straight to the heart—and I welcomed each one with open arms.
For once in my bleak life, I had found my flame. “Oh, no, notthatone?”I cringed, “Sorry, I actually meantthat one.” I jutted my chin aimlessly toward the screen and was rewarded with an eye roll and a haphazard swat in my direction.
“Choose whichever color you like, love. This is your home now too. I couldn’t care less if the entire estate crumbles to the ground, so long as I have you by my side.”
I planted a kiss atop her dark red hair, now haloed with black roots and streaked with gray. My star kissed, littlenightmare.
One Month Later…
Faux sunlight shone down on me as the sunset bulbs Raios installed grew brighter. I rolled over and smiled at the horned man curled beside me.
I was amazed at how much he had gotten done—painting, updating, everything. He even managed to get me Wi-Fi down here. I had no idea howthatwas even possible and I wasn’t going to bother asking him either—despite how amazing he was, he truly didn’t know much. I smiled at the thought, he was so goofy.
One would think, based on looks, that he’d be as rabid as a rottweiler or something of the sort—but he was softer than butter. I adored how transparent he was with me about every single thing. He didn’t feign knowledge or boast about nonsense the way typical men often did. He was completely comfortable with who he was—at least around me.
Raios rustled beneath the covers and opened his eyes, giving me a sleepy smile.
Today was the day we were supposed to consecrate our bond. Raios spent the last week explaining to me what that meant and what it entailed. At first it freaked me the fuck out. I had imagined something akin to a wedding ceremony, ormaybe some kind of announcement speech. Nope. We had to fuck in front of Hell and all its inhabitants.
Why? Because, according to Raios, that’s just how things are down here—and how they’ve always been. It was an obscure tradition, but if you closed both eyes and tilted your head, maybe it made sense—maybe? (Not really.)
He explained it as a visual, intimate display of affection—us staking claim to one another. I don’t know. I felt weird about it, but then again, this was Hell, and apparently, this was the only way for him to take his father’s place as ruler.
Thankfully, his parents wouldnotbe present. Now that Raios was taking the reins of the theoretical—but also maybe not-so-theoretical—throne, his parents had been traveling a lot. Allegedly, Heaven was a great vacation spot this time of year.
“What’s on your mind, sweet one?” Raios asked as he caressed my cheek.
He’d been doing great with not reading my thoughts, at least so he said. If he was, he no longer made it apparent, which I appreciated all the same.
“Just… worried about today, I guess.”
