Page 29 of Demon's Mate
What Ash did wasn’t like that. Why had he run? Why had he bothered being kind? Was it just so he could use Harper?
Harper’s heart skipped, more memories intruding. He didn’t want to think about what had happened with that other man—the one who cornered him after the visiting witch tossed him aside—but at the same time, he was sick of not acknowledging it.
“I was assaulted a couple of years ago, and this was the first time I’d been with anyone since,” he confessed to Ollie. “I guess I’m just in my head about it this morning.”
“Oh, Harper…” Ollie put his mug down and slid along the couch, pulling Harper into a hug. Harper hunched down. It was awkward, but Ollie’s touch was soft and soothing.
To Harper’s relief, Ollie didn’t say anything else. Being comforted rather than questioned gave Harper a sense of validation. He hadn’t told anyone before, not counting accidentally revealing it to Ash.
“Thanks,” Harper whispered, hoping it conveyed how much he appreciated Ollie.
“Any time.” Ollie squeezed before releasing him. “I’m sorry that happened, and I’m always here if you want to talk.”
“I don’t think I want to say any more about it.”
Ollie rested a hand on Harper’s knee. “That’s okay. Hopefully it helps not holding it in.”
“Yeah.” Harper was less tense than he’d been. He wasn’t suddenly over it, but getting through this conversation felt significant. “You can always talk to me too.”
Ollie picked up his mug, saying playfully, “Oh, I don’t know if you’re ready to hear about my exes. There’s no reason to subject you to that.” Ollie shuddered dramatically, and Harper laughed.
He welcomed the lightened mood but was serious as he said, “If you need me to, I’ll find a way to manage.”
Ollie’s mug paused on its way to his mouth. “Fuck, you’re sweet. You better never move out. I’m going to get addicted to having you here.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Harper pushed his plans for leaving Shearwater Landing to the back of his mind.
He didn’thaveto go. Not when he’d stumbled across the best thing to ever happen to him. He needed friends, and his coven had no idea where he was. If he made it undiscovered for the whole six months he needed to save enough to leave, then he’d be in the clear anyway. Right?
Why not stay?
Later that afternoon,Harper left the apartment, his shoulder bag full of the potions he’d brewed in the middle of the night. As he stepped out of his building, he scanned the street and stayed alert for anyone following him, but no nausea or prickling awareness snuck up on him.
He walked without wanting to run, comfortable in his own skin.
Harper had never been relaxed at home, and even after last night’s disappointment, he felt better than he ever had around his coven. It had to be down to Ollie.
But he stayed vigilant. He couldn’t afford to be sloppy just because he had a safe space.
Harper walked past the coffee shop he kept meaning to visit, disappointed to see it was already closed for the day. Next time, he had to come out earlier and stop in.
He turned away from the dark window and almost ran into a man walking down the sidewalk.
“Whoa, there.” The man caught Harper by the shoulders, steadying him briefly before pulling back.
“Sorry.” So much for staying vigilant. Harper’s heart pounded, but a quick check showed the guy was human.
“No worries.” He flashed an almost blinding smile and carried on in the opposite direction.
Harper willed his pulse to calm and continued on.
A few blocks later, he came to The Herb Emporium. Harper looked over his shoulder one last time, and satisfied no one outside was watching him, he entered the narrow shop.
Incense filled the air. A woman browsed candles near the front window but Harper wasn’t alarmed to find a witch here. She didn’t pay him any attention.
“Hello, Mr. Harper,” the man behind the counter called.
Harper approached, careful not to knock into any of the crowded displays. He’d given a fake name—Sam—the first time he’d come here but had blanked on the last name he’d planned to use and had said Harper in a panic. There wasn’t anything he could do about the poor disguise now.
