Page 69 of Demon's Mate
He cut toward the center of the city. Harper couldn’t believe they were flying, the wind whipping his hair and buildings getting smaller beneath them. It was like being on a rollercoaster.
Harper let out a laugh, catching Ash’s eye.
The demon grinned, climbing higher, then dove.
Harper shrieked, joy bubbling out of him as he laughed harder. “Damn, this is amazing!”
Ash chuckled. “Yeah? How about this?” He rolled, spinning them around like a corkscrew, and Harper screamed with delight. Ash straightened out. “Haven’t pulled that move in a while. It’s like being young again.”
Harper nuzzled his cheek. “I take back calling you ancient. Do it again?”
Ash obliged and Harper swore he could feel Ash’s excitement echoing his.
They flew across town toward the ocean. Salt tinged the air, filling Harper’s nose. He buried his face against Ash’s neck and breathed in his smoky scent. Ash’s arms tightened around him. Here, high above the city, with nothing securing him but two strong arms, Harper had never felt safer.
He should tell Ash about his hunt and his coven. He didn’t have to accept Ash’s help or risk everything by relying on him, but he felt so secure with this man, this demon. Maybe he could take a little risk.
What was the worst that could happen? Surely Ashwouldn’t hand him over to his coven after killing to protect him. Maybe there wasn’t too much risk in sharing his life with Ash, even if he didn’t understand Ash’s interest.
He trusted Ash not to drop him. Couldn’t he trust Ash with the truth of who he was and what his life had been?
Harper watched waves crash on the beach as Ash flew along the waterfront, heading for the cliffs north of the city where a private nature reserve prevented development and kept the clifftop green and free of people.
Was that where the demons lived? Harper never would have figured that out through the city’s stone memory.
Ash flew over a flock of sooty shearwaters nesting on the cliff face. A magical spark skittered across Harper’s skin, and a house appeared where a second before, there’d been nothing but wild shrubbery and tall trees.
Ash smoothly landed on a large deck and lowered Harper to his feet. “Did you enjoy that?”
Harper’s pulse pounded. He still felt like he was soaring. “It was incredible. Ten out of ten, best thing ever.”
Ash flexed his wings, looking at Harper like he was everything he wanted, his smile so warm Harper could almost feel it.
Harper wanted to be Ash’s everything. He wanted all the feelings inside him to grow until they fell in love, which was a lot to want from someone he hardly knew. But what if he leaned in and followed his feelings, even if they didn’t make sense? Where would they take him?
Ash was one of the best things to happen to him. Harper seemed to be stumbling into all kinds of good people. What if he embraced Ash instead of letting fear rule every aspect of his life?
Harper pulled Ash into a kiss. His fangs remained retracted, even with his other demon features out, so Harper was free to devour his lips. Ash opened for him and Harper let his tongueexplore Ash’s mouth, only pulling back when he struggled to breathe.
Ash smiled slyly. “You really like flying.”
“Mm-hmm.” Harper continued kissing him. What he really liked was Ash. The flying was a bonus.
Humming against Harper’s lips, Ash picked him up, Harper’s limbs automatically wrapping around Ash’s strong body.
Ash carried Harper from the deck, entering a large open doorway into the house. Everything seemed built to accommodate a demon’s wings.
They entered a room with a view of the nature reserve rather than the ocean and city the other side of the house overlooked. Ash closed the door and tossed Harper onto the bed, taking his shoulder bag and setting it on the floor.
Harper’s heart did summersaults.
Ash spread his wings as he climbed onto the bed, the large room easily accommodating him. His chest heaved and his golden-brown eyes burned bright.
Faced with the intensity of Ash’s desire, Harper’s breath caught and his core liquefied, desire coiling deep inside him as his cock hardened. He pulled off his shirt and pants like he was in a race to get naked.
Ash grinned and his fangs descended. “My sweet flower, so eager for me.”
“Yes.” Harper laid back and spread his legs, his erection pushing against the soft fabric of his thong.
