Page 76 of Demon's Mate
Ash brushed the hair from Harper’s forehead. “I’m drawn to you. Nothing feels as good as being near you or seeing you happy. The night after the club, before I realized who you were, my instincts took over. My magic recognized you even though I’d stopped believing. I was overcome by you and have felt our connection growing since.”
Harper gripped Ash’s waist, trying to steady himself. All his inexplicable longing for Ash—the feelings he’d tried and failed to fight—churned inside him, giving way to something secure. “Is that why I feel safe with you? My reactions never made sense. I was drawn to you too. I figured I was just overly attached. But it’s magic?”
“It’s the mate connection,” Ash corrected with a soft smile. “It’s magic, but it’s not a spell influencing you. The magic comes from within us. Fate brought us together. That feeling is the divine alignment between our souls.”
“Oh.” The truth of Ash’s words vibrated through Harper, feeling as right as everything else between them. He’d never have believed in fated mates if he hadn’t felt it. “So we’re mated?” An excited shiver wound through him.
“Not quite.” Ash gave him that devastatingly handsome smile. “Fate may have connected us, but only the beginning of the bond exists. We have to choose to accept it, and if we do, the mating ritual will cement it, giving you an eternal life to match mine so we can be together without end.”
Together forever.
Harper laughed, then clamped his mouth shut. “Sorry. This is all so far from anything I ever imagined. How can I be your mate? Me? I’m no one, and you’re you.”
“You aren’t no one, Harper. You are the most special person in my world. We’re equally matched. Maybe not in magical power, but that isn’t what being mates is about. Please don’t speak badly about yourself.”
Harper looked at his lap. “Sorry. I’m not used to being special.”
“Get used to it, Harper, and don’t apologize.” There was a smile in Ash’s tone, and Harper met his gaze. “I’m going to treasure you for the rest of time. You gave me hope again, and I can never repay you for that, but I’m going to try.”
Harper’s chest burst. His future opened before him into this bright, unfathomable thing, and the possibility undid him. All he’d wanted was a simple life, free of pain and other’s control, but what he’d found was so much more.
He crashed his mouth into Ash’s.
“You’re mine, sweet flower,” Ash murmured against his lips. “And if you’ll have me, I’ll be yours forever.”
“Yes.” Harper kissed him, licking carefully around his fangs. “Yes, Ash. I want to be yours.”
Ash rumbled, pulling Harper closer, the deep sound turning to a purr as Harper’s cock hardened against Ash’s stomach.
“How do we mate?” Harper asked in a desperate pant. “How do we cement the bond?”
Ash let out a deep whine. He pulled back from their kiss, revealing a raw expression. “There’s a ritual. A spell to complete the connection. It involves sex and an exchange of blood, but we aren’t doing it right now.”
“We aren’t?” Harper fought with disappointment, even as the reality of blood exchange gave him pause.
“No.” Ash stroked Harper’s cheek. “Don’t get me wrong, I want to, but you need time to absorb all this. We don’t have to rush. Just knowing you want to accept the bond is more than enough. I’m so happy, Harper. I can’t wait to begin our life together, but I want to do it right.”
“Okay.” Harper could see what a big deal this was to Ash and had to admit, time to get his head around everything wouldn’t hurt. He wanted to appreciate this as much as he could and pledge himself to Ash with as much emotion as Ash clearly had for the situation. “We’ll wait until we’re ready.”
“Perfect.” Ash beamed before covering Harper’s mouth with his.
They belonged together. They’d been meant for each other since before Harper was born, since the beginning of time. This was better than Harper’s wildest fantasy. He’d wanted a partner, someone to be his person, but he’d never imagined a connection like the one he could have with Ash.
All of Ash’s affection was real, and now that Harper knew where it came from, he could feel their connection buzzingbetween them stronger than ever. He wasn’t just safe with Ash. He was home.
Pounding on the bedroom door sent a shock through Harper. He broke their kiss and glanced over his shoulder.
“You better not hide in there all day, Ash,” a voice called, laced with annoyance.
Ash pursed his lips. “Go away.”
There was a huff, but the intruder said nothing more.
Harper looked between the door and Ash. “Who was that?”
“Onyx.” Ash ran his hands down Harper’s bare back. “Would you like to meet the other demons?”
He’d rather stay in bed, ideally so Ash could fuck him again.
