Page 43 of Demon's Mate
He didn’t want to pretend anymore? What did he want?
Harper understood why a vampire wouldn’t reveal himself just to clear up a one-night stand. Had something changed since then or was it really just that Harper had seen Ash’s fangs?
Harper’s gaze fell to their joined hands. “You wanted my blood that night.” He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “Was that the only reason you ran? It wasn’t because you were done with me and didn’t care?”
“No.” Ash squeezed Harper’s hand. “I care, and I’m so sorry I hurt you. I hate that I hurt you. I couldn’t risk giving myself away, but now I wish I had.”
Ash cared.
Harper’s heart rate picked up. “Do you want to bite me now?” He ached to lean closer and feel Ash against him, but the idea of anyone coveting his blood made him sick. He’d been tortured for his blood all his life. He couldn’t stand it if that was all Ash wanted from him.
“I don’t want to bite you, Harper,” Ash assured him. “I was so attracted to you that I lost control that night, but it won’t happen again. I’m under control. Your blood isn’t why I’m here.”
“Okay.” Harper gave in and leaned against Ash, satisfied he wasn’t in danger of being bitten. Ash draped an arm around Harper, giving him the secure feeling his touch always seemed to bring. “Thank you,” Harper whispered. “For explaining and for helping me today.”
Ash hauled him closer, nuzzling the top of Harper’s head. “I only wish I’d explained myself sooner.”
Harper did too, but he understood why Ash hadn’t.
He snuggled into Ash’s warm body, inhaling his spiced cologne. It shouldn’t feel this good to be in his arms, but knowing what actually happened between them gave Harper hope.
Their hookup wasn’t just another bad memory, tainted and confusing. Ash hadn’t discarded him, and he wanted to bask in that and feel good, especially when he’d been doomed such a short time ago.
Ash wasn’t working with his coven. Ash had saved him and couldn’t have an ulterior motive if he was ignorant of Harper’s connection to the magic world.
Maybe it was naïve to take Ash at his word, but Harper wasn’t trusting Ash with everything. He wasn’t admitting he had power in his blood, which might be what Ash craved. Ash thought he was human and that made Harper feel safer than anything.
Though Ash’s touch helped too.
Harper slipped an arm around Ash, the scent of spiced smoke filling his nostrils. It was as if Harper had been aching for this hug his whole life. Ash was solid against him, and Harper didn’t want to let go.
Ash laid them on the bed, keeping Harper tucked into his side. “You should rest. They drugged you with a sedative potion. It might not be completely out of your system.”
Harper remembered being smothered by a chemical smell. The toxin was likely out of his system since he was a witch and the magic in his blood healed him faster than a human. Not as fast as a vampire, who wouldn’t have been knocked out by a potion-soaked rag, but even Harper’s headache was fading.
He settled into Ash anyway, soaking up his warmth. Harper could almost believe there was nothing complicated about the two of them together. He wanted this, at least for a little while.
Harper gasped and choked.A horrible chemicalsmell surrounded him as Finch’s face loomed over him. He thrashed as his world closed in.
Strong arms wrapped around him. “Harper, you’re okay.”
He yelped and opened his eyes. Hadn’t they been open before? They mustn’t have been. He was in bed. In his room. Ash was holding him.
It was just a dream.
Harper was sticky with sweat. He forced his tense muscles to relax, but the chest-tightening fear from his dream wouldn’t go away. He hadn’t felt like this in so long. He’d moved past what had happened with Finch. He didn’t want it to fuck him up all over again. It wasn’t fair.
Ash loosened his hold on Harper. “Can I get you anything?” His words came in warm puffs, hitting Harper’s ear.
“Water,” Harper croaked, throat scratchy. As comforting as Ash was, Harper was relieved when he got up and left the room.
How had he fallen asleep? Was he really that relaxed with Ash, or was he emotionally exhausted? He couldn’t have been out long, but he needed to get Ash out before Ollie came home.
Ash reappeared with a glass of water and handed it to Harper. He leaned against the wall rather than returning to the bed. At least Harper didn’t have to spell out his need for space.
“Why were those witches after you?” Ash asked.
Harper took a sip of water. What kind of lie would work here? He wasn’t telling Ash the truth.
