Page 37 of Demon's Desire
Onyx hadn’t thought about that kind of reckless flying in centuries, let alone done it.
He climbed into the sky, higher and higher until a chill shocked his overheated skin, and his lungs strained against the thin air. Then he plunged, wings folded in tight to his back.
Onyx hurtled toward Earth. Everything twisted inside him, the hollowness growing until he gave in and screamed. The sound tore from his throat and was whipped away on the wind, taking none of his anger with it.
Onyx spread his wings and pulled up, shooting back into the sky and narrowly missing a building. He slowed and flew aimlessly until he ended up near the river, following it all the way to the Banks.
He cut inland and landed on top of Nico’s apartment building.
Why was he here?
Nico would think Onyx was clingy if he showed up unannounced, but Onyx didn’t care. He hadn’t been this settled since he’d looked into Luc’s eyes.
The adrenaline rush from his flight must have leveled him out. It wasn’t Nico.
That didn’t explain why he put his wings away, pulled on his shirt, shed his invisibility illusion, and climbed down the fire escape.
Inside his apartment, Nico stood at the counter in his little kitchen, his back to the room.
Onyx crouched outside the window and inspected Nico’s broad shoulders and firm ass. It wasn’t fair how attractive the man was. Onyx could look at him all night. It didn’t seem like a bad way to spend his time, which was absurd. He usually had better things to do.
Except tonight, it seemed he didn’t have anywhere else he wanted to be. Was he going to knock on the glass like a stalker or lurk like a stalker?
He was saved from deciding when Nico turned around and spotted him. He froze, dark eyes going wide. After a moment, he shook his head.
Nico walked to the window and opened it. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Checking for cats.” Onyx did his best to look indignant while crouched in an undignified position. He tossed his hair. “Didn’t spot any, so you should be safe for now.”
“It’s a good thing you came by. However would I have relaxed not knowing?”
“Shut up and move.” Onyx shooed Nico out of the way so he could climb through the window. He stood straight and readjusted his shirt, another designer piece with a V-neck. “What are you making?”
Nico closed the window. “Nothing. I’m reheating some pozole.”
There was an awkward silence.
Maybe Onyx should have let himself smash into that building. Then, he’d be dead to the world, waiting for his body to heal, instead of here feeling like his cheeks might actually burst into flames.
“Well, don’t let me keep you from dinner,” he snapped.
Nico opened his mouth, apparently reconsidered, and closed it. He returned to the kitchen and retrieved a bowl from the microwave. Maybe he’d be polite and pretend that Onyx showing up like this wasn’t weird.
“Would you like some?”
Onyx shifted his weight. “No, thank you.”
Nico snorted a sharp laugh, and Onyx’s embarrassment intensified. He shouldn’t have come, but standing inthe apartment was so much better than being anywhere else. Just looking at Nico soothed the tangled mess in Onyx’s chest.
He watched as Nico ate his dinner, then washed and put away the bowl and spoon.
Nico leaned against the counter. “So, what brings you here, besides cats?”
Fuck, what could he say? Best not to make it about him at all. “I figured you had nothing better to do.”
“Oh?” Nico smirked, not even pretending to believe him, damn it. “You sure you didn’t miss me?”
Onyx shot forward at an inhuman speed, halting a couple of feet from Nico. The witch didn’t even flinch. “I didn’t miss you.”
