Page 23 of Falling for Ash
“You know, you’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met, Gabriella Keen,” Ash whispered.
“How’s that?”
“Where would I even begin,” he replied. “First, back to mates. You see, sweet, in the supernatural world some beings are destined, chosen by the Fates, sometimes the universe itself, to be together. We call them fated mates.”
“That’s a beautiful story,” she said, not daring for a second to believe what she secretly hoped he was saying.
“It is more than story,” he replied. “One that I never dared hope for myself, but you see, I think it must be true because here you are.”
The way he gazed at her, looking her right in the eyes, told her he was being truthful. Gabby licked her suddenly dry lips. She’d never had much luck with men. Always settled for whatever she thought she could get and tried to make the best. But here was a guy, a ridiculously gorgeous guy, looking at her like she was a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie on a cold day.
She swallowed. Heat blossomed in her belly, moving upward and out, through her veins, to every nerve ending. But what she was feeling was so much more than a carnal response to his overwhelming masculinity. Her heart was pounding like she’d just run a marathon. All throughout his speech, a voice seemed to whisper in the back of her mind.
Mate, the voice said.
Mine.
Gabby had been kissed before. Heck, she’d even had sex. But she never felt this way with any other person in her whole life. Like her entire body was on fire, watching and waiting for him to do, well, anything.
Holy cow.
Was this what desire felt like?
She moved forward in her seat, closer to him. It was as if she were drawn to Ash by some powerful, invisible force. Ash licked his lips, his whole body so very still he could’ve been stone.
Was she an idiot?
Of course, he did not reciprocate her feelings. She was a dowdy little schoolteacher, and he, well, he was this powerful, devilishly handsome Demon.
What could she possibly offer him?
Mate.
“So, uh, I take it every Judeo-Christian tradition I’d been taught to believe is completely made up? As a Sunday school teacher, this is somewhat troubling,” she said, going with the first thing that popped into her head.
Ash frowned. He seemed to consider her question before his response.
“Well, that all depends,” he said. “There are infinite planes of reality in the multiverse, Gabriella. Different creeds, belief systems, and traditions do have something to do with that. You see, it has been my experience, the more you believe in something, the more life you give it. Understand?”
“But you are a Demon, right?”
“Yes,” he replied slowly, almost hissing the word.
She saw his impossibly wide shoulders tense and took a moment to study his impressive physique. He looked like an Olympian, a God, a Warrior, a Demon, she supposed. With all the prowess, strength, and beauty of a professional athlete, and then some. Yes, he was more. Like his extreme good looks were somehow enhanced simply by his being whatever it is he really was.
Demon, her mind seemed to whisper.
Mate.
Once more, Gabby marveled at how totally unafraid she was. Ash was potent, dynamic, alluring, all the above.
But a Demon?
What self-respecting Catholic raised girl would ever give in to her desires with a Demon?
This one right here, her inner voice shouted.
That’s when she finally made up her mind. Regardless of species, subspecies, creed, or whatever, Gabriella was ready to admit she wanted Ash.
