Page 43 of Incubus with Benefits
Shadow seemed to like it just the way it was. She crawled out from one of the planters and jumped onto the wall at the edge.
“Be careful,” Lily warned. But the cat just walked along the edge. She knew it was too high to jump.
“The wards on my home technically extend to the rooftop and the balcony. We can leave the balcony door open a crack for her.”
“Are you sure? I feel like you’ve done so much for me already. I feel bad that I set your dining room table on fire. Now I’m bringing an animal into your house full of super-scratchable furniture.”
“It will be fine.” I pulled her down to sit next to me.
She sighed, relaxing. “It is really nice out here.”
We sat as the last hints of twilight faded into night, and the first stars blinked awake overhead. The air was cool and still, and for a moment, it felt like we had not a worry in the world.
But soon Lily grew restless, and she started to fidget, her fingers worrying at the hem of her top.
“What is wrong?”
“What if whatever is trying to get me finds me here?”
“I won’t let it get you.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but I pulled her into my lap before she could.
“Worrying won’t help tonight,” I murmured against her temple. “You need to relax so you can be at your best tomorrow. Let me take care of you.”
She didn’t resist. Her fingers slid under my collar, tracing heat and skin.
The weight of her in my lap told the truth: they hadn’t gotten to Lily. She was here and she was safe. And now it was my job to keep her that way.
“You’re mine tonight,” I said, voice low and rough. “Nothing will harm you. You’re mine to protect. And mine to pleasure. I’m going to make you forget all your worries.”
She looked up at me, eyes dark and full of heat. “Then stop talking and do it.”
I kissed her hard, possessively claiming her. Her hands fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I lifted her easily. I carried her down the stairs, back into my home, and into my bedroom.
I laid her down gently, but there was nothing gentle about the way I followed her onto the bed, covering her body with mine. Her fingers tangled in my hair, her body arching to meet me, and I let go of restraint.
“Julian,” she gasped.
I answered with my mouth, my hands, my body.
She was mine.
And I was going to make damn sure she knew it, all fucking night.
I was done fighting these confusingly protective and possessive feelings for her. They weren’t going anywhere. I’d tried to ignore them, tried to pretend we were just friends who just so happened to enjoy tearing each other’s clothes off. But that lie didn’t hold anymore. Not when the thought of her in danger made my vision go red. Not when her scent calmed the monster inside me.
Was this what mated demons felt for their mates?
Once upon a time, the idea of being mated to anyone had felt like a prison sentence, chains I’d never escape. But now? The thought didn’t repulse me. It thrilled me as long as it was her.
I wanted Lily. All of her. Not just her body, not just her sexual energy. I wanted her messy hair in the morning and sleepy eyes at night. I wanted to wake up to her curled against me, her magic pulsing like a familiar heartbeat.
And the thought of her choosing me? Of her being mine, not just for a night, but for always?
It made me happy.
And heaven help anyone who tried to take her from me now; they’d learn exactly what kind of monster I could be.
