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A smiling Mulan placed a hot cup of fresh tea in my hand. She patted my cheek. “You take nap now. I deal with men.”

I nearly wept in gratitude. Mulan must have known I was close to crying because she pinched my arm to make sure I didn’t. Goddess, why couldn’t Mulan have been a man? She was nearly perfect in every other way.

“Conn will feed demon wolves and I will feed boy toy. Go before neighbors knock to complain about pointy-eared strangers flirting with you. High Demon and I will take care of them if they try.”

I nodded, hugged my hot tea close, and slunk tiredly down the hallway before my wobbly limbs gave out.

There were a thousand questions I wanted to ask Rasmus about last night, but I was too mentally exhausted to talk to anyone else. He could sleep in the garage with the demon wolves until I had the time and energy to deal with him.

I wished him luck finding the pillows and covers because I hadn’t taken the time to locate them.

I had something more important to worry about now than the mysterious disappearance of his bedclothes. If Ezra was right, Hisser would want my death. I couldn’t take that lightly.

I sat on the edge of my tiny twin bed and sipped my tea until only a few tea leaves were left. I couldn’t help wondering whether Mulan could tell my fortune from them. Would she get mad at me if I asked? It would be fun to try... but maybe tomorrow.

Giggling at my thoughts, I crawled under the covers fully dressed. Seconds later, I let the weight of the day disappear into the soothing darkness.

Chapter Three

Noise coming from somewhere in the house woke me. My eyelids refused to open, but that didn’t bother me since I didn’t want to wake up anyway. Adjusting myself to get more comfortable, I smiled at my naked body being kept toasty warm by the male lying beside me. I moaned in gratitude when he pulled the covers tighter around us.

Why couldn’t I stay here all day?

Completely contented with the situation, I rolled more into him. When his hand pulled me closer, I lifted a knee to slide my leg up his body and around his waist. It was quite a challenge for my petite limbs because the naked man holding me was a lot taller and larger than I was.

I cuddled into his chest and kissed him good morning. My eyelids fluttered as they tried to open enough to at least see the skin that my lips were exploring.

But then I suddenly remembered how tired I’d been yesterday... and where I’d fallen asleep last night. I untangled myself from him quickly and rolled away before Rasmus had time to grab my leg and hold me in place. Our single night together had proved his ability to seduce me repeatedly. Putting a safe distance between us was critical to keep the guardian out of me.

I furiously blinked sleep away, moved to the other side of the bed to sit up, and then glared at him. “Did ya undress me and bring me out here with ya?”

Rasmus smiled. “The demon dared me to do it.”

I rolled my eyes and the movement hurt. I was bloody tired still. “Are ya a twelve-year-old boy, Rasmus? I thought ya said ya were older than that.”

He raised the bedcovers and peered under them. “Orlin said he made me a human male of approximately thirty. Would you like to inspect my body to verify my age yourself?”

My surprise at his flirting pulled a squeak of alarm out of me. “Ya’re just trying to distract me. I’ve played this game before.”

“We played itonce,” he said, putting some regret into his tone.

He knew how I weakened when he begged—the sexy bastard. “Well, I hope ya know our one night together does not entitle ya to instant access to me.”

“I took you wrapping your leg around my waist as an invitation for us to share pleasure again. I’m a few centuries out of practice, Aran of The Dagda, but I didn’t forget that much.”

It wasn’t like I wanted to laugh at his argument, but the guardian was pulling out all his tricks to charm me out of being mad at him. If I hadn’t moved quickly moments ago, he’d have physically won this debate without suffering a single consequence for running out on me.

And worst of all, I wouldn’t have even cared.

If Rasmus knew how badly I wanted him, he’d use sex against me every chance he could. If this had been yesterday morning, I doubt we would have gotten out of bed until starvation threatened to hit. My body still felt the impact of being under his for so long and so often.

A high-pitched giggle escaped my traitorous throat. Goddess, I sounded giddier than Mulan to have an enthusiastic lover.

Since yesterday’s righteous anger seemed to be finally fading, I made my point while I still could. “I hear Orlin fetched ya yesterday. What was that about? And why did ya use yer magick to make me sleep my life away? Conn accused me of having a sex hangover.”

Sighing heavily, Rasmus tossed off the covers and rose from the bed. I fought not to sigh at the sight of his aroused body. Masculinity rolled off him in waves and drew everything feminine in me. The snoozing demon wolves both snapped awake to watch him as well. No one but me seemed to realize that they were human females on the inside still.

“Are ya trying to impress me with yer virile nakedness—or them?” I asked pointing to the demon wolves.