Page 63 of Demon's Desire

Oh, come on.Nico crossed his arms. “Nothing? You stormed in here because I missed a call?”

Onyx clenched his fists, and his wings disappeared. He didn’t meet Nico’s eye.

Enough. Nico wasn’t letting Onyx bottle everything up. Something wasn’t right. Onyx’s blatant fear had disappeared, but it was too jarring to forget.

Nico approached and gripped Onyx’s shoulders. “What’s wrong? Why were you worried when I didn’t answer?”

Onyx closed his eyes.

Nico was on the verge of shaking him. “Please talk to me.”

“No.”

“Onyx.” Nico’s voice filled with warning, something deep inside him clenching in desperation.

“No,” Onyx said more forcefully, eyes popping open.

Nico caught his gaze and clung to it like a lifeline. “Yes. Tell me why you’re acting like something terrible happened.”

Onyx pulled away, but Nico tightened his grip. The demon allowed himself to be held, narrowing his eyes and lifting his nose. “Make me.”

So feisty, even when he was scared. Maybe especially when he was scared. If meeting Onyx’s challenge was what he needed to feel safe—to open up—then Nico could play.

“You want me to spank you, is that it? Just ask. There’s noneed to cause a scene and snap at me like I’ve done something wrong.”

Onyx spluttered. “I’m not causing a scene. It’s not my fault you ignored my calls. Am I not allowed to be upset?”

“Of course you’re allowed to be upset, but I don’t think missing your calls is the problem. What happened?”

Onyx trembled in Nico’s hold. “Nothing. I thought… Nothing.”

Onyx resisted like it was the only thing keeping him together. What was he scared of?

Nico tightened his grip. He wasn’t backing down. “We both know you’re lying. This isn’t nothing.”

Onyx shook his head, his gaze darting around like a trapped animal.

“Were you worried about me? Did you think there was a reason I didn’t answer?”

“No,” Onyx whispered. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.”

“Then what do you need? You’re upset about something, and don’t tell me it’s that I missed a phone call.”

“It wasn’t one phone call,” Onyx snarled.

“My mistake. But what did I tell you about barging in here and getting angry at me for no reason?”

Onyx’s chin jutted out. “I’m not allowed to do that.”

“No.” Nico tilted Onyx’s chin up. “So tell me your reason for barging in, or accept your punishment.”

Onyx shivered, his eyes bloodshot like he’d been crying. His voice broke. “I’m a mess. Just make me feel better.”

Nico’s chest expanded, warmth flooding him. Maybe it was a small admission on Onyx’s part, but it was a start. “I can do that. I’ve told you I’ll give you what you need, if you ask.”

Onyx’s eyes flashed. “I did ask.”

“Sounded more like a demand. Want to try again?”