Page 32 of Demon's Heart

“You’re probably right. It’s a bit soon for the shearwaters to be heading in.” Dante could call the birds home at any time but didn’t want their behavior to seem unnatural to Ollie.

The sea breeze carried Ollie’s fresh sandalwood scent, bathing Dante in a wave of pure bliss. He breathed deeply. Bonding with his mate over the past two weeks had felt right, even when they hadn’t been physically together.

Being near Ollie now, taking this next step, made their connection stronger.

“I should come out to the beach more.” Ollie dug his toes into the sand. “It feels good getting outside, like I’m buzzing with energy.”

“Me too.” It was probably their bond rather than the beach, but the setting didn’t hurt. “I don’t come down here as often as I should. With all my time spent on the cliffs, I forget other outdoor places exist.”

“Then let’s explore. Think there’s any tidepools over there?” Ollie pointed toward the rocks.

“I’d say so. The tide is going out.”

“Perfect. Come on.” Ollie set his sandals on a rock. Climbing onto the one beside it, he headed toward the waterline.

Dante followed.

The water glittered before them, shining all around Ollie.Dante drank in the sight. His mate lit his world, shining with curiosity and bringing joy to everything he and Dante did together.

“Here’s one,” Ollie called with an almost childlike excitement.

Dante came to stand beside him. “What have we got?”

“A few anemones, but not much else.” Ollie carefully walked around the tidepool, avoiding patches of seaweed and barnacles clinging to the rocks. “Looks like there’s a bigger one over there.” He pointed up the rocky beach.

“Seems promising.”

Dante walked beside Ollie as he navigated the rocks. He could have easily run along the uneven surface with superhuman speed, but Ollie was taking measured steps, clearly concentrating on maintaining his balance.

Ollie glanced sideways at Dante. “I feel like climbing on rocks was easier when I was a kid.”

“It probably was?—”

Ollie suddenly lost his balance, his foot slipping. Dante caught Ollie around the waist, steadying him before he fell. Ollie leaned into him.

“Saved you,” Dante teased.

Ollie swatted his arm. “So chivalrous.” He rolled his eyes, his hand lingering on Dante’s skin, heat radiating from the spot. Ollie cleared his throat. “But really, thank you. I don’t need a sprained ankle. I totally jinxed myself.”

“You’re most welcome. I don’t want you getting hurt when I can’t heal you by sharing my health.”

“Dork.” Ollie shook with laughter, nothing but affection in his eyes.

Dante gave Ollie a quick squeeze and released him at the same time Ollie pulled away. Pink stained Ollie’s cheeks. Fuck,he looked so lovely in the golden light, blond hair and hazel eyes shining as bright as the glittering water.

Dante could have kissed him. He cleared his throat. “Is there anything in particular you’re hoping to see in the tidepools?”

Ollie blinked like the question shook him out of a daze. “A starfish would be sweet. Come on, we better hurry before the sun sets.”

Dante let Ollie walk ahead, pretending he needed to go slower to navigate the rocks so he could put some distance between them.

Being Ollie’s friend made him happy—it felt right—but kissing and sex had always been tied to Dante’s romantic feelings, and he shouldn’t let his thoughts stray in that direction unless Ollie said that was what he wanted.

This was still so new. Adjusting to a potentially platonic mate and shaking off old assumptions would take time, but it would work out.

Dante had to remain open to all possibilities and see where fate took them.

A ways ahead, Ollie stooped to examine the tide pool. “Wow, this anemone is huge!”