Page 23

23

HARPER

“Like flying?” Harper perked up.

He’d had more than enough sorting out his life for the day. Everything he did felt like a monumental decision. Any wrong move bound to be his last. Fun and a little distraction would help keep him going so he could face whatever agonizing choice came next.

Ash’s eyes flashed. “Yes. Exactly like flying.”

Harper melted, his muscles going lax and core burning to match the heat in Ash’s gaze.

Why was Ash so into him? Maybe it was a demon thing to go from zero to a hundred in the relationship department. But did that mean Ash would get tired of him quickly too? Was all his intensity and apparent adoration just how he was in all relationships?

“Let’s do it.” Harper pushed his doubts aside. He wanted to see Ash’s wings when he wasn’t cooped up in a small apartment.

Ash took his hand and led him down the street. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

“Nope, never have been. ”

“Good.” Ash pulled him down an alley. “Here. Let me cast an illusion over us so no one will see.”

Magic tingled along Harper’s skin as Ash wove his magic. “Demons can be completely invisible?”

“Yes.” Ash seemed surprised Harper didn’t know. “We have a few unique tricks.”

Harper would kill for a detailed list but wasn’t going to ask. It wasn’t fair to expect Ash to answer a bunch of questions when he wouldn’t do the same. He couldn’t let Ash in, no matter how much he ached to.

Why would a powerful demon care about solving his problems?

Letting Ash help him today tempted Harper to open up. He wanted whatever was happening between them to be special. He wanted Ash to be his person—his demon—but didn’t see how that kind of devotion could be real this early on.

He’d get to know Ash. Then, if it all worked out, he’d open up. And hopefully, he’d figure out what to do about his life and job in the meantime.

Once the illusion was cast, Ash took off his shirt and tied it to his belt. His brown skin gleamed in the sun and his eyes flashed deep orange.

Ash released his wings and horns, and Harper’s heart thudded. Ash grinned at him and spread his wings, black feathers fading to a snowy white along the edges. The span had to be more than ten feet across.

“You’re so beautiful, Ash.”

Harper swore the demon puffed out his chest. “Thank you, flower.” He readjusted the waistband of his jeans to free his tail, unwrapping it from his hips.

Harper’s gaze traced the sleek appendage, his face heating. “It won’t be hard to carry me?” he asked so he didn’t say anything embarrassing. He didn’t know if he’d ever be able to look at Ash’s tail without remembering how it filled him.

“Not at all. Carrying you will be easy.” Ash ruffled his feathers. “Come here.”

Harper obeyed, situating his shoulder bag between them.

Ash brushed a gentle kiss against his lips and pulled him close. “Wrap your arms around my neck, and I’ll lift you so you can wrap your legs around my hips.”

They got into the position, Ash lifting Harper effortlessly.

Harper held on tight. “You sure it won’t be hard to hold me while we fly?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” Ash secured one hand under Harper’s ass and the other around his lower back. “I won’t get tired, and there’s no way I’ll drop you.” Ash met Harper’s gaze. “You’ll be perfectly safe. I’d like to take you over the city to where I’m staying, at my brother’s house. Is that okay?”

“Yeah.” Butterflies made a racket in Harper’s chest. “Will your brother be there?”

Harper still needed to tell Ash about his failed hunt and his coven’s plans, but he’d worry about that later.

“He’s out at the moment. They both are, so we’ll have the place to ourselves, but they want to meet you.”

“They do?” Harper was surprised Ash had even mentioned him to his brothers. Why would the other Hounds of Hell want to meet him?

Maybe Ash really was serious about him. Ash had been serious enough to reveal himself. Was Harper being too suspicious? His worry over Nico seemed to have amounted to nothing.

Ash tightened his hold on Harper. “They’d love to meet you, but you don’t have to see them today. We can leave before they get back.”

Harper nodded. “Okay. Can we go flying now?”

Ash chuckled. “Sure thing, sweet. Hold on tight.” He squeezed Harper against him and launched into the air.

Harper gasped and clung on.

Ash’s leap cleared the surrounding buildings. He pumped his wings and soared higher, catching the wind, and flew up and over the river. A flock of birds parted, making way for them. Ash dove, dipping just above the water, then shot back into the sky.

He cut toward the center of the city. Harper couldn’t believe they were flying, the wind whipping his hair and buildings getting smaller beneath them. It was like being on a rollercoaster.

Harper let out a laugh, catching Ash’s eye.

The demon grinned, climbing higher, then dove.

Harper shrieked, joy bubbling out of him as he laughed harder. “Damn, this is amazing!”

Ash chuckled. “Yeah? How about this?” He rolled, spinning them around like a corkscrew, and Harper screamed with delight. Ash straightened out. “Haven’t pulled that move in a while. It’s like being young again.”

Harper nuzzled his cheek. “I take back calling you ancient. Do it again?”

Ash obliged and Harper swore he could feel Ash’s excitement echoing his.

They flew across town toward the ocean. Salt tinged the air, filling Harper’s nose. He buried his face against Ash’s neck and breathed in his smoky scent. Ash’s arms tightened around him. Here, high above the city, with nothing securing him but two strong arms, Harper had never felt safer.

He should tell Ash about his hunt and his coven. He didn’t have to accept Ash’s help or risk everything by relying on him, but he felt so secure with this man, this demon. Maybe he could take a little risk.

What was the worst that could happen? Surely Ash wouldn’t hand him over to his coven after killing to protect him. Maybe there wasn’t too much risk in sharing his life with Ash, even if he didn’t understand Ash’s interest.

He trusted Ash not to drop him. Couldn’t he trust Ash with the truth of who he was and what his life had been?

Harper watched waves crash on the beach as Ash flew along the waterfront, heading for the cliffs north of the city where a private nature reserve prevented development and kept the clifftop green and free of people.

Was that where the demons lived? Harper never would have figured that out through the city’s stone memory.

Ash flew over a flock of sooty shearwaters nesting on the cliff face. A magical spark skittered across Harper’s skin, and a house appeared where a second before, there’d been nothing but wild shrubbery and tall trees.

Ash smoothly landed on a large deck and lowered Harper to his feet. “Did you enjoy that?”

Harper’s pulse pounded. He still felt like he was soaring. “It was incredible. Ten out of ten, best thing ever.”

Ash flexed his wings, looking at Harper like he was everything he wanted, his smile so warm Harper could almost feel it.

Harper wanted to be Ash’s everything. He wanted all the feelings inside him to grow until they fell in love, which was a lot to want from someone he hardly knew. But what if he leaned in and followed his feelings, even if they didn’t make sense? Where would they take him?

Ash was one of the best things to happen to him. Harper seemed to be stumbling into all kinds of good people. What if he embraced Ash instead of letting fear rule every aspect of his life?

Harper pulled Ash into a kiss. His fangs remained retracted, even with his other demon features out, so Harper was free to devour his lips. Ash opened for him and Harper let his tongue explore Ash’s mouth, only pulling back when he struggled to breathe.

Ash smiled slyly. “You really like flying.”

“Mm-hmm.” Harper continued kissing him. What he really liked was Ash. The flying was a bonus.

Humming against Harper’s lips, Ash picked him up, Harper’s limbs automatically wrapping around Ash’s strong body.

Ash carried Harper from the deck, entering a large open doorway into the house. Everything seemed built to accommodate a demon’s wings.

They entered a room with a view of the nature reserve rather than the ocean and city the other side of the house overlooked. Ash closed the door and tossed Harper onto the bed, taking his shoulder bag and setting it on the floor.

Harper’s heart did summersaults.

Ash spread his wings as he climbed onto the bed, the large room easily accommodating him. His chest heaved and his golden-brown eyes burned bright.

Faced with the intensity of Ash’s desire, Harper’s breath caught and his core liquefied, desire coiling deep inside him as his cock hardened. He pulled off his shirt and pants like he was in a race to get naked.

Ash grinned and his fangs descended. “My sweet flower, so eager for me.”

“Yes.” Harper laid back and spread his legs, his erection pushing against the soft fabric of his thong.

Ash ran a hand up his thigh and brushed Harper’s covered bulge. “Will you turn over for me? Let me see that round ass?”

Pleasure pooled between Harper’s legs, his cock leaking. He turned onto his stomach and then up on his knees with his legs spread. He arched his back, sticking his ass up.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful. Look at you presenting yourself to me.” Ash’s hands trailed up Harper’s thighs to his ass, and Harper moaned. Ash spread Harper’s ass cheeks and something—Ash’s tail—teased along Harper’s G-string. “Do you want my tail inside you, hitting your sweet spot?”

“Yes.” Harper fisted the bedspread. He wanted more than that. Damnation . He wanted all of Ash.

There was a rustle of cloth. Harper peered over his shoulder to see Ash discarding his jeans and boxer briefs. He grabbed a bottle of lube from his nightstand and settled behind Harper.

“Are you enjoying this position?” Ash asked as he massaged Harper’s backside.

“Mm-hmm,” Harper moaned, wiggling his ass. “It’s hot.”

He felt powerful spread so wantonly for Ash. He never imagined he could stick his ass in the air without embarrassment or uncertainty, but all that filled him was heat and a deep craving to be close to Ash. To give his body to Ash in every way.

Ash’s tail tickled his hole and Harper sucked in a breath.

“So hot, flower.” Ash’s touch ran along Harper’s G-string. “Can I leave your thong on? It might be covering your hole, but I can’t bring myself to take it off completely.”

“Okay.” Harper clenched in anticipation, his face and neck burning.

Ash pulled the G-string to one side, the tug of the fabric making Harper feel naughty, like he was too horny to get undressed, so desperate to be filled that Ash had to satisfy him just like this.

Lube trickled down his crack as Ash’s tail circled his rim.

Ash pressed his tail inside Harper, the feeling familiar. Harper relaxed more easily than before, thrusting back and taking what he wanted. Ash fucked in and out of Harper, massaging his ass cheek as his other hand held Harper’s thong out of the way.

When Ash’s tail brushed Harper’s prostate, Harper groaned into the mattress. He rocked back into Ash, trying to take more of his tail. “I need you, Ash. More, please.”

Ash pegged his prostate. “Like this?”

Harper shouted. “Yes. Oh fuck. Ash, more. Fuck me, please. I need your cock.”

Ash growled, fingers flexing on Harper’s ass. “You want me to stretch you open and fill you up?”

“ Yes .” Harper moaned as Ash’s tail did something mind-blowing inside him. “No one’s ever fucked me. I need it to be you. Please.”

“Anything you want, sweetheart,” Ash rumbled. “My cock was made for you.”