Page 37 of Haunting the Hunter

He went pale and fainted. I caught his body before it hit the ground and lowered him gently—like a lover.

“Sleep tight, creep.”

Then I quickly vanished back to her.

Her voice snaps me back to the present. “I am not yours, and I don’t need protection.”

I just grin back at her, my eyes positively glowing.

“You broke the guy’s face. All he did was offer to play a game with me.”

“Oops,” I say, shrugging.

“It’s not a joke,” she says, shooting me the most adorable attempt at a serious face while she puts up her hair with the hair tie around her wrist.

“You aren’t that naive, you were visibly uncomfortable, and Jack was too busy trying to get pussy.”

She huffs and rolls her eyes. “Okay, yeah, I didn’t like it, but that doesn’t mean what you did was right.” She rubs her eyes and stands.“Oh my Gods, I’m lecturing a demon. What the actual fuck am I doing?”

“You’re right.” I walk over to her. She backs away until her back is up against the bookcase. I place one arm above her, lean in, and lock eyes with hers. “I have a much better way to use your time, if you’re interested.”

She visibly gulps, eyes wide and heart racing.

“No.” She attempts to push me but I don’t move. She dips her head under my arm and throws her hands in the air while walking to her balcony. “Not today, Satan!”

I laugh.

She quickly turns to me, pointing an accusing finger. “What kind of hypocrite breaks a man’s face just for hitting on me then proceeds to hit on me?”

“Anirresistiblehypocrite?” I shoot her a charming smile.

“If I asked you to leave me alone, would you?”

“Negative, ghost rider,” I say, casually brushing my hair over my shoulder. “You’re stuck with me. You called, so I’m bound to you. That’s how it works.”

“But you’ve been following me. You all but forced me to call you out,” she says, frustrated.

Smirking, I put my hands up in defense. “You caught me, but I’m not the one looking into old grimoires. Names hold power, so I’m all yours now.”

“But what if I don’t want you?”

“You didn’t seem to mind me in the arcade.” I go to reach for her, but she turns on her heel, headed for the balcony. She sits, processing.

I reach my hands out again, gripping around her waist—and lift her to land back on my lap. She shivers at the feel of me but doesn’t look at me.

Her face is in her hands, so when she speaks her voice is muffled. “Please leave me be.” I smirk, proud I have such an effect on her.

“You’re still drunk. You’ve had a long night. Why don’t we try and get some rest?”

“Why don’t you not pretend like you care about my well-being?” she snaps back with a glare, standing and walking to plop down in the opposite chair.

“Who said I don’t?” I get up and leave the room, coming back with a glass of water and two Tylenol. “Here. So you don’t wake up miserable.”

She looks up at me, confused. “How does a demon know how to tend to a drunk human?”

“I’ve been around. Plus, where I’m from isn’t too different from here. Except our drinks would burn a hole in your stomach lining.”

She raises an eyebrow as she downs the pills and takes a few gulps of water.