Page 82 of Hunted By Fear

“Bast…”

It’s crazy, the way I instantly feel better, happier, and more whole with him here. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized I missed him so much, despite seeing him earlier today, just a few hours ago.

“Hey, sorry about earlier,” he says, not moving from his spot by the door, as he rubs at the back of his neck.

Is he nervous?

“No need to apologize.” His eyes snap up to meet mine, and I can’t help but smile, seeing the beautiful pink eyes again. “You're here now.”

His lips twitch up into a sexy little smirk as hefinallymoves into the room toward the bed, and while I want to go to him, I don’t. I let him come to me, watching him the whole way, unable to look away.

Talian doesn’t say a word, but he doesn’t move away as Bast slides into the bed on my right side, and I’m so happy he doesn’t. I don’t mind being between them at all.

“Yeah, I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere anymore.”

The rest of the night is relaxing and fun as we snack and watch movies that they both make fun of. Apparently, even with Bast’s love for mortal things, they don’t watch a lot of TV, and when they do, it was when TV was new, which means anything they’ve seen is old.

Life is a mess, crazy and unpredictable, but for tonight at least, it feels like everything is good. The only way it could be better is if a few missing people were here, but I won’t be greedy, for now at least.

Last night had been… amazing; there’s no better word.

Just to be able to sit and talk with her, laughing and relaxing. Washing her hair and holding her in my arms when she was afraid. The fact that she trusted me and that my words meant something to her. It was so easy, so freeing, and just fucking perfect.

Just like her.

I didn’t deserve any of it after what I did, but she gave me another chance, and I’ll be damned if I mess it up twice.

No, if that happens, I’m just going to have Lulu throw me in with the souls of the lost.

I’d laid in bed all night, staring at the ceiling, thinking about her. My Darling.

The way she smells, how she looks naked, the way she rubbed that loofah all over her body.

Shit, I’m drooling...

Bast joined us, and I couldn’t even bring myself to be upset when I saw the way it calmed something in her. The way they look at each other, it’s shocking that they haven’t bonded yet.There’s no question in my mind they’re mates, now that I know demons can have mates.

I’d been pretty sure already as it was. My only concern is whether she’s mine, but that won’t matter if she hates me, which is why I’ve started:

Mission: win my Darling’s heart!

Which started last night and is going great, if I do say so myself.

Aeri sleeps on my chest, Bast is wrapped around her back like a spider monkey, and I can’t help but laugh at him. I never thought I would see Bast run from his feelings. It made sense that he got sick of what he did before and even avoided women who wanted him for all the wrong reasons, but this…

Aeri seems to have that effect on all of us, though, even if we can’t all admit it.

“What are you smiling about, asshole?” I hear the smile in Bast’s words without looking at him.

This is exactly what I mean. What does he have to be so happy about before he even opens his eyes?

“The same thing you are.” He grumbles but doesn’t deny it, instead pressing his lips to Aeri’s neck sleepily as if he’s unable to help himself.

I feel the change in her breathing before she makes the sexiest little sound that goes right to my already rock-hard cock.

“Fuck.” I curse as she squirms, and I feel her heat press to my thigh through her tiny shorts that are really just overhyped underwear if you ask me.

“Bast, if you're struggling with your lust, you should stop whatever that is,” I warn him, even though I really don’t want to. I’d love nothing more than to see her come undone, but I know if Bast has to leave again, it will tear her up, and nothing is worth that.