Page 48 of Unfettered Demon

“Are you alright, Little One? I’m sorry I left you alone.”

I nod against his chest. I’m more than alright. I’m wonderful. Everything is perfect. Mal protected me. He is possessive of me. It is the most swoon worthy thing I have ever experienced.

And it is such a long way from how we began. When I met Nikolai, Mal allowed him to say vile things to me. He wouldn’t do that now, I’m sure of it. Mal cares for me and it is the most magnificent thing in all the universe.

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” says Mal.

And I couldn’t agree more.

Sammy doesn’t smell too bad, I suppose. It’s still strange being in Mal’s home while the scent of a stranger is everywhere.

Mal said the human was a liability and he didn’t want to leave him alone. But the boy is fast asleep and none of Mal’s things are broken.

Mal steps out of the bathroom and gives me a probing look.

“Are you sure you are okay to stay here? We can go back to the basement if you prefer?”

I eye the large bed warily. There is no hammock here. I’ll have to sleep in a bed. In Mal’s arms. All night.

I give Mal a smile. As long as he is with me, I can do anything. He makes me feel brave.

He grins back at me, flashing his bright white teeth. Then he starts undressing.

“So what do you think about pole dancing?” he asks.

He wants to talk? I want to watch him undress. It is so hard not to pout.

“It looks fun,” I say.

Mal gestures at me. “You need to get undressed for bed too.”

I scowl at him but do as I’m told. I really wanted to concentrate on the sight of all his glorious body being revealed. I like looking at him and at the twisting tattoos that adorn his skin.

“Do people not perform Raqs Baladi anymore?” I ask, since it seems Mal has decided we are talking and not appreciating one another. So I might as well get some answers.

If erotic dancing is back in fashion, Raqs Baladi might have had a revival. It would be nice not to have to wait until I’ve learned a whole new style of dancing before I can feast.

“Belly dancing? Yeah, that’s still a thing,” he says. Then he pauses with his hands on the buttons of his shirt. “Can you belly dance?”

I nod.

His eyes ignite with a dark fire. “I have to see this.”

My cheeks are heating. I swallow. “It’s been a very long time.”

Mal grins, quickly shucks off the rest of his clothes and climbs into bed. He picks up his phone, taps at it for a few moments, and music pours out of it. I feel my eyebrows rise. Is there anything that device cannot do?

The music flows over me. Egyptian and old. Perfect for belly dancing.

“Go on then,” smirks Mal.

I’m half undressed but I suppose it will do. I close my eyes and urge my body to remember. It has been a very long time. Longer than my imprisonment. When I was captured, this part of the world was not one for belly dancing. I need to cast my mind further back. To hot sands and ancient times.

My hips start to move and it all comes flooding back to me. My body dances through a basic routine. One I used to warm-up with before performing for kings.

I finish and open my eyes. The air is thick and heavy with Mal’s arousal and desire. His eyes are large and dark.

“Yeah, that’s going to work,” he drawls.