Page 70 of When I Accidentally Summoned a Demon

And still, he doesn’t stop. Somehow, he steals two more orgasms from me before I’m practically begging at the top of my lungs for his cock.

And once he fucks me hard against the wall until we both shatter, we finally collapse on the bed with me on top of him. Breathless. Limbs tangled. Bodies warm and slick with sweat. I listen to his thumping heartbeat, but mine is galloping in comparison.

For a few moments, I just stay here, soaking in the new sensations. Understanding washes over me when I register how the cramps have vanished. No underlying ache. No sharp twinges.

“Oh, bloody beautiful hell…” I manage to gasp, followed by a giggle of utter disbelief.

I prop my chin on Valefar’s chest, and our gazes meet. Something in his features. They seem darker, more primal, but also…deeper and more possessive. Like he knows he has ruined me for anything less and considers that a victory.

Valefar has been rewriting my standards since the first night I summoned him—and he has every intention of making sure they never recover.

“I want more, Vesper. I could feast on your scarlet stream for eternity.”

My smile grows into a grin. The predatory voice is enough to make me want to hump him. “These normally come with pain. But your venom.” I prop my chin on his chest. “You killed my cramps.”

His expression turns unbearably pleased. “This is good, then?”

“Big Guy, you have no idea.” I touch the side of his face. “In all seriousness, Valefar. I just want you to know you’re my monster. You’re mine in every language, in every lifetime, and I’d summon you a thousand times just to hear you say my name again.”

“Vesper.” He kisses my brow.

“Vesper.” Lower this time, more insistent. He kisses my lids.

“Vesper.” The last is the deepest. Like thunder in his chest. “Your name means Evening Star. For centuries, I belonged to the Morning Star and believed nothing in creation could eclipse him. Then you summoned me and ruined all other lights for me. My Mistress. My Beastie. My Star. Call for me in any language, in any lifetime, and I will come.”

I’m breaking down in tears, which I cannot attribute to hormones.

Valefar claims my mouth—and wrecks me all over again.

* * *

HALLOWEEN

“Are you quite certain of this plan?” Valefar asks while I help with the final touches to his costume.

“Safety in numbers,” I say. “And hiding in plain sight.”

I adjust the wide-brimmed black hat and step back to check the markings I’ve etched onto his face. Getting the correct shade of blue and purple for Valefar’s bronze complexion had taken three attempts and a color theory consultation with Manny, but the result is perfect. The eyeliner has done something deeply unfair to an already criminally beautiful face. He looks like a darker, scarier version of Jinu from KPop Demon Hunters. The gleaming gold eyes are spot on.

“You are also aware,” he says in a measured tone, “that I am a demon. Dressing as a demon. To participate in an annual tradition originally conceived to ward off demons.”

“And you look incredible doing it.” I take him in: the black robe open at the chest since nothing else would fit, the markings, the hat. And I smile. “Bethie and I are obsessed with you right now. Jinu supremacy. This is the best Halloween ever.”

Across the room, Manny is crouched in front of Bethie with a thin makeup brush, adding the final touches to the small swirling demon marks along her cheekbones. Bethie is in full Rumi costume with the sequined black-and-gold jacket over the white crop top, the gold-studded belt, and the long braided wig I spent forty-five minutes getting right this afternoon. And she is being extremely patient about the face paint.

Manny himself is resplendent in his Sussie ensemble, from the glossy magpie wings to the small black top hat perched at the precise angle.

“Maybe we should have had you go as Abby,” I say to Valefar, reaching over to straighten the collar of the robe. “I mean, let’s face it.” I put my hand flat on his slabbed chest. “These are pretty hard to hide. But I didn’t have any pink hair dye.”

He looks down at my hand, taking serious note of it. “If we are to examine the similarities,” he says, with great dignity, “I prefer Romance.”

Warmth hits my cheeks before I can stop it. I school my face into something similar to composure and adjust his robe. “That is so you. I’d say you’re equal parts Romance and Jinu, actually. Because you are—” I look up at him and press my lips together. “—a bit of an adorable dork.”

He arches one brow, as if saying he will be responding to this later.

I laugh softly and push up onto my toes to kiss his cheek. “But you’re my adorable dork.” I glance back at Manny, who is now spinning Bethie in a full circle while she shrieks with delight, and I drop my voice. “Even when you have a very dark side. Like fighting shadow demons with a frying pan. Or battling a hellhound in an underground crypt.”

His hand closes around my arm. He tugs me in, molten gaze giving me his complete and undivided attention. “Not my only dark side, my Star.” He lowers his voice to the tone that scrambles my thoughts. “Must I remind you precisely how monstrous I was when I fucked you in said crypt?”