Page 80 of My Demon Neighbor
"You okay?"
"I'm better than I've ever been," I assured him with a smile, and he gave me a warm look in return.
Hella raced back to us, depositing a tiny little stick in my hand when I went to pet her. I snorted.
"Aww, look at this stick she found! Want me to throw it, Hella?"
Her tail wagged, her eyes latched onto the small stick as I wiggled it around.
Raising my arm, I threw, and Hella raced off as it sailed before disappearing in some grass. Hella hunted around for a bit as we continued walking, then returned to me with a completely different but just as small stick.
I chuckled, and Pythor snorted when he saw the stick in my hand. He took it from me and threw it so hard I couldn't follow where it went.
Hella clearly could because she raced off as we came to a stop in front of our place, and Pythor tugged me closer, his eyes peering into mine as he smiled at me. "While she's distracted, may I steal a kiss?"
"You don't have to steal what's already yours," I murmured as I leaned up, and his smile widened as he closed the distance between us and covered my lips with his.
The kiss was soft, warm, andgood. It made tingles race up my spine and my stomach all fluttery. It felt like the first stroke of color on a blank canvas, like the satisfaction that came with looking at a painting and realizing it was done.
When we pulled apart, I was breathless, and Pythor's eyes were darker than before. He pressed another kiss against myforehead, and I had to admit I was a touch addicted to those forehead kisses of his.
Hella raced up to us, sticking her head between our bodies as she grinned at me, the small stick Pythor had thrown clamped between her teeth. How had she managed to find that one?
Shaking my head, I took the stick from her, then handed it back to her. "It's bedtime, missy. We can play again tomorrow."
She huffed, but carried her stick up to the front door, then glanced back at me, like telling me to hurry up and open it. Of course, she could just walk through, but she was smart enough to know not to.
Unlocking the door, I let her walk in first, then stepped inside as Pythor followed me in, then locked the door with his magic. I doubted anyone would be able to break in with him here, and wondered if maybe I could remove a few of the extra locks.
The instant twist of fear in my gut told me I might be rushing things, and I decided to leave the door as it was for now.
"Do you wanna watch TV for a while or head straight to bed?" Pythor asked, and I contemplated for a moment before deciding our—our!I still wasn't used to that—bed sounded much more inviting.
"Bed."
Pythor smiled, then took my hand as he led me to our bedroom, the lights in the hallway and living room turning off with a flick of his magic. The dark didn't scare me as badly anymore, not as long as I could feel Pythor's warmth beside me. Maybe it was wrong to be so dependent on him, and I hoped I wouldn't always be, but for now, having him by my side made me feel like I could actually do this, and I needed that.
Our bedroom hadn't changed much since Pythor moved in, but now the wall above the headboard was decorated with the paw painting Hella and I had made for him, and I loved it.
Once we'd changed into sleep clothes, we climbed into bed, and I immediately snuggled into Pythor's side, resting my head on his bare chest. Before he moved in, he'd always defaulted to his human form when with me, but I'd assured him I loved his true form just as much, if not a little more. I loved feeling the warmth of his leathery skin against my cheek and palm, loved having his wings wrapped around me, and while the lack of a heartbeat in his true form had felt strange at first, I was used to it now.
This was Pythor in his truest sense, and I loved him more than I'd ever loved anyone.
Pythor sighed happily as he squeezed me to him, and I nuzzled his chest, breathing in the scent of smoke, leather, and Pythor.
"I love you, Codie. Sweet dreams."
"Love you too," I mumbled as sleep started tugging at me, knowing that even if my dreams started off dark and terrifying, he would save me.
Because Pythor might have started off as my neighbor, but he was so much more than that now. He was my friend, my partner, my protector, my comfort, my love, andmy demon.
