Page 96 of Demon's Beauty

He’s got a towel slung low across his hips. The rest of him is bare, golden skin sill damp and gleaming from the steam. His broad chest, his abs, the deep vee at his waist pointing straight to the bulge beneath the fabric, which stirs and grows larger the longer I look.

Finn clears his throat. “My eyes are up here, sunshine.”

I flush deep crimson, and he smirks before nodding toward the closet.

“If you’re looking for something to wear, you might want to look in there.”

Intrigued, I walk over—still draped in my own towel—and look.

Hanging in a neat row are several lovely, exquisitely made dresses.

Mouth falling open, I turn back to Finn. “Where did these come from?”

He walks over to join me, standing way closer than necessary, hands resting on my hips and reply murmured into my ear. “I arranged for them to be brought over this afternoon. Since I sprung this outing on you, I figured I should also find you something to wear.”

“They’re beautiful.” I run my fingers over the fabrics, luxurious and buttery in several shades of green and mauve and dark blue that I already know would all look incredible on me.

“I hope they work,” he says, a bit abashed. “I had to guess what you might like.”

“You did great.”

He preens at that before heading over to his own bag to pull out what he’s wearing for the evening.

In the end, I choose a dress in emerald green. It hangs to my mid-calf and has light, gossamer sleeves that will be perfect for the brisk autumn evening. The bodice is fitted and nips in at my waist before falling into loose, flowy skirts that make me want to do a little twirl when I put it on.

A quick touch-up of my hair and makeup, and I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be.

I find Finn waiting on the balcony wearing black trousers and a well-tailored black jacket with slats cut into the back to accommodate his wings.

He looks dashing and rakish and all kinds of delicious as he turns to face me, mouth curved into an appreciative grin and little crinkles of pleasure around the corners of his eyes as he takes me in.

He grasps my hand and lifts it. “Let’s see all of it, then.”

Slowly, I give him a twirl. I feel beautiful, and cherished, and completely unlike myself as he spins me into his arms.

“Exquisite, Soleil. Utterly exquisite.”

Another flush, but I make myself blink all the stars and butterflies floating around my head away. “Must be some fancy party we’re going to.”

He laughs as he leads me toward the door. “Not really. Just a small family get-together, but my mother does have a flair for the elegant.”

The shoes I’m wearing have a small heel, and I try not to wince as I look at the streets sloping up into the hills. Feet aside, I can’t imagine all the huffing and puffing up the hill to wherever we’re going is going to make me look like anything other than a mess by the time we get there.

Finn, without missing a beat, sweeps me up into his arms.

“Just a small portal,” he says. “Ready?”

“Ready,” I tell him breathlessly, adjusting my skirt so no one gets an eyeful of me wherever we land.

After how much portal travel we’ve done over the past few days, I’m almost getting the hang of it.

Almost.

It’ll still never feel entirely natural, but as Finn steps us out on the other side, at least I don’t feel like I’m about to hurl.

He sets me back down on my feet at the front door of a large, beautiful estate set into the hills. Made of the same white stone as many of the surrounding buildings, it’s got several terraced stories with fantastic views of the city and the sea.

Finn raises his hand to knock, but the door is already opening.