His lips quirked into a small smile. “It’s not very on-brand for a demon.”
“Maybe it’s time for a rebrand,” I suggested. “Malphas: Demon Prince and DIY Enthusiast. I’d watch that HGTV show.”
He laughed, the sound drawing curious glances from nearby shoppers. “Would you be my co-host?”
“Only if I get a fancy title too. Sam: Graphic Designer and Demon Wrangler.”
Malphas put the garden gnome in our already overflowing cart. “Deal.”
By the time we reached checkout, I was starving and contemplating gnawing on one of the decorative two-by-fours. The cashier didn’t bat an eye at Malphas’s appearance, just started scanning our small mountain of supplies.
“Find everything okay today, sir?” she asked.
“Yes, thank you, Patricia,” Malphas replied, and I realized with a start that he was on a first-name basis with the Home Depot staff. “How’s your son doing at college?”
“Oh, much better since he switched majors,” Patricia beamed. “Those exam tips you gave him really helped.”
I stared at Malphas, who studiously avoided my gaze as he swiped his credit card.He’s giving college advice to the cashier’s son. The demon prince is giving college advice.
Once we’d loaded his SUV with enough supplies to rebuild a small house, we headed to a nearby diner for a late lunch. Over burgers and fries, I couldn’t help but tease him.
“So, you and Patricia seem close.”
Malphas dabbed his mouth with a napkin—impeccable table manners for someone who probably attended banquets where the main course was human souls. “I shop there often.”
“Uh-huh. And you know her son’s academic situation because…?”
He sighed. “I may have helped him with some study strategies. And built him a desk. And possibly intimidated a roommate who was bullying him.”
I nearly choked on a fry. “You what?”
“I didn’t harm the roommate,” Malphas clarified. “I just… appeared in their dorm room one night and suggested alternate living arrangements might be in order.”
The image of Malphas materializing in a college dorm to terrify some kid was both horrifying and hilarious. “That’s… actually kind of sweet, in a terrifying way.”
He shrugged, but I could tell he was pleased by my assessment. “Patricia always gives me a heads-up when the premium mulch goes on sale.”
“A demon prince has mulch connections,” I marveled. “What a world.”
Chapter 7
When we returned home, Malphas immediately set to work in his garage workshop, organizing his new purchases. I retreated to the living room with my laptop to catch up on some freelance work, but found myself distracted, thinking about our day.
It was bizarre how quickly I’d adjusted to living with Malphas. A month ago, I would have run screaming from any supernatural entity after my experience with Veximus the poltergeist. Now, I was casually sharing a home—and a bed—with a literal demon.
A very sexy demon with excellent cooking skills and an adorable obsession with home improvement.
You’re in trouble, Sam,I thought as I absentmindedly scrolled through emails.This was supposed to be temporary housing, not… whatever this is becoming.
The sound of power tools from the garage broke my reverie. Curious, I wandered out to see what Malphas was up to. I found him at his workbench, safety goggles perched improbably between his horns as he carefully measured and cut a piece of wood.
He’d changed into what I now recognized as his “work clothes”—worn jeans and a simple black t-shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders. A thin layer of sawdust dusted his crimson forearms, and his face was set in an expression of intense concentration.
It was, quite possibly, the hottest thing I’d ever seen.
I leaned against the doorframe, watching him work. His movements were precise, efficient, those large hands handling the tools with surprising delicacy. There was something mesmerizing about seeing such raw power controlled so carefully.
As if sensing my presence, Malphas looked up. “Need something?”
