“I was here first,” Lord Onyx responded casually. “I’d say you’re the one stalking me.”
“I didn’t know you were here.” However, I wondered if subconsciously, a part of mehadknown. Like the tether between us had led me right to him, guiding my feet. “What are you doing anyway?”
“Reading.”
“Oh.” Not what I’d expected. I stepped closer to the willow tree, bringing him more into my sight. He sat with both legs stretched in front of him and ankles hooked, a book in his lap. A picture of total relaxation. “What are you reading?”
“A tale about sailing across the sea.” He gently closed the book. “There’s magic in reading, wouldn’t you agree? Allowing one to visit places and go on countless adventures without ever leaving home.”
“I feel the same.” Definitely felt something else too: a flutter in my heart. He was a bookworm like me. “I love to read too.”
“Perhaps I can show you my collection someday then. My library is quite extensive.”
“Music to my ears,” I said with a smile. “Belle has always been my favorite Disney princess for that reason. Who wouldn’t want a massive library?”
He frowned. “I’ve not heard of this princess you speak of.”
“She’s not from around here.” I rocked on the heels of my feet, feeling awkward all of a sudden.
“No reason for you to keep standing all the way over there.” Onyx motioned to the grassy spot beside him. “Would you like to join me?”
“In there?” I asked, nerves swarming my stomach. “Beneath the tree?”
“Unless you’re afraid.”
“Why would I be afraid?” I scoffed and put a hand on my hip, tapping my opposite foot. “Are you going to bite me or something?”
“Or something.”
Heat prickled down my neck. I did my best not to visibly react to the R-rated scenarios suddenly burning into my brain. “There might be a spider in there. They like to hide in the leaves and drop down for surprise attacks. I should probably stay out here where it’s safe.”
“A spider?” Lord Onyx sounded amused. “That’s what frightens you?”
“They’re scary.”
“I assure you, little bird, I’m far scarier.” He patted the spot beside him. “Now come. If a spider should appear, I’ll tell it to go away.”
Hard to say no without telling him the real reason: that being so close to him did strange things to my head and nether regions. My men knew about the demon lord being one of them and had given their blessing, but that didn’t mean I needed to jump the guy’s bones.
I’d probably faint the moment our lips touched. He was criminally hot.
I took a breath and stepped forward, moving aside the long branches of the willow. With my sight no longer obstructed by the tree, I was struck by the full force of him. A beauty that was deeply masculine and magnetic. Just being in his presence made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
“Hi,” I squeaked, once again frozen in place.
“Hello.” Lord Onyx tipped his head back against the tree trunk and looked at me, his lips slanting into a playful smile. His unwavering gaze did nothing to help my feet move. In fact, I might grow roots and stay there for the next hundred years. “Why do you hesitate? Worried I’ll bite you after all?”
“Um.” Heat fanned my cheeks. “No. I’m not worried about anything.”
“Then have a seat.” His red eyes seemed brighter in the shade of the tree. Burned hotter. “There are no spiders, I promise.”
So why did I feel like I was in a trance and being lured into a big web? Not the sticky situation I wanted to find myself in.
After an internal battle where I weighed the pros and cons of possibly being eaten by him, I finally managed to uproot my feet and make my way over to him, sitting against the tree. The view was pretty as rays of sun came through the gently swaying branches.
“Thanks for letting me into your secret hideout.” I smiled over at him. “Guess it’s not too bad in here.”
“I’m pleased you think so.” Onyx raked a gaze over me. “Rough night?”
