Page 21 of How Not to Date a Demon

“Oh my god,” Maeve mimicked.

Galen lifted his head, arching a brow in that way he had that made her aware of the thin edge she was walking. “You better watch it, or I’ll have you repeating that properly.”

Never one to follow warnings, Maeve carried on. “Oh, there’s a proper way?”

Galen snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck.

Not a vampire, she chided herself.

“I’ll have to remind you.” But then he released her, chuckling at her disappointed expression. “Eventually.”

Maeve

Her jewelry arrived a few days later. Unlocking her box and finding the discreet packaging, she couldn’t hide her smile. Then it was a race back up the stairs to their apartment. She fed the puppies in record time and locked herself in the master bathroom to try it on.

It took a little time, but she eventually wiggled the new bars and the shiny hearts in place. By the time she had the matching chain attached and the fancy lingerie to go with it, Galen was calling her name and coming through the front door.

“I’m home!”

Perfect timing.

She raced out to the bedroom door and cracked it open, giddy at the feel of the chain slipping against her skin. “I already fed the puppies, babe. I’m in the bedroom.”

Maybe it was the tone of her voice, the hint of excitement she just couldn’t hide. She heard his bag drop instantly, followed by pounding steps through the apartment.

With a chuckle, she skipped to the bed and situated herself beneath the covers, barely pulling it up to her chin to hide her surprise by the time he—

Galen threw open the door, gaze latching onto her, expression shifting into one of adorably surprised excitement. “What’s this?” he asked, somehow managing to keep his voice all low and rumbly.

The last test.

“A surprise. Assuming you shower fast enough to enjoy it.”

Galen walked to the bathroom, keeping his gaze on hers, even going so far as to walk into the bathroom backwards. His waggling eyebrows had her in stitches by the time the door closed.

There was no way Galen was anything supernatural. Could a vampire make her laugh this hard? Weren’t they supposed to be dead anyway? Undead? Something.

Apparently, pondering the supernatural took plenty of time, or Galen showered at the speed of light, because then he was opening the bathroom door in a cloud of steam.

“So is it my birthday?” he asked with a half smile, towel unfortunately wrapped around his waist.

“Nope.”

“Not our anniversary. Not my promotion. Did you get a promotion?” he mused as he slowly stalked toward the bed.

“Nope. I just… wanted to buy something pretty for myself.”

“And something I can enjoy too? How generous of you.” His voice got lower and lower until he stopped at the bedside.

He leaned over and planted both palms beside her head, making her bounce in place. Pleasantly startled, she gasped, a smile already curling her lips.

Galen was looking downright predatory, and she’d never been more happy to be prey—

No. What are you saying? Maeve didn’t know if he wasn’t… if he was something other. She couldn’t give in yet.

But his gaze was so dark and intense, and she was turning to a puddle the longer he stared at her, unwavering.

Ugh.