Curse of the Fae (PA #3)

Bonus Scene

Galileo (Courage)

"Where are we going?" Willow asks, the words spoken into my throat.

"My room, baby. Where you belong."

She presses open-mouth kisses against my skin, the sensation of wet heat blurring my vision with pleasure. It's like she's mapping out the best spot for a bond bite. 

I thank the annoying twist of fate that put me right next to Ranger's room because I can't focus on the short walk down the hallway. I'm too busy thinking about blood and bonds to navigate farther than the six steps between our doors.

Reluctantly, I remove one hand from under her ass to twist the handle. As soon as the door is cracked, my hand is quick to return to its preferred spot and I give her cheek a little rub to apologize for our separation.

The door gets kicked shut behind us and I bring her to my bathroom. She tenses before relaxing, and I frown at the strange reaction.

Before I can question her about it, the snores hit my ears. Taking a deep breath, I turn around, already knowing what I'll find.

Ari is sprawled across my bathroom counter, his back propped up against the wall by the doorframe. I was so distracted by Willow that I didn't sense him when I walked past his unconscious form.

I look down at Willow, and her eyes are trained on him. They're less hazy than earlier, reminding me that I need to get her clean and in bed before she fully regains awareness.

Dismissing the interloper, I open the shower and turn the taps, testing the spray against my wrist until I'm satisfied with the temperature. With a sigh, I lower Willow to the floor, removing my clothes and hers while she watches Aristotle.

It's slightly annoying that the exaggerated strip show I give her isn't enough to wrench her attention away from him. What I wouldn't give to be her number one favorite.

Someday.

It's bound to happen eventually.

He has to fuck up sometime.

My arms band around her waist and I haul her over the lip of the tub. She yelps at the water pelting her back, but at least she's looking at me now.

"Galileo..."

She doesn't say anything else, and I give her time to think while I lather her body with soap. Her skin is my favorite thing to clean—less of a compulsion and more of a privilege. It's enjoyment rather than ingrained satisfaction.

And I get the added bonus of erasing every trace of the demon.

"Yeah, baby?" I prompt her when she doesn't continue.

"I think something's wrong with me."

"There's nothing wrong with you, Willow," I forcefully deny.

She's my good girl.

The one who tried to save me from my father at the risk of her own life.

The one who has never given up on me despite me giving her plenty of reasons to do so.

And yes, I'm mad at her, furious even, for what she did with Ranger.

But she's still my baby, and she's perfect.

Willow cracks a smile at my vehemence. "That's not what I meant."

"Don't leave me in suspense. Tell me exactly what you meant."

My tone is authoritative and she's pliant enough to obey. Unlike the Lust demon earlier, I actually want to hear what she has to say.

As confusing as she is, I like the way her mind works.