Page 44 of Knight’s Salvation

“Right.” She released a breath and glanced around his place, her gaze landing on the clock. “Crap. I have to take off or I’ll be late for work.”

He shouldn’t drag this out, but… “I’ll give you a ride. It’s the least I can do.”

She shook her head. “It’s fine. James offered earlier. I’ll just go find him.”

Wrong thing to say. Both he and his demon had a serious problem with that entire sentence. But by some miracle he kept the possessive surge burning in his gut from escaping in an inhuman roar, and instead grabbed the keys to his bike off the side table and pulled his jacket on. Grabbing his spare, he held it out for her. “Put this on.”

“Zenon, truly. It’s fine. You don’t owe me a thing.”

“Please, Mia. I need to do this.” And if she thought it was out of gratitude that was fine with him. He needed to do it because everything in him was screaming not to let her go, that Mia was his, and it was better than him tearing James’s head off for daring to offer her a lift.

When they got to the garage and walked right on past the SUVs lined up and stopped in front of his Harley, her mouth fell open.

“You expect me to get on that thing?”

In that moment there was nothing he wanted more. “Yes. Put the jacket on, Mia.”

“But there are perfectly good cars just over there.”

“They’re needed.” It was a complete lie and an asshole move. Turned out he was a glutton for punishment, a fool, but he wanted to feel the press of her body against his one more time.

“Oh. Okay.” She bit her lip. “Promise me you’ll go slow, though.”

He grinned for the second time since she’d woken up beside him, which would make that two times more than he had in his whole worthless life. “Jacket.”

She shook her head but yanked it on. It was too big, almost reached her knees, and the sleeves hung past her hands.

A weird vibration rumbled from the back of his throat, accompanied by a deep repetitive sound. Mia looked up from zipping it, eyes wide. “Did you just laugh at me?”

Shit. Is that what he’d done? He guessed he had.

She smiled, full wattage, and it was all for him. He turned away and climbed on the bike, not able to deal with the way that smile made him feel in that moment. The bike roared to life and he motioned for Mia to climb on behind him. She hesitated for a split second, but then straightened her spine, slung her bag across her shoulder, and hopped up.

“I’ll need to put my arms around you. I’m sorry. I know you don’t like that.”

“I know it’s you,” he said before he knew what was coming out of his mouth. Those words were revealing, but they were the truth. “Do you need me to stop by your place? Get your uniform?”

“No.” A pause. “How do you know I have a uniform?”

“Lucky guess.”

“The shirt’s in my bag. I wasn’t sure how long my training session with James would last.”

Fucking James. “Hang on tight.”

Her hands slid around his waist. And if on the way he took a less direct route after learning she tightened her hold and pressed closer when he went around corners, no one would blame him, right?

This had to last a lifetime after all.

* * *

“Night, Grace.”Mia waved goodbye to her self-defense instructor and headed out. She’d been coming twice a week for the last two weeks. After the fright she got walking home from work, thinking she was being followed, she decided to learn a few things about protecting herself. Grace was a demi-demon as well and an excellent teacher, totally kick-ass, and already Mia felt stronger and more confident.

The sky was starless, the air heavy, threatening rain. She pulled her coat tight around her. The wind had a bite and the yoga pants and T-shirt she wore underneath didn’t provide much in the way of insulation.

As usual the streets were busy, groups of people club hopping, laughing, out for a good night with friends.

God, she missed Chaya.