I watch as he sends the guys a quick look, noting their retreating backs. When he’s sure they’re not paying attention, he turns back to the headstones, and then he rattles off the stats to last night’s baseball game for my dad. I bite my lip, my heart immediately swelling in my chest.
As if that wasn’t enough to make me melt, then he really surprises me by reaching in his pocket and plucking out a single green stem. It’s in the shape of a cane, the green leaves drooping down to hold a yellow flower that hangs like a lantern. Gently, he places it on the top of my mom’s gravestone.
I’m so stunned that all I can do is stare at it.
Jerif looks up at me, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. “It’s a Disporum,” he grumbles.
My eyes slowly lift to his. “What?”
“Disporum,” he says again, gesturing to the flower. “Your mom’s name is Tanya. That means fairy queen. A Disporum flower is called a fairy bell. I thought it fit.”
Did I say my heart was swelling? No. It has completely fucking burst now. My eyes grow wet, and I have to fight to not start sobbing at this heartbreakingly sweet gesture my grumpy demon just did. “I didn’t know,” I say with a hard swallow, looking away so that he doesn’t see my tears. I know that if I go all weepy on him, he’ll retreat, because Jerif and emotional talks don’t really mix. He’s a male that’s all about action. And he just showed me through his actions how much he loves me, by doing the sweetest fucking gesture I could’ve ever imagined.
When I’ve gotten myself under control, no longer in danger of flinging myself at him and wailing against his chest, I walk over and grab his face in one hand and press my lips against his. It’s a sweet, firm peck, and when I pull back, I reach down and thread our fingers together. “Thank you,” I say quietly as the two of us start walking to catch up with the others.
Jerif just lets out a gruff, “Welcome.”
Smiling to myself, we walk hand in hand, listening to the others as they continue to argue about who’s the favorite. I won’t tell them that Jerif just scored major points behind their backs. Wouldn’t want to ruin their fun.
We stop at the end of the road, where it forks off to another part of the cemetery. We’re blocked enough by the large trees that we can safely shift, away from prying eyes.
“Okay, date night,” I say with a single clap as we reach the others. “I’m thinking pasta and a movie?”
Crux frowns. “How about tacos?”
Jerif rolls his eyes. “You always want fucking tacos.”
Crux wags his brows at me. “Damn right, I do.”
I snort. “Okay, so tacos and a movie?”
“I’d rather have steak,” Jerif says.
“Fuck steak. And what kind of movie are we talking?” Echo asks. “Because I can’t fucking handle watching a chick flick.”
“We could go bowling,” Crux offers.
Iceman looks at him aghast. I guess it would look kind of funny to see him in bowling shoes paired with his full suit. “Not bowling,” he says with a shake of his blue head.
I huff out in exasperation. “This always happens! We can never fucking decide on what food to eat or where to go!”
“Good point,” Crux says, pointing at me. “So we should just go back to the mansion and let us shower you in orgasms instead.”
The words shower and orgasms make my eyes glaze over for a second, but then I bitch-slap that glaze away and tell it to go settle on a donut where it belongs. “No,” I say, eyeing them all with the look. “We are going on this fucking date. Come on,” I say, clapping again, as if that does anything to pump them up. “We can do this. Let’s just agree on something to eat first. We can handle that.”
“We can’t handle that,” Jerif says like the Negative Nancy he is.
“Yes, we can,” I say confidently. “And this is how it’s gonna work, ready? I’m gonna say a place to eat, and you all are just gonna nod and say, ‘Okay, Delta.’”
The guys send out a mix of snorts and chuckles.
“We’re gonna have...pasta and a movie!” I repeat, just like my earlier suggestion.
The guys groan.
“Okay, great. Good stuff. Let’s go,” I say, holding out my hand.
Echo smirks and comes forward, taking it so he can shift me since I still haven’t learned how to do that myself.
“Fine, but can we find a place that serves pasta and steak?” Jerif asks gruffly.
“Ohh, and tacos,” Crux once again throws out there.
I roll my eyes and then laugh because these demons are fucking incorrigible. Good thing I love it.
“If everyone gets on board with pasta and a movie right now, we’ll all fool around in the theater and see how long we can play before we get caught,” I offer, loving the win-win scenario I just set myself up for.
“I fucking love pasta, personally,” Echo declares vehemently, giving me a cheeky smile and a hand squeeze.
“I guess a good seafood alfredo doesn’t sound like complete shit,” Jerif grumps.
Iceman and Crux just stay quiet, their heated looks saying plenty. They’re probably already mentally coming up with ways of how to enact their sexy sneak mode for the theater.
I’ll take it. And every other date night to come. Because these four demons changed my life, helped me find who I really am, and no matter what, I know they’ve got my back.
And my heart.
Epilogue
“Yes! Omg, yes, right there!” I cry out, leaning back into Jerif and the wicked things he’s doing to me. His hot hands are so perfect for this.
Fuck it hurts, but it feels so good at the same time.
“Harder,” I grit out.
“You’re fucking bossy.”
“Harder, Jerif!” I demand, because he’s right at the perfect spot.
“What in the Rings of Hell is going on?” Tazreel
