Chapter 7

Seven

DELA

I 've just zipped up the new dress I bought when Raz's heavy knock rattles my apartment door. Butterflies take flight in my chest as I hurry to answer. He promised he'd be back from his demon duties in time for Dak and Rosetta's wedding this evening, but in the short time we've been together, I've quickly realized that he's not always able to gauge or control how long meting out vengeance will take. It's quicker to bludgeon someone or drop them off a bridge than it is to deliver carefully crafted revenge that keeps the scales as evenly balanced as possible.

"You're here," I say, flinging open the door. My jaw drops at the sight before me. I've been attracted to Raz since the moment I laid eyes on his massive red form—which is always shirtless.

Fate's Falls' businesses don't adhere to the common "no shirt, no shoes, no service" rule found in places primarily populated by humans. Though many of the non-human inhabitants here do wear some manner of clothing, there are too many body types, shapes, and sizes to make it a hard-and- fast decree. And once you get used to it, the assortment of furry, horned, hooved, or other unique body parts you might see around town are no big deal.

Seeing Raz dressed in a white, long-sleeved button-front shirt is a big deal. He's hot, my big red demon. Smokin' hot.

Once I've collected my bottom lip from the floor, I pat around my mouth to ensure there's no drool. "You own a shirt."

"I do now."

"It looks amazing. You're handsome and sexy and—" Heat creeps up my neck as I catch myself before saying the next words.

As always, Raz stares a hole in me. His preferred method of getting me to say the things I'm holding back.

"Every female at the wedding is going to be eye-fucking my demon boyfriend."

One of his brief rumbles of internal laughter pulls the crisp white fabric taut across his broad chest. "Had I known the effect wearing a shirt would have on you, I would have purchased one many months ago."

"Oh, I quite enjoyed your shirtless visits. Zero complaints." I trail my fingers over the soft cotton hiding his chiseled physique from view. "Let me grab my purse and we can go."

He catches my hand before I turn. "I wish to tell you how beautiful you are, but cannot find words adequate to describe it."

"Those'll do," I say, using the front of his shirt to tug him down to a level where I can kiss him. Too much time has passed since the last time.

The way he tugs me tight to his body and coasts his hands over my curves tells me he feels the same way. My pretty red dress and his sexy white shirt won't be making an impression at the reception. All of our clothes will be on Raz's cabin floor before the first toast to the bride and groom has been made.

But I don't think I can wait that long. "Raz," I whisper against his lips.

He understands the plea without additional words. Hands on my hips, he ducks low and walks me backward into the apartment, closing the door behind him. He doesn't bother maneuvering us through to my small bedroom; he lowers himself right there, stretching out on his back on my living room area rug.

Hunger flares in his glowing eyes as I lift the silky red wrap dress to expose my bare body beneath. Panties are pointless when I know I'll be alone with him. He's insatiable, and so am I.

"On my mouth, Dela. Now. I need to taste you while you come."

My body is humming, and he hasn't even touched me yet. Feet on either side of his head, I stand over him, giving him an all-access view as I lower myself. His tongue is waiting, and I moan as he pushes it deep inside me as I settle on his face. Grabbing his horns, I bounce on his tongue, the slick sound of it sending sparks racing through me. I love when he tongue-fucks me, but it won't make me come. It just makes me wet and messy, ready for his cock.

I rock forward, moaning shamelessly when he slides his tongue to my clit. I slide my fists up and down his horns, making him growl against my pussy, spurring him to suck harder, flick faster. The orgasm hits me without warning, making me writhe and grind on his mouth until I'm gasping for breath.

This time, Raz doesn't keep going, pushing me into a second wave. He doesn't take me down with gentle laps over my clit. Behind me, the sharp zip of his fly slices the air, then his hands are on my hips, lifting me off his face and centering me over his towering cock.

My head falls back as his hard, fat tip pushes inside me. The heat of him… God, the thickness. Every time is like the first time, stretching me wide, taking him deeper, deeper, until there's no room for more… until there is. A shuddering moan leaves my panting lips as he angles his hips to fit the full, impossible length of him inside me. "Raz, Raz… "

"Now," he growls, pressing a finger against my clit and sending me crashing into another spiral of pleasure, his cock throbbing as he follows me over. He catches me before lightheadedness has me tumbling off of him. "I have you, my sunshine."

The carpet is no match for his big, soft bed, but the way he looks at me while cradling me beside him would make anywhere feel like home. The way he always looks at me. The realization of it catches in my throat, making me choke on my breath.

"Are you unwell?" The broody set of his brow says the headshake I give him isn't a good enough response.

I can't tell him I love him. That he's my home, and I want to pack my things and move to his cabin so we can live every day like this moment. Love isn't part of his vocabulary, even though I know he feels it. And he's been a solitary creature literally forever. He might never want a 24/7 girlfriend. I'm okay with both things. Because I'm not broken like I used to be. My glue is holding. My spiderweb has never been stronger.

"Just thinking about how happy I am. About us, together and individually."

"As am I." He presses a soft kiss to my lips, then helps me to my feet. "I have wrinkled your dress," he says as he follows me out the door. "And I am not sorry. Now all the males at the wedding will know you have been well-fucked by your demon boyfriend."

I giggle while sliding my arm through his. "And all the women will be jealous."

"Their envy would be pointless. I only see you. I want only you."

RAZBUNARE

It has been difficult to keep my secret from Dela. There is no deception in the information I have withheld. I am…excited. An interesting feeling with layers that never settle. After we have finished whatever post-wedding socializing she wishes to do, I will take her to the cabin and show her what I have planned. If she thinks it is too soon, I will wait as many days, weeks, months, or years as she needs. But I do not want to wait. Fifty years will not be enough time with her. I want to live in her sunshine every possible minute. Even among this gathering of people is bearable with her by my side.

"Girl, let me look at you," one of Dela's friends says, making a mm-hmm noise as she surveys Dela from top to bottom. "So gorgeous. And that glow. I'd ask where I can get some of whatever it is making you look so radiant, but I think you've got the source locked down."

Dela laughs, gesturing toward me. "Shay, you know Raz." Then Dela turns to me, giving me a raised eyebrow as she continues. "And Raz, I'm sure you recognize my friend Shay from The Brew."

Vengeance demons do not lie. But humans do not require full honesty at all times. "It is nice to see you," I say, offering my hand to the woman, a human gesture she waves off in rejection.

"Tempting, just to see what I might see, but I'll pass, because of what I might see."

Dela snuggles under my arm, pressing her softness against my side. "That sounds like a riddle, but she means it literally. Shay is a seer."

" Was a seer," Shay corrects.

"You still are; you just choose not to practice."

Shay flicks her fingers, then settles her gaze on me. "What about you, Razbunare? Could you choose not to practice the thing you were born to do?"

"No, I would be recalled to hell if I failed in my duty."

"Bummer," Shay says, "having no free will like that."

"Oh, he has free will," Dela tells her friend. "He's particular about the revenge he fulfils now. No violence, no physical harm. He tries to keep things fair and minimize the negative ripple effect. That's why it takes so damn long and I don't get to see him every day."

Shay's gaze swings from Dela to me. "A vengeance demon with a conscience and code of conduct. Interesting. When did that happen?"

I do not fault Dela's friend for wishing to protect her, but Dela does not require protection from me. "Two years ago."

Dela shifts to look up at me. "Before you came to Fate's Falls? I thought you changed your method of meting out revenge after you met me." Though she maintains a pleasant expression, her voice is missing its joy.

"I'm always interested in an origin story," Shay says, when I fail to answer my sunshine's question. "What happened two years ago to bring about the change in your method?"

"Shay," Dela hisses, sliding out from beneath my arm. "That's Raz's business, not ours." Protective of me, despite her disappointment that I was not entirely forthcoming with details from my past.

The space she no longer occupies feels like a cold void. This is not the time or place I would choose for such a conversation, but remaining silent will only deepen her unhappiness. "I did not tell you the exact moment things began to change for me because it involves violence. Though you may know I have been brutal in fulfilling my purpose, I did not want to tell you the details of those transactions, particularly when they occurred in recent history."

"I wouldn't have judged you," she says, taking my hand. "I never will." The softness of her hand against mine is a strength far greater than the power I embody.

"I came to this realm to transact a soul from one of large cities. The revenge sought by this human male would have been easy to grant—violence has always been the most efficient way to fill the hell realm with souls."

Beside me, Dela shivers, then squeezes my hand, a silent assurance.

"But you didn't do it?" Shay asks. "Whatever horrible thing that evil piece of shit wished for, you didn't do it?"

"I did not. He wished severe bodily injury to a female. The woman with whom he shared a home and a bed. He claimed she had betrayed him by traveling without him, among other men, when he had expressly forbidden her to go. He was prepared to contract his soul to hell in return for the woman permanently losing the use of her legs. He wished her to remain living, but unable to physically walk away from him."

Shay's expression no longer holds a challenge, and Dela's… I have never seen her fair skin so devoid of color.

"You were in Chicago," Dela whispers, her fingers sliding from mine so she can cup both hands over her mouth.

"Oh, girl…no. No." Shay moves toward Dela, her hands out. She pauses, draws a deep breath, then pulls Dela into an embrace. "I'm so sorry." Shay rubs Dela's back, meeting my gaze over Dela's shoulder. "What stopped you from hurting the woman in Chicago?"

"Sunshine. The sky was dark gray that day. Raining and dark as night, everywhere except the place I found the woman. Above her, it was brilliant. Surrounding her so brightly, I could only see an outline of her form. I thought she was an angel, but when I spoke, she did not answer. That meant she was human. She could not hear me because I am a vengeance demon, and she had not wished for my presence. I should not have faltered in my duty, but I could not take an action that would diminish or extinguish such pure light. Nothing was the same after that. I began to see things differently. To want things."

"Wait," Shay says, as Dela backs out of their hug. She removes her gloves and takes both of Dela's hands. "Let me see." Eyes closed, she breathes deeply, smiling as she meets Dela's gaze again. "All clear from here out. Nothing but sunshine and horny rainbows."

The noise Dela makes sounds like a laugh, and she's smiling, but tears roll down her face. "Thank you."

"You don't need these," Shay says, wiping the moisture from Dela's cheeks before pulling on her gloves. "And you," she gives me a nod, "need to ask your woman how she ended up behind the counter at the coffeehouse." Then she walks away, leaving me with Dela, alone, despite being surrounded by people.

"It was me. I was the woman in Chicago. Doug didn't want me to go on a company team-building ski retreat. He said it was because he didn't trust the men around me, but I knew that was a lie. It had to be, because he'd spent years drilling it into me that nobody else would ever want me. He'd successfully cut me off from my friends and moved me away from my mom. He didn't want me to go on that trip because he didn't want me to make any new connections. When I said I had to go, he accused me of defying him. He told me I'd be lucky to come home in a wheelchair. You saved my life, Raz."

My insides knot, pressure building in my chest. "I will destroy him, Dela. But I cannot do so without your wish for vengeance."

"I would never wish for that. Even after he attempted to deliver revenge on his own."

I have committed atrocities in the name of my purpose and felt nothing, because I had no emotions then. Now, I feel as if I am burning alive. This is rage, and I would wield it like a lethal weapon if she wished it. "What did he do?"

"He killed me," she whispers. "After I said I might leave, he used my medications to overdose me. I was dead, technically, but a reaper sent me back. I woke up holding a card with a phone number. I snuck out while Doug was sleeping. He thought I was dead, and he just fell asleep, like it was any other night." A shiver runs through her, and she shakes it away. "That number on the card led me to Fate's Falls, and I started over. All I've ever wanted is a happy, safe life. I have everything I could ever wish for now. Here. With you." She flattens her palms on my chest and smiles up at me. "There is one more thing I wished for, actually. Someone to love, who would love me back with their whole heart. I have that with you, too."

"Vengeance demons do not have hearts." It is becoming more natural to arrange my lips in a smile, and the one I give her now earns me one of her affectionate nudges. "But you have made me feel like I possess one. If I had a heart, it would beat only for you. I love you with all that I am, my sunshine."

"And I love you," she whispers, shining brighter than she ever has. "Take me home, Raz."

"To your apartment?"

The silk of her hair glows like a sunset sky as she shakes her head. "To your home."

"I would like it to be our home. I am having it fitted with a kitchen. And I have ordered chairs I think you will find comfortable."

The smile on her lovely lips blooms larger. "You don't need to entice me with food and beverages," she teases, replaying my comment when she invited me to this event. "Or chairs, since we'd both prefer I sit on something else." She shrieks when I scoop her into my arms, drawing the attention of everyone still lingering in the town square.

The eons I have existed do not matter. My life, my eternity, is with Dela.

Thank you for reading The Grumpy Demon's Sunshine! I hope you loved spending time with Razbunare and Dela in Fate's Falls!

Go back to Fate's Falls and meet more irresistible monsters!

Each book is a standalone story with a different couple and their happily ever after.

Mated to the Minotaur

A Reaper is Forever

Falling for the Yeti

Hell's Belle

The Rhino's Rose

and more to come…