“I can’t believe I was ever, you know, irritated with them over the way they forced me to study and live by their dumb rules.” He eyed his man. “That brought me to you, actually. Can I ever repay them for that?”
“I think that’s my line, baby.” Trey stood with Demi’s legs wrapped around his waist. That was one of the best things about his human fiancé. He had a strength—both a natural one and that enhanced by drinking Demi’s blood—that, while not quite a match for his own, made Demi feel almost delicate. He loved it.
“Marry me,” he commanded.
Trey whirled him around as they entered their bedroom. “That’s what the ring’s for, pal.”
“I mean now. Soon,” he amended, because he did want a wedding with all the trappings. “I want to start college as your husband, as Demi Duncan.”
Trey stopped and gave him a pained look. “We’ve been over this.”
“I know, but seriously, what do you think is going to happen, that I meet some frat boy and decide I don’t want you anymore? It’s not going to happen,” he added, because he knew that was exactly what Trey thought. “I will never want anyone the way I do you, and it’s important to me that I start my life as an adult on this planet being a part of your family. Of being yours. Please.” He saw the moment when he’d won the argument.
“Like I can deny you anything. I don’t know why I ever thought I could.”
Demi tried, and failed, to hide his delight in winning…all night long.
* * * *
Emil and Jase
“Emil’s Bakery.” Jase threw his arms around Emil’s waist as they looked at the new sign above the shop and hugged him. “I love it.”
Emil frowned. “I still think it should have your name, too.”
“No. That would sound terrible—Emil and Jase’s Bakery? It’s too much of a mouthful and people need to see your name. After a thousand years living in obscurity, it’s high time you get recognition.”
Because his boy was so happy, Emil had little choice other than to be so himself. He could still remember a time when the human had had nothing to smile about. Emil would never grow tired of seeing Jase happy. “As long as we’re working together, I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“Of course we will.”
“Forever?”
Jase laughed. “If you can keep us both alive for that long with your super blood, then sure.”
Emil kissed him quickly before tugging him back into the almost-ready-to-open bakery. “Come on. I want you to try a new cupcake.”
Jase went willingly with him, as he always did. His trust in Emil, after all he’d been through, was humbling. “Okay. What’s the new flavor profile?”
Emil glanced at him, trying his best to hide his excitement. “You’ll see. Stay here.”
Going around the counter, he picked up the plate with the cupcake on it that he’d hidden away earlier. He held it out. “Go on.”
Jase narrowed his eyes as he picked it up. “Looks like chocolate with peanut butter frosting. My favorite, as you know, but what’s different about it?”
“Look inside. Be careful, though. Take a nibble and let me know what you think.”
Jase held the treat to his mouth then took a small bite. God, Emil loved the boy’s lips, so pretty and pink, and they did amazing things to Emil’s cock. It was still a minor miracle that this boy could find joy in sex, given how he’d been abused. Emil always tried to be careful, and usually Jase was determined to go full throttle. This time, however, he was taking Emil’s caution to heart, so he found the ring instead of biting into it.
“What’s this?” Jase held the rose-gold band with the leaf-pattern etching in front of his eyes. “Why is there a ring in my cupcake, Emil?”
But Emil had already taken advantage of his boy’s momentary distraction to drop to one knee. Putting the plate aside, he grabbed for the hand that held the ring. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Ohmygod.” Jase breathed out the words in a rush. “Seriously?”
When there was no answer forthcoming, Emil started to panic. “It doesn’t have to be right away. Only when you’re ready, because I love you more than my next breath and I promise to do my best to make you happy for the rest of our lives.”
Still Jase said nothing, his eyes round and his breathing coming out in pants. Emil got to his feet, worried now that he’d sent