The Lure of the Devil (The Demons' Muse #4) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,20

and pulled him a little closer. "Why me, Ron? Is it simply the novelty of me being a woman? What is it about me that you like?"

He leaned in, grabbing the table on either side of my hips. "I like that you raise your chin when you feel intimidated. I like that you are complicated. Sia, I love that you are a demon. Not just because you have wings and a tail on so many worlds, but because you act like one of us. You are so different from any man I've ever known, but you are not at all like I expected a human to be. You're mystifying and wonderful. You're also my friend."

But nowhere in there did he say it was because I was beautiful. The strange thing was that I didn't mind. It actually made me feel better because it explained so much. He could think I was beautiful - or not - but it had nothing to do with why he was attracted to me. That was all based on the person I was. He liked me for my mind, and coming from a guy as smart as him, that was a very, very big compliment.

"Why do you like me?" he asked back.

Oh, but that was easy. "Because you are sweet, sexy, and brilliant," I told him. "And I know that's what everyone says, but it's true. You are this smart guy who never makes the people around him feel stupid. That's not a common thing, Ron, and it's sweet. You also aren't ashamed of your intelligence or your ability to solve the problems we need help with. You're brave and have this way of making me feel safe when I'm around you - "

"I do?" he asked.

I nodded. "Like when you stood up for me in Hell?"

He leaned back with a groan. "When you had to save me? Yeah, real heroic."

"No, you don't get it." I reached up to cup the side of his face. "It's even more heroic when you can't win. That's the thing. If you were Bel and tried to scare a guy off, that's kinda nice. But if you think you're going to lose and do it anyway? It means even more. It makes me feel... important."

"I like that," he said. "I should also tell you that I'm not sleeping with you tonight. I, uh, promised Luke..."

"Which explains why he's waiting." I leaned in and kissed my sweet lavender fairy. "It's ok. My room is a sleep-only zone tonight."

He stole another quick kiss. "I honestly don't think anyone will care. We love it when you curl up against us."

I smiled at him. "Tease. Now go make out with your boyfriend. I think he misses you. I'll show off my new rune and let you know when dinner's done, ok?"

"Are you cooking?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Bel's turn. You're safe for one more night."

"Whew," he teased. "Was starting to get worried for a minute there."

So I gave him a little push. "Now you sound like that angel!"

"Never!" Ron said in mock-horror. "You'd almost think that I spent a lot of time with him or something."

"He's corrupting you." But I kissed him again before moving away from the table. "Let me know if you need the soundproofed room. Pretty sure I can share."

Ron rolled his eyes at me. "That's yours. Luke and I just make sure to keep the moans and groans to a minimum. Now the creaking? Nothing I can do about that."

"You," I said, "have become a very bad demon. It's also kinda working for ya."

He just laughed and made his way toward where Luke waited by the overlook. I watched him for a moment, taking in the way his right leg didn't want to bend the same as the other, and tried to recall how bad it had been in Hell. I could easily remember his wing and the way it had been cramped closed, but not his limp. We'd been in the midworlds long enough for this version to take over my memories.

And I really didn't want to make him go back. I would not tolerate him hurting because we wanted to relax in the skin we were born - or formed - in. That meant I needed to talk to Nick, because if this alteration to the bubble couldn't be undone, then we probably shouldn't do it.

Which was one more thing to add to the growing list in my mind. Get my birth control rune, protect the