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ArayasAddiction Page 10


  That was not the reaction he expected. Shit. For a demon, seventy-three was nothing. He’d never thought twice about his age until this moment. He didn’t look older than thirty and wouldn’t for many years to come.

  Araya chose that moment to burst out laughing. “You should see the look on your face,” she choked out through the laughter.

  She was teasing him. Little shit. He hadn’t paid much attention to her ass during their love making but he’d remedy that right now. He sat up and pulled her across his lap, face down.

  “What are you doing?” she squealed, still laughing at him.

  “This old demon is going to give this young demon a spanking for laughing at her elder, that’s what,” he said as he popped her on her deliciously round ass cheek.

  “Ow!” she wailed.

  “That’s what you get for joking during my confession of love.”

  He turned her over and pulled her up so that she sat across his lap and his lips met hers in an urgent kiss.

  “Stay with me, Araya. Let me love you. Always.”

  “Always,” she murmured against his lips.

  * * * * *

  Araya awoke curled into Kean’s warm body, his arms wrapped around her. For the first time in her life, she looked forward to her future. A future with someone she loved, who loved her in return. She didn’t fool herself into thinking everything would be perfect, that there wouldn’t be obstacles along the way, but together they would make it work.

  She stroked his arm and he kissed the back of her head. She rolled over to face him and he treated her to a sleepy, sensual smile.

  “Morning,” he said as he brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.

  “Morning,” she returned. “I was afraid to wake up and find out last night was a dream.”

  “It was,” he said. “A dream we’ll be living together. Let’s dream some more right now,” his lips lifted in a wicked grin as his hand caressed seductively down her body.

  Kean growled as the doorbell rang.

  “Expecting someone?” Araya asked, disappointment lacing her voice.

  “No, ignore it,” he said as his fingers slid between her legs making her shiver.

  They both jerked upright as banging rang through the room, sounding as if someone was attempting to break down the front door.

  “What the fuck?” Kean said. He scrambled from the bed and stormed to a large black dresser and pulled out a pair of black gym shorts pulling them on quickly.

  Araya followed him out of bed, worried at the banging going on. It sounded serious. Kean sucked in a breath as his gaze fell on her nakedness.

  “I’m going to kill the person responsible for making me wait to touch you,” he growled. He fumbled through another drawer and pulled out a deep green t-shirt and tossed it to her.

  She pulled it over her head. It bagged on her and fell to just above her knees, but she liked the idea of wearing something of his. It was somehow intimate.

  The banging continued as she followed him through the foyer to the front door. He peered through the peephole and groaned.

  “Unbelievable,” he ground out as he unlocked and yanked the door open.

  “Morning, Incubus! We were about to break down your door,” Valia announced happily.

  She pushed past him, Fin right behind her carrying two large bags over his shoulders and what the hell? A deformed dog bounded in behind them. Crooked eyes, lopsided ears and misshapen body.

  “Nice shirt.” Valia said winking at Araya. “So give me the tour.”

  Before Kean could ask what was wrong with the poor dog, it transformed into Kiberry. “It’s a shifter?” he asked no one in particular.

  Araya answered as she leaned forward to rub the beast’s furry head. “He,” she corrected him again. “And yeah, he’s still learning. He hasn’t quite gotten the hang of it yet.”

  “No shit,” Kean said.

  “Valia, Fin, what are you doing here?” Araya asked bewildered.

  “I’m checking on my little sister. You look good, happy. So, I guess his,” she pointed at Kean, “insides are safe.”

  “Insides?” Araya asked.

  “Never mind.” She grinned at Kean. “Hey Fin, looks like we can use bag number two.” She walked past them as if she owned the place. “Where’s a table? Ah, here we go,” she said as she found the dining area. Araya hadn’t noticed the shiny black table and six matching chairs last night. She realized she needed a tour of Kean’s—their—home.

  Their home. The thought warmed her.

  Fin joined Valia at the table and set one bag on the floor and emptied the contents of the other on the table. A scrumptious looking platter of blueberries and mango—Araya’s favorites—and pineapple and kiwi—Valia’s favorites—made her stomach growl. Next came four plastic cups with lids, containing what she knew to be Fin’s specialty fruit smoothies made with nothing more than ice and the freshest fruit from their gardens. Araya would miss that, but supposed she could visit and gather fruit any time.

  “This is for us,” he told Kean and lifted the lid on the last platter. It contained steak, eggs, biscuits and blueberry pancakes.

  “What is all this?” Kean asked, a bewildered look on his face.

  “Geez, Incubus,” Valia rolled her eyes at him, “it’s called breakfast. Everyone sit down. Let’s eat.”

  Kean arched an eyebrow at Araya and she shrugged then stood on her tiptoes to brush a light kiss on his lips before sitting down.

  “This looks fantastic,” Kean said, “but you could have called first. I had other plans for breakfast.”

  Araya felt her face flame.

  Valia laughed and said, “I bet you did.”

  “So what’s in the other bag?” Araya asked.

  “Various sharp instruments,” Fin answered cryptically.

  She didn’t miss the grin Fin and Valia shared.

  Everyone piled their plates high with food and Kiberry made a huffing, grumbling sound and pawed at Kean’s leg.

  “Uh, what does it—he want?” Kean asked.

  “Incubus, I’m beginning to wonder about your intelligence level. He wants food,” Valia informed him in her ever so not charming way.

  Kean pulled off a piece of blueberry pancake and tossed it. The beast snatched it out of the air and swallowed it whole. He’d think with teeth like those, the beast might bother to chew a little.

  Valia said, “Tell us about last night. How’d it go? I see Araya looks good and,” she snickered, “nourished.”

  Araya choked on her mango slice. “Valia!”

  “What? You do.” Her eyes widened innocently.

  Araya wasn’t sure how Valia or her mother would take the news of her having a monogamous relationship, living with one man, part Incubus nonetheless. She didn’t have the words to express it at the moment and was grateful Kean apparently did.

  Kean swallowed a forkful of eggs then announced to Valia and Fin, “Araya and I will be getting married. That’s how it went. Does that work for you?” He didn’t give her time to answer. “Good. Because I love her and she loves me, and I won’t allow anyone or anything to stand in the way of that.”

  Valia’s mouth dropped open. Fin’s mouth dropped open. Kiberry pawed at Kean’s leg. Araya’s heart seized.

  “Married?” Araya squeaked.

  “Of course.” Kean took her hands in his. “I thought you understood that when I asked you to stay with me always. You will marry me won’t you?”

  Araya felt the tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe this was happening. “Yes, I will.”

  Valia finally found her voice. “Holy shit. You’ll probably be the first Sempire in the history of time to get married. Wow! Mom’s going to freak.”

  “Congratulations,” Fin offered looking genuinely happy for them. “I’d be happy to cater the wedding.”

  “I’d like to send your mother a fruit basket to thank her for abducting me,” Kean said, smiling at Araya.

&nbs
p; Laughter broke out around the table.

  “Hey, if I’m going to be visiting my sister here, you’re going to have to let her add some color to this place. It’s nice, but all this black is depressing. And how much land do you have here? You need some fruit trees,” Valia announced.

  “We have fifty acres at our disposal. We’ll contact a landscaper today.” He turned to Araya and took her hands in his. “You request anything you want and we’ll have them get started on a fruit garden right away. This is your home now as much as mine.”

  Araya’s heart filled with more happiness than she’d ever known. Her home. Their home. Life was good and would only get better.

  About Jocelyn Dex

  Jocelyn was born in Iowa and currently resides in Texas. Her preferred vacation locations are islands with sandy beaches, palm trees, iguanas, and unfettered views of clear, blue-green water.

  She shares her home with her very own 6'4" alpha male and varying numbers of spoiled cats and dogs. Teaching one of her dogs to file his own nails is one of her all-time favorite accomplishments.

  Jocelyn loves to paint, loves to read, and loves to write sizzling erotic romance about yummy demons that would make your momma blush.

  Jocelyn welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

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  Ellora’s Cave Publishing

  www.ellorascave.com

  Araya’s Addiction

  ISBN 9781419943959

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Araya’s Addition Copyright © 2013 Jocelyn Dex

  Edited by Briana St. James

  Cover design by Syneca

  Photo: Totti/Fotolia.lcom

  Electronic book publication January 2013

  The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

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  Table of Contents

  ArayasAddiction2_1

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