Chapter 12 Sagitta
Sagitta
A cautious, fragile hope was cradled in my ribs. I was almost afraid to breathe too hard. I didn’t want to dispel that delicate feeling.
Was the demon truly gone?
Had I accomplished my task?
And if so, could I enjoy this time with Chase free of any burdens?
I was still wary of being seen in public with him.
Cygnet knew I was on duty this week, but I was technically supposed to be watching Chase for signs of further possession, not gallivanting around the city in broad daylight together.
I could conjure some excuse about ensuring Chase was fit to return to normal life, but I’d rather not deal with the hassle if I could avoid it.
But there was one feeling I couldn’t avoid, no matter how hard I tried. The butterflies in my chest when I was with Chase.
It was unprofessional. It was alien, and exciting, and awful, and wonderful, and I had to cut it off before it got any worse.
Slipping between two shops, I led him down an alley, then to a secluded back street occupied only by rows of city garages. It was quiet and empty. Nobody was around.
I whirled upon Chase, backing him up into a garage door. He blinked at me with wide blue eyes, then blurted, “Look, I’m sorry, okay?”
I paused. What was he talking about?
He dropped his head, his sandy hair flopping down his forehead. “I was an idiot. I shouldn’t have rattled on like that. I know you’re just doing your job, and we’re not...” He trailed off with a sigh. “We’re not anything,” he finished in a defeated mumble.
For a few beats, I could do nothing but stare at him.
He thought I was upset with him.
And I was. Sort of. I was mad that I’d fallen for him, but that paled in comparison to the sparkling, airy feeling that consumed me when we were together.
What do you want, Sagitta?
His question echoed in my mind. What did I want? I wanted to save Chase from the demon. Not just because he was a client. Because he was kind, compassionate, and funny. Because even though I knew I shouldn’t, I liked him. A lot.
I’d never been infatuated with someone until now. I’d always been too busy with providing for my family, or studying, or working to fall in love.
Was that what this was? Love? Or was it just a crush—a flurry of hormones and emotions leading me astray from my path?
As I stared at Chase, my gaze trailed down to his lips. I’d kissed him once when we first met to fulfill his bribe. And then he’d kissed me again the other evening, in the serene glow of the aquarium light.
We were even. I should’ve let it go.
But against my better judgment, I tipped the scales.
My fingers grasped the front of Chase’s hoodie, pulling him down, and I brushed our lips together.
He dropped the bag of sex toys on the ground.
A soft, startled noise escaped him, but it fizzled out when he kissed me back.
He angled his head, dragging his mouth across mine in a soft explosion of sensation.
Then the wet tip of his tongue teased my lower lip.
I bit back a whimper at how good it felt.
Within seconds, I was dizzy from the warmth of Chase’s breath and my own pulse roaring in my ears.
Yet I didn’t pull back. I pushed past my dizziness, desperate to remain in this moment.
My chest pressed into Chase and I used his firm body as leverage to stay upright.
His hand cautiously rested on my back. As he moved, the scent of him floated up from his clothes, enveloping me just as his lips did.
I felt... safe.
And, unfortunately, aroused.
A thrill ran down my spine. Being turned on was one thing, but for it to happen in public? Anyone could’ve turned the corner and seen us, or watched us from security cameras that no doubt surveyed the garages.
We shouldn’t be doing this. Not here, not now, not at all.
But I didn’t want to stop. Succumbing to my desire was like stepping foot in a bog; once I’d given in, it was already too late. The greed sucked me down and refused to let go.
I grew hungrier. My teeth gently pinched Chase’s bottom lip and he made a soft sound of pleasure. His fingers dug into the small of my back like claws tugging me closer. I rested my full weight against his broad chest. Being so close to him scratched an itch I didn’t know I had.
My mind melted into an indulgent haze. Every doubt and anxiety and concern was shoved aside as I gave in to my base urges.
Kissing Chase just felt so fucking good.
A second hand joined his first. Both his palms roamed up and down my back, like he was petting me.
That made me remember the dog collar that he bought. I pulled away just in time to laugh.
“What?” Chase asked, breathless and flushed. “Did I do something weird?”
“No, I was thinking about the collar. I can’t believe you bought that.”
He flashed a lopsided grin. “Hey, I only put it in the basket. You paid for it. So technically, you bought the collar.”
I rolled my eyes, but another chuckle tumbled out of me. I felt giddy and light, like my body was made of cotton fluff. It was a strange new feeling. So different than anything I’d experienced before.
“I didn’t know you, um... felt like that about me,” Chase said, his cheeks burning pink.
I swallowed the thickness in my throat. “Me neither.”
Sunlight danced in the sky blue of his eyes. Up close, I saw the tawny colour of his eyelashes, the sprinkle of gold hairs in his brows.
On top of being a good person, he was stupidly handsome. How was he still single?
Now that we weren’t in the middle of making out, my doubts flung to the forefront of my mind again. Was there something wrong with him that I didn’t know about? Was he some kind of playboy?
“When’s the last time you dated?” I demanded.
He tilted his head in that puppy-like gesture I found so endearing. “Uh, last spring. I met a dude on a dating app and we went out for a month. Why?”
So, it’d been over a year. That seemed to be a long time for a young man like Chase to be single. Not that I was any expert on that, never having dated at all.
“What happened?” I asked sharply.
He raised a brow. “I dumped him because he was a transphobic asshole to my best friend.”
My heart fluttered. There it was again. Chase’s righteous kindness.
“Lily, right?” I asked.
He nodded. “She was at the party the night we met. Actually, she was the one who told me there was a hot stranger walking around Jared’s house, so obviously, I had to go check you out.”
Hot?
“I’m glad she did,” I said, cheeks flushing at the compliment. “I’m glad I met you, despite the circumstances that night.”
Chase raised his face to the sky as if listening for something I couldn’t hear. And apparently, neither could he.
“By the way, Faust’s been AWOL since we went shopping.”
My hopes soared. “That’s great news.”
“I wonder why he hates dildos so much,” Chase mused.
I snorted. “I don’t know, but I’m not complaining. That was a simple fix.”
Chase returned his gaze to me. Hesitation laced his voice as he asked, “So what happens now that your job’s done? You said you’d stay with me for a week, but...”
My heart skittered. He sounded like he didn’t want me to leave. And I didn’t want to. Privately, I felt like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum—if anyone dragged me back to the temple, I’d go kicking and screaming. But on the outside, I put on my practiced professional facade.
“I’m owed a week of your time, and I intend to use it to its fullest.” With a smirk, I added, “Besides, it’s best if I keep an eye on you to ensure the demon doesn’t return when we’re least expecting it.”
Chase grinned, beaming like a ray of sunshine. “Works for me.”
His smile made my insides feel fuzzy. I felt like I’d walked into a scene from a movie. This wasn’t the life I knew, and I certainly hadn’t predicted this turn of events, but I liked it.
After a moment of quiet, I realized we were still pressed against each other. Chase didn’t complain and he had more experience with relationships than I did, so I took it as a sign to remain there. But that highlighted a new problem.
I was slightly hard. So was Chase. This had spiralled from a naughty stolen moment to an awkward, socially inappropriate scenario.
“We should probably head back,” I suggested.
“Yeah.” He bit his lip. “Although, it would be fun to—”
He yelped and sprang forward as the garage door suddenly shuddered open. Quickly snatching our bag of sex toys, we bolted from the alley back onto the main street, laughing all the while.
Happiness suffused my body, like a bottle of pure joy had been spilled within me. I felt high on life. Suddenly the air smelled sweeter and the setting sun’s slanting rays against the buildings looked more brilliant than ever.
“Hey,” Chase said, eyes bright. “Do you wanna grab dinner and go home?”
A fist squeezed my heart. It was his home, not mine, but the invitation tugged at my core. It felt good to be included. It felt good that he wanted me there with him.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to cook?” I asked.
A mischievous gleam flashed across his face. “I’m sure.”
His tone implied he had other plans for me.
My cock twitched.
It was a concerted effort to keep the arousal at bay until we reached his apartment.
My heart pounded in a rapid, steady thrum of anticipation.
I never imagined I’d be in such a precarious situation, but Chase made me feel things nobody ever had before.
It would’ve frightened me if my excitement didn’t smother the rest of my nerves.
After dropping the bag of sex toys on the ground, Chase took the pizza box from my hands and threw it on the kitchen counter like an afterthought.
It was fresh, still steaming, but his glassy eyes were pinned on me.
My heart leapt into my throat. He looked hungrier for me than for the pizza.
I held still as he took my wrists in his hands.
“This feels unfair,” he murmured, his voice thick and breathy.
“How so?”
“You’re so hot. And I didn’t know you were into guys.”
I gave him a wry smile. “You never asked.”