Chapter 37 Chapter 37
“These things happen; it’s no big deal.”
“It is! I’ve drawn the short straw here. Humans feel pain immediately; it’s ridiculous. Demons, however… you could shoot me, and I’d barely notice,” Maxwell said, and Valerie once again realized she had never felt any physical pain from him before. He was right; he had drawn the short straw indeed.
“I’m sorry, Maxwell. I’ll try to have fewer accidents from now on,” she said, offering a crooked but genuine smile.
A faint smirk settled on the demon’s lips. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“You’re right; the shared pain is a problem,” Vaughn sighed. “Esther sometimes cuts herself by accident when she makes food. Imagine how annoying it is to feel the stinging all the time.”
“Hey, next time you’re cooking.”
“I don’t think that would end well,” Vaughn said, laughing nervously.
“You wouldn’t believe it, Valerie, but he set the pan on fire once,” Esther giggled.
Valerie’s mouth dropped open. “Huh? Then you'd better keep him far away from the stove,” she snickered. “Let him cut vegetables or something.”
“I always knew that you were an idiot, Vaughn,” Maxwell mocked, his lips curling into a condescending smirk. Vaughn grimaced.
“Don’t act like you know how to cook.”
“Oh, but he does,” Valerie replied. “He made my favorite dish for me, and it was great.”
Esther and Vaughn looked downright flabbergasted at this unexpected revelation, their eyes widening to a comical degree. Maxwell raised his chin and looked so smug that Valerie couldn’t stop herself from smiling at the sight.
“See, there you have it. I’m better than you, Vaughn.” The arrogant demon rubbed it right into his friend’s face, who could only roll his eyes at him.
“Typical,” he grumbled.
“He’s just stating the obvious, sweetheart,” Esther grinned.
Valerie had a lot of fun that evening, the bickering between the two demons adding to her amusement. Time passed quickly, and when they finished their food and drinks, they decided to leave since it was already midnight.
“Thank you so much for meeting up today,” Esther said when they stood at the entrance of the building, about to separate.
“It was fun; we should do it again,” Valerie replied, and a glance in Maxwell’s direction told her that he wasn’t opposed either. “Get home safe, and see you.”
“You too. Till next time,” Vaughn replied before he and Esther walked off, disappearing around the next street corner.
“My feet are hurting thanks to those stupid heels,” Valerie complained as soon as they were out of earshot.
“I know,” was Maxwell’s sarcastic reply.
“You could always carry me.”
“I’m not your servant, you lazy ass. Walk yourself.”
“You would do yourself a favor, though.”
He sighed deeply and shot her a sinister glare. “Why did you even pick heels?”
“Because I can’t wear a dress with sneakers, isn’t it obvious? I wanted to look pretty.”
“Who cares?”
“I do. Besides, you’re the last person who should complain about my fashion choices, Mr. I-wear-a-chain-on-my-face.”
“I know you love it. Admit it,” Maxwell said, eyeing her with a teasing glint in his blue eyes.
“I don’t.”
“Are you sure?” He stopped, taking her wrist to halt her as well. His hand moved to her chin, gently but firmly tilting it up until she had to look into his eyes, but she stared at him in silence. “You’re stubborn,” he sighed, letting her go and walking on.
She caught up to him and watched him from the corner of her eye. “What if I like it?” she mumbled.
“Maybe I should wear it more often,” he said huskily. She swallowed, biting her lower lip. Why was this man such a tease? If every high-class demon without a partner acted like him, she was in for a ride.
—
They took the next train that arrived. Not many people were around so late at night, and those who were looked suspicious. Not to mention, more demonic and ghostly creatures roamed the streets at night.
Therefore, Valerie was grateful she wasn’t alone, especially after she spotted a giant snake-like demon that made her skin crawl with its disgusting appearance.
After roughly twenty minutes, they left the train at the station near her apartment. Valerie couldn’t wait to get rid of her stupid heels; they were more than annoying at this point. Judging by Maxwell’s pissed-off expression, he thought the same. They passed through the dimly lit and empty station, and when they reached the exit, he let out another deep sigh.
“I don’t get why women wear those terrible shoes. Seriously.” Maxwell stopped and looked at her. “I’ll carry you, but only this once.”
She smiled triumphantly, and he bent down to put an arm around her back and one under her knees, lifting her. Valerie leaned against him and put her head on his shoulder, happy that, in the end, she got what she wanted.
“Thank you,” she chirped, to which he curled his lips in distaste.
“I’m doing this mostly for my own sake.”
“It’s nice to have my personal servant.”
“I’m going to drop you,” he said with a deadpan face, his grip on her loosening abruptly, so she clutched his shoulder tightly.
“No.”
“Just kidding.”
“Oh, you meanie,” she muttered, hitting him in the chest.
He carried her to her doorstep and let her down so she could unlock the door. Inside, she got rid of her shoes and put them away with a relieved sigh. “That’s better.”
She turned towards him and found him standing closer than expected. His blue eyes were tainted with a burning desire, mesmerizing her. Valerie didn’t move away, instead holding her breath to see what he would do.
Maxwell put his hand on her waist, resting it over the black fabric of her dress. She felt his thumb drawing soft circles on her body, leaving pleasant warmth.
Spellbound by his handsome features and the sudden proximity, she admired the long lashes framing his eyes, his tousled white hair, and his lips begging to be kissed. Her heartbeat accelerated. The urge to close the distance between their lips was overpowering.