“Please don’t hurry on my account.” SJ’s tone was suave, but there was a tightness lurking under it. “I really must be going.”

“Like that?” Ezra asked in disbelief, his eyes dropping to the tatters of SJ’s clothes and what was very evident beneath them, and then quickly flicking away, his own cheeks heating.

“I … I must take my leave. It was nice to meet you … Ezra, isn’t it?” SJ muttered, gave a curt nod, then strode for the door without waiting for a reply. Ezra’s eyes fell on SJ’s muscular backside, and a tiny squeak erupted from him.

I wanted to snarl, ‘Mine!’ like some crazed beast from my books, but instead, I scuttled past my flustered roommate and leapt between the door and the equally flustered devil trying to escape.

I shoved the book against his solid chest, setting my jaw, ready for a fight. “I want you to finish reading it!”

SJ peered down at my determined expression, and a ghost of a smile flitted over his features before his mouth settled back into a frown. “Alright, Mouse. I will suffer through your monster pornography.”

A spluttering sound erupted behind us. I turned to glare at Ezra, who, having apparently tried to cool down all his excitement over my mostly naked, fake boyfriend slash soul-stealing devil slash giant softie with a glass of water, had spat it all over the kitchen floor.

“Let’s talk in the hallway,” I muttered, reaching behind me for the doorknob. My boob brushed his ribs, and he sucked in a breath. I gritted my teeth. We could be in bed right now, my boobs brushing whatever part of his body he so desired.

Instead, I was having heart flutters, and he was … what was he doing? Escaping?

The hallway was musty with mildew, the smell made stronger by the rainy day. Once the door was closed, SJ immediately raised a hand, conjuring that shimmery tunnel that was one of his portals.

“You’re just going to leave?” I demanded, crossing my arms.

“Your second task is complete. There is no need for me to remain here,” he muttered, but his head tilted towards me, and his eyes searched my face. There was something in his expression that had my stomach doing backflips.

“When will I see you again?”

He inhaled sharply, then cocked one eyebrow, his mouth hooking up at one corner. “Are you so impatient for your next task, Mouse?”

If it means seeing you again …

What on earth was wrong with me?

“You could just … visit me, you know … on completely untask-related business.”

“And what business might that be?” The hint of teasing in his tone gave me a spark of hope.

The sort where I’m bouncing on that big, thick cock? I thought savagely. His eyes darkened as if he could read my thoughts.