“It’s perfectly fair. You lied to me about everything from the start, and while I understand why considering how messed up the truth is, it’s not exactly a good foundation for a relationship. If you don’t want this to be over, then you’re going to have to convince me your intentions are good.”
“I already told you my feelings.” His eyes narrowed to angry slits. “I want you enough that I’m not interested in anyone else. I could have other women, and I don’t care. What more do you want me to say?”
“That’s a start, but there’s more to a relationship than just sexual attraction.”
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t see why.”
“Because it’s not fulfilling or healthy otherwise! I refuse to date a guy who can’t think of one other thing he likes about me besides sex.”
“Fine. I can’t believe you’re making me do this.” He heaved a sigh and dragged his fingers through that gorgeous hair. “I like your music. You play better than anyone I’ve heard in centuries. There’s a... light in you that comes out in everything you do, and I’m obsessed with it. You make people care about you because you care about them first. You know you’re beautiful, but you still have humility. You’re confident but not conceited. You aren’t afraid to be vulnerable. You say exactly what’s on your mind without fear of how others will react, yet you’re never callous.
“I’ve never enjoyed my existence more than the time I’ve spent with you. I have never felt more alive than when I’m inside you. If I could go back in time and reverse the curse Raphael put on me, I wouldn’t do it because it would mean I wouldn’t get to meet you. All the bullshit I’ve endured for the last three thousand fucking years was worth it for the time I’ve spent with you.” He grimaced. “Is that good enough? Can I stop now?”
Eva stared at him with her mouth slightly open. It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her.
Ash threw up his hands, misinterpreting her blank look. “That’s all I’ve got, Eva. I’m not a human and I never will be, nor do I want to be. I can’t change what I am, and I’ve spent the last three thousand years hating my existence, and I’m sick of it. From now on, I’m going to do things I enjoy, and I’m done catering to others’ demands, whether it’s Heaven or Hell or even you—”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “Shh.”
Yes, she had just shushed a Prince of Hell. And by the look on his face, he wasn’t happy about it. But this was important.
She stepped closer, tilting her head way up to look at him. “I’m not expecting you to say it any time soon, or understand it right away...” She took a breath, throwing caution to the wind. “But if you’ve actually never enjoyed your life more than when you’re with me, that sounds like love.”
He growled and looked away.
“And guess what? I feel the same way. It’s why I’m so adamant about making you admit this to me.”
His gaze snapped back to hers. “You do?”
She nodded. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I feel so connected to you, it scares me sometimes. When you’re with me, I feel complete, and when you’re not, I want you back by my side.”
His eyes flared. “That’s how I feel. Tell me more.”
She had to smile. “Honey, that’s what love is. Don’t you understand? This”—she gestured between their bodies, though only inches separated them—“has the potential to become love, if we’re not already there. Those uncomfortable feelings you have are because love makes you vulnerable, and it’s scary. I want us to be loyal and stand by each other’s sides.”
“I want that too.”
Her heart went from breaking to overflowing. “So youdowant a relationship, then?”
This time, he nodded slowly like he was finally grasping her explanation and deeming it acceptable.
“You want to commit? You want to be a team? Amonogamousteam?”
“Eva, I spent three thousand years feeling numb. After enough time, I stopped longing for my old life and started wishing for a new one. I’ve had centuries to clarify what I was looking for, so when I say I want you, I mean it.”
Her heart melted. It liquified into a puddle of mushy goo that spilled at his feet. “I want you too. More than anything.”
Screw the fact that he was a demon, and that she was a human who would age and get wrinkly while he would be beautiful forever, and the fact that he had hordes of demons trying to drag his ass back to Hell. They would deal with all that later.
He lifted a hand and stroked her cheek. “So you liked my feelings? I passed your test, and you won’t leave now?”
“I’m not leaving.” Eva reached up to the hand at her cheek and wove their fingers together. “It was so sweet what you said, and I loved all of it. And you know I feel the exact same way. Thank you for telling me.”
“Good. I’m... happy.”
“Me too.”
“I like seeing you in color. You’re just as bright as I knew you’d be.” He lifted the hand not clasped with hers and traced his finger along her eyebrow with deep focus, murmuring, “I like that your eyes are still gray though. They looked exactly the same the first night I ever saw you. The world was black and white, but you still looked colorful to me.”
