Page 7 of Claiming a Demon

I smiled softly. “I like helping people. It’s kind of in my job description.” It wasn’t the whole truth, but I didn’t need the demon guy to think I was some kind of weirdo because I was curious about him. He was probably gawked at enough.

Stepping away from him, our hands slipped away, and I mourned the loss a little. I shot him a reassuring smile before disappearing into the hallway. I stopped at the front long enough to let Winnie know my room would be occupied and grabbed some new sheets before heading to my room to prep. Luckily, the table was wide enough that I assumed the guy would fit. It’d held humans a lot heavier than him. I covered the table, grabbing a few oils I knew worked best for stress, and dabbed a little lavender on my wrists.

A bubbly sort of excitement was gathering in my belly, but I ignored it. It happened now and then when I was attracted to my client, but I never let it affect my work. I was only human. I had urges just like everyone else, but that wasn’t appropriate here, so I kept it to myself. I could always go to a club and hook up later to work out the energy.

Grounding myself with another deep breath, I headed back to the meditation room. The demon’s shoulders had come back up since I was gone, and he looked uncomfortable. I offered him my hand without thinking about it, smiling at him.

“Come on. I’ll show you the way.”

He studied my hand for a moment before taking it, his huge palm engulfing mine. I was really glad the lights were dim in here, because a flush was working its way up my neck and with my pale skin, it was impossible to hide it. No matter how much makeup I used to cover it. I led the demon, whose name I really needed to ask, into the hallway, pointing out the restroom down the hall before leading him to my room. It was in the corner, one of the farthest from the foot traffic going in and out of the meditation room. After leading the demon inside, I turned to him with a smile.

“Okay, first things first. I’m gonna give you my little spiel. My name is Zach. I’ll be looking after you today. Once I’m done explaining things, you can get undressed to your level of comfort. Some people get fully undressed, others prefer to keep some clothes on. Whatever you’re comfortable with is good. The goal is to help you relax, so being uncomfortable really won’t help us. Is there a specific spot that feels most tense that you’d like me to focus on?”

He shook his head, but his shoulders said otherwise. I decided not to push, continuing with my little speech on oils I was going to use and asking him questions on things like allergies or scents he doesn’t like. He didn’t have a lot of opinions, which was normal, at least for the first time. He still looked dubious and uncomfortable, but I didn't let it get to me. Most first-timers looked that way. I finished up my introduction, pointing towards the door.

“I’m gonna head out into the hall and give you time to change. Once you’re done, you can go ahead and get under those sheets on your stomach. I’ll be back in a minute, okay?”

CHAPTER FIVE

MALAKAI

It felt strange, being in this room. It was dark, like the room before had been, and it smelled like incense. I looked around warily, worried I was getting myself into something I’d regret. I knew nothing about humans and their massages. I wasn’t sure why I came here, but after getting bad news from home, I felt like I was going to tear apart from the stress. My mind kept going back to the little pixie who rescued me when I was struggling, and somehow I wound up here. He took it all in stride, bringing me back to the quiet room and sitting with me until I was calm enough to speak. And now he was offering to help me further.

I asked him why he was so willing to help me. Most humans weren’t as thoughtful as he was, but his answer wasn’t what I wanted to hear for some reason. He said he liked to help people, and it was part of his job. It made sense, but I had kind of hoped he’d felt the same connection I had and it was about me. I brushed that off, turning to face the bed again. It was weird, with a little circle shape at the top that I didn’t understand. I could probably tell him I didn’t want to be here, but that would be a lie and I didn't want to throw his hospitality in his face.

Instead, I tugged my shirt over my head and laid it gently on a stool in the corner. I wasn’t going to get fully undressed, not while I had no idea what he planned on doing. I figured the shirt off was a happy medium, and when he knocked on the door and peek his head in, he didn’t look annoyed. He smiled at me, shutting the door behind him as he joined me in the room.

“Ready?”

I still didn’t know what I was supposed to be ready for, so I didn't answer him. I let him lead me to the table and climbed onto it, resting my face in that little hole of the circle once he explained it to me. It was a little uncomfortable, and obviously not built for horns in mind, but he seemed to catch on pretty quickly and offered me a pillow instead. It turned my head to the side, but it was easier on the horns, so I let it go.

“Okay, I’m gonna start now. Let me know if the pressure is too much, or if you feel any pain.”

I tensed when his hands brushed over my shoulders, but I relaxed into it as he started rubbing. It only took a few minutes before I was melting, the smooth glide of his hands accompanied by steady pressure almost putting me to sleep. My mind shut off, the strain and tension from the phone call from my mom disappeared, and I went into a trance-like state as he worked his hands over my shoulders and back.

For someone who seemed to enjoy talking the first time I met him, he was quiet as he helped me. I almost missed the sound of his voice, and whenever he murmured to check in with me, my ears strained to hear him better.

“Doing okay?”

I could only groan in response. If my eyes weren’t shut, they’d be rolling back into my head as his thumbs worked along my neck. He turned my head when he needed to so he could get the other side, and I let him move me how he wanted me.

He snickered quietly at my response, amusement tinging his voice. “I’m going to take that as a yes.”

Yes. Absolutely. Better than okay. Now I understood why Maya and Isla seemed so excited about the couple's massage. This was overwhelmingly pleasant, and I never wanted it to end.

“Would it be comfortable for you to turn over or is lying on your wings not okay?”

I couldn’t even be bothered to open my eyes. “Lying on them is fine.”

He hummed his response, nudging my shoulder. “Let's turn over then, so I can get your front.”

It was a little awkward given my size, but he got me comfortable again and smiled down at me when I peeked up to look at him. He continued rubbing my shoulders and down my arms, even into my hands, and I let my mind go blank again. I was barely aware of when he stopped until his voice penetrated the daze he’d put me in.

“Take your time getting up. I’m going to grab you a glass of water. Would you also like some tea? It helps keep the mind calm.”

I resisted the urge to pout, finally opening my eyes to look at him. “Whatever you think is best.”

He flashed me an easy smile, nodding once. “Okay. I’ll be right back. You’re in no rush. Don’t get up before you’re ready.”