The Company of Fiends (Tempting Monsters, #2)

by Kathryn Moon

And there was a kind of power in being able to say no without any consequence, not even a cold shoulder.

We've walked a park together once, but you were right in my neglect of flowers, little one. - A lady's suitor

"I want to be erased," I breathed, blinking up at him. "Never," Antin murmured back. "But you can be remade."

"You're a very rare woman, Hazel Nix," Hunter said, hands sliding under his shirt and up my back to draw me closer. "Someone so precious ought to be loved by many."

"I've been in love with you ever since you asked me how flexible my tail was," he muttered in my ear before kissing the lobe. I laughed, and it was teary, so I tucked my face into his shoulder. "Or at least since you asked me if I wanted you to help me oil my wings," he said, squeezing me tighter. "And I know you'll probably hate to hear it, but if you've made your mind up to keep me around, I'm afraid you'll have to grow used to the words. I love you, Hazelnut."