Kat wiped up the spill from the punch that Bernice dropped. As she got older, a past injury in her hand was giving her trouble and making it harder for her to hold onto things. She was embarrassed but Kat got it cleaned up quickly and dropped the paper towels in the trash, going over to the table where Bernice sat.

"It's all right," Kat said, crouching next to Bernice, setting her hand on Bernice's. "Accidents happen. Don't be embarrassed," she said, gently squeezing her hand. "It wasn't a big deal at all and look, I have something for you," Kat said, reaching into her purse and pulling out a little velvet pouch. "They're Chinese Baoding balls," Kat explained, opening the pouch and turning it over, letting the little chiming balls fall into her hand. "You just roll them around in yours hands like this," she demonstrated, rolling them in a circle in her palm. "It's supposed to help your arthritis and build strength in your hands."

"Oh," Bernice smiled, setting her hand on Kat's face. "Thank you, Katherine. You're so sweet."

"Well I learned to be from a very wonderful woman," Kat said, smiling lightly and placing the Baoding balls in Bernice's hands. "Why don't you try it out and I'll get you some of my frog eye salad you like so much?"

"That would be lovely, dear," Bernice said. "Thank you."

"No problem," Kat said, patting Bernice's hands before heading to the long rectangular table holding all the food.

Her church had a fellowship meal today and despite Nex passive aggressively making comments against it, she stayed and decided he could get over it. She wasn't about to compromise the things that mattered to her just because he didn't like them. He tended to bounce back quickly even if she made him mad but today he did seem much angrier about it than usual. Today, it felt like more of a fight. Their first big fight since they started getting closer.

It didn't feel good. She really didn't want to fight with him but she also wasn't going to give up this part of herself.

"That was very kind of you," Gabriel said, coming up alongside Kat at the table and nodding to Bernice. Every week, he'd come talk to her. He even started attending choir rehearsals but Kat still couldn't figure out what was different about him. He was so perfect it was unsettling.

"Oh," Kat said, giving him a strained smile because his presence was so calming and yet she felt off around him, the confusion made her tense. "It was nothing. She's a wonderful lady, she's been very good to me," she said, picking up a plate and spooning the frog eye salad onto it.

"It's not nothing to her," Gabriel said. "Did you make this?" He asked, gesturing to the salad.

"Um, yeah, I did," Kat nodded. "It was my mom's recipe."

"It's divine," Gabriel said, flashing a smile. "Interesting sermon today, didn't you think?"

Kat let her hair fall in her face to hide the blush. The sermon today talked a lot about demons and the ways they tempt you. Even though she didn't feel like what she was doing with Nex was wrong, it still managed to make her feel a little uncomfortable given their situation and the fact Nex was actually a demon.

But he was nothing like the demons she'd heard about. He tempted her, definitely. But he also was more tender and caring with her than she ever knew a person could be. Calling him a demon was a too simple label for such a complex person.

"It was," Kat agreed, swallowing hard.

"Sometimes a sermon really speaks to you," Gabriel continued. "It's almost as if it was made to be heard by you specifically. Sometimes as a warning, I think," he said, making Kat's eyes snap to him. "Or sometimes as just a reminder to get ourselves back on track with the way things should be. Sometimes it makes you want to pray and find yourself again as the conviction takes over your heart, it certainly had the effect on me. Would you want to pray with me, Katherine?"

Kat's brows furrowed in confusion. It was almost as if he somehow knew.

"I... I pray privately normally, Gabriel," Kat said, darting her eyes away. "But if you want someone to pray with you and help you find yourself, I'm sure our pastor would be happy to," she said, moving to head back to Bernice but he stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"And you wouldn't?" Gabriel asked, tilting his head to the side. "You seem like the type of person that wants to help people, that wants to be good."

"I am," Kat said, frowning. "I do like helping people and I do my best to be a good person but, forgive me Gabriel, it almost sounds like you're implying I have something I need to feel conviction over. Have I done something to offend you?"

"I'm implying no such thing, Katherine," Gabriel said, offering another bright smile. Too bright a smile. "But if you're feeling attacked that's often because you're holding guilt in your heart. Do you have something you should be feeling guilty over?"

"Excuse me?" Kat asked, frowning. "Are you suggesting I'm doing something wrong?"

"I don't know, Katherine," Gabriel said, his perfect smile faltering. "Are you doing something wrong? Are you letting yourself be tempted by demons and carried down a dark path? People are not always what they seem. Your boyfriend won't even accompany you to church, what does that say about him? Perhaps he isn't the best person for someone that seems so otherwise honorable."

"I don't appreciate your forwardness, Gabriel," Kat said, narrowing her eyes. "Nex being my boyfriend does not mean he has to believe what I believe or attend church with me if he isn't comfortable doing so. Him not wanting to come to church does not make him a bad person. There isn't anything I've done that I should feel guilty for and you know why? Because my morals are iron clad and if I had something I should feel guilty over, then I would feel guilty. But I don't. I know the difference between right and wrong but I would wager based on your behavior, you do not. Take your convictions to Pastor Brighton if that makes you feel better. As for me, what I do and what I believe is right is between me and who I choose, be it another person or God, my convictions are my own. They're not something I have to explain to you," she snapped, walking around him.

"Katherine..." Gabriel said, catching her arm.

"I would thank you to not bother me again, Gabriel," Kat said, pulling free of his grip and returning to Bernice with the salad, trying desperately to keep the smile on her face even though she wasn't feeling particularly happy.

She told herself she wouldn't look at him. She wouldn't give him the benefit. But she couldn't stop herself. She looked over and found him talking to someone else but the moment she looked at him, his eyes darted to her. That peaceful feeling he usually had didn't feel so peaceful anymore. Something about him was off and she suddenly felt nervous about walking home alone so she opened a text to Nex.

Kat: You wanna go have dinner with me at that bar you like?

It didn't matter that Kat was underage as long as Nex was with her. If anyone even thought about asking for an ID, one look from Nex had them changing their mind.

Kat bit her lip and waited for his response. Usually they came fast but he was not happy when she left, saying she'd be out later because of this meal. He often walked her to church but today he was so mad he didn't. Her phone vibrated and she quickly opened the text.

Nex: Trying to make up spending all day in a place you know I can't be up to me? They don't have any of your healthy food at that bar.

Kat sighed and typed out a response then deleted it, typed out another and deleted that one too. She frowned, wishing he wouldn't be so upset with her about this. She was hoping he'd cooled off from their fight by now. Another message came in and an involuntary smile crept on her face at his secondary message.

Nex: You don't have to make anything up to me. It's not your fault I can't go on holy ground. I'm sorry for fighting with you about it this morning. The truth is now I'm only upset with you because you ruined a perfectly good surprise. I made dinner for you. To make up me losing my temper this morning. So no, I don't want to go to a restaurant. I just want you to come home to me as soon as possible. I don't want to fight with you. I miss you, my kitten. Do you miss me?

Kat smiled and typed out a response quickly. Part of her thought she should bring up Gabriel instead of misleading him but he tended to get overprotective too easily and as annoyed as she was with Gabriel, she didn't want Nex doing anything rash. Lilith scared her so much she was paranoid about her returning if they messed up and Nex's short temper would definitely come out if he knew what happened with Gabriel today.

Kat: Of course I miss you. I always miss you. I miss you so much I wonder if you'd come walk home with me so I don't lose any more time with you today.

Nex: For fuck's sake, stop ruining every surprise I have. Give me some credit, kitten. Look outside.

Kat's heart hammered and she stood up, walking over to the window. Outside of the church boundaries was Nex, standing there waiting for her. She planned to stay a little longer but now she just wanted to be in his arms again. She gave him a small wave and walked over to her table again to say her goodbyes. As soon as she was outside, she ran over to him, throwing her arms around him.

"I'm sorry," she said, holding him tightly. "I'm not trying to hurt you by coming here."

"Don't be sorry," Nex said, pulling her back and placing a kiss on her forehead. "I'm sorry for being an asshole about it. I know it's important to you. I'll stop pestering you about it if you agree that however long you spend where I can't reach you, I get just as much time with you completely naked."

"Oh good grief," Kat said, rolling her eyes and grabbing his hand. "As if you don't get that already."

"You misunderstand, kitten," Nex said, squeezing her hand before releasing it and wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him as they walked back towards the house. "I want you to be naked not just in the bedroom. I want you naked all the time. Fighting with your hair, making your tea. I think it's time to enact that no clothes while at home policy."

"It's not happening," Kat said, leaning against him and wrapping her arm around his waist.

"Challenge accepted," he said, kissing her head. "I'll just make it so you can't get to any of your clothes and then you'll have to be naked for me."

"I thought you were trying to make up this morning to me?" Kat sighed.

"Well I was but you went and ruined the surprises I had planned so now you have something to make up to me," he said, his hand tightening around her waist. "I'll decide how you make it up to me. It's not an easy decision because I do very much like watching your face twist in pleasure while I fuck you but I also very much like bending you over. Perhaps I'll need to do both."

"What did I say about talking about these things in public?" Kat hissed, smacking his chest.

"I don't know," he shrugged. "I stop listening when you start telling me what I'm allowed to say to the woman who belongs to me."

"You're ridiculous," Kat said, rolling her eyes as they walked across the yard to her house.

"You like how I am," Nex scoffed. "Don't even bother trying to deny it. So... How... Was it?" He asked.

"You don't have to ask me about it," Kat said, rolling her eyes at how difficult it was for him to even ask. "It's fine. It's not for you. That's okay," she said, unlocking the front door. "We don't have to agree on everything, Nex. We can still respect each other without agreeing on every single thing."

"Katherine," Nex sighed, picking her up the instant she got the door open, making her squeal. He kicked it shut once they were inside and carried her to the bed, dropping her down on it and picking up her foot to remove her boot. "You make an effort to ask me about things you don't care for. Just answer my fucking question so I can pretend I'm good enough for you by listening to your answer without giving a sarcastic comment."

"You're good enough for me," Kat frowned, sitting up and setting her hand on his face. "Do you think you're not?"

"What kind of question is that?" Nex scoffed, removing her other boot then sitting on the edge, facing away from her. "I'm a demon, kitten. I'm clearly not good enough for you. I can't even walk into a fucking building with you. I can't go to a place that's important to you."

Important to her was an understatement. It was where her closest friends were, a place she associated with her parents, where her parents were buried, even. A place she felt safe and loved. A place Nex would never be able to step foot in, no matter how much he wanted to see her in a place that meant so much to her.

"It doesn't bother me that you can't come with me, that doesn't matter to me. You're not just a demon," Kat said, crawling to the edge of the bed where he sat and wrapping her arms around him from behind, resting her head on his shoulder. "You're so many things. And you are more than good enough for me. You..." she paused, blushing. "You make me feel whole. I haven't felt that way since I lost my parents. I felt empty but... I don't feel empty with you. You fill up the voids I thought would always stay empty."

Kat's words warmed Nex's heart much more than he wanted to admit. He turned to face her, setting his hand on her face and wondering how on earth someone so perfect could possibly want him. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him but he couldn't. The way he felt for her wasn't something he ever remembered experiencing before. His own personal angel.

There was only one way he knew how to convey his feelings.

"I can fill you in other ways," he smirked, turning and sliding her coat off her shoulders. "I can fill you over and over."

Kat rolled her eyes and blushed, darting her eyes away.

"Still so shy with me, kitten?" Nex teased, stroking her cheek. "Even though I've fucked you in practically every room of this house, you're still going to be shy with me?"

"It's not that," Kat sighed, looking up at him timidly.

"What is it, then?" He asked, frowning.

"I..." Kat's blush became more intense. Nex frowned. She was definitely innocent and shy with him but this was different. Kat crawled off the bed and stood in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her towards him, watching the blush intensify even more.

"What is it?" He asked. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Kat said, blowing out a puff of air. "I just... I want to do something... For you... But I... I don't know how."

"Spit it out, kitten," Nex frowned.

"It's just you... Every morning you..." She started, biting on her lip nervously.

"Have you as an appetizer to breakfast?" Nex teased with a smirk.

"Um, yes," Kat nodded. Nex was surprised at that. He meant it as a joke although it was true, even if they didn't have sex she never left the bed without him going down on her. "The thing is, I... I want to... You know," she shrugged, darting her eyes away. "Reciprocate," she said quietly.

Nex cleared his throat and adjusted himself. "You're saying you want to suck my cock, kitten?

Nex's blunt question had Kat's face burning up even though she knew him well enough to know he wasn't shy about this kind of thing. It didn't stop her from being embarrassed.

"Geeze, don't just say it like that," she said, covering her face with her hands.

Nex chuckled and shook his head, pulling her hands down so he could see her. "It's what it is, kitten. You should know by now I don't censor these things. Look at me," he said, cupping her face. She brought her eyes to his, biting her lip again. "I don't want you to do this for me because you think you owe it. That's bullshit, kitten. Don't you ever do something with me because you think you owe it to me."

"You don't want me to?" Kat asked, frowning.

"Of course I want you to," Nex said, running his fingers over her lips. "I've thought about your lips around my cock more times than you can possibly know. But I won't have you doing it because you think you owe it to me."

"That's not why I want to do it," Kat said, darting her eyes away. "I want to because..." she covered her cheeks, hoping the coldness from her hands would chill the burning on her face. "Because I want to make you feel good like you do for me," she admitted. "I just don't know how to."

"You want to?" Nex confirmed.

Kat nodded and Nex's eyes darkened. He glanced at her lips and licked his own before dragging his eyes back to hers.

"You sure?" He asked, standing from the bed and setting his hands on her waist.

He stared down at her with such intensity she felt the familiar ache building. All he had to do was look at her like that and she'd start wanting him. Everyday she wanted to be close to him.

"Yes," she nodded, shivering slightly as his hands went up, grazing the sides of her breasts before they landed on her shoulders.

"Very well, kitten, then I'll show you. On your knees," he said, gripping her shoulders and guiding her down.

She bit her lip and looked up at him, waiting for him to give her some guidance. She was still embarrassed by the lack of experience but she tried very hard to maintain eye contact as well as he did.

"Fuck," he groaned, his eyes darkening as he shrugged off his coat. "You have no idea what just seeing you on your knees in front of me does to me," he growled. "It brings out that urge I have to dominate you," he said, running his hand over her cheek before dropping his hands to undo the buckle of the belt and unzip his jeans. "What are you doing to me?" He murmured, sliding his boxers down, freeing his hardness. "Give me your hand," he said, holding out his hand.

Kat placed her hand in his and he guided it over to himself, wrapping her hand around his cock with a quiet groan. Kat looked up at him he groaned again, threading his hands in her hair. "You're too fucking perfect for me, Katherine. I'm going to ruin you," he said, pain flashing across his face.

"You won't ruin me," she said, shaking her head. "I want you. I want all of you. I don't see anyone else, Nex... Just you."

"Fuck," he muttered bending down and placing a kiss on her head before straightening out. "Open your mouth," he said, grabbing her jaw and rubbing circles into it with his thumb. "Open your mouth and take me in."

Kat obeyed and opened her mouth, guiding him over to her. She licked her lips before tentatively wrapping them around his tip. Nex groaned and tightened his hold in her hair.

"Bigger, kitten," he said, still rubbing soothing circles into her jaw.

Kat dropped her jaw and took more of him in. He groaned, holding her head in place as he sunk into her mouth until he hit the back of her throat. Kat made a sound of surprise, her eyes watering slightly as he stayed there.

"Look at me," Nex said, sliding both hands behind her head. Kat looked up at him and he sunk further, going down her throat and making her eyes close briefly at him filling her up until she almost felt as if she was choking although somehow, not in an unpleasant way. "Are you mine, Katherine?"