“See you later,” the woman said and sashayed toward the dance floor.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I unlocked it to a meme from Ruben, my brother, older by only eighteen months, which had never stopped him from reminding me I was the baby of the family. The pic he’d sent consisted of pictures of classical pianists and some presumably witty remark that went over my head. Riley, my second eldest sister, commented with “you’re good, but not that good.” I sighed. What the fuck was I doing checking the group chat with my siblings on a night out?
I opened Crypti-Match and browsed profiles, swiping left even if a gorgon male or a selkie might be what I needed tonight. The next profile took my breath away. My hands grew sweaty, and my phone slid from my grasp. I caught it hot potato-style from hand to hand, then focused on the screen. The app had been designed for cryptids, but did not exclude humans, having options to add species and monster preference in the bio under pronouns, gender, and orientation.
So now I knew that Milo was gay and open to all monsterkind.
Damn, he looked good in the profile picture, sitting at the beach with his head tilted to the side, looking into the distance.With sand between his toes and wind in his hair, he had a happy glow about him. He also had…pierced nipples.
“Wanna dance?” A pleasant low voice close to me lured me away from my phone.
The muscled minotaur wearing a black tank and a cheeky grin was everything I needed tonight. But not who I wanted.
“Sorry, maybe next time.” I offered an apologetic smile and downed my beer.
“I’ll be around.” He winked and melted into the crowd.
I waited for a swoop in my stomach or any reaction to a stunning man flirting with me. Nothing.
My enthusiasm left the building. I’d be better off with my hand in the quiet of my hotel room. I set my glass on the bar, tapped my watch to the electronic tip jar, and wiggled my way out of the club.
Walking past the closed businesses, I turned the corner. After a week in town, I was now familiar with the area directly surrounding my temporary home. The night was still young and all the partygoers were still whooping it up, so only a couple passed by me, plus a group of cryptids walked on the other side of the road. I recognized them from the club. The four of them had hands and tongues all over each other, stumbling together.
Lucky.
A clanking noise from the shopping area caught my attention. The light in the coffee shop was not fully on, but a glow was coming from within it. It went dark, and Milo stepped outside.
I glanced at my watch. Ten-thirty.
What the hell was he doing there so late?
I picked up my pace, then slowed back down. Scaring him was not my intention.
“Milo?”
He didn’t startle, only turned the key in the lock, then glanced my way. Either this town was extremely safe, or hehad no survival instinct. Or he made such wonderful coffee that everyone loved him and he had nothing to fear, even at night.
Yes, I liked the last option.
“Hi.” His eyes lingered between my hairy pecs for a moment before he looked up to my face. “What brings you here?” He took in my silky black shirt, unbuttoned to my mid-chest, ink-blue chinos, and bare feet.
I shrugged one shoulder. “I was out.”
“Alone?” Milo glanced in the direction of the club.
“New in town, remember?” I nodded at the coffee shop. “I hope the owners are paying you enough for this.”
He scoffed in amusement. “I’m not doing anything I don’t want to. But now I need to go home. It’s not far.” Still facing me, he walked backward.
“Can I walk with you?” I remained standing to give him space. “You can tell me to fuck off, no hard feelings. It’s a nice night for a stroll, though.”
Milo chewed on his bottom lip. “Sure.”
The day had been so hot, even in the evening, the breeze was barely chilly. Milo must have left his apron at work, and now wore only a white T-shirt that showed me his nipples were definitely pierced.
Fuck.
I snapped my eyes up. Had he seen me gawking?
