Page 20 of Little Bite of Bliss

I wasn’t so sure about that.

I didn’t have horns or a tail or claws like my sister did. I took after my human father, although I did have some of my other dad’s features—like his hair and his cheekbones.

Leni raised her head, her eyes soft and dreamy, even with the hint of concern there. “Do you really think you’re a human?”

“I mean, yes. I’ve thought that my whole life.”

“And yet, your cock is certainly not shaped like a human’s. Your blood sings to me, your scent practically begs me to fuck you. You draw me in like a moth to a flame. And when you’re fucking me, there’s this aura around you, like you’re feeding off it. Same with your need for pain. It feeds you.”

My eyes widened in surprise, but only because I’d never thought about it that way. I’d always felt much stronger after sex, but . . .

“I haven’t been with anyone else in a couple years,” I admitted. “So who knows. I could just be responding to you.”

“Oh you are without a doubt responding to me,” she said. The corner of her mouth tugged with amusement. “But I also think you are not as mundane as you believe. Truthfully, it doesn’t matter. Human or incubus, I want you. I just don’t like that you seem to doubt yourself.”

“It’s not that I doubt myself,” I said, considering my next words carefully. How did I explain how complicated it was at times to be me? Leni stroked my shoulder patiently, her gaze never leaving me.

I drew in a deep breath, then let it all pour out.

“It’s just that I don’t fit in either world. I’m not a monster and I’m not a human, but I am both. I work a human job and have a lot of friends who are human, and just as many who are monsters. But . . . I just feel displaced sometimes. It makes it hard to fit in. To be clear, I love my life. I am happy with myself. Maybe I wasn’t really when I was younger, but I quickly grew out of that. That doesn’t change the struggle I feel sometimes being pulled between worlds.”

She nodded. “That makes sense. I’m sorry I perceived that as doubt.”

“It’s okay. There probably is some doubt.” I offered her a smile, enjoying the way she still touched me. “I’m glad that you are happy with me, regardless.”

“I am,” she said. “Everything I learn about you just makes me want to know you more.”

I pouted. “You’re at least ten times more interesting than me. I feel like I should be asking all the questions instead.”

“Ten times?!” She nipped me again playfully and I chuckled, pushing my fingers through her hair. “You have way too much faith in how wonderful I am.”

“I actually should have more.”

Leni dragged me as close as possible to her body and I just couldn’t stop smiling.

Everything felt so easy with her. For a moment, fear—sharper than broken glass—jabbed my chest, making me wonder if this was all real. If everything I was feeling with her was reality. What if I did something wrong? What if I somehow ruined everything?

But then I felt a surge of reassurance, this deep-rooted knowing that I was right where I was supposed to be.

“How about we have a picnic?” she asked. “We can walk down to the shore. Maybe, if you’re lucky, one of the cats will come around.”

“That sounds perfect.”

6 / A PICNIC

Leni

I lost track of time again while snuggling Archer, but when we finally emerged, it was already lunchtime and the sun was high in the bright blue sky. I prepared us a picnic basket and decided it was time to set out so I could show him my home. Hopefully, soon, our home.

I’ve lived on this island for ages. I still took trips and saw the rest of the world, but this place was my own. Over time, parts of the island had changed, especially as the weather wore on it, but it was still perfect. It was isolated and protected away from humans so that no one ever stumbled on my shores. It was ideal for a monster like me.

And even more ideal to share with my fated mate.

Archer wrestled the basket away from me, mumbling about allowing him to serve me. I chuckled and decided to let him carry it, then led the way down the well-worn path to the beach.

“It’s beautiful here,” he said, his voice carrying all of his excitement. He was practically vibrating with it. His energy seemed to be endless, and I loved that about him.

“And here I was thinking that you were a city boy,” I teased.