Page 49 of The Devil and His Ghost

Perseus blew out a breath and wore a reluctant frown. “For someone like her, she has to first be comfortable with her own body before she can be comfortable sharing it with you. From what I’ve gathered when peering into her—”

“You read her sexual desires?” I cut him off with a matching frown.

“That’s such an easy cop-out,” Zagan chastised him. “Just because we can read people’s experience and desires doesn’t mean you should. Where’s the challenge in that?”

“It’s smart, is what it is,” Perseus shot back, running a clawed hand through his long golden curls. “If you don’t take a page out of my book, your stubborn ass is going to get bound to someone again. Then you’ll wish you’d read them before diving in.”

Incubi like Zagan, Dante, and Perseus were susceptible to forced demonic contracts, which formed when they slept with virgins. In the past, people would purposefully withhold the fact that they were virgins or trick the demons into thinking they weren’t first-timers just to force a bond with the spawn of Hell. Doing so allowed the virgin human to control the demon’s food source—sexual pleasure—and the demon themselves.

All three of the Incubi around me had fallen victim to that trick at different points in time, yet with the world now being mostly sexually expressive and free, the odds of that happening were slim. I didn’t blame Zagan for being less careful these days, though I couldn’t deny that he might end up stuck again if he wasn’t somewhat mindful that some still clung to the old ways of purity, whether by their own decision or someone else’s.

“Don’t read Kendyll’s desires or experiences again,” I finally berated Perseus, bringing us back to the topic at hand. “She’s mine.”

The pang of possessiveness was unexpected and verbalized before I could even think about what I was saying. Even though it was ridiculous, I didn’t rush to wave the sentiment away. Because it was true. Kendyll was mine, and she was the one thing I didn’t want to share with Perseus or anyone else.

But another feeling mingled with the possessive spark. Jealousy.

As a Mischief demon, I couldn’t peer into the souls of people to garner their sexual fantasies, desires, or experiences. But Perseus had gotten that glimpse into Kendyll. He’d seen a part of her story that I hadn’t. This realization made my frown deepen.

Perseus chuckled, oblivious to my internal battles. “It’s a habit of mine when I meet someone, and I do it without meaning to sometimes. Nothing personal. Anyway, you’re right. She hasn’t explored that area of her life. So if you want to be with her, you need to help her feel safe in her own skin first.”

I nodded slowly as ideas on how to do just that filled my head. After all, even though I wasn’t an Incubus, I was still plenty experienced with sex and sensuality.

Perseus turned in his chair to fully face me and braced his forearm on the table. His brow creased as he studied me seriously with his black-and-red eyes. “But why bother, man? She’s … Well, let’s just say you’ll have a much easier time with someone else. She’s not worth the effort. If you wanna have fun, there are plenty of other people to mess around with.”

I threw back the rest of my drink and watched the crowd of demons on the dance floor. “I don’t want to mess around with her.”

“Then what do you want with her?”

What did I want? That was a big question with an easy answer.

Instead of voicing my response, I smiled at my golden-haired friend and disappeared in a plume of darkness.

Chapter 18

Kendyll

(Two Years Ago)

CATSPER PURRED AS I SCRATCHED behind his ghostly ears as much as possible in his phantom state. The two of us lounged back against the plush pillows on the inn’s bed. I’d changed into a long-sleeved shirt and shorts and washed off the day’s activities, yet I couldn’t shake the feelings bubbling up inside of me. They were feelings I’d long harbored yet managed to keep subdued. I wasn’t as good at suppressing it now, though.

Not after Xander and I spent all day together at the amusement park.

Not after Xander’s careful fingers ran through my hair, knuckles whispering over the back of my neck.

Not after he’d held me close under the light of his dim flames, mouth closing in on mine, and my name leaving those lips like a sacred vow he intended to cherish.

I sighed and looked over at the human-sized bat plushie, which I’d propped up against the pillows beside me. “What should I do, Nightly? I told myself to give up and let go a long time ago.”

I knew being with Xander was impossible. When I was younger, it was because of my age and his disinterest in me. Now it was because of me and my hang-ups. More specifically, it was because of my fears and insecurities, which had only grown over the years instead of diminished.

He wouldn’t want you if he knew.

I closed my eyes and tried to swallow down the rising disgust and panic. Today had been the greatest day of my life. I didn’t want anything to ruin that with these runaway thoughts.

“Meow!”

I opened my eyes slowly to find Catsper hovering right in front of my face. He stretched out on his back so that he floated upside down. I smiled softly at him while he rolled over and brushed his cheek along mine with a soothing purr.