Page 37 of Double Shot

“Okay, well…” After another pause, he offered me a tentatively hopeful smile. My chest clenched tight.

Say something. SAY. SOMETHING. ASK HIM OUT. DO IT.

My jaw practically creaked as I finally managed to unlock it and open my mouth, long tongue swiping quickly over my teeth. The incubus’s luminous eyes brightened, and he took a tiny step closer to me.

“I—”

“Fucking hell.” A familiar voice rang out suddenly from the corridor, making me tense as the incubus jumped. “Jesus, my head fucking hurts. You still here, Bri?”

In front of me, the incubus blinked a few times, and it was like he suddenly remembered where he was. He paled, gaze darting to the door.

“Oh Lucifer, I need to go. Shit. How long were we…?”

Honestly, I had no fucking idea how long he’d been back here. I’d been so hyper aware of every single touch and sensation that it felt like hours, but at the same time, it had been over way too soon. I’d only fucked him once, and I’d come too fast. I hadn’t savoured it like I should have.

I desperately wanted more already.

And I was a werewolf, so my natural curiosity was instantly piqued when I actually processed what he’d said. Why did he need to go? Why did it matter how long we’d been? Did he have somewhere else to be? Where?

When I refocused on the incubus, he was already hurrying to the door. My breath hitched, throat tightening with panic. No, wait, I hadn’t had a chance to ask him yet—

“Oops, sorry,” he mumbled self-consciously as he bumped into Darryl in the doorway, the orc appearing from around the corner clutching an ice pack to his head. He stepped out of the way, watching the incubus hurry out of the room and vanish. It was ridiculous, because it wasn’t like I actually knew him, but it felt like my insides crumpled a little.

He was gone.

I’d missed my shot. Again.

I was a fucking idiot. A stupid fucking idiot who was so fucking stupid he couldn’t just talk like a fucking normal person.

“There should be a word for people like you, Bri.” Darryl shook his head, then winced in pain as he walked into the locker room. “You’re more than supernatural. How the hell did you have the energy to fuck an incubus after that fight? And how are you still standing?”

“I…” My voice was croaky. I was still staring at the door, telling myself to go after him.

I could go after him. Ask him out. Ask to see him again.

Darryl stumbled as he headed for the bench, and I suddenly jerked into action. I caught his arm and steadied him, then helped him sit.

“Take it easy.”

What was wrong with me? Why was my voice suddenly back? Why was I suddenly fine? Why couldn’t I have been capable of just talking and acting normal when the beautiful incubus was here?

“I can handle it.” Darryl chuckled, then winced again, still holding the ice pack to his head. “But maybe I’ll take on one of the easier ones next time.”

“They don’t care who you fight. They just love seeing you,” I replied, reaching for my duffel and grabbing my toiletries so I could finally go shower.

“Yeah, but they especially love seeing Menoetius versus Fenrir.” Darryl puffed up his chest and grinned at me, his mouth swollen from our fight. One of his tusks was chipped—an injury he’d sustained a while back. “We’re the two biggest and meanest fuckers here.”

“Yeah.” I wasn’t in the mood to talk. I was never really in the mood to talk, but especially not right now.

I wanted to go find him.

I froze, staring down at my bag, then dumped my shampoo and shower gel back inside it when a sudden, rare wave of bravery washed over me. Snatching up a clean pair of sweats, I hurriedly shoved them on, ignoring the fresh nervous tremor in my hands.

I was going to go find him and ask him out. I was doing it. There was a good chance I’d throw up from nerves, but I was doing it.

“Is this yours?” Darryl asked in confusion, groaning as he leaned down to pick up the incubus’s ripped shirt. I snatched it up and shoved it into my duffel, then did the same with his briefs, a warning growl rising up my throat when Darryl began to reach for them.

He held his hand up in surrender, eyeing me oddly. “You okay, Bri?”