Page 11 of The Incubus's Angel
A beleaguered sigh puffs out from deep in my chest and I’m just about to turn around and head back to clean my house for the twentieth time this week, when movement in the ocean catches my eye.
Like it’s second nature, I lift my camera and aim, zooming in on the spot where I saw the nacreous shimmer.
The sight nearly takes my breath away.
My finger hovers over the shutter-release button as iridescent scales break the surface of the ocean, catching the sun before they disappear underneath.
Lowering my camera, I search for the creature again, only for it to pop up much closer to shore than I anticipated. This time, two long horns pierce through the calm water before its enormous dragon head emerges, and I finally click who it is.
He’s magnificent.
Beck’s serpentine body glides through the water with tremendous speed, looking increasingly intimidating as he nears, reminding me of the immense power he holds within him.
So often we forget about all the layers below the surface of what someone shows us.
As a creature who wants someone to discover who I am at my core, I stare with newfound respect at Beck who I’ve never seen in this form. I’m guessing there’s so much more to him than he shows us. I wonder who Maisie is underneath her layers too.
Reaching the dock, Beck leaps up and shifts midair, my eyes widening at this cool feat. He dries himself with his water magic before pulling on the pants neatly folded on the dock.
“That was really cool,” I say as I walk toward Starry Hill’s guardian, waving my hand from Beck to the ocean, hoping he understands what I mean by “that.”
Beck grins easily, and I realize I’ve not seen him look this relaxed before. “I never used to shift just for myself, always only for duty, but like you, I’ve been trying to get out of my comfort zone lately—try new things, push myself a little, have fun.” The last two words are said slowly, like they taste foreign on his tongue. He doesn’t take them back, though.
My heart rate picks up as the weight of his words sinks in. “I think I can do with some fun too.”
Beck doesn’t hesitate for a second, his mouth set in a line of approval. “You could.”
I can’t help the bark of laughter that escapes me. “Thanks. I know I can count on you for honesty.”
Raising his hand as if he’s not quite sure what he’s doing himself, Beck places it on my shoulder. “Always. Is that why you’re here? My honest advice and guidance?”
I stare at his hand for a second then back at him. “Yes. No. I don’t know.” My shoulders sag, but only briefly, before determination steels my spine. “I don’t really know why I came here this morning, but you may have inadvertently given me an answer to my unasked question. Thank you.” I’m not very good at expressing myself, but maybe I can take Beck’s viewpoint and just try to have fun while I attempt to become Maisie’s friend.
“You’re welcome?” Beck says with brows pulled low, hesitantly removing his hand from my shoulder and sticking it in his pocket.
Taking a step back toward my side of the island, I say, “Got to go. See you soon?”
Beck gives me a wave. “Coffee next time?”
I pause, making sure I show my appreciation for his offer. “I’d like that.”
On the way back home, my steps feel lighter, a nervous tingling humming through my veins. At the core of the nerves, though, is excitement.
Will Maisie be wearing yellow again? Another dress? Will she smell like wildflowers and freshly baked cookies? Will she have gotten herself off before coming over? Will arousal linger on her panties?
I’m not sure if her coming over will be a regular thing or not, but regardless, I need to figure out how to control myself around her while she’s in Starry Hill. What happened in the tangerine grove can’t happen again.
Not too long ago, Tilly came to visit me in her official capacity as Starry Hill’s nurse practitioner. She offered to help me contact a service that could assist me with gaining more sexual experience. She said it’ll help me feel healthier too since I’m an incubus and apparently I need sexual stimulation to actually thrive in my own body.
Specifically, stimulation from a partner who willingly gives it to me, and not just my hand. Perhaps that’s something I should finally consider a bit more seriously.
When Tilly has recovered from her claiming rut with Bodin, I’ll go see her at The Bandaged Heart and ask her for more professional medical advice about this.
No matter how embarrassing it feels to admit it out loud, I need help.
But for now, I’ll push all sexual thoughts out of my mind. Maisie said friendship, and if that’s what she wants, I’ll try my best to be a good friend to her.
Nothing more I could offer her anyway.
