13. Two Months Later
Christy
I stepped into Creature Cafe for the first time since my failed first date.
It was funny now, looking back. Since then, my life had changed in so many positive ways.
Ray hadn’t been joking about the wealth he and Erik had accumulated over time.
Working with a real estate agent friend of Lisa’s, we’d been able to buy a new place together that gave us all the space we needed.
For the first time in centuries, Erik and Ray were able to leave their buried home—and create a new one with me.
I’d been able to take it a little easier with my work schedule, and I loved it. I took the jobs I really wanted and no longer put up with assholes like Jon.
And the cherry on top of all of that—I had a life full of amazing kinky sex with my two sexy phantoms.
It was better than I could have ever dreamed. But, something had been nagging me for a while and I finally realized what it was.
Bell was behind the counter and to my surprise, there was another guy there too. He looked similar to Bell—meaning he was hot. Brothers maybe?
How many kids did the Barista have and why were at least two of them so handsome?
He glanced up at me and his brows raised.
“Hi,” I said. I leaned against the counter. “Um, I don’t know if you remember—”
“I certainly do,” Bell snorted. “Hold on.”
I nodded as he placed three coffees on the counter, mumbled something to the other guy under his breath, and then came back to me. He put his hands on his hips but before he could say anything, I let the words dump out.
“I’m so sorry I ran out and was rude,” I said quickly.
“I actually ended up learning about monsters from my best friend . . . who is a monster herself. And then it turned out that Erik and Ray really were meant for me. But, I still think about how I ran and how that must have been so rude, and I wanted to apologize.”
Bell shook his head. “No, you have nothing to apologize for. My dad was supposed to talk to you about our world, and there’s just been so much happening that it didn’t happen. I would have run too.”
“Still,” I said. “I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you,” he chuckled, offering me a kind smile. His eyes darted back to the other guy and he scowled.
“What’s up with you and him?” I asked.
“Nothing. He’s my older brother and he’s in a dick mood. He thinks it’s him versus the entire world.” Bell was doing nothing to keep his voice quiet. “Isn’t that right, Luca?”
If Luca could kill someone with his eyes, Bell would be long gone. He shot him a dark look, muttered fuck off, and kept working. The cafe was hopping too, which probably meant I shouldn’t keep Bell for long.
“Anyway,” I said. “I was just in the area and wanted to stop by. And if you ever want a human friend who doesn’t want to smash you, well, here I am. And I don’t mind that you slept with Lisa, although she will always take friendship priority.”
Bell burst out laughing. “What?”
Oh shit, what if—
Bell doubled over laughing so hard and then stood up, wiping his eyes. “Thank you. I needed that. Your mates would kill me if I looked at you wrong, Christy.”
“Yeah,” I said with a grin.
“I’m going to be honest, I’ve slept with three Lisas.”
My mouth dropped. “Wow.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Consenting adults and all that. Anyway, yeah—we should hang out. Erik and Ray can hover.”
“I mean, they need friends too. Not that you have to be friends with my mates but . . . Well, it seems like it would be good for everyone.”
Bell nodded. “Sure. It would be a nice break from the hellish shit going on here—to have normal friends. Well, sort of normal friends.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but the bell above the door rang, and my attention was pulled as a creature filled the space.
But not just the door, the space. Speckled golden wings spread behind her back and she had a body that was upright, but mostly covered in fine fur, as if she were a werecat.
A tail swished behind her as her claws clicked against the floor.
Her face was human, but her eyes burned like melted metal, and her teeth were sharp enough to tear anyone apart.
And it was honestly really difficult not to look at her breasts. I swallowed hard, having a full blown bi-panic moment. She was so tall. Like eight and a half feet tall, and they were right there.
She was at the counter in one stride and leaned down, her face hovering right in front of Bell’s hanging jaw. She reached out, using the tip of one claw to slowly push his mouth closed.
“Go get your daddy. I’m here to find my mate.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Bell said immediately.
He was sweating. My brows shot up as I stifled a laugh. I didn’t want to outright laugh at him, but the man stumbled away like he’d just been hit by cupid’s arrow.
She turned her head and offered me a smirk that made me giddy.
“Where are your mates?” she asked.
“At—at home,” I stammered.
“You should tell them you’re far too beautiful to be out here without an escort, darlin’.”
Okay, well, I was going to perish now. I felt the tug in my bond and wasn’t surprised when Ray materialized behind me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said, still blushing.
She laughed, and everyone in the cafe stared, completely enamored.
Ray scowled. “Do not enthrall my mate, Eleni, it is not kind.”
“I thought you were dead,” she snorted. She waved her hand, dismissing him. “I hope you know how lucky you are.”
“I certainly do,” he growled, his arm slipping around my waist. “Good luck finding a mate who can tolerate your demands.”
Her smirk turned icy. Vicious. “Well, that’s why we go to the Barista, isn’t it?” But then she winked at me. “You’ve got your hands full with those two.”
“I love them,” I blurted out.
To my surprise, her expression softened, becoming thoughtful. “Of course you do.”
“Okay, we’re going,” Ray mumbled, pulling me close to him.
In a blink, we materialized in our new home. I shivered as my feet hit the floor. I was still getting used to traveling that way.
Erik was waiting for us. He narrowed his eyes when I started laughing.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“We felt distress through our bond.”
“I’m sure you did.” I started laughing and looked at Ray. “She was gorgeous.”
He scowled, clearly unpleased by how beautiful I thought she was. But I had eyes. She had commanded the entire room in a way that made my heart thunder in my chest.
“She is a sphinx and absolutely just used some of her power. She’s almost like an incubus at times,” Ray grumbled.
“Well you seemed to know her,” I quipped, crossing my arms.
Erik started laughing. “Leni has been around for a very long time. She’ll appear when you least expect it then disappear for a decade or two. Who knows what she gets up to.”
I squeaked as Erik appeared behind me, his hands falling to my hips and guiding me toward Ray. Now, I was sandwiched between my mates, exactly where I wanted to be.
“All I know is that if she’s going to the Barista, hopefully she’ll have a better experience than us,” he teased, nipping my shoulder.
I groaned. “You’re never going to let me live that down, huh?”
Ray rolled his eyes, the corner of his mouth tugging. “I can think of a thousand ways for you to make it up.”
“Uh huh.” I leaned back against Erik, smiling as his arms circled me. “I can think of a few ways too.”
I squealed as Erik lifted me over his shoulder, taking me straight to our bedroom. Ray was right behind us, his monstrous side already slipping free.
And as my phantoms spread me out on our bed, I knew there was no one else I’d rather be devoured by.