Page 91 of Oh No! There's an Incubus in my Hot Spring
“How did you do that?” I ask.
“Do what?” he says between planting kisses on my neck.
“Make the machines work like that,” I say.
“People like them have been here before, and their machines are easy to fiddle with. They’re already quite far from chaos, so using magic to make them sing my tune is simple.”
I turn in his arms when we reach the apartment. “I was wrong about you. You’re not an incubus.”
“Oh?” He tucks some of my wild hair behind my ear.
“You’re a little imp.”
He licks one of his fangs. “Let me show you just how much mischief I can cause under your sweater.”
I giggle as his hands slide up my sides, his claws dragging deliciously over my sensitive skin. He groans against my neck, laving me with attention while his hands find my bra. He fingers the clasp, and I jump back.
“Channel Nine will be here in two hours.”
“Oh, my dear, sweet little witch.” He pulls me back into his embrace with a feral grin. “Two hours is more than enough to make a mess of you.”
The bra snaps free, and the door bangs open at the same time. I take a long step back from Apollo as Irene comes in with a big box, a flurry of words pouring from her. “I’m so sorry I’m late.” She looks up and grins, then clears her throat. “Looks like I should’ve been a little later.”
I reach behind my back and secure my bra. “You’re right on time. Channel Nine in two hours.”
She blows a raspberry. “That’s plenty of time. I’m gonna go run back to town for a coffee. Be back in forty-five.”
And then she’s leaving, giving Apollo an exaggerated wink and a thumbs up.
I cover my face as my cheeks burn.
Apollo yanks me back into his arms and his teeth tease my neck.
“Now, where was I?”
twenty-three
Drama at the Grand Reopening
The caterers show up just as Channel Nine finishes their tour of the entire place. The reporter, Andrew, assures me that he’ll use all the best shots for the special that’ll air on Sunday night. I’m not sure how I got so lucky to land such a prime time, but I’m grateful.
Irene is directing the caterers with trays of empanadas and bowls full of chips when we come back to the lobby. We have a station at the entrance with soft drinks, beer, wine, and little glowing name placards strung with fairy lights. Maybe we went a little overboard with the “enchanted” theme.
No, it’s just enough.
“Okay, Sylvia, you’re going to be serving the drinks and welcoming people for the first thirty minutes, and then I’ll take over so you can mingle with them,” Irene says as she touches allthe instruments for opening wine and beer bottles, straightening them on the table.
“Apollo, I need you to be charming.” Irene gulps as she looks at him. “Yeah, nailing it. But also, no talk of magic. You’re a normal dude, okay?”
His eyebrow ticks and he smirks. “I understand how to integrate undetected.”
She blows out a heavy breath. “I will be helping with the food, making sure the bathrooms are good, and then taking over the drinks and managing the trash.”
“That seems like too much,” I say.
She shakes her head. “Trust me, I’ve manned the entire diner at breakfast rush. I’ve got this.”
I grab her hands. “Please don’t hesitate to ask either one of us to help with something. I don’t want you to be dead at the end of the night.”
