Page 53 of Oh No! There's an Incubus in my Hot Spring
The wind whooshes through my damp hair and compresses around my palm, then comes out in a wide cone. It’s not as powerful a blast as before, but it’s an appropriate strength to whip up the dry stuff. I walk forward, feeling my connection to the mountain stutter when I lift my feet. Warmth swells back in the arches of my feet as soon as I step down.
I move my arm back and forth, blowing the lightweight debris toward the edge of the balcony. Two of Apollo’s serpent-like tattoos shoot toward the wall, infusing into it. The ground shudders and the rocks peel back, making an opening in the balcony.
The leaves flutter over the edge and down toward the second-level balcony.
Shit.
“Leaf blower suck!” I say, trying to stop it from dirtying the other area.
The wind changes directions and all the crap comes flying back at me. I yelp and fall to my butt.
“Out, out, out!” I scream, throwing both arms in front of me.
The leaves are hit with an explosive force that blasts them down to the gravel drive below in tiny particles. I blow a bit of hair out of my face and look at Apollo.
“I think I might prefer an actual leaf blower,” I say.
He chuckles. “You’ll get better with practice.”
He closes the gap on the balcony, then directs his magic to scoop up water from the two pools on this level. The snakes of warm mineral water splash across the stones and swirl around the patio, cleaning up all the mud and lingering debris.
He didn’treallyneed my help…he just wanted me to practice. Kinda sweet.
With another snap of his fingers, the filthy water disappears. The waterfall on the left side of the mountain leading into the first pool intensifies, refilling it until it overflows into a chute leading down to the second pool.
I pick myself up and dust my hands on my pants.
“Thank you for your help,” he says.
“Thanks for helping me with my magic,” I reply. “Well, now that’s done,Ineed to get clean.”
His fangs poke into his lower lip as he smiles. “Can I help?”
“You want to massage the shampoo into my hair?” I laugh, heading for the apartment.
Apollo groans seductively as he follows after me. “Yes.”
The sound of his interest has heat rising in my cheeks. Seeing me naked in the springs was one thing, but helping me shower is so…domestic. But the thought of his claws tickling my scalp as hot water washes over my sudsy hair sounds like heaven.
My heart speeds as I get near the bathroom. I grab a towel from a box that still needs to be unpacked and get a change of clothes, Apollo following me quietly the whole way. I stop at the door to the bathroom and look back at him.
“If you’re having second thoughts, I can lounge and read while you clean up,” Apollo says.
“It’s just, this is kind of aboyfriend-like thing to do. Showering with me, I mean,” I say.
“And you don’t want a boyfriend.” His expression hardens. “I understand. Enjoy your cleansing.”
He turns away, leaving me hating myself at the precipice.
I know I can’t fall for him, but it hurts so much to deny myself.
He can never love me. I’m protecting both of us.
fourteen
Surrender is the Fastest Way to Come
The scent of fresh laundry fills my senses as I drive back to the hot spring with the windows down. It’s a warm day, and there aretonsof tourists wandering around the streets. It fills me with hope.
