Taming the Incubus

"Eva Day! Don't you know where your 'honey' is?! Get your filthy little hands off him! Now"

The moment the shout rang out, I realized this man was the male lead; he wasn't someone I was allowed to touch.

I awkwardly pulled my hand back and was about to run, but Ray recognized me first. He grabbed me excitedly, smiling widely.

"You're Eva Day? My aunt showed me your picture."

I could feel a burning stare hitting me from behind.

It was painfully intense.

I forced a greeting out and tried to usher the two of them toward the door.

However, Serena had zero awareness and happily clung to my arm.

"No way! You're my brother's bonding match?"

Of all things to say, she had to pick that one.

I panicked and covered her mouth, but it was already too late.

Arnold shut the door. He pressed his tongue against his cheek and walked toward me with a face full of anger.

"Bonding match? Since when were you planning to bond with someone else?"

I stumbled back in panic and fell onto the couch.

What I wanted to say was, "There are a lot of things you don't know."

But then the comments popped up.

[All four of them finally crossed paths. He loves her, she loves someone else, and that guy loves a different girl… Boom, the whole plot just melted into chaos soup! Everyone, grab a spoon.]

[But it's already a disaster. I'm telling you, Arnold is in love with Eva. Otherwise, why is he this possessive? He doesn't care about Serena at all. Why is this man refusing to stick to the script?]

[No clue, but I hope it stays unhinged. I love this pairing. Every time I think Eva's out of the mess, the author finds a new way to drag her right back in.]

[Eva, babe, just give in a little. His tail is already out. Which means: one, he's an incubus and ready to bond; two, he's pissed; and three, he's about to use that thing to ruin you. Girl, you don't wanna be ripped in two. Trust me.]

Wait, ripped in two?

I watched as a thick black tail wrapped around my ankle.

I made a split-second decision.

I reached up, grabbed Arnold's face, and kissed him.

Sure, we shared a bed for three years, but we had never kissed anywhere else.

And definitely not a kiss like this. No tongue, just lips.

Arnold froze.

While he was still short-circuited, I switched to my sweetest voice.

"He's just someone my family picked. I've never even met him. You're the only one in my heart."

The room went dead quiet.

The pale skin on his face flushed pink in seconds. Along with it, his anger and jealousy vanished.

And then something weird happened: He started purring.

It was low and soft, like a cat. The kind of sound only a very happy incubus would make.

I was utterly puzzled.

Meanwhile, the comments lost their minds.

[I declare Arnold the least flirt-resistant man in history.]

[This is hilarious! One innocent kiss, and his brain shorted out!]

[If an incubus keeps making that sound, it means one thing: Either they're sick, or they're in heat.]

I tested the waters.

"Honey, are you listening?"

Arnold's pupils snapped tight, as if he had just woken from a dream.

He straightened up in a rush and pretended to inspect the office. Then, he cleared his throat and tossed me a black card.

"Take it. Buy whatever you want."

"Huh?" I stared at him in confusion.

Being stared at made him flustered and irritated all over again. "I told you to buy whatever you want. Stop asking."

I hadn't even said anything.

The comments scrolled like crazy.

[Arnold's inner monologue: Why is she this good at flirting? How is that even legal? I need to keep it together. Why am I purring?? Say something smooth, idiot. Act cool. And did she just confess? I'm so happy! She really loves me. I'd give her the world!]