“I wanna take you out, Ruby, but I am very aware that this is your aunt’s resort. I am also very aware that you warned me not to fall for you. The thing is, I have.”
“Fallen?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I like being with you. Doing things with you. Kissing you is like coming alive, Ruby. I wanna do it all the time. I can’t stop staring at your mouth. I never want to look away because you’re so damn beautiful, and I don’t want to miss a single expression.”
Ruby couldn’t breathe, let alone talk. She sat there between the man’s legs, listening as he listed all of the things he liked about her. It was a little insane that he should be so open and honest about it.
But this wasnota result of the succubus power she had over people.
All these things Ethan said, he meant. But it was more than that. He looked out for her. He cared what happened to her. Her position on the bottom of the boat while he rowed was evidence enough of that.
For the rest of the trip to the shore, Ruby’s mind spun out. Her thoughts were going fast, and there were so many of them that she could barely keep up with herself.
When Ethan got them to shore, he helped her out of the canoe before taking it back to the rental cabin. Ruby stood there, arms wrapped around herself.
He took her hand in his and led her to the elevator bay, where Ocho was pacing the floor.
“You,” Ethan said, his hands going through his pockets. “Ah-ha!” He pulled out a minuscule brown paper bag. The contents shook together, making an odd sound. “This is what you want, right?”
“Gimme, gimme,” Ocho held out his hands to grab the bag.
“Hold on. I need hot soup and tea brought to Miss Flemming’s room. And the hottest blanket you can find too.” He gave the imp the bag.
Ocho’s little black eyes shone brightly as it reverently opened the bag and tipped the contents into its palm. The tri-colored triangles looked completely out of place in the imp’s hand, but it was its favorite snack.
“Candy corn,” Ethan shook his head incredulously. “I just bought candy corn for the first time in my life. We good, Ocho?”
“Good, good,” the imp grumbled. He took one single piece of candy, brought the candy to its mouth, and dropped it on its tongue. Ocho closed his eyes, relishing it.
“Don’t ask,” Ruby said. “Seriously, imps and sugar. It’s a whole thing.”
“You’re still chattering. Ocho, soup and blanket.”
“And, and,” the imp mumbled grumpily, slipping the candy back into its bag.
“Every exchange I have with Ocho just gets weirder than the last.”
“That’s totally normal,” she assured him as they boarded the elevator.
“Good to know. I don’t think my pack will believe everything I’ve seen while I’ve been here.”
“You could always tell them to come spend some time here,” she offered. “Maybe it’ll be a good thing for your pack to hang around more paranormal creatures.”
“That could be an idea. I guess they won’t all be cursing witches.”
“Nope. Some might be very grateful succubi.” She laid her head against his shoulder until the doors of the elevator slid open. “Thanks for bringing me back to the resort warmer and drier than I expected to be.”
“Where do you think I’m going, Ruby?” he asked.
She blinked at him. “Well, your room?”
“Yourroom,” he corrected. “I wanna make sure Ocho brings what you need. And I want to take care of you myself.”
Ruby wanted to say that it wasn’t necessary, but she didn’t. Even if it wasn’t necessary, it did feel incredible that he wanted to be there for her. To care for her.
She would eventually need to decide how far she would take this. How badly was she willing to hurt herself? How much was she willing to put on the line?
“Fine, but as soon as I’m warmed up and changed, we need to find that witch or, at the very least, check in with my aunt. Maybe she’s heard back from Alice.”