Page 102 of Monster Daddies

“Yes.” Just one word, and there was a low growl underscoring it.

“Painful?” She already knew the answer.

“No, the opposite.”

“Like your wings?”

“This is more intense. Ellie, you should stop while you still can.” His breathing was ragged as he bit off each word.

“I know.” She sighed and leaned in to blow across the antennae. They waved in the wind and his whole body tensed. “I’m not going to though. I think, for once, I’m just going to throw caution to the wind, and jump in without planning or thinking too hard about this.”

He relaxed his grip just enough to settle his hands on her hips. “Are you sure?” His fingers pressed into her skin and there was a possessiveness in the move.

A breathless laugh burst from her as she dropped her hands to his shoulders. “No, but something about all of this feels right. I don’t know if this mate bond thing is real. I’m struggling to believe half of what you told me tonight, but I can’t deny the evidence. So, let’s do this.”

He didn’t ask again. Moving like a predator, he stood and snatched her up into his arms at the same time. “Your wish is my command.”

Her feet dangled a foot above the ground, but she didn’t mind. “Really? Funny, I thought you were going to be the Dominant Daddy type. Does that meanI’min charge?” She was teasing, of course. Nothing about the way he held her or spoke sounded even slightly submissive.

“Not on your life, little girl. I gave you the chance to say no. Now you’re all mine.” His mouth found her neck, pressing and nipping at the skin.

She could feel the differences in his lips. They were thinner, as well as having a smaller radius, but they got the job done. His tongue too was different. It was long… unexpectedly long. She was startled when it slid all the way around her neck, and tightened just to the point of choking her. He held it there for a long moment, while she stared into his eyes and saw herself reflected back in the muted red depths.

A soft moan escaped her as it released and slid back into his mouth. Choking had never interested her, not even in her darkest fantasies, but she might just have to rethink it. “Wow, didn’t expect that.”

His hands slid down to cup her ass, lifting so her legs wrapped around his waist. “In a perfect world I would have taken the time to explain a few differences to you, but sinceyoudecided to rush this, I guess you’re going to learn ‘on the job’.”

She grinned. “I’m okay with that, Lium.”

“You better be. And you can call me Daddy, because I’m about to teach you a few lessons, starting with what happens to naughty brats who don’t listen.”

“I’m okay with that too,Daddy.”

Chapter Ten

She occupied herself with exploring his face, using her mouth and her hands. She was already starting to accept the differences, quicker than she might have expected, but close up his features weren’t as otherworldly as they’d first seemed. Everything was in the same general place, if not the exact same shape or style, and looking at him didn’t upset her now that his appearance had stopped blurring.

In fact, she was growing to love certain things about him already. “Have you always looked like this?” she asked, as he carried her into the other room, pausing only to grab the oil lamp off the table.

“No. I used to be smaller.” His voice was so deadpan it took her a second to get the joke.

She snorted and swatted his shoulder without putting any strength into it. “You know what I mean.”

“Are my baby pictures what you really want to talk about right now?” He hung the lamp on a hook, where it illuminated the room.

Come to think of it… no. “Good point.” She craned her neck to look around, as he settled her on the bed. It was the only part of the cabin she hadn’t seen, and like everything else, it was asurprise. It was nearly the size of the main room, and held a lot more than just a bed.

Bookcases lined the opposite wall, with paperbacks piled in stacks until there was no space left. A small woodstove was tucked into a corner, cold and dark at the moment. A sturdy old wardrobe, for clothes she assumed, took up space next to an organizer with three shelves full of brightly colored bins. She could see art supplies sticking out of the top row.

And then there was another door. “What’s that?”

“Bathroom.”

“Oh, so you do have one. I was wondering if?—”

“If a moth shit in the woods? Just because I don’t like being out in the human world, doesn’t mean I don’t want to be comfortable.” His antennae waved, and his eyes seemed to scrunch up.

That’s how he looks when he’s amused, she decided, but only because it matched his tone. Eventually she’d be able to interpret his expressions, but for now she needed other clues. “Ha ha. I just meant… well, you don’t have electricity, and I assume the city pipes don’t come all the way out here.”