Page 16 of Monster Daddies

Most importantly, from everything that's happened in the last five minutes.

I kissed a gargoyle.

A stone creature made to stand vigil and guard.

I blink up at Jodrick, and his expression is something I'll never forget. It's not awe... it's closer to reverence.

He's looking at me like I'm something precious. Something to be protected, cherished, cared for.

Jodrick is looking at me like I'm his.

My heart flutters so hard I feel lightheaded all over again.

"Uh... I kissed you," I whisper, stating the obvious because my brain is doing somersaults. "Wow... okay. I did. I kissed you."

He grins. "Yes, you did," Jodrick responds, his voice low and warm. The sexy smile makes my stomach flip. "I quite liked it too."

"Well, that's a relief," I say, trying to laugh away the nerves. "I wouldn't want to risk all the gifts you've been leaving me. I have to say I quite liked the tea, bubble bath and lemon tarts left to me by my fairy godfathers."

Jodrick chuckles, and I swear he leans in just the tiniest bit like he's about to kiss me again... but then?—

"I'm not some damn fairy godfather," Viraat grumbles from a few feet away.

I turn to look at him, and my heart squeezes. He's standing there, arms crossed over his chest like he's trying to protect himself from me.

The gargoyle is protecting himself from me, the tiny human girl.

The idea is as ludicrous as it heartwarming.

His wings twitch behind him, his eyes narrowed like he's waiting for me to scream, faint or call him a monster.

Or, maybe attack him with one of my sneak attack kisses.

But I don't want to do any of those things... Okay, I guess I really would like to do the last thing.

There's something about him... despite his grumpy 'don't even look at me' vibes, I like him. Even if he's all sharp edges. That just makes me want to get through to him even more.

"Well... You have wings, you both give off sexy Daddy vibes, and you've been granting me gifts. That sounds like a fairy godfather to me." I shrug and the grumpy asshole growls, sending a shiver down my spine.

"We'renotfairies,sweetheart."

My grin grows wide. "You say that, god-daddy, but you're the closest I've ever come to a fairy."

Viraat grows bigger somehow and I would be scared if I wasn't so bloody giddy with excitement.

"Oh my goodness! Are fairies real? Can I see them? Is it a thing?" A laugh bubbles out of me without permission.

Viraat rubs his hand over his face, and it sounds like boulders rubbing together. He looks at Jodrick through his fingers. "I can't deal with her. You showed yourself. You handle it." He turns around and walks away from us, but stays on the roof.

Jodrick chuckles, reminding me I'm still cradled in his embrace. I twist a little in his arms so I can peer over his shoulder at Viraat's retreating form. The poor gargoyle is doing a terrible job of pretending he doesn't care. His wings are still flared wide, but it's not with any scary emotion.

It's more like he's shielding himself from me... again, like he's protecting himself.

"Will you put me down?" I ask Jodrick quietly.

He raises a brow. "Go get him, tiger."

I smile as he gently sets me down on my feet like I'm made of spun sugar. I give him a small nod, then tiptoe across the roof, my bare feet cold against the stone. Viraat hears me coming, of course. He glances over his shoulder, brow furrowed, probably expecting a lecture or some sort of human dramatics.