Page 19 of Oh No! There’s an Incubus in my Hot Spring (Getting Cozy with Demons #1)

nineteen

Pesky Persistence

A pollo helps me hang the new blinds for the two windows in the lobby. They’re all wood, like the floor and the ceiling in the entry before leading into the mountain. We replace the front of the lobby entirely with fresh pine, and I give it all a sealing coat. The pungent smell of the lacquer peels back the layers of my thoughts.

What did Mark mean? Could Apollo be hiding more from me?

It doesn’t even matter if he is. He is a temporary part of my life. We have an agreement and we’re well on our way to fulfilling it. With every upgrade to the springs, my own power grows. I have good control of the wind, and it seems I’ve developed Apollo’s knack for healing. Something about the water and the heat, he says.

With a few more weeks of orgasms, pancakes, and lots of carpentry, the place is looking top tier. What I thought would take several months has only taken six weeks. There are handrails on the stairs and sealed wood walkways to all the pools in the outdoor areas.

Printed signs are everywhere stating that customers need to use handrails and watch their step because it’s slick. There are signs in the locker room requesting guests dry themselves before they leave to prevent injury, and we have shampoo and conditioner dispensers in the showers, as well as hair dryers.

The sitting room in the lobby is woodsy, warm, and colorful. I want to bring in plants and make them grow here. I want to add the crystals I know are scattered throughout the mountain, and I want them to glow. I want every facet of the springs to be enchanted .

I want to take their breath away.

But even if I have the looks and the pools to make people speechless, I need the press to make sure people actually show up.

Apollo tugs me against his side on the couch as we watch an old dystopian romance flick and I pull out my phone to text Irene. She’s been working ten hours a week for me, and it’s been phenomenal. I love being able to bounce ideas off her, and she loves being able to cut back on her diner hours to spend more time with her father.

Sylvia: There’s untapped avenues out there we’re not taking advantage of. I think we need to get on Instaframe and Facepost to do a giveaway or something. I want to reach out to the local paper, and some of the bigger ones from Denver, too. I need to launch with a bang.

Of course, her dots appear almost instantly.

Irene: Do you ever quit?

I smirk, quoting one of my favorite superhero spoofs from the early 2000s.

Sylvia: Someone ripped the Q’s out of my dictionary.

Two big “rofl” emojis appear next.

Irene: Alright girl, when do you want to get together?

Sylvia: I think we can keep it digital. If you can figure out who I need to ping to get some local coverage not controlled by the Turd, that would be great. And then I really need to have a unified theme for the launch. I know we plan on doing a rotating theme, but I want there to be an underlying theme, one that says, “Enchanted Hot Springs.” It should be hypnotizing, relaxing, private, affordable…the virtues that I want to build this business on.

Irene: Okay, I’ve still got two hours left for you this week so I’m on it. Local outlet first which might be weird, don’t judge me, and then I’ll start drumming up some consistent looking Instaframe content. Let’s start there. Shoot me some good, colorful shots of the place when you can. Top deck at sundown would be awesome.

Sylvia: Will do. Night 3

Irene: Gnight friend

I set my phone down and focus back on the warmth of Apollo’s chest and the movie I’ve seen a half-dozen times. My phone buzzes again and I think maybe Irene forgot something. I pull it up and click on the notification without looking.

Mom: Jason is in CO.

My heart skips a beat and my body tenses. Apollo’s arm pulls me closer.

Sylvia: Good to know.

I shoot back the one-part dismissive, one-part thankful text and hope she leaves it at that. I don’t want to see Jason. I don’t want her to be the architect of him coming to try to see me. Please, for the love of all things, don’t let my mother be involved with Jason being in Colorado.

Mom: He’s headed to Grizzly

My heart works double-time.

“What is it, lovely?” Apollo asks against my temple as the heroine on screen kicks ass and takes names.

“Just…bullshit,” I say, my fingers tap-dancing on the back of my phone.

It buzzes and I pull it up to look.

Mom: He wants to see u

Sylvia: Good for him

Mom: U don’t?

Sylvia: No

Mom: He loves u

My blood boils.

Sylvia: He fucked my assistant on my couch

Her dots appear, then disappear, then appear…and disappear.

I plunk the phone down on my stomach and push my way closer to Apollo.

“My ex is here.”

“Here?” he asks, tense as his magical tattoos flare.

“Not here here. Sorry. He’s in the state and wants to see me.”

“I already said he is not welcome. I will not allow him on the premises, or anywhere near you.” His lips graze over my hair in what might be a kiss. Ever since I told him no lip-locking, he’s been careful about kiss affection, and that’s good. I take a deep breath of Apollo’s manly, possessive bullshit and love it. It feels so good to have someone unequivocally on my side.

But I also know I need to keep myself safeguarded. He can’t love me, and I can’t let myself open to him deeply enough to get as hurt as Mark’s great-grandmother. Hurt enough to try to hurt him in return. I never want to do that.

“Thank you,” I say, still loving the way he makes me feel. “But if he pays to come here, what can we do?”

He strokes his talons through my wild hair. “Buy a new sign that states you can refuse service to anyone for any reason.”

That’s actually a pretty good idea. Covers my bases if I have to kick Mark’s spies out.

My phone buzzes again and I really don’t want to look.

But I do.

Mom: Can you not find the grace to forgive him?

She must’ve deleted the long-ass explanation she had been writing that whole time in favor of this. Simple, emotional, manipulative. Am I capable of forgiveness? Yes, I am. Will I forgive my ex-boyfriend of five years for cheating on me with my friend within three months of the incident? No, I will not.

Sylvia: Not right now, no. I have more important things, like getting my business off the ground. And letting my incubus boyfriend fuck my pussy with his tongue.

My hand trembles as I hover over the send button. I delete the last sentence because I do not want her flying down here tonight with sage and crystals.

The ending credits roll and I toss my phone down on my chest. “Another?”

Apollo massages my shoulders. “I know you want to distract yourself from reality and I’m more than happy to provide said distractions—my tongue, my fingers, whatever you need. However…” He pauses, his hands squeezing my shoulders. “You love your mother. She loves you. Jason is not going to come here, and if he does, I will deal with him. There is nothing for you to fear, and you should tell her you’re not afraid.”

I grind my teeth side to side as I stare at my phone, deciding. He’s right.

Sylvia: I’m not afraid to do this on my own, Mom. I love you so much for trying to make sure I won’t be lonely, but I’ve already made friends here. Irene, Leonard, Apollo, Charlie…they’re all great and I’m not sad or alone. I don’t need Jason. I don’t want him.

She takes a few moments as the credits keep rolling.

Mom: Okay.

Oh, shit. One-word responses are never good. Apollo’s hands deepen the massage on my shoulders.

Sylvia: I love you

I wait.

Nothing.

Sylvia: Mom, don’t be like this. Tell me you love me too.

Her dots appear immediately.

Mom: I love you. God night.

The typo makes me sick to my stomach.

She was typing fast. She’s mad.

“My witch,” Apollo croons against my ear. “You cannot be in control of this. You cannot own her emotions, her reactions. Only yours.”

I take a deep breath and relax into his massage. “Want to watch the next one in the series? It gets better.”

“Yes, of course,” he says, no question or hesitation.

I launch the second movie in the series and lean into him.

Do I really know what I’m doing? Am I doing it?

Fuck, what if I don’t, and I’m not?

What if my mom is right, and Mark is right, and Jason…

What if I can’t do this? What if I can’t manage this business?

“Sylvia,” Apollo purrs against my ear. “Obviously these distractions aren’t enough. Do I need to fuck these dark thoughts out of you?”

My heart jumps. “I’m just feeling normal jitters with launch coming soon. October is soon.”

“October is months away,” he says.

“Two months, and that’s very soon.”

“Should we not be watching a movie?”

I worry my lip. It’s ten-thirty, and both of us are drained from finalizing the last private bath today. I could stay up and make some social media graphics for the launch. I could work on the merch line we’re starting. There’s so much I could do.

But I’ve worked hard enough today, right?

If we have to push back the opening date, we can do that. Christmastime is still a great launch window, and if that doesn’t work out, I have enough money to last until the middle of next year before things get sketchy.

Charlie’s words ring loudly in my mind. If I don’t rest, my body will make me rest. I don’t want to get sick. I’d rather take a weekend and relax.

I take a deep breath. “No. Spending time with you watching this movie is the best use of my time right now.”

He pulls me up his chest and nuzzles my hair as his fingers dance across my belly.

“Good.”

I stop worrying myself with things of tomorrow and let myself fall into the fantasy playing out on the screen.

The next morning comes too soon, and so too does a text from a number I don’t know. I should ignore it. I should delete it.

But I open it.

Unknown: Syl, please, let me see you. I’m so fucked up without you.

I grit my teeth, my knuckles turning white from how hard I’m grabbing my phone. Apollo’s arm slithers farther up my stomach and pulls me against him. I’m the little spoon and not even mad about it. He’s a great sleep cuddler, and never makes it too hot to live. He must be able to regulate his body temperature.

I relax my hand and take a deep breath as I stare at the message.

Sylvia: You’re going to incredible lengths to try to get at me. Who’s your sugar momma? I know Alexis doesn’t have this kind of money.

Jason: Alexis and I are done, I promise. It was a mistake. Please, baby. I love you so much. I miss you so much. My heart is fucking aching.

My jaw is tight.

Fuck that.

Fuck him, too.

Sylvia: I want nothing to do with you.

It’s very tame compared to what I want to send him.

Apollo nudges his head against the back of mine and says with a sleepy lilt, “It’s too early to be this angry. Go back to sleep, lovely.”

I should, but the little red (2) nags the back of my mind. I scroll over to Alexis’s message and open it.

Alexis: I’m so sorry. I love him. I never wanted to hurt you and I realize that everything I’ve done is completely contrary to that. You literally gave me the resume I needed to succeed here, and I shit on that by having sex with Jason…more times than I want to admit for longer than I want to admit. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I know we’ll never be friends again. I’ve destroyed that.

My throat closes up and I blink away tears.

I really am so sorry. I’m so sorry I fell in love with him. I’m so sorry I was weak and mean and did this to you.

Alexis: I don’t expect you to ever read this, and I don’t expect forgiveness, either. I wouldn’t forgive me. But I just want you to know that you’re incredible, I look up to you, and I respect you—

Just not enough to not to fuck my boyfriend.

—but I realize how worthless that is after what I’ve done. I’m sorry I’m rambling, I’m really not looking for absolution I just…I just want you to know that you’re fucking amazing and of course you know that, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

Bile sours the back of my throat.

She seems so much more genuine than Jason.

I should warn her. I don’t owe her anything, but I want to warn her.

Sylvia: I don’t forgive you, but Jason is here in Colorado trying to get to me. Wanted you to know in case he’s made some bullshit excuse.

I throw my phone down and wiggle back against Apollo.

He mumbles something happy and constricts around me. “How can I serve my witch this morning?”

I suck in a deep breath. “Hold me.”

His arms tighten on my ribs. “Anything else?”

“Make the last five years of my life disappear,” I whisper, hollow tears burning in my eyes.

“No, lovely. You can’t erase the past. It made you. It made you so beautiful, radiant, and strong.”

I swallow thickly and hold his arms on me.

“I know it hurt. I know you’re still hurting,” he says, nuzzling my neck. “Forward is the only way, and I’m here for you, for as long as you need me.”

I sniffle, my tears threatening to unleash. “What about your freedom?”

“I will stay as long as you need me. As long as you want me.” He kisses my neck, his lips soft on my sensitive skin. “I promise.”

Men have made promises before, but I believe Apollo. He has no reason to lie to me.

My throat is too tight. I can’t breathe.

“Sylvia,” he murmurs like a prayer and rolls me toward him. Face to face is so much worse. I curl in on myself and sobs overtake my body. I don’t want to cry, not like this and not in front of him. But it’s too late. I can’t stop.

Apollo’s arms band around my back and pull me flush against him.

We seal together and he hushes into my hair. “I have you. I swear. While I live, no more harm will come to you.”

I suck down a deep gasp and a loud sob wracks me.

Why am I like this?

Why can’t I just get over it?

“You’re so strong. You’re amazing,” he whispers to the crown of my head, echoing Alexis’s text, and it makes me cry harder.

“You’re fiery, and tall, and loud, and there’s nothing wrong with you at all.” Apollo kisses my forehead, my cheek, my ear. “You let out everything you need to. I’m right here.”

I grip his sides in desperate fists as emotion rocks my body. I heave in deep breaths and let them out in warbling, disjointed sobs. It’s too early to cry like this, but this is my life.

Then a wave washes over me, and I settle. Like a storm, the worst has passed, and I’m shell-shocked in the aftermath.

“There’s my witch,” he whispers, talons combing through my messy curls.

I sniffle once more and look up at Apollo, caging me against the pillows, sheltering me from the world. “I’m strong, but because of you I’m stronger.”

His lips hover near mine and my heart thunders. I want to kiss him. I want to let myself fall into him and get lost in the affection he gives so freely. His eyes are locked on my mouth. A fang pokes into his dark lower lip and he licks over the spot. Every exhale of his pours more desire into me.

He blinks, his eyes darting back up to mine before he leans away. “What’s next, my witch?”

It’s Tuesday.

I have things to do.

It’s Tuesday and I’m a business owner and I have things to do.

And Apollo is not ever going to be more than a blip on my radar, no matter his promise. I can’t keep him from finding the one thing in his life he’s wanted more than anything else.

I can’t keep him.

I pull down a deep, steadying breath to clear my head. “Shower, coffee, breakfast, press release plans, then furnishing the last private bath. If there’s time, I’d love to talk about bringing in some plants to the lobby. I’m thinking about a living wall behind the reception stand, littered with colored, glowing crystals.”

“That sounds enchanting ,” he says with a purr.

I blush. “That’s the hope.”

His thumb drags across my cheek. “Let’s make it a reality.”