“Are you sure?” At first, Kyle thought he’d misheard Adam’s question. Given how their recent trip to the beach had ended - with Kate scared witless simply by glimpsing Ryka from a distance - Kyle couldn’t believe he was being offered another opportunity to join them on an outing. He wondered what Adam had to go through to convince her to invite him along.
“Really, really sure. Please come to brunch. I do not want to be stuck with Kate and Chad alone. I know that’s really selfish, but there it is.”
Briefly, Adam had explained that Kate was taking her newest coworker out for a welcome brunch of sorts. They had only been working together a few weeks, but had apparently hit it off quite well. Probably a little too well, as Adam had been complaining about how many times the other man’s name came up in conversation.
“Is it safe?” Kyle asked, not even needing Ryka’s help to see there was something Adam wasn’t telling him.
“I mean, it’s brunch at a fairly nice restaurant. I’ve never heard of anyone getting assaulted or anything there.”
Sometimes, Adam was a little dense. He certainly knew better than to be intentionally evasive, so it was clear he had honestly thought Kyle was worried about bad elements going out for omelets and mimosas. “That is good to know. But I meant is Chad going to be safe? I feel like you’re leaving something out.”
There was a groan on the other end of the line, followed by a loud sigh. “He’s fabulously gay and unhappily single.” Kyle started to reply, but was cut off. “Kate and I are going to let him know you are in a very serious, very committed relationship and are solely there to keep me entertained.”
It was hard to hear his own thoughts over Ryka’s laughter. “And you think that will work?”
“I will gladly kick him under the table if he even raises one perfectly-plucked eyebrow at you. Just please come with us. I don’t want to be the third wheel.”
Kyle very badly wanted to say ‘no.’ But he wasn’t going to be allowed to. Not with a potential meal in sight.
Bacon and breakfast booze? Help this poor bastard out, stud.
After a long sigh of his own, Kyle finally conceded. “What time?”
***
Following the phone call the night before, Kyle had begged and pleaded with Ryka to behave, no matter what. He’d done things he probably shouldn’t have been proud of, but that had certainly seemed effective. And he’d made promises, only half of which he was looking forward to fulfilling.
On the ride to the restaurant, he had tried desperately to obtain the demon’s word that he’d leave everything to Kyle. But of course Ryka avoided any concrete agreement – it would have been a lie. So with more than a little trepidation, Kyle parked and made his way to the hostess station.
Not by accident, he had arrived a little late, to make absolutely sure he wouldn’t be alone with Chad for even a moment. It was a nice restaurant, with lots of big windows, antique furniture and thriving greenery. A thick coating of blood and entrails would have done nothing for the ambience.
As he had hoped, Adam, Kate and Chad were already seated, perusing drink menus. “Hi, sorry I’m late. I had to make a quick call.” He, at least, could lie. And both Adam and Kate knew this one was code for his attempt at heading off Ryka’s intervention.
“No problem. We just sat down,” Adam replied, passing him a menu.
“Glad you could join us,” Kate told him, a genuine smile on her face. Even if she was worried about possible outcomes, she was obviously glad that Adam would have someone to talk to.
“Thanks for inviting me. I can’t even remember the last time I was out for brunch.”
“Of course.” Kate smiled again, and made the dreaded introduction. “Kyle, this is Chad. He just started at the library a few weeks ago. Chad, this is Kyle. He teaches History at the same school as Adam.”
“So pleased to meet you,” Chad greeted, reaching a hand across the table for Kyle to shake. At least Kyle was spared the usual comment about his high body temperature. Though he wondered if Chad was too busy staring to even notice. With a forced smile, he withdrew his hand, but the other man’s appraisal continued. Kyle was doing his own threat assessment over the top of the wine list.
Even sitting, it was clear he was considerably taller than Chad. And more heavily muscled. The librarian looked fit, but would have by no means ever been able to physically overpower him. So at least he didn’t have to worry about that kind of attack.
No, but he’s certainly hoping you’ll rough him up a bit.
Having been bracing himself for Ryka’s commentary, Kyle expertly ignored it, only lifting his menu up a bit higher. Chad was still intently studying him, but Kyle was trying to be less obvious. ‘Fabulous’ hadn’t been far off the mark. Chad was certainly trying to impress, with a pastel button-down shirt open halfway down his chest, manicured nails, blond hair perfectly styled, and Adam hadn’t been wrong about his brows. His makeup was even better than Kate’s.
And Kyle looked like he’d barely scraped himself together after a weeklong bender – hair mussed, eyes bloodshot and heavily bagged as usual, and wearing whatever had still been clean – jeans and a work shirt that somehow hadn’t succumbed to Ryka’s wings or claws yet. It certainly hadn’t been a choice, but he was now hoping it would put the other man off.
I can hear his heart pounding; smell his lust. You’re getting him all hot and bothered. Just his type, stud.
There wasn’t time to process the remark before the waitress showed up to take their drink orders. Hoping there would soon be alcohol to take the edge off, Kyle joined the conversation, only offering details about himself when asked, which Chad was starting to do with too much frequency.
Sensing his discomfort, Adam shot Chad a warning glance, and when that didn’t work, Kate loudly cleared her throat and changed the subject. Chad seemed to take the hint, and by the time their drinks arrived, they were all sharing places to visit around the area, since he had just moved from across the country. Conversation continued as food was ordered and finally brought to the table, and although Kyle wouldn’t have chosen to spend time with Chad on his own by any means, he was still having a good time socializing.
Eventually, Kate and Chad started talking about work – and their other coworkers – so Kyle focused on his meal, occasionally trading remarks with Adam. It really was good, and it was nice to enjoy food he didn’t have to prepare himself.
I’m pretty hungry, too, Ryka reminded him, pulling Kyle from his blissful reverie. He’d just wanted to enjoy his eggs benedict in peace.
Too bad, he thought, as loudly as possible. He returned to his meal, which he now noticed everyone else at the table doing as well. There was a comfortable silence while they ate, but again Kyle was interrupted, this time by something brushing his shin.
Startled, he looked up at Adam and Kate, but neither met his gaze. With rapidly increasing dread, he glanced at Chad, who smiled coyly and looked away, batting his eyes. Hoping to prevent further attempts at flirting, Kyle glared coldly at him, but Chad didn’t seem to notice.
I can leave his pretty face intact so he’ll still look good at his funeral.
Kyle barely suppressed a sigh, and tried to get Adam’s attention. In a quick glance, Kyle attempted to convey that Chad was not behaving himself and was very likely to be brutally murdered if he kept it up. Wide-eyed, Adam nudged Kate, who instantly re-engaged her coworker in conversation. “Thanks,” Kyle mouthed to his friend, who nodded.
While Chad was distracted, Kyle cleaned his plate. And was immediately hit with a post-meal nicotine craving. It was a risk, but one he needed to take – Ryka wasn’t the only one who got cranky if he ignored the habit. “I’m going out for a quick butt,” he told Adam, removing his napkin from his lap and setting it on the table.
With a mouthful of French toast, Adam could only give him a thumbs-up.
***
Outside, Kyle found a quiet spot near the back of the restaurant. Far enough from both the parking lot and staff entrance that he wouldn’t be seen or bothered. “I’m going to pay and leave,” he said, lighting a cigarette and leaning back against the wall.
That’s not fun.
“I’m not going to apologize.”
You’re sexy when you’re angry.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Ryka ….”
What?
“We’re almost done here. It was one meal; nothing crazy happened. And I don’t think I’ll ever have to see this guy again.”
I want to guarantee it.
Nearly inhaling his cigarette, Kyle pushed himself away from the wall. “Absolutely not. I’ll call Adam and tell him to cover my part of the bill for now so I don’t have to go back in there.”
No you won’t. Just as Kyle pulled his phone out of his pocket, it started to sizzle. Yelping, he fumbled it, which quite effectively finished the job. Now in several pieces on the pavement, it was garbage.
“Ryka, that’s enough,” Kyle warned through gritted teeth.
It was.
That hadn’t been the answer he’d been expecting, and Kyle was about to continue questioning the demon, when he saw someone else approach out of the corner of his eye.
“Ah, sorry, were you on a call?” It was, of course, Chad, not looking remotely remorseful for having followed Kyle outside.
“I was trying,” Kyle answered bitterly, glancing at the shattered remains of his cell phone.
Chad followed his gaze. “Oh no! You can borrow mine if you’d like.” He started to reach for it, but Kyle shook his head. “Are you sure?”
“Very.”
“Okay. Um … I was bad and told them I was going to the restroom, but I really wanted to talk.”
“We shouldn’t.” This as Kyle dropped his cigarette and stamped it out.
“Oh. I just … it was really nice to meet you. I just got here, and really don’t know many people. And definitely no one else who’s gay.”
“You don’t want to know me,” Kyle said flatly.
Chad, who had been playing sweet and innocent, very quickly dropped the act. “No, I really would.” When he had been trying to seem unsure, he had been nervously tugging at his shirt collar. Now, he popped another couple buttons, revealing a surprisingly chiseled stomach. Grinning, he took a few steps toward Kyle.
Hoping it was the right thing to do, Kyle held his ground. “They did tell you I’m seeing someone, right?” A someone who was already growling, and whose jealousy was making it look like Kyle was watching the world through a crimson filter.
“They did. But that he worked third shift or something. That must be lonely; you probably don’t get much time together.”
“More than you’d think.”
Undeterred, Chad took a step closer. He was even shorter than Kyle’d guessed, and looked up at him with imploring eyes. “I doubt that. But in any case, let me give you my number. I don’t mind being a side piece, not for you.”
Chad pulled a pen from his shirt pocket and reached for Kyle’ hand. Eager to end this confrontation, Kyle sidestepped the other man, or tried to. Chad grabbed his wrist, gently pulling him back. Sighing, Kyle let himself be maneuvered to face the librarian. And instantly regretted not running for his car. “I mean, just the thought of these hands all over me ….” With a wink, he directed Kyle’s hand to his crotch.
Before he could feel anything he didn’t want to, Kyle yanked his hand away. Am I allowed to help yet?
Closing his eyes, he sighed and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Oh, damn. Right here? I’m down.” As eager as Chad was, Kyle was quite an expert at quickly undressing himself, and the other man was still struggling with the last button on his own shirt when Kyle let his flutter to the ground.
“Oh, wow,” Chad breathed, biting his lower lip as Kyle pushed his pants down a few inches. “Please, let me.” Chad dropped to his knees, reaching out to undo Kyle’s belt. But it was almost Kyle’s face Chad touched, the object of his lust now in the same position he was. But not looking very happy about it.
Groaning and clutching his temples, Kyle let his chin drop to his chest. When he looked back up, his eyes were completely different. Gone were the warm brown eyes Chad had been admiring all morning. Now he found himself staring into burning red irises that surrounded narrow, cat-like pupils.
And as he felt the ground start shaking under him, he watched in horror as black horns curled back from Kyle’s temples, and enormous black wings exploded from his upper back. Trembling, he sank back on his heels as the monster that had been Kyle stood and loomed over him.
“I don’t always work nights,” the creature growled, its deep voice mocking. The only response Chad could make was a pitiful squeak. “Master wasn’t interested, but if the offer still stands ….” Hoping to give his host one less thing to admonish him about, Ryka used a wing to ensure extra privacy as he freed himself from Kyle’s pants. Having anticipated this moment and been instantly met with Chad’s delectable fear, he was already quite hard. And Chad’s reaction - pure, wide-eyed horror – was even more arousing.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Terrified, Chad sat frozen as the monster’s tail wrapped around his neck and pulled him forward. But when Chad remained motionless, jaw clenched shut and eyes staring vacantly ahead, the pressure around his throat relaxed. “Not so eager now, hmm?” Another whimper. Knowing he wasn’t going to get what he wanted without bending Chad’s will or physically forcing him – both of which would mean he’d be getting nothing from Kyle for a long time - Ryka put himself away. “Then how about I do you?”
That snapped Chad from his trance. Quaking, he looked up to meet the monster’s burning gaze, but found his eyes drawn instead to its hungry grin. And he nearly fainted imagining what those teeth could do to him. Head swimming, he keeled onto his side, instinctively balling up to protect his most vulnerable places.
Maybe it was time for some force after all, Ryka decided. “Stand.” Weak-willed as his prey was, he did try to fight back a little, shaking his head and curling up even more tightly. “Now.”
Repeating a litany of desperate “no’s” under his breath, Chad found himself struggling up from the pavement. By the time he was back on his feet, he was breathless and sweating. “I don’t understand. What …?” he managed, unable to lift his gaze.
“You were warned, weren’t you?”
“I-”
“Don’t you dare try to lie to me,” the monster snarled, grabbing Chad’s face and tilting it up to meet his. Chad didn’t fight, but couldn’t bring himself to look into those eyes. “So go on. Tell me what they told you. And then tell me why you chose to ignore it.”
Blinking back tears, Chad muttered “That Kyle was seeing someone. And that it was long term. And committed. And that his boyfriend could be very jealous, so that I should leave him alone.”
“Now knowing that, why did you still think you stood a chance?”
It seemed foolish to do so, but something compelled him to be honest. “I thought I could make him interested. That we could have fun when ….”
“When I wasn’t around?” Even knowing how much Kyle had been repelled by the other man, Ryka’s vision was still flashing red. “Too bad for you I’m always around. And jealous doesn’t quite cover it. You fucked up, princess.”
The hot hand under his chin slid down around his throat and tightened, and Chad managed a gasp as he felt his feet leave the ground. “Please,” he wheezed, still too terrified to so much as lift a hand in self-defense.
“I can’t lie, so I can’t say I hate to tell you this, but he was never going to be interested in you. You really need to learn to take a hint.”
“I’ve learned,” Chad said.
“Have you?” Chad nodded, or at least tried to. “Still, I’d really like to make sure.” Flashing those very sharp teeth, the monster started squeezing harder, and Chad felt his eyes bulge. “I probably shouldn’t leave a body here in broad daylight, though.”
The tears he had been successfully fighting back started falling, and Chad finally found the strength to try and pry himself free of his captor. Laughing, Ryka let him go, and the man crumpled to the ground. “Now go on back and tell your friends what an idiot you are. We’ll be right there.”
Without another look back, Chad scampered off, leaving the monster behind him.
Aside from just whipping it out, that was impressive restraint.
“I had to try, right?”
I don’t know that you did, but thanks for not raping and/or killing him.
“Like I said, it’s the middle of the day, and there’s too many people around. I can control them well enough while we’re here, but the second we leave, there’s just a body and lots of possible witnesses.”
In that case ….
Trying to spare his host, Ryka dropped to all fours so that Kyle wouldn’t end up face-first on the pavement. After taking a few moments to gather himself – and put his shirt back on – Kyle picked up the pieces of his trashed cell phone. “You owe me a new one,” he told the demon, shoving the largest piece back in his pocket. His eyes rolled, and Kyle shook his head.
Very much not wanting to be the one to explain what had just happened, Kyle headed back inside. To his dismay, he beat Chad back to the table. Adam and Kate both looked up as he sat back down. He was going to have to talk about it after all. “No Chad?” he asked, studying the spot where his plate had been.
“Just saw him go into the bathroom,” Adam replied. “Which is odd, because that’s where he said he was going right after you went outside.” Kyle looked up to find Adam grinning at him. “That cigarette did you good. The bags under your eyes are gone.” A dead giveaway, and Adam knew it.
He wouldn’t look at her – not yet – but he could feel Kate’s horrified stare. “Chad met Ryka,” he told the tablecloth. He heard Kate gasp, but it sounded like Adam was trying to stifle a laugh. If he had anything to say on the subject, it was cut off by Chad’s return.
Adam and Kate both gaped wide-eyed at Chad as he took his seat. Kyle managed a quick glance up before finding a dessert menu to focus on. Chad had turned an unhealthy shade of white the instant Ryka had started the transformation, and his color hadn’t returned yet. But Kyle was impressed – Chad had walked away from the encounter with Ryka mostly unscathed. His neck was still a bit red, but it was fading fast. There’d likely be a lovely bruise later, a reminder of his mistake.
I’m still hungry and I don’t hear him talking.
Regret wasn’t as good as fear, but it was still good. And this was one of the times Kyle understood he needed to do his job as a host to procure a meal for his parasite. Still angry that Chad had ignored his very obvious signals, he wasn’t dreading it.
Finally looking up from the menu, he glared across the table at Chad. “I was just telling Adam and Kate that you met Ryka.” The other man mouthed the demon’s name with a shudder. “I realize he didn’t formally introduce himself. He was a bit pissed off, though.”
“I’m sorry,” Chad practically whispered, unable to meet Kyle’s cold glare.
Sometimes it was fun letting his temper get the better of him, and this was one of those times. Especially when he could see Adam fighting back laughter next to him. “He wants me to remind you that you’re supposed to be telling Adam and Kate why you had to meet him.”
Although it involved no small amount of sniffling and whining, Chad did just that. Kate tried to be sympathetic, but she had been the first to warn him, so could only offer so much support. Chad seemed plenty contrite when he finished relating the events of the previous five or so minutes, and that was enough for Kyle. Ryka was still grumbling, but Kyle suspected it was more due to the fact that he hadn’t been able to draw out his meal as much as he would have liked.
And Kyle hadn’t really wanted to draw this meal out unnecessarily, but whether it was Ryka’s influence or his own desire to watch Chad squirm, he found himself eagerly saying “yes” when, moments later, Adam asked “Anyone else up for dessert?”