He was having second thoughts. I had him tied to the bed with his own silk, strong as hell, even if I was pretty sure he could snap it if he really wanted to. He just lay there, watching me with that look, like he wasn’t sure whether he was about to be rewarded or completely ruined—and I was having far too much fun letting him wonder.
“Please.” His antenna twitched, and the phone buzzed again.
I leaned forward between his legs and bopped his nose. “Just a second, dear, it might be important.”
Atlas leaned his head back on the headboard, his poor dick weeping. I didn’t realize just how many times a Mothman could come. Do all monsters leak like that? How many times do they need to come in a day?
My vaginal PH was going to be all sorts of messed up if we were doing it all the time.
But that’s tomorrow’s problem.
I crawled off the bed, still in my silk dress, making sure that Atlas got a good view of my backside. He groaned and banged his head on the headboard.
“Why does my soul have to be so mean to me?”
I laughed, picked up the phone, and saw Harlow’s name flash across the screen.
“Because I love you, and teasing you is so much fun. Now, be a good boy and let me take this phone call. You better be in the same position and do NOT touch yourself.”
Atlas coughed. “Good boy? What the hell? I am not a good boy!”
I raised my eyebrow as I answered the call. “Hey, Harlow, what’s up?”
“I’mfuckingMothman!” he shouted—though it came out a little more girlish than he’d meant. His eyes flared brighter red, in betrayal, like even his body was laughing at him.
I snickered and left the room, leaving the door cracked to keep an eye on him.
Harlow's voice came through the phone, concerned but trying to sound casual. "Hey, um, I know you're probably busy with your... forest activities, but I just wanted to check that you're okay with everything that’s happening. The whole supernatural soulmate situation."
My heart warmed at her concern. Classic Harlow—looking out for me when I should be the one checking on her.
“Of course. It all happened so fast, and I never thought of myself settling down, but when you know you know, right?”
The phone went quiet for so long I checked to see if the call had dropped. Finally, Harlow cleared her throat. "Right. Well, speaking of unexpected wildlife… that fox shifter's been spotted again. You've heard about the situation?"
I pursed my lips together. “Yeah, I do. Why do I have a feeling something is up with you?
Harlow's voice took on that breezy tone she always used when downplaying something serious. "Just taking a little me-time, that's all. Don't worry, I've got the house locked up tighter than a drum. Those witches even put some fancy magical barrier around it. Nobody's getting in there."
I scratched the back of my neck. “Where are you going? Let me come to you, or better yet, let me bring you here. I don’t like you leaving the town. Are you running from someone? Is it Gideon?”
Harlow's laugh crackled through the phone. "Please. That lanky creep couldn't handle me on my worst day. Listen, I'm good, I promise. But heads up—those wolf shifters were after some fox in the town square earlier. They tore into the woods, so just... stay inside, okay? Keep everything locked tight. If anyone knocks, pretend you're not home."
I nodded my head, knowing she couldn’t see. “I won’t, and locks are taken care of.”
“Good,” Harlow took a breath. “I gotta go, I will call you in a couple days.”
“You better,” I said softly. “Please. I don’t like this.”
Harlow scoffed. “I just need a little space to clear my head. Between the shifters, witches, and whatever else is lurking around here, it’s a lot.” Then her voice softened. “But don’t worry about me. You and Atlas are meant for each other. Anyone with eyes can see that.”
I stomped my foot. “I don’twantyou to go, but… I get it. Will you text me when you get where you’re going?”
There was a brief pause. “Yeah, sure thing! And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do—which, as you know, meanseverything.” She cackled, followed by an exaggerated smooching noise, and then the line clicked dead.
I stared at my phone to confirm she’d really hung up on me. Of course she had.
Weird.
