Page 21 of Snowed In with an Incubus

“I know,” Jaz repeated. “I already got a tattoo to spite him.”

She held up her arm, showing the SecondSkin wrinkling over her sun tattoo.

Lilian gasped. “Jaz, that’s beautiful! I was going to tell you about my new tattoo friend who does friends and family ratesfor your cover-up, but I guess you don’t need—is that a dog?”

Jaz looked over. Xena had her front paws on the lip of the tub, stretching hopefully toward Jaz for pats.

“So you quit your job, moved out, got a tattoo, and now you’re …” Lilian squinted, her scarf taking up the screen as shepeered closer. “Where are you?”

“Claw Haven,” Jaz said, stroking Xena’s muzzle. “It’s this cute little monster town in the mountains. This is Xena. She belongsto my tattoo artist. I stayed in his studio last night.”

There was a long pause. Jaz kissed Xena’s head and looked around the bathroom, which was surprisingly clean for a single guy.She’d been in guys’ bathrooms in college that were so dirty she shrieked when the shower curtain touched her.

“Okay,” Lilian said, the announcer’s voice droning in the background. “Back up. What’s happening?”

“One sec.” Jaz leaned over the bathtub and dragged Xena into her lap. Xena barked happily, turning a painful circle betweenJaz’s legs before settling in and licking her chin.

“So,” Jaz started, Xena still lapping her face. “I walk in on Brandon and Brandi. Grab a suitcase, storm out. Text my job I’mquitting. Text my aunt I’m driving to her place. Get a little lost on a highway exit, end up in Claw Haven—though I don’tknow it’s Claw Haven yet. Find a tattoo place. Get a tattoo. Then, get this, the power goes out.”

“Spooky,” Lilian said. “So I’m guessing he didn’t axe murder you.”

“Nope! I’m staying with him for New Year’s.”

Xena dug her wet nose into Jaz’s neck. Jaz squeaked, pushing her gently away.

“Wait,” Lilian said, voice going sharp. Her scarf took up the screen again as she leaned closer. “Is that a hickey?”

Jaz bit back a smile. “Maybe?”

Lilian laughed. “Jazmine Bradshaw! Did you sleep with the tattoo artist?”

Jaz nodded.

Lilian’s laugh turned into a delighted giggle. “I’m missing my train, but this is so worth it. How was it? Did you still haveto pay him for the tattoo?”

“Ew! Lil! Yes, I paid! I paid double, even—”

“Woooow.”

“Because I came in at closing time! Stop it!” Jaz leaned back against the faucets, giggling. “I did sleep with him, but there’smore to the story.”

“Do tell.”

Jaz bit her lip. He was obviously self-conscious about the whole incubus thing, but Lilian wouldn’t judge him. Even if shedid judge him, it was Lilian. Jaz couldn’t not tell her best friend about this.

“So, he’s being totally normal and polite,” Jaz said. “Getting us food, letting me have all the jackets because it was gettingcold without the heaters on. Then I see he’s kind of sweaty and shaky. He says he’s just hungry, but the noodles don’t doanything—”

Lilian gasped. “Wait! Monster town! He’s a vampire!”

“Close,” Jaz said. “He’s an incubus.”

Lilian’s smile dimmed. “Oh! That’s—oh. But everything … it was good?”

“Yes! Really, really good! What’s with the face?” Jaz motioned at the screen where Lilian was visibly concerned.

“Nothing,” Lilian said, eyes wide. “I just—I don’t know, you hear stuff about incubi! Are you sure he wasn’t faking to getyou into bed?”

“Yes,” Jaz snapped. It was so forceful it made Xena startle. “Sorry,” Jaz said, stroking her. She turned back to Lilian, who lookedchagrined. “Yes, I’m sure! He was in pain, Lil. You should’ve seen him. You can’t fake that.”