Page 30 of Snowed In with an Incubus

Jaz tried to read him. Was he just asking to be polite? He was debatably trying to back out of the party, and they’d beenstuck together for coming up on twenty-four hours. She wouldn’t blame him if he needed a break. People said that sometimes:You’re great in small doses. Sam had gotten a pretty damn big dose.

“Or you can stay,” Sam said as seconds passed without a response. “And, uh, watch the oven.”

“No,” Jaz said hurriedly. “Just give me a second.”

She turned back to the bread, sawing off a thick chunk and popping it into her mouth.

“Okay,” she said, muffled. “Ready!”

He led her through the middle of town, which was even more charming when it wasn’t drowning in snow.

“So,” Jaz said, huddling deeper into the jacket he’d given her. “What else is there to do in this town?”

“More cafés,” he answered. “Lots of little tourist shops. Bookshop. Chocolate shop, if you have a sweet tooth. They’ve starteddoing hot chocolates. Lots of hiking in the mountains or through the forest, but the snow’s a little thick for that rightnow.”

She stopped, letting out a tiny shriek that made both Sam and Xena startle.

Jaz pointed. A dragon flew over the street, pointing out stores as he passed. He had a human strapped to his chest. The humanwas wearing goggles and was clinging desperately to the straps that stopped him from plummeting into the street below.

“Ah,” Sam said. “Yeah, we do dragon tours. I think they’re doing a special event tonight, flying up to watch the fireworksfrom the air …”

He trailed off as he noticed Jaz staring longingly at him, hands clasped pleadingly in front of her.

“Uhhh,” Sam said. He adjusted his grip on Xena’s lead. “I think they’re booked out? They’re pretty busy over the holidays …”

“If only I knew someone with wings,” Jaz said, tweaking his shirt teasingly. “Oh, wait.”

He stepped back, almost skidding into the slush at the side of the road. Xena’s back paw dipped into the slush and she whined,looking imploringly up at Sam.

“I don’t do that,” Sam said quickly. “Go out in my incubus form.”

Jaz looked around the street. There were two fae fluttering outside a nearby café, pondering the window display. An orc readinga book at a bus stop, a newspaper folded underneath him so he didn’t get his pants wet from the recently cleaned bench. Aminotaur admiring her fur in her phone reflection as she walked hand in hand with a human.

“Somehow I don’t think these guys will mind,” Jaz said.

He shook his head. “That’s different. They can’t help it.”

“What, so you have something against shifters?”

“Of course not! It’s just—” his shoulders hunched even farther “—it’s private. For me.”

Xena scratched him with her wet paw, whining. He patted her absentmindedly and tugged her forward.

Jaz walked after him, trying not to be hurt. Sam had been opening up to her in their short time together, and it was clearhe didn’t do that with many people. She shouldn’t be surprised when he shut her down. But she couldn’t help but push him aboutit. “You moved to a monster town and you won’t even be a monster?”

Sam shrugged stiffly. “Why?” Jaz asked, less gently than she wanted. “Reg had his wings out just to go for a run! Come tothink of it, that doesn’t sound very aerodynamic. Swimmers shave their body hair to go faster. Having wings sounds—” Jaz dragged herself back on track. “My point is nobody will judge you. Especially not here! Claw Haven, for the monster who wants some peace and quiet!”

He whirled on her. “I just don’t do that, okay!”

It was loud enough to make a passing merman glance their way. Sam smiled tightly at him, pulling Xena out of his path.

Jaz’s cheeks flushed. Brandon’s voice echoed in her mind, the words he’d yelled as she ran around the house shoving everythinginto an overstuffed suitcase: You’re too much, Jaz. Nobody can deal with the sun all the time. We need a goddamn break!

Xena whined. They both reached for her, hands bumping.

“Sorry,” Sam said. He cleared his throat. “We should circle back. Pumpkin will be ready soon.”

Chapter 11