chapter 3

[Ford]

    Some time later, I heard Moran call out to me from the front door. I hadn’t even realized he’d left the table.

    “Ford, could you come here please?”

     I put my dishes in the kitchen and washed my hands. Once I was on the porch and the door was closed, I looked at him. He seemed worried.

    “What’s up?” I asked.

    “He’s here.” He said into his phone

    “Put the phone on speaker.” A female voice, that sounded like Madison, demanded.

    Moran complied. I was curious.

    “It’s on speaker.”

    Madison replied tersely. “I’m very upset with Mr. Moran, honey.”

    “Why were you on the phone with Madison?” I questioned.

    Moran looked at the phone. He swallowed hard.

    “He called to make sure I wasn’t having sex with Serena. I guess he took cuddling as a code word. As a concubus, I need cuddles from time to time. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that. This is the best time to feed Serena and keep her smelling human. You know Serena was Indie’s mate. Apparently, some people think that means I’m going to sleep with her.”

    “That’s not exactly unexpected.” Serena pointed out. “We’re both bisexual desire demons. Some people think it means we’re sluts. They can’t fathom how two women, who are attracted to women, could possibly have a physically close platonic relationship. It made Maddie really upset when he implied that she’d cheat on you.”

    I glared at Moran. As an incubus, he should’ve been more open minded. I could imagine them together, but I wasn’t gonna say anything to them about it. What they did to stay healthy was their business. She could sleep with any woman she wanted, as long as I was her only man.

    “You’re making him mad on purpose.” Moran hissed. “You can’t use him as a weapon to punish me for asking a question. I was trying to protect my friend.”

    “I don’t know why you keep doubting me and our relationship. Is it because I’m a concubus? Do you harbor the prejudice of your people? Are you still concerned about ulterior motives? How can I prove I’m serious? I didn’t hinder your job today. I didn’t have cops waiting on Sunday. I’ve only been caring and loving to him. Why do you think I’m going to hurt him?” Madison sniffled.

    “Baby, don’t cry. He’s just like that.” I said.

    “He hates everyone else’s girlfriends and boyfriends? Acts like they’re terrible people who don’t love the other people on your team?” She asked.

    “I don’t want to deal with Ford’s broken heart because you finished getting your kicks from being with someone like him and decide to move on. He’s planning to have you move in here. If you break up, then you know where we’re located. You know some of our names already. This is getting dangerous. Girlfriends and boyfriends don’t know about us. That’s the difference. I don’t know them and they will never meet me!” Moran explained.

    “I promised I wouldn’t turn him in. It only takes one call to get rid of me permanently. If I turned him in, he could tell them what I really am. Do you honestly think they’d send me out of the state? No, they’d kill me as assuredly as they’d kill him.” Madison said somberly.

    “Right. Can you stop trying to manage everything? She can sleep with Serena if she wants to. I’d prefer if I was there, but I came into their friendship not the other way around. If they’re friends with benefits, that’s their business.” I sighed.

    “I’m not sleeping with Serena! Eventually, I’ll need a female lover as well, but right now, I only want you, Ford. I won’t share you with anyone, either. At least, not yet. You’re mine. I don’t even like Serena as more than a sister.” Madison insisted.

    I was intrigued by her saying she might share me with someone later. Maybe this future female lover. I’d love to watch her and another woman together. I was getting distracted and returned my focus to the conversation. Moran was going to ruin it for me if I didn’t keep on top of it.

    “I wish I could say otherwise, but it’s true. She’s not into me.” Serena admitted.

    “We can talk about this later. Can we get back to the movie? We still haven’t had dinner yet. I want a shower and Serena has to help me with putting curlers in before bed.” Madison entreated.

    “Sure, baby. I’ll hang up.” I hit the disconnect button while staring Moran down.

    “You need to stop. I don’t get to have things like everyone else. We move fast because that’s how we are. You can ask her what my energy tastes like any time and she’ll tell you, I taste like love if I’m around her. I know how she looks at me. There’s nothin’ in the world she could love more than me unless we had kids. And that ain’t gonna happen. Leave her alone.” I warned.

    I turned and went in the house, leaving Moran on the porch. He’d gone from a trusted friend to a friendly enemy. That wasn’t what he’d intended, but he’d kept pushing after everyone warned him to stop. Anything less than acceptance wasn’t going to be tolerated. He’d better fix his damned attitude or this would end badly for him.

 ***

[Madison]

    I’d been a little angry about Ford calling to reassure his friends that I wouldn’t hurt them for being mad at him. I thought it would be funny to tease him a little thinking about me and Serena together. I’d never do anything with her, but we weren’t afraid to touch each other and it had enticed him when we met.

    When Moran called to make sure we weren’t having sex I became livid. He was always getting involved in my relationship without being asked. His insistence that he was working on behalf of Ford didn’t make it through to me until later.

    I understood the struggle he was having. He’d been raised to not trust females and especially not concubae. His father hated us with a passion. I’d never tasted such hate until the day I’d met Tybalt Moran.

    He wasn’t earning any friends with his attitude. I was hopeful I could win him over without having to reveal I was his queen. It was easier said than done.

    Serena and I curled up in my bed. I’d been stressed out and needed to be touched. The touch of my people was soothing to me. Serena tried to push it sometimes, but that was just the nature of desire demons. I didn’t take offense and she backed off when I told her to.

    “Are you sure about going over there this weekend? What if someone upsets you and he takes their side?” Serena asked. “If he drives you, then you won’t be able to get back. You can’t use your demon form at all. If that incubus figures it out… He’s not on our side, Maddie.”

    “Once I’m there I’ll know how to walk home. Don’t worry. Ford feels very strongly about me and I do about him, too. I’ll keep my demon form hidden. I think everything will be okay.” I assured her.

    “Ford told me he’d introduce me to the Alpha. He might be pretty enough for me.” Serena laughed.

    “Indie said he was beautiful. His energy was powerful, but not as powerful as Ford’s. It could be a good time, at least.” I said thoughtfully.

    Serena nodded. “Let’s get your hair done. You need rest. Three interviews on opposite sides of town. Ouch.”

    I smiled and let myself be led to the bathroom. Serena was right. I needed rest.