Beautiful Nightmare

by Katee Robert

a terrible demon, and an even more terrible sleep paralysis demon. Sometimes I can’t even paralyze my humans.

Instead, he’s staring at me and there’s . . . What is that look on his face?

Because nowhere in the sleep paralysis demon manual was there a section containing “What to Do If Your Human Gets a Boner.”

He just orgasmed. When he was supposed to be scared. Because I really am that terrible at my job.

Caleb clears his throat. “You are, uh, scary. I guess? But I’m scared every day, all fucking day. The world is in shambles, Gemma. And, forgive me if this is creepy, but you’re naked in my room, and the other night you were sitting on my chest while naked in my room. I had what I feel is a pretty normal reaction.”

“Wait. Please. I’ve obviously done something wrong, and I’m sorry. Please don’t go.”

“Gemma.” He finally looks at me. He’s still blushing furiously, but he manages to hold my gaze. “I am absolutely on board with feeding you lust if that’s what you want. You’re beautiful and interesting, and the only side effect I noticed was being a little tired the next day. Whether that’s because you fed on my lust or because I stayed up the rest of the night, doing . . .” Against all logic, his blush deepens. “Anyway, I’m good with it if you are.”

“I tried to blend in, but it’s so exhausting carving off bits of yourself so people around you will be more comfortable.”

“Gemma, baby, I need you not to say stuff like that while you’re dripping on my face. I want to make you come a few more times first. I’m not going to last long. Fuck, I almost came just from tasting you. I want you too desperately.”

I didn’t know it could be like this—any of it. The care he takes with me in this moment, how quickly he adjusts to increase my pleasure, the perfect anguish of being joined with someone who seems to see me. Imperfect in every way, and yet someone to be valued, to be desired, to be liked.