New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 13

Dinner went very well, and after we decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. He held my hand, and occasionally our shoulders would brush together.

Normally being affectionate with another man in public made me uneasy. There were always glances, or comments. Sometimes people would threaten me. Even in a time where more and more people were accepting of same sex couples, that fear had to always be present. There was that need to always be aware of your surroundings, and the people nearby. 

Dante didn’t care. He understood evil, but in an odd way, he didn’t seem to understand hate. He didn’t care that people were staring at us. He just wanted to hold my hand, and that was all that mattered. It probably helped that he had demonic powers, and that any drunken bro who decided to start shit didn’t stand a chance against him. That wasn’t all it was, though.

He was just too happy to care.

Eventually we made our way to a small park two blocks away from our building. We walked the cracked cement path through the overgrown trees and found a bench across from a small koi pond. Still holding my hand, he gently guided me to sit next to him. Once I was seated he kissed my cheek and gently rested his head on my shoulder.

“Are you happy?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Do I make you happy?”

It didn’t take me long to admit that he did. He made me very happy. He made me happier than I had been in years.

“Yes,” was my answer.

“Good.” He turned his head and kissed my shoulder. “You make me happy, too.”

And that was all it took for me to admit that I had completely and totally fallen in love with the demon sitting next to me.

I didn’t know what how the relationship would develop. It could be amazing, or it could be hell on earth, but that was fine. At that moment I realized that I was willing to take the risk, because Dante was worth it. Dante, with all his flaws and misunderstandings of human tradition, was the perfect man for me, and I would be a complete idiot to pass it up.

I turned my head towards him, and we kissed.

I was madly and truly in love, and that was all I needed at that moment. 

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 12

We sat in a table towards the back of the restaurant, away from the families and large parties. Our spot was pretty quiet, and the lights were set low. It was actually pretty romantic.

Dante looked at me from across the table, the light of the tabletop candle flickering in his eyes. At least, I thought the candle was flickering in his eyes. It could also just be a little bit of hellfire.

I chose to believe it was the candle.

“I’m kind of surprised you asked me out again.” Dante smiled. “Our last date kind of went belly up, and everything before that was a bit of a mess because… well, because I don’t really know how humans date.”

“Yeah, things have been a bit disastrous so far, but…” I cleared my throat. “You try. You try really hard, and that means something to me. Sure you don’t always get it, but the fact that you keep trying to get it right is the most important thing.”

Dante’s smile grew. He reached out, and took my hand in his. His grip was firm, but gentle. He nibbled on his lower lip, and even in the low light I could see his cheeks turn a subtle shade of pink. He looked so cute.

“I thought that was how romance was supposed to work.” Dante’s voice was soft. “I always thought that if you wanted someone to know you liked them, you did your best to show them.”

“A lot of people forget that.” I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“Well, I won’t.” 

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 11

We decided to walk to the restaurant. The night was beautiful and clear, with a gentle breeze that kept everything cool, but not cold.

Dante walked next to me, his shoulder close to mine, and occasionally he would lean close, brushing against me.

I asked, “You ever have Chinese before?

“Well, there was this one guy, but he might have been Korean. I honestly don’t remember; it was so long ago.” He looked at me. “Oh, you mean food. Chinese food.”

I nodded, my eyes again made wide by the demon talk.

“I actually haven’t. The world of human food is kind of new to me. Usually I just dine on the flesh of the damned.” He shrugged. I stopped walking. He turned, looking at me. “Oh come on, Nando, I’m joking. Of course I’ve had Chinese food.”

“What about the whole ‘flesh of the damned’ thing?” I asked.

He walked up to me, looping his arm in with mine, and started me forward again.

“Only on holidays.” He rested his head on my shoulder. “Although, I guess you could say I’m going the demon version of vegetarian. No more souls, no more roasted flesh of the damned. Just normal, human food.”

I think he expected that comment to calm me down, but it didn’t. I made a mental note to keep that holy water with me. Just in case Dante fell off the flesh eating band wagon, or we got in a fight or something.  

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbideen Kiss pt. 10

The next night I decided it was my turn to do something nice for Dante. He had actually managed a pretty romantic date the night before, and so I thought I could do something nice in return.

I just had to make sure that it was in a place where neither of us could be interrupted again. So, I picked a nice Chinese restaurant not far from the building.

I stood in front of his door, my shirt pressed and my newly cut hair gelled. I thought I looked damn good.  Regina, who was glaring at me through the doorway, didn’t seem all that impressed.

If looks could kill, I thought. Then I wondered if hers actually could kill, and took a tiny step the side, just in case hellfire sprayed from her retinas.

“I still don’t get it,” said Regina. “Out of all the guys in this city you picked my brother. Why him? Do you have some weird demon fetish? People do, you know. I run into them all the time at the dungeon.”

I shook my head. “He’s just a nice guy, or at least, he tries to be.”

“Listen, Nando, I like you. Well, I like you as much as a demon can like a person. We get along. I’d almost call you a friend.” She cleared her throat. “That is why I have to say these two things. First, as sweet as Dante seems, just be on guard. He steals souls. That’s what he does. He may not even do it on purpose. You know, like premature ejaculation, but instead of ejaculating he’s sucking your soul out of your body.”

I could feel my eyes go wide as she continued.

“Second, and this is not from me as a demon, but me as a sister. My little brother is still my little brother, and if you hurt him I will chop off your nuts and you can sing soprano in Hell’s gospel choir.”

“Hell has a gospel choir?” I was honestly confused.

“What else do you think we do with the all the televangelists who get sent our way?” She looked at me as if I should have known that.

“Is that him?” Dante’s voice echoed from the back of the apartment. “I’ll be right out Nando!”

He sounded so happy. The sound of his voice, so light and excited actually made me feel a little warm inside. Didn’t help with the nerves, though. Those were getting worse by the minute. Especially since Regina had just told me that I could accidentally get me soul sucked out of me.

Before I could say anything else, Dante pushed past Regina, grabbed my hand, and with a quick “be back later”, pulled me out of the house.

And I was off for yet another date with a demon.  

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 9

Dante and I sat on the couch, our clothes hastily put on and ruffled. Regina and Missy were glaring at us, their faces red both with anger and embarrassment.

“Nando, how could you?” The disappointment on Missy’s face was intense. “He’s a… he’s a demon. Do know the risks you are taking when you have sex with a demon? Did you even use protection? Holy water? A crucifix? A book of exorcism rights? I mean, if you are going to sleep with a demon, you need to be safe.”

“Dante, do you really want to screw up everything I’m working on here?” Regina was laying into her brother. “Gus would never talk to me again if my idiot brother stole his best friend’s soul.”

“I wasn’t going to steal his soul.” Dante was looking at his hands. He didn’t seem amused, or playful. He seemed… well, he seemed genuinely upset. “I was just trying to have a nice, normal night. No soul sucking, no dark magic. I just wanted a… nice… normal…”

Then the tears started.

These were the type of tears that only a pro could fake. Thick rivers ran down Dante’s cheeks, and his shoulders shook with each and every sob.

Without thinking I reached out and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close. He clung to me, the tears coming stronger now.

“I tried so hard… to make… tonight special. I tried so hard.” He glanced up at me, his eyes red from crying so hard.

“It was special.” I smiled at him. “It was one of the best dates I’ve been on in a very long time.”

“Really?” He was still crying, but at least he was smiling now. “So, do I get a second one?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

Missy and Regina were watching us, their jaws hanging slack.

“So…” Regina cleared her throat, “you weren’t trying to steal his soul?”

Dante just shook his head.

“I still think you should carry some holy water around with you, Nando.” Missy crossed her arms. “Just in case.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, “but I don’t think I’ll need it.”

I looked over at Dante, who had stopped crying, and was now using the sleeve of his shirt to wipe away the tears that were drying on his cheeks. He was smiling.

It was one of the most honest smiles I have ever seen.  

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 8

Everything seemed to move so quickly. At first, we were just kissing, then he was on top of me, our bodies pressed together, his hands wandering, my hands exploring. How long had it been since I had felt someone’s touch like this? I… I couldn’t remember.

My shirt was up and over my head, quickly tossed to the floor, and the feeling of his hands against my bare chest seemed electric.

“Do you want me?” Dante’s voice was breathy and soft.

“If I say yes, will I lose my soul?” I said it half as a joke, half serious.

“No.” He smiled, his kisses moving from my mouth to the nape of my neck.

“Then, yes.” And I gave in.

Everything else was just a whirlwind of flying clothes, searching hands and hungry mouths. I wanted him so badly. His skin against my skin, that warmth and closeness drove me crazy. I pulled him closer, wanting to feel as much of him as possible.

He sat up and I straddled his lap. I could feel his excitement pressing against me.

This is it, I thought to myself. I’m about to go all the way with a demon.

“You ready?” He asked me.

I nodded.

Then…

Then the front door opened, a bright flash of light in the darkness. We both panicked, and I tumbled off of him, and both of us went sprawling, naked as could be, onto the hardwood floor of the living room.

“What the hell is… Dante? Dammit!  I told you to stay away from the humans!” Regina’s voice cut through the room like a knife.

Heaven and hell just cock blocked me. 

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 7

After dinner we moved over to the couch. I reached for the remote, to put the TV on for some background noise, but he stopped me.

All that awkwardness from before was gone. He was still a little bit bashful and cute, but he was more confident in the way he interacted with me. It made me uneasy, but not enough to get me to run away.

Part of me knew that he was playing me. That didn’t bother me. People played each other. When they wanted someone they put on a show to make themselves the ideal match for the other person. It was just normal human interaction.

Dante wasn’t human, though.

That was what both scared me, and excited me. He was an unknown risk. He was dangerous, and he could easily destroy me, but I still felt myself drawn to him. I was caught in his web, and if things kept going the way they were going, well…

He leaned in close, his eyes meeting me. There was a flash of fire in his gaze, and it made my breath catch. Was it something inside of him, some warning sign, or was it just a trick of the light.

“Why are you scared of me?” His voice was softer, almost a whisper.

“I don’t know what you want from me.” I couldn’t look away from him. “I don’t know if you actually want me. I mean, why?”

“Why, what?” He leaned closer.

“Why do you want me? Why would you want me?” The words fell from my lips before I could stop them.

There was my biggest fear laid bare. Why would someone as amazingly handsome and charismatic as Dante want someone like me? I wasn’t bad looking, but… he could do so much better.

“There is so much good in you, Nando.” He was closer now, his lips inches from mine. “I know you wouldn’t understand, but I am drawn to that. I am drawn to the good in your heart.”

He kissed me.

I kissed him back.

“I see so much evil and darkness,” he kissed me again, “but when I see honest, loving good in someone I want to be near them. I want to touch them, I want to have them.”

“Corrupt them?” My heart was racing.

“No.” He laughed, shaking his head. “I want to embrace it, nurture it.”

He had me. I was his. 

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 6

Dinner was really good. I hadn’t known what to expect. I had never had a demon cook for me before. Was their demon cuisine? I couldn’t really imagine what it could be. Maybe the still beating heart of the innocent? A freshly plucked soul boiled in the tears of the tortured damned? SPAM? I had no clue, and I really didn’t know how to ask.

When Pasta Puttanesca was placed on the table, with a side of golden brown garlic break I was pleasantly surprised. 

“This looks amazing.” My mouth was watering. “Where’d you learn to cook Italian?”

Dante smiled, taking the seat across from me. “I once hunted the soul of an Italian chef. Hunting souls requires a lot of recon work, and while I was watching him, I picked up on a few of his recipes.”

“Do you…” I paused, just a tad bit uncomfortable. “Did you end up getting his soul?”

Dante shook his head. “We may hunt the souls, but in the end, they have to give them to us willingly. I couldn’t corrupt him, not enough. So, he ended up getting away.”

“I’m sorry… I guess.”

“I didn’t feel bad, and I still don’t.” Dante didn’t even flinch. “Demons don’t have a high success rate. While there is plenty of evil in the world, and we are responsible for plenty of it, there is also a lot of good. More good, actually. I know I’m a demon, and I’m not supposed to say this, but… I kind of like it that way.”

“Well, I don’t know your sister all that well, but she seems more mischievous than outright evil.” I took a tentative bite of the pasta, and my mouth seemed to explode with delicious flavor. “You… well, you could be playing me completely, and you probably are, but I have to admit, you seem pretty nice.”

“Nice?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“You don’t understand boundaries, but you seem nice enough.” I gave him a half mile. “I just don’t know if I can trust you. How do I know you aren’t hunting my soul?”

“You don’t know,” he said. “I’m not, but I know that trust is not the first reaction you have when dealing with a demon.”

“So,” I cleared my throat, wanting to change the subject, “why did you decide to follow your sister here?”

“Boredom.” Dante shrugged. “I haven’t had a project in a while, and I thought I could tag along, see if I could get into any trouble while she worked.”

“I’m your trouble?”

“You could be.” Dante leaned forward. “You could be a lot of different things. All of that is up to you, though.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. I didn’t really know what I wanted from Dante, or how I wanted the night to go. He confused me. He made my head spin, and he made me question every move he made. Part of that was because he was a demon, but the other part was because he made me feel something I haven’t felt in a long time. He made me feel that flutter in my stomach. He excited me.

It wasn’t just the way he looked, but the way he held himself. Every word out of his mouth seemed to tease me, and it was starting to drive me nuts. In a good way. At least, it felt like it was good. Maybe it was all wrong, and I was still messing around with a demon here. I could end up with my soul sucked out of me, and cast into the fiery pits of hell, but… what if he really wanted me? 

I hated admitting how much I wanted him to want me. To really want me. It felt so desperate.

“Where’d you go?” Dante put his hand on mine.

“Nowhere.” I shook my head. “You’re a really good cook.”

“You said that.” He smiled, and I could feel his fingertips gently caressing the top of my hand.

He was turning out to be my trouble. 

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 5

The first date happened two days later. Again, Dante surprised me, and it still involved breaking and entering, but at least I wasn’t sleeping when he did it.

I had gotten home from work, and found him in my kitchen, using the pots and pans that Gus and I had never actually bothered to use.

“Welcome home,” he said. He turned to me and smiled.

I wanted to be angry, but whatever he was cooking smelled amazing. My stomach let out a loud growl, and any chance I had of looking stern or mad quickly faded away.

“Gus didn’t see see you, did he?” I leaned against the entryway to the kitchen.

Dante shook his head. “I waited until after he left for work.” He glanced at me, biting his lip. “I just wanted to do something special for you, and… well… you aren’t mad, right?”

I just shook my head.

He smiled, and went back to cooking. “Could you set the table? This should be ready in a few minutes.”

“Want me to pop a bottle of wine, or something?” I asked. “We should have some lying around here.”

“Already have one open on the table.” He glanced over his shoulder and smiled.

I had to admit, this was actually really nice. Who knew a demon was capable of being so romantic? I wasn’t entirely relaxed. I mean, he was a demon, so who the hell knew what could go wrong, but still…

It had been a while since I had been out with someone, and Dante was cute…

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 4

The force of pure shock and horror sent me flying out of the apartment and down the hallway towards Regina’s apartment. Before knocking I took a deep breath. What he had done was completely and totally wrong, but…

Maybe it was cultural differences?

Sure, Dante had crossed so many lines, but he also was knew to the human world. He was a demon after all. He had no real basis for right and wrong, right?

I let the breath out, and knocked on the door as calmly as I could.

Dante peaked his head out, his smile fading when he saw my face.

“We need to talk.”

“I screwed up?” He bit his lip.

I stood my ground.

“Just… we need to talk.”

Dante slipped out of the apartment, closing the door behind him quietly.  

He stood there, his eyes scanning my face. “Was the picture too much? I thought it would be…”

I held up a hand. “The breaking and entering was too much.”

“Oh.” His cheeks reddened. “Well, I thought to woo someone you had to surprise them.”

“Well, I was surprised.” I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“But maybe leave them at your door next time?” He continued to nibble on his lip, that one canine starting to poke out now.

“And no surprise nude pictures… in my room… while I’m sleeping.”

“What about nude pictures from my room?” That smile started to return to his lips.

“Save those for later. Like after I give you my…” I shook my head. “You got my number from my phone, didn’t you?”

He kicked at the carpet gentle. “Maybe.”

I held up my hands. “Dante, be honest with me. Is this cutesy deal an act, or are you really just trying to woo me? I mean, you are a demon, and I don’t want to sound racist? Speciest? I… I don’t want to sound like an asshole, but your people kind of have a reputation for being a tad bit sneaky.” I knew how bad it sounded, but he was an actual demon. “I mean, your sister is actively trying to find a woman to morally destroy my roommate. You can understand why I might be having a few trust issues here.”

“Well,” he glanced at me, “you’ll just have to wait and see.”

I didn’t like the sound of that.

He gave me a wink, and slipped back into Regina’s apartment.

What the hell was I getting myself in to?

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 3

The “wooing” started the next day.

I woke up to a vase full of red roses sitting on my dresser. There was even a card with them.

It read:

Dear Nando,

You did something nice for me, and now I shall return the favor. This is the first of many.

-Dante

For a moment I, holding the card in my hand, I couldn’t believe how sweet the gesture was. It sounds totally cheesy, and completely unmasculine, but I don’t fucking care. It felt nice for someone to give me flowers. I lifted one of the flowers out of the vase and took a deep breath, the musky, sweet aroma flooding my nostrils.

Then I froze.

“Missy?” I called out.

She poked her head into my room. “What’s up?”

“Did you bring these in here?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

“Did Gus?”

“He’s still asleep.”

“Then…”

My stomach knotted up.

Dante had snuck into my room to deliver the flowers. He snuck in while I was sleeping.

A chill ran up my spine.

Had he just left the flowers, or…

I glanced around the room, and my eyes landed on my phone.  Sitting on top of it was a small, yellow sticky note.

With dread bubbling up inside of, I walked towards my phone. I could see that the note had the number two written on it.

“You okay?” Missy stepped into my room.

I just nodded, waving her away. “I’m fine. Totally fine.”

“Are you sure?” She inched closer.

“Yep.” I turned, giving her my best smile.

“Okay.” She gave me a final glance, and then left.

I waited until I heard her door close before picking up my phone.

I unlocked the screen and was instantly greeted by the site of a very naked Dante standing in front of my dresser, the only thing hiding his dick from view were the small cluster of roses he had clutched in front of his crotch. He was winking at the camera.

I couldn’t speak.

New Pom Pom Angel: Forbidden Kiss pt. 2

The next time I saw Dante was at the Wet Whistle.

The Wet Whistle was this bar down the street from my building. The place wasn’t fancy, but it was clean and cozy, and every Thursday it had a “Boy’s Night” which attracted a decent enough crowd to keep me stocked up in hazy one night stands that I haven’t regretted yet.

I went for my normal spot at the bar, and sure enough Dante found his way into the seat next to mine. He gave my elbow a gentle nudge.

“Hey neighbor.” He smiled.

“Hey.” I motioned towards the bartender. They knew me well enough where I didn’t have to call out the order. “So, how are you liking life in the human world?”

“Fine, I guess.” He kept his eyes locked on me as he spoke. “Fewer orgies, but better air flow.”

The bartender put down a rum and Coke in front of me, and I handed him a five.

“Well, I’m sure your sister could point you in the direction of a few orgies. She seems to have fallen in with the local sex club scene.” I didn’t look at him as I sipped my drink.

“You know,” he placed his hand on my shoulder, “I’m actually thinking of something a little more one on one.”

The next few thoughts all rushed through my head in a manner of five seconds.

Don’t even think about it. He’s a demon.

He is cute though.

He may also try and feast on your mortal soul after he’s done with you.

I’ve been a dry spell the last couple of weeks.

Was losing my soul to a demon who wore leather pants worth it?

HE’S A FRICKEN DEMON!

But he’s cute.

“I…” I stuttered, “I’m not really one to rush into bed.”

I was surprised my nose didn’t grow three feet after that gigantic lie. I wasn’t a complete slut, but I had been known to enjoy the occasional one night stand. Okay, maybe I was a frequent one night only member. Still, when dealing with a potential Incubus, one needed to think of protection, and I wasn’t just thinking condoms and PrEP.

“So, does that mean I have to woo you?” He leaned closer. His breath smelled like cinnamon and vanilla. “I can woo with the best of them.”
I backed up a little. He was more confident this time. “Why?”

He looked confused. “Why what?”

“Why me?” I glanced around the bar. “There are probably ten guys in here who would willing go home with you right now, and most of them are probably hotter than I am. So, why me?”

“You really want to know?” He leaned even closer.

I nodded.

“You were nice to me. Never really experienced that before. Kind of liked it.” He kissed my cheek, and sat back. “So, do I have to woo you?”

I nodded, a bit dumbstruck.

“Then I better get started on that.” He slapped a ten dollar bill on the bar, motioning towards the bartender. “One drink for him, and the change is for you.” He winked at the bartender, then got up and without another word, left.

I didn’t really know how to respond, and so I sat there, in silence, and sipped on my drink. Secretly I was hoping the alcohol could help me process.

It didn’t.