I forced myself to continue strolling, taking another bite of the donut. A small moan forced its way out of my throat. Whatever the little, slightly crunchy grains were that were stuck to the outside of it, I wanted more of that. Lots more.

She’d followed me. The perky, pink-haired person had followed me.

“Stay cool, Boss,” Bub added, his whiskers tickling my neck.

“Who says that I’m not cool? I’m completely cool. Now, stay under my collar,” I ordered them both through a mouthful. They huddled into the fabric, the tiny claws of their mouse forms gripping my skin. I still was unsure about whether bringing my pet Hell Hounds, with their shifting abilities, had been a good idea. Yes, it meant they could go incognito … but it also meant they’d decided to lurk by my ear in all their mousey glory and rudely remark on my state of mind.

I drummed my fingers on the ridiculously large cardboard donut box.

I hadn’t intended to enact this part of my plan so soon. I had wanted simply to observe what her reaction would be when faced with not being able to fulfil her need for these disgracefully moreish delicacies.

I should have known the second I took that first bite, and the sweetness hit my taste buds, that she would react exactly this way. I had to admit, I probably would, too.

And then she’d licked her lips, watching me chew, her small, lush body splayed out on the grass after colliding with me.

My plan was not yet fully baked.

And still, the urge to act on it was intense. Undeniable.

An electrifying shudder ran down my spine at the thought.

No. Rodent claws were the reason for that tingling. It absolutely wasn’t anticipation.

I reached the far side of the road and turned, striding down the sidewalk, past cafés and bars. I snorted at a store named ‘Angel Blessings’. Humans and their delusional worship of the Heavenly fiends. Blessings were certainly not what those menaces bestowed.

“Hey, you! Douchey, smirking gargantuan!”

My steps faltered at the fury in her tone.

“Ooooh, she’s a feisty one!” Bub squealed.

“Yeah, the demons will have a field day with her soul!”

I let out a low, rumbling growl.

“Silence,” I hissed, continuing to walk as if I hadn’t heard her.

A flash of pink hair and a delicate finger poked me in the chest. Right where I kept feeling that strange fluttering.

“Did you just tell me to shut up?” she demanded. She glared up at me. Her eyes appeared enlarged by her enormous glasses. The irises were vividly blue. Her cheeks were pink, her mouth … also pink … was pursed crossly.

It looked nothing like a cat’s rear end. It looked like …

“Stop glaring at me, you big buffoon! I will not shut up!”