The Incubus System Chapter 1158. Are You Secretly a Demon or Something?

The Incubus System Chapter 1158. Are You Secretly a Demon or Something?

She took a slow breath, visibly steeling herself. “When I said I wasn’t your girlfriend…yet…did that freak you out?”

“Honestly?” I swallowed thickly, leaning closer instinctively. “It surprised me. But…it didn’t scare me. At all.”

Her eyes widened slightly, vulnerable and hopeful. “Good.”

Another silence fell between us. Our shoulders brushed lightly, and her breath hitched softly.

“Tiff,” I murmured gently, heart pounding. “You know if this goes any further, things will get…complicated.”

Her lips curled into a small smile. “Haven’t you noticed? Our whole lives are complicated. What’s one more thing?”

I chuckled quietly. “True.”

She hesitated again, eyes searching mine carefully. “Are you sure you want this?”

My chest tightened. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

Then, without another word, I leaned forward slowly. My heart thundered in my chest as our faces drew close, my pulse racing wildly. Tiffany’s eyes fluttered closed as I paused just inches away, our breath mingling softly between us.

“Ethan…” she whispered again, the faintest tremor in her voice.

My resolve solidified. Screw secrets. Screw complications. Right now, this—us—was all that mattered.

I closed the distance, pressing my lips softly against hers.

Instantly, warmth exploded through my veins. Tiffany responded immediately, her lips molding perfectly against mine, gentle yet demanding at once. My hand instinctively cupped her cheek, thumb brushing tenderly against her skin. She sighed softly into the kiss, melting deeper against me.

When we finally broke apart, both breathless, Tiffany rested her forehead lightly against mine, eyes still closed. Her chest rose and fell quickly, matching my own rapid heartbeat.

“Wow,” she breathed shakily. “That was…even better than I imagined.”

“You imagined it?” I teased softly, unable to hide my smile.

Her eyes snapped open, flashing playfully. “Shut up. Don’t ruin the moment.”

I laughed quietly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

She sighed again, contentedly this time, sinking back against my side on the couch. My arm instinctively wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her gently closer. Her head rested lightly on my chest, warm and reassuring.

“I could get used to this,” she murmured sleepily.

My heart squeezed painfully. Yeah, so could I. But reality lingered stubbornly at the edge of my mind, threatening this peaceful illusion we’d built tonight.

“I want you to,” I whispered softly, running gentle fingers through her hair. “You deserve someone who makes you happy.”

She tilted her head slightly, eyes searching mine carefully. “And you?”

“Me?”

“Do you think you deserve happiness too, Ethan?”

“I am,” I admitted quietly. “But I have a lot of things to do.”

Tiffany’s eyes narrowed slightly, not with suspicion, but with gentle curiosity. She leaned back slightly, giving me space but not breaking contact. Her fingers still brushed softly against mine.

“Things?” she asked carefully, her voice a whisper in the soft-lit room. “Like what?”

I hesitated, a lump instantly forming in my throat. My gaze shifted toward the ceiling, the cracks in the plaster suddenly fascinating.

How could I possibly explain the tangled mess that was my life? Being a prince of darkness, a Nephilim, stuck in the human world to eliminate rebellious demon lords—all those responsibilities piling up like a mountain on my shoulders.

I glanced back at her.

“Tiff…” My voice came out hoarser than I intended. “I… I can’t explain it easily.”

She studied my expression carefully, reading between the lines effortlessly. Her eyes dimmed slightly. She sighed, leaning back against the couch cushions and folding her arms, lips pressing together into a thin line.

“Let me guess,” she said finally, her tone resigned. “Another secret, huh?”

I nodded silently. “Yeah. Another secret.”

She blew out a frustrated breath, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling dramatically. “Of course. Because your life isn’t complicated enough already.”

I chuckled bitterly, shaking my head. “Believe me, Tiff. It’s way more complicated than you could imagine.”

She arched an eyebrow, skepticism clear in her voice. “More complicated than you getting kidnapped by the Demon Hunter Association for some messed-up experiment? Or, I dunno, having secret meetings with hot mysterious women who call you 'master' in public?”

I laughed weakly, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Yeah, somehow… even more complicated than all that.”

Tiffany stared at me silently for a long moment, clearly trying to read something from my face. She shifted her weight, leaning forward again, her expression turning playful despite the lingering seriousness.

“So, what?” she teased gently, bumping her knee lightly against mine. “Are you secretly a demon or something?”

She said it jokingly, eyes sparkling with amusement as she took a casual sip of her soda. But the words hit me like a sucker punch. My throat tightened instantly.

Tiffany’s smile faltered slightly as she noticed my reaction. She set her soda down slowly, brow furrowing. “Ethan? Hey, relax. I was just kidding…”

I swallowed thickly, forcing out a shaky laugh. “Yeah… I know. Just caught me off guard.”

She tilted her head curiously again, suspicion flickering behind her eyes. “Wait. Seriously? You’re not a demon, are you?”

I went silent again. Tiffany’s playful smile slowly faded, replaced by uncertainty. Her eyebrows knitted slightly, clearly sensing the shift.

It was now or never. Maybe it was too rushed—hell, it definitely felt rushed. But if things went sideways, I had my manipulation skills ready. I hated even considering that option, but it was there as my safety net. I wouldn't lose her over this.

I took a slow breath, steadying my nerves. My eyes sharpened, pupils narrowing slightly, a faint red gleam flickering for just a heartbeat.

“Tell me, Tiff,” I began, my voice dropping into a lower, almost hypnotic tone. “If… just hypothetically, of course… I said I was actually a demon, would you be afraid of me?”

Her eyes widened slightly, confusion swiftly replaced by a professional seriousness I knew all too well. The look of a seasoned hunter slipping into combat mode.

“Or maybe,” I continued coolly, lips twisting into a teasing smirk, “you’d try to catch me? Miss demon hunter?”