When bisexual graphic designer Jade Riley swipes right on MonsterFling after one too many disappointing human dates, she’s only looking for a break from the monotony of ghosting and bad small talk. What she doesn’t expect is Rowan—a nine-foot-tall plant person with amber eyes, sensitive vines, and a touch that feels like electric magic.

Rowan isn’t just a curiosity; he’s a revelation. From the living moss bed that cradles her like it was made just for her to the way his tendrils respond to her every heartbeat, Rowan awakens desires Jade didn’t even know she had. For the first time, she feels truly seen—and wanted—not in spite of her quirks but because of them.

But just as their connection begins to bloom, a family emergency pulls Jade back to the real world, leaving her wondering if their otherworldly chemistry is a fleeting experiment or the start of something deeper.

In this steamy LGBTQ short story, curiosity blossoms into intimacy as Jade returns to Rowan’s greenhouse sanctuary. Between the tender reverence in his touch, the way he cherishes her every imperfection, and the glowing seed he entrusts to her care, Jade realizes she’s not just falling for Rowan—she’s finding herself.

As passion grows into something sacred, Jade must decide if she’s brave enough to nurture the connection Rowan offers, even if it means stepping outside the boundaries of everything she thought she knew about love.

Diverse, playful, and deliciously explicit, Blossoming Heat is a celebration of acceptance, transformation, and the kind of connection that thrives where you least expect it.

ONE NIGHT WITH A MONSTER: Sometimes one night is all you need to put down roots.

Author’s note: The ending of this short story is Happy For Now.