Chapter Thirteen

Klauz’s apartment was huge. Only two apartments were on that floor, and his was one of them.

Drin guessed that the other belonged to Kritz and Arcady. The moment that the elevator dinged, his door opened, and he was standing there in nothing but sweatpants. He smiled and waved them inside.

“I have been looking forward to having you for breakfast, Drin. I guess I will have to settle for your coffee break.” He pulled her in close and kissed her softly, sweetly. He lifted his head. “You have found something else to sate your appetite.”

“It is just a working theory so far.”

“I would like to test that theory at your earliest convenience.”

He kissed her ear and licked the point. Her pulse shot up, her sex twitched, and her knees gave way. He chuckled softly. “Thought that might be the purpose of those delicate little ears.”

She gave him a reproachful look. “Don’t tease.”

He smiled. “Never. I will always get you what you need.”

She looked at him, and her belly shivered. “Now?”

She trailed her fingers across his lavender skin and looked into his black eyes. His black hair was in tousled waves, and she wanted to run her fingers through it.

Ekron muttered, “Aw, come on.”

She looked over at him. “Oh, hush. He has to open on time.”

Klauz laughed softly. “So does she. Right now, I am what she needs.”

“And he’s nearly undressed. It can’t get any easier.”

The chef took her by the hand and led her into his bedroom. She was his by contract and signature. It would be nice to cut her to-do list in half.

He unlaced her dress, helped her out of her shoes, and then skimmed the underwear off her, unsnapping her bra without hesitation. She was naked, and it was just the way he wanted her.

He led her over to the bed and grinned with his pointy teeth. “You are giving me a feast, Drin.”

She swallowed and smiled. “You know what I want.”

“I do. I just want to go slowly.”

“There is plenty of time for leisure. For now, I just want you inside me.” She smiled. “If you like, I can modify my order.”

He snorted and leaned over her. “No substitutions.”

She laughed, and he started a slow but effective caress and trailed his fingers over her. When he touched her folds and found them slick and spread, he muttered and shoved his pants off his hips.

She blinked at the feel of his erection. It was thick but soft. It barely yielded, but it was definitely nothing like the only other cock she had had inside her. She looked up at him as he glided into her. “You know I am going to investigate.”

He chuckled. “Save it for my day off.”

He slowly withdrew and surged inward. He lowered himself to her and slid on the fine layer of sweat between them. Drin focused on how she felt, and he wove his fingers with hers until she arched and shuddered around him, squeezing him tight.

He sank deep and shuddered. She felt the heat inside, and it went on and on. She held him tight, and he pressed his forehead to her shoulder. With every clasp of her muscles, he spurted again.

She turned her head and kissed his cheek. “Are you okay? This seems like a lot.”

He chuckled. “It is usually a bit messy, but I am feeling that it won’t be the case with you.”

Drin bit her lip. “Not sure about that. Still running tests.”

He rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. “So, how do you feel about actual sex, pet?”

“Pretty good. I was always worried it would hurt, and it doesn’t.”

He kissed her slowly. “I am glad. How are you feeling?”

She flexed her fingers against his. “I am feeling not starving for the first time in my life. Again, you are responsible for satisfying me. It’s a heavy burden.”

He licked at her lower lip. “Ekron is going crazy out there.”

She chuckled. “He’s next. Techor is along for every ride, so to speak. He goes last.”

“Why are you making Ekron wait?”

“Too many women. Yeah, I know you have ladies throwing themselves at the mercy of your culinary skills all the time, but his want him to sign things and them. It is ridiculous that he wouldn’t sleep around. I would if I was in his situation.”

“You know that pulse that you put out when you come?”

She frowned. “I know of its effects, but I don’t have firsthand knowledge of the outcome.”

“I feel inspired. My senses are expanding, and my creative thought patterns are going wild. It is like being creatively drunk. It is also very arousing. When you and I were on a date, I could take the weak energy you passed to me and use it for my clients. Now, I feel so much stronger.”

She blushed as his hips rocked against her. He grabbed one of her knees and pulled it high on his hip. The position opened her up, and he drove deep. He moved in her, and her body was writhing with bliss. Her muscles tried to grip him tight, but he kept moving even when fluttering orgasms struck her.

When she was limp and sweaty, and he was smug and kissing her softly, the door opened, and Vikor came in. “We have to head back for the last inspections, pet.”

She nodded, and Klauz got off her. He went down on his belly between her thighs and licked lightly. He laughed. “It’s gone. No trace of it.”

She blushed and tried to close her legs, but he held her easily. He slid two fingers into her, and when he withdrew them, he sucked on the digits. “Her body has absorbed it completely.” He chuckled. “Kritz is going to go nuts when he learns of that.”

Vikor snorted. “How would he learn of that?”

Drin sighed. “They are twins. They can see through each others’ eyes.”

Klauz grinned. “You knew?”

“I go to office parties with Arcady. I knew. She mentioned that Kritz always has to visit the buffets to see who is eating what, and then, she explained.”

She eased her legs shut while they were chatting and pivoted away to stand up and get dressed. The other two were talking quietly, and she sneaked into the bathroom with her clothing and shoes. She used a face cloth to wipe off the sweat and accumulation of her own traces. When she was tidy, she dressed, stepped into her shoes, and arranged her hair back over her shoulder.

Drin walked into the bedroom and sighed over the elegant and pretty Klauz.

He smiled at her. “One day, we will have an entire day to ourselves, Drin.”

She smiled. “Unlikely. That is why folks like Arcady and Khytten remain on the payroll with Blind Date. It means they don’t have to make the tough choices and leave it up to their partners to fight over. Whoever asks for a priority booking gets the date. It might help Ekron if we set up a shared calendar with records so that you all can know where I am and when. I am just taking a stab at the idea that I am not going to be running around on my own very often.”

The chef snorted and pulled on his sweats. “Might not be a bad idea. If any of us has a conflict with your schedule, we can argue about it, like gentlemen. If you have a preference for the evening, your choice can override others, as long as it isn’t always Vikor.”

She walked past him and shrugged. “That is a mood thing.”

Drin walked into the living room and saw a disgruntled Ekron, so she wrapped her arms around him from behind and kept one around his waist while she moved the other hand down his low belly until he shuddered. He was so keyed up that it only took a few long strokes of her hand around his cock, and his pants closure wrapped around her wrist as she gave him a hand job. When he groaned, she caught it in her palm and milked him with a twist of her wrist. She pressed her free hand to his back and withdrew her other hand from his trousers, resealing the closure and sighing. “Just so you don’t feel left out.”

He turned around and faced her. “You did that just for me?”

“Of course. Now, I have to wash my hands again.” She smiled.

“You aren’t a fan.” He looked into her eyes.

“I think you are fun and smart and a good sport. You are pretty and shiny and a good dancer.”

He grinned. “Shiny?”

“Yeah, in certain lights, you sparkle. But mostly, you make me laugh, and that has been in really scarce supply.” She wrinkled her nose. “So, I will occasionally give you a random hand job, just because.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist. “That is nice, but I just want an afternoon with me and you so we don’t have to run around and fight for time.”

“I know. That is why Klauz got a small moment today. I know you need more, Ekron.” She smiled and caressed his cheek.

Vikor cleared his throat. “We need to get back to Z-Tech. I am almost finished with my inspection.”

“Good. It’s Friday, and you and Klauz have your busiest night of the week. Techor just wants to kick back and relax after he finishes his paperwork.”

Ekron murmured, “I could use a relaxing day.”

She chuckled. “Me too, but I am just getting dragged from place to place right now.”

Ekron sighed. “And I am the worst offender.”

“Yup, but that’s okay.”

“You are giving in too easily.” Ekron smiled. “You need to fight for yourself.”

“I will if it is important. Any day Vaken calls me, you will find out where you rank in my life.” She tapped him on the chin.

“So, you are devoted to your nephew.”

“Until he doesn’t need me anymore, yes.”

“What will you do then?”

She looked at him and grinned. “Find a way to make my own.”

“Oh, I am up for that. Definitely. We can start one right now if you like. We just need to get eggs from you, and any one of us can father the first one.”

She blinked. “Uh, let’s have sex first. It seems like the proper order of things.”

He hooted a laugh and hugged her.

Vikor grabbed her and hauled her out of the apartment. Ekron trailed after them, joining them in the elevator. She smiled and took his hand. Vikor shrugged and kissed her, as he now tended to do in elevators. She held Ekron’s hand all the way back to Z-Tech.

She had gone to get a bottle of water and was returning to the chem lab when she saw two familiar figures in the hall speaking to a third wearing a visitor’s badge.

She turned around and tried to walk away, but she heard, “Drin!”

She paused, sighed, and turned back toward Salat, Khytten, and Ekron. She saw the bag in Khytten’s hand and snorted.

Drin hugged her friend and said, “Nice to see you. How are the babies?”

“With their nannies. We are here to get some of that new textile that Litha wants Khytten to try.” Salat grinned. “She brought cupcakes.”

“Thanks. I am on guide duty today, so I will put them at my desk and grab them on the way home.”

Salat and Khytten stared.

“Oh, uh, there have been aspects of my activation that have now become clear. If you thought your activation was embarrassing, Khytten, I have you beat.” She blushed. “But my hunger is under control.”

Ekron snickered.

Salat blinked. “Oh, right. Sorry, Drin, this is my cousin Ekron. Ekron, this is the assistant to the textile researcher. Drin.”

He stared at her and started laughing. “Though, I can see you have already met.”

Khytten smiled. “Nice dress, and love the eyes.”

“That came along with the other thing.”

“Oh, yeah. Pointy ears, too. You were cute before, but now you are adorable.”

Drin looked at her and blinked. “Uh, that isn’t something that’s applied to me, but thanks. You don’t even want to know about the ears.”

Ekron sidled up to her and wrapped his arms around her. “You didn’t mention you know my cousin.”

“I have known you for two and a half days.” She looked at him wryly.

Khytten grinned. “So, you two met through the BDC?”

Drin grimaced. “Yes and no. One patron doxed me and told him, and now, things have gotten out of control.”

“Don’t worry, pet. Soon you will have your cuffs, and control is no longer your problem,” Ekron crooned to Drin and stroked her hair.

She elbowed him in the ribs, and he snorted.

Khytten frowned. “Cuffs?”

“Vikor has a strong dom streak once he eases her into it. She is already very compliant when in evening wear. We all agree.” He kissed the top of her head.

Khytten grinned. “All?”

Drin felt decidedly pouty. “Not going to answer that.”

She didn’t have to. The gossiping continued, and Khytten was snickering when he finished the explanation.

Salat smiled. “Early days of courtship, huh? I am surprised you jumped to a legal arrangement.”

“Ah, our lady is a bit of a muse. We are all hooked on her particular brand of inspiration. And the secondary effect is amusing and tidy.”

She elbowed him again and then had to say. “Ow.”

He rubbed it. “Stop hitting me. Do you want me to kiss it better?”

She screwed her lips together. “Yes.”

She was bent back in his arms, and his tongue was teasing her mouth a second later. She ran her fingers through his hair as the kiss continued, and then, he lifted his head. “How is your elbow?”

“Uh, fine.”

Khytten laughed, and Salat grinned. “I need to try that.”

Drin blinked. “Won’t work with her. She uses guns.”

Salat smiled. “Ah, but I want to try.”

They were laughing together when Vikor came out of the elevator door with a frown that turned into a wry smile. “I thought that something had delayed you.” He walked up and shook Salat’s hand and bowed to Khytten.

“Ekron, she’s still at work. You are close to getting her fired.”

Ekron shrugged. “So? More time to play with us.”

“I am going to hit you again, and this time you are going down.” She tensed in his arms.

Vikor moved a few inches, and Ekron stepped back. “However, we are more than willing to train you to be a legal assistant.”

“Wait. She is already an assistant. She can keep track of me.” Ekron smiled.

“Well, two of us need legal backup. You are outnumbered.”

Khytten said, “You guys could just ask her. She actually might have an opinion of where she spends her days and how.”

Drin sighed. “Thank you, Khytten.”

Vikor and Ekron looked a little embarrassed. Drin asked, “Have you completed your inspections, Vikor?”

He grimaced and nodded. “I was hoping to take you out to a late lunch.”

She checked, and it was two in the afternoon. “I have to check with Litha. I think she has a gathering this afternoon.”

She nodded. “Nice bumping into you, Khytten, Salat.”

“We are going to follow you in, and Litha is letting Ekron look around at the textiles available for experimentation. Vikor, are you coming?”

Drin sighed and led the parade to her desk, where Khytten placed the bag of edible objects. She looked at Drin, “Hey, I just noticed your badge has two faces. That’s handy.”

“One phrase hits me wrong, and I am back to standard me. Not fancy me.”

“Both versions had their own attractions.”

Drin grinned, remembering that Khytten wasn’t fussy about lovers. She saw beauty in everyone.

She knocked on Litha’s door and told her that Salat and Khytten were there, and Ekron was there to browse as well. The doc grinned. She loved showing her triumphs to interested parties.

Drin sat back at her desk as Litha took charge. Vikor grimaced as he was forced to leave her while they went to the storage area. Drin could actually get some work done.

She checked Litha’s notes and emails, ordered the chemicals that she needed, and filed the clearances for the import into Aksalla.

She caught her work up and got everything set for the weekend. By the time Litha and the others returned, she was sitting back in her chair and nibbling on a cupcake. One of the girls on the lower floor had had a birthday, Drin was always up for cupcakes, and Arcady only brought in the best for the staff.

Litha paused. “Did they bring one for me?”

Drin shook her head. “Nope.

“Of course.”

“But Khytten brought something for me. You can have one of those.”

Litha smiled and delved into the bag, coming out with a treat. Salat was carrying several bolts of experimental bullet-resistant fabric with a stretchy capability. Litha had made it for law enforcement and agents of Aksalla, but it hadn’t gotten into the field yet.

Ekron had something dark and glittery. He was also giving her a look she wasn’t sure she was a fan of.

Litha smiled. “I have to fly to Daycross this afternoon. A sugar rush is just the thing. Did you get the supplies ordered?”

“Yes, doc. Clearances filed, chemical requisitions in. Budget confirmed. You are good to continue operations for another month.”

Litha nodded. “You are the best, Drin. If you are caught up, you can take the rest of the day.”

Vikor grinned, and Ekron said, “Woohoo!”

Drin looked at Litha. “Are you sure I can’t polish your desk, buff your computer, or something?”

“No. You have time off. Take it. If you want to work from home a few days a week, I am good with that, too. I will let you know when you have to be in person.”

Drin closed her eyes. “Thanks, doc. You are super helpful.”

Litha laughed, a bright cascade of sound.

“I suddenly remembered things I have to do.”

“Do them at home.” Litha looked at her. “Come in my office for a minute.”

Litha held the door for her and closed it behind her. “Drin, I know that this union you are heading into is making your head spin, but give it time. I would kill to have my patron touch me at all, but it is a slow process with him. He has so firmly friend-zoned me because I am physically not what he looks for in a woman. I am petite and look dainty; that is not what he’s into. Unfortunately, there aren’t many men in my power class. He’s one of them and the only one who isn’t attached and wants to spend time with me. The guys are trying to tuck you into their lives so securely that you won’t want to leave. Your independent streak is fighting, but just once, try letting someone do something nice for you. You may like it. If not... there is always room for negotiation.”

“The negotiations are overwhelming. I am definitely outnumbered.”

“Then, don’t let them gang up on you. Tackle them one at a time. Arcady’s situation is different but with a similar result. She adapted to it, but the guys are shaking up your routine, and it is unsettling. You are being trapped between four tornados who are pulling you off the path. Enjoy the new route, but make sure you keep contact with Vaken. He might get jealous.”

“He’s nearly six.”

“And you are the aunty who has dropped everything for him his entire life. His life is about to get wild with his grandparents entering it, so maybe having a regular day to spend with him would be a good idea. A Tuesday or Wednesday.”

“Why those?”

“They are unlikely to interfere with a function that one of the others has to attend and perfect for catching up on a child’s past and upcoming week.” She smiled. “Even Thursday. Vallu has Thursdays with her niece after school. That works out well. She brings the child to school Friday morning.”

“I can’t keep him overnight.”

Litha smiled. “Why not?”

“He likes to sleep in the same bed with me, and that really wouldn’t be a good idea as I am not currently sure who is going to be in there with me.”

“Good point. Well, if Shisha needs help, hire a nanny?”

Drin paused and went to look at her account balance. Her ass hit the floor a second later.

“Drin!” Litha was next to her.

“Um. Hi.”

The door opened with a thud, and Ekron dropped the fabric and knelt next to her. “What is it? Are you hurt?”

“Um, surprised.”

Litha brought a chair over, but Ekron just picked her up and kissed her temple.

She had never seen that many digits in her account balance. She was dizzy.

Vikor came in, taking up a lot of the space. “What happened?”

Litha frowned. “We were talking about hiring a nanny to help Shisha, and she checked her com and fell on her ass.”

Vikor reached out and touched Drin’s cheek. “My father passed on the trust she was owed. He had kept it on the basis that his restraining order didn’t allow her to ask for it. Now, she has what Vaka wanted her to have.”

She looked at Vikor and reached for his hand. “Vaka never wanted me to have this.”

He lifted his hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. “I know. He picked a fight with me on a few occasions. Even called me a creep. Six years is barely an age difference after you turned twenty. My fascination with you has been far less worrying in the last eight years.”

She smiled. “For me, too.”

Ekron laughed and gave her a gentle hug. “Does this mean you will be less nervous while shopping?”

“Maybe.”

“Good. I want to bring this fabric to my mother and introduce you.”

She snapped her head toward Vikor. “Can I faint again?”

He nodded.

She went limp dramatically. She heard Litha telling them to have a good day, and they carried her out of the building.

Vikor lifted her limp head and said, “I am going to see you at home later. I have to head to the office and finish my reports. Ekron, have fun with our damsel in distress. I expect her back before eleven.”

Ekron smirked. “I will try.”

“I will come looking if you don’t.”

She stretched and sat up. “At least I have enough to hire a car if anyone does something silly like leaving me somewhere I don’t want to be.”

Ekron smiled. “We would never. Now, Vikor, kiss her goodbye for now, and we will be on our way.”

Vikor leaned in, and his lips wove a spell over her. She nearly rolled out of Ekron’s arms. Vikor leaned back and sighed. “Later, pet.”

She huffed, and Ekron rolled her back into his arms. “Not getting away that easily, Drin. You still have to meet my mother.”

“You left the fabric upstairs.”

He nodded to someone, and his driver came up and picked up the bolt. “Vikor mumbled something about a wasted elevator ride?”

She smiled as he carried her to the car. “Just a strange habit he’s developing.”

“Oh, good. I have a few habits I want to develop with you.”

He settled her in the car, and when they were on their way, he pulled her onto his lap and demonstrated how fast he could work her lacings. It was truly impressive.