23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Cora

“Don’t need,” Kimble grumbled as Cora handed him another shirt.

“We’re meeting Pike’s parents tomorrow. Don’t you want to make a good impression?” she asked.

“He’s already met them,” Pike pointed out.

Cora’s mouth tilted in a stubborn line. “Then we should be making an effort to make a good second impression because I’ll be there too.”

It had been a week since the disastrous evening with her family. She’d spoken to Caleb but blocked everyone else's number. It was the first time she’d ever done that, and she thought it would be painful and upsetting. It was surprisingly satisfying and everything had been a lot calmer.

She hadn’t realized until then how much chaos her family added her to life on a daily basis.

Trevor had tried to visit. When she ignored his knocking, he’d let himself in with a copy of her key she didn’t know he had. Kimble had picked him up and pitched him out onto the quiet neighborhood street. The next day, she’d changed all her locks because everyone probably had a key.

Turns out she didn’t need to bother. There weren’t any more visits. She was relieved. She didn’t plan to go no contact with her family forever, but she needed some time off .

“Yellow?” Kimble grumbled, staring at the shirt.

“It’s off white, not yellow,” Cora corrected and urged him toward the fitting room. “Go try it on. You can’t keep wearing the same two shirts and pants forever anyway. They don’t even fit you. We might as well get you some new items now.”

Kimble handed the shirt back. “Blue.”

Now they were getting somewhere. “You could’ve said that earlier when I asked what color you liked.” She put the off-white shirt back and pulled out one in navy blue and held it out to him. “Here, how about this one?”

Giving in, Kimble accepted the shirt and headed into the fitting room. The door was closing when Cora tossed several pairs of jeans at him. “Try these too!”

She heard a grumble as the door snicked shut. Pike smiled at her as they waited for Kimble to show them how the clothing fit.

“This is great,” he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. It was the default position both men assumed the moment they were still for more than a few seconds at a time. The one who didn’t get the position behind her would take one of her hands. Other people gave them looks but no one said anything. This was Southern California. They were more likely to get offers for sex parties than condemnation from a passerby.

“You like shopping?” Cora asked.

“I’m not big into shopping, but it’s great that we’re getting Kimble new clothes. He really needed them,” Pike answered, leaning over to nuzzle his face into her hair. “You smell good.”

She relaxed into his embrace. “You always say that.”

“That’s because it’s always true.”

The door to the fitting room swung open revealing a scowling vampire wearing clothing that didn’t look like it was going to disintegrate at any moment.

Cora pulled away from Pike to get a closer look at the fit of the jeans. “You look great. Does it feel good?”

Kimble grunted and shrugged. That was probably the best she was going to get. Noting the size on the jeans and shirt, she stepped back. “Go ahead and change back.”

Kimble looked relieved but didn’t close the door. “Done?”

“We’re done with clothes shopping, but there's one more store I want to visit.” She bit her lip to keep from smiling at the look of disappointment on Kimble’s face. The vampire was definitely a homebody and wasn’t fond of going out in public. He absolutely hated places crowded with people.

His favorite curse to mutter when he was annoyed at the humans around them was peasant . Sometimes it was foolish peasant. Thankfully, he hadn’t started any fights yet, probably because Pike was with them. They needed to work on Kimble’s lack of public politeness, or he’d have to stay home on the evenings when Cora and Pike went out.

“One more stop, then home?” he asked.

“Yes, one more stop and then we’ll go home,” she agreed and heard Pike chuckle behind her when Kimble slammed the door shut.

After buying six of the same shirts in shades of blue and three pairs of jeans, they all piled back into Pike’s car. She really needed to take Pike car shopping because the Caddy had been reluctant to start for the last few days. Pike promised he’d service the carburetor that weekend and it would run like new, but Cora had doubts.

Judging by the way the Caddy shuddered and clunked every time Pike put it in drive, it was clear the car also had doubts.

It didn’t take long to arrive at their next destination, and Cora was delighted by the look of absolute joy on Kimble’s face.

“Books!” he breathed, pressing his face to the window like a kid as Pike pulled into a parking spot.

“I noticed you’d read the few physical books I had,” Cora commented as Pike got out and flipped the seat forward for them. “I thought about getting you an e-reader but decided you might like this instead. There are a few used bookstores we can visit some other time. Imani reads a lot too, and she’s always swapping books with people. I bet she’s got a collection we could—oh!”

Her words were cut off by Kimble picking her up and sprinting across the parking lot and into the building. Pike laughed and chased after them.

Cora liked to read the occasional book but nothing like Imani, or Kimble apparently! He made his way to the nearest row of books labeled fiction and started looking while still holding her. When he wanted to pull a book off a shelf, he turned to Pike and handed her over.

“You could’ve put me down,” she laughed as Pike cuddled her to his chest .

“I like this better,” Pike said.

Catching some side eye from one of the employees, Cora tapped his arm. “Put me down so I can look at the magazines. You stay with Kimble and keep him to one armload, okay?”

Pike put her down with obvious reluctance. “I can’t promise anything.”

Chuckling, she headed to the racks of shiny magazines and found the section on fashion. She’d flipped through several by the time Kimble and Pike appeared at her side, both of them loaded down with books.

Eyeing their burdens, she did a quick calculation in her head. “I think doing drugs would’ve been cheaper!”

Ignoring her words, Kimble set his books down on a nearby table and took the magazine out of her hands. “Fancy clothing?”

Embarrassed, she snatched it back. “I like pretty dresses and shiny outfits.”

“Don’t be defensive,” Pike said, setting down the stack he was holding. “He was surprised. You are so practical, and you don’t have any showy clothing at home. I don’t think you own a dress or skirt. I didn’t think you were interested in fashion.”

“Sorry,” Cora mumbled, rolling the magazine into a tight tube. “I want to wear gorgeous things like Imani does, but I’m not as pretty as her. I’d look like an idiot.”

Kimble growled. “You beautiful.”

Pike looked upset. “Both you and Imani are beautiful women.”

Cora snorted. “Imani is tall and curvy, I’m short and built like a plank of wood. I don’t have breasts, hips, or an ass, not to mention I’m ungodly pale. I could never pull off any of these dresses.”

When Kimble scowled and Pike looked like he was going to protest more, Cora held up her hand to stop them. “I’m not putting myself down. I’m stating facts.”

“The facts as you see them,” Pike responded, sliding in closer to her and taking the magazine from her grip. “Kimble and I see very different facts.”

Cora tried very hard not to be charmed. “You can’t possibly tell me that I’m prettier than Imani.”

Pike tilted his head. “Why do you think beauty is a zero-sum game? There is no winner or loser. ”

She blinked, surprised by Pike’s words. “That’s an enlightened view.”

Pike gave her a shy smile. “I never found anyone beautiful before Kimble and you. For a long time, I thought there was something wrong with me and then someone suggested I was demisexual. That made so much sense to me and also made me realize that beauty, lust, and love can be different for everyone.”

Cora put a hand on Pike’s arm. “Have you had sex before us?”

Pike snorted out a laugh. “Of course I have! I haven’t had many partners because I had a hard time coming, but I’m not totally inexperienced.”

Cora let out a relieved sigh. “Thank fuck.”

“Don’t worry, you didn’t corrupt an innocent virgin,” he teased. Holding up the magazine, Pike’s expression turned serious. “Cora, you’re as beautiful as any of these women.”

“Sure.” Cora tried to look like she believed him then moved to distraction. “Are all these books for Kimble?”

“Except for that one,” Pike said, pointing to a book on drawing.

“You draw?” Cora asked.

“Not yet,” Pike answered with a boyish grin. “That’s why I need the book.”

“That’s fair,” Cora said with a chuckle. “If you boys are ready, then let’s check out before Kimble has me buying the entire store!”

“There’s one more place I want to stop at,” Pike said as he gathered up all the books he’d set down. He was still holding the magazine and pulled it out of her reach when she tried to take it to put back. “I want that too.”

He’d dropped the subject of beauty, so she let him include the magazine in the purchases. Loaded down with bags of books, they piled back into the Caddy, then held their breath while Pike finessed it into starting. Once it was clunked into drive, Pike drove the vehicle to a trendy outlet mall.

“My sister shops here a lot,” he said after he’d parked and urged everyone to follow him. “She says they have the best selection.”

Cora started feeling uneasy as Pike walked past several boutiques full of the latest fashions. “What are we shopping for? ”

“Sparkles!” Pike declared as he opened a door and gestured for her and Kimble to follow. Cora went still in the doorway, blocking traffic and getting some curious glances.

“I don’t want to go in there.” She sounded like a petulant child, but that was better than sounding half panicked, which was how she felt.

“We don’t have to,” Pike agreed, but didn’t move. “I’d like to point out that Kimble tried on outfits when you asked him to. It’s only fair that you return the favor.”

Kimble stepped up behind her. “I pick something,” he whispered in her ear, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. “I pick something for us. You wear it for us.”

Cora’s resistance melted. The idea that anything from this store would only be seen by Pike and Kimble made it sexy and fun instead of intimidating and potentially humiliating.

“Fine, but only one outfit,” she agreed and let Kimble lead her into the store with Pike right behind them.

***

Cora was impressed with Kimble’s ability to pick out items that fit her. She was in the third dress he’d insisted she try on and it fit her body as if it was made for her.

The one she was currently wearing was made of sparkly gold material that shimmered as she moved. The spaghetti straps left her shoulders and arms bare, drawing attention to her lean muscles. Far from looking flat chested and pale, the fabric draped over her to make her appear lithe and elegant.

This was the type of dress she’d always wanted to buy but never did.

The lighting in the dressing room was soft and flattering and helped Cora imagine what the dress would look like in a public setting. This was the kind of dress you wore to dance the night away at a club. Add a black shawl and it was perfect for a romantic dinner at a fancy restaurant. The necklace Kimble had given her matched the dress perfectly, almost as if the two had been designed for each other.

“Can we see?” Pike called out from the other side of the dressing room door. Cora looked at the door and clutched her hands together.

“Um, maybe,” she whispered .

“Please?” Pike responded. She’d forgotten about his amazing hearing. “Kimble looks like he’s ready to pull the door off to get to you.”

Pike’s warning made her smile and relax a little. These were her men; they’d never hurt her feelings. Opening the door slowly, she stared at the floor and waited for their reactions. When no one spoke, she looked up to find both men gazing at her intensely. Kimble with raw hunger, and Pike with admiration.

“You're perfect,” Pike murmured, stepping inside the small room. He took both her hands in his and pulled her out of the fitting room. Letting go of one hand, he raised the other above her head and guided her in a slow pirouette. “You make this dress look amazing.”

Kimble grunted in agreement. “Shiny is you.”

Cora flushed from all the compliments. “It’s not practical.”

“Oh hun, you’ve got to get it,” a woman standing next to a nearby rack said. She had a soft Texas accent and flawless ebony skin with tightly curled hair styled in a small afro around her head. She had several items draped over one arm and a massive purse hanging off the opposite shoulder. Her dark, friendly eyes sparkled with appreciation. “If I didn’t know my wife would object, I’d talk you into joining us.”

A wide grin unfurled across Cora’s face. “Thanks.”

“I’m only speaking God's honest truth. Now you get that dress and let these boys take you out for a nice evening. And if either of them makes you unhappy, you come find me.” She fished around in her purse then produced a business card. “My name’s Mama Monroe, and I’ll give this bear and vampire a piece of my mind if they don’t treat you right. You hear me, sweetie?”

Kimble glared at her. “Go away.”

Mama Monroe wasn’t intimidated by Kimble at all. “What are you, about 2500 years old? Don’t get fussy with me, young man. I’ve dealt with tissue paper tougher than you.”

Cora felt her mouth drop at the woman's bold words. Then Monroe raised an eyebrow, and her skin glowed slightly.

Pike looked wary as he tucked Cora under his arm and reached out to pull Kimble behind him. “Are you a cupid?”

“Well spotted,” she said. “What gave it away?”

“Silver glow,” Pike murmured. He didn’t stop moving until they were several steps away. Cora noticed Kimble didn’t resist Pike’s movement. That told her very clearly that Mama Monroe was a powerful creature. “Cora hasn’t agreed to be part of Kimble’s flock yet, but she loves us. Please don’t take her away.”

Mama Monroe frowned. “Why y’all always thinking we’re going to steal your love? That’s not how it works. We break bonds that were never meant to be, that’s all. Your Cora is safe. And I don’t like that cupid nonsense. We were around before that word, and we’ll be around long after it’s gone out of fashion.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Pike answered quickly. “I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s all I know you by.”

“That’s fair,” she agreed, then turned her gaze on Cora. Monroe’s expression didn’t change, but Cora felt as if some weight was being pressed down on her. She sucked in a breath and found she couldn’t look away from the woman’s eyes. The way Pike and Kimble tensed told her they were experiencing something similar.

“Ah, that’s good,” Monroe cooed. “Not only is this a good match, but all of your souls have matched before.”

Another woman appeared next to Monroe. She had long, light brown hair pulled up in a high ponytail. Her tank top and tight jeans showed off her heavily muscled body as she held up a shirt and shorts combo. “Honey, what do you think?”

Then she noticed the three of them basically huddled together in the dressing room. “M, are you scaring people again? We’ve talked about this!”

Monroe laughed and pulled the woman into her embrace. “I didn’t mean to, Ellie. I was only making sure that sweet child knew she looked great in that dress. Then I gave her my card and the bear got a little fearful. That’s all.”

Ellie turned in Monroe’s arms and took in Cora’s dress. “Damn girl! You’ve got some nice muscle definition, you work out?”

The moment Monroe hugged Ellie, Cora was released from whatever magic had been weighing her down. She cleared her throat before answering. “Not deliberately, like at a gym or anything. My job’s really physical.”

“Nice!” Ellie said, then turned to look at Monroe over her shoulder. “If we’re going to make dinner with Jo, we need to buy this stuff and get going. ”

“Oh, yes,” Monroe agreed, letting Ellie go and snatching the shirt and shorts from her. “I’ll get these for you and meet you out front. Tell these three they’re safe, will you?”

Monroe bustled off, grabbing one more item off the rack as she moved to the cashier’s station.

Ellie gave them a little shrug. “She means well, I promise. It’s only that she can get a little enthusiastic when she sees soul mates. She’s had to lose and find me so many times that it makes her sensitive to others.”

“Uh, find you?” Cora asked.

“Her kind are immortal but only have one soul mate. Every time I die, she has to wait for me to be reborn and then hope she can find me before I die again. It’s cruel but also beautiful in a way. I’ve gotten to fall in love with her thousands of times, and she swears every incarnation is new and different. She says the pain makes our time together all that much sweeter.”

“That’s nice for you two,” Cora said, then winced once the words were out of her mouth. That was by far the stupidest thing she could have possibly said!

Ellie’s smile didn’t waver. She was probably used to people responding in odd ways. “You really need to get that dress. Then you guys should visit Sanguine over in the Gas Lamp district. They have the best drinks and all three of you will be able to enjoy something. Have fun! Please do everything I’d do!”

With a laugh, she turned and rushed off. Monroe was standing at the open door of the boutique with an indulgent smile on her face. The two of them linked arms and strode out of the store. Cora could’ve sworn that the moment they touched, both were glowing faintly.

“Woah,” she whispered, relaxing against Pike. “I’ve had more interesting experiences after meeting you guys than I have my entire life, and that includes the time I almost accidentally joined a cult.”

Before either of them could respond, the clerk came up to them. “Your friend paid for your dress,” she explained, handing Cora a receipt and then handing her a soft pashmina shawl with jet black beading on the ends. “And this. You can wear it out or you can change. ”

Cora accepted the piece of paper and shawl. She wasn’t about to chase down some immortal and demand to pay her back. It looked like she was getting a fancy dress today.

“I should probably change,” she said, and the clerk started to nod, but Pike spoke up.

“Or you could keep it on,” he said. “You know, the Gas Lamp district isn’t very far, and I’ve been wanting to see inside Sanguine. Kimble could change into one of the outfits you bought him, and I’ve got a nicer shirt in the car. We could finish this date night in style.”

Kimble nodded with enough enthusiasm to send his untidy hair flopping in his face. “Yes. Must agree.”

Cora wasn’t about to argue because she really didn’t want to take the dress off. She looked at the clerk with a smile. “Got any shoes to match this?”

Pike and Kimble cheered.