Rule 5 - Tanis

DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR GOAL.

" Y ou certainly have a type."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I hissed, shutting the door quickly. I peered out the peep hole, and thankfully, Damon had already disappeared down the hall. I turned as Craven rolled off the bed and padded over to my purse. He dug through, finding my wallet. I crossed my arms under my chest. "What are you doing?"

"Proving something." He pulled out a piece of paper and spun around, offering it to me. I took it from his little paw and stared at it, sadness welling in my chest. It was a photo of Craven and I, days before the ritual. We were so happy then.

"Look familiar?" Craven waved his hand in a circle around his face.

"Damon looks nothing like you!" I took a second look at the picture and counted the similarities. Damon and Craven did look... similar. Even down to the dimples. "Okay, maybe a little."

"A little?" He laughed. "He could be my brother."

"He's larger than you were," I observed.

"His dick or his muscles?" He snorted.When I didn't reply, he stopped laughing. "Tanis, did you two..."

"No! I mean, notthat. Just a lot of hand stuff, I promise." I handed him the photo back. He glared at me, trying to get me to confess to something I didn't do. I'd told him when I met that I was a virgin, and I was telling the truth. I'd wanted my first to be Craven, and it was supposed to be that day...right after the ritual.

"Tell me the truth."

I raised my hands in innocence. "I swear. I jerked him off a few times, and he did the same to me. He was my first boyfriend, and he had no clue what he was doing back then. I hardly even enjoyed it." It was true. Damon had been horribly uneducated in the female anatomy. Hopefully, he'd learned a thing or two.

"Why did you two break up?" he asked, pacing.

"He moved." I shrugged. "We talked a few times on the phone but fizzled out fast. I haven't seen him since I was fifteen." I paused, putting my hand on my hip. "Cravey, are you jealous?" I grinned and hurried to him, swiping him off the floor into my arms.

"Put me down! No, I'm not fucking jealous," he lied. He kicked and fought against me as I squeezed him to me.

"You're so adorable when you're jealous!" I giggled.

"What did I say about that word?"

"Oh, don't be like that. You want to come to the panel with me? Damon is going to be there. I can flirt some more." I plopped on the bed and kicked off my heels. "I am a little tired, actually. I think I'll nap before the panel." Yawning, I laid down and closed my eyes.

"Like hell, we need to talk about this. I want his body."

I bolted up and blinked rapidly.

"Really?" I looked at my little bear boyfriend. Had we found a body for Craven? "Are you sure?"

"If his cock is as big as your eyes got when I asked, then hell yeah, let's do it."

I squealed and leaped up, heading to the bathroom. "Well now I can't sleep! I'll take a bath and refresh my face."

Two hours later, I left my room with Craven in my arms and an excited bounce in my step. I flashed security my badge for the panel and was escorted to my seat on the stage. I was the first one there, so I set Craven up on his little stand and waited. I spotted Damon shortly after. I waved eagerly.

"Damon! Come sit next to me!"

He spotted me in the dim room and his charming grin brightened his face as he hurried down the slanted walkway. He saw his place card was a few seats down and quickly changed it with whoever was meant to be next to me. My stomach fluttered with perfect little butterflies. It'd been a long time since that had happened.

"Hey stranger. How was your nap?"

He leaned on the table with his elbow and I took a moment to really take him in. He did bear a striking resemblance to Craven. Cornflower eyes, the dimpled chin. His hair, while a similar, almost identical shade of strawberry blonde, was shorter than Craven used to wear. I could totally fall for this body. I'd already fallen for the soul that would take it over.

"I actually opted for a nice, long bath." I sighed contentedly. I stretched and motioned to the suitcase he'd brought with him. "Did you bring a friend too?" I motioned to Craven, resting in the little chair I bought for him for these things. Damon perked up and reached for his luggage. He unlocked it and brought out a doll I recognized in an instant.

"Ooh, a ‘Carry me Carrie' doll! And she's still in her original pink dress!" I wanted desperately to touch her but pulled back. "Where did you get it?"

"She was my sister's. When she passed away, we divvied out her things and I got stuck with her. I call her Delia," he said, his cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. "I know it's not very masculine, but the doll got me into collecting so it's worth keeping around."

I lowered my hands and clasped them together under the table, pushing up my breasts. Damon's gorgeous eyes dipped down, and when he reached my face again, I smiled wide. "Gender conformities are old news." I waved away his concerns. "I think Delia is a great name for her. You've kept her in amazing condition."

My compliment sent Damon into a rush of words. He gushed about the steps he took to keep the doll maintained during his constant traveling. Much like me and Craven, he toured the toy circuits too.

"It's a wonder our paths haven't crossed before," I admonished and reached for his hand above the table. "It'd be nice to have a friend at these things."

Damon licked his perfect lips and started to say something but was interrupted when wewere joined by the other experts with their collectable dolls and the room filled up with excited fans and collectors, all waiting to hear us speak on a topic we were well versed in.

Despite not getting the chance to talk moreintimately during the panel,I made a point to always be flirting with Damon when I got the chance, and soon, we began a playful banter on stage, much to the crowd's enjoyment. After the hour was over, the crowd stood and began to disperse. I waited in my seat for the other panelists to leave. Damon stood from his chair but held back after placing Delia in his suitcase.

"You want to get a drink at the bar? I'd really love to catch up." He offered me his hand, and I pushed my seat out, using him to stand. I ran my thumb across the top of his fingers. I'd already spotted no ring, but I wanted him to know I was looking.

"I'd love that. Let me take Craven upstairs and I'll meet you down."

"I'll walk you to the elevator." He put his hand on my lower back and together we walked out of the large room and back to our rooms.

"Why didn't you put Craven in your case?" Damon nodded to the bear in my arms.

"I prefer not to if I can. He likes the fresh air," I joked. Well, to Damon, I joked. My Cravey-poo really did like the fresh air. He hated when he was put inside a suitcase or made to play still. "I leave him out as much as I can."

"Even in more... intimate scenarios?" Damon raised an eyebrow suggestively. I paused in the hallway and turned to him. I ran a finger down his very toned chest, my body clenching at the idea of what exactly was under his clothes.

"He likes to watch. I promise he won't say a word. Do you still want to play with me?" I teased.

"I want to play with you!"

Both of us stiffened instantly, and his eyes shot to the toy bear in my arms.

"I thought you said his voice box was broke."