Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Rule Number 7- A feeder should read the entire contract before agreeing to the terms. A solid understanding of the foundation is important for a healthy client/ feeder relationship.

After the feeding, the rest of the afternoon was uneventful. Ozen’s mood was very much improved and Avery was smiling and relaxed even after a very rude phone call from a client who had some choice words about how long he’d had to wait to get a phone call appointment with Ozen and how he shouldn’t have to be put on hold longer if Avery could do his job correctly. When Avery relayed the conversation to Ozen, he secretly enjoyed the dark look on Ozen’s face. He had no doubt that man would learn to be more polite or face Ozen’s wrath.

Avery went home with a feeder contract tucked under his arm and a few cookies from a satyr from account management who came to Ozen’s office for a meeting. He’d been trying to teach himself to bake and no one would be a guinea pig for his creations. Only with Avery’s seal of approval did the rest of the secretary pool take the offered treat. They were a little oily but still delicious, and Avery offered to be a taste tester in the future because he couldn’t say no to a little sugar.

He arrived at his tiny studio apartment just before the sun fully set. His apartment was so small that it didn’t have a full kitchen, so the delivery guy with his dinner met him at the door right as he arrived. Convenient timing. Avery tipped him generously and took the stairs two at a time to his fifth floor apartment, feeling much more energetic than he usually did at the end of a long work day.

His apartment was small but neat, with a kitchen that shouldn’t really count as a kitchen, since it only had a sink and a small fridge, and two windows that opened to the fire escape, letting in almost zero natural light. But the bathroom was upgraded and quite nice, and the neighborhood was well lit and safe. Avery wasn’t a big cook anyway, so he didn’t mind. The bathroom was just off the entrance, the kitchen tucked into one corner near the windows. His desk with his computer was near the kitchen, out of direct view of the windows to discourage burglars, and his bed was across from it. There wasn’t a ton of room for much else, but he had a little sitting area with a tiny tv at the foot of his bed, and plenty of storage for his things taking up what space was left. Even so, he didn’t invite people over often because there wasn’t a lot of breathing room.

Setting his dinner and the paperwork on the little coffee table in front of the couch, Avery stripped off his jacket and shoes, setting them neatly by the door. He hadn’t felt cold all day, but he considered that maybe, possibly, that had something to do with the interaction with Ozen. He’d been warm and tingly ever since.

An almost giddy expression flashed across his face, and he slid across the floor in his socks to the rack with his suits, carefully hanging the one he wore. He couldn’t afford that many, so he was careful not to get them dirty so he could re-wear them. He was thankful that Ozen had cleaned it, though he still didn’t know how. After he’d stripped to his boxers, he grabbed his pajamas from where he’d left them on the foot of the bed, then headed to the bathroom to wash his hands and face. He was eager to read through the contract, so once he was comfortable, he plopped down onto the couch and set it on the arm, reading it while he pulled his dinner out of the bag.

It was pretty standard stuff in the beginning. Contract length was one year, but could be extended if the parties agreed. The exclusivity clause Ozen had mentioned with his other feeder was in plain language, and while he could see it being beneficial for both parties, Avery worried it was too vague. Ozen was determined to adhere to it, even when his life was at risk. Avery grabbed a notepad, making note of sections he thought needed a little more clarity. The contract greatly favored the feeder, and Avery didn’t like the feeling that Ozen would be beholden to him to get what he needed. If he thought Ozen would go for it, he’d get rid of the contract completely and just agree to be there for him. But that was too emotional and Avery understood the need for a clear cut contract.

The compensation was a lot more than he’d expected. Granted, he was agreeing to being someone’s food source, but still… He got free orgasms out of the deal. He wrinkled his nose at the pay, but chose to move past it. He doubted he could convince Ozen to lower the amount. It wasn’t until they listed the risks that he understood better why feeders were paid so well.

“In the case of a feeder being incapacitated, compensation will be rewarded to the next of kin for the lifetime of the feeder,” he murmured out loud. “Incapacitated?”

He didn’t know enough about incubi to understand what that meant, so he put his curry down and switched to his desk to look up more information. The more he read, the more his eyebrows rose until they’d practically disappeared into his hairline.

It turned out that if an incubus wasn’t careful, they could drain their feeder. It wasn’t entirely like vampires, though there was mention of blood sharing that he’d have to look into more, but instead of sucking their feeder’s blood dry, they sucked away their passion instead. A drained incubus feeder would never be able to feel passion or desire ever again. They’d basically become a machine.

Avery thought back to his interaction with Ozen that afternoon. He’d looked pained, desperate, and he was starved for several weeks, but he never made Avery feel unsafe. He was careful, and when Avery offered to feed him again after he mentioned still being hungry, he’d adamantly refused. Even after everything, Ozen was determined to keep Avery safe.

Avery finished reading the contract and did more research on the internet to clarify a few things he was unsure about, but in the end, he still wanted to sign it, mostly because he’d gotten to know Ozen and he cared about his well being. No one should have to wonder where their next meal was coming from.

When he arrived at work the following morning, contract and notes under his arm, he waved to the hydra at the front desk. She was suspicious the first week, but eventually she warmed up to him and introduced herself. Clarita was her name, and she was very proud of her position. She saw herself as the first line of defense for the company and had stopped several unruly individuals from getting past the front gates in her time here. Now that she knew Avery wasn’t a threat, she nodded politely at him with two of her heads, the others busy talking to visitors and answering the phones. Avery swiped his badge on the turnstile, heading straight for the golden elevator on the right. When the doors opened, a familiar face joined him inside.

“Good morning, Mr. Martell,” Avery said calmly. He’d learned through years of being a temp that not everyone was a morning person like he was. It was better to keep his voice level and his energy down until a little later in the day. Mr. Martell seemed to appreciate it, blinking up at him blearily. He seemed to question for a second how he knew Avery before his brain fully caught up.

“You’re the temp.”

Avery nodded. “That’s right. Mr. Hawksley’s temporary assistant.”

The goblin nodded, his eyes shifting to the contract under Avery’s arm. “That looks familiar. What is it?”

Avery hesitated. He wasn’t sure if Ozen wanted their contract to be discussed in the workplace. “Um… It’s for Mr. Hawksley.”

Mr. Martell looked curious, but he didn’t push, and when the elevator arrived on the top floor, he followed Avery to his desk. After putting his things down, he knocked on Ozen’s door and poked his head in. It wasn’t often that Avery beat him here, and the incubus was in his normal spot at his desk, his eyes glued to the paperwork in front of him.

“Good morning, Mr. Hawksley. Mr. Martell is here to see you. Is now a good time?”

“Now is fine,” Ozen replied, his voice as calm as during Avery’s first week.

Avery stepped back, opening the door farther to allow Mr. Martell to pass him. He followed, slipping the contract into the inbox on Ozen’s desk as he asked, “Can I get either of you some coffee?”

Both men murmured out a polite please and he scuttled off before Ozen could ask him what he’d left on his desk. He dropped off the coffees and went straight to work, pushing the contract out of his mind until Ozen buzzed his desk to request his assistance. When he stepped inside the office, Mr. Martell was still there, flipping through the notes Avery had made on the contract. Avery came to an abrupt halt, warmth spreading through his cheeks.

“C-Can I help with something?”

Ozen gestured to the chair next to Mr. Martell and Avery hustled to obey, dropping into the seat and lacing his fingers together to stop himself from fidgeting too much.

“We’ve looked over your notes on the contract,” Ozen began, only to be interrupted by Mr. Martell.

“I’ve been telling Hawksley for years that the contract was too skewed but he refused to change it. Glad someone is finally paying attention,” he growled.

Ozen sighed, giving Mr. Martell a bland look. “No one would sign it otherwise.”

“He would.” Mr. Martell gestured to me.

“Avery is the exception, and I’m still curious as to why. You’re giving me a lot of leeway to end the contract. Have you had a change of heart?” That question was directed at Avery, and he could see the real concern on the incubus’s face. It made him feel like Ozen wanted this contract to work out as much as Avery did.

“No, nothing like that. I just felt like you deserved more protection. After what happened with the last feeder, I was worried people would take advantage of you. Our contract is only for a year, so unless this turns into a more long term arrangement, in the future you should have more protection.”

“And the notice? That wasn’t a requirement before.”

Avery made a face. “It’s common practice to give notice when leaving a job. The same should be done for a feeder. This is a job, after all. Besides, it's cruel not to give notice when you are literally responsible for nourishing someone.”

Mr. Martell jerked his thumb at Avery, his gaze locked on Ozen. “I like him. I’ve got a good feeling about this.” He hopped off the chair, taking the notes and the contract with him. “I’ll make the changes and have it sent up in an hour. And I’ll make sure the payments start as of yesterday, as you requested. I’ll see myself out.”

He headed out without a backward glance, looking much more refreshed after a cup of coffee. Avery turned back to Ozen, his curiosity overwhelming. “You two seem really close. Are you friends?”

He realized too late that his question was probably too familiar, but Ozen didn’t seem bothered by it. He nodded, gathering a few documents and handing them to Avery. “Yes, we’ve been friends for a long time. He technically works for the company, but he’s been my personal accountant longer than the company has been in existence. He handles all my feeder contracts because I know I can trust him.” He picked up his phone, frowning at the screen. “I have meetings this morning, so I’d like you to deliver those documents to research and development, then man the phones until I get back. We should be receiving a call from Collette soon with her exact return date. After that, you should contact your supervisor about our arrangement. Even if they can’t spare you to work in this building, they need to be made aware of your obligations. Feeder responsibilities are often considered something like a medical appointment and are protected by law.”

“Yes, sir. I’ve already messaged her asking when she’s free to talk, and I’m just waiting on a reply.” Avery hesitated after getting out of his seat, hovering by the desk. “Um… You said yesterday you were still hungry. Can I help today?”

Ozen studied him, and when his eyes flashed red for a second, Avery got the feeling he wasn’t just looking surface level. He’d done some research on incubi abilities. Apparently, they could tell a lot from just a look, including lack of sexual history. Which wasn’t embarrassing at all.

“Yes, I believe you are rested enough that we can schedule that. After lunch, I think. I don’t want you missing meals to feed me. It’s better if you’re well fed and rested as well.”

“Well, I slept like a baby last night, so at least on that end, I’m covered. But if I’m being totally honest, I skipped breakfast this morning. I don’t like eating too early. It upsets my stomach.”

Ozen’s lips quirked at the sides. “Thank you for your honesty. If that is your normal routine, I think it will be alright today, but I will suggest you make use of the break room. I believe Zara keeps the snack bar stocked. You can eat when you feel it won’t bother your stomach.”

Avery knew about the snack bar but never partook. He didn’t know if it was available for temps. Now that he was also Ozen’s feeder, he felt a little less awkward. The bagels looked delicious and he’d been eyeing them for weeks.

“Understood, sir. I’ll deliver these right away and update you if Collette calls.” He spun on his heel, ready to get to work, when Ozen stopped him.

“Avery?”

Glancing over his shoulder, he frowned at his boss. “Yes?”

“Thank you. Truly. I agree with Mr. Martell. I have a good feeling about this.”

Avery beamed. “Me too.”