CHAPTER 12

He needed a drink.

Maybe Kalli was right after all. There was something undefinable and potent between humans that was lacking in the human/parbot relationship. Although he had never experienced it this strongly. Seeing her come apart in his arms... Even if he had not achieved his own climax, it had been unbearably erotic.

But if the pleasure was real, so were the complications and pain; he would do well to remember that. He only hoped that he didn’t become too addicted to the feeling.

He had experienced the pain and devastation of failed human relationships. If he were wise, he would retreat. But even as his mind thought about it, he rejected the idea. For better or worse, the proverbial Pandora’s box had been opened and there was no way to put its contents back inside.

He would ride this all the way to the end. It should be fine, as long as they adhered to the rules in place.

Traversing the bustling lobby, he headed towards the bar. Leaving Kalli all soft and pliant and begging for more was hell on his cock. It had been so tempting to take her invitation. Crawl into bed with her and slake the lust coursing through his body.

Only two reasons stopped him from doing so. One, Kalli needed to rest, and he had told her the truth. Sleeping would not be an option with him in bed. Second, he didn’t like this uncontrollable lust he was feeling. His emotions were in turmoil, craving her all the time. It was not good for either of them. They had agreed to an uncomplicated sexual relationship for the sake of slaking their pent-up lust while on this mission. It wouldn’t do to develop a dependency on her.

He sat at the bar and ordered a brandy. As the bartender went to get it, a portly gentleman and a young lady sat to his right.

“Delightful weather we are having, don’t you think?” the gentleman asked.

Dariux looked to his side and confirmed the question was for him. Damn, he wasn’t in the mood for banal conversation. Why couldn’t they have sat somewhere else? It is not as if the bar was full this early in the afternoon. There were plenty of empty seats. Manners forced him to reply.

“I suppose.” Hopefully, the shortness of the answer would dissuade the gentleman from prattling on. No such luck.

“Name is Johnson. And this is my wife, Julianna. First time we’ve stayed in this hotel. I have to say, I’m impressed with the accommodations. I wanted a simple place, but the wife likes the bathing chambers and the lifts. Very modern.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Is this your first stay here, too?”

“It is.” How could he end this conversation without appearing rude?

“Here on business or pleasure?”

Mr. Johnson’s determination made escape impossible, so engagement was the only choice. They could prove useful subjects for their research, if nothing else. Dariux looked at him and then at Mrs. Johnson. She was quiet and demure, a stark contrast to her boisterous husband. She looked much younger than him, too. He had to be in his sixties, and she in her mid-twenties. Could they be one of those mythical loving couples? Somehow, he doubted it. Mr. Johnson wore a perfectly tailored, fine suit, and his wife was garbed in silk and lace, her throat and wrists dripping with jewels. It was probably a marriage of convenience. Her youth and beauty for his money and protection. Ah, yes. Love was rare and difficult to find. Even in these times.

Bringing his mind back to the conversation, he responded, “A bit of both. Mainly business, but no reason to avoid a little pleasure while we are here.”

“Quite! That’s what I told my dear wife. I promised her London entertainments if she would accompany me on this business trip.”

“Such a neat arrangement,” Dariux replied with an amused smile. “I shall strive to entice my wife with the promise of pleasure as well.”

Mr. Johnson laughed. “Did she refuse to accompany you? Left her all alone at home, did you?”

“Not at all. She is now resting upstairs, but I’m sure we will be attending some entertainment tonight.”

“Speaking of which. Don’t know if you heard, Mr....”

Ah! The man had finally realized he had not introduced himself.

“Kinkaid” Dariux supplied smoothly. “Dariux Kinkaid”

“Right, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kinkaid. As I was saying, speaking of entertainment, tonight is the Langham Ball. It is quite the event. People from all over the city seek admittance. Of course, as guests at the hotel, we are all invited. Will you and your wife attend?”

“A ball, you say. I will have to ask my wife. I’m sure she would like to attend if she is feeling better.”

“Of course, of course. Women are quite delicate. They get faint when forced to travel much. If you excuse me for a moment. I need to visit one of those fancy water closets.”

With that, he left, leaving his wife sitting at the bar with him. Dariux studied the woman. She was tall and blond. Precisely the type of beauty he favored. But she had not said a word while her husband chattered. Was he expected to make polite conversation with her now? What did women of the nineteenth century like to talk about? His concern was unfounded, however, because as soon as Mr. Johnson exited the room, Mrs. Johnson transformed before his eyes. The demureness slipped away as if it were a veil, revealing a seductive gaze.

“I hope you will attend the ball, Mr. Kinkaid.” Her voice was smooth and warm, like the brandy he was drinking. It sent a frisson of awareness down his spine. “I’m sure your presence will make the occasion more enjoyable.”

She took a sip, and his eyes homed on her lips. So full and lush. They seemed to caress the rim of the glass. Was this an invitation? No. It couldn’t be. Her husband had just excused himself for a few minutes. Whatever his fevered brain was imagining, this woman could not be propositioning him. Stuff like this didn’t happen in his time, which he appreciated. Another point supporting parbots over human relationships.

“I... Um... I’m sure the occasion will be enjoyable regardless, but I will endeavor to entice my wife to attend.” Now he was hiding behind Kalli’s skirts. Fantastic. He must look like a weakling. He was not equipped to deal with married seductresses from the 1800s.

Mrs. Johnson pouted. “Even if she doesn’t feel up to dick, I hope you will attend. I will endeavor to make it worth your while. Although, she’d be foolish to let a handsome man like you go alone.”

His brain froze, while his unruly cock gave an involuntary twitch as her eyes roamed over him. The look was an unmistakable invitation. To what, he wasn’t sure. Despite her flirtations, she looked more determined than overcome by lust. There was something brittle about her exaggerated charm.

The return of her husband saved him from having to reply. Thank goodness! He ought to stay away from the Johnsons. This woman was a complication he didn’t need.

If these were the kind of relationships humans had in these times, he wasn’t missing out on anything. Refuting this evidence on flawed human relationships would be hard for Kalli. He could even argue there was more honesty in the human/parbot relationship. At least there were no hurt feelings or dissatisfaction involved.

He had better take his leave before Mr. Johnson launched into another diatribe. Downing what was left of his drink, he stood.

“I must get going. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance.”

“If you get bored with dancing and gossip, some of us will be in the card room for gentlemen’s entertainment. Perhaps we’ll meet again tonight.”

Not if he could help it, and not without Kalli as a shield against the forward Mrs. Johnson.