14. Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Z ylus

I landed in my bedroom, then shifted into my corporeal form. It was a good thing too, because Misty had already returned. I needed a shower anyway, to decompress and get Nivar's smell off me.

Look at Misty, so beautiful. She can't tear her gaze from me as I join her. It's a good thing she's attracted to me. I can't wait to take our relationship to the next level.

Although last night I was the one to suggest we put the brakes on, I was hoping she would want to press forward. It took all our self-control to go to sleep on separate pallets.

I enjoy her company. We have so much in common. She's smart and funny, and if the way she treats little Vortex is any indication, she has a lot of affection to give.

Working with her on this project is going to be a treat.

I join her on the floor and eat the roast vermack and sides she bought from the grocery. I have no intention of mentioning what vermacks look like. If she knew, she wouldn't eat it, and I want her to save her energy for what I hope will come later tonight—her .

We're laughing and joking, telling stories about our youth. In between talking and eating, Misty manages to stuff our new pet full of not only the veterinarian-approved smelka snaps we bought at the pet shop, but little bites of vermack.

I've never before seen a wild animal so eager to become domesticated. Perhaps it's the ridiculous pet bed Misty bought him that has a little crown embroidered on it, maybe it's the table scraps, or maybe it's the way Misty's fingers comb through his blue hair. I can't wait until those fingers get busy stroking me.

Perhaps she catches my glance or the heated look in my eyes.

"Tired?" Her question sounds innocent enough, but as that one word echoes around the wood-paneled room, its meaning becomes deeper and more filled with sexual innuendo with each moment that passes.

"That meal energized me." I keep my response neutral but pierce her with a meaningful stare, then wait to see if she takes the bait.

"Maybe you could… add a few logs to the fire and we could… watch the flames."

I knew I liked this female. "Watch the flames. Great idea."

I'm in such a hurry, I have to order myself not to shift to my spectral form to shave a few seconds off the task. Instead, I saunter to the fireplace, kneel, and feed wood to the flames in slow motion, allowing her to see my muscles flex in the dim light.

"Will I have muscles like yours when we're done with this project?"

Good to see my little performance wasn't lost on her.

"It depends on how much you watch and how much you do ," I say over my shoulder, cramming my words with as much blatant sexuality as possible.

"I've always liked to dive into the deep end." Her gaze dips first to my mouth, then my cock which is straining against my thin pants .

"You're a brave one, getting that loan, letting a stranger move in with you." I return to our makeshift dining table. This time I don't sit across from her, but settle close, my hip brushing hers. "What kind of brave thing might you want to try tonight?"

I've never been clever at flirting, a fact my brother never failed to tease me about in our teen years. It seems I'm suddenly a master at it because, by the look of raw sensuality on Misty's face, she's going to give me a very sexy answer.

"All those years behind a desk at the hotel, I never did much with my hands. Maybe tonight you might help give me some hands-on experience ."

Oh, Misty. That was good, especially the way her gaze flew to my pulsing cock.

"Very astute. It might be quite beneficial to give you some direct experience with something hard as wood before we attack the baseboards tomorrow. Anything else you want to attack ?"

"Well, the plumbing hasn't been used in a while. Perhaps we should make an attempt to unclog the pipes?"

"Excellent idea." I lean close, letting my warm breath graze her ear, then I sit up, waiting to hear what she suggests next. When she pauses, I add, "Are you prepared for that? Sometimes these things spurt and gush. They tend to make things wet. Are you okay with getting wet, Misty? Very, very wet?"

Her mouth must be dry because her only response is to nod as that pretty pink tongue flicks out to lick her lips.

"Sometimes, pipes of this age need extra attention. I've heard it said that, occasionally, the best formula for success is to insert something inside and give them a gentle thrusting action."

Misty swallows. I have to give her credit. Her gaze doesn't flinch from mine as she asks, "And if… gentle doesn't do the trick? "

"I've heard tell that sometimes only vigorous ramming, pounding, and deep, deep penetration will do."

I'm sure her scent has been swirling around me for long minutes, but I was so engaged in our verbal foreplay I didn't notice until this moment. Now that I'm aware of it, the scent of her arousal is so thick I could taste it if I thrust my tongue into the air. That would scandalize her though, right?

My tongue must have a mind of its own because it slides between my lips to test the air. Damned if I can't taste her spicy feminine desire.

It's all been fun and games, but I can't move from words to action. I need her to be the one to pull the trigger.

"So, Zylus, would you be willing to give me some hands-on experience?" She arches her back, thrusting her pointed nipples at me in case I somehow missed how firm and needy they are. "Now?"

"That can be arranged."