He smiled, then kissed me again, this time soft and gentle. “Friday night?”
I had plans with the girlfriends Friday night so I suggested Saturday instead.
“Saturday it is.” He kissed me once more, brief but lingering.
I climbed into my car, started the engine, then waved to Dean in my rear view. He was a good guy. Yeah, his conversation had been a bit rambling, but I hadn’t really done my part to contribute and first dates were always a little stressful. I needed to give him another chance. I needed to go home, shower and go to bed, get enough sleep for my busy day tomorrow.
But I didn’t go home.
Instead I drove a few blocks, circled around, parked, and went back to the restaurant.
6
ENG
I’d finished my steak and potatoes, but couldn’t bring myself to leave and go back to my horrible den. This nightmare seemed unending. Ozar had forced us all into our skates and onto the ice this afternoon, insisting we learn this game so we could perform for the humans. I refused, leaning against the wall so I didn’t fall as the others slipped around on the knife-blades attached to their shoes.
Idiots.
But I was just as much of an idiot for remaining here in this world. The match on Tinder had been very interested in the prospect of marrying me, coming home to my kingdom, and bearing my children, but after one day I’d stopped replying to her. And I couldn’t bring myself to swipe right on any of the other Tinder matches either.
There were plenty of human females in this establishment who were an appropriate age for breeding and whose appearance was acceptable. They were eyeing me, smiling in a way that indicated they would be open to conversation at a minimum and possibly even an offer of sex. A few glasses of alcohol and I could leave with one. Getting the female to theportal would involve some logistical challenges since I didn’t have access to a human transportation vehicle, let alone know how to operate one, but there were options. The shrew had used her phone to arrange for a car with a driver. If I could arrange for something similar, I could get my chosen female to the portal and back home before the angels ever knew what was happening—and before the female had a chance to protest.
The shrew.
I needed to not think about the shrew.
Or think about how the prospect of going home wasn’t any more appealing than remaining here, even if I did complete my task and bring home a female. A wedding with a human bride. Regular intercourse to ensure the continuance of our line. Attending endless meetings where I had no authority to do anything. My only job right now was to learn and be ready for when my strong and healthy father either died or became fragile enough to pass over the reins of the kingdom. Neither of those seemed to be likely in the foreseeable future, which left my job to procreation and mind-numbing meetings.
Someone slid onto the barstool beside me. I inhaled and caught that vanilla, floral, and distinct female scent that had so recently filled all my senses.
Her. The shrew. Sitting beside me. I stiffened, in more ways than one, not sure if I should look over to her or not. An elbow poked my side and a thigh brushed against mine.
“Fancy meeting you here.”
I turned to look at her and a low growl escaped my lips. It felt unreal that fate would give me a second chance like this. When she’d left me Saturday night, I’d assumed I’d never see her again, but here she was.
Fate? The mountain gods giving me a nudge? It had to be, because what were the odds?
“Happy to see you too.” She leaned across the bar to wave at the human male serving drinks, telling him that she wanted something called a Syrah, and one for me as well.
Her ass was right there within reach. Round and so very firm. I remembered my hands on that flesh, holding her up as the muscles tensed under my hands.
She sat back down on the stool with a bounce and grinned at me. “Why are you here?”
I motioned toward the empty plate. “Dinner.”
“Yeah, me too. Did you get the ribeye? It’s fucking fabulous here. Red meat for the win.”
I did indeed eat the steak called “ribeye.” The male behind this bar had suggested it and I had truly enjoyed the slab of barely cooked meat.
“How’s the hockey practice going? Are you all ready for this week’s game? We’ve got tickets. I’m hoping you all play better than this past weekend.”
I scowled, knowing we would not play better, and that I would not partake in the stupid game.
The human male placed two drinks in front of us. The fragile glasses had long delicate stems and bulbous cups that held dark red liquid. It reminded me of clear versions of the tall flowers that rose between the grayish-green rocks of our mountain paths, filled with blood-like nectar.
“Cheers.” She held her glass up toward me. I lifted the one in front of me in response, and we both drank.
