My gaze drifts toward our weird little collection of homes. Ronin bought the farmhouse next door, and Jess moved in after her lease expired. He spends most of his time in the Dark Realm anyway. Zarreth bought the place I was renting and had a house built across the road from it. Apparently, immortality comes with long-term financial benefits.
A moment later my best friend appears, holding two cups of coffee. Her oversized hoodie is so long, you can’t see the shorts she’s wearing underneath. Well, might be wearing, anyway. For someone with a shopping addiction, she rarely wears clothes.
Looking at Zarreth, she nods her head to the side, her silky, red hair swaying as she signals for him to move. Everyone knows this swing belongs to Jess and me. It’s probably the only thing our little group agrees on.
“What’re you doing up so early?” I ask, sliding my feet off Zarreth’s lap so he can move.
“Being an awesome friend, obviously.” She hands me a mug filled with my daily fuel.
Zarreth pushes himself up. “I have to go anyway. Are we still on for the bonfire tonight, my moon and stars?” He can barely hold back his grin at the cringy pet name.
“Gross. This game you two play makes me queasy.” Jess pretends to gag as she plops next to me, taking Zarreth’s place. “I can’t believe you guys subject me to this kind of torture.”
I ignore her comment. “Yep, we got stuff for s’mores and everything, sunshine of my soul.” I blow on my coffee, letting the steam warm my face. “Well, s’more flavored whiskey anyway.”
Chuckling, he bends down and kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll be back by then.” He disappears in a cloud of smoke before I can respond. He’s been doing that a lot lately, leaving without telling me what he’s up to. Not that he owes me an explanation, but we tell each other everything. Don’t we?
Jess nudges the swing. “Where’s he going?”
“Who knows?” I tug the blanket over us. “He’s been at his house more than usual lately.”
“You’re the one who insisted he have his own place,” she says.
She’s not wrong, but six months isn’t long enough to live with someone, destined or not. “I know, but what could he possibly be doing over there that he can’t tell me about?”
“I hate to say it, but…” Jess makes a jacking off motion with her fist.
“Jess!” I scold, bumping my shoulder against hers. “You’re probably right, though. He has to relieve himself somehow, and it’s definitely not withme.”
I sigh as she takes my hand in hers. “Still not doin’ it, huh?”
“No,” I groan. “Trust me, I want nothing more than to make love to him.”
Jess recoils like I spit in her drink. “Make love? Gross. What are you, ninety? Should I get you a shawl?”
“What do you want me to say?” I lean toward her, heat flushing my face. “I want him to rail me like a lot-lizard at an all-you-can-eat truck stop?”
Pride lights up her face, jaw nearly hitting the floor. “Hell yeah. That’s exactly what I’m talking about.” She squeezes my hand, her grin fading into something more real. “I know you’re worried about hurting him if you lose control, but what if you make sex more about having fun instead ofmaking love? Just let him take you to pound-town.”
I sigh. That sounds fun, but it’s not that simple. “First of all, sex with Zarreth isalwaysfun. Second, it’s more about the emotional side of things…not just physical.” I side-eye her and add, “I don’t expect you to understand.”
She pulls back, hurt reflecting in her blue eyes. “What the hell, Frankie! You basically just called me a whore.”
Dammit, she’s right. I’ve been so mean lately, and it keeps coming out before I can stop it. “I’m sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean it like that.”
She pushes her forehead to mine, always so quick to forgive. Even when I don’t deserve it. “I know…plus, it’s kind of true, so I can't really be mad.” Giggling, she pokes my ribs until I join her. “Do you notice I’m wearing Tyler’s shirt?”
My brows shoot up before I can stop them. “Tyler!? He’s been chasing you for years. Aren’t you afraid he’ll get attached?”
“Ha, nope! When I left, he was still cuddled up with Mandy. I think we wore him out.”
I gape at her, my brain doing absolutely nothing. “Mandy from the Tavern? Wow, you had a wild night.”
“That’s the thing. It wasn’t wild…well, not at first anyway.” She crosses her legs and leans closer, all excited. “Tyler had Mandy and I sit face to face and lightly touch each other—like fingertips along the jaw and across the collarbone. I couldn’t believe the tension that started to build. Iswear I could have come from that alone. Maybe it’s something you could try.”
“Like tantric sex? I never thought of that.” What harm would it do? Even if it doesn’t work at first, maybe it will eventually. “It’s a hell of a lot better than having panic attacks. Turns out hyperventilating isn’t exactly the sexiest foreplay.”
MJ drops a ball in my lap and nudges me with her head. I throw the drool-soaked toy and the pitbull launches after it, trotting back for another round.
