With a snort, I pull Khesan along by his collar to the checkout counter, and then we’re off.
It’s so much more fun spending time with my husbands when they get along. Not once has one of them tried to snap off the other’s head, and sometimes they even make conversation without me as they browse for what other fun things we could wear to the party.
“Don’t buy that,” I hear Khesan say to Shathar as he lifts a leather vest with spangles. “It is, what’s the word? Tacky.”
Shathar frowns down at it. “You think so?”
“This would look better.” Khesan grabs a different jacket, this time with a fluffy white collar.
I don’t interrupt as they compare the two items, smiling to myself. Maybe with time, they could even be friends.
When we’re all done and my alien husbands have been gawked at by enough store clerks, we’re off. We stop by the grocery store, and they already know where to go and what to get. Shathar, to my surprise, has brought along his cookbook, and picks out items from recipes he’s already marked with sticky notes.
I could get used to this kind of life. But then I remember: it’s not going to last forever. We only have a few weeks left.
Squeezing my eyes closed, I shake my head to try to banish that thought. I can’t go down that path. No, I’m going to enjoy what I have for now and make the most of it.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Shathar
It is a wonderful few days with Fiona, not having to share her with her job. We go out to dinner one night with Amara, Roth’kar, and Marguerite, and I’m reminded again of plans for Roth’kar’s friend Zono, who is intended to take my spot in the basement after the trial marriage is over.
My certainty that I will be the one chosen at the end of this has vanished. Now there is no way to know who Fiona will decide to keep. All I can do is try my hardest, to show her what life with me could be like, and hope.
“Maybe it’s a sign,” Fiona says as they discuss plans for Zono. “Maybe you two should move into my room with me.”
Khesan’s head and mine jerk up at the same time.
“We all sleep in my bed anyway,” Fiona goes on.
“Really?” asks Amara, clearly thrilled by this pronouncement. “Wow. Didn’t see that one coming.”
“It is easiest,” Khesan says. “My bed is too small. And I do not want to miss out on a single night with Fiona.”
My hand curls into a fist under the table. Neither do I. And if that means sharing with Khesan, then so be it. Besides, we have become a good team when it comes to pleasing our mate. She sings for us at least twice a day, and no one walks away unsatisfied. It is, though I hate to admit it, a good arrangement. Her happiness is the sun in my day. And I enjoy watching them, even when I’m not involved. Khesan is a large Arshurian, with good musculature, and the flexing of his body as he claims Fiona reminds me of an old painting. If I had to share with anyone, I suppose he is as good an option as any. Due to his military training, he has a cooperative nature, and it comes out often when we are trying a new position. He always wants to step in and assist, even when it comes to me fucking our mate.
Sometimes, at moments like that, he touches me by accident—and wherever his scales meet mine… I remember it for hours afterward. What if he touched me elsewhere? What would I do?
We bid our friends goodnight. Of course, once we are inside the front door of Fiona’s house, Khesan drags her into his arms and ravishes her with his mouth.
I laugh at him. “The youngling is always so eager.”
“It’s fresh matehood,” says Khesan, who does back away long enough to let Fiona put down her purse. “Not that I think my hunger for you will ever fade.”
He kisses her again, and I watch as she returns it. We are lucky to have been given a lusty mate.
I leave them alone to take off my shoes and head into the kitchen for ice cream. It is my favorite Earth food by far, this frozen dessert, which both Khesan and Fiona find odd when it’s so cold outside. I don’t see what the outside temperature has to do with it, though. Ice cream would be good in any weather.
As I eat, I watch Khesan kissing Fiona, his hands traveling all over her, admiring the shape of them. How they move together is fascinating, her arms curled behind his neck, her body pressing against his, his tail looping around her ankle. They are beautiful.
“What are you looking at, Shathar?” asks Khesan as they part.
I shrug, eating my ice cream. “Two attractive creatures showing off for me.”
Even Fiona looks surprised, and I realize what I’ve said.
“You think so, hmm?” She waggles her eyebrows at me. “Well… I have an idea. But it would require the two of you being, hmm, somewhat familiar with each other.”
