“Does he not have sunscreen?” I’d seen this product advertised.
Niki scoffed. “I can make something better.”
My grin showed off my pointy, fox teeth. I loved this cocky side of my warlock. “Franklin is fortunate to have you as a father-in-law.”
“Yes, he is.” Niki didn’t so much as bat an eye. It wasn’t a sarcastic remark. As far as Nikodemus Holland was concerned, Franklin O’Hare was very fortunate indeed to have him for a father-in-law. I wasn’t completely confident Franklin would agree.
Cracking a wide yawn, I tilted my head so my cheek was now resting on my paws. “Feel free to rest longer,” Niki said. “I can get you some food if you’d like.”
My stomach rumbled with the thought. “Food would be good.”
“Give me a moment. I’m almost finished.”
Fascinated, I watched the woven strands of magic slip into a clear crystal sitting on Niki’s desk. The strands swirled inside, stretching out until they formed an opalescent sheen. Niki twisted the crystal that had been made into a charm. “It’s not done yet, but it’s a start.” Pushing out of his chair, Niki stretched before looking at me. “Are you staying in that form to eat?”
Following Niki’s lead, I stretched my tails, allowing them to drape over the pillow. “I see no reason to change.”
“I’ll get something that doesn’t require opposable thumbs.”
My grin widened. “That would be lovely. And some water too.”
Niki grunted something I couldn’t quite make out before leaving the room. I cuddled further into my pillow. It had been a long time since I felt comfortable enough to lounge in my fox form. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed the change.
Not long after, Niki returned with a sandwich loaded with different types of meat and cheese. It was cut up into little bites. A bowl of water was in his opposite hand. “I hope this will do. If not, we’ll need to order out.”
My stomach growled again. “This is perfection.” I eagerly dug into the bits of sandwich, scooping them up and barely chewing before swallowing their goodness. The bowl of water soon followed. By the time I laid back down on my pillow, my stomach was graciously full and lulled me back into slumber.
I’m not sure how long I was asleep that time, but my awakening wasn’t as pleasant as the first time. My ears twitched with Niki’s heated voice. My warlock was decidedly unhappy.
“I need some clarification, Cilla. What exactly was the client’s complaint?”
I couldn’t hear Cilla’s answer, but whatever it was had Niki’s neck turning red. “Did you tell him that was the expected result?”
There was another pause. Niki paced the small length of the room. His fingers slid through his thick hair, mixing the white at his temples with the darker black of the rest of his luscious hair. “What?” Niki’s voice rose. “That’s not even possible. There’s not nearly enough magic in that charm to—No, I don’t think you misunderstood him. I’m just saying that what he’s claiming isn’t possible.”
More pacing ensued until Niki finally stopped, his arm raised above his head and elbow resting along the edge of the window. “No, I don’t want you to contact him. That’s not your responsibility. It’s mine.”
I stood, stretching my legs and making my way to the edge of Niki’s desk before transforming into my humanoid form. My legs dangled and I kicked them back and forth. Niki’s workbench was tall and fit his expansive form well. It was nice and sturdytoo. Sturdy enough to hold my weight and probably remain standing if Niki bent me over the edge and?—
“I will deal with this insanity. Send me his contact information.”
Was it wrong that I found Niki’s stern, authoritative voice arousing? Wrong or right, my thickening cock didn’t seem to care.
“Thank you for letting me know.” Niki’s voice softened. The edge was still there, but you could tell he was making an effort. “It’s not your fault, Cilla. I apologize for taking my anger out on you.” There was a small pause before Niki answered, “That’s very gracious of you. Please let me know immediately if there are any other issues.” Niki ended the call before tossing his phone onto the window ledge.
Cocking my head to the side, I asked, “Unhappy client?”
Niki’s head whipped my way so quickly that for a moment I feared he might have injured himself in the process. His expression was thunderous. “It is inconsequential.”
I didn’t even try and fight my smirk or the chuckle bubbling up from deep within my chest. “Who are you trying to convince? Me? Or you?”
Hands on hips, Niki began pacing again. “I don’t like the timing of this.”
All humor dissipated. “What do you mean?” I hopped off the countertop and made my way toward Niki. “Is there something about this one that seems different?”
Niki stopped pacing, the intense focus of his dark eyes boring into me. “Besides the fact that there is a complaint at all?”
Now my attention was piqued even further. “You don’t have unsatisfied customers? Ever?” That seemed unlikely. Some were simply impossible to satisfy. Even when you gave them what they claimed to want and things went exactly according to script. That was the way of the world.
