“Am I bothering you?” she finally asked.
“No, I’m just a little on edge,” I answered honestly. “A lot has happened in the last two days. I think I’m going to take a nice long bath.”
For some reason Cassie looked disturbed by that, though I couldn’t imagine why.
“After I’m done, we can talk about dinner.”
“Oh that reminds me, do you mind if I leave some nutrients in your refrigerator? They last longer and taste better if they’re cold.”
“Nutrients?”
“Blood,” she said succinctly.
I resisted the instinct to wince. I couldn’t deny that the idea of someone drinking blood made me squeamish. Then again, I couldn’t even look when I had a blood test or I’d pass out.
I knew Cassie had to have blood, and it wasn’t like there wasn’t blood in some of my food, before it was cooked that is. I always ordered my steaks medium well just to make sure there was no trace of blood left. It just seemed, well, odd to have blood on its own. Like was it in a bottle like an energy drink or something?
Then again, a lot of cultures ate and drank things that were strange to me. I remember when we did an exhibition game in Scotland and several of the players triedhaggis.I’d declined, it had definitely looked gross.
I’d just pretend Cassie’s ‘nutrients’ were tomato juice. Or try not to think of it at all.
“Oh. Of course, make yourself at home and help yourself to anything you want to eat or drink. I’ll leave a towel on your bed as well. See you in a bit.”
Cassie
My mate was in the bathtub right now. Naked in the bathtub. I winced as I heard a soft splashing sound, wishing for perhaps the first time in my life that my hearing wasn’t so good.
Leaning back in my chair, I stared up at the ceiling. That kiss. I hadn’t expected her to make a move on me, but I certainly wasn’t sorry about it. Well, not at the time. It had been the best kiss of my life, hands down. But now that I’d tasted her, now that I’d felt Ruby’s soft curves against my body, it was going to be even harder to pretend like she was just a client.
With a sigh, I went out onto the balcony and called Lois.
“What is it, Weatherby?” Lois barked. “This is my quiet time with my mate.”
In the background I heard a soft giggle before Lois huffed impatiently into the phone. She wasn’t one for unexpected phone calls, especially outside of work hours. Then again, our job was twenty-four seven.
“It’s not a problem, but I need to disclose something to you,” I said, making my voice formal. “Ruby is my mate.”
Lois released an angry growl that made me cringe. I was glad I was breaking this news to her over the phone.
“What is it with you idiots finding mates on every damned job? Christ on a cracker, how many human lesbians are even left in this city for you to hook up with?”
“None of us can determine when and where we find our mates,” I reminded her. “I mean, I know it’s not ideal timing, and I never really wanted a mate, but now that I have one, I can’t say I’m sorry about it.”
“And of course you don’t want me to take you off the case,” she sighed.
“No,” I said emphatically. “I can do this boss. I can do my job and protect my mate. Just like Wanda and Bella and…”
“I don’t need a recitation of every damned love connection among my staff,” Lois yelled so loudly I had to move the phone away from my ear. “Why does this keep happening? None of the other Sapphic Security offices are running a freaking dating service. I’m a laughingstock with my peers thanks to you idiots.I knew I should have worked at a shifter office. You damned vamps have no sense, finding your mates on every damned job like lovesick fools. I’m going to start hiring human heteros, maybe that will fix this problem.”
I knew from experience that when Lois was on a rant you just needed to let her swear and scream until she tired herself out. Arguing with her or defending yourself would just make the torture last longer.
After a few more minutes of blustering Lois finally wound down.
“I should pull you off this case whether you want me to or not,” she yelled. “But I know good and well that won’t keep you away from Ruby, so you might as well do some work while you’re mooning after her.”
“If it was Monique, would you walk away?” I asked before I could think better of it. We all knew the topic of Lois’s mate was strictly off limits.
“Don’t you dare bring my mate into this, Weatherby!”
