“You’re awesome.” He pulled her between his spread thighs. “Perhaps you are the one for me?”
Marla grimaced. “I wish. But I don’t feel it. Sorry, Richard.”
“Don’t be. I was just teasing. You are great, and I wish you were the one, but I don’t feel it either.” He let go of her and pushed up slowly this time. “I’ll grab a shower if you don’t mind.”
“Go ahead. By the time you’re done, I’ll have the steaks ready.”
He watched her saunter away, her beautiful ass swaying from side to side under the sheer robe that did nothing to hide her enticing curves.
Except, as lovely as Marla was, Richard couldn’t get it up for her one more time even if his life depended on it.
Unbelievably, he was tired of his gigolo role only ten days after assuming it. The problem was that he hadn’t taken into consideration the incredible stamina of immortal females, or their desire to get their money’s worth after winning him for the night.
If not for the urgency of his situation, a more relaxed schedule would have been better.
Richard loved the bidding process. Watching the ladies go wild over him was an ego boost like no other, especially since their excitement spilled over into the bedroom. Their aggression and boldness was invigorating, but it was also tiring.
In fact, he was considering swallowing his pride and asking Amanda to cancel tonight’s auction because he was exhausted, physically and mentally.
Right now, spending an evening in front of the tube seemed like a sweet dream. Or, if he could stay over at Marla’s and just spend time talking with her, it would be even better.
He really wasn’t in the mood to jump into the next female’s bed.
The question was whether Marla would want him to stay if sex was no longer on the table. Worst case scenario, if she said no, he could go home and sleep for twenty-four hours.
With that prospect becoming more appealing by the minute, Richard got out of the shower, wrapped himself in one of Marla’s fluffy towels, and padded to the bedroom to get his phone.
Amanda answered on the third ring. “Richard, darling, are you ready for tonight’s auction?”
“That’s what I’m calling about. Is it possible to cancel it? I’m feeling a little under the weather.” He sat on the bed and adjusted the towel around his thighs.
Amanda gasped. “Are you transitioning?”
“I wish, but I think it’s just fatigue. I’ve had too much excitement for the past week and a half. This human needs to rest.”
“I understand. The ladies will be disappointed, but I don’t want you to force yourself to do anything that you’re not comfortable with. This should go on only as long as you are having fun.”
“I’m having fun, just too much of it. I didn’t expect the vigor if you know what I mean. I’m good in the sack, but I’m not a god.”
Amanda laughed. “Of course, darling. I should have realized that a human, no matter how energetic, couldn’t possibly keep up. How about canceling the auctions for tonight and tomorrow?”
“I’d appreciate it.”
“Did you talk with Kian yet?”
“About what?”
“You need to ask him to induce you himself.”
Richard switched the phone to his other ear. “Bowen promised to ask on my behalf.”
“I see. I’ll put in a good word for you as well. You’ve been a trooper through it all.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Amanda.” He disconnected the call and put the phone on the nightstand.
As Marla opened the door, the smell of grilled steak wafted into the room. “Who were you talking to?”
“Amanda. I asked her to cancel the auction for tonight.”
“Did she agree?”
“Yes, which means that I can stay a little longer.”
The smile that spread over Marla’s face had sex written all over it. “I’m glad.”
“I thought that maybe we could watch a movie or just talk.”
“Not my idea of fun. Come, the steaks are almost ready.” She smirked. “Let’s revisit the plans for tonight after you eat.”
6
Kian
“Turner should be here any minute.” Kian motioned for William to take a seat at the conference table. “Would you like something to drink?”
“What are you offering?”
He opened the sideboard that served as his bar. “Sparkling water, beer, and whiskey.”
“I’ll take a beer.”
Expecting that Turner would like one too, Kian pulled out three bottles of Snake Venom. When he’d spoken with him earlier, Turner had sounded stressed, which was unusual. The guy had nerves of steel, remaining calm and collected even when everything around him was going to shit.
But maybe his agitation had nothing to do with his work and was personal in nature. Turner’s daughter-in-law was expecting a second child, and Kian had heard from Syssi that there had been some complications. Hopefully, everything was okay over there, but it wasn’t as if Kian would ask Turner about it.
The guy didn’t like sharing details about his private or professional life.
Perhaps he could ask Syssi to talk with Bridget.
Damn, he was turning into a busybody like Anandur. It was none of his damn business.
Except, Syssi would probably disagree. She was trying to teach him how to appear more compassionate and involved in his people’s lives, and a big part of it was asking questions.
The problem was that it required finesse that Kian lacked. He never knew what constituted prying and what was acceptable as genuine concern, which meant that he usually tried to avoid personal matters.
At nearly two thousand years of age, he wasn’t going to change, no matter how hard his wife was working on it.
When a knock sounded at the door, Kian put the bottles down on the table. “Come in.”
“Good afternoon.” Turner walked in, put his briefcase on one chair, and sat on the next one over. “I could use a cold one.” He lifted a bottle, popped the cap, and took a sip.
“Rough day?” William asked.
“In my business, every day is rough.” He smiled at Kian. “I consider the things I do for the clan a pleasant reprieve.”
“Good.” Kian sat down. “It makes me feel less guilty about asking for your help while you refuse to get paid for your services.”
“I owe you big time.”
Kian waved a dismissive hand. “You’ve repaid your debt to the clan ten times over already. What you do now is purely voluntary.”
Turner leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I place a much higher value on my immortal life than on my services. So, what’s on the agenda for today?”
The guy wasn’t one for chitchat, and Kian appreciated that.
“Long-range acoustic devices and our vulnerability to them. If two old humans could come up with the brilliant idea of using sound technology against us, then Navuh could figure it out as well. It’s more effective on us than any other kind of weapon, especially if the intent is to take us alive.”