"No. We are not together." I huffed. "I am just being stalked by this idiot."
"I'm not stalking her, my wolf is." Rex said like it was nothing to do with him.
Pulling a chair out, I dropped into a seat. "Oh that's how we are playing it now is it? You have multiple personalities and it's your wolf who wants me?" Then I realised this was actually the truth. "Oh, shit. That is the truth. You didn't want me and now the mate thing clicked, it is the wolf that wants me. Not you. I'm calling you the idiot, but I'm the idiot. It makes so much sense now thinking of you as a divided being." My nostrils flared. "And it makes things a lot clearer for me. You're still an utter dickhead." I yelled at Rex.
"Tea, coffee, water, and juices are on the table. What can I get you to eat, Freya?" Cath asked, a little louder than usual, ending my rant.
"Anything." My shoulders slumped. "I'm not that hungry anymore."
I knew I was being ridiculous. Having received the message loud and clear last week that Rex wasn't interested, I'd said I wasn't interested at his sudden mate-match crap. But deep down inside, in a part of me that I'd not wanted to face, a locked-up part of my heart, I'd been happy Rex now wanted me. Happy that he was suffering, and if I admitted it to myself, after he'd suffered for a while, I'd hoped to find he genuinely wanted me. But it wasn't to be. It was just his wolf, not him. And it hurt more than I could let show.
So I mustn't show defeated body language and sulk.
Sitting up straighter, I reached over for the coffee pot. "Actually, is there any chance for some fresh melon to start, and then pancakes with lemon and sugar?" I'd been fancying melon since my drunken episode.
"Of course. I'll get that organised." Cath smiled.
"Oh, also. Where's the nearest place I can go to for suntan lotion and a sun lounger?"
"The pantry is stocked with all different lotions so just let me know what factor you need, and the garden store has loungers, swings, egg chairs, loveseats, chairs with storage for wine and coffee etc. There are tables too."
"Goodness me. This place is like a magical Narnia." I exclaimed. "If I could have some factor 30 and a selection of different loungers and seats and tables for in case Erica might want to join me?"
"Not a problem. I'll have them set out in the garden. If you prefer to sit by the pool, then there is already furniture there."
My mouth gaped open. It took me a few moments to close it again. "There's a pool?"
"There are two pools." Rex took a seat at the side of Roman facing me. "An indoor one and an outdoor one. As it's looking like it's going to be a beautiful day outside, then Miles will take the coverings off everything. It's heated and there's also a jacuzzi."
"The indoor one has a series of steam rooms and we can book for someone to come and do treatments for you." Cath added before she left the room.
At that point I considered becoming Rex's mate just so I never had to leave the estate.
"Did you sleep okay, Roman, after everything?" He looked much better than he had yesterday.
"I did. Thank you for asking, Freya. I took a weighted blanket up to a tree at the side of the stream and I slept so peacefully, drifting off while listening to the water.
"That would just make me want to pee all night."
Roman laughed. It was a rare occurrence I realised. I saw a hint of a different Roman and it was a good change. I started to notice what Harley was attracted to. I dropped my thoughts as I noted that Rex was gripping his cutlery hard while counting to ten under his breath.
"Yep, the satyr life would not do for me." I concluded and Rex managed to put his knife and fork down on the table.
"It's not for most people, believe me." He answered and then he took a mighty mouthful of his scrambled eggs which I guessed was his way of communicating he was saying no more on the matter… or he was very hungry this morning after a good night's sleep. Either way, I would now concentrate on my own breakfast that Cath was bringing in and then I'd concentrate on improving my suntan. I saw a note tucked under the plate.
Doctor will call to see you at ten-thirty am. He is aware of Rex's heritage.
I looked up at Cath and mouthed, 'Thank you'.
The others joined us. My best friend had arrived looking mussed up, her boyfriend smug and yawning a lot; and Noah had turned up shortly afterwards.
"So, it's not yet hot enough for sunbathing and your best friend will be sitting in the recording studio making notes for the blog, so why don't you do what I suggested and come down to the recording studio and watch us in action?" Rex suggested.
"Yeah," Zak grinned. "I dropped part of a new song yesterday. I might let you hear it."
"Run." Rex drawled.
"Huh?" Zak was none the wiser.
"I think he's giving you a head start before that song becomes about you. He'll probably play with the detached pair if you catch my drift." Erica told him.
Zak placed his hands over his genitals. I had absolutely no idea what they were all talking about.
"Does someone want to enlighten me?" I asked. "What have I missed?"
Zak turned to me. "Nothing. Nothing at all. Come to listen though. Erica will love to have you there."
"Yes, Erica, who can speak for herself, would." Erica huffed.
"Sorry, babe. I forgot your mouth is no longer full." He winked.
Erica blushed the shade of the tomatoes on her plate.
Cath had brought me watermelon. I picked up a slice and began to eat it. The juice dripped down my chin.
"Oh that reminds me of good times." Zak said, squeezing my shoulder.
"Yeah?" I wiped my lips and chin with a napkin. "Summer holidays abroad? They used to sell it at the beach when we were in Greece."
"No, I meant this morning." A piece of toast was shoved straight into Zak's mouth by his better half.
"Excuse me." Rex stood up, sounding half-strangulated and he rushed out of the room.
"That'll be him late to the recording studio… again." Noah sighed.
"What's up with him?" Erica asked and I shrugged my shoulders while meeting her gaze.
"Goodness knows. Probably just another attempt at manipulating me into his bedroom. You know, I go and see if he's okay. He gives me the sad eyes again. Then he's shouting MINNEEEE again."
Zak, now free of toast, snorted.
"He's not manipulating you." Noah said matter-of-factly. "But he's in close proximity to you and his so-called friend keeps talking about sex. I'm guessing the watermelon incident almost finished him off, so he's gone to actually finish himself off."
"Yeah, you're not my type, but watching you groaning in pleasure as you bit that melon and the juice all ran down your face, well, I'm only… satyr." Roman added.
Reality flooded me. Rex had left because watching me eat watermelon had given him the horn. And he'd gone to jerk off. My fantasies were minutes away. I was sitting with watermelon, sugar… and a hard cock, was, if I moved fast enough, within reach.
"It might be an idea to find out if Rex and I are sexually compatible. I was too annoyed yesterday to make an informed decision." I announced, and then grabbing the remaining watermelon and the sugar, I ran out of the room. I mean, there was an hour until the doctor came. I might as well make the most of the opportunity.