Chapter 258 - About Last Night (2/2)

Chary rubbed her chin thoughtfully. ”Could it be a leftover side effect of the teas Peg gave her to regain her memories?”

He blew out a heavy sigh. ”I'm not sure, but I'm worried for her. I'll ask when I talk to him next.”

Jos tilted her head as she walked over to join them at the table. ”Talk with who next?” She held her mug in both hands, blowing the steaming mug between words.

He bent toward her and kissed her head. ”I was just telling Chary how odd it was that you can't remember any of the nightmares you've been having. She suggested it may be a side effect of the lotus tea.” He let his hand slide under the table and gave her t.h.i.g.h a squeeze before letting his hand rest there while he moved on to other matters. ”So you never said, did you find out anything else useful last night.”

Chary shook her head. ”Nothing that will be helpful at least. After having Fern chased from the lands, they had the majority of the passageways blocked off. It seems like Ales handled most of that, and she either asked little about it or wasn't made aware. Nearly everything that she spoke of from there on was about struggles with their new roles and the added stress of having to oversee all the things Fern had once dealt with.” She pursed her lips together. ”It seems that the palace's current state was done with intent on Fern's part. Judging by what we read last night, he was more than capable of handling finance and had done so since before his father's death. Even as much as Cam seemed to hate him, she herself noted how intelligent he was or rather is.” She shrugged as she jabbed a sausage link with her fork. ”There were some names mentioned, so I believe they are starting there today.”

Arei nodded his head, his focus moving to the clock on the fancy microwave. He let out a long sigh as he gave Jos's t.h.i.g.h another squeeze. ”We should probably head upstairs and get ready. Prometheus will be here in less than an hour.”

Jos let her cheeks fill with air before blowing it out. ”It will take me longer walking back to that room than it will to actually get ready.”

Chary laughed gutturally. ”If you're not hiking at least a mile between rooms, are you even really living in a palace?”

Jos shook her head. ”I one hundred percent prefer living in a normal home. This reminds me too much of working and going to school on campus with almost no convenient parking.” She rolled her eyes as he pushed up from the table. She leaned down and gave Shelly's head a light kiss. ”I'll find you once the appointment is over.” The wolf nodded and moved back to her food.

***

Arei watched as Jos worked the t.h.i.g.h-high pantyhose over her legs one at a time, slowly... teasingly, if only she knew he was watching. He'd been turned away from her as he put on his own clothes, but the second he caught her movements in the reflection of the dressing mirror his movements instantly froze. When she stood to retrieve her dress from the bed, he had to fight the urge not to go over and bite the plump swell of her cheek that was trapped between the band of the t.h.i.g.h-highs and the high curve of the black cheeky p.a.n.t.i.e.s. He didn't take his eyes off her as she stepped into the dress and began fumbling with the zipper. He bit his lip, flexing his fingers for a few breaths as he pulled himself together. He turned and walked over to her. ”Here, let me help you with that.” Their eyes met and he could still read the traces of d.e.s.i.r.e that reflected in the aqua depths every time they touched. He placed a kiss at the nape of her neck as he tugged the zipper up. ”You look breathtaking.” He turned her toward the dressing mirror and stepped aside so she could see for herself. ”This cut really suits you, but you must already know that.”

She nodded. ”Cam taught me everything I know about fashion. It was one of her favorite things. She always kept up with the latest trends and insisted that I did as well...” Sadness fell over her expression as her eyes traveled over the garment. ”I suppose I continued after she passed as my own way of remembering her.” Her eyes moved from her own reflection to him. Taking him in the corners of her lips lifted. ”You don't look half bad yourself, dear sir.” She brought her hands up to finish the buttons of his shirt before straightening the tiny handkerchief in his vest pocket. Her smile brightened her lips as her gaze moved lower. ”Well, you look well put together from the waist up anyhow.” Her eyes moved from his stylishly tattered black denims to his handsome, smirking face as she arched her brows.

”What?” He pulled her against him as he wrapped his arms around her. ”Can't a man be into fashion as well? Hell, when you've spent the majority of your life as an animal, it becomes quite the treat to put on something nice and look civilized for a change.” He shrugged, his smile turning more devilish. ”Besides, it's easier to get my way when I look like this.”

Her own smile widened as her brows went up farther. ”Oh really? And what is it that becomes easier.”

”This for instance.” He lowered his head but didn't meet her lips. He let them hover teasingly over hers. ”Kiss me, kitten.” When she pressed onto tiptoes to do as he'd asked, he smiled against her lips. ”See...”

She lowered back down to the floor as she bit enticingly into her lower lip. ”Your clothes have little to do with my d.e.s.i.r.e to kiss you, in fact, the idea of you out of them all together seems more appealing to me.”

He let out a guttural growl as he spun her around toward the bed. When she stumbled and caught herself on the edge of the bed, he placed a light slap to her backside before bending over her back. ”Bad kitty...” He purred into her ear before nipping it.

She glared at him over her shoulder. ”I'm bad? Look who's talking...”

His lips pressed upwards revealing pearly white teeth. ”As I said, I can give as good as I get.” He held his hand out to help her straighten. ”Are you ready to head to the office?”

Jos nodded. ”Except for my shoes.” She walked over to the window seat, using it as support as she quickly slid on a pair of black stilettos.

Arei's tongue shot out over his lips as he stepped behind her once again. He pulled his whole bottom lip into his mouth as he lifted his gaze from her rounded backside to their reflections in the window. ”Now, this is a sight that could tempt a saint.” His eyes moved over her body. ”You bent over this window seat in those shoes... with those little black p.a.n.t.i.e.s and t.h.i.g.h-highs underneath. Umm.” He growled again as he lowered his lips to place a kiss to the small of her back before releasing her. He straightened, adjusting the front of his tight pants. ”I may have to send you in ahead of me.”

Jos turned and ran her hands down the front of his vest before letting her fingers encircle the thick belt at his waist. She used her grip on it to pull him closer as she pressed up onto the toes of her high heels. She parted her lips giving him full access to her mouth still holding his belt with one hand as she let the other slide down the outline of his shaft pressing against the tight fabric of the denims. She held his gaze as she continued stroking his length. ”This wouldn't be a problem if you'd just accept that it's what we both want.” She didn't wait for his response as she suddenly released him and headed toward the door. Stopping in the now open doorway, she turned back slightly. Her lips curved upwards in amus.e.m.e.nt at the slightly agape expression spread across his beautiful face. ”Coming?”

He narrowed his eyes as a chuckled rattled his c.h.e.s.t. ”I was wrong about you... you are a little monster.” He teased as he followed her out of the bedroom and toward his father's office.