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“So memories don’t get in your way?” Jade asked, trying to force her voice back into the cool, detached tones she typically used.
Stupid voice. It didn’t change. It was still small and strained, too full of emotion.
“They do sometimes. But I tell Lewis about what’s in my head, and he listens. The one thing I found that helps might sound weird, but here it is. Making love with him. Because it’s not a job. It’s because I love him and he loves me. I’m not playing a part with him. It feels real, and it fills up all the cracks in my soul—and what’s more, I know it fills up some of the holes in his heart, too.” Avis’ eyes shone with sudden happy tears. “Can’t wait to see him when he gets home tonight. Can’t wait to have a family with him.”
“That doesn’t sound strange at all.” Jade put a tentative arm around Avis’ waist and gave her a swift squeeze before moving away. “I think that’s how it ought to be.”
“Well, it never was for me. Not until I met Lewis. Then, it was like... within three days my life had started over. I was in love, I was safe, and I finally knew the real meaning of ‘good sex.’”
For once, Jade shared in a happy giggle. “Those tongues, right?”
“Girl, yes! That slight, slight bumpiness and the sheer fucking size of them...” Avis’ eyes rolled back for a second in remembered satisfaction. “I’m looking forward to the booster shots. They mimic a Felid Queen’s heat cycle, only shorter. You need to do the deed like every day, maybe a few times a day, for about two weeks!”
Jade stood, this time with the intent to leave. “You don’t need a shot for that.”
“I know, right?”
Another shared laugh.
“I have to go. I’m showing Claude, Griselda, and Mr. Miles around the Comet Stalker. Um. Do you want to come?” she asked suddenly.
“Oooh! Let me get my purse!”
Chapter Fourteen
Ardol had been a socialite in the days before the virus and on occasions where socializing was accepted during his academy days. He had initially enjoyed socializing with the crew of the Comet Stalker when he first arrived, hiding behind a veneer of superiority, knowing he was a being of wealth and power, slumming it with the working class for the fun of it.
The fun wore off, and his true nature showed through. Smug. Too confident.
In other words, simply better than them.
But when Jade brought her friends in to meet him in his small office, he couldn’t help but relax and enjoy the conversation.
They make Jade happy. Look how she stands. Her scent is different, even than when we’re alone. “Stay for dinner? I’ll ask Kamau if you can. If I know him, he’ll be thrilled.”
And he might say no because I’ve been a jerk to him.
“We don’t want to be any trouble,” Griselda said.
“Kamau loves to cook for a crowd. The only trouble will be getting him to keep it to a single dinner and not a seven-course banquet.” Ardol gave a toothy grin and walked with the little party toward the elevators. “I’ll show you the dining area, and maybe Kamau will let you see the kitchens.”
“Don’t you call them galleys on a ship?” Claude piped up.
“Yes, I suppose you do.” Ardol slung his arm around Jade’s shoulders as she snuggled into his side. “Happy?” he whispered.
“Very. And a little tired.” On the last word, she slipped her hand into his waistband and tweaked the base of his tail.
“Me, too.” Ardol swallowed and tried to think about anything besides his Queen touching him in delicious places.
Going and eating humble pie with the snarky Servali chef was probably a good start.
“KAMAU? HI. HI, CHEF.” Ardol had observed that using the name “chef” was a quick way to get on the Servali’s good side.
“What in the name of Bastet’s stomach are you doing in my kitchen?”
Kamau appeared from behind a huge metallic device—probably an oven or a food refrigeration unit—Ardol had never been in the ship’s kitchen or even in the kitchen at his own estate! The closest he came to cooking was heating up things in the little kitchenette in his quarters.
“I came to see how you were doing and what you were cooking today... and if there might be extra.” Ardol wheedled with an ingratiating smile.
