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“What’s the time?”

“Almost eight.”

Christ, I’d been here for about twelve hours. I’d never had so much sex in a single day in my life. Sliding to the edge of the enormous bed, I stood and stretched, all my limbs aching pleasantly. “I should probably get going.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, of course.” Nuni climbed out of bed and padded over to the dresser, pulling out a clean pair of boxer briefs. “I’ll drive you home.”

“You don’t have to. I’m fine getting the subway.” I found myself going over to fasten the little hook on the waistband above his tail.

God, I really wanted to play with his tail.

Nuni looked back at me with a tiny grin, but there was a hint of something vulnerable there. “I know, but I want to drive you. That okay?”

“Um… sure. Thanks.” I stepped back, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “Would you mind grabbing my bag by the front door?”

“Sure.” He leaned down as if to kiss me, then seemed to change his mind as his ears fluttered. “Be right back.”

I picked up all the rogue almonds on the dresser and dropped them into the glass while he went to get my bag, then gave him a smile when he returned and held it out to me.

We dressed quickly, with Nuni throwing on some sweats and a T-shirt, then spending the bulk of the time standing at the mirror trying to fix his messy hair into a half-decent bun. Once I was in the fresh clothes I’d taken with me to the gym, I left the bedroom to tug on my sneakers by the front door.

Nuni appeared holding his keys as I was shoving my gym clothes into the bag. “Sure you don’t want anything before you go?”

I smiled at him, hefting the bag onto my shoulder. “I’m fine, thanks.”

“I can take that. If you want.” He nodded at the bag.

I chuckled. “It’s okay. It’s not heavy.”

“Okay.” He hesitated, then stepped forward to open the door. “After you.”

After he’d locked up behind us, we walked in companionable silence down the corridor to an elevator, which took us to the underground parking lot. Once we were in his car and I’d given him my address, we headed onto the street and I settled back into my seat and stared out the window. It was busy, given that it was a Saturday evening, with lights twinkling in restaurants and bars and the stores that were still open. Humans and demiurgus walked down the streets, dressed up to go out for dinner or see a show or go clubbing.

“So. Are you going to the gym in the morning?”

I looked over at the sound of Nuni’s voice. “Yes. You?”

“Of course.” He grinned over at me. “Friendly running competition?”

I chuckled. “Sure. Assuming you don’t have an early flight to catch.”

He grunted and reached over to pinch my chin. “Not this time. Unless you want to go to Paris.”

I froze, then let out a short laugh. “What would you do if I actually said yes?”

He shrugged, glancing in the wing mirror. “Then we’d go. Doesn’t have to be Paris though. Anywhere you want.”

I stared at him. Was he serious? Did people usually spend a boatload of money flying their fuck buddy to Paris?

My face grew warm. I was actually a little flustered. Eventually, I laughed lightly and said, “I’d rather kick your ass at running again.”

He smirked at me, the streetlights sliding over his dark skin and making his yellow eyes gleam. “We’ll see, Chaudhary.”

When we eventually pulled up outside my apartment building, I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached down to grab my bag from the footwell. “Thank you for the lift.”

“No problem.” His hands slid off the steering wheel and into his lap. “So… I’ll see you at the gym.”

“Yes.” I paused with my hand on the door handle and looked at him with a grin. “Make sure to do your stretches so you don’t get another cramp.”