by Trina Bates
“No, you're not coming back down. I'm going to pay you out for a full night, don’t even worry about this. I want you to go home, get things sorted with these guys, and take a few days off. I know you aren't hard up for the cash and Ori is doing fine. If I need any more help, I’ll just call in Keri. She needs the cash, she will show.” I can’t see her face since I have yet to turn on a light, but her voice is low and calm. I know she is trying to help, but all I need right now is something to keep my mind off of all this. Not be left to sit and worry further, with nothing to do.
“I can't just leave it like that Blue. I need to get things settled, but I also need an outlet. I can't stay cooped up in the house.” I shrug my shoulders knowing she can see the gesture and give a small smile in her direction.
“Look, you're taking a few days off, no ifs, ands, or buts. I want you to go out with Ebbin, go get some cute little baby shit, enjoy the start of your new beginning, okay? I love you, and if I see you around here, I will kick your pregnant ass all the way back home.” she lets out a small laugh and I flip her off in the dark.
“Blue, it's too much, too soon. I'm going to need you. So if I do show up, I won't be here to work, so you can kiss my pregnant ass on that one, okay?” I stick my tongue out at her.
I stand and turn on the light, when I turn to face her she is running her hands through her long tresses, and sighing dramatically. I won and she knows it. I should just stay here and hide out for a bit. I love this place. It’s where I grew up. The huge open floor plan, the only walls are those around the bathroom. It's all open space and huge windows. The giant L shaped couch is most likely more comfortable than my bed. Huge plush pillows to fall into, a nice fluffy white rug to run your toes through. A few chairs and a monstrosity of a TV hanging on the wall. The perfect place to watch the sunset, is the large window at the front that looks down to the street of the bar and out to the city.
Making my way over to the kitchen, I throw the tea kettle on and grab my favorite mug. Blue got it for me last year as a birthday gift. I know if I take it home, Ebbin will steal it. So, it stays here. On the front of the mug it says, ‘Others Need Lovers Too’. It has a set of vampire teeth on it, and when it gets hot, red blood drops start to show from the heat. It definitely fits Blue and that's why she got it for me.
“Fine, but if you really want to see me, just call me. Let's go out and get some ice cream, maybe some coffee. I know you aren't giving that up, and you know it’s bull what they say about it stunting the baby. Don’t read into everything. I gotta get back down there,” she throws her hand up and points behind her to the door, as she stares at me like I am a wounded animal. Her eyebrows are down and there’s wrinkles forming on her forehead. It's not something I am used to seeing on her. “Call me anytime, babe.”
She comes over to me and wraps me tight in her comforting arms, I can't help but get a little emotional. Blue isn’t one for contact, unless she’s fucking you, or feeding from you. Usually, those go hand in hand.
“I will. Thanks,” I say as I embrace her back and smile at her gorgeous face when she lets me go and turns to the door.
“Hey, who the hell is taking you home?” she asks as she turns back around before she was able to reach the door. Her eyebrows are raised in question.
Seriously? Not her too.
“I’ll be fine. Just like I told the guys. I have done this for how long? Go away, lady.” I laugh at her while I look down at my teacup, trying to avoid her gaze.
“Fine, but keep your Link up and have me ready. I’ll be there in a flash.” I don’t look up at her but answer her while I continue staring down at the mug and countertop.
“You got it. Now go.” I finally look up to her flashing a smile, but she flips me off as she walks out the door. I blow her a kiss and hear her laughter even after she shuts the door. I stand there and shake my head at her demeanor. With my tea made, I head back over to the couch and stare out the windows. It's past dark but the lights over the city make everything come to life, in a crazy, fun, bright way. The shadows of the buildings surrounding me, make the skyline look like the cover of an amazing futuristic book. The lights reflecting off the tops of the buildings shooting up into the sky making it have an almost ethereal glow. I take a seat on my couch and blow on the hot tea I’m holding.
I start thinking of Ebbin. He’s excited about all of this, so am I, I just don’t know how we are going to deal with Rhydian wanting to be there, until we know whose child it is. Why the hell does it matter? Why can't he and Merrick go back to their lives, and leave Ebbin and I to ours? Yeah okay, I smell good. That’s not topping out the creeper scales or anything. Can there really be something to this whole ‘being drawn to you’? Or is it just something to get into my pants? Stupid way to go about it if so. If Ebbin is okay with it, all they would have to do is ask. All of them. Again. I can't get into thoughts of that again. Shoulders back and head held high, I get off the couch and rinse out my still full cup of tea. I need to get home and deal with everything. So with that, I head out the back door of the loft so I don’t have to pass through the bar. Of course things can't be as easy as me just getting some fresh air and walking home alone. Rhydian is standing at the bottom of the stairs.
“I thought you said you would go to my place and wait?” I cross my arms and glare at him. His eyes crinkle at the corners when he gives me a panty dropping smile.
“I said I would go and wait. I didn’t specify where. I told you I would be taking you home.” He crosses his arms back to me and licks his bottom lip and then tugs it slightly into his mouth.
“Okay, how did you know I would be coming from here, and at this time?” I try to squint my eyes more and pull my arms around me tighters.
He breathes deep and looks up at me, still on the stairs, his eyelids are half closed and his mouth is slightly open. I know he just fucking smelled me and I should be a little weirded out, but I’m not, I’m turned on, again. He looks like he wants to fuck me right here on the stairs. Wish you would.
“Wish I would what?” his smile grows and he puts his hand out for me to take.
Oh my god. I did not just say that out loud!
My eyes are bugging out of their sockets, and my mouth is hanging wide open in mortification and shock.
“I, uhh, nothing. Just answer the damn question.” Foot in mouth Mira, crap.
He shakes his head, his mouth turned up on one side, and he looks at the ground as he tells me, “I can smell you, as I'm sure you just guessed, and for the second part I asked Blue where you were when you didn’t come back down. She told me you were up there and were going to be leaving soon. Are you ready? Did you leave anything?” his head cocks to the side and his smile turns sweet as he raises his arm for me to take.
Before I can embarrass myself further, and without replying to his questions, I take his offered arm and start walking, pulling him behind me for a few steps before he catches up. The streets are mostly quiet but for a few late night pub crawlers, it's the beginning of their night and their shenanigans are just about to start, I wish I could stay and watch what they get into.
Breathing deep, I let my mind wander and enjoy the old time feel of the neighborhood around me. None of the buildings on this street are single story monstrosities, with all the hard edges and harsh paint colors. They’re all small and tall, two to three stories. The history behind each building is amazing, the little ice cream shop across the road was once an old post office, I think the second story is now used as the owner’s apartment, as are much of these buildings. Minus the arcade that used to be a brothel from what I’m told. This is the only town in the state that has kept the long ago feel of a time almost forgotten by the years. The owners build with the structures, not over them. They just keep fixing whatever needs to be fixed and it's good that they do, it makes the other residents here follow suit. We get a lot of tourists around here and our economy is flourishing.
Shrouded in a quiet calm, we enter the more rural part of town.
The large overgrown fields giving way to the enormous old growth trees and the sweet smell of plants the plants that are in bloom. The road to my home is out of city limits, so they’re riddled with potholes and cracks. The smell of wild jasmine floating in the air, the trees swaying in the silent winds, and the sound of the ever raging waters is peaceful. Exactly what I need in this moment. Peace, quiet, and calming scenery.
I pull Rhydian over to a small grassy patch and sit down. He doesn’t say anything, just quirks an eyebrow but obliges my strange demand. The darkness is comforting to me and this is one of my favorite spots to come to. I love this little place in the daytime, but at night, there is an entirely different look and feel to this little grove. Comfort, silence, safety... perfection. Rhydian sits beside me with an arm touching my back but not holding me. I need a little more contact, I want to be surrounded by his massive arms, enjoy the simplicity of the night and forget about the rest, at least just for a few moments. I stand and move in between his outstretched legs leaning into his chest. He doesn’t move at first, he’s rigid and unmoving, but soon relaxes with my closeness. He seems to understand what I need, as he pulls me flush against him. His legs encasing me and one hand resting on my belly. He leans into my neck and inhales. What the hell is up with all the sniffing? The sound and feel of his breath on my skin has me shuddering and turning my head further away to give him better access. He doesn’t move, letting the silence hang between us. He doesn’t take what is offered, but I’m okay with that. It isn't what I brought us here for anyway.
“Thank you. I needed a little more calm before the preverbal storm. Touch has always calmed me. I’m sorry if I overstepped. You just look like you would be comfortable to lay against.” My eyes are closed, and I relax deeper into the comfort of his body.
His mouth, still so close to my skin, sends a delicious shiver up my spine.
“Never apologize, you most assuredly did not overstep. I never take any time like this to openly enjoy the night. Like the old song says, the freaks come out at night, so I’m usually on alert and tense. I should be thanking you. You can lay against me anytime. I’m enjoying this, maybe a little more than you,” as he speaks I feel his hardness pushing against my back. “Just, don’t wiggle around, it might turn into something you're not ready for.”
I turn my head to look up at him, with a devious smile, playing on his face, he gives me a chaste kiss on the nose and I turn my head back to lay on his chest, smiling from ear to ear at his sweet gesture.
I could stay like this forever.
“I think it’s you that isn’t ready. You already called me out earlier remember, stud. You just get to have the fun part of trying to convince Ebbin.” I tell him as I rise to my feet. We all need to figure out where we stand, and what they think, they’re going to do.
Merrick:
The ride to Ebbin and Mira’s is short, but long enough it gets my mind going and I start to dwell on what I heard at the bar. She’s pregnant.
I need to know just what the hell Rhydian and Mira were arguing about. Is this about that night? Or did they have another with just Rhydian? She had the birth control implant when we were together, but none of those are ever one hundred percent effective. If there’s any way this can be my child, I’ll be there, she won’t be able to keep me away.
Hollows and Others have been known to interbreed, but there’s severe problems in the pregnancies, even if the mother is the Other. They lose many children. In a few cases, the mother, child or both had passed. I don’t want either of those outcomes for Mira. If the child is Ebbin’s, it will make this very easy, no worrying about any difficulties other than what a normal Hollow pregnancy holds. I still won't leave her though. I’m tied to her, bound to her in a way I can’t explain.
I’ve gone to Blue’s a few times previously, to try and find Mira again, but she was never there. I’ve seen the other men waiting for her too. We all agree there’s something enticing about our seductive little Hollow, yet we can't place what. What's more concerning, is that it's all of us.
It's hard not to appreciate all she has. In the short amount of time we spent with her, we’ve learned a few amazing things. Not only is she gorgeous and funny, she’s also driven, steadfast, and loyal to her man, but she's also smart and witty. Fuck if those tattoo’s don’t make me hard, just thinking about them.
I've only met one other Hollow female with her height, but she was a meek, scared waif of a thing. She was poked, prodded and bled to try and figure out if there was any part of her that might have been Other. The Conclave are ruthless fucks when trying to determine what an Unwanted is. I can’t ever imagine truly being an Unwanted. Thrown out by your own family or abandoned. I don’t know what happened to the other woman or remember her name. I am just glad Mira is nothing like her. She wouldn’t let anyone do those things to her, or bring her down.
Mira has sexy, long exquisite legs, wide welcoming hips you can’t help but want to grab a hold of while pulling her into you and get lost in the moment. Her sandy blond locks falls down to her waist in bouncy curls, perfect to wrap your hand around and give a good tug while you have her bent over. Full voluptuous breasts and tattoos covering all that soft, pale skin makes her perfection. With a pert little nose, ample lips, and the most intense, dark blue eyes, you have to get close to make sure they aren’t black. I love blue eyes, but I’ve never seen any quite like hers. I wanted more of her, I need to have her next to me, on top of me, in every way. It’s driving me mad. The need is pushing me to do stupid shit, like trying to come up with excuses to see her again. Telling Ebbin I have something to give her was true, but it isn’t what he's most likely thinking. I want to give her, me. Ebbin will be more lax on the situation. I know he's already having a hard time leaving her so much, for shit guard jobs like this. He told me as much that night we had all been together. Now that she's pregnant, maybe it would sway him more to my side, more protection for her and the child. Convincing Mira to let me in, that’s going to be the hardest part. She’ll do anything to make Ebbin happy, even if that means making herself unhappy in the process. She enjoyed us all that amazing night. Hell, we all enjoyed one another. I petitioned the damn Conclave and Hounds to let me transfer just to be closer to her. Even if she doesn’t accept me, I’ll stay and protect her from afar. She means too much to all of us.
We all stay in our vehicles. No one wanting to further the conversation and anger Mira, or ourselves. I hate how I approached Ebbin, he has no idea that I specifically asked for his team. I threw him for a loop just showing up the way I did, under all that secrecy. No doubt he wants to tear into me and demand to know what I’m doing here. He’s keeping me at a distance and that’s my mistake. Things will be harder now that I have lessened his trust. I wasn’t prepared to find out Mira is pregnant when I came here.
I’ll keep my word, and wait for her, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy or that I like it. I didn’t want to push Mira any further, Ebbin will be sure to tell her I’m prodding and throw me out.
This is going to be a long fucking night.
Mira:
Hand in hand, we find our way back to my place making small talk. I’m happily surprised to find out he enjoys cooking. That's not something I would have imagined a man like him would enjoy; a man covered from head to toe in tattoos. A man that thinks ball caps and tight jeans are the comfiest thing to wear, a man that turns into a giant, killer beast. Though from his bulk you can tell the man likes to eat, that’s for sure. He’s bigger than Ebbin, he can put some food away. He thinks it’s hilarious that I actually play war games in a Link. He promises to show me some hand to hand moves when we have some free time. I feel elated after he tells me that, I can only imagine what a beast he will be!
As we round the last corner up the drive, I see the two black SUVs of Ebbin’s team, and a sleek town car that I can only guess belongs to Merrick. I take a deep breath steeling my resolve and my nerves. I hold my head a bit higher and make a beeline for the waiting men. I haven'
t let go of Rhydian’s hand and he squeezes it once letting me know not only can I do this, but he’ll be right here.
While we were in the grove, he told me that he’ll let me get everything that I need to say out, before he asks his questions, which he admits, there will be many from just him. That’s a comfort in itself. Not only him waiting, but the questions. He won’t be going into anything blind, he genuinely seems to care about me and this baby.
We are ten feet from the first car, and all the doors open. Six men very dear to me, one being the love of my life and the others, amazing, lifelong friends, have nothing but smiles for my advancing form. The two men I’m unsure of, are the ones standing in the middle of Ebbin and his team, a giant of a man I have never seen and Merrick. They all look down to where Rhydian and my hands are joined. Shrugging the looks away, I hold tighter to Rhydian as I pull him with me to stand in front of Ebbin. I clasp Ebbin’s open hand and walk inside our home.
Everyone that follows us in, all finds a wall to lean on, or a chair to sit in. No one seems to want to relax. No one takes a seat on my large comfy couch so in a very unladylike manner, I let go of Ebbin and Rhydian’s hands, and fall into the plush pillows and soft comfortable seat of my couch, alone. The pillows and cushions are overstuffed, thick and inviting. If no one else is going to join me, so be it. I don’t look at any of them. I don’t know the right words to say, so I sit here waiting, hoping someone else will start this off for me. Ebbin kisses the top of my head and tells me he is going to make me some tea before we get started. I look to my buddies; they all look perplexed just standing there holding up the wall.
“Guys, y’all can either sit, and hear this lovely little tidbit about me getting freaky with your lead, and a couple other guys or, you can go Link up and get me some extra levels on my game. Only two can go at a time, so you’ll either have to share or go raid the fridge. I don’t much care,” I say smiling to each man of Ebbin’s team with affection. Rios flips me off with a cute grin taking over his face, so I stick my tongue out at him. So mature. The rest of the guys can’t disappear quick enough and leaves us without a backwards glance. Merrick’s silent, giant of a chauffeur turns to him and says he will be waiting outside. Thank fuck. He gives me the creeps. He reminds me of that huge guy from some weird TV show years and years ago that was named, Leonard, no, Lurg, no, Lurch. That’s what it was, Lurch!
