by J G Jerome
I walk back to Callie’s office, and knock on the door. After a moment I hear the bolt trip, and see a sliver of naked Trina in the cracked door. Her faces is shiny with moisture, and her hair is damp.
She opens the door and jumps on me! “I did it! I got her to squirt!”
I laugh, “Well that will please KC no end, even if we don’t share all the details with him.” I carry her in and lock the door again. Walking over to the couch, Kristina is laying on the couch blissed out. I sit down, with Trina still wrapped around me. “I’m proud of you, my Pet.” I give her a kiss as I squeeze her firm ‘asset.’
“Thank you, Master,” she purrs.
“Krissie, you’re looking pleased with yourself.”
She nods and smiles with hooded eyes. “I’m quite happy with your pet, my Lord. The only thing missing is you.” She slowly sits up to wrap an arm around each us, and kisses me followed by kissing Trina. Then she gives me a bonus kiss. “I’m holding out for wine and roses, my Lord. No first time on a balcony, a car seat, or a couch in an office.”
Trina shakes her head, “Wait until you’ve been with him for two days solid, teasing and cuddling! You’ll change your tune!”
Kristina shakes her head with a grin, “Not me. I have you to work my frustration off with.” Then she looks at me. “But have no doubt, my Lord Jack. I am yours! I want you to claim me soon!”
I just stare at her for a moment, and then turn to Trina with a cocked eyebrow. “Spilled the beans, did you?”
Trina looks embarrassed, “Yes, my Lord. She asked me if you know I am Sidhe. I kind of went stupid after that.” She mutters, ”I think she seduced it out of me.” She turns to her lover, “You better kiss me right this minute, Krissie!”
Kristina laughs, “With pleasure!”
Afterward Trina asks, “How much longer, Jack?”
I shrug as I pull both ladies to me cupping a pair of firm tushies. “He’s talking to his seller. I low-balled, and then gave them some incentives to close rapidly. If they figure that out, it will give them $1.6 million, which I think is fair based on the best available comps. We’ll see. I expect them to counter, but they gotta know it’s not worth 2.2 million.”
There’s a knock at the door. The girls both give me an ‘oh shit’ look. I nod to them, and call out “Just a minute!”
“Trina, pull on your shirt.” Kristina and I help her up, she steps around the puddle on the floor to retrieve her shirt that looks a lot like one I used to own. I point to the puddle and then at Kristina, “You did all that?”
She laughs, “I was highly motivated. I can’t wait to see what you do to me.”
I kiss her and grin, “Me either.” I stand and pull off my coat. “Let’s wrap you up real quick, beautiful.” Her body is even hotter than I imaged. Probably less than 10% body fat on a classic ‘athletic build’ - slight waist, shoulders slightly wider than hips. Her legs, abs, pecs, and shoulders are cut. She turns to let me slide the coat on her, showing me her cut back. What little fat she carries provides a very thin pad over her taut butt muscles. I slide the coat up her arms as she stands on the couch.
I set her on the floor to button the top two buttons. “No free shows. Do you know why?”
She nods seriously, “Because I belong to you.”
I nod, “That’s right. What else?”
“Because you also belong to me.” I nod. Then she adds, “Plus you are the Green Lord.”
I look at her steadily. “Do you know what that means?” She nods. “Great,” I say. “Maybe you can clue me in. I am learning, but it’s completely trial-and-error.”
She reaches her arms around my neck and kisses me deeply. “Of course My Lord. Note I said ‘My Lord,’ not the traditional ‘Lord.’ It’s important.” I smile at her. “Now, go get the door, my beautiful man!”
“Yes, ma’am.” I turn to see Trina reaching for the door. “Kph…over by Kristina.”
“Yes, Master.” as she steps around me to wrap an arm around Kristina.
I open the door to see KC standing there. “Not done yet, buddy. They want to talk to Kristina.”
I know I’m perplexed. I look to Kristina, and her befuddled expression is exactly what I expect mine looks like. She shrugs, with the sleeves of my coat floating off the end of her hands. I can’t help but laugh. She looks at her hands and joins me in laughing.
She chuckles, “Well KC, I’m not exactly dressed to march around the office. Give me a minute to get dressed.”
KC shakes his head, “No need, I have them here on the phone. I’ll take them off mute as soon as you can get a hand free.” While I help her roll a sleeve up, he points at the puddle on the floor and says, “Tell me that’s not urine.”
I laugh and the girls both bite their lips. Trina says, “Definitely not.”
KC laughs, “That is perfect! Here you go, Kristina. We boys will stand outside.”
He closes the door and chuckles, “Is that what I think it is?”
I laugh, “I’m no mind-reader, KC. However, if you walk in there and tell Callie you smell wet pussy, I suspect you won’t be lying.”
He guffaws. “I can work with that!”
“So, what is that all about?” I ask him.
“I can’t tell you, Jack. This is the part that I hate about representing both sides. I have to be very careful about what I say to either party. It’s almost not worth the double commission.” Then he grins, “Almost.”
I chuckle. “Well, you know if you can get things worked out with a certain Greek Amazon, maybe you would have a partner who could help out.”
He gives me a sardonic grin, “Wouldn’t that be something!”
I clap him on the shoulder. “Keep the faith, brother. Good things are coming your way. We just need to get you healthy, so you live long enough to enjoy it.”
The door opens, and Kristina steps out. “Jack, this is my uncle, Merrill. I didn’t know that he owned the property. He is asking things about you that I shouldn’t answer. Will you talk to him?”
I look at KC, “Will this get you in trouble?”
He shrugs, “I don’t know how. I am meant to be the middle-man, but they haven’t given me any direction to take back to you. I should be in the clear.”
I nod, “OK. I’ll talk to him, Kristina.” She hands me the phone, kisses me, and then waves her floppy coat hand at me as she closes the door.
“Hello? This is Jack Jerome, your name is Merrill?”
The voice responds, “That’s right, Merrill Bergarbiter. I’m Kristina’s uncle.”
“How may I help you Herr Bergarbiter?”
He grunts at my the greeting, but jumps right in, “I understand that you are the Green Lord.”
“Well sir, that’s an interesting statement. Why would you say such a thing?”
“My wife, Amelia, said you were, and she is rarely wrong when she has a ‘knowing.’ She thinks we should just give you the property.”
Quickly I respond, “Well sir, that will not stand. I don’t think that property is worth what you’re asking, but it’s worth what I’m offering and you shouldn’t accept less for it. Neither you, I, nor KC want the kind of scrutiny that would invite.”
“And why don’t you want the scrutiny, Jack?”
I chuckle, “Ask your wife.”
He whispers, “Sonofabitch. Okay, Jack. Thank you for that. Can’t do better than that offer?”
“Eh. Honestly, Herr Bergarbiter, I could squeeze a little more out, but 1) I believe that the offer I made is fair, especially with the expedited timeline, and 2) I recently have had a large number of new, complicated, and costly requirements for the property. I’m a reasonably successful businessman, but I don’t have unlimited cash.”
“Okay, Lord. Last thing, what are your intentions with Kristina?”
I let him stew for a moment, “Well Merrill, she is mine, and I am hers. Any other questions?”
“Er….” I hear a female voice in the background. “Er...I guess that’s a
ll, Jack”
“Shall I hand the phone to someone else, Herr Bergarbiter?”
“Ja, bitte. Please hand me to KC, Lord.”
“I look forward to meeting you in person Herr Bergarbiter.”
“Me too, Lord”
“Please Merrill, call me Jack.” Then I hand the phone to KC.
KC raises the phone to his ear as he walks back to his office.
I knock on the door and open it. My ladies are dressed, and Kristina is sitting on Calliope’s desk with her arms and legs wrapped around Trina, resting her head on the blond’s shoulder. Trina has her wrapped in a hug, nuzzling Kristina’s hair.
I approach and place my palm against Kristina’s face and the other on her arm that’s wrapped around Trina. She looks worried.
“You did nothing wrong, Kristina.” I kiss her temple. “Apparently you have an aunt that has ‘knowings,’ as your uncle Merrill called them.” She nods. “I suspect that means that you are probably more than 100% human.” She nods. “It doesn’t matter to me, my love. You are mine. I am yours. Forever more.”
She kisses Trina quickly, and then she reaches for me. “You’re going to leave in about an hour, and I don’t know when I will see you again.” She wraps her arms around me and buries her face in my chest. “When did I become so damned needy?”
I kiss her hair. “It’s my fault, sweetheart. I’m changing at every physical level known to science and probably a handful that science doesn’t even know about. I should have kept more distance until I had myself better under control. For all I know, I might be doing something to cause you to be drawn to me more than you naturally would or more quickly than you normally would. I hate watching you suffer, sweet Krissie.”
“I am torturing myself, Jack. Don’t blame yourself. I’ll be okay. I would like to hear from you regularly, and see you again soon.”
I smile at her, “I will make it happen, darling Krissie. I’m happy we’re getting to know each other, and I want to spend more time with you. We will work it out. You need to be aware, I told your uncle that you are mine, and I am yours. I meant it.” I ponder for a moment. “Two more things for you….” She nods. “...I picked up ‘Krissie’ from Annette. It’s seems to fit when we’re intimate. Are you good with that?”
She laughs, “It threw me at first, but I really like it when you call me ‘Krissie.’ It makes me feel special and loved. Trina picked up on it, and uses it the same way.”
“Perfect,” I say. “The second thing is, what is your surname? Are you a Bergarbiter, too?”
“No, Jack.” Chuckling, she extends her hand, “Kristina Unterberg at your service, my Lord.”
I laugh, “Jacque Guillaume Jerome at your service dear lady.” She wraps her arms back around my neck and kisses me.
There was another knock on the door. “Come in!” we all call.
KC walks in and takes in our huddle at the desk. “Well Jack, you own yourself 40 acres of prime frontage on Oak Creek, Cornville, Arizona! I’m going to drive out there to sign the acceptance paperwork shortly. You can head on home, we can do everything else remotely.”
I release Kristina, so I can shake his hand. “Great news, KC. Thank you for your help. I’m going to need to get it surveyed and a topographical model. Do you know someone that can do that?”
KC nods, “I’ve got a surveyor I trust. I’ve not done a topo-model before, but he told me he could do it. It’s a relatively new service. You want me to arrange it, or should I do an email intro and copy you?”
“I’d appreciate it if you can make the arrangements, KC.” He nods. “Also, send me a total amount; and, I’ll get the money into escrow. One percent or five surcharge on the cost of the survey to arrange that?”
KC chuckles, “I’ll take five if you are trying to get rid of money, but one is plenty. I’m going to make four phone calls to arrange it, confirm completion, and arrange payment.”
I grin, “One percent it is. Anything else?”
KC laughs, “NO! Get out of here, Jack!”
“Okay. Good luck on your project, buddy. Let’s go ladies!”
Each of the ladies gives KC a kiss on the cheek, and then we traipse down the hall and out the door.
We huddle by the SUV. I ask Kristina, “Sweetheart, do you need us to drop you by your place?”
“Yes, please. I loaned my truck to Annette, and I see it’s gone from where I parked it earlier.”
“Trina, are you ready to roll?”
She looks shy for a second, “I’m sorry, Master. I need a few minutes to do checks.”
“Okay, Kristina and I will run over to get some coffees to go. From Crema this time? Latte?”
She smiles gently, “That would be great, Jack. Thank you.”
I lean in to Kristina, “Let’s go Krissie!” She gives me a big grin. We walk hand-in-hand to the corner and cross main. Crema is just a few steps once we’re across. We order drinks for us and Annette, I pay, and then hit the loo in anticipation of the one-and-a-half-hour trip. Kristina has four drinks in a carrier when I come back. She offers to carry them, and I hang an arm around her waist as we walk back to the lot.
We get back as Trina is finishing putting an elf-tech device in her duffle. Then she pulls out an inspection mirror and does a circuit around the vehicle. She stops by the driver’s front wheel well and frowns. She sets the mirror on the ground and fiddles it a bit. Then she kneels down and reaches around the wheel well.
“Stay here, Krissie!” I whisper urgently. I pull Eventide in her lockback configuration and flick her open. I hold her in a reverse grip with the blade up my forearm in front of my solar plexus. Stepping far to Trina’s left to stay in her line of sight, I work my way towards her quietly from the front of the car. I can see Trina watching in the mirror as she slides her hand up the wheel, and then shoots it in. I hear a squeak from inside the wheel well, and then Trina carefully pulls her hand out holding a demi-fey dressed in a tunic. This one is smaller than Silk was.
“Hello Persimmon,” Trina addresses the small being. “Please explain to me why you’re skulking around my vehicle.”
There is a buzzing sound that rises up over the hood, and larger demi-fey flies over the hood towards Trina. I present my blade in front of Trina as a shield as she steps back before standing, allowing me to get between her and the newest little person.
The new one declares in a shrill voice, “Let go my sis…” before my left jab connects with him and knocks him over the hood. I do a monkey maneuver onto the hood and then launch to the other side. Luckily I land about two feet away from him instead of right on top of him as he’s trying to get his wings to coordinate. I scoop him up in my left hand pinning his arms down, and place my blade against his tiny neck.
“Hello. My name is Jack. What is your name?”
“A-a-acorn.”
“Hello Acorn, I wish we had met under more pleasant circumstances, but we didn’t. Did I understand you correctly? Is Persimmon your sister?” He sulks, but doesn’t say anything. “I would like you to cooperate, so there will be no reason for Trina or myself to harm you or your sister. I don’t know if we can ever be friends, but at least we can start with courtesy and respect. Will you meet me there?”
Acorn nods. “Thank you, Acorn. How many more of you are here?”
Acorn responds, “Two.”
“Thank you, Acorn. Please have them come out, so we can all talk like adults and treat each other with courtesy and respect.”
Acorn asks, “Why are you thanking me? You have me in your power, we’re not under contract, and I’ve granted you no boon.”
“That’s a fair question, Acorn. Let me tell you. First of all, I am more-or-less human. I was raised as a human, and as a result I practice human courtesy. We count courtesy given as a boon worthy of thanks. Secondly, you have done me a great favor by not giving me reason to kill you. Honestly I’ve done enough killing in my life, and I relish the idea of not having to add you to list of lives I’ve taken. Have I fairl
y answered your question?”
Trina and Kristina come around the front of the SUV as he nods. “Okay, Acorn. Please call out your companions.”
He sulks again, then calls out in is high, reedy voice, “Marigold! Periwinkle! Come here please!” I hear two sets of wings approach from the back of the vehicle. Followed by tiny gasps as they see my blade at his throat.
“Hello Marigold and Periwinkle. My name is Jack. Which of you is which?”
The small male one in a leather tunic says, “I’m Periwinkle.”
To him I say, “Well met, Periwinkle.” Turning to the other, “So I deduce you’re Marigold!” She nods her head, and puts her thumb in her mouth.
Trina says, “These are Silk’s brood, Jack. Periwinkle and Marigold are not yet adult.” Then she addresses Acorn, “Why are the four of you haunting my vehicle?”
Persimmon speaks up, “We want our daddy back!”
Trina strokes the side of her face gently with tears in her eyes. “Persimmon, honey. Your daddy tried to kill Jack and me. He died in the battle. He attacked with resourcefulness, guile, and courage. I regret to tell you I killed him, but it is true.”
Persimmon cries, “But why? Daddy was your friend.”
Trina’s tears join those of the four small beings. “He didn’t give me a choice, sweetheart. He brought a poisoned blade. He wasn’t there to wound me, but to end me. I chose to survive and mourn my friend rather than die on his blade and hope that he mourned me.”
I speak to Acorn, “I will put my blade away if all four of you pledge to not attack me or mine.”
Acorn sniffs, “So pledged.” The other three echo his pledge. Carrying Acorn, I walk to the back of the truck, folding Eventide and putting her back in my pocket. Trina holds out an arm to allow Periwinkle and Marigold to hitch a ride. I notice as I pop the hatch that they look completely knackered.
“Acorn, your siblings look worn out. How long has it been since you had anything to eat or drink?”
He mumbles, “We’ve been able to find a little water here and there, but we haven’t eaten much since mid-morning yesterday.”
“Shit,” says Trina. “They’re going to die if we don’t get them some fuel and water.”
