Chapter Five
“I need a fucking vacation from my life,” Charm Barra said with a groan as she collapsed onto the chair between Juliet and Brielle Artane. “I had a bunch of interviews scheduled for today that ran over. I’m glad you ordered already. I’m starving.”
“I know what you mean,” Brielle said sympathetically. “People need to learn how to just answer the questions they are asked and shut up about everything else. Seriously. I want to know where you worked last, not your whole freaking life story.”
“Exactly!”
They were seated in a private dining room at Tea Party, one of the restaurants in Wonderland, and the table was covered with various dishes they had ordered.
The Krytos female complained about her job daily, but she thrived on the chaos of managing the sanctuary. Actually, Charm excelled at running Wonderland far better than her brothers. Part of that was due to the fact she’d spent years working at Haven, the female-only sanctuary in Jade City. Her prior experience was instrumental in making sure everything ran smoothly at Wonderland, but she was also a natural-born leader and alpha in her own right.
Despite Raek and Fenris’ size and overall intimidating demeanors, both males could be quite sensitive and compassionate, especially when it came to dealing with females. Charm didn’t have that problem. A hard ass through and through, she didn’t put up with any bullshit. Juliet loved that about her because she could always be counted on to tell it like it was and being real…even if the truth hurt.
It had been exactly one week since Juliet had arrived on Evo, and every day had felt like a dream. Despite their busy schedules, Raek and Fenris had taken time off to show her around Evo. They took turns playing and exploring some of the different islands with her. But most importantly, they spent time just being with her.
They made her feel like she belonged there with them.
Raek and Fenris had referred to Wonderland as her home several times, but they weren’t pressuring her to stay. They were simply making sure she knew she was welcome to remain there if that was what she wanted.
While they hadn’t sat down and openly discussed everything that had happened to her from the point she was kidnapped to when she was rescued, she didn’t actually feel like it was necessary. They already knew everything, and she was aware they did.
Hell, at this point, everyone in the known universe had a general idea of what had happened.
If something came up during a conversation, she didn’t shy away from the subject. She had referenced being a captive a few times, and they had asked her about the strain of dealing with the trial and meeting with the Council of Regents. They had apologized for not being there to help her through everything, but she’d honestly told them that wasn’t their fault.
Raek had surprised her when he had asked if she wanted James, Beatrice, and Willard dead. She knew if she’d said yes, he would have found a way to make it happen. Instead, she had reaffirmed that she preferred knowing they were trapped in a cage and would be spending a long time living in a hell of their own making.
Besides spending time with Raek and Fenris, Juliet had also found a core group of female friends who she had bonded with. Although it was an eclectic group, they enjoyed spending time together. There was something special about having other females to confide in, and she liked that they were all from different races and backgrounds.
It had surprised Juliet to discover how many people had recently been mated since coming to Evo. It seemed like the planetoid had unintentionally become a destination for romance. She secretly thought that if they marketed that idea, more people would visit the planetoid than those who came just to play the games.
Brielle was mated to the three Artane brothers and was a brilliant scientist who had been instrumental in the creation of Evo. While they had worked together for years, they had only officially mated once they had moved to the planetoid.
Ayla D’Nye, the famous D’Aire Singer, had discovered Zenix Li, the head of security, was the keeper of her heart after she had arrived on Evo to perform at a concert. Ayla’s assistant, Lina Z’ar, had also found the keeper of her heart, Travis McClain, a tech specialist.
Juliet, Charm, and Melody were the only three females currently seated at the table who weren’t mated, but she had a feeling that would soon be changing for the Tarin.
Since the first day they had arrived, Melody had spent every night with Conack. The Krytos security officer was a mountain of a male, but he was a softie at heart. It was endearing to watch the big male blush whenever Melody teased or flirted with him. It was clear for all to see that he was completely and utterly devoted to her by the way he followed her around like a little puppy.
Thankfully, she seemed to feel the same way about him.
Juliet was proven right when Melody cleared her throat and said, “Now that we’re all here, I wanted to tell you that I have decided to move in with Conack.”
She frowned when Juliet cheered, while Ayla, Lina, and Charm muttered curses. Brielle just groaned in response to the announcement.
“Problem?”
“Couldn’t you have waited another week?” Ayla whined.
“Why?”
“Because then she would have won the bet,” Brielle explained. “She had two weeks, while I said a month.”
Melody’s brow lifted. “You had a bet going to see how long it would take me to move in with him?”
“Did we say the bet was for moving in or mating?” Lina perked up. “Those are two different things so I didn’t lose yet.”
“You lost,” Juliet corrected. “You said three months, while I said a week. So, I won.”
“No fair,” Ayla complained. “You know her better.”
Juliet laughed. “Which is why I said a week.”
Charm shook her head. “But if they aren’t technically mated yet—”
“We are mated,” Melody blurted out. “Well, I shared energy with him last night, so that is basically a bond for life type of thing for Tarin.”
“Damn it,” Lina and Ayla said in unison.
“This is…not how I expected you to react to my big news. What was the bet for?”
“Spa treatments,” Juliet announced proudly.
“I’m glad my mating was worth so little to all of you,” Melody said dryly.
“And dinner,” Charm added cheerfully.
“Right, and dinner,” Juliet repeated with a solemn nod. “Congratulations on your mating, and thanks for letting me win.”
Giving into their antics, Melody laughed. “You are welcome. I think we need champagne.”
“I still have work…aww, fuck it. You’re right. We need drinks,” Charm said with a laugh. She started to reach for the tablet to place their order, but Brielle shook her head.
“Evo, can you have a couple of bottles of champagne sent up to us? The good stuff.”
“Right away, Alpha Elle,” said a voice through the security monitor in the room.
“So, Evo is now calling you Alpha Elle instead of Diva Elle?” Charm asked.
Brielle rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but it took a really long time to convince her.”
Juliet’s brows furrowed. “You’re talking about the computer system that runs the planetoid?”
Brielle nodded. “Even though Evo is the AI system, she’s like a best friend and guardian rolled into one. The nanotech tattoos I have allow me to interact with her without a controller. It took a while to get used to, but now I can’t imagine not having her with me.”
Juliet didn’t know what to say to that. “Ah…okay.”
When the bottles were delivered directly to the room, Charm poured them all glasses of the pale gold liquid. Juliet had always had a particular fondness for champagne, and it had been far too long since she’d had any. After they toasted Melody and her new mate, she pointed toward Juliet and Charm.
“Now, we just have to get you two matched up.”
“No, no, no,” Charm said emphatically. “I’m too damn busy to deal with any relationship drama.”
“How can you be too busy for sex?” Melody asked. “I mean, you can just find someone to give you orgasms without having to speak to them, right?”
Charm frowned. “If I don’t want to speak to someone, why would I want them to touch me?”
“That’s a good point. In a way, the D’Aire have it easy since we do not feel desire for anyone but our keepers,” Ayla explained. “Then again, some people may never find theirs.”
“I cannot imagine going through life without ever feeling desire for someone.” Melody shivered. “Tarin are different since we need to feed off of sex…or violence. Sexual energy is more satisfying, though.”
“Speaking of…” Juliet blew out an audible breath. “I need help figuring out how to seduce Raek and Fenris.”
The females at the table shared a look before Melody grinned and shouted, “It’s about fucking time!”
“You must know how much they love you, but they are being very careful with you, so they will not make the first move,” Charm said seriously. “With that said, all you really need to do is breathe, and you can pretty much seduce them.”
Juliet let out a nervous laugh. “I’m glad you think so, but I think I might need a little more help than that.”
“Can you just tell them that you’re ready?” Brielle asked.
Lina scoffed. “That’s no fun. Getting naked always works for me.”
“I…ah…I’m not quite sure I’m ready to just start with that.”
Lina winced. “Sorry about that.”
Juliet smiled at her new friend. “No problem. Really.”
“You’re getting your tattoo later today, right?” Charm asked. “Good, then you’ll be alone with Fenris. You can just jump him.”
Juliet wanted to, but actually doing it was a different story. She was grateful for how careful they both were with her, but it also made her a little sad that they felt like they needed to be. They were good males who cared deeply for her. In fact, she was starting to believe that they loved her as much as she loved them.
And now she was ready to take their relationship to the next level.
“You should put on a dress or something you feel beautiful wearing,” Melody suggested. “The right outfit can set the mood.”
Juliet had worn gray leggings and a long, sunny yellow tunic to meet her friends, but changing into a dress was a good idea. She could also put on some light makeup and do her hair. She hadn’t done that in ages, and it would certainly help give her a little more confidence.
“Oh, and don’t wear panties.”
Juliet choked on the sip of champagne she’d just taken. “That’s…”
“Easier access?”
Holy nova, her Tarin friend was a menace.
“What do you want her to do?” Charm asked dryly. “Flash him?”
“I bet it would work.”
“Maybe I should try something a little…less forward.”
“You could start out with a simple kiss,” Ayla offered. “That would give him a pretty clear hint of your interest.”
“Or ask him to kiss you. Once you give express permission, I think they’ll take it from there,” Brielle suggested.
Juliet certainly hoped so. Being the one to make the first move wouldn’t be easy, but she was willing to try.