CHAPTER 46 #2
She left me in the room to myself, no robe or anything.
Wow, people really just walked around naked here?
I wasn’t ashamed of my body. I was a dancer in great shape, and I had to change costumes in front of males all the time in shows behind the stage.
I wore leotards for ballet and theater shows, but something about parading naked in front of Leo and Dakleth just didn’t sit well with me.
The attendant came back with, I swear to God, a black bandeau bikini. “This is the most common female swimming costume for females with mammaries, according to our replicator database,” she said.
Well, that was a surprise. I would have preferred something with straps, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. “Thank you, this is perfect,” I said as I slipped it on.
I followed her to the pools and saw Dakleth and Leo already inside. As I climbed in, I realized both were naked. “What are you wearing?” Dakleth asked.
“It’s a swimsuit. Not appropriate for me to walk around naked,” I said.
Leo guffawed. “I never even thought to ask. They said I had to come in naked, and I just shrugged and said ‘ok’.”
“Such a guy answer.” I laughed. I sat down fully on the bench, and the water came up to my chin. “Oh my God, this feels amazing,” I said. The water was so warm. Not quite as warm as a hot tub, but pretty close.
The water only came up to Dakleth’s chest. His wings were outstretched, and he gently flapped the tips in the water. I tilted my head back on the ledge. Leo rose from his side and came to sit next to me. Dakleth grabbed him from behind and slammed him back on his seat.
“Whoa, man, what is your deal?” Leo scowled at him.
“You will not sit next to my mate with your cock out,” Dakleth said.
“I can’t help it that our dicks don’t sit inside some magic pocket like yours. Besides, Andie can see I’m not hard.” He stood up and flashed me, grinning.
“Jesus, Leo! I didn’t need to see that,” I said, turning my head to the side.
“Now you flash your cock at her on purpose!” Dakleth raged, his eyes glowing red. In my peripheral vision, I could see him stand up straight, crest flared, wings flexed.
“Shit, Dakleth, he doesn’t mean anything by it,” I said. “Everybody just stay in their own corners.”
“Got it,” Leo said.
Dakleth snarled, but didn’t say anything. He sat down, but his eyes still glowed, and his chest rumbled steadily.
“Let’s just relax for a while.” I leaned my head back on the ledge and closed my eyes.
The silence stretched, and it was tense and uncomfortable, but I didn’t know how to lighten the mood.
Eventually, the attendant came for Leo to tell him the stylist was ready to cut his hair.
He got out of the pool and dried off with the towel she brought, which he - thank goodness - wrapped around his waist. “See you in a bit, guys,” he said as he sauntered out.
“Your friend has no boundaries,” Dakleth growled.
“Mmm, that’s probably true,” I said. “He likes to push buttons. But he and I know where we stand, so we’re both ok with it.”
“I do not understand your human button-pushing,” he said.
“We like to tease each other,” I said. “It’s harmless.”
“I do not like his familiarity with you,” he growled.
“Well, that’s not your call,” I said testily. “I can be as familiar as I like with whoever I want.”
Dakleth was silent for a moment. “You are right, of course,” he said. He was quiet a bit longer as he stared at me impassively. “I am jealous,” he admitted, quietly, as he looked away.
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. I mean, his jealousy was pretty obvious. But I wasn’t his to be jealous over. He wasn’t my boyfriend. We had a nice day together at the ruins and the market, but we weren’t in a relationship.
“Friends shouldn’t be jealous of other friends,” I finally said.
“I know,” he replied. “I am trying, but in my hearts you are my mate. I do not know how to be just friends.” He rose from the pool, and I saw that an enormous cock had emerged from its sheath.
Hoooooly shit, he was huge. I mean, I figured he was big because he was nearly seven feet tall, but I had not expected a full-on monster dick.
He made no move to hide it, but he wouldn’t look me in the eye.
Which didn’t matter, because my eyes were glued to the baseball bat standing up between his legs.
Ok, it wasn’t quite that long, but daaaamn.
My jaw literally dropped open as he turned and shook himself off.
As he left the room, I got a good look at his very fine, rock-hard ass.
I sat in silence, dazed by what I had witnessed.
I instant-replayed the scene of Dakleth rising out of the water hundreds of times in my mind - water streaming down his chiseled abs and muscular thighs, wings outstretched, toned body, huge, hard length - he looked like a gargoyle fantasy come to life.
Just as my hand started to drift down toward my clit to take the edge off the tingle I felt, another attendant entered the room to let me know my hair stylist was ready.
An hour later, Leo and I were walking arm-in-arm companionably back to the Palace, freshly coiffed.
My stylist had magic fingers while shampooing my hair, and had cut perfect layers into my long blonde hair.
Leo’s cut had been freshened up, but he kept his curls, for which I was grateful.
Dakleth said nothing to us, just escorted us back to the Palace.
He was alert behind us, but his expression reminded me of a kicked puppy.
“What’s his problem?” Leo whispered.
“Later,” I said. He nodded and didn’t press.
Good friendship behavior, there. We chatted as we passed by the stores, walking leisurely through the city.
I nodded to Andokar and Kelon, the guards at the gate, as we strolled into the Palace.
When we climbed the steps inside the building, Dakleth left us without a word.
“Okay, brighteyes, what’s the story?” Leo asked.
“Come on,” I said, “We’ll have an early dinner in my room, and you can help me sort this out.”
I brought him to the guest room I used when I stayed at the Palace.
I didn’t use it often, but it afforded me privacy when I needed it, and I kept a few clothes there if I needed to sleep over.
I gestured to the low cushions by the door and asked Leo what he wanted.
I gathered the hamburger and fries (for him) and the shrimp & grits (for me) and set them on the low table as I lowered myself to the cushion.
“Dakleth has feelings for me,” I said.
“No shit. You just figuring that out?” he laughed.
“I thought we were on the same page. I’ve only known him two weeks - not counting the incident last year.
Last week, remember when I told you he and I needed to talk after my piano concert?
I thought we cleared the air, and he said he could accept being just friends with me.
But today he told me he was jealous of you and that he doesn’t think he can accept being friends. ”
“Would that be so bad?” Leo asked. “I mean, I’m not fond of how he flew off the handle with me, but I get that he’s jealous.
That makes guys do stupid shit. But you should have seen him last week, Andie.
He was really torn up about your sunburn.
It was actually cute. He couldn’t stand the thought of you being hurt, and he asked me all sorts of stuff about humans because he wants to do right by you.
That’s good boyfriend material. He cares about you.
And have you seen him? He’s definitely hot. Why not go for it?”
“He fucking raped me, Leo.”
“Is it weird to say that he didn’t do it on purpose? It’s weird, I know, sorry. Ok, look. If you guys had just met, and the assault hadn’t happened, would you give him a chance?” Leo asked.
I hadn’t thought about that before. So many of my feelings about Prince Dakleth were wrapped up in how he hurt me, and the aftermath of my own depression and healing journey. How could I just set that aside? But for the sake of the argument, I tried.
“I enjoyed our day at the ruins. He’d be a thoughtful date.
He did little things like hold out his hand so I could steady myself at the floating market because it’s so wobbly.
And obviously, the sunscreen. Not just that he had it made, but that he uploaded it to my account so I can make more of it myself.
I’ve noticed that he’s handsome, which isn’t something I’ve really thought about any of the other Ptexari.
I just…never noticed any of them like that.
” I sighed. “Yeah, if I had just met him two weeks ago, I would definitely consider dating him,” I admitted.
“So maybe give him a chance?” Leo said. “You know the assault was a miscommunication, and you’ve said several times that you’ve forgiven him. If you really have, then it shouldn’t be holding you back.”
“Damn you and your logic,” I said. I took in a deep breath. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I just don’t know if I’m ready for a relationship. Especially with him.”
“That’s valid. Feelings are feelings. For what it’s worth, I’m not pushing you to date him. I just wanted to know where your head’s at,” Leo said.
“It’s all over the place. He’s a good guy, I can see it.
It’s just hard to forget the last year. I mean, I’m good now, Leo, but it was awful.
I was in a really dark place. I’m just now finding my way back.
I don’t think I’m in a good place to start something with anybody, much less the guy I’ve hated all year.
Even if it wasn’t entirely his fault, he was the villain in my story, you know? ”
Leo nodded. “I get that. I didn’t go through what you did, but I was a mess the first few months on Coromonn.
I wasn’t in a good headspace to be a good partner.
I’d already gone through it and was on the other side by the time I met Aldrin and Gafand.
And I didn’t have any baggage with them, so we were able to start clean.
Look, there’s no rush. Take things slow.
If you need to shut things down with him, be honest about it with him.
I mean, I can’t promise he’ll understand, but that’s all you can do. ”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll think about it.” I decided to move on. “Anyway, enough about me. Your guys arrive in two days! You must be so excited!”
“Hell yes, girl! I can’t wait to see them! I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself tomorrow. I can’t just sit around all day, I’m going to be a WRECK!” he was bouncing on his seat with excitement.
“I got you,” I said. “We’ll take a daytrip to the Dumani Cliffs. They’re gorgeous. We can have a picnic and look at the waterfalls. You haven’t done enough sightseeing here. I’ve been a terrible host!”
“First, that sounds amazing. We need to get out of town, and second, shut up. Don’t talk about my bestie like that. You’re already spending almost every hour of every day with me. I couldn’t ask for a better host. ”
“Ok, Ok. Ego sufficiently boosted, thanks!” I laughed. “I need to get home, and I’ll get some things together. I’ll pick you up tomorrow after breakfast.”
“Sounds like a plan, huera. See you tomorrow!”