9. What’s worse than apartment hunting? Kellan
9
WHAT’S WORSE THAN APARTMENT HUNTING? KELLAN
Archer
I can’t do this anymore.
Staring at the sign in front of a dreary apartment building had me wanting to turn tail and run in the other direction.
Ivor, Neil, and I had been inspecting apartments every Saturday and Sunday for the past couple of weeks. Each place we’d looked at had been worse than the one before. Very few of them had three bedrooms, even though that was what they said in the listing. In some, the third bedroom was the size of a cupboard—literally—while in others it was more of a study with no door. And for others, the agent shrugged and said two of us could share a room.
Glancing at my future roommates, I noted the slumped shoulders, the mouths set in a hard line, and their resigned expressions that I was sure reflected my own.
“Maybe this is the one,” Neil told us.
I planted a smile on my face and nodded as we crossed the threshold, the bored estate agent barely glancing at us as he perched on a stool and played a game on his phone.
Nope, not even close. The scuffed walls and peeling paint were cosmetic, and I tried to look at it through Micah’s eyes. He’d mentioned at our latest rooftop barbecue that he always saw the potential in any home he staged.
I tried and failed as we poked our heads into the tiny kitchen with cupboard doors hanging off their hinges and a stove that should have been consigned to the dumpster.
“Ewww.” Ivor shared a glance with me and made a face.
“Nasty,” I agreed .
“Are we ready for the room of doom?” Neil asked, though he appeared to be anything but as he was hanging back behind Ivor and myself.
“Not really.” Ivor shook his head.
“I don’t have a good feeling, guys.” I gulped and we linked arms. Not wanting to grip the bathroom door handle, I nudged it with my shoulder. Even that was too much contact.
I smelt rather than saw the state of the bathroom at first and shoved a hand over my mouth and nose. It should have had the biohazard symbol stamped on the door.
Gross . Even my wolf, who’d whined during these tours that I was wasting my time instead of paying attention to Micah, was repulsed.
“Let’s go,” Neil shrieked and hotfooted it out the front door with Ivor and me at his heels.
“Don’t you want to put in an application?” the agent yelled after us. “I can give you free parking for a year.”
“No!” we shouted, and I got into the driver’s seat of our rented car. With Ivor beside me and Neil in the back hugging a cushion, I merged into traffic.
“I don’t know about you, but I need caffeine and a piece of cake or a chocolate croissant to cheer me up. My treat.” The last sentence was for Ivor, as he couldn’t afford to splash out on a fancy coffee and dessert. “Who’s in?”
“Me.”
“And me.”
We sat outside the café under a large umbrella, sipping our lattes and cappuccino while I licked frosting from my lips. It was a moment of peace, and I relished doing nothing while surrounded by friends. Instead of focusing on what was a hopeless case regarding finding somewhere new to live, my mind wandered to Micah and the kiss I’d snatched. Not the failed drunken one. I still cringed when I rewound that scene through my head.
And whenever I thought of the unicorn shifter, his cock loomed large in my imagination. Yum.
“That chocolate cake must be something else,” Neil noted. “It’s put a huge grin on your face and you’ve been licking your lips for the last minute.”
“Is it frosting or something else?” Ivor said knowingly.
If we were going to be living together, which was looking less likely based on the apartments we’d seen, I had to be honest with the pair. “If I tell you something, do you promise to keep it a secret?” After they agreed, I continued, “I really like Micah.”
“That’s it?” Neil replied as Ivor rolled his eyes.
“Huh? Isn’t it enough?” My huge announcement had fallen flat.
“It’s been obvious since the first night on the roof. You kept stealing glances at him,” Ivor informed me.
“Was I that obvious?”
They looked at one another and back at me. “Yes.”
“Fine.” It was a relief not to keep it bottled up .
“He likes you too,” Neil told me before sipping his coffee.
“We kissed. Twice.” No, ewww. Failed kiss should be banished from my memory.
“What?” Neil yelled, earning him a glare from the couple at the next table.
“Not really twice.” I spilled about the almost kiss after the dinner with Neil, my face burning as I recalled how much I’d had to drink. “But there was a sort of peck before I jumped out of his car a couple of weeks ago.”
Ivor closed one eye. “An almost kiss and a peck. It’s almost a relationship.”
Neil put a hand on my fellow wolf shifter’s shoulder. “Don’t tease him, Ivor.”
“Yeah, don’t tease me, Ivor,” I repeated, and the three of us giggled.
“I don’t mean to be that guy, but you understand Micah will never settle.” Ivor lowered his voice, his eyes flicking to the next table, because it was obvious they were human. “He’s a unicorn.”
“So?” Neil threw up his hands. “Anything is possible, including shifters being a reality, which would have been insane if you’d told me that ten years ago. If you and Micah are meant to be together, you’ll work it out.”
“I don’t know.” Ivor tapped his fingers on the table. “Only being able to mate with other unicorns is a cruel trick the universe played on Micah and his kind. There are so few of them around, they’re kind of doomed to spend their life unmated.”
His words put a damper on my good mood. I’d tried not to think about it when Micah had told me, assuming love could conquer anything. Or lust.
“Pfft. He is so into you, Archer. And honestly, I think he hides behind the whole…” Neil made air quotes, “I can only mate with a unicorn thing.” He crumpled up his paper napkin. “It’s an excuse to prevent him getting hurt. Like the last time.”
He clamped his mouth shut. I wanted more information about Micah’s former relationship that had left him with emotional scars, but Neil changed the subject. “I have a client who keeps messaging me.”
Ivor brushed crumbs off his lap as he said, “Insisting you’re not providing the services you promised?”
“The opposite,” Neil replied.
“What does that involve?” I asked. “I’m hoping he doesn’t want an in-person session.”
“Not exactly. He’s cute and I’m attracted to him. And knowing shifters the way I do, he is definitely one. I’m sure of it.”
“Oh Neil, please be careful. He could be another Kellan.”
“Gee thanks, Archer. You’re a real party pooper.”
I covered his hand with my own. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be a downer. But what do you know about him? He could be a creep. We should check out the guy.”
“Okay,” Neil agreed, though his face and tone said the opposite .
“You’re both crazy.” Ivor leaned back and crossed his arms. “Don’t do this. Besides, do you even know his real name?”
We let that information sink in, and then I turned my attention to Ivor himself. “Your turn. Is there someone significant in your life?”
“No.” His voice had me studying his face. “I don’t have the time or energy for anyone else right now. Especially when I’m losing my home and haven’t found anywhere new.”
Ivor’s reminder that we wouldn't have a home in the near future had us sitting in silence before I paid and we headed home. As we had the car for the day, I thought we might go to the movies in the afternoon, though it was doubtful Ivor could afford it, but I parked out the front on the street.
Ryder’s shouts greeted us. They weren’t directed at us but at his sort of almost ex, Kellan. It reminded me of the day I’d arrived, except this time Kellan had his back on the porch railing. Seemed as though Ryder had discovered Kellan’s cheating. And while I hated that the stag shifter was confronted with the truth, I’d been conflicted about not telling him what Micah and I had witnessed.
But on seeing me, Kellan interrupted Ryder’s rant. “You say the people at Sunshine Manor are your family . So Archer and Micah must be okay with me seeing other guys. They saw me. Answer me that, Ryder.” He sneered at me while addressing his lover.
What an ass, dumping me in the deep end when it was he who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. Neil got behind me and slipped his trembling hand in mine. “I’m really sorry, Ryder. I should have spoken up.”
“No, that’s on me.” Micah stepped onto the porch. “Archer’s only been here a few weeks. I’ve known you forever, and we’re good friends. I could have stepped up and said something even though I knew it’d hurt you.”
“No, it’s okay, man,” Ryder sighed. “You’ve said it before. More than once.”
Kellan rolled his eyes and pushed himself off the railing. “I’m not staying for this stupid kumbaya moment. Call me when you wanna get laid.” He shoved past us. “Being fucked by you, Ryder, is the best. No one comes close. You have real skill.”
Awkward! We all stared at one another, my thoughts clouded by Micah standing close and Neil still gripping my hand. But Daire rushed out and yelled, “Guess what?”
“Kellan’s a dick?” Micah suggested.
“No. Well yes, he is, but forget that douche for now. I don’t want to sell Sunshine Manor.”
No one pointed out it technically wasn’t his to sell, and the auction was next Saturday with the inspection that morning .
“Not sure how you’re going to turn it around at such short notice,” Micah informed him. “I can’t see your parents being persuaded.” I heard the words but my attention was on the salt and pepper scruff covering his jaw.
“I’ll order food, so come inside and let's discuss it.”
Daire had Mexican food delivered, and we talked over one another as we discussed ways to stop the auction. “I hate to say it,” Micah said, as I zoomed in on a dollop of guacamole in the corner of his mouth, “but I think you’re out of options.” Neil nudged me and tapped his lips, and it was only then I discovered my tongue was hanging out. Micah had that effect on me.
“What is it that turns people off when they’re looking for a place to buy or rent?” Daire asked, his gaze turning to Micah.
“I know!” My hand shot up.
“Pick me,” Ivor yelled, jumping up from his seat.
“I have a long list,” Neil informed the group.
Our enthusiastic response made even Ryder grin. “And here I thought Micah was our resident expert,” Daire chortled.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
“No, we’re in this together.” Micah winked at me as his knee nudged mine. It took all my willpower to concentrate on the task at hand. That being our living situation and not me being fucked by Micah.
We came up with a list of bad smells, clogged toilets, crazy paint colors, dirt, mud, strange noises, clutter, and dampness. I had a colleague with a noisy, foul-mouthed parrot we could pretend lived next door, and Ivor knew someone with a huge dog.
The six of us worked our butts off all week painting some of the indoor walls fuchsia, grape, and lime. Each apartment was strewn with junk and we curated rotten meat in the dumpster. On the day of the inspection, we stomped mud over the patio and stuffed toilet paper in the toilets. The bathroom floors were sprayed with water, and Daire had downloaded gurgling sounds similar to water rushing through old pipes.
Ivor pointed out that if a potential buyer wanted to demolish the building, our ploy would be for nothing. But the rest of us were certain buyers would want to restore the old home, unlike Daire’s parents who never saw the beauty in anything.
While Micah and I never discussed anything other than what we were hoping to pull off, as we worked, there was a squeeze of a hand and fingers grazing over my hip, and we constantly gravitated to one another, brushing shoulders and butts.
By the time of the walk through, the dog was installed in the front yard and he leaped up on every person who arrived. Jasper, the parrot, loved company and screeched from where we‘d positioned his cage near the fence. Along with our furry and feathered friends, the smells, noises, and plumbing had people rushing away, hands over their faces. And there wasn’t one bid.
After the animals were returned to their owners, and we cleaned up, we toasted with champagne. All of us were exhausted and filthy but elated, and I hoped Daire’s parents, who hadn’t bothered to attend the auction, would be persuaded to keep the house. Neil and Ivor in particular needed the safety and security of living in Sunshine Manor. I had an ulterior motive for wanting to stay. Micah.
“I need a shower,” I said to no-one in particular as I traipsed up to the third floor. A hand on my hip had me pause. There was no need to turn around; his scent announced his presence.
“Save water, shower with a friend.”
I swiveled around to face Micah. “A friend? I don’t usually take showers with friends.”
No words were exchanged. His eyes searched mine and I gave my consent. Micah’s lips slammed on mine as his fingers crept over my ass. I inhaled his aroma that tickled my nostrils and had my fingers and toes tingling. He nibbled my bottom lip and I opened my mouth and moaned, giving him access. His tongue darted in and stroked my own. I flicked back and we dueled.
For weeks, I’d imagined him in me. His tongue, fingers, and his huge cock. And now with his scruff rubbing over my chin, it became real, more than a yearning, and I ground my crotch against the bulge in his pants.
Without breaking our kiss, he opened his door and pulled me inside. A practiced kick slammed it closed. A little voice whispered in my ear he’d done that before, but I ignored it as my fingers trailed over his arousal and I fumbled with his zipper.
“Hurry!” I mumbled.