Chapter 9
Soleil
I tucked the blanket around my waist, settling deeper into the couch. Griffin had been pacing a lot today, but I’d been preoccupied watching a second show I’d started this morning after my first night in his nest.
I shoved my hand into the bag of red chips and crunched into them. The salty and spicy taste coated my tongue. Humans had so much; it was awesome. Another word I’d learned. They had things like colors, songs, and snacks.
“Sol,” Griffin said, approaching to perch at the edge of the couch. I paused the show and scooted, tucking my leg under me so I could face him. He looked at me in silence for a moment. “Tali is coming over to keep you company for a little while.”
I stopped with a chip midway to my mouth and slowly returned it to the bag to set it aside. Tali was his kin, but why was she coming? “Why?” I didn’t bother beating around the bush.
“Just for a few hours, kitten. Can you promise to behave?”
He reached forward, cupping the side of my face. I frowned. Having his kin near wasn’t a problem, but it seemed like there was something else he wanted to say, so I just cocked my head. He sighed and rubbed my lips with his thumb.
“I have to run a quick errand.” I didn’t know what that meant. “But I’ll be back soon. In the meantime, you stay with Tali and get to know each other—”
“You’re leaving?” I blurted out, understanding what he was saying. He couldn’t leave.
I hissed, showing him my teeth. It didn’t deter him. He’d already learned I would never hurt him. His hand settled on my head. “It’ll be a short time for work. I’ll be back quickly.”
“Work? Who is she?” I stiffened.
Griffin laughed, the sound deep and resonating.
“It’s what humans do to support their lifestyles.” I cocked my head. “All this,” he swept his hand around, “was purchased with money.” I was connecting the dots to the show. The characters were always talking about going to make money.
“So you will go make money?”
The corner of his lips twitched. “Yes. So I can buy you whatever you want.”
I hummed and settled against the back of the couch cushion, peeking at him. He wasn’t going to let me go with him . . . at least not if he knew.
I nodded slowly. “Okay.”
His shoulders relaxed, and a brilliant smile spread across his lips. “Don’t turn in front of anyone, ever, even Tali.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to my jaw.
“When does Tali get here?” I asked.
“She’s already parked out front.” He pulled his cellphone out and tapped the screen. “I’m messaging her to come in. Please listen to Tali, kitten. She’ll make sure you have everything you need.”
He wasn’t playing fair, calling me those sweet things that made my chest want to explode.
“I will behave,” I lied, and smiled wider.
A creak echoed, and footsteps approached. She turned into the living room, her eyes flitting over me, then she shuffled over to Griffin. I watched with interest as she kept peeking over at me.
“I’m here,” she muttered, her voice shaking a bit.
I kept my attention sharp, listening.
“Keep her company. I’m going to get changed to head out in the next few minutes. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
“You’re acting like she’s a kid, dude.”
He was already walking away from her and toward me. Griffin leaned over the back of the couch and cupped my jaw. I stretched my neck to meet his kiss. Another wonderful human thing. I nibbled his lip, and he smiled wider as he pulled away.
“I’ll see you in a few hours, kitten.”
With that, he strode away toward the bedroom, and I had no choice but to turn to Tali. Even from this distance, I could see her pulse thudding in her neck. She cleared her throat.
“Uh, hi,” she murmured.
Human pleasantries.
“Hello,” I said and stood, shaking the blanket off.
The bottom of my loose dress slid down to my knees. My mind raced, and the instinct to run after Mate beat against me, but I couldn’t behave rashly. I was already planning to go with him from the first moment he said it, but I couldn’t let this woman tell him.
“Come with me?” I murmured, shoving my feet into slippers and shuffling toward the kitchen where Mate made meals.
There was a little room in the back where I would be able to trap her. It was also far enough from the bedroom that he wouldn’t hear any shouting. The sound of her steps hesitated, but it didn’t take her long to catch up to me with my sloth-like pace.
I slowed as I neared the little room where he stored two large machines that were washing clothes loudly. Turning, I waited until she slid closer. She kept biting her lip and tucking her hair behind her ear.
“I know we got off on the wrong side of things—”
“I must be with Mate,” I said.
She blinked a few times. “I don’t understand . . .”
She stood in front of me, a small, waifish woman, easy to overpower.
“Go in there,” I ordered, motioning to the small room.
She blinked at me, unmoving. Griffin wouldn’t take long, so she needed to get inside. I gripped her arm and forced her into the room. She gasped, stumbling, her head whipping to me.
“What the hell?” She held up her hands and pursed her lips.
I held my hand out. “Your device.” Her fear reeked the place up. She’s Mate’s kin. “Please.”
She gave me the phone, her hand shaking as it withdrew. I backed out of the loud room and locked it as I placed the device on the table. Not wasting any more time, I bolted through the house, heading for the garage where Griffin had his car.
Even the thought of the four-wheel death-box sent shivers up my spine, but it was a necessity.
The door creaked as I hesitantly opened it, then slinked inside, shut the door, and climbed over the seat.
It was just in time. His scent intensified with the creak of the door. I flattened my body against the carpet.