Patchwork pixie, p.12
Patchwork Pixie, page 12
“You need a big house for that?”
Rayden chuckled. “Like any other point in history, wealth helps. It adds comfort and eases the stresses of new partnerships.”
“And the public competition?”
“Adoration fuels us. Marshall gets it in the courtroom and when he is out in public; I get it on the ice.” Rayden chuckled. “We both feel power when folks surrender to our pheromones.”
“Right. Weirdos.”
He laughed and pulled her tight against him. “Your weirdos.”
“Yeah. Not quite claimed but not quite feral.” She yawned.
“How are you feeling?”
“Internally bruised but hungry again. It’s how I recover from stress.”
“Well, then. Let’s go raid the pantry.”
He sat up with her, and when he let her go, she felt cold. She shivered, but since she was still fully dressed, she couldn’t complain. He eased her to her feet, and she stretched. “Wait, the ache is gone. Did you lock it up?”
He laughed. “No, but it is a pleasant thought.”
He helped her downstairs and into the kitchen. She sat at the table, and he brought her a glass of water. “What would you like?”
“Snacks. Crackers, cheese. That kinda thing.”
“He has a ridiculously well-equipped fridge and pantry.” Rayden grinned and went snooping.
“So, do you guys get a say in who you partner with?”
“Yes and no. Mainly no. We all know each other quite well, but we have deliberately kept from entangling with each other because we are all waiting and hoping for mates. I knew what you were the moment I saw you, as did Marshall.”
“Why didn’t I know?”
“Were you raised on tales of mythical women of power?”
“Erm... no.”
“That would be why. When Keres broke the walls with the blood of the innocent, she was wearing the potential she now shows, and all her power was waiting. Achilles and Dante knew then, but they kept their distance.”
“Why?”
“She was a child. Nearly adult but still a child. When she was ready, she sought them out. Not before.” He tilted his head a little as he emerged from the pantry. “I think they waited seven or eight years, but to us, time is a rather cheap commodity.”
Ruby bit her lip. “It must have been a relief for her. To finally be with them, I mean.”
“Well, they formalized their link four years ago, but she didn’t rejoin them until a few months ago. Now they are working as a triad, and all look very content.”
“Achilles certainly enjoys doing sculptures of his mate.”
“That he does.”
She thought and then smiled. “Where did my computer end up?”
“Marshall’s study. He likes everything in its place.”
Ruby nodded. “Do you mind if I go get it?”
“No. Go ahead.”
“Right. Where am I going?”
He gave her the directions, and she got her charged laptop. She chose a seat at the counter, and Rayden smiled as he chopped, sliced, and arranged a snack. A kettle whistled as she went through the emails she had missed, and she forwarded all the threatening ones from Tanner to her attorney. She kept them in a separate folder and went on through frantic work emails, sending a quick message to Mr. Mayfield before moving on. Seven job offers were waiting, all of whom were willing to wait out the six-month non-compete clause.
She smiled and wondered where she would be in six months emotionally.
Rayden set the plate on the table, and she followed him over. “So, what is that smile?”
“I was just wondering where I will be in six months.”
He opened his mouth and closed it with a snap.”
“What was that?”
“I was going to say something crude, which is insensitive considering your recent situation.”
“Spill it.”
“When you said you wondered where you would be, I was hoping it would either be under or on top of me. Not fussy.”
She chuckled. “Nice to know where you stand.”
“Stand, recline, pin you against a window. Again, not fussy.”
“As long as it doesn’t involve skates.”
He grinned. “No promises.”
“I wear tights under the flippy skirts.”
“I can open anything.”
She paused while stacking a cracker with sliced sausage and cheese. “Don’t tease.”
He laughed, she smiled, and she started snacking.
She didn’t answer any of the security companies who wanted her on board. Even speaking to them would cause a conflict. When she was done, she peeked at her social media and found that the news was roasting Tanner. Beth was hauling him over the coals and being rather frank about their affair.
“Well, that’s surprising.”
“What?”
“Beth is being honest that I was not recommending Tanner as a lover. She is doing it in public.”
Her phone rang, and she picked it up. “Hello?”
“Tanner is out on bail. He is coming after you. Don’t leave the house.”
“Marshall, you are not the boss of me, and I am perfectly fine. Besides, he doesn’t know where I am.”
“If he is hunting you, he will find you.”
“That’s fine. I am ready for him.”
Marshall cursed and then said, “I am coming home.”
“Fine. Rayden made some snacks.”
“Are you still in your full form?”
“Yup.”
“Good. Stay that way.”
“There isn’t a reason to shrink.”
“Excellent. I will be home in half an hour.”
“Don’t hurry. I am still not naked.”
He sighed. “Give it time. I am sure you will eventually be waiting for us naked.”
“Yeah. Reverse that.”
He laughed. “See you in thirty, Ruby.”
She hung up and looked at her phone. “So, Tanner is out on bail, and he’s hunting me. How are you at finding things?”
“Pretty good, but I know someone who can find almost anyone.” Rayden grinned.
“One of yours?”
“Ours, precious, but yes. I know some standard alphas can do it.” He dialled. “But he is the person I know.”
Rayden spoke quickly and spoke in a language that Ruby could barely track. She made out a few words. Bastard. Hunter. Dead man. Omega. Find.
“What language are you speaking?” She frowned.
“It is our language. When the ears sprout, so does the language.” He looked at her. “Did you understand me?”
“Bits. Who is the guy on the phone?”
“Yarin. He’s only been out for three years. He’s a private detective.”
She chuckled. “I imagine that he makes quite a bit.”
“He does a lot of work for Marshall’s firm. He doesn’t pad his invoices but is thorough and makes a good living.”
“Is he looking for his mate? I mean, she’s around.”
Rayden sent a text. He must have hung up the call. He blinked and looked at her. “He asks how you knew?”
“Not a clue. An omega thing. There is just something in the air.” She smiled. “I have seen one other omega in the last few days.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
“Who?”
“She will reveal herself, or she won’t.”
He sighed. “We are very vested in finding the other omegas. According to legend, the flicker you showed is one of the signs. Your sibling is definitely one.”
“Yeah. Shit. I need to call her. If he didn’t pass out, she met her match.”
“Interesting criteria.”
“Yeah, you don’t have to do anything as arduous. You just have to wait a little.”
He laughed. “If we had to wait a decade, it would still be worth the wait.”
“Well, at this rate, the heat is going to roar in tomorrow. Darn. You are going to miss it.”
He looked shocked. “Tomorrow?”
“Yeah. It’s just the clearing heat. Pretty sure that Marshall can manage it.”
“That’s not the problem. The problem is that if you are signalling tonight, I am going to be in no mood to play tomorrow.”
“Just don’t spend too much time in the box of shame.”
He muttered, “Penalty box.”
“Yeah. That thing.”
He looked at her with narrowed eyes. “You are sure it will be tomorrow?”
“From what I can remember. It might be Sunday. Do you want me to try and hold it back?”
“No. Definitely not. I will just have to return home immediately after the game. No beers with the boys.”
“Aren’t you sore?”
“Yeah. And I will be tomorrow as well, but you will be wearing condoms, and I am pretty certain that my cervix is swollen shut, so nothing is getting through.”
They sat together and ate snacks until Marshall came home.
She sipped at her water as Marshall came in. The urge to walk to him to be cuddled was new. He slipped off his suit jacket and held a hand out to her. She grunted and walked over to him, taking his hand and letting him pull her against him. She pressed her head to the side of his neck and breathed in. She paused. “Oh, that’s what you meant.”
He chuckled. “Your scent has started its return. That was fast.”
“Do you have those patches to slow me down?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Because Rayden has to go twirl like a pretty princess for money, and he doesn’t want to miss anything. Things are moving kind of fast.”
“For tonight, yes. No patches tomorrow. You need to get the first heat out of the way.”
“I know. Being at the mercy of my body sucks.”
Marshall murmured, “Being at the mercy of your body is my fondest wish.”
She felt her face heat. “Umm.”
He slid a hand slowly through her hair and tugged her head back. The kiss was soft and slow, but her body reacted wildly. A distinct slickness surged, and she heard Rayden gasp.
She tried to pull away, but Marshall held her close with gentle hands and slow, lightly licking kisses against her mouth.
She shivered and held him at the neck and a fistful of his shirt.
He finally lifted his head. “I am going to get that patch before you melt.”
Rayden chuckled. “We got into your treasured charcuterie.”
Marshall snorted. “I know. Good combination.”
Rayden got up and slid his arms around Ruby’s waist. “I’ve got her. Oh, gods, your scent is coming in.”
Marshall slipped away and headed upstairs.
She wiggled against him. “I know. Hard to miss. So is yours.”
His body went rigid. “So, I guess we are not having dinner out.”
Marshall’s voice said, “Probably wise.”
She laughed. “So, does takeout deliver here?”
“Yes, but it’s limited. It’s easier to just drive to the restaurant.” Marshall chuckled. “I will do that. You two seem to be on the edge of control.”
She smiled. “But just the edge, right?”
Marshall moved around her and held up the patches. “Just the edge. These should slow your descent. One for six hours, and then the other will be removed tomorrow morning. That will buy Rayden time to do his job. Turn around. They go on your thighs.”
She looked back at Rayden, and he was grinning. She turned in his arms, and Marshall eased her leggings down to her knees. The patches were set on the fatty part of either thigh, and then she jumped when Marshall kissed her thigh next to the patch and trailed kisses up and around her hip to the centre of her back just above the line of her panties.
Her body shuddered at the tiny kisses, and she pressed her forehead against Rayden. She muttered, “How is it fair that you play hockey?”
“No one knows about the dark Elite yet. Well, not publicly. We rarely show ourselves in public yet.”
“So, there will be a day?” She shivered against Marshall’s lips. He was moving her shirts out of the way and kissing across her lower back. She was guessing that Marshall had a favourite body part.
Marshall murmured against her spine, “Achilles, Dante, and Keres have already started.”
“Oh. Right. They were out there, weren’t they?”
“He ships his artwork around the world. More and more folks are imagining dark Elite and Elite omegas.” He chuckled. “If he sees you with Rayden on the ice, there will probably be a new addition to his collection.”
“He won’t. He and I don’t intersect on the ice.”
Marshall pulled away. “You don’t? How disappointing.”
She shrugged. “I am just happy that it is still being performed, and I can actually be in it for the first time.”
Marshall stood and pulled her leggings up to her hips. “That’s a shame. I have seen clips of your practice video, and it is very dramatic and emotive.”
“What?”
Rayden smiled. “The coach was there early, and he recorded us. After that, he put it up on social media.”
She looked up at him. “Fucking hell.”
He grinned. “You looked amazing.”
“Uh-huh. And I am sure that no one is looking at your arms as you hoisted me.”
He shrugged. “We looked good.”
She fidgeted against him. “I really need to find that footage.”
Rayden laughed and let her go. She got away from them and went to get her phone.
* * * *
Marshall sighed. “I wonder how long it will take her to find it.”
Rayden looked at the steps and silently counted down on one hand. When he reached three, they heard the outraged scream. “Sonofabitch! I am gonna castrate that bastard!”
Marshall chuckled. “Ah. She found it. I have to say, when you two were embraced and sliding around, it was hot.”
Rayden grinned. “It felt great. She’s all toned and lithe and very warm.”
“Do you think she suspects what the crew is planning for the event?”
“She’s been spending a lot of time blindsided. I think the performance is the last thing on her mind.” Rayden shrugged. “Her heat won’t make it any better.”
“No, but it will help us considerately.” Marshall grinned as the stream of curses continued from the upper floor. “I am going to get that snack.”
Rayden nodded. “Good idea. She sounds like she’s going to be a while. What were you thinking of for dinner?”
“I think we should order in, or I can go pick it up. With her body recovering, I don’t think she’s in a mood to sit still for long.”
“Excellent plan. You have a thorough cheese selection.”
They walked toward the kitchen, and Marshall nodded. “Thanks. I have no idea what she likes, so I tried to have a bit of everything.”
They chatted quietly while the occasional outraged shriek came from the floor above.
Marshall smiled. “At least she isn’t afraid to make noise.”
Rayden grinned, and they both enjoyed the sound of their mate losing her mind with outrage. “How long do you think she will keep yelling?”
“Until the internet becomes completely audio controlled so she can take down the videos by screaming at them. So, since they have gone viral, it will take a while.”
“Viral? Really?” He looked so pleased and got his phone out.
“Yes, several quotes say that you two are not real and that makeup and special effects were involved.” He chuckled. “It’s a start.”
Chapter Ten
Ruby was irritated, and the coach laughed while she tore him a new one. Steffie had resigned from the position and was willing to take on the position of Pink. The huge caveat was that Ruby had to perform in her Elite form.
Ruby sat on the bed, and she thought about it. “Fine.”
Coach laughed and said that they had changed the venue. Elves on Ice was gaining a tremendous demand. They needed more seats, so the outdoor amphitheatre was being prepped for a tremendous week.
There was nothing she could say.
“Costume fitting on Monday, Ruby. See you there.”
“Asshole.”
Laughter spilled through the call, and she hung up.
Ruby sighed and stomped down the stairs. Rayden was laughing and looking at his phone. “How pissed are you on a scale of one to ten?”
“Solid seven. We are going to be in the amphitheatre so they can put more butts in the seats. Existing tickets get the best seats, but there is VIP seating.” She rubbed her forehead. “We need to practice more lifts, and you and I are doing the whole thing tall and proud.”
Rayden asked, “Can you manage that?”
“Yeah, but it will feel weird.” She fidgeted. “I need more practice time to get used to the longer strides and differences in turning and spinning.”
“How long will that take you?”
“A few sessions. The sooner I start, the better.” She growled and ran her hands through her hair. “But the stupid heat has to get over with. Fuck!”
Rayden got up and took her hands from her hair, squeezing them. “We will get through this. After the heat, you can pull our strength into you. You will be able to lock your next heat until you are ready.”
“Oh, well, that’s cool. I guess that is the benefit of sleeping with alphas,” she muttered.
Marshall added wryly, “Sleeping doesn’t fit into it.”
Ruby looked at him. “We don’t know if anything will fit.”
She glanced between the two of them, and their eyes were glowing. Marshall murmured, “We will be fine. Time is on our side.”
She glanced past him and saw that the tray was empty. “Dang. Is there any other food around? Being outraged makes me peckish.”
Marshall held out his hand and pulled her to his side. “We have a limited selection, but I can run out to get you whatever you want.”
