Patchwork pixie, p.20
Patchwork Pixie, page 20
“Yeah. She’s a barista on seventh.”
“How do you know her?”
“She works the late shift, and when I was pulling all-nighters during installations, she delivered whatever I needed, no matter how far away I was.”
“Does she have a name?”
Ruby shrugged. “Probably. She works Sunday nights and is about to create a scene.”
“Which coffee shop?”
“Rigel’s? They are the only ones I know that are open that late.”
Marshall lifted her as he lifted his hips to get his phone out. He sent a message to Ark. “Do you know her name?”
“No. She has brown and pink hair, green-hazel eyes, and a sweet smile. She wears a black tee shirt with a cartoon cat on it. She drives a black motorcycle with a delivery rack on back.”
“How do you know she matches Ark?”
“Oh, just something about her. She has the same cheerfully dark menace that Ark has.”
“Ark isn’t cheerful.”
“She is. Cheerful menace. People turn and walk away from her if she wants them to.”
“Interesting. Well, he has the information; it’s up to him to do something with it.” Marshall tossed his phone to one side. “Now, it is nearly midnight, and I would like to be inside you when the energy runs through you.”
“Well, since you asked so politely...” She started to undo his shirt. He laughed, wrapped his arm around her hips, and got to his feet. He held her as they headed upstairs, and Rayden followed, carrying Marshall’s phone.
She looked at Rayden and grinned. “Good boy.”
The outrage that flared in his gaze made her laugh. Marshall snorted. “You are taunting the devil, Ruby.”
Rayden’s eyes glowed as they entered the bedroom.
She muttered to Marshall, “As long as you don’t drop a puck, I should be fine.”
Rayden grinned, and she remembered that just because they didn’t need to bite didn’t mean they didn’t.
“Uh, calling a foul, time out.” She looked at Rayden as he circled and pried her off Marshall. She looked up at him. “Your pads are showing?”
His grin got feral. “You haven’t mentioned my skates being dull.”
“I didn’t want to strike a low blow.”
“Well, I suppose I need to ask you if you are still resistant to double penetration?”
She thought about it while he undressed. Tanner was dead, and the doctor had pronounced her healed from the interactions. She was sure that Rayden would be careful.
“Stop if it’s a bad scream.”
His expression showed his delight. “I swear.”
Marshall settled on the bed and held out a hand to her. Ruby crawled to him, and his hands caressed her, his mouth sucked on her breasts, and she was slick and writhing in less than three minutes. Ever since her heat, she got wet with very little effort on anyone’s part. Rayden was currently caressing her spine while kissing her shoulders, and she squirmed against him. She heard the pop of the lube lid, and she tensed, but his fingers were slow, took care, and with only a little hesitation, he and Marshall were inside her an instant before light streamed through the window.
Light burned through all three of them as they shivered and clung together. Ruby didn’t know who came first. It just kept going over and over. She was never going to tell Meira.
Chapter Fifteen
Emmy came over for lunch the next day. “Ruby, tell me why Lebor is so pissed off today.”
Ruby looked at her mates. “Who squealed?”
Marshall raised his hand. “It was incredible. We are only learning day by day what having an Elite omega can mean. An hour-long orgasm is definitely worth mentioning.”
Ruby sighed as Emmy blushed. “Oh, that is why he was pissed off.”
Ruby snorted. “There is only one other bonded triad, and I don’t know if they are chatty.”
Emmy blinked. “Really? Who?”
“Keres, Achilles, and Dante.”
“Oh. Right.”
“It’s fine if you don’t remember. You were distracted.” Ruby smiled.
“Oh, right. So, just two to one?”
“Yup. Nothing crazy. One more stable and then one a little flakey.”
Rayden brought the coffee and a tray of sandwiches. “Marshall is rather frivolous.”
Ruby opened and then closed her mouth with a snap.
He grinned. “And your stick-handling is coming along.”
She flipped him the bird, and Emmy laughed.
When he was gone, Emmy asked, “Did you get the news about Leon?”
“Oh, the pregnancy? Yeah.” Ruby smiled.
“Grey is in a tizzy. He doesn’t know which of them is the parent.” Emmy smiled.
“Patience is not one of his virtues, but he had the boys. I am hoping one of the others fathered the girls. Uh, girl.”
Emmy blinked. “What do you know?”
“Nothing. I just have a feeling they will have all the little ones they can handle. It should keep them out of trouble.”
“What about you? Are you possibly pregnant? I would be delighted to be an auntie.” Emmy waggled her brows.
“No. During my heat, they took precautions. I should be okay until the next one.”
“Okay, but keep me posted. I think it would be hilarious for you and Uncle Leon to be pregnant at the same time.”
“It is possible, but it should take my heat a few months to show up. It’s been so long that I don’t even know the signs anymore.” Ruby smiled. “Uh, do you think it would be possible to visit Mom and Dad?”
“Of course. I was going to offer to take you. Did you want to bring your guys?”
“Maybe not at first. I want to see them again with it just being me. Even if I am taller than they remember.”
“I will just send Mom a text and see what they say.”
Marshall leaned against the counter and said, “Invite them here? Rayden and I can disappear until summoned.”
Ruby sighed. “Fine, but when you see my dad, don’t freak out.”
Rayden raised his brows. “Why?”
Emmy looked at her phone and typed the answer. “You’ll see.”
Ruby reached for the sandwiches, and then she located the potato chips behind Marshall with minimal difficulty. She kissed him on the cheek and headed back to the table, where she and Emmy attacked the snacks.
Ruby fidgeted as the car slowed and pulled into the drive. She wiped her hands on her thighs, and the guys were trying to send her calm, but she mentally slapped them aside.
Emmy greeted them at the door and led them into the living room, where Ruby was trying to decide on sitting or standing.
She looked at the small beta who had treated her skinned knees, made her soup when she was sick, and taught her to dance. The large pale figure behind her gasped. “Ruby?”
She looked at her dad with his piercing grey eyes. “Dad? You look smaller.”
He rushed to her and hugged her. He wasn’t nearly as tall as he used to be. She felt herself crying. “You got smaller.”
He laughed and was shoved aside as her mother hugged her. Mom was a fierce woman who had risked her life to see her daughter safe.
Her mother looked up at her and grinned. “You got so big, baby.”
“They fed me every day. I would shrink down, but I am kind of stuck right now.”
“Ah, residue from the solstice? That made it hard for Emmy to stay in place. She kept shooting up and then shrinking, so I contacted friends in the city, and until they could keep her safe, they stashed her with someone else. Fortunately, her power came in early.”
Emmy smiled. “I took care of myself with a lot of static.”
Ruby grinned. “I managed to defend myself once the block was removed.”
Her dad asked, “When was that, baby?”
“Uh, just three weeks ago, give or take? One of my mates identified the problem, and the other unlocked me. After that, things got easier, and I was able to stand up for myself.” She fidgeted. “Did you want to meet my mates?”
Her parents nodded, so she got them settled on a couch, and then she stroked her braid and called Marshall and Rayden. They walked in a few moments later and froze when they saw her dad.
“Uh, Marshall, Rayden, this is my dad. Yeah, he is what you think he is.” She bit her lip. The Elite alpha that had given her shoulder rides far earlier than her mother would have liked stood up and shook their hands.
“Elders. Anything I say here would be odd, so I will simply say thank you for caring for my daughter.”
They shook hands, and Ruby and Emmy exhaled slowly. This was the worst moment. Introducing the new and the dark Elite.
“Dad, how is it that you live away from the Stronghold?” Ruby burst the question out.
“Oh, my parents did for me what I did for you two. They taught me to hide. Dyed my hair and got me contact lenses.”
She blinked. “Grammy and Grampy did that?”
He nodded. “They did. They have moved to town with us as well. The protective barrier has expanded, so I am building a repair shop on the edge of town.”
Ruby smiled. “Do you need someone to wire electrical systems or security systems? I am pretty good at it.”
“We will talk about it. We hear from Leon that he is trying to get Grey to gift you the chocolate shop.”
Ruby blinked. “What?”
“It is part apology and part thank you. Did you really find an omega who can trigger a heat?”
“Technically, she’s a beta, has a great husband, is in her second pregnancy, and her daughter is adorable. I have worked for her husband’s company on a few jobs.” She smiled. “But she can trigger a heat with a kiss.”
Her dad said, “Take your time to start a family. You aren’t in a hurry.”
Marshall smiled. “Nor are we. We are just happy to be part of the process.”
Rayden shrugged. “As long as we are in the room when it happens, we are pretty happy to run on her schedule.”
Ruby smiled and looked at Emmy. “Wanna come with me to get something to drink?”
“If you are talking hard liquor, count me in.” Their mother got up, and they left the Elite to discuss things.
The ladies hit the kitchen, and Ruby breathed deeply. “Was the air getting a little thick?”
Her mother patted her shoulder. “Your father gets musky when confronted by alphas. The grease and gasoline scents usually mask it.”
“So, you knew when he was courting you that he was... pale.”
Their mom nodded. “Of course. We had sex months before we got married. Your impending arrival sped up the formalities.”
“What?” Ruby gasped.
“Oh, right. You wouldn’t have noticed at eleven. I got pregnant after New Year, and our wedding was in early summer. A lot of lacing and boning held me in.” She smiled. “Well, you were held in by a lot of lacing and boning, but my family insisted on a summer wedding, so we were all there.”
Ruby blinked. “Is it a problem that I won’t get married?”
Her mother frowned. “Why not?”
“Which one?”
Her mom opened her mouth and then closed it. “Which did you meet first?”
“Marshall, who then sent me Rayden to unlock my obedience.” She smiled.
“So, he didn’t want you obedient?”
“He didn’t want me hobbled.” She got the kettle going, and her mom made lemonade.
By the time she was looking for the teapot, Marshall was standing next to her. “It’s okay. We are going out to dinner.”
Her mother asked, “What did you do for a mate contract?”
Marshall paused. “We have not gotten that far yet. I was just discussing this with your husband.”
Her mom said, “It’s important. If you won’t marry her, you should at least protect her.”
“Mom, you do realize that I have money of my own, right? I am good at my job and better at investing. I have enough to take care of me for the rest of my life. With or without little people.”
Rayden came in and chuckled. “They are called babies, Ruby.” He slid his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“So, I have heard.” She smirked. “I think I saw a picture of one once.”
Her mom tutted. “You used to run a little school with your baby dolls. You kept asking for more because your family wasn’t done, Ruby.”
“Oh. Those babies. The soft and floppy ones.” She smirked. “They didn’t give me attitude or make noise. Those are different.”
Rayden squeezed. “When you are ready to try one, we will be happy to help you find one.”
Ruby snorted. “Right. So where are we going for dinner?”
Rayden smiled. “A little place I know.”
Marshall snorted. “Yeah. He knows how to find food.”
Emmy’s phone chimed, and she sighed, lifting it to read it. A blush started on her cheeks and crept over her face.
Ruby watched her mom smile. “She does that when she likes a boy.”
“Right. So, how is Lebor?” Ruby smiled.
“Uh, our third is in town, and they want to meet for dinner.”
Rayden nodded.
Ruby looked at him. “Where are we going?”
He gave her the address.
“Can you book a spot for them so that we can be there at the same time?”
Rayden grinned. “Of course, but Lebor will know what we are doing.”
“We?”
“You think I am not going to watch as Lebor meets his mate with their third in a public setting? This is going to be hilarious.”
Emmy sighed. “You don’t need to put me on display during a first date.”
Ruby smiled. “I have missed a billion opportunities to embarrass you or have your back. I think it will be fun to do both.”
Her dad paused. “I believe that your mother and I will sit this one out. Marshall and Rayden have reacted well to me, but if the dark Elite is newer out of the Stronghold, they may have a violent reaction to seeing me. My glamour won’t hold that close to Ruby’s mates.”
Emmy nodded. “It’s okay, Dad. We are in touch now. Next time, we can make it to your place. Just warn Grammy and Grampy about the dark Elite and us.”
Their dad and then their mom hugged both of them and left.
Marshall looked at Ruby, “So, that’s your dad?”
She squeaked and flung herself at him, holding him tight. She just saw her dad and her mom. Her sister was rubbing her back, and Rayden was rubbing her hair. Her family was back in one big rush.
With her face pressed into Marshall’s neck, she muttered, “We can still go for food, right?”
Rayden laughed. “Yes, and we can still stare at your sister’s date.”
She put on a sinister voice and muttered, “Excellent.”
Emmy smacked her on the butt, and Ruby yelped.
They both ended in giggles, and they both raided Ruby’s wardrobe and put on new outfits for their dinner out. When they were ready, they met the guys downstairs, and all got in Marshall’s vehicle because Rayden’s only sat two.
Emmy said, “I have to ask, who did Meira’s hair?”
“Her transformation did it. Ida provided the dress, but her hair wove itself.”
“Wow. I wonder if I can do that.”
“You can try. Don’t do it while you are sitting on your hair.” She squeezed the hand that she was holding.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Rayden went inside while Marshall helped them out of the car. He smiled. “I think he’s run ahead to take down the naked pictures and make his bed.”
Ruby chuckled. “He left them up in his bedroom, and you are supposed to make a bed? You always do turndown service in your room.”
“That is because I am trying to get you to stay in with me longer.”
“Don’t you have to go litigate things or something?”
“I have been working after you sleep and then crawling back in with you and Rayden. Ark has been taking on my clients until the new year. An initial mating bond is important.”
“Yeah, I can tell you are very devoted to the... uh... bonding.”
Emmy cackled, and Marshall grinned, squeezing Ruby’s hand. “Isn’t Rayden doing his part?”
“Oh, he brings enthusiasm, stamina, and a weird sneak attack to the mix. He also curls around me like I am his teddy bear.” She huffed. “He can be really warm.”
Marshall chuckled. “That’s why I face you.”
“Your arm makes a good pillow,” She grumbled.
“You say the sweetest things.”
He laughed, and they reached the entrance where Rayden was holding the door open with a wide grin.
The hostess and staff were lined up, and not a crop top was seen. It was a nice family restaurant. There were even kids laughing and some shrieking inside the restaurant. A lot of them got quiet when their little group came in.
Not one of them was wearing a glamour, and it was causing notice.
The hostess led them to the rear of the restaurant, left menus in a booth, and left to get some water for them.
Marshall slid to the inside, Ruby was nudged into place next to him, and Rayden was on the outside. “Emmy, your guys are on the way. They got fussy about what to wear. They want to make a good impression.”
Emmy smiled. “I have already seen Lebor.”
Marshall nodded. “They are nearly here.”
Emmy fidgeted. “Is this outfit okay? I don’t want to disappoint them.”
Ruby smiled. “You are fine.”
The door opened, and the restaurant went quiet. It wasn’t from the presence of dark Elite, but Emmy’s second was a rather famous actor whose eyes scanned the restaurant before finding them and tapping Lebor’s arm.
They walked toward the table, and Rayden slid out of the booth to hug the newcomer, and he shook Lebor’s hand. Rayden turned and said, “Emmy, this is Bynard Thatcher. Bynard, this is my sister-in-law, Emerald.”
Ruby watched Emmy wave, and then Bynard stepped forward and lifted her hand to his lips. From her angle, she could see that he actually tasted her skin. He smiled shyly. “Miss, would you care to come over to our table so that we can get to know each other?”
