Page 30 of Essa

It gives them more time to grow used to the sensation, and I have time to learn to move with two creatures attached to me. I want to look like this is normal when we get to Haven III. No one needs to know I haven't even kissed my concubines.

"We researched quite a bit before we came to speak with you," Adam says.

His voice is gruff, but it's not as angry sounding as it was when we were in the entertainment room. I imagine it's because he has Seth back in his arms. I don't turn around to look at them touching one another. It would have my mind thinking too many things I shouldn't be thinking right now.

"You know what you will be expected to wear then?" I ask, making sure he's fully aware before we show up on Haven III and his wardrobe changes.

His dark pants will be acceptable for us to show up, but there are certain things they'll need to do if they are to be my concubines. I'll afford them as many liberties as possible, but getting them to follow as many customs as they're willing to will help prevent us from adding more problems.

"It'll be more than you do," Adam says, and it almost sounds like he's smiling.

I definitely don't chance a look now. If I look, that smile might fall, and the good-naturedness in his tone might falter. I dig around in my drawer until I find my paintbrushes and set them on the small bedside table. Next, I fall to my hands and knees, pulling out the drawer underneath my bed, where I keep all my things from home.

"When did you say the pirates would be here?" I ask, hoping that we have enough time for this part. It can be a highly erotic part of our relationship, and I'd like for the first time to be slow so I can take my time. I don't think we have that, though.

"It should be soon," Adam says, his hands moving into Seth's pockets until he finds his comm tablet and clicks on it. "Yeah, about twenty minutes."

I let out a long stream of breath as I pulled the little tins of paint from my hidden drawer and the adornments I'll need towear. Now, I look at Adam and Seth because I have a favor I need to ask of them.

"Do you know how to braid?"

Seth's gaze moves over to me slowly, his pale eyes blinking a few times like he can't comprehend the question. I grab his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Not you, sweet male. You're perfect just sitting here and being calm for us."

Seth blinks a few more times, his lips tilting upward at the corners.

"I'll be as useful as him," Adam says, hands finding places to touch Seth now that I have his hand. "You'll have better luck with Sloane or Avery."

I press my lips together because he's probably right, but we don't have time for that. I still need to start on their paint and change into my own clothing. The braids can wait.

Worst case, I show up to Haven III looking a little less regal than I'd like. I clench my teeth together, knowing this only works if I can pull off looking like I'm returning to reclaim what's mine, which means looking the part.

"Is there anything else I can do?" Adam asks.

The question startles me out of my panic because I don't think he's offered help to anyone on this ship before, least of all me since he's always so upset with me.

"Would you mind adding a few drops of water to these paints?" I ask, holding up the two tins. I have no doubt they are dried out, but they hail from Haven III, which means they are built to withstand drying. With a bit of water added, they'll be usable again.

Adam takes them from me, frowning as he looks from Seth to me to the chains linking us all. "Could you stand closer to the bathroom?"

My eyes go wide, but again, I muffle the surprise I'm feeling. I thought Adam would ask to be released, not for us to try to make being tied together work. I give him a quick nod, stroking Seth's cheek.

"One moment, and your male will be back with you."

Adam cuts me an annoyed glance, but I don't have time to decipher that right now. He's not combative or fighting this, and I hope he continues acting that way. There's still much I need to discuss with them, and Seth will be out of it for a while, so it will be up to Adam and me to keep him safe. It might be the one thing that helps to bond us.

While Adam adds the water, I start to strip from my tank top. Thoughts of Haventh views on nudity differing from human customs don't even register until Seth makes a soft whimpering sound that has Adam rushing out of the bathroom. Adam's stern, worried gaze lands on me. His features soften, and his cheeks stain a soft pink as his lips part.

"What are you doing?" he asks, his voice rough, dark, tempting.

His eyes flick up to my face for a moment, making it abundantly clear he wasn't looking at my face before. I turn away from him, my skin feeling warm.

I didn't expect him to be so affected by my body. I'm similar to his females, but my chest is small, barely there, and my curves are more of straight lines. I'm not soft and supple like the other females on this ship. I'm lithe and twined with hard muscles, even if my frame and stature have me looking spindly. I'm not a female who's lusted after with such intensity.

"Changing," I mutter, embarrassed by my body now.

Maybe I've misread Adam's expression. I want to be, as Sloane says, hot. I want males to like the look of me, but it's not as though I have much experience in relationships that last more than a night or two. Many males like their females smaller thanthem, weaker than them, and filled with much more softness than I have. Yes, I must've misread the situation.

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