Page 33 of Temple

She opened her mouth and closed it with a snap. He looked even better than she remembered, and she bit her lip to keep from saying anything stupid. She folded her hands against her abdomen and bowed, holding it for twenty seconds.

When she stood straight, he said, “You do not need to bow to me, rare one.”

Bosonix was kneeling. “Overseer. It is good to see you so far from home.”

“Thank you for bringing her to me, instructor.”

“It was my honour. Pardon. I don’t remember anything after she started opening her suit.”

Symo smiled innocently. “Funny that. You are dismissed now, instructor. I will take charge of my lady from here.”

The companion blinked and nodded. “Of course, Overseer.”

He bowed and left, closing the door behind them.

Symo looked at Bailey and caressed her cheek. “Let’s have some tea and discuss your contract changes.”

He took her by the hand and led her to a low table. He helped her sit and took the cushions across from her, reluctantly letting her go.

Symo sighed. “You look tired, Bailey.”

“I am not used to hosting things. I enjoyed it, but I really want to punch Zell in the face or pinch his tail or something.”

Symo shook his head. “They have to settle between themselves. Attitudes like Zell’s are why more hunger was installed in others. His previous consort only supplied sex on a schedule. He assumed that it was that way for all consort class. Now he knows to ask questions.”

Bailey sighed. “So, um, how have you been?”

“Busy. You are surprisingly fast and hard to predict.”

“I try.”

“I have our contract. Did you want to go over it?”

“Sure. I have a list of demands. You check this over and feel free to ask questions.” She slid her tablet over with the list on it.

He smiled, and they sat in quiet as they read and sipped at their tea. They had been reading for a minute when he said, “What is tickling?”

“Oh, it is stimulation from a mild contact resulting in twitching or uncontrollable laughter.”

He paused. “You don’t enjoy it?”

“I did. It is now fraught with meaning for me, and I would end up crying.”

Symo looked at her and nodded. “You loved him.”

“And the baby. With everything in me. I would have been soft and sweet if they were still alive.”

“We will create a memorial for them.”

“You are not worried that I will have nothing left to give you?” She looked into his dark eyes with floating stars.

He smiled. “You loved once; you can do it again. I will take all the parts that you have left, and I will keep them safe. You can offer them to me when you are ready. We will be together for a very long time. I can wait.”

She paused and looked down at the list. “I canneverrefuse you?”

“If I don’t have enough energy to seduce you, then I will ask you to assist. I don’t foresee any additional circumstance, but the requirement is standard for my kind.”

“Understood. I just wanted to get a feel for the why of things.”

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