Page 42 of Code Mages & Empty Pages
“Goddess, you feel so good, Roe.” I struggled not to come with her, and I only just managed to hold back. It would make it even sweeter to knot her tonight. Edged or not, being with Roe wasalwaysworth the wait. “I’ll have your scent on my fur all day. I can’t wait to get home with you later.”
Dawn pulled my lips on hers. “Me either,” she murmured.
Later, at the shelter, I was painfully aware of Desmond, Harper, and Mia watching us. Mia loved scheming, and I just knew she would be all over both of us the minute she got usalone. But damn me, it was way too difficult to keep business Roe and private Roe separate in my head.
I wanted to make her laugh, share our stupid inside jokes, and justtouchher.
It struck me that while the sex was great, it was getting to bewithDawn that was the real prize. Our relationship was all benefits and nothing about being colleagues: the late-night gaming, the shared rides to work, chilling on the couch with Ruff, and cooking together. My chest warmed as I recalled Roe barefoot and wearing a floaty summer dress around the kitchen. She was fantastic. As was eating her out on the kitchen counter afterwards.
I’d been so scared of hurting her in the beginning that I hadn’t even considered how good being with her might feel. Dawn hadn’t magically erased my past, but she made it more bearable. Knowing that I could give her this much pleasure—and that she enjoyed my company—eased something deep inside me I hadn’t realised was still this raw.
“Stop looking at me like that, Comte,” she said under her breath and nudged me with her elbow.
“Why?” I challenged her, wanting to steer us toward safer ground. I’d tell her someday, when the time was right. Just not here, with barking dogs and the scent of disinfectant in the air.
“Your face is expressive.” Dawn giggled.
“So, you think everyone will know that I’ve just fantasised about what I want to do to you when we get home?” I kept my voice low, but we both flinched when Perky Carson, who seemed to have a knack for appearing exactly when you didn’t need or expect him, spoke from right behind us.
“Ah, Dawn, Luc. I’m so happy to see you back here with all the others!” The handsome, dark-haired man beamed at us.
“Per… Mr Carson, lovely to see you.” Dawn straightened up and gave him a polite smile.
“Hello.” I nodded at him but kept kneeling on the ground. I forced myself not to check out her ass that was on eye-level with me.
“How is Ruffles doing?” he enquired. “I was elated to hear you two had adopted him.”
“Oh, he’s absolutely perfect. We adore him.” I sounded like a proud first-time pa and was, again, very aware of Desmond, who didn’t even try to hide his blatant eavesdropping.
“I’m so glad to hear that.” Perky pulled a navy-blue handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his wet eyes. “They all deserve it.”
“Perhaps we should host an open shelter event; we could all invite friends and family,” I suggested.
Perky Carson stilled, then more tears trickled down his razor-sharp cheekbones and into the perfect five-day-stubble on his face.
“That is abrilliantidea.“ He beamed through his sentimental tears. “You two are a gift from the gods.”
He turned and walked over to his husband and conversed with him in a low voice.
I averted my eyes when our CEO kissed him and focused back on the volunteer who had greeted us. Then, he started to split us up into smaller teams to work on different tasks.
“You can find drinks, snacks, and coffee over there”—she pointed at an open door that had a sign reading “Kitchen” taped to it—“and if you have any questions, Perky or I will gladly answer them for you. Thanks again for being here. You have no idea how much this means.” She smiled around at us, blushing a little as we clapped.
By the time we wrapped up the shelter event and finally made it home, we were both sticky with sweat and our clothes covered in fur—not my own for a change.
“Oh my gosh, I need a shower.” Dawn pulled the romper away from her chest and flapped it to fan herself. My eyes dropped to cleavage.
“Want to join me?”
“I shouldn’t,” I said with a wink.
“Why not?”
“If we shower together, we’ll never make it down to dinner.” I lowered my voice and stepped nearer until I crowded her against the wall. “And then I’ll have to eat you, Roe.”
Her breathing sped up.
“What if I didn’t mind?” she asked me in a shaky voice.
