Page 30 of Empty Heat
“Well, then, my friends.” Senta stood, stretching. “I need to get back to my office. Thank you for talking to me, Callum. It was a great pleasure.”
I stood and we politely shook hands.
“Will you join me at my table tonight for dinner?” Senta asked.
“Yes, thank you. I will.” I didn’t know how to say no. He was nice and I knew he had my best interests at heart. I decided it was like a ship where you’re asked to dine at the captain’s table. A sort of honor. Only in my case, it was payback, clear and simple.
Rhodes and I watched Senta stroll down the path, greeting passersby along the way.
Rhodes turned toward me, looking me up and down, and said, “You look ready for that swim today.”
“I am.”
“Good. I have my trunks on beneath my kimono. But I also enjoy swimming nude. It’s a common practice here, but I will let you decide.”
“With Soren meeting us, I’ll keep my trunks on.” I adjusted my sarong. “It’s okay that I don’t have a shirt or kimono? It seems to be the uniform around here.”
“You’re fine. Look over there.” Rhodes pointed. “I see three omegas wearing sarongs near the tennis courts.”
He was right. At least I wasn’t alone.
The walk to the pool Rhodes had reserved for us took only a couple of minutes. I entered the fenced area to see a turquoise pool shaped like a figure eight with a small waterfall at the deeper end.
Tall trees beyond the solid wood fence shaded the area. But there were also three giant umbrellas set up, two with lounge chairs underneath. The third umbrella housed a wet bar complete with fridge filled with cold drinks and a small freezer full of ice.
Rhodes set about making us a couple of fruity, pink drinks.
I went to a lounge chair and took off my sarong as Rhodes came over and handed me a tall drink.
“It’s just pink lemonade,” he said.
“Luckily, lemonade is one of my favorites.”
He laughed. “You’re in the right place, then.”
We both sat, sipping the lovely sugary coolness.
“What do you think about meeting Soren?”
“Okay, I guess.” I sensed he wanted more from me, but I was not done reeling and he knew it.
“Well, this is a casual meeting. Nothing more.”
“What doyouthink of Soren?” I asked.
“I’ve worked with him less than Lev.” He stopped as if he’d said a bad word and wanted to edit it. “But he’s strong and consistent and in control.”
“I know I wasn’t supposed to choose him. He was just here as the other alternative to Lev.” There. I’d said his name. Now Rhodes didn’t have to be so careful.
“Truthfully, I would not match him to you. But I don’t know your tastes. I only know your specific condition. Maybe he will be right for you.”
“Hmm. Thank you for being honest.”
“Tell me more about how you feel about the sexual surrogacy thing. Are you apprehensive?”
“Of course. But it’s why I came here. I know I need more help than what I was getting through traditional means.”
“But your feelings are?”
