Zeev POV
Harlee was down again by the time I dropped her off for work, which only increased when she walked around the corner holding my hand and who should greet her but the green and black haired human.
"Harlee!" The human exclaimed.
"Ash." She growled. "I thought you were working the morning shift." She clenched my hand tighter.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" The black haired human turned their head to the side.
"You said 'See you tomorrow' yesterday, which meant you worked the same shift as me." Harlee growled. Ash laughed.
"Oh that! I just meant we'd cross paths sometime." Ash giggled. I knew Kayla shared my shift-what'd you do, switch?" Harlee let loose an honest-to-God animal growl. Even I was shocked and jerked her arm slightly, sending a warning through our link. Ash tilted their head.
"Wow, that was impressive-what other impressions can you do?" Ash asked.
"You set this up, didn't you? You knew I'd switch, you engineered this whole thing!" Harlee snapped. I gripped her shoulders.
"Harlee, are you ok?" I asked her urgently. She blinked and looked at me. Ash laughed a musical laugh.
"Somebody's hormonal! Is it your time of the month?" Ash asked. Harlee's fists clenched and her Demon's eyes glowed. I grabbed her to me and turned her face to my chest.
"Calm down Harlee-your inner Demon is showing." I murmured into her hair lightly, like it was a joke and gave her a kiss on top of the head. I felt her relax slightly as I brushed my fingers across her Mark. "I'll be back later-to pick you up. You alright?" I tilted her head up to look at me and she brushed her lips against mine with her eyes closed. When she opened them her eyes were human again.
"I'm fine." She smiled brightly. "I'll see you later. Be early." The last part was bordering on a command.
"Yes my Lady." I kissed her knuckles and walked out.
Harlee POV
I gritted my teeth and walked around the counter, tossing my coat on a stool that had been left there by someone else. Ash crossed their arms.
"To be honest," Ash said. "I totally said that hoping you'd switch with Kayla." I clenched my fists again and breathed deeply. "I just didn't think you could be manipulated so easily." Ash suddenly purred beside my ear. I jerked. The scent of roast pumpkin overtook me. Ash leaned against the wall in front of me with a smirk.
"Why are you so jumpy?" Ash asked. "I'm not going to eat you." I pinched the bridge of my nose and heaved a sigh. There had to be something I could do to distance myself from this terrible flirt. I turned to reach under the counter and withdrew cleaner and paper towels. I could at least clean the surfaces. I began to scrub the counter top angrily, back to Ash.
"Mmm, nice view." Ash commented. I stiffened. Ash walked around the front of the counter and watched for a second or two. "Just as I suspected, even better view from here." Ash remarked. I looked down to see my shirt gapping and growled as I tossed the wet paper towel down.
"What do you want from me?" I snarled.
"A reaction, a word, communication, anything!" Ash leaned on the counter towards me. I punched Ash's face.
"Well you got it." I remarked. Blood spurted from Ash's nose and Ash blinked for a moment before suddenly bursting out in loud laughter.
"I never know what to expect from you." Ash commented stuffily, pinching their nose bridge. "It's quite marvelous!"
"I'm glad you're having fun." I responded.
"Come on now. We were such good friends yesterday." Ash whined.
"Correction, I felt pity for you until you started coming on too strong and I found out you were a manipulative bastard." I growled, leaning on the counter. Ash blinked.
"I.. uh.. damn. Sorry. I didn't realize. I'll tone it down a bit. I haven't had anyone to tease in a while. Friends are hard to keep when you are.. well.. like me." Ash grimaced. Crap, now I was feeling sorry for Ash again.
"Just stop coming on so strong and trying to manipulate me into whatever the Hell it is you're trying to manipulate me into." I sighed.
"Is that guy really your boyfriend?" Ash asked.
"Yes." I sighed.
"Right. Want some gummy bears?" Ash responded.
"Seriously: what's with you and the candy? And ew! Tell me they're not just in your pocket! Ugh!"
Zeev POV
Harlee's reactions to the black haired human 'Ash' were confusing to me. I tried rummaging through her mind to find out what was bothering her, but she clamped down on the memories hard and refused me access. She was getting good at that. All I could do was wish her well and be on my way after that.
Currently, I was feeling particularly useless, so I was scrubbing the house out of frustration. There was a lingering sensation that something wasn't right about this whole situation which made me attack the tub with fervor. How much time did I have to waste before Harlee came home?
Harlee POV
I was drumming my fingers impatiently on the counter when the next customer came up.
"Hi! Can I help you?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, uh, I just wanted a price check on this-it says $14.99 on the label." The customer handed over a box to Ash.
"Uhm, Harlee? Could you?" Ash began and I heaved a sigh.
"Just scan it." I said. Ash scanned it.
"Yup, says $14.99 here too." Ash replied happily, trying to hand the box back.
"Can I just pay for it here then?" Asked the customer. Ash looked at me.
"Can he?" Ash asked. I rolled my eyes.
"Technically, we're not supposed to, but yeah." I answered.
"How do I.." Ash asked. I sighed.
"Move." I grumbled. Ash slid over only half a step, just enough to force me to reach around their body. I growled internally as I pushed the correct button to clear the screen then scanned the item in for a sale.
"Oh so that's how you do that! Thanks Harlee!" Ash turned to face me, blowing that Autumn roast pumpkin and crushed leaves scent across my face. I steadied myself as I stepped away.
"You're welcome." I said through gritted teeth. Ash finished checking the customer out, then gripped my arm.
"Hey Harlee, are you ok? You look like you're about to fall over." Ash asked with worry. I could feel Ash's long, cool fingers even through my shirt. It made me wonder what they'd feel like sliding across my bare skin. I shook my head, trying to clear the embarrassing thoughts away.
"I'll be fine." I answered, then touched my Mark to steady myself. 'Zeev.' I whispered in my head, reaching out for contact. Ash abruptly let go of my arm.
"Oh right, I said I'd be less handsy, didn't I?" Ash laughed uneasily, holding up the offending hands. I felt Zeev quickly answer my call.
'Yes, My Lady.' Zeev's mental voice was coated with worry.
'I just needed to hear your voice for a moment.' I told him, closing my eyes. 'I wasn't feeling so well.' Zeev's confusion and pride filtered through our link. He was touched, but worried.
'Should I come get you?' He asked.
'No-just a few hours left. I can make it. Just, stay close, ok?' I opened my eyes to see Ash busily straightening the counter top. I felt Zeev's acquiescence as Ash looked under those gorgeous long lashes at me. I mentally slapped myself.
Zeev POV
Harlee couldn't completely hide her feelings from me now that she'd opened the link between us. Her call was desperate, and at first I thought she was in danger. It turns out the danger was the black haired human and Harlee's own lust. I squeezed the sponge I was holding, splashing soapy water everywhere.
But she had called to me to help her. Called to me to distract her. I was the first person on her mind. She was trying to be loyal. I felt my heart clench and clutched my chest.