"Wow! I can hardly recognize the place!" I exclaimed looking around at the new shop still under renovation. The charred and ruined wood and left behind ruined items had been ripped and cleaned out, and the new supports were in place and the floors were in a half finished state with the walls, plumbing, and other piping still exposed and able to walk through.
"Nothing like a compliment to make a man feel good about his hard work. Thank you, Ms. Langridge. We placed the talking tubes in all the specified areas for you, as requested. Six separate tubes seemed to be a bit much at first. However, we figured it out when when we saw how the tubes were to be placed. It's awfully generous of you to give each apartment and the delivery and front their own tube, along with your office." Eric Milton conversed with me.
"Yes, but I have my reasons. Now, about the changes to the larger apartment. Is it possible to make that with a room in that space?" I inquired about the addition to the plans.
"Just need to pay for the materials and a three days worth the labor for framing, insulating, surfacing and painting. I'll get you the estimate for the amount if you give me a few minutes."
"That sounds wonderful, Eric. I'll wait on you out on the front deck then and stay out of everyone's way." I leave the building and take a seat on the bench that's out front. It's still early in the day, barely nine in the morning, but I have the tea social at Evangeline's today.
I'm nervous on how to go about today, on attempting to get information on Elias Thorn for the Cogs. Bav will be there with me and I can only hope I don't seem suspicious. He knows I want to expose his theft of the funds, so maybe it will all work out. I just have to make sure that Mr Thorn does not catch on.
"You are fidgeting, Rakara. Everything alright?"
I didn't even realize Eric had come out and was now taking a seat beside me.
"Yes. I'm just thinking. So what is the estimate?" I inquire keeping my hands still.
Eric runs a reproachful eye over me but sighs, "2500 gold. You know if something is bothering you, you can talk to me. You are like my little sister after all these years and I can tell when something is on your mind you are worried about. IF it is about the other business, just say so. It will be between me and you."
"Here you go, take this to the bank and they will pay you." I quickly write up a bank ticket, now that I have my own book, handing it over. "I appreciate the offer, but it's not that serious. I can handle it. Thank you Eric, I have things to attend to. Have a good day." I am quick to say my pleasantries and head back to the motor carriage that I am using to transport the pastries to the tea social.
I arrive at the lift and the guards greet me, excited when I hand them a box of pastries.While on the lift, I work on my bank ticket book, which has been a relief to have and not have to carry around so much in coins. I was starting to become paranoid walking around clinking with coins. Once at the top, I offer the guards a box of pastries and give one to the guard inside who's wife comes by my shop.
I head to Evangeline's and drop the pastries off with her servants before rushing to Bav's to get ready. I'm rushing up the stairs after coming in the kitchen door, slowing down when I get to the top. I hear voices talking and slow down more to catch my breath so I can hear clearly.
"...you need to tell her, eventually. The longer you wait.."
"I understand this Viekar. I just don't know how she is going to react. She's been distant ever since she found out about the blue bottles. What is she going to do when she finds I've been keeping this from her!"
Bav voice rings out and I pain in his voice is tangible, but even though it pulled on my heart, I am trying to figure out what he could be keeping from me.
"....You need to tell her. I think you are expecting the worst outcome. I think she would understand if you explained it to her."
Bav's voice sound hoarse as he croaks out, " And if you are wrong? What will I be left with? "
"Bavarthos, I'm saying this as your friend, you knew better, you should have said something first. I do however know that you are not giving Ms. Langridge the credit that she deserves and has earned. Now, let me go downstairs..."
'SHIT!'
I slide down the banister, hop off at the next floors landing and start running up the stairs calling out, "Bav! I'm sorry I am running late!" just as Viekar steps outside the room.
"OH! Ms. Langridge, he's in the room. I have to take care of a few things, so I will not be accompanying you two to the tea social, but I will be there later." He seems startled to see me and rushes past as he says this.
"Oh alright." I do my best to act pleasant but perplexed at his rush of a greeting before continuing up the stairs.
I walk into the room to find it empty.
'What?'
"Bav?"
I hear the shower water running and walk into the bathroom. Sure enough he's under the water.
'WHY is he in the shower though?'
I am curious to find out what they were talking about but decide to act like nothing is wrong. I remove my clothes and walk into the shower.
"Hello, my love." I say as I wrap my arms around his waist.
"Hello, Kara dear." He clutches my hands around his waist as if he's afraid I will let go.
"Oh I look forward to the day that the shop is done and I can focus on the normal running of my business, spend more time with you." I rub my hands on his skin, stroking his skin with my fingertips. feeling his body respond to me.
"Me too." His voice is still slightly hoarse as he stands there letting me touch him. I move around to his front so I can face him. Even with water running off of him and his eyes closed, I can tell he's been upset, but I don't say anything.
I run my hands over his chest and move myself down on my knees, thinking of trying something for the first time. I take his partially erect cock and lick it.
"Oh! Kara... you don't have to do that." His gentle hands caress my face as he finally looks at me with his all black eyes.
"I know I don't HAVE to... I WANT to.." I croon but he still lifts me up from the floor and crushes his lips onto mine. We're kissing in a deliberate slow manner. Our tongues searching deep within each other, seeking what we hunger for.
He pushes me against the wall, and readjusts me to take his hard cock and thrusts it in, all the way to the hilt.
"AH!" I pant at the sudden fullness of him inside of me. This gives me an exquisite satisfaction that I only get from our two bodies connected. I roll my hips, eager for him to begin thrusting some more.
He nuzzles my neck and kisses my skin sending chills that reverberate to my core. Gripping my cheeks, he begins to rock into me.
Soon he has me panting and moaning, begging for sweet release, that he is so good at giving me.
He finds my mouth with his and devours my noises with his tongue, as he brings me to my plateau and I dive into bliss. He is still pumping into me when I regain my senses.
"I love you." I'm still drunk off of my orgasm as I whisper the words and Bav suddenly jerks.
"Oh!" He slips himself out and I feel the warmth of his seed land on my skin. He lets me down slowly as I kiss him. Once on my own feet, I grab the wash cloth and step under the shower to clean off.
"Come on dear, let's get ready or we will be late." I grab a towel and begin to dry myself. He's taking longer to get out, but I don't say anything and go and get dressed. Only once I am dressed and finishing up, do I say something.
"What is troubling you, Bav?" I ask him, as I put on some earrings.
"Nothing, dear." He says trying to sound alright as he puts his shoes on.
"Hmph!" I turn at that lousy lie, "Bavarthos Fairchild! How dare you lie to me! I know when something is wrong with you. You can tell me it's none of my business or you are not ready to talk about it, but you are NOT to lie to me. NOW, care to answer that again?"
I know I just let out my own frustration on him by snapping like that at him, but my emotions at the moment are high from all the stress.
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to lie to you. I should have mention that it was something I was not ready to talk about yet." Bav says monotone, lacing up his boot.
I take a breath and shakily inform him, "Fine, that is fine. I apologize for losing my temper with you." I walk over to him and offer my hand to him which he takes in both of his.
He kisses my palm and holds it close to his face like he's afraid I am going to disappear.
"Let's get going, before we are late dear. I know Evangeline is going to want to go over wedding details again. So I would rather not be late and her be looking for me."
"Yes, you are right. I love you, Kara." He stands holding me around my waist and his palm on my cheek as his natural form fades into the more human version. Staring into his dark eyes, I search for answers, only to find that we are mirroring our gaze.
We are both keeping secrets from each other, and we are both afraid that the truth will leave us alone and broken.