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“A kedji?” Temel asked him, raising an eyebrow. “Where did you get one of those?”
“My wife rescued him. She has a kind heart.”
Kind enough to accept him, flaws and all.
“I - we - have discovered that these human females are quite amazing. But you don’t need me to tell you that, do you?”
Temel didn’t wait for an answer, moving over to put his arm around his mate. He found himself watching, fascinated, as she leaned into him even as she continued cooing over Raja. He suspected that Lottie would have done the same.
Even as he thought it, she looked over and smiled at him. He went to her and just as he’d thought, she slipped her free arm around his waist as his tail circled hers. This wasn’t playing a part or putting on a show. It was real. But it was also something he couldn’t have.
“Is something wrong?” she whispered when he tensed, and he shook his head.
“Goodness me. I invited you to come in and now I’m the one keeping you outside.” Ida quickly shepherded them into the house and through a formal living and dining area to a large, comfortable kitchen. “We don’t stand on ceremony around here. Have a seat and I’ll get the kettle on.”
He sat down, his tail still around Lottie’s waist and Raja clambered up on his shoulder. It was one of his favorite perches but he abandoned it as soon as Ida brought out a cake and started cutting huge slices, hopping back down on Lottie’s lap with a hopeful squeak.
“Does he eat cake?” Ida asked and Lottie laughed.
“I’ve yet to discover anything he won’t eat, but he has a definite weakness for sweets.”
Temel frowned.
“The kedji are also good hunters, at least of smaller prey.”
“You’re not a predator, are you sweetheart?”
She was talking to Raja but she also gave him a quick, teasing smile. He returned it, even though his chest ached. She had no idea.
“We should discuss your living quarters,” Temel said as Ida finished making the tea and joined them.
“I understood the job came with accommodation for myself and my wife?”
“It does, but there are a couple of different options. There is plenty of room in this house, but most of the mated males have preferred a greater degree of… privacy.”
Would that help him resist temptation? Lottie answered before he could.
“We definitely need more privacy. Celenk likes to walk around without any clothes on,” she added with an innocent look.
Temel growled. “My mate has no desire to see another male naked.”
“And I have no desire to appear naked in front of anyone other than my wife,” he said firmly. “Although it is true that Karthikan customs are somewhat different as far as what is considered acceptable.”
“Very different,” Lottie laughed and Ida nodded.
“I’ve also found some non-human customs… different.”
The two females smiled at each other and he realized that Lottie already seemed at home here. If only…
No. He forced his attention back to the original subject matter.
“What other options are there beside the house?”
“Several of my males have chosen to remain nearby, but most of the remaining options are quite small. I wonder…” Temel tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Would you be interested in taking over one of the abandoned farms? There wouldn’t be any obligation to work the land, of course, but it would allow you privacy. And space - I thought you might appreciate that after being in the city for so long.”
“That sounds nice,” Lottie said eagerly. “I’d love to have a home of our own. What do you think, Celenk?”
If it made her happy, he was willing to give it a try. Then it occurred to him that being in a separate location would allow him to come and go more freely.
