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SITTING WITH AELLA and watching her eat was a sensual experience. She savored her food, taking small bites and really taking the time to taste the flavors and key notes of the various spices in the appetizers. We got a fried sampler of gator tails, grit sticks and butterflied shrimp to start. She was something of a purist too. Not using any of the sauces extensively, just a drop here and there. I think I could watch her eat for hours and be satisfied by listening to those happy little moans.
“What?” she chortled, stuffing down another shrimp, holding her hand in front of her full mouth as she spoke. “Are you not eating now? I thought you were hungry?”
“I am; I just like to see a woman with a healthy appetite. It’s nice.”
“Food is a great thing. You’re lucky to have a friend that cooks. I’m not half bad, but nothing like this. You’re right, she could do so much more here.”
I nodded as Tawney came over with a couple more beers.
“Everything okay over here, you two?” She smiled at Aella. In fact, most of her attention had been directed at my beautiful girl most of the night, if I had to be honest. She was a smart cookie, having taken over for Gilda after we sat in her section. Aella was eating up the attention just like those gator tails.
“Mm hm. Awesome, and I think I know what I want for my entrée, now.” She grinned, nodding at me. “You figure yours out”
“Yup. Gonna have the-”
“Surf and turf, it’s all he ever orders, with the macaroons for dessert,” Gage’s voice broke in as his arms wrapped around my shoulders firmly. He rubbed his cheek against mine. He appeared to be just a tad over the limit.
“Gage...?”
Tawney straightened up, “Wolfy, shouldn’t you be getting ready for your down time?”
“I am, been waiting for you to get off... Since this scaly fucker is too busy lately.” He ruffled my hair and I couldn’t help but blow smoke.
“Pressing matters, you said you had it in hand.”
“Yeah, double fisted, dude.” He pulled up a chair beside me and put his head in his hand with his elbows on the table. “So, are you two a thing now? It makes sense, both being Dragons and all.”
My jaw tightened as Aella sat back with an uncomfortable laugh. “I’m sorry, it’s the moon, it makes him into a bit of an ass.”
“I can see that.”
“Hey, now wait a damn second. You’d be a dick too, if you kept finding yourself odd man out!” He let out a little whimper, taking a swing off of my beer.
“Maybe slow down.” Tawny reached out, taking him by the shoulder, “Come on, let’s get some food in you and I’ll take you home, okay?” She got the big guy up from the table. He sniffed, hugging into her, letting her lead him away.
“What was that about?” Aella asked, wiping her mouth.
“I have no idea.”
“Sorry guys. He’s going through some stuff. Still not quite right since his mom died,” Tawny explained as she came back over. “He’ll be okay eventually, just needs to readjust to being back.”
I nodded, I understood the changes that came between confinement and freedom. I just preferred the confinement.
“So about those dinners?”
“The Surf n’ Turf... but can you serve it over there with the boy? We’ll be joining him. He shouldn’t be eating alone...” Aella answered before I could even think to. She was a good girl, a kind hearted one. How had I managed to turn her eye toward me?
***
“IT WAS JUST FANTASTIC! The open spaces, the rolling hills, fresh air. I couldn’t get enough of it. No rules, no one telling me what to do. I hunted, fished, hiked, man, wolf, didn’t matter, it was all community, you were family even if you weren’t.”
Gage was sobering up as we let him talk all about Wyoming. Aella engaged him, sharing about her own life experiences and I was happy to sit back and listen.
“That must have been incredible. I can remember being about twelve, and Mary and I stole away with Father’s horse to ride in the Wilde Hunt, she spooked because of the Cŵn Annwn packs and we landed in a huge muddy puddle, surrounded by the Tuatha De’ Danann soldiers. They were not pleased, although they laughed all the while as they brought us home.”
“You have a sister?” Gage asked, interested. And what are or is a Cŵn Annwn?
“Oh yes and two brothers, Adrien and Enrich. Our parents adopted me and Adrien when we were just wee little babies.”
“So you are Fey raised then, that explains a lot.” I smiled.
“Oh, such as?” She raised an eyebrow at me in lingering question.
“Your cloistering, your love of food and use of butter... Your passion,” I teased, taking her knee in my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Yeah, I figured you were an item... I was right.” Gage shook his head. “Back to my other question; you said packs of Cŵn Annwn. What’s that?” Gage’s interest was piqued.
“In Ireland they are something like the Fey equivalent of a Werewolf. Only they are not a slave to the moon phases, having broken their bond to the moon eons ago. No hijacked emotional levels at the full moon or energy drains at the new. They are shape changers who serve the Tuatha De’ Danann and the Unseelie Court in turn. Highest bidder typically. If I am not mistaken, the cook here tonight is one.”
Gage looked toward the kitchen. Kendall? Really...” He snorted. “Well, I think I’m good enough to drive back to the dorms. Thanks for hanging out with me, guys. I think I needed it.” He went to stand up and Aella joined him, giving him a warm hug.
“If you need someone to chat with about anything babe, you call me. Okay?” She snatched his phone from him, keying her number.
He looked at me and I shrugged.
“Seriously. Anytime.”
“Okay... Thank you.”
As he walked away, I watched him meet with Tawney, who grabbed her coat and walked out the door with him. “What was that about?” I asked her as she grabbed her bag. We’d paid an hour or so earlier, but had been so into talking we just hadn’t been inclined to leave.
“I’ve known his type before is all. He’s gonna need a friend.” She palmed my face. “I have classes in the morning, but I’m also not ready to end this night. Come back to my dorm with me for a while. I’m not promising anything, I’m just not ready to be free of you yet.”
I bent down, kissing her parted lips gently. “I know what you mean.” If this was confinement, someone throw away the key.