Nari kept laughing at them as Minoru fed her the pastry puffs she had prepared. He stroked her cheek, tapped her chin, and asked her to open.
“Minoru, this is embarrassing.” She cleared the fourth savoury puff and reached for the glass of water waiting for her.
“Nari will witness many moments of affection between us.”
Nari smiled. “Don’t worry, Polly. I have been around alphas all my life. I know that their definition of socially appropriate depends on who they are holding.”
Polly sipped at her water, and then when he tried to give her another puff, she shook her head. “No, please. Dinner smells great, and I don’t want to miss trying some because you are having fun playing.”
Nari chuckled and checked on dinner. “It will be about twenty minutes. Sir, why don’t you show her the house?”
He chuckled. “Because I like feeling her against me.”
“Then carry her.”
He shot up and held her against him as he walked through the house. “I will show you my favourite thing.”
She muttered, “I thought we were saving that for the wedding night.”
He whispered in her ear, “It won’t be inside you until the wedding night, but it would be nice for you to be familiar with me before then.”
Her face was on fire. “So, that is why you wanted the sleepover?”
“Yes.” He whispered it again. “When I travel for business during the time before the wedding, I would like for you to come here at least once a week and sleep in my bed so that you are the first thing I am wrapped in when I come home until you are with me when I travel.”
“I work for Loki. I like it. The travel isn’t extreme, and the people are nice.”
He sighed. “I am going to be making the local branch my office, and travel will be minimal. It will be non-existent once we start a family. Aside from family trips, there won’t be any travel. I will be at your beck and call.”
She looked up at him. “Really?”
“Of course. My father did something similar when I was born. He kept close to home for me and my mother while I was growing, and when I was an adult, they moved to Japan for a time, and I made the crossing frequently while going to university.” He chuckled. “More frequently than immigration knew, but that is a demonstration for another day.”
Polly frowned as he carried her through the house, giving her a tour she only partially took in. “What if I am not fertile? What if we don’t have children?”
He whispered against her head, “We keep trying.”
She swallowed. “Um, okay. Let’s see if I can manage you first.”
“I have confidence in you. I have spoken with a small wave of alphas who have found special betas. Betas that changed for them. They went from being normal women to ones who could take an alpha with extras.” He chuckled. “I believe you are one of those.”
She twisted her lips. “Ah. I am glad to know I am not the only one.”
He chuckled. “I have an associate or two who has found a special beta mate, and they are exceedingly pleased with finding a partner and not just a wife.”
She paused. “Do you think I could talk to their betas?”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I believe we can arrange it.”
“Good. I have been wondering about others.”
He settled on a couch in front of a television. It was the most socially standard room they had been in. His hand wrapped around her thigh. “Now, let’s begin charging that pendant.”
She looked up at him, and he was smiling down at her. “Um, do we have time?”
“It’s pot roast, not a soufflé.” He chuckled.
His free hand slid along her neck and pulled the chain free. Her pendant was still green and flaring but was apparently not enough for his purposes.
Polly blinked as he tucked the pendant into his mouth and slurped softly. “Dude, are you tasting me?”
He nodded with a smile. “I am taking moments like this to keep me satisfied. Ah, I found a wedding planner.”
She blinked. “You did?”
“I did. There is a woman who works with our local hotel, and I chatted with her while I flew home. She is willing to meet with us this week if you can get some time free.”
Polly frowned. “I will have to check with Loki. He has a photoshoot planned for a new ad campaign.” She cleared her throat. “I need to be there for it.”
He nuzzled her ear. “Why must you be there?”
“Oh, I am better at dealing with the models for the campaign. They don’t try to seduce me as they do the alphas that are on the shoot.” She smiled. “It makes the shoot go faster.”
“I can’t believe Loki is hiring models when he has you.”
“He doesn’t have me. I work for him. That’s all. Even the living arrangements are just to make the early mornings go faster as I don’t have to commute. He has the space and an excellent housekeeping staff.”
He licked her jaw softly. “So, you will stay here more often?”
“Where is the limit to what will have me pinned under you versus what will let me get to work the next day?”
He froze in place and growled. “Don’t tease.”
“You keep saying that, but it isn’t a tease; it is a question.” She caressed his head, and when he turned his head, she kissed him.
He slowly increased his level of participation until he held her tight against him, one hand behind her neck and the other kneading her butt.
A deep purr was rumbling through him, and she was feeling the effects. Her thighs slid together, and she could smell the heat coming from her sex. She let out a small sound and cuddled closer to him.
“Oh, dear one. You will drive me mad.”
She panted as she lay in his arms. “Stop sharing the crazy.”
Minoru smiled and brushed tiny kisses over her forehead and cheeks.
“Sir, dinner is ready.”
Polly blushed. She murmured, “We’ll be right there.”
Nari laughed. “If you think so, Polly.”
Minoru hefted Polly up until she was kneeling on him and facing him. He smiled. “Oh, dear one, I forgot to charge the pendant.”
She looked down, and the pendant was outside her robe. “Forgot?”
“I was distracted by the delightful sounds you have started making.” His clawed fingertip tapped her lips.
She frowned. “I was?”
“Yes. I look forward to hearing the entire symphony.” He leaned in and licked at her lips before he went in for a kiss that warmed her from the inside out.
Her toes curled in her slippers, and she held onto the front of his shirt. He switched between the ogre and his normal form, and she kept her eyes closed and determined the form by the size of the teeth. Well, also, his ogre's mouth enveloped hers completely.
When she was swaying, he lifted his head, and she slowly opened her eyes. His eyes glowed like illuminated rubies. She blushed at the heat in his eyes and swallowed. “I think you are going to have a rough time until the wedding.”
He smiled slowly. “But by the wedding night, I will be familiar with you and you with me. We will be able to enjoy ourselves without pausing for mortification.”
“Mortification?”
“Embarrassment, virginal hesitation, alpha-avoidance. Whatever you want to call it.”
“Knot nervousness.”
He laughed. “That you will have to deal with, but I will help you through it. How did I luck into such a beautiful mate?”
“Fate put claw marks into my back so you wouldn’t miss me.”
“I must thank fate or, at least, help out when I can.”
Her stomach growled. She blushed. “Sorry.”
“I have delayed dinner too long. I will be more careful in the future.”
He helped her to her feet and took her hand as he walked back through the house, following the scent of dinner.
Nari smiled and set the meal on the table. “He never was one to arrive on time.”
“I will remember that.”
He helped her to kneel next to the table. “Remember what?”
She flicked him a teasing glance. “That you don’t come on time.”
He thudded to his knees, and a low growl rumbled out of him as he stared at her.
Nari laughed, and dinner was served.
“Are you sure that this is okay?” She approached his bed with a sleeping robe on.
He nodded. “It will be fine, but both parts of me need you in my arms for a night.”
He was wearing a matching sleeping robe and had the spot next to him ready with the bedding turned down. Polly settled and lay on her side, looking at Minoru.
“Um, good night.”
He leaned in and kissed her quickly. “Turn around.”
“What?”
“Turn around. Getting used to sleeping in contact with another person does not come easily to many people, so we will practice.”
She turned her back to him, and he caught her around the waist and pulled her into the curve of his body. His erection was obvious, but he didn’t do more than settle his hips against her.
“Thank you for coming over. Will you sleep in my bed when I am away on business?”
“Once a week?”
“Yes, I will tell Nari not to change the sheets. You smell like mine.”
“Is there anything else that leaves kijin claw marks?”
He chuckled. “No.”
“Then, I look like yours as well.”
“Yes, but I can’t see it right now. I didn’t dare bathe with you.”
She chuckled.
“I am going to charge the stone while you sleep.”
“Wait, don’t you need to sleep?”
“I will, but only after I make sure you are protected.”
She tried to relax, but it was only after an hour that she accepted the strange feeling of a large man in the bed she was sleeping in. His heavy purr lulled her into sleep.
She checked her phone over breakfast and lined up her day. Polly tried to ignore the devastation that hit her staring at Minoru in a western suit. He was... exceptionally pretty.
Nari smiled. “More coffee, Polly?”
“Yes, please.”
Polly looked around. “Nari, do you like cats?”
The housekeeper filled her cup. “Yes, Polly. I do.”
“Good to know.”
Minoru flicked her a dark gaze. “What are you planning?”
“This house is very quiet when you aren’t home. It would be nice for Nari to have a weird fuzzy friend. You already have robot vacuums, so it isn’t that much extra work.”
He looked at her with a direct gaze. “Are you asking if you can have a kitten?”
“Absolutely not.” She smiled. “I am not asking.”
Nari laughed, and Minoru raised his brows.
She finished her breakfast and sipped at her coffee.
“Aren’t we bold this morning, Polly?”
“Well, you have enthusiastically laid claim to me, so this will be me marking my own territory, so to speak. It will also ensure that I have a reason to visit your home while you are both here and gone.”
He looked at her and cocked his head. “I am not enough of an inducement?”
“We are waiting on the inducement, right?”
Nari laughed, and Minoru nodded ruefully. “Your point is accepted.”
She smiled and continued flicking through pet rescues until she saw a little guy that suited her. Once she had her target, she looked around for the necessities and had everything in her cart for the minute she got the cat. She always loved a new project.
Polly and Minoru walked outside as his driver pulled up. He tucked her carefully into the car and walked around to his side. He slid in next to her, and they were off to Loki’s place.
She tried to keep her focus on her phone, but a hand covered her phone, and the other turned her head to his.
She whispered, “Lipstick.”
He smiled. “I don’t care.”
It was a short ride, but it felt like a dozen heartbeats. Loki saw her when Minoru exited the car, wiping her lipstick off. He started laughing.
The two alphas chatted, but as she checked a compact, Loki said, “Don’t worry, I think he got it all.”
She blushed. “Loki, we need to get going if we are going to make it to the shoot on time.”
Loki chuckled. “She’s a bit of a bully. Just warning you.”
Minoru smiled. “We will get along fine, but it will take time. Three months. I have found a planner who can do it as long as I offer up the venue, which I have done.”
“When can I meet her?” Polly was nervous.
“When do you and Loki finish today?”
Polly checked her schedule and said, “If it is successful, the shoot will be over at four, and we leave at five.”
Loki nodded. “We also don’t have to be there the whole time.”
Polly blinked. “Right. So, what is the outside time to notify you of our timing and if something has gone wrong.”
Minoru smiled. “Does that happen often?”
“We are dealing with models; it happens more often than not.”
“What kinds of advertisements are you going to be doing?”
Loki smiled. “Seasonal green teas with subtle differences are being released quarterly, so we are doing one model per season.”
Minoru nodded. “You are going to put that campaign in the hotels?”
“Yes, in the shops. As per our agreement, nothing in the hotel itself.”
Minoru nodded. “Good. Get approval from the advertising manager.”
Polly nodded. “Of course. It was in the contract.”
Loki chuckled. “Polly, we need to head out.”
She bowed slightly to Minoru and then headed to the car she drove Loki around in.
Hands turned her and pulled her up the side of the SUV. “A proper kiss, please.” Minoru’s lips were an inch from hers.
“Your kisses are not proper.”
He grinned and pressed their lips together. Time spun away from her again. When he lifted his head, her hands clutched his shirt, and her left leg wrapped around his thigh.
She panted and sighed. “You have to stop doing that.”
He chuckled. “No. You are an agreeable woman, and I could have seduced you, but I want you to want to be with me by your choice, so I will earn it.”
Loki grinned. “Now that I have that photo, we should get going.”
Minoru let her slide back onto her heels. He patted her backside. “Have a fun day at work. I will.”
She blinked and got into the car, slowly exhaling before she buckled up and started the vehicle. Loki got into the back, laughing his ass off. “So, that’s fun. How are you doing, Polly?”
“Why are alphas such assholes?” When he buckled up, she started driving.
“Well, we are smart, strong, and capable. Oh, and we need hobbies.” Loki was having fun at her expense. Nothing new there.
“Excellent. That doesn’t make me grit my teeth at all.”
“Well, you are both lucky and tortured to be suited for Minoru. He has patience.”
She remembered the hands holding her in the night and the soft purr that lulled her to sleep. “Remind me why that is a good thing?”
He laughed again, and they were on their way to the shoot.
Alexi was always busy, but he loved taking pictures of women. He was more of an art photographer than commercial, but this project was more art than advertising.
The kimonos that were being used were from a collector’s private collection. The models were dressed, and makeup was done. Polly made notes on the most successful models, and Loki was really pleased.
They had all four seasons done, each with several different kimonos.
Loki looked at Polly. “Now you.”
“What?”
“We need one for the new year.”
She checked her schedule. “No, we don’t. Not on the schedule. I am sure Alexi wants to get home to his mate.”
Alexi glanced at her. “I can take a short break if you can get into the robe. Seriously, Polly. You have a great face, and your body is excellent.”
“Gee. Thanks. You have a nice ass. Can I go now?”
Alexi snorted. “Nope. I need one more.”
Polly looked at Loki, and he put his hands together and said, “Please?”
“Is there a bonus in it for me?”
Loki winced. “Yes.”
“Will you not show this to Minoru?” She ignored the flinch that Alexi gave when she glared at Loki.
He grumbled. “Yes.”
“Good. I get the feeling I am going to have to pay for a lot of therapy in the coming months.” She stalked into the dressing area and put through makeup before the kimono slid onto her shoulders.
Ninety minutes later and she was really nervous about the photos. She got back into her office clothes and was queasy when Loki refused to show her the pictures.
They helped Alexi clear any of his equipment. She made sure that the kimonos were all intact and that the makeup artists had all their supplies and tools. Loki was talking with Alexi when she got back. Alexi was going over the shoot on his screen, and when he saw her, he grinned. “You turned out really well. Would you like to see?”
“Only if you want to see my lunch.”
Loki laughed. “You didn’t have lunch.”
“Oh. Shoot.”
Alexi leaned toward her and showed her the demure but sexy shots he had taken.
“Oh geez.”
“I think it looks great and will be wonderful to kick off the campaign.”
She looked at the shot that Alexi had paused on. “Minoru can’t see this. Ever.”
She was sitting, kneeling, looking over one shoulder, her neck arched, the kimono dipped low, and the claw marks were all that could be seen above the obi. The chain of her necklace was visible. Thankfully, Alexi hadn’t asked her to remove it.
Loki grinned. “I won’t send them to him. I promise.”
Alexi nodded and said, “So, what are you having for dinner?”
Loki shrugged. “Not a clue. Whatever the cook prepares.”
Polly checked her phone and sighed when she saw that her kitten had been removed from the site.
Loki frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I wanted to get a kitten for Minoru’s house. I already got the okay from his housekeeper.”
He snickered. “So?”
“The kitten is off the website.”
“Call them.”
She hesitated, and he flapped his hand. “Call them.”
She called and spoke to the organizers. She left her information and hung up. “He is being placed with a family, but they have other pets, so it might not be a permanent fit. If he comes back, they will call.”
Loki patted her on her shoulder, and she went in for a hug. She did not deal well with disappointment.
He patted her back and rubbed his head along hers. “It will be fine. Fate is working in your favour.”
Alexi chuckled. “I can give you a hug if it will help.”
“Oh, I am sure he would love that.” Loki chuckled. “Polly smelling like horny beta.”
Alexi grinned. “Niko doesn’t mind, nor does Alita.”
“Minoru would. Pretty sure.” Loki smoothed his hand down her back, and she dragged in a deep breath.
“Well, Loki, I will get you home. I am sure that your dinner awaits.”
He looked at her. “You are okay?”
“No, but I will get over it.” She smiled. “I just knew that kitten was for me the moment I saw him.”
“If he is meant for you, he’s meant for you. You already caught Minoru, so maybe pace yourself.”
She snorted. “I am just going to drive your sad ass home. You need to find a nice girl with a high tolerance for bullshit or someone who will keep you in order.”
He offered his arm. “Fine. Tell me what I need all the way home.”
Alexi laughed and carried his equipment out while they exited the area where they had done the shoot.
When they left the building, Polly paused and locked up before hearing Loki snickering. The pendant warmed between her breasts, and she slowly turned to see Minoru leaning against Loki’s car.
Alexi looked from Minoru to Polly and whistled. “Oh. That’s what you were talking about.”
“You have your own alpha, Alexi. And your own omega for that matter.” Loki chuckled.
Minoru pushed away from the car and walked toward her. She saw the dark smile on his lips as he approached her. By the time he hugged her, she knew it. She was doomed.