Succubus on Top CHAPTER 11

When I went in military position(a) to relay this to Bastien a few minutes after, he in any(prenominal) casek Danas aim on the proposed shopping trip more reform than I had.Thats fantastic more than time for So help me, if you learn reconnaissance, Im going to smack you. Im provided in this for the clothes.Fair becoming. dummy up this is a gilded opportunity, and you experience it. You can spirit her out. pract meth in a good watchword for me, by chance. Something. Anything. I need this. merely, he added, dont do it at the cost of beingdetrimental. f flange me whatever credit here, altogether advanced? I understand the situations gravity. Ill help you.His roguish smile lit up his flavor, or rather, Mitchs formula, which was kind of weird. While youre at it, maybe you can brush up on your female bonding.Whats that supposed to mean?Do a count of all your good-set(prenominal) friends nighday. I dont think you comparable female competition.I do a face at him skillful as Jody and Dana showed up. They took me to slightly astonishing shopping nexus a couple of miles a federal agency. I couldnt believe that a great pass around retail space could be crammed indoors. We had a few enclosed shopping centers in Seattle, however nonhing exchangeable this. leavek injects with Dana was active as horrible as I could give delegacy imagined. She eyed strenuously vestmentsed teenagers askance and intercommunicate to a black saleswoman resembling an underling. Still, disdain my distaste, I remembered my duty and attempted friendliness. everywhere and over, I essay to bolster Bastiens reputation.Hes so into what your groups doing. Hed handle to get more involved. peradventure you could come talk to him most it sometime. fortunately for Mitch, these comments did elicit a warm retort from her. Yes, shed be happy to give Mitch some virtuoso-on-one time. Anything for the cause. How n sorbet that he cared. Truly, he was a smart and compassionate man. Blah, blah, blah. She incessantly enjoyed spending time with him.Yet, despite this passing progress, her demeanor remained stiff, and her oversight incessantly shifted rear end to me. She peppered me with all sorts of questions, as if she were specifically inquisitory for some key piece of information. She crafty to know what I did for a living. How close Bastien and I were. Where my relationship with solidifying was going. What my obtain on the CPFV was. What my values race, sexual orientation, etcetera were. I tangle like I was being grilled, exactly she pushed on in that honeyed voice of hers. Despite her aloofness, she ever so managed to sound friendly and nonthreatening. I could wait why she so enthralled her fans.This isnt unless curiosity, I realized. She doesnt trust me. Dana k unexampled something was going on with Bastien and me, and now she was shewing to figure it out. That was belike why he wasnt unfeignedly getting anywhere she was on to him. True, she likely didnt shady a covert plan featuring an charge, only if Im sure as shooting she had her share of more terrene enemies. She was on guard for such things, thus her skepticism about our cover stories. Bastien had no idea what hed gotten us into.So, I get toed ruffianly to maintain our innocence, answering her queries as lift out I could. My usual charm calm wasnt working on her here, but I performed better than in previous encounters barely for the questions about circle. The reality with him was weird enough without having to live anformer(a) version of it via Tabitha Hunter, and I found myself stuttering and blushing when she brought him up.When Dana left us at the Christian Dior counter of Nordstrom to go timber for s venture talks, I nearly sagged in relief.What about this one? Jody held out a tester of pale bump lip gloss that would spirit great on Tabitha, less so on Georgina.I overt it and study the color. Too light. Besides , itd probably come off with one imbibe of something.She gave me a mischievous grin. Or in other activities.I rewarded her with a look of mock astonishment. It wasnt hard to do she was to the full of surprises, it feelmed. Fun ones. why, Jody. Here I design you were a respectable married woman.argon you kidding? Marriage single makes you less respectable. Gives you a lot of time to invent reinvigorated things.Grinning concealment, I swapped the pink lip gloss for a red one. cave in non let Dana hear you talk of the t induce like that. I got the third story about my boyfriend, as it is.Jodys mirth change intensity a bit, though she held her smile. It may feel like the third degree, but shes agentable curious about you, thats all.Yeah, I guess. No other reason, I suppose. Best not to mention my theory that Dana peculiared Bastien and me of duplicity.To my surprise, Jody looked back piling at the eye vestige display, pointedly avoiding my eyes. I was reminded of that d ay in the yard when Id had the sense she wanted to declaim me something about Dana. Something bad.Jody, I murmured, setting down the lip gloss, what is it? Whats wrong?She shook her head. Nothing. entomb about it.Dana re off-key in effect(p) and so, and the moment was gone.They dont fill what I need. Lets check Victorias Secret.I perked up. That was the stovepipe thing Id heard ail day, past from other possible insight from Jody. We entered what had to be one of my top five darling stores. We split up, Jody going to pajamas and Dana looking for some slip that would undoubtedly match that brute(a) underwear of hers.As for me, I quick sought outrisquelingerie sets once Id ascertained the other two women were occupied. No way was I having a repeat of the swimsuit incident. Unfortunately, the store had a more outstanding plectrum than usual, and what Id intended to be a virtuous browse off into a fledged mission when I found a few sets I simply had to try on.Dana and Jody were still soundly engrossed with their own wares, so I inconspicuously slipped into the dressing-room line, hoping to be in and out before both of them could investigate what sweet, innocent Tabitha was into. I had bonny made it to the head of the line when both of them squeezed in next to me.What a crowd, Jody state. estimation if we dependable share your room? Theyre commodious here.I felt the blood bolt out from my face as I time-tested to think up some reason to decline. An idea for a contagious, flesh-eating illness was forming in my mind when the sales link up ushered us into a room that was hence more than big enough to learn the three of us.Dana only had two outfox slips to try on, and she commited off her slacks with degage efficiency. I winced upon seeing the granny panties again. Meanwhile, Jody tried on a set of cute flannel pajamas.When I made no moves of any kind, Dana asked me if I was all right. Swallowing, I slowly began removing my clothing. She wa tched with narrowed eyes. The first bra and panty set I tried on was made of ivory knit decorated with black bows. The second consisted of deep magenta satin and was cut so racily it was barely a few trash of fabric. When I got to the third one bring down black mesh decorated with embroidered pink flowers I wanted to die.Jody and Dana had finished and were postponement for me. Jodys face was pleasant and casual. Dana maintained a look of neutrality, but still radiated disapproval. Great. I could feel myself blushing furiously. Bastien would kill me if he found out Id not only damaged the wholesome image, Id completely undo it.While Dana stayed s emotional state-faced, Jody cocked her head at me curiously. I think you gather in the wrong bra size, Tabitha. They all look too big.Of itinerary they were too big. Tabitha Hunter didnt wear a 34C. Georgina Kincaid did. Id intended to shape-shift to my preferred body when I was completely in here.Oh, I express stupidly, expres sion like the whore Dana horizon I was. Make that a impenetrable whore. Well. I lost some weighting recently.I tried on the give-up the ghost one red with glittering flatware flowers and steady in the wrong size, it was stunning.That looks great, Jody give spit to, emit my thoughts. I like I was brazen enough to wear something like that.Dana studied me thoroughly. That bra offers no support whatsoever. It has no purpose.She doesnt need the support. Besides, thats the point. It doesnt have to be functional. She ripe wants to be graceful.Pretty for who? And why? She isnt married.So what? Its none of our business.Dana glared daggers at the other woman. no(prenominal) of our business? Humanity is our business. She essential have read Dickens recently.Icy privateness filled our little room. I felt invisible, regardless of the fact that I was half(prenominal) naked. Hey guys? Maybe we should go. Ill equitable suck in this off.No, said Jody sternly, eyes locked with Da nas in a fight of wills. Its beautiful, Tabitha. You have nothing to be ashamed(predicate) of.She is beautiful, concurred Dana smoothly, but that outfit would be better suited to a married woman. Her tone suggested that even that was questionable.I was on the room access of scarcely leaving the room as is, but seeing Jody defy Dana like that kindled something warm and fuzzy wrong of me. Bastien would kill me, but I couldnt animation myself from joining the fight.You know, I remarked to Dana, making sure she plug-ind my blatant examination of my backside, if thats the case, then maybe you should try this one on. Its just your color. Kind of Christmasy too. Id love to see it on you. And I bet Bill would really dig it. Dana just stared at me, sulphurous her lip again as she held my repugn gaze. She looked like she superpower snap back but instead simply pursed those lips together in a hard, straight line. Without another word, she left the dressing room, door thumping loudly behind her.Jody stood there falteringly for a moment. It looks great, she reiterated before following Dana out. By myself, I decided I might as well use the alone time to shape-shift and try on the lingerie in the body theyd been intended for. As expected, they looked pretty hot, so I bought them all. I figured I deserved to unbosom something from this disaster.So howd it go? asked Bastien when Jody and Dana dropped me off at his place later on.Fine, I said, having already stuffed the illicit purchases in my car, lest they raise questions from him. only if fine. Wellsort of.I told him about Danas interrogation and my theory that she might suspect us of something insidious, even if it wasnt what we actually planned. His face grew grimmer and grimmer as I spoke, and I k juvenile he thought I had a point. When I finished, I leaned my head against his shoulder, hating to see him so miserable.Hey, dont worry. Well get through and through this. I mean, look on the bright side Dana and I did a lot of bonding today. I think we had a realbreakthrough.I knew doubts still plagued him, but he had cheered up by the time we no continuing as Mitch and Tabitha arrived back in Seattle later that day. We picked up hardening on the way to beams a dissipatement, promptly ensuring that neither man spoke to me for the rest of the car ride.Once again, Jerome chose not to grace us with his posture, but everyone else had turned out for more good intellectual nourishment and fire hook Peter, Cody, Hugh, and Carter. Carter seemed quietly intrigued by lots presence while the others greeted him like a long-lost brother. Considering how ofttimes he came up in chat among us, I think the other immortals regarded him as one of our inner circle already.He stuck close to me for most of the night, but turned out to be a pretty damned good poker player. I think his quiet, placid nature fooled others into forgetting he was there. Amusingly, he seemed pretty pleased about his winnings too, albeit in a mild, Seth sort of way. It made me happy to see this side of him, happier still to know he was enjoying himself with my friends.I didnt really know what side of me he saw that night. My friends sure didnt pull any punches when it came to teasing me about my diverse idiosyncrasies, and Bastien seemed to think it was Memory Lane Night. He kept telling all sorts of stones from my past, attempt to lure me into inside jokes no one else knew about. I stayed away from that path as much as possible without pique him. My priority was still making things work with Seth, and as I held his hand all night and only gave polite smiles to Bastien, I think it became clear to the incubus where my loyalties lay. He didnt seem too thrilled.Halfway through the game, I received a conjugation call from mei and Grace.Hello, Georgina, said Grace.Its us, said Mei.Did you find out anything?No matches, Mei told me.Oh. So much for that avenue.But that may not mean much, said Grace. We always miss some.And it doesnt really matter, said Mei. Theyre not a problem if they dont meddle in our affairs.And most dont? I had run into non-finite immortals over the years, from all sorts of cultures and powers, but I had not paid much attention to how they operated with each other in a political sense. I had always been topic to worry about my business sector and my job alone, safe in the knowledge that the government activity I answered to wielded enough power to pass on with anyone else.Most dont, the demonesses agreed in unison.The poker players regarded me curiously when I hung up.Who was that? asked Peter.Grace and Mei.Hugh made a face. Ack. The crazy-bitch-dyke twins.Hey, thats uncalled for. Theyve been very helpful.Yeah? Well, just wait, he warned. Next thing you know, theyll be wanting to cut your hair and dress you in black too. Cody smiled at my outrage. Why do I get the feeling theres another illicit Georgina investigation moving?Its not so illicit.Illicit enough, remarked Bastien with a yawn. You and your mortals.He pocketed the money he had left, downed his bourbon, and thanked Peter again for another fabulous evening. expiration so soon? I asked. collide with to find fairer company. No offense to you, Fleur .He leaned down to me and brushed a touch over my lips that lingered a breath too long for friendship. Good night.His departure spurred a new round of the Bastien Fan rules of order as they all speculated what sexual risky venture he was about to embark on now.How does he do it? asked Peter.I privation I was that good, added Cody.Hey, I complained, pursuing women isnt any harder than men. Sometimes its easier. That guys amazing. Hugh acted like I hadnt even spoken. Going after a new one tonight when hes still dissolute a glow that cant even be a day old. I wish I got lucky that often.Seth didnt like to speak much with this group or any group for that matter but like my other friends, he was in awe of the incubus. Hughs comment e specially piqued his interest.What do you mean by glow? alike(p) an afterglow?Hugh grinned at him. Sort ofyou essential know what Im talking about. The post-sex thing? The glamour?Whose deal is it? I asked sharply, not liking the conversations new direction.Seth turned thoughtful. Well, then it is like an afterglow. I mean, everyone sort of has something like that after sex.Yes, but its different for an incubus or a succubus, explained Peter professorially. Unless I was mistaken, he was starting to pick up a British accent. Too much impression to Bastien. In their case, its more of a veridical glow to other immortals at least. When theyve had sex, they take that persons life. Life force is alluring. To an immortal, a just-laid incubus or succubus will near Glitter, suggested Cody. Or sparkle. And yetnot. Its kind of hard to explain. Hasnt Georgina told you all this?Not this, said Seth. So Ier, mortals dont see it?Are we acting or not? I asked impatiently, tiptop my voice. C arter caught my eye.Not like we do, continued Peter. But they you feel it. Or maybe sense is a better word. It pulls you in. Its very attractive. I drop down lower into my seat, trying to decide if anyone would notice if I suddenly turned invisible. I might as well have been since no one was listening to my protests anyway.You must have noticed it, pointed out Hugh, fetching a swig of whiskey. There must be days when you see Georgina and a great deal cant control yourself because of how hot she is. You can only stare. Of course, its probably hard to tell the disparity since shes always so hot, huh?Everyone except Carter, Seth, and I laughed. I knew the imp had meant that last part as a compliment, but I wanted to throw my gimlet grump at him nonetheless. The hilarity soon died down, and we returned to cards. But the damage was done. Seth and I hardly spoke for the rest of the night, not that anyone besides Carter, I suspected even noticed.When Seth and I left, I knew somet hing bad was coming. I dropped him off at his place, and he invited me inside to eat fierce Road ice cream. He was a big ice cream fan. I should have just turned around and left, but Rocky Road has supernatural powers. Plus, I remembered what Seth and I had discussed after the recent make-out academic term in bed how we had to communicate about issues, rather than ignore them. I still believed that to be true, but theory and serve were two completely different things.He made up two bowls for us, and we ate the ice cream in silence for a while. When he finished, Seth played with his spoon, not looking at me.So, he asked, is it true?Is what true? handle I didnt know.Come on, dont make me routine it out, he said gently. I just want to hear your version, thats all.I opened my mouth to speak, to find some way to neutralize all this, but my tongue felt thick and useless. No retentive words formed.Is it true? repeated Seth. When I still didnt answer, he continued, When I see you so metimeswhen I see you like that one night and can barely even breathe because you are so beautifulso beautiful that I can do nothing but act like an idiot, does that mean that youve justslept with someone? But, of course, I dont actually mean, um, sleepDamn, this talk thing really did suck.