Cris returned his smile. “And I was looking forward to having someone Rafe recommended as an apprentice. I think a lot of your father and I would do anything for him.”
Alex’s smile faded when she mentioned Rafe in that context. He glanced nervously at Rafe and I could feel the uncertainty coming off him in waves. I gave his hand a little shake and then brought the back of it to my lips, kissing it softly and suggestively. Turning toward me, Alex’s smile returned.
Then his eyebrows furrowed. “Ah, I’m not sure what the sleeping arrangements are among you three. I had understood that Rafe and Cris were, ah, lovers before you came along Tess, but now I understand that the two of you–”
I giggled softly and leaned forward to kiss him on the lips. “Don’t worry; I’m sleeping with you tonight. Rafe has Cris to keep him warm and I want you to myself.”
His smile brightened at my words.
Good, I didn’t want him thinking about the fact that I’d slept with both him and his father. Besides, there was a good chance that I could convince him that he’d be better off with Rafe and me than with Rowle.
I know, it makes me sound like a conniving little tramp, but I liked Alex and I didn’t want to see him with Rowle. I didn’t trust that man any farther than I could throw him.
Chapter 42
Raphael
The storm seemed to be strengthening as darkness fell. As the old saying goes, twas not a decent night for man nor Beast. I was glad he and Maia were in the barn.
Tess and Alex were snuggled together on one end of the couch, doing a light petting that I tried to not see. Cris and I had kicked off our boots and pulled chairs up closer to the hearth, mostly so our backs would be to the other two. We’d finished a third bottle of wine between us and I was relaxed for a change. If someone had told me two days ago that I’d be sitting in Rowle’s home, drinking his wine, I’d have thought them insane. It’s a crazy life Wanderers lead.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Tess staring down at me. I felt her quest for my mind and we meshed.
*What’s up?* I asked.
*I, ah, I wanted to know how you feel about me spending the night with Alex,* Tess said across our meshed link.
*How I feel? Tess, you needn’t worry about how I feel.*
*I know you’ve said that we could each have our own lovers, but after Cris dropping that bombshell of our feelings, I wasn’t sure that would still apply, particularly with your son and me.*
*That’s sweet of you to consider me, but you are a Wanderer, Tess. Even if you are an apprentice, you are a Wanderer and Wanderers decide where they sleep and with whom. My feelings for you will not change based on your desires for someone else, even my son. You may have whatever dalliance you wish. It won’t change my role as your mentor or my role as your lover whenever you will have me.*
She gave me a warm smile and nodded. *I understand, Rafe. My feelings are the same toward you, nothing you could do, or no one you could do, would affect my relationship with you.*
Tess glanced toward Cris who was holding my left hand and ignoring our private conversation. *You know she can’t stay with us for long.* It wasn’t a question.
*I know and she does as well. No matter how much the three of us might like to be together, Wanderers have to travel their own roads.*
Tess nodded. *Then enjoy her company while you can.*
She dropped the meshing and I turned my attention back to Cris.
“Wanderer stuff?” Cris asked.
I smiled and nodded. “Yep, Wanderer stuff.”
She leaned into me and her lips met mine.
I heard movement behind us and Tess said, “We’re going to bed. Goodnight, Cris, goodnight Boss.”
“Goodnight, Tess,” Cris and I said in unison.
“Goodnight, Cris, goodnight Rafe. Ah, is it all right if I still call you Rafe? Calling you Dad just seems…”
“Rafe is fine, Alex,” I said. “Goodnight to you, too. Come on, Cris. We should probably get to bed also.”
Alex and Tess disappeared behind the thick wooden door to one of the two guest bedrooms on the main floor. As the door closed, I could hear giggling. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to hearing a Wanderer giggle. Cris and I stood in stocking feet, my hand around her waist, in the hallway at the entrance to our own assigned bedroom. We watched their door for a few seconds as the giggling faded into less distinguishable sounds.
I felt her body turn against mine and I met her gaze.
“Well, I guess those two are getting busy,” Cris said.
“Please, that’s my son you’re talking about,” I said as I lowered my lips to hers.
Cris put her arms around me and pulled me into our own guest room. We moved slowly at first, but with increasing haste as we shed clothes and tumbled onto the bed. The last couple of nights, between attacks by Greek Titans, had been filled with frantic sex. Tonight was more subdued. Considering the few times we’d actually had sex together, we moved more like a couple who were well acquainted with each other’s bodies and pleasures.
Later, relaxing in the afterglow, we cuddled together until Cris dragged me from the bed and into the shower. We took turns bathing each other, cleaning all those marvelous nooks and crannies we’d previously explored together. When it looked like our shower was going to turn into another sexual escapade, we turned off the water and stepped out.
Cris insisted on
