CHAPTER 263: CHAPTER 263 - RIDING PASSENGER... WITH BENEFITS, PT1

The warehouse restroom was exactly as glamorous as the last time I used it - stalls on one side, an industrial sink. harsh fluorescent lighting... and a mirror that had seen better decades. Clearly this was not a room the renovation project touched, yet.

But it served its purpose well enough for washing myself up and changing into the clean underwear I’d grabbed. I also took my time handwashing the delicate fabric in the sink, working out the small bit of evidence of my earlier... enthusiasm.

Yes, I am making her wait intentionally. But also... shut up.

The cool water felt nice and I found myself still smiling at my reflection even as I wrung out the lace and hung it on the stall door hook to dry. If I really am going to be coming back here as a more permanent solution, I can always retrieve it later.

It at least seems better than stuffing it in my pocket! And it won’t dry if I place it in my Stash.

I know that well from the wet towels from out in the forest. when I dried off from dunking in the pond. At least it doesn’t grow mildew either.

When I emerged with hands held behind my back - and a song I heard recently playing in a storefront humming in my throat, Kyrie was standing exactly where I’d left her. Like she was afraid to touch anything or move anywhere.

Her eyes immediately found mine, then darted away just as quickly once, twice... it finally held on with something like regret. One that I’m sure is all about what she did *not* do rather than what did happen.

Silly wolf...

"Well, much better now. Though I suppose I should head home. I’ve been out all day and would still like to study... lots of things."

"I could drive you. That is, if you’d like. I keep a bottle of scent neutralizer in my vehicle and you... didn’t seem to keep any of it on hand?"

The questioning tone at the end made me raise an eyebrow more than the offer. I wonder what she’s imagining there? When I made it clear I hadn’t originally invited her for more than whatever she needed to talk about enough to track me down.

Ah. Maybe she realized just why I was being so... touchy at the store. After rubbing away Ellie’s scent on me with hers.

While I did have some stored in my latest purse, I actually do not have any in my Stash. Not quite yet.

The concerning chance of running into another wolf today is actually quite high, if I look at it *only* by the number of them I recognized throughout the day as I was out and about. Beyond just those who names I know or who I was close enough to touch.

At least a dozen full spirit bearing werewolves - and well more than that in the number of Omegas suspiciously lacking human scent, if I paid enough attention for | Mother’s Intuition | to go off.

The city really is full of our kind, from what Helene knew of things. Well, maybe not full. Hundreds of regular humans - and thousands if I count vehicles - were also passing me by.

"Hmm. Well, that’s very thoughtful?"

Making a show of considering my options, when I’d already decided... it was just fun to watch her with that look on her face.

You can’t read that? That she’d accept me saying no, but also wants to just lift or drag me right to the car now?

A faint flush crept up her neck as she caught me in my smirk - and I knew I’d been caught teasing her. So I didn’t keep her in suspense.

"Very well. You may escort me back to my quarters."

The white SUV parked outside was just as pristine as the night before. Though the parking job looked a little... rushed. I’m pretty sure people are supposed to aim to be in the lines, not across all of them?

Leather seats, climate control, and enough technology along the dashboard to make my eyes swim. It was one of the reasons I closed them last time I was in here, other than trying to hint about my use of the system map.

When I settled into the passenger seat, I waved at the woman still standing there with her hand on the door she’d opened for me, waiting to close it. She seemed a little out of it, but she snapped to and closed it without slamming.

Then did her best to walk around the front without rushing. I buckled myself in and leaned to examine the sound system as the engine started. All of it

Her hands tightened on the steering wheel after that... because I’d made sure to brush her elbow with mine. Identifying the words and symbols on the controls, my fingers poke at the buttons lightly for no real reason.

"Did you want to listen to something in particular?"

"Nope. Just looking. Why?"

Sitting back and brushing at my hair only makes her grip grow tighter. Oh, dear. She’s ruining all of the nap she just took by letting me work her up. I really should stop.

No, I’m not going to. See, you’re learning how to do this well.

"If you like something in particular, I wouldn’t mind hearing it, Kyrie."

Raising my chin and speaking in a slightly sultry tone, I let the sentence stand for just long enough that she looks over at me. Before clarifying... that I understood what I made her misunderstand.

"Music, I mean."

Without looking away from me, her hand moves and hits buttons until the music is playing. Something slow and symphonic... clearly meant with its steady beat to be calming.

"It’s nice. But I think you’ll have to look away from me for a bit if we’re going to actually leave this little parking lot?"

Shutting her flickering orange eyes, she turns her head and reaches for more buttons. Her spatial sense is pretty impressive. Not so much slapping in search as getting right to it.

Manipulating the climate controls to increase the fan speed and lower the temperature even more than she had it set for. Incredibly chilly, actually - is she overheating?

If she acts like this, how can I not continue to tease her!

Popping into my mindscape as a giant fox, I gekker up a storm as Vrika whines at me being ’mean’.