Silent Cravings (27 page)

Ken shrugged and nodded. “Okay then. We’ll be right back.” Mouse gave him a look. He smiled brightly. “
Right
back. Promise. Then we can shop.”

Christoph offered Mouse a tentative smile, still wary of the small vampire. “Hey, thanks for the clothes and shaving stuff. Ken’s an idiot. You got great stuff.”

After Analie left, Ashi shuffled back to his room and did push-ups until his noodly human arms told him enough was enough and refused to carry his weight. Retreating to the closet seemed a little silly to him now. He’d watched a couple movies with a vampire and nothing bad had happened. It hadn’t been anything like when John cornered him and all the fast dodge maneuvers in the world couldn’t get him past that monster, and when John finally did pounce he couldn’t do a damn thing about it, and when he bit—

Ashi marched into the closet and slammed the door behind him.

Mouse gave Christoph a wan smile.

Considering Ken was both the floor manager and lead entertainment at Twisted Temptations, she figured he’d know what was “suitable” for Christoph and Ashi more than anyone else in the building. Royce often consulted him for his fashion knowledge since his expertise did extend beyond the risqué attire the dancers wore at the various clubs.

She pulled a pad and pen across the counter and started writing, then tore the sheet off and handed it to Christoph.

Ken means well. He’ll help you get what you need to work for Alec. I’m sorry, you probably won’t like it, but he’s expecting to feature you two as a curiosity at the club. Otherwise, he would put you to work somewhere else and it wouldn’t matter what you wore.

If there is anything else you need, we can pick it up or order it tonight.

“So he’s afraid of us?” Ken said, pouting at the news.

“Very. I think John stomped all over his pride, too, so take it easy and try not to flash any fang, okay?”

“Okay.” He sighed, overly dramatic. “I’ll try to keep myself in check and not throw myself into his arms, brush my fingers through his hair, run my fangs over his neck…”

“Enough, enough!” Jessica cried, laughing.

The two of them chuckled over the thought, though they’d gotten their laughter under control by the time they reached Thad and Sebastian’s apartment. The door was open and Sebastian was talking to Angus while Thad snored on the couch. Ashi was nowhere in sight. Sebastian hooked a thumb in the direction of Ashi’s room when Jessica threw him a questioning look.

The two of them went over to his room, Jessica hushing Ken while she called out cheerily, “Oh, Ashi—we need you for something out here!”

Ashi heaved a sigh and exited the closet, feeling drained. Jessica was smiling at him, and he wanted to smack it right off her face. He kept such thoughts behind an expressionless mask.

“What?” he said, then noticed Ken.

Before he beat them all senseless and established his rank, other Weres liked to poke fun at Ashi being the prettiest Were to ever join Goliath. He looked like he should be putting lime green highlights in his hair and singing and dancing with the Japanese equivalent of the Backstreet Boys, or moodily playing bass in one of those Asian metal bands where the guys wear gothic dresses.

This guy was prettier.

Ashi looked at Jessica, at Ken, back to Jessica, back to Ken, swallowed a thousand caustic remarks, and gently shut the door in their faces.

“That went well,” Ken drawled.

Jessica huffed and knocked again. “Ashi, come on. Ken’s going to help you get new clothes. Mouse and Christoph are waiting downstairs.”

“I’ll keep my fangs to myself! Promise!” Ken said.

Jessica smacked his arm, and he gave her a wounded look.

“What?”

Ashi opened the door a crack. “I’ll come out if no one bites me.”

Analie wandered out with a book and Christoph poked his head out of the kitchen. “Hey, Analie?”

“What?” She sat on the couch and opened her book, giving him her best I’m-quite-busy-kindly-go-away look.

“I’m being put on display at Twisted Temptations. Know what that is? Any Goliath-to-Goliath advice?”

Analie’s eyes went huge. “I have no idea what that is.”

“Uh-huh.”

Analie ducked behind her book. “Go ʼway, I’m reading.”

Mouse frowned heavily at Christoph, poking his arm so she could show him yet another note.

Twisted Temptations is
not
for kids.

At his puzzled look, she scribbled a bit more beneath that.

Strip club.
Not for kids
.

“No one’s going to bite anyone,” Jessica said.

“Unfortunately.”

“Hush!”

“What?”

“Whoa! Whoa!” Christoph made the “time out” motion with his hands. “Ken said
nightclub
, not
strip club!
”

“I’m out,” Analie said, going back to her room, hands raised. “Good night.”

“I know we Weres are always bursting out of our clothes, but you’ll notice Ashi and I were at least wearing sweats! I don’t do public nudity! And prancing around bare-assed naked in front of a bunch of people is considered public nudity! I don’t
care
if it’s in a strip club or not!”

Christoph’s outburst would have been a bit frightening had he not looked so frantic.

“Christ, can’t I be the damn janitor or something?”

Ashi glared at the two.

“Fine.”

He stepped out of his room, edging away from Ken.

Ken turned to Jessica, hands on his hips. “What’s his problem? I said I’m not going to bite. Would I lie?”

“About that? No.”

Ken affected a wounded look while Jessica ushered Ashi to the door.

“Be nice. Ken’s the one who has to approve your outfits before you show your face on the club scene.”

Mouse was not succeeding at hiding her amusement at Christoph’s outburst. She scribbled a bit more, then handed him another note.

Nobody said you had to get naked. You wear something revealing, take off your shirt, and tease the audience a little. Ken will explain the finer details, I’m sure.

Mouse couldn’t help it. Her shoulders heaved with silent laughter as she handed him the note. The idea of Ken giving Ashi and Christoph lessons on how to strut their stuff was giving her a hefty fit of the giggles.

Ken poked his head in, giving Mouse and Christoph a goofy grin. “All right, kiddies, ready to shop ʼtil we drop?”

“Hey, why do
you
get clothes?” Ashi demanded upon seeing Christoph.

“They’re going to make us strip!” Christoph shouted.

“Screw this,” Ashi muttered, turning to go back upstairs. Christoph darted forward and grabbed his arm.

“Hell no. It’s your fault we’re here, you’re facing the consequences!”

“You know, if you had a sponsor, they’d spoil you, too,” Ken said, quirking a brow at Ashi and Christoph’s antics. “I mean, look at Mouse. She’s been guarding you from the rest of us like the damn Ark of the Covenant.”

Mouse gave Ken a dirty look, which he ignored.

“Come on, let’s hit the road. You two can wrestle for possession of the least revealing thong when we get to the store.”

Mouse socked him hard enough that he left a dent in the wall on impact.

“Ow! Hey, just joking over here!”

Mouse stared at him.

“...okay. Mostly joking.”

Rolling her eyes, she led the way while Ken pulled out the keys to a sleek, shiny BMW that chirped pleasantly when he unlocked it.

“Pack in, everyone. Time to see how tasty you boys look in Speedos.”

Mouse hit him again.

“I’m not wearing a Speedo,” Christoph said, his expression grim. “Or a thong.”

“He’s going full monty,” Ashi said.

Everyone stared at the Asian Were. Ashi returned their stares mutely for a few seconds before rolling his eyes and waving his hands around. “Ooh, look! Ashi has a sense of humor!”

Christoph looked accusingly at Ken. “What did you
do
to him?”