Page 32 of Gratification in Gluttony

“The Gymnot’s here to bone Ollie,” Toni explained. “And I think Ollie is trying to seal the deal.”

“Deities bless him, he’s doing his best,” Willow simpered.

Zef’s mouth wrinkled. “Why must they be so brazen in public? Such intimacies should be kept behind closed doors.”

“They’re just talking,” Toni said.

“It’s more what’s left unsaid,” Glyma said, and the two women burst into giggles.

“It is the way they look at each other,” Zef said stiffly. “Like they are ready to fornicate right here. In a place of business! It is entirely inappropriate.”

“Sometimes, a place of business is the perfect spot for fornicating,” Glyma purred, pink eyes almost glowing.

“You and Quin fuck in the office, don’t you?” Toni poked her in the shoulder. “I knew it!”

Glyma shrugged. “Of course we do. It would be a waste of a perfectly sturdy desk if we didn’t.”

“Glyma!” Willow squealed.

“I do not enjoy this conversation at all,” Zef whined.

“Would you two shut up!” Oliver spun around, glaring at Gem and Rusty, effectively ending the conversation happening on the other side of the kitchen doors.

“Did he get his number?” Glyma whispered.

“I don’t know. We were talking about desk sex, and I missed it,” Willow said morosely.

“He hasn’t left yet.” Toni pointed to the Gymnot waiting at the end of the counter, yellow eyes tracking every move Olivermade like a predator. It made Toni’s fins flutter uneasily. “Who even is this guy, anyway? I don’t think we can trust him with our human. What if he eats him?”

“Gymnots do not eat humans,” Zef said.

“That we know of!” Toni gestured at the possible creep. “Look at him! Just biding his time, waiting to murder Ollie in his sleep and cook him.”

“I think he wants to do other things to Oliver,” Glyma said, tail swaying behind her as her cheeks darkened with a flush. “Less murdery vibes. More sexy vibes.”

Zef grimaced, wings buzzing. “I do not like that at all.”

“It’s sweet,” Willow said.

“I mean, go Ollie, I guess?” Toni said.

On the other side of the doors, Gem braced himself on the counter with several of his arms as he fanned himself with another. “I need to lie down. And someone get me a glass of ice water. I cannot handle that kind of unresolved sexual tension.”

Then he turned and stumbled toward the kitchen.

“Scatter!” Toni hissed, and everyone ran back to their prospective spots in the kitchen.

“Toni! Toni, I figured it out,” Gem shouted.

“What?” Toni yelled back.

“I figured it out!”

“Yeah, figured what out?”

“Ollie’s type.” Gem pushed through the doors, eight eyes wide with exhilaration. “He’s into tentacles!”

Toni guffawed. Glyma clutched Willow’s arm, tail serpentining behind her. Willow covered her mouth to smother her laughter. Zef sighed miserably.

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