Page 32 of Slithery Heat

“You need to stop saying these things.”

“Why? Is it unpleasant when I remind you of our previous intimacy?”

“No. The opposite.”

“You like it. Why should I stop, then? I want to do the things you like.”

Gideon leaned forward and whispered, “Because we are in public, and I’m thinking about sex with you. Again.”

“I think about sex with you very often. Even at work, which gets admittedly difficult. I hope I’ll get to touch you again soon.”

The expression on Siurin’s face was so earnest and hopeful; Gideon felt a twinge in his chest.

“Later,” he said. “I made a deal with myself that I have to make it through a full dinner and at least a walk in the park or something.”

“The night is supposed to be pleasantly warm. I’d love to accompany you for a walk.”

“Then you can accompany me to my place.”

“Where we’ll have sex?”

A chuckle slipped out before Gideon schooled his features. “I’m not laughing at you, I swear. I love your directness.”

“But you find it funny too. I noticed.”

“Does it bother you?”

“No. I like making you laugh. Aside from making you orgasm, it’s most rewarding for me.”

Gideon shifted in his chair and sipped his chilled sparkling water. “Siurin, please, we need to stop talking about orgasms.”

Siurin seemed to be smirking. It was an expression Gideon hadn’t seen on his face before, and he found it most charming.

“Very well. But before we change the subject, beware that I intend to give you several tonight.”

Gideon set the glass of water aside and took a deep gulp from the excellent wine Siurin had chosen. “Good to know.”

Siurin then asked about Gideon’s job at the boutique. Gideon was pleased to find that Siurin seemed to be genuinely interested in his mundane occupation. None of the few alphas he’d dated had ever stooped so low as to inquire about his daily tasks and the skills they required.

“See, I get a commission. The more I sell, the more I earn, right? But if I want to sell more, I can’tkeepselling.”

Siurin tilted his head to the side in his unique way. “No? Explain what you mean, please.”

“If I’m too pushy, the customer’s annoyed, and bam, they’re out. I can’t treat everybody in the same careful way either because customers have different needs, right? For example, some people hate it when shop clerks talk to them. You can see in their faces and body language that they want to be left alone to browse. I might tell them that I’m available if they need help, but other than that, I stay away. Others need time to familiarize themselves with the new space, a little like wary cats sniffing around. If I approach them too early, I spook them. Then you have the talkers, who will waste your time for hours but never buy anything. And some folks really need advice on how to dress, but if they noticeyouthink they need the advice, they get offended. Then you have those who shop for fun but have no idea what they want. Anyway, I’m rambling. Ideally, I approach every person differently.”

Siurin looked genuinely baffled. “But how do you know? They just entered the store.”

“I pay attention. What are they wearing? What are they looking at… Do they make eye contact or just nod my way? Some will waltz in, right into the center of the room, and some will creep around the walls. Did they just wrinkle their nose at a price tag? Stuff like that.”

“Human psychology.”

“Ha. No. It’s not that advanced.”

“I beg to differ. I also work in sales, and even though it’s business to business, I often wish I could read the other person’s mind. What you’re doing is advanced. Human behavior is one of the most complex topics to study.”

“Maybe. I bet for me, Vaellian society would be complex to understand.”

“No. We’re simple creatures.”

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