Page 52 of Lost Companion

She stroked his jaw. “I am glad. Have you gotten any benefits out of our contract?”

“Enhanced strength, speed, my wings are now impervious to anything.”

Riley smiled. “Good.”

“What have you gotten out of the contract?”

“A family for now. Ranna, you, and the mystery blob that I am gestating.”

“What about the clothing?”

“The clothing... oh. Did you want me to pay for them? I could. I have funds from Ranna’s contract.” Her head spun as she had to fight her way out of the sensual cloud she was in. “I paid for this outfit because it was a surprise for you.”

Rath smiled. “I meant, don’t you consider the clothing a benefit of being with me?”

“As long as I am protected from the elements, I am fine. Those two outfits that Ranna sent were half my wardrobe. I don’t need more, but you have things to attend, so I will wear a different outfit every time. It is a costume for an event I have no interest in.”

Rath blinked and understanding crept in, “So when you said you wanted me...”

“I wanted you. Given time, I can probably figure out a way to pay you for the rescue mission and the costs of the crew for when you went to retrieve me. Is that what you are asking?” It seemed a strange conversation to be having while lying against him with her breasts out.

“I don’t want you to pay for that. I have simply never had a companion who is with me for me.”

The playful mood was gone, so she tucked her breasts back into the corset. She moved away from him and sat quietly while they waited out the intermission.

There was a soft knock on the door, and Rath tucked himself away and went to answer it. A beaming Ranna said, “This is some water for Riley. She gets thirsty easily. How did you enjoy the first acts?”

Riley sat still, not knowing what Rath wanted, so she was unable to give it to him.

Ranna looked at her, and her face went white. “Father, what did you do to her?”

Rath let her in and frowned. “I didn’t do anything. We were playing, and then we began to talk, and she went quiet.”

Ranna knelt in front of Riley. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know what he wants. I can pay him back for the clothes, but I haven’t gotten them yet.”

Ranna smiled. “You don’t need to pay him back. It was in the contract, right?”

“Right. Appropriate clothing. A place to live. Food.”

Rath jolted. “And Ranna close.”

Riley looked at him and nodded. “That was it. Everything else was offered, but if things are different now, then—”

“They aren’t different, Riley. I didn’t know the clothing hadn’t come. My schedule has been so busy that you are naked moments after I get home.”

Riley relaxed a little. That was true.

Ranna moved aside and looked at her father. “She’s the most brittle strong person that I know. Riley, if you need a ride home, I am in my box.”

Riley nodded and sat, feeling silly in her playtime outfit. When Rath let Ranna out, he came and sat back on the couch. She stared forward with her hands on her knees.

“Food, shelter, and clothing. That was really all you wanted?”

“Yes, Overseer.”

“And you had it, and you were happy about it, and you tried to show me using this evening as the means.”

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