Page 48 of Right Next Door
“I don’t know what mating is like!”
“Come on! You don’t have to be Casanova to know that mating involves more thanthis! How exactly did you think we’d be able to get closer if we never even so much as looked at each other?!”
“Who is Casanova?” He growled. “A client of yours?”
“No! He’s some guy from Earth!”
“A previous lover, then?”
“No, you jealous ass! He’s like this historical guy or something. I don’t know!”
He stared at her, stunned. Clearly prepared for him to snap back at her and continue this inane argument, she gave him an expectant look.
But he was more focused on her accusation. Jealous. She had identified his emotion just that quickly. Like she knew them. Like she expected them. But…
“How do you know I am jealous?” He asked, voice softening again.
“Seriously? You’re quizzing me about some long dead guy from a different damn planet after stealing the appointment of one of mymalefriends. You’re so jealous, you’re turning green.”
That last part made no sense, but he didn't focus on that. He was more interested in how she had pieced him and his actions and their causes together so easily.
‘“Why am I jealous?”
“Huh? What kind of question is that?”
“A genuine one. What am I jealous of? Why? I don’t understand.”
She blinked at him. Staring hard, her fingers going still once again. She cocked her head, like she was hearing something he didn't. Then lifted it straight and leaned back, like she was trying to take in as much of his as possible.
“Are you… Are you a virgin?”
“Is it a problem either way?”
“It would explain things a little.”
“Then, no.” He cocked his own head. “I’ve had lovers in my life.”
“Okay. So, like, how did you act in those relationships?”
He frowned. “I don’t know how it is among humans, but it is not considered polite to discuss amorous exploits with people.”
“Yeah, I’m not exactly thrilled to hear about it either,” she grumbled, annoyed, tugging on the strands of the fur she still had clutched in her fingers. “But that’s not the point right now. Answer the question. How did you treat them in those relationships?”
He let out a short breath, deeply uncomfortable for some reason. He didn't really want to divulge these details to Misty – and it wasn’t even a matter of protecting the privacy of his previous bedmates. He didn't want Misty to have to hear these things. To feel what he just did when he thought that the Casanova she named was one of her former lovers. At the same time, she was finally talking to him, and he didn't want to discourage that by refusing to answer either.
“Those females were all either colleagues or females of close or equal standing to myself. We expressed our interest in exchanging pleasures, set up times to do so when it was convenient for us, and then passed an enjoyable time together. But once I was matched to you, I sent them all messages explaining that I was matched to be mated and that I was ending our liaisons permanently. They all expressed their understanding, and a few even congratulated me.” He wasn’t sure why he felt inclined to confirm that those relationships were over, but he did. Like he needed her to know that he did not have feelings for any of them. As much as he needed to know that she didn’t have feelings for Casanova – orFlik.
She was giving him an odd look again. “Er, Tsok. I’m not talking about your fuck buddies. I’m talking about a relationship. How did you act in your last relationship?”
He frowned, trying to figure out what she meant before saying, “You will have to be more precise. I have many relationships with many-”
“Ugh!” She dropped her head back, rolling her eyes. “Yourromanticrelationships, of course!”
“I have never seen a female in a romantic situation.”
“Never?”
“No. I must admit, I’m not entirely certain of what that means.”
