Page 74 of The Genius
Shelly didn’t kiss me or assure me she liked only me. She broke free from my hold and walked away from me, her back straight and her head high.
I already regretted giving her an ultimatum. It had been a mistake that had backfired. If I had magical powers, I would have made the others disappear so I could talk to her, but they were having a party and Storm pushed a glass of whiskey into Shelly’s hand, telling her he’d mixed it with a sweet soda to make it easier for her to drink. In a juvenile act of rebellion, Shelly looked straight at me when she forced down a large sip of whiskey.
In return I picked up my beer and emptied it, hoping that the alcohol would numb my desire for the headstrong, infuriating genius who would never find me more than entertaining.
“I still can’t believe how pretty you are now,” Storm complimented Shelly.
She chuckled. “It’s because of my CBC machine or what Tristan likes to call my Troll Transformer.”
“That’s right.” Tristan took over. “Every night Shelly has to hook up to this machine that files her claws and plucks out her beard so she can look like a princess.”
The others laughed.
“It’s true. I designed the machine to clean my skin and do my nails while I sleep. It’s called Convenient Beauty Care or CBC for short.”
“What?Youinvented that?” Willow shrieked. “I love my CBC.”
“You have one?”
“Of course. So do all my friends. It’s the best machine ever invented.”
“Not true, but thank you anyway.” Shelly smiled when Willow gave her a tipsy kiss on her cheek.
“How come I didn’t know you had designed it? I love you, Shelly, you’re the smartest, most badass woman I ever met.”
Shelly looked confused. “How much did she drink?” she asked Tristan.
“Don’t be modest,” Tristan replied and slapped Shelly’s back. “You’ve made some remarkable things already, and we’re all just waiting to see what you’ve got up your sleeve next.”
“Oh, can I make a wish?” Willow blurted out and sat up straight. “Could you please invent some kind of calorie condenser? Something that removes bad fat, sugar, and carbs from food we love but leaves behind flavor, nutrition, and satisfaction?”
Shelly tilted her head. “That’s an interesting thought, but I have another project that I’m passionate about.”
“What’s that?” Storm asked.
“Pregnancy prevention.”
Her announcement was met with complete silence.
“When I’m done with my current project, I’m going to make sure that any woman who wants to have sex doesn’t have to worry about getting pregnant. It’s going to change the world.”
“What are you talking about?” Hunter leaned forward. “Why wouldn’t a woman want to have children with her husband?”
“Maybe they aren’t married. Maybe they’re just lovers.”
“Lovers?” Storm laughed and held up a hand. “That’s it. No more weed or drinks for you, Shelly, you’re babbling.”
“I’m not babbling. What if Willow and I were the type of women who didn’t want children and marriage, for instance? We could still want sex.”
“But Motlander women don’t like sex,” Tristan pointed out.
“Gennie did,” Storm argued. “She didn’t like me, but she liked the sex.”
“I want the whole package with children and a husband,” Willow said and pushed her hair back. “I know I’m a freak like that, but I don’t care. And I want it with a large Nman.”
“I’m at your service.” Tristan winked at her.
“You don’t count. You’re too sweet. It’s because you grew up in the Motherlands.”
