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Chapter -12-

Fifty Shades of Karla

December 31, 02:30 pm PST Two hours west of California "The Busty Belle" Yacht

** Evan stretched and watched the submarine, adjacent to the yacht.** He placed his hands on the rail, glanced at Karla by his side, then turned his gaze back to the sub. "You were right, Karla. They made it just in time to ring in the New Year."

"See? And you were worried." She smiled.

Evan smiled back. His eyes remained on the sub watching his friends, new and old, disembark from the adjacent vessel.

Fox Parker stepped off the gangplank, onto the aft deck of the yacht, and wrapped his arms around his sister. Neither spoke. They simply held one another.

Jules and Sinopa emerged together, hand in hand and stepped up onto the gangplank. Together, the couple crossed over to the back of the yacht.

Johann Foster came up from the submarine's hatch and waved up at Evan and Karla. The boy shut the hatch and stretched. He looked back up at Evan and beamed. "So what're we going to do with this thing? It's awesome! But I think I'm done with long trips at sea for a while."

Foster hurried his way across the gangplank then disappeared. He reappeared between Karla and Evan on the loft deck and careened into the sliding glass doors. He turned away from it with a grunt then cleared his throat, overlooking the empty helipad. "Gee, thanks Karla. I'll never get used to that, I swear."

Evan and Johann shared a brotherly hug then Johann turned to Karla and hugged her. In return, she reached around him and gave him a firm pat on the rump. Evan arched his brows, watching them.

Eric Loupe watched from the window then stepped away. A moment later he emerged from a door on the first floor to meet and receive the rest of the group.

Meanwhile, Karla gave Johann a pinch on the left cheek. "I haven't forgotten what I promised you. And so, as your belated Christmas present ... you tell me when you're ready to take an afternoon nap and we'll go whenever you're ready."

Evan appeared embarrassed for Johann. "You're not _really _gonna come back from a trip around the world and suddenly give her your virginity are you?"

"Hell yes I am! I was surrounded by mushy love. Jules and Sinopa, man. They've been all over one another for weeks. All I've had to think about was Karla kissing me before we got underway. I want to know what it's like. I want to have sex."

Evan face-palmed with a soft groan. "Alright. Just had to ask."

Karla shook her head. "Well, the year is about to end. Might as well get started now. Afterwards, you can take your nap then get up in time to join us for ringing in the New Year." She took Johann's hand into her own and said, "Follow me." She opened the sliding glass door and guided Johann back into the yacht.

Evan shut the door behind them then turned back to the rail and leaned on it. He gazed down, watching Fox and Topaz on the deck beneath him. They continued to hold each other in silence, whispering into one another's ear.

He saw Patience walk out and greet Sinopa and Jules. A slight smile tugged at the corner of Evan's mouth, watching the girl. Eric's voice came from behind. "You're really fond of that girl."

"Yeah. I am. Thanks for getting her to America in once piece."

"My pleasure. Where did Karla go?"

"Ugh. She and Johann went to swap body fluids."

Eric stared at the handrail for a moment. He walked away without another word.

Evan glanced back at the large flat deck where the rest of the group socialized. A moment later, Reno came out. The ex-inspector approached the group with open arms and struck up a conversation with Sinopa and Jules. Seconds later, Eric emerged on the first floor deck and spoke to Sinopa, then Jules.

No one spoke to Fox and Topaz. It seemed to Evan that his new friends were respectful of the Parker twins, giving the quiet couple time and space.

After another moment, Fox and Topaz eased apart and waved everyone to join them.

Evan went back inside, took the iron-wrought steps down to the main floor then came out onto the deck. He took Fox's hand and shook it, then, with his free hand, Evan took Jules hand and shook his as well.

"Welcome back guys."

Fox grinned and said, "We're not home yet. We're going to have you guys follow us to an island out in the heart of the Pacific. It's going to take a day to get there. We're going to 'park' the sub then dry-dock it. But we have one thing we have to talk about first..."

Evan nodded. "Alright. What's on your mind?"

"We need your promise that everything you see ... you'll never tell anyone. You'll never talk about it. It'll be our secret."

"Where are we going?" asked Evan.

Fox nodded to Topaz. She turned to Evan and said, "Well, we're going to my family's piggy bank. Four branch surnames bring their stolen wealth to this island; they've been doing it for generations. The Parker family is just one of those four branches. But..." She turned to Fox, deferring to him.

Fox licked his lips then said, "The other three families have disappeared after the attacks on supernatural people last summer. I'm assuming they've gone underground. But it's possible people like that lady Krys Monroe may have tracked them down. I mean, let's face it ... those people got my father and he was a top-tier master thief. Topaz and I stand on our own. We're all that's currently left that we know of."

Evan tightened his jaw and frowned. "Alright, well, I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm glad you guys have each other. So, you guys own an island vault, huh? Is it kind of like that video game, Sly Cooper, maybe?"

Fox shrugged. "I've never played it. Sorry. Anyhow, we should go now. Can anyone pilot the yacht?"

Eric nodded. "Yes. I'll get us there. What about the sub?"

"Don't worry," said Fox, "I'm not trying to make this difficult. I'll pilot the sub." He glanced at his sister. "You want to go with me?"

"Sure."

Loupe pursed his lips firmly and nodded again. "We're following you, then. How far?"

"We'll arrive in the morning. We'll keep the ships together and celebrate the New Year tonight ... I take it we have alcohol aboard?"

Evan laughed. "Yeah! They have enough champagne, wine, bourbon and beer on this boat to drown a nightclub. You should've seen everyone last week."

Topaz blushed. "The phone call, uhm ... about that."

Fox put his finger on her lips. "I've had a lot of time to think about it. Twelve days. I just want to tell you that ... well ... we should talk about it. I think you might be right. But that's a private conversation for another time. Let's head over to the sub. We can talk there, actually."

"Alright," she said then waved at Evan. "Tell Karla where we are if she asks."

Balmoral shook his head. "She's ... uh..."

Topaz tilted her head. "Yes?"

Evan coughed into his fist. He slid his hand into his pocket, withdrew a small bottle of lotion and rubbed his palms together. "Man this isn't easy to say." He took a deep breath, added more lotion to his hands and spread it up over his wrists and forearms. He put the small bottle back into his pocket then said, "She's taking Johann's virginity. Right now."

The Parker twins looked at one another then winced in unison. "Fair enough," Topaz murmured. "Okay then." She turned to Fox and winked playfully then crossed gangplank back to the sub.

Evan shrugged. Fox returned the gesture and tilted his head. "Y'know, Evan, I'm still a sacred 'V-card' holder, too. And you, too, if I recall. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong at all."

"Yeah." Evan chuckled. "I have a feeling that you'll lose yours before I do. I'm going to take my time with Patience. I'm falling in love and wanna do it in the right order."

Fox smiled a bit. "Congratulations. See you tonight when we come back over to celebrate the ball drop."

"Till then." Evan and Fox shook hands.

X

X

December 31, 6:30 pm PST Pacific Ocean, aboard "The Busty Belle" ...

** Karla eased herself from Johann's lap.** She slid off the side of the bed to the floor and picked up her panties. A grin touched her lips. She lifted her right foot and pulled them on, then her left and drew them up her legs.

The demoness fluffed her hair back and smoothed the fabric of her skirt. "Okay, either I'm losing my touch or you superpower boys are more impressive than I thought." She looked back at Johann, completely passed out.

His deep breathing continued in rhythmic reply to her words. Karla grinned then fixed her blouse. "Twice in a row seems unheard of. Then Rufus, then Eric. Good Lord you boys are spoiling me."

Johann didn't respond. She took the covers out from beneath his feet, pulled the comforter up over his legs and draped it across his chest.

The succubus tossed a lock of blond over her shoulder. She walked to the dresser and picked up a brush then touched up her hair. "What'a rush," she said with a smile and a wink to her reflection.

Karla tossed the brush on the dresser and headed for the door. Instead of reaching for the knob, she teleported into the hallway and strutted out to the living room.

Eric sat alone on the sofa, hands folded. Their gaze met and she tilted her head. "What?"

"Karla ... this isn't easy for me."

"How do you mean? Oh..." She frowned and folded her arms behind her back, cupping her elbows in her palms. The demoness eased up onto her tiptoes then dropped back onto her heels. "We've talked about this." Her hair bounced against her forearms.

"I know. It's harder than I thought."

"I need to have sex so as not to grow old. At my advanced age, if I start aging, it will probably be a rapid affair. I don't want to test the theory."

"What if I asked to be exclusive for you," he said in a soft voice.

"Eric ... you know what I've learned in four hundred years, babe? Expectancy sex doesn't work. Guys who demand it from their wives when they come home from work ... she will eventually resent him for the obligation of sex. A girl who demands it from her husband - like saying, 'I want a baby, get your pants off!' runs the same risk. He strays. He cheats on her emotionally or he starts to avoid her. It's human nature. People simply don't want to have sex out of obligation. It's not like taking out the trash. It's time consuming and physical. It would work for a few weeks, then you'd be resentful of needing to put out so much."

"You told me that sex would make me fall asleep and I proved you wrong."

She offered a poignant smile. "If I could have a normal relationship like other people ... I would in a heartbeat. The only way I could manage it would be to have several husbands, or if you and I had several wives for me to feed on. And I have that now, with all of you. I've not fed on anyone but this team in a week. And it hasn't been easy. It's the best I can offer you."

"I'm having complicated emotions regarding you."

Karla's face brightened somewhat. "That's really sweet, Eric. And you're the first man who can go all day. The first man who, after sex, wants to indulge in foreplay again until his battery is recharged. It's been a delight to have you in my bed. You're not as passionate as some lovers I've had," she said, thinking to herself about Rufus and Topaz. "However, you're more consistent. You have more feeling and emotion in bed. You look in my eyes. You run your fingers through my hair. You'll focus on getting me to climax. I've never had a guy care about pleasing me the way you do. And if I could have a relationship ... you'd be on the top of the shortlist, sweetness."

"You just had sex with Johann this afternoon. You guys were in there for a while. Guess I'm not the only one capable of pleasing you."

She moved to the sofa, silvery peals of laughter played upon his ears like musical notes. Karla dropped down onto the adjacent cushion and draped her legs across his lap. She propped her back against the armrest and grinned at him. "You're adorable."

"Well, you guys went in there before three o'clock. We're now going on seven."

Karla shook her head. "Eric, he's a virgin. He didn't know the first thing about pleasing me. Other than thrusting, I did all the work. Poor kid, I probably ruined him for other lovers. But at least now he'll have high expectations. Needless to say, we fooled around and I showed him some things. I showed him how to do things with women so he'd be able to find and romance a girl in the future. I showed him how to touch a woman. Then we had vanilla sex." She paused to watch his facial expressions before continuing. "After that, he surprised me by fighting off the urge to sleep. I got dressed, then we talked. _We had a _long talk. About sex, about dating, about philosophy."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." A slight grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. "And around half an hour ago, he felt awake enough to try again. He wanted to try from behind. Having already gotten off, he couldn't get off again ... so I rolled him onto his back, got on top and got him off like the pro that I am. Now he's completely unresponsive."

Eric's mouth felt dry. "Sleeping like a baby huh?"

"More like ... sleeping like a lazy teenager. I never understood the baby thing. Babies aren't known for sleeping - they're known for waking up every few hours wanting to be fed. Eric, are you jealous I had sex with Johann?"

He fidgeted for a moment then placed his hand on her thigh. "Yeah."

"Are you jealous when I sleep with Topaz?"

"A little, but not nearly as much. I put it out of my head. But it's different with you and Johann. I'm jealous as hell when you're with other guys. I want you to myself. I'm sorry. I don't remember what my life was like in the past. But I'm learning a lot. And now I know I'm jealous but I won't act on it."

"You promise you won't be mean to Johann?"

"He's just a kid."

Karla giggled, covering her lips with a hand. "So are you, compared to me. I'm the ultimate cougar."

"Touché. Look, I get it. You have that 'animal survival instinct.' So far as the kid ... he just wanted to know what it would be like with the prettiest girl he's ever met. I don't hold it against either of you. I just want you to myself. I'm sorry if I'm not passionate enough - I like to think I simply have room for improvement. In the end, though, like I said already, I just want you all to myself. I won't flip out about Topaz, but I want to be the only guy you sleep with."

Karla leaned up on an elbow, moving close to him. "Do you now?" She waggled her brows playfully.

"Yes. I've come to learn I don't share well. I get quiet when I'm around the rest of the group but I can open up with you. So ... aren't you supposed to be hyper right now?"

"You hate when I get hyper," she said with a grin. "So I'm behaving. No silliness. Scout's honor." She brushed her nose against his ear and smiled. "You're sweet to me, Eric. Guess what? I like that."

"Do you now?" he repeated back to her. Eric turned to face her and brushed his lips against hers. They shared a kiss. He tilted his head and the kiss intensified.

She broke the lip-lock and whispered, murmuring softly with a muffled tone against his lips. "Now probably isn't a good time. You wouldn't want..."

"Karla," he said, interrupting her. "I'm not concerned with 'sloppy seconds.' Actually, I'm feeling very possessive right now. Besides, you just said you were with someone who has no idea what to do. You need me to finish the job the right way."

She swallowed then licked her lips, causing her tongue to brush his lips. "Hot. I like how you don't show this side of yourself to anyone else." She pressed her forehead against his. "God this is weird."

"Weird?"

"I've..." Karla exhaled with a semi-hidden smile. "I have this weird tick. I hate breathing in people's face. I loathe when people breathe in my face. Making out is a little different because I'm not breathing in your air and... right now ... I am. But it doesn't bother me."

"I'm not sure I follow," he whispered in reply.

In equally hushed tones, Karla said, "I have a claustrophobic thing. I hate breathing in someone's face like we're doing right now. I hate it more when someone does it to me. But right here, right now, with you ... for some strange reason, it doesn't bother me."

Eric reached his hand up and sifted it through her hair. "I don't know how I'd react with anyone else ... but with you, I like it. I like the taste of your breath on my lips. I like the warmth of your breath on my skin. It makes me want you."

"You sure you're okay with being sloppy seconds?"

He smirked. "If being a cleanup hitter is what it takes to get you into my bed tonight ... then I'll do it happily." He eased his hands up, over her face, through her hair then firmly pulled her close.

Karla moved with him. She went from lying perpendicular across his lap, into a kneeling position on the sofa adjacent to him without breaking the kiss.

Eric's hands were large on her face. His thumbs cupped her cheeks. His fingers moved down, beneath her ears, stopping at the nape of her neck.

She felt small in his embrace. His lips parted and she eased her own open in response.

Karla's heart pounded in her chest. She swooned at the sensation of him turning her about, the sensation of the way he controlled her with his touch.

He lifted her into his arms and stood up from the sofa. She eased her thighs apart, resting them on either side of his hips.

Eric carried her towards the hallway. He pressed her up against his bedroom door.

She closed her legs around his waist, crisscrossing her ankles at the small of his back. He clung to her and broke the kiss. His lips moved over her jaw, then down her neckline.

The delighted demoness lifted her head, giving him access to her throat then she shuddered, feeling his heart race against her breast. She rested her forearms across his shoulders, took his hair firmly in her grasp and rested her chin upon his forehead, panting hard.

"Let me in," he said, grinding her against the door. His words and their double meaning caused her to squirm in delight.

She replied with a ragged, husky, breathless tone. "Or else what?"

"I won't ask as nicely the second time," he whispered with a playful grind against her hips, sandwiching her against the door.

"Fuck," she breathed.

A shiver ran down her spine from his teeth and lips against her collarbone. She reached down for the knob and turned it, using her telekinesis to add resistance to the door so that they wouldn't spill through it. The cabin door opened slowly against their combined weight.

Eric used his chin to press down the front of her blouse. He closed his teeth over the clasp between the cups of her bra and forced it to open.

They continued through the doorway. He crossed the room and set her down on his dresser. "Karla, I need you to want me as bad as I want you," he told her in a hushed tone.

She nodded in return and swallowed.

"No," he said.

"W-what?"

Eric drew his head back and cupped her face so that their eyes met. "I need to hear you say it."

"I want you."

"Tell me what you want," he said then leaned in close and began nibbling down her neck again. "_Tell _me what you want from me, right here, right now."

"I want you to make me cum," she whimpered against his left ear.

Eric lifted his head again, gazed into her eyes for a moment then lifted the blouse up over her head. Her arms lifted into the air then dropped back to his biceps. He thumbed open the cups of her bra then pushed the straps down from her shoulders. "Say please."

Karla bit her lip with a hint of a grin. "Please."

"Say it like you mean it. Say it like you need this."

She flinched. A jolt of yearning and desire raced up her spine. She tingled from the energy and chemistry. Karla exhaled slowly then she whispered, "Please make me cum."

Eric placed his hands on her biceps, holding her firmly. "Louder. Beg like you mean it."

Goosebumps covered her forearms, drawn in by the way he commanded her. This was a side she'd never seen from him before and she wanted more.

The demoness took a deep breath then, in a desperate tone, pleaded with him. "Eric ... I want you."

"I said beg. Convince me you need me."

Enthused by his display of passion, she gave in. "Please, please make me cum. Please, I need you. God I fucking need you, baby. Please."

"Good girl," he replied in a calm, baritone voice. Eric nibbled down her collarbone, over the swollen globes of her bosom. She whined aloud, needy and full of desire.

"God yes." Her hands moved to the buttons on the front of his shirt, fumbling with them.

Eric waited until she unfastened every last one then he took her wrists and lifted them away, holding them against the mirror behind her. He held her arms so that they were pressed to the reflective surface directly above her head then he crisscrossed her wrists and pinned them in place with his left hand.

His right hand moved to her face. His fingers traced the slender slope between her eyes, down the bridge of her nose, over the camber, stopping briefly on her lips. He offered her a mysterious smile then his fingers moved over her chin.

Karla gasped in delight as his hand moved over her neck. She quavered against the mirror, unable to stifle the energy and excitement.

With his hand on her throat, he leaned in and kissed her again. She tested the strength of his other hand, which kept hers pinned above her head then murred softly against his lips.

He guided his left hand down her neck and cupped his palm over her curvaceous bust, exploring her figure. "I want you," he told her, muffled against her lips. He closed his teeth gently over her bottom lip then suckled softly.

"Eric..." She swallowed, then in a tone of longing, asked, "Please."

He released her lip. "God I love hearing you say that."

"Please."

He replied with a dark smile. "Say it again."

"Please."

Eric met her gaze. "Again."

"Please."

He placed his hands on her hips, lifted her from the dresser and draped her across the bed. He moved over her then, with a firm touch, hiked her skirt up around her waist and began to nip and nibble his way down her body, over her taut tummy.

Eric drew her panties down her thighs and tossed them over his shoulder. He closed his teeth firmly over the mound of flesh above her aching sex.

She responded with a lusty whine of fervor. "God, Eric, please baby. Fill me. Feed me."

"I don't want to 'feed' you." He offered another playful bite then took her legs and lifted them up, draping the backside of her knees over his shoulders, so the back of her thighs were firm against his torso. "I want to please you. I want to make you mine."

She nodded eagerly, feverish hunger shining in her eyes. "I'm yours."

"Say it again," he demanded.

"I'm yours."

Eric reached down and unfastened his pants. He gazed over her from above, with her legs propped up over his shoulders. "You're such a good lil' girl. You're my good girl."

He grinned at her then arched his hips and, without another word, pressed into her. His pulsing rock sank into her body, stretching her folds apart to accept his girth from tip to hilt.

She hissed in passion and yearning, through clenched teeth. "God yes!"

Eric drew his hips back then thrust forward again, creating a delicious squelching sound of wet flesh. He adopted a rhythmic cadence, slow and firm at first, then placed his hands on either side of her waist to steady her. He increased his pace, railing her lithe body, rocking the bed.

Karla reached climax almost immediately and cried out. "God! Fuck me, Eric!" He moved over her, sliding between her legs. They dropped down along his biceps then fell to his sides. She wrapped her legs around his waist and clung to him.

Again their lips met in a feral, passionate kiss as their desires took hold. He captured her right hand and brought it between their bodies so she could feel how fast his heart pounded in his chest.

"Feel this?" he whispered against her lips. "THIS is what you do to me. You make my heart race. You make me want you."

"Oh my God, Eric. Don't stop, please."

"It's hot to hear you say that."

"Please," she cooed again. "Don't stop."

He pulled her face into his neck, able to feel her warm breath against his collarbone. He clung to her, hips like a piston, stuffing her aching body with every inch.

She, in return, surrendered herself, clutching him like a sailor to driftwood, undulating beneath him like a turbulent sea. The succubus arched her hips slightly, loving the sensation of his possessive pumping. She loved the way he rutted her quivering pussy; she loved his newfound forceful bed manner.

"Cum on my dick," he demanded.

Karla's jaw dropped and she cried out again, muffled into the crook of his neck. "I'm about to ... about ... about to!"

"Good girl, Karla. Coat every inch; make it yours."

Her moan elevated to a whine of delight, increasing in intensity with her release. The succubus gasped then drew in a deep breath and exclaimed in relief and release. She began panting again. In a more personal tone she said, "Fill me."

"You've been fed enough for one night, I want to make you cum for me."

"God, Eric, you have," she replied in a breathless tone. "Please. I'm begging ... fill me."

"I'm close," he confided softly, then pressed his lips to hers again.

"Fill me, baby," she pleaded, adding, "Make me yours. I want every drop. Seed me. Make me belong to you - I want to be yours."

Eric tightened his jaw then, spoken against her lips, said, "I'm going to fill you with so much it's going to run down your thighs when I'm done with you."

"Oh God, yes, please." Her eyes widened at the sensation of hot warmth. A thick gush of honey-like nectar flooded her deeply, causing her to squirm in delight.

Karla reveled in the rush, then, caught off guard, she cried out again. Her petite frame was wracked with another intense wave of bliss and release. She clenched her eyes shut, jaw and lower lip both trembling, barely able to vocalize her pleasure.

"Who do you belong to?"

"You," she whined.

"Promise me."

"God, yes, anything you want. Just don't stop fucking me." Her hoarse voice melted into another series of quick, short gasps. "Oh my Christ, I'm cumming again."

"Mm, that's it. Be a good lil' girl and cum for me again." Eric returned to the previous motion, grinding against her body at the end of each plunge into her.

Karla's eyes rolled back into her head and she struggled to breathe, panting so hard she became lightheaded. Oddly, the inability to catch her breath increased the intensity of her orgasm. The tingling of pleasure grew distant and she passed out from hyperventilating.

X

X

About five hours later...

** Fox gave a firm tug on the mooring line** then put his foot on the white rubberized fender between the sub and the yacht. He walked down the deck and put his foot on another fender, making sure they were secure between the two vessels. "Topaz, check the bumper down at the back would you?"

She eased between the two vessels and put her feet on the marine fender then replied with a thumbs-up gesture. She checked the last one then climbed up onto the back deck of the yacht. Topaz stretched then traced her foot along part of the "H" of the empty helipad.

Fox stepped onto a mooring line that went up to the higher section at the front of the yacht. He slid off his shoes, moved both to one hand, then walked up the rope to the front of Karla's yacht. He stepped up upon the front rail and waved to Eric on the bridge and pinched his thumb to his index with his other three fingers spread apart. Eric returned the universal "OK" hand sign.

Parker looked at his watch. "Almost eleven-thirty. Time to break out the booze." He walked along the rope then made his way over the angled outer hull and hopped down onto the deck. He put the docksiders down and slid his feet into them. Fox opened a door and stepped inside.

Sinopa sat on a loveseat on the third deck with Jules asleep, his head on her lap. Fox offered her a smile and she bit her lip.

"Sinopa..." Parker approached and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Look, I hate to bring this up but ... with the New Year ahead of us, I'd like to get this out in the open so it can stay in the old year ... so to speak. You've been acting weird for the last ... geeze, since we left Japan. Did I do something to upset you?"

"No, no of course not," she said softly, so as not to wake Jules. "I'm sorry I made you feel uncomfortable. I'm just struggling with something I learned in Tokyo. You've done nothing wrong."

"You're not acting weird towards Johann or Jules. No offense, but you've acted really strange to me for almost two weeks now. And you've not said a word to Topaz since we got back. What is it? What's on your mind?"

Jules brought his hand up and rubbed his face then eased up from her lap. "Chère, you gunna have t' tell'em eventually. Why not do a test? Reno Nevada - he got a friend in San Francisco tha' do forensics. He'll be able to do the test."

Sinopa licked her dry lips and folded her hands. "Fox, you deserve to know what I know. But it's only fair to talk to both you and Topaz. I talked to Jules about this the night we left Tokyo. We've agreed that we're both okay with this knowledge should it prove to be true. But I'm still ... I find it difficult to talk to you."

"Meet me on the back deck." Fox left them alone in the room. He took to the railing and walked along it. He folded his hands behind his back. Every fifth step, he performed a hand-less somersault.

Meanwhile, back in the room, Jules and Sinopa sat alone in silence.

Jules rubbed his eyes, glanced at a clock on the wall then stood up from the loveseat. He reached for Sinopa's hand and guided her to her feet. "Any luck getting answers from Tamamo?"

Sinopa shook her head. "She won't hold a grudge forever, but she's not always quick to forgive at times. I'm aggravated because if Steven's words hold true ... she and Kiko both lied to me." Her eyes lifted to an elegant mirror on the wall she'd been glaring at for most of the evening. "You hear me, you kumiho! You lied to me!"

"Cherie, ce qui est 'kumiho?' I've heard you say it before."

Sinopa smirked. "A Korean nine-tailed fox spirit. They're evil. Poor Koreans ... they have nogitsune. But not just any spirit creatures, these are nine-tailed nogitsune. They're rare, powerful and complete scum. Evil. Liars. Backstabbers. Their tricks end in people losing their lives to get a point across."

To the surprise of both Jules and Sinopa, Tamamo suddenly appeared in the mirror. "You little idiot," sneered the white nine-tailed vixen. She stepped up atop of what looked like a skull in the reflection. Her body began to transition. Tamamo rose up and appeared before them in human form in the large wall mirror.

"It is about time you've shown yourself."

"You little three-tailed moron child! I am tired of your incessant blathering! You have no idea what kind of trouble you've gotten yourself in! Every. Single. TIME. You can't just go to Earth and do your job! You always have to find LOVE! Then you insult me for my genuine feelings I had for Toba's son, Narihito! But _you_will call him Konoe-tenno."

"Tamamo--"

"Iie! I have not finished speaking, child." Tamamo glared at the couple and reached for a kimono beyond the sight of the mirror portal. She drew it around herself and tied the sash. "You have had a new lover every time you went to Earth! I'm angry because your judgment is both disgusting and immature!"

Sinopa approached the mirror, hands clenched into two little feminine fists. "And you call yourself a 'Sensei.' Where have you been?!"

"Choose the next words you speak with care and restraint. If they're not the wisest words you've ever spoken, you will be completely alone for the remainder of your mission, if not longer."

Sinopa bit her lip and folded her hands in front of herself. She said nothing, trying to find appropriate words."

Jules came alongside of her. "She's scared, Madame Kitsune. She holds you in the highest respect, despite your faux animosity for one another. I dare say she loves you as a maternal figure. Surely, mademoiselle, you know that a mother and a teenage daughter do not see eye to eye until the phase of adolescence come to an end. But that doesn't mean she don't love you any less. All she needs from you in return is respect. She's not askin' you to treat her as an equal. All she needs is honesty and patience. If you can find it in your cur - your heart - to give her those two things, she'll give you all the respect you deserve, as her sensei ... she just doesn't know how to say this to you ... but she really does see you as a motherly figure. Combine that with the fact that you're the only maternal force in her life, and surely you can see how 'n why she would latch onto you in such a way. When you turn your back on her, she responds with her feelings and takes personal offense. Please. Don't hold it against her that she struggles with her emotions when face to face with you. It's only because you have such a profound effect on her."

Tamamo brought her hands together, with the tip of her fingers against her lips. "Hmm." After a moment, she asked, "Sinopa?"

Crevan nodded her head almost bashfully. "Yes, Tamamo-sama. It's true. You deserve my respect ... but ... please ... I deserve honesty in return. I've been lied to and because I sensed your disrespect, I have replied with my own rebelliousness. Please. I need to know the truth of Steven-san's words. We have mortal ways of finding out, using modern technology. But I'd rather just know now."

Tamamo ran her hands back through the rich ebon locks of her hair. "I've not been in human form for quite some time. Am I still beautiful?"

Sinopa looked away. "Certainly more so than me."

Jules looked from Tamamo, in the mirror, back to Sinopa then back to the woman in the reflective surface. "No offense, Madame fox-goddess ... and I speak with complete and total biasness towards the love of my life, Sinopa Crevan, but ... she's wrong. No one's more beautiful than her."

Tamamo smiled at Jules. "You're a smarter man than I've given you credit for. Smooth words for a mortal man; words which show you surely love her the way she deserves." She shifted her eyes to Sinopa and said, "You married Jonathan Conner Parker. You had two children, twins, Fox and Topaz Parker. They were born human."

Jules reached his hand back and took Sinopa's wrist. His fingers trailed down to her hand, interlacing his fingers with her own. "They're not, like, half-demigod?"

"You know little of us," said Tamamo-no-Mae. "Humans are higher on the genetic ladder than kami messenger spirits. Despite not having the ability to conjure fire or travel between realms, your genetics overpower ours if combined the way she joined with Jonathan Parker."

"So people like Hercules wouldn't exist?"

"He was born as a supernatural. He possessed great strength. It is different. Your genetics are more dominant than our own. Your potential exceeds ours as well. We've been around longer, so we've evolved our abilities. Humans are an immature childlike species ... but their potential far exceeds our own. That is why a human with a magical arrow felled me. No, the twins will never throw fire nor will they sprout tails or ears."

"Why was the truth withheld from me?" asked Sinopa, controlling her breathing so as not to lose her temper. "Make me understand, please."

"Sinopa, you protected Jonathan Parker from the artifacts when it was his task to protect them from the rest of his realm's people. You were his guardian the night he fought in the shadows to save the Emperor. Akihito slept soundly in his chambers and Jonathan fought with the brothers Rue to keep a powerful immortal from doing what Aris Falcon later managed to do ... take the Emperor's artifact. Sinopa, you stepped in to help."

"I wish I could remember."

"You broke orders to return and stayed at Jonathan's side. While staying in the Earth realm, Aris Falcon joined Parker's team. As a promising young geneticist, he managed to study your powers and Jonathan's abilities. He took a small sample of tissue from you both. A short time later, you conceived with Jonathan. Aris studied your pregnancy and, when you neared the end of your gestation, he deferred you to a man named Isaac. You now know him as Steven. Steven is the oldest human being on the Earth plane. With Steven's help and Aris' tinkering, you bore children for Jonathan."

Sinopa remained quiet, listening to the explanation. She gave Jules' hand a squeeze, glad he managed to bring Tamamo from her shell.

The nine-tail continued her explanation while adjusting her long vanilla-white hair. "You remained in the Earth realm, playing 'wife' and 'mother.' Aris left the team. Steven disappeared back into the shadows. The extended stay in the realm was difficult on your body. You endured. Then there was an attack on the Celestial realm. You were recalled. Lady Kiko decided it would be easiest on your emotions and on the children and Jonathan, to make you all forget. The task fell to me. I carried out my orders. I enjoyed it because I was jealous that I was never able to have the same opportunities - children. The twins were left to believe their mother died from cancer as a human. Jonathan was told the same. You, however, were made to forget everything so they could mourn in peace. Sinopa, you remained distracted ever since. This past summer, I told you to go and have children. Do you remember?"

"Hai. I've not forgotten any of your snide comments."

Tamamo looked away momentarily. "It was a slip of the tongue out of spite. You are, in fact, already a mother. But Aris Falcon's genetic tinkering has made them more than typical twins. He wished to take them away and breed them. They cannot be allowed to mate."

Sinopa and Jules looked at one another then back at the woman in the mirror. "Why?" Crevan asked.

"Because one of the artifacts necessary to his success is dead."

"Excuse me?"

"The artifact itself was a biological entity. He passed away ages ago. Falcon instilled some of that entity's genetics into your children. But for it to work, the person would have to be naturally born, not genetically created. Under the false pretense of helping you as a fertility doctor, Aris genetically designed Fox and Topaz to fall in love with one another by manipulating their genetics. The child has to be born naturally with the genetic information engineered into Fox and Topaz from the time they were what the humans call a 'zygote.' Do you understand?"

"Christ Almighty," Jules murmured. "How can he genetically force love between two people?"

"If the twins have a child ... that child would be the necessary component to access the citadel and wield the physical artifacts to open the gates. However, Falcon is a clever man and knew that brothers and sisters are not naturally interested in each other romantically. That is why he designed Fox and Topaz Parker to be drawn to one another. They're a sound, compatible breeding pair. They were bred and born to love one another romantically. They produce pheromones only the other would ever detect. It is overpowering. No matter how hard they fight it, they will eventually succumb to their desires."

"Did Jonathan and I know about this?"

"Yes, you learned of it. You kept the children apart, despite your love for one another. You raised Topaz. He raised Fox."

"I see."

"Perhaps, Sinopa my little one, you'll be more reasonable than you were over two decades ago ... kill one of them to ensure they never reproduce. Having lost those memories, you will have no emotional or maternal attachment to them ... it's for the best if you..."

"How dare you?!" Sinopa ground her teeth together, leering at Tamamo. "I would never let anything happen to them! If they're destined to have children ... then we shall let fate determine the destiny that lay ahead. This child would also, technically, have the ability to take Aris Falcon's other artifacts away, because the child would be able to handle and command them when they're in proximity to one another. The child could end all of this!"

"Yes," Tamamo admitted with a sigh of defeat. "But it's highly unlikely that the youth would manage such. Innocence is corruptible. Aris Falcon and his methodically manipulative lackey, Sire, would get their way with the Parker offspring. This is reality ... 'Good' does not always triumph over 'evil,' Sinopa. The sooner you realize that, the better off we will all be. You must not let the twins have children. If they do, you must kill the child before Topaz gives birth."

Sinopa rubbed her face. "That is detestable. I will do no such thing. I do not murder children. And I will not harm my children. Nor will I harm my potential grandchild. You are out of line."

"This is bigger than you or your children," Tamamo snapped. "This is why children shouldn't be having children. You, Sinopa, are a child. You're too young to be a mother because you're too young to appreciate the sacrifice and strife associated with motherhood."

Crevan grimaced. "Yet, in over a thousand years, you've never been a mother, yourself, Tamamo, so you can't comprehend it either. I'm done speaking of this for the time being. Thank you for being honest, but you will not step between me and my family."

"I am your family, too. We are all descendants of..."

"Tell me if you feel the same way when you raise a child. Until that time, do not speak of things you cannot understand. It is unbecoming of you. You are speaking without heart."

"You are speaking from your emotions!"

"One of us has to! To paraphrase a human saying, do not talk to me about this again until you 'remove your head from your arse'."

"Farewell." Tamamo scowled then disappeared from the reflective surface.

Jules turned to Sinopa and said, "So I finally got to meet the infamous Tamamo-no-Mae. Chère, take this however you wish ... but she's a grump."

Sinopa flung herself into Jules' embrace and hid her face against his chest. "Do you still love me?"

"Wha...? Are you serious, mon ange? You're th love of my life, Sinopa! I want to marry you."

"But I've been with another man. I've bore children. I'm used. My memories are broken. I'm a..."

"You're my girl," he said, placing his hands on the sides of her face.

She looked up at him, ears perked up from her hair.

Jules smiled. "I love you. I love you completely, chère. And I'll love your children, for they are apart of you. I adore you. Je t'aime." He leaned in and kissed her softly. "Go meet Fox and Topaz on the back deck before the ball drops."

"Ball?"

"You'll see. You're runnin' out of time and I still have to kiss you at midnight. Human custom. Go on, angel-fox."

She smiled softly in reply. "Hai. Arigato." She kissed Jules on his nose then turned and left the observation room and made her way to the stairs. Sinopa emerged on the first floor, went through the rear door and stepped out onto the rear deck. She approached Fox and Topaz. "Fox-san, what time does your watch hold?"

He glanced at his left wrist then said, "We have time. Just shy of twenty minutes till midnight."

Sinopa approached the twins and reached for Fox's left hand and Topaz's right. "I was told in Tokyo ... I was told something that I've been struggling with, so please be patient." She pursed her lips together, made eye contact with each of them then forced a weak smile. "I consulted with my guardian ... my teacher - I believe that is the word you use. She lives in the spirit realm. We don't exactly see eye to eye. She has confirmed what I learned in Tokyo. Now I am heartbroken, yet overjoyed."

"What's wrong?" asked Topaz, ever one to offer a sympathetic ear to a fellow female.

"What do you two remember of your mother?"

Topaz looked down at the joining of hands then said, "She was a ginger, like you. Guess that's why we both have brownish-auburn hair. We got her eyes, too. Very light shade of brown. She was amazing. I grew up with her after the separation. I know she really loved my father, though. The complication behind the separation is above my understanding because it wasn't explained to me. Sometimes it felt like they split up solely to keep us apart. Fox and myself I mean ... but they both loved each other. She was beautiful but whenever I try to think about exactly what she looks like ... it's blurry."

Fox brought his free hand up and rubbed his chin. "Yeah. We don't even have any pictures of her. Dad had all the ones at his house moved to the family vault. We're actually headed there now. I remember her clearly but certain details are distorted because it's been so long. I've never really thought about this before. I can't remember her face. But she looked a lot like you, Sinopa."

Sinopa gave their hands a gentle squeeze. "My sensei was forced to take my memories. This will come as a shock and I'm sorry. But I'm your mother and I've only just had this information confirmed. I swear, had I known, I would have told you both sooner."

Topaz stayed quiet. After a moment, she released Sinopa's hand then opened her arms and wrapped them around the kitsune's neck, hugging her mother.

Fox licked his lips. "I mean, you know, I'm surprised of course but for some reason it honestly doesn't shock me. I can't explain it. But, in a lot of ways it really makes sense."

"It does?" asked Sinopa. "I'm shocked. I'm floored. My head is ... it's spinning."

Topaz smiled when Sinopa returned the hug. She asked, "What about Jules? How is he taking it?"

"We're deeply in love. He's the only man I ever remember loving. I feel guilty," said Sinopa. "My romance with Jules was arranged by politicians from the Celestial Realm - I can't understand why but they did an outstanding job. I love him deeply and completely. He is my soulmate."

"That's what you said about dad," Fox whispered. "Look ... I won't begrudge you true love. Jules is a great guy. He treats you with the utmost respect. He adores you. I just spent weeks with you guys. You two are meant for one another. But there's something I think you should know about us."

Sinopa lifted her hands and placed her palms on her children's faces. "You, too, are in love. I know."

Topaz blinked, glanced at Fox then back at her mother. "Wait ... you know?"

"Your love is star-crossed and taboo, but _not _because you were born together. It's because Aris Falcon had a hand in the creation of your genetics by conducting studies and tests on your father and myself before and shortly after you were conceived. I understand that he kidnapped each of you this past summer. It wasn't to steal your powers, I assure you."

"Seriously?" asked Fox.

"Hai. I believe he wanted to follow up on his studies from before you two were born."

"What the hell does he want with us?" asked Topaz.

"He wants your child."

Topaz and Fox looked at each other again. Fox blushed.

"Should you two marry as I saw in my premonition ... please do your best to raise the child to be a hero of legend from day one. Perhaps such words sound silly or pretentious but you have to teach the child from day one. Teach the child to defeat Aris Falcon, not aid him. However, if there is a way for all of us, now, to defeat Doctor Falcon before such a future can occur," he trailed off and offered them a reassuring smile, "then we must take the opportunity."

"This is so awkward," Fox said softly.

Topaz gave his hand a squeeze. "Fox ... it'll be okay."

"Hey!" the voice of Reno Nevada startled everyone on the back deck. They all faced the ex-inspector up on the overlooking balcony of the second level.

Fox furrowed his brows. "What?"

"Get your butts in here. We're all going to watch the West Coast ball-drop on the projection screen. Everyone gets a glass of bubbly. Even Evan has a glass in his hand; we're all ready for the ball to drop. Everyone has their kissing partner ready."

Fox laughed and asked, "What about you, TC?"

Reno smirked. "Only Karla calls me Top Cop. Eric called dibs on Karla's lips. Johann and I have decided to be the odd men out this year."

Topaz laughed softly and shook her head. "Why don't you two kiss each other?"

Nevada scrunched his nose. Wrinkles formed on his forehead. "Sorry, tuits, that is never going to happen. If I ever had to kiss a guy, he'd have to be as handsome as my reflection. Now get in here." He turned about and headed back through the sliding glass door.

"Funny how so many of us are pairing off," Fox said. "Too bad about Reno and Johann."

Sinopa smiled. "Love for Reno-san will not happen for a long, long time. So far as Johann-san ... he's on cloud nine tonight. He chose to give himself to Karla Howard. The deed is done. He's given away his innocence. However, Karla-san's future is complicated. Eric-san will be an important part, but I cannot clearly see how her life will work out. Come. Let us join the others."

Fox looked from Topaz back to Sinopa then, with a chuckle, said, "Sure thing, mom."

"Maybe Karla's a hard call to see because she has so many lovers in her future."

"Hai. Perhaps, Topaz-san. I hope we can reclaim lost time and rekindle our relation as mother and children. I hope, one day, that my memories return so I can remember your first laugh, step, tooth, smile ... everything. Mourning something I cannot recall is disconcerting to say the least." She opened the door for the twins.

They stepped inside, Topaz first. Sinopa followed them in and closed the door. They each took a glass of champagne from a tray and joined everyone else in the living room. On a white bulkhead, a projector showed the image of a sparkling, illuminated ball from back home.

Reno came down from the stairs and waved Johann over. He held two bar stools brought from the second floor. "I thought these things were permanent fixtures on boats, but apparently they can be unlocked from the floor. Pretty cool huh?" They settled on the stools, facing the projection.

Evan and Patience sat together on the floor in front of the sofa.

Karla, with her legs curled up beneath herself, sat with Eric, snuggled up on the couch cushions. He had his arms around her and she looked comfortable. She reached her fingers into her bra and withdrew what looked a small pill bottle, sans label. She glanced around furtively, looked down at the bottle then stuffed it back into her shirt.

Reno's eyes moved from Karla to the twins, to Evan and Patience, to Sinopa and Jules. He gave Johann a firm swat on the shoulder. "Guess your kiss came early, huh? That just leaves me with Kuda. At this point, maybe I should just go out and get a bulldog."

Johann grinned. "You seem more like the German Shepard type."

"Yeah, maybe. An Akita would bark less." Reno rubbed his fingers over the scruff on his chin. "Alright, gang. Half a minute to go."

Sinopa joined Jules on a reclining chair adjacent to the sofa. She settled on his lap and snuggled into his embrace, careful not to spill her glass of champagne.

The room began chanting a countdown. As they passed 'five', the chanting grew louder with every number. After 'one,' most everyone in the room shouted, "Happy New Year!" in unison. Everyone turned to kiss one another. Except Reno and Johann.

Fox met Topaz's gaze. His eyes lowered to her lips. He bit his bottom lip then lifted his twin pools of soft brownish-amber, once again meeting her stare. Fox brought his hands up to either side of her face and leaned forward, pressing his lips to her own.

Meanwhile, Evan turned to Patience. He took the initiative and kissed her without a word. Karla, snuggled up with Eric, turned to face him and they shared a kiss. Johann watched them from the barstool then glanced back at the screen. "Man, it sure would be nice to have a girl for this sort of thing."

"Yeah." Reno shrugged. "There's always next year, man."

Jules and Sinopa pressed their lips together, murmuring sentiment to one another.

Afterwards, the group began wishing each other a Happy New Year.

Everyone lifted his or her glasses up and Karla slid off the sofa with a grin. "Okay, you guys. I put roofies in everyone's drink so that we can all have a crazy-wild orgy and not remember it tomorrow. No guilt!"

A few groans and grumbles came in reply, causing the demoness to giggle.

"Okay, okay ... I might have been joking. Seriously, though. You guys are the best damn friends I've made in four centuries and that's saying something. I can trust you guys. I know anyone of you would take a bullet for me and I've never had that before. I trust all of you. You guys are the only ones left I trust, so ... I really appreciate you all. Counting Rufus and Collobulous, over in Florida, the lot of you are my family, now. I love all of you, guys.

"I've had a lot of fun in the last few days," she continued. The succubus kept her drink aloft. "I hope no one here thinks of me as a whore, but even if you do ... whores get paid. I _just like sex." A few chuckles and groans; Karla grinned at the group. "I've fooled around with a lot of you. But I want you all to know that I've made a New Years' Resolution. I'll continue to feed because I have to. But after tonight, I'm going to _try doing something I've never done before. I'm going to try my hand at dating. I've chosen Eric as my boyfriend. We've agreed that, for now on, if I need to feed on a lover ... I'll resort to females. Now, as you girls all know, women are a pain. You have to romance a woman. No quickies. Not with a woman you meet on the fly, at least. Oh well. I never said dating would be easy. Girls are drama. Girls are complicated. But I'd do anything to have more nights like I did this evening. So, while the rest of you are pairing off on my Love Boat, I want you all to know that, yes, even I, Captain Stubing, have managed to get involved. Now ... in light of popular tradition..." Karla trailed off.

The succubus disappeared. She reappeared adjacent to Johann, cupped his face and kissed his lips. Then she turned to Reno and kissed him on his lips softly. "Happy New Year, boys." And without a further word, she teleported herself back by Eric. "Now ... with that out of the way. Everyone's had a New Years kiss. I'd like to propose a toast for everyone and from everyone." She lifted her glass up.

Everyone followed suit.

Karla's grin broadened. "Boys and girls ... to our new family. To each other. To us. Whether or not we're the last line of defense against Aris Falcon's crazy plot to do dumb stuff ... or whether or not we've decided to act like a comic book group of heroes ... it doesn't matter. In the end we have one another. We've got each other's backs. We've come to trust and rely on one another. So I propose a toast to US ... a new family! And I propose a toast to the year ahead of us - may we save the day and all walk away from it in one piece."

Eric kept his glass up and said, "I may not remember my past, but ... I'd like to make a toast to whatever I learn about myself in the future, and to making a new future that is more memorable than my forgotten past. If that future involves all of you, then I truly welcome it." The group murmured softly in acknowledgment.

Fox stepped in, saying, "To reunited friends, like Evan and Johann. Here's to reunited family like my sister and myself. A toast to all of you who said you wouldn't judge us, you just want us happy. To Karla for rescuing each of us several times. And a new full year to make new memories with new family members."

Topaz chimed in, "To finally finding a man with a heart of gold. Sure, I've known him all my life but ... tonight marks a new beginning."

Evan spoke up. "To, uh ... the innocence of a new relationship ... to living your dreams, whether it's being a superhero or a store owner ... to making a friend this past year that is now my best friend - Johann - and to seeing that friend be very happy after earlier today."

Johann laughed. "Hear, hear! To becoming a man today." Everyone except Eric clapped. Johann cleared his throat then said, "And to making new memories every day. From going to Japan, to experiencing something new for the first time. And, finally, I'd like to make a toast to all of you."

Jules cleared his throat. "Oui! To accidentally falling in love when you never intended it. To standing strong by your girl when she learns something life changing. And most importantly, mes amis, to all of us getting through this brand new year without injury." Again people murmured their acknowledgement and agreement.

Sinopa brought her hands to her lips briefly, then lifted her glass above her head and said, "To being reunited with family. Tonight, I confirmed something I learned in Tokyo and I'd like to be the one to share it. Everyone, Fox and Topaz Parker ... they are my son and my daughter by blood. Jonathan Conner Parker was my husband. So I'd like to propose a toast, not only to Fox and Topaz ... but for my fiancé for being especially understanding and accepting, and for being there for me."

Reno lifted his glass and said, "Here's to losing a job you didn't know you hated. Here's to losing friends you didn't know were your enemies. Here's to getting my brother, Vincent, back in one piece. Here's to hoping my girl, Nicky, is alive. Here's to meeting all of you and not dying. A toast to new powers I barely understand. And, finally, I'd like to make a toast to Topaz Parker for the best damn Christmas present that I've ever received, ever. That thing is awesome."

Finally, Patience said, "Here is to learning you exist. I spent my academic life ridiculed because I looked at history and dared to believe. And I've never felt this safe in my entire life. Thank you all for your acceptance and friendship."

Everyone lifted his or her glasses towards the center of the room.

Karla announced, "Salude."

Another said, "Cheers," in reply.

Everyone drank down the champagne. Karla waved her hand. A bottle of 2004 Dom Perignon floated across the room. She refilled everyone's glass.

The demoness drank the second serving then winked at Eric. "So, you have any more tricks up your sleeve?"

"Would you like to find out?" His words seemed far more self-assured and relaxed than he usually acted in front of his peers.

"It's time to ring in the New Year." She stood up, set her glass down on the living room floor then sauntered back to her bedroom.

Eric, drunk, bowed to the room. "I must bid you all adieu. I have to acquiesce to the needs of the sex demon. Fare-thee-well." He walked down the hallway, stepped into Karla's quarters.

Once in private together, Eric locked the door and rubbed his palms together. "I can't have you thinking I am a one-trick pony."

"You're digging deep for something else to surprise me tonight?"

Eric grinned at her then raised his hands. Shadows rose up from beneath the bed and coiled around her arms and legs. Another slithered around her throat like a black tie.

Her eyes shined with excitement. Another tendril of shade crept up her thigh.

He approached her with a confident stride.

Karla trembled with pure, unadulterated excitement building in her heart. "This is going to be the best year of my life. I love this side of you. Stay just like this for me - you promise?"

A sly grin found his lips. "Say 'please'."

---

Next chapter: https://www.sofurry.com/view/653291