Had I known that when Joanna is not drowning herself in work, she is an incorrigible busybody, I would have chained her to our bed instantly. Like a worker bee in a hive, she buzzes around, desperate to keep herself busy. I try to brush it aside, but I can tell it is something deeper. It is almost as if she believes movement is the key to her survival. That if my human rests she will suddenly expire, or perhaps she needs the constant distraction.
The taste of her emotions is so much stronger on my tongue now. Like the last eighteen months have been nothing but a scattering of crumbs for a starving man, and now a feast has been laid out before me. Our bond is so near completion my sands scrape across my flesh in desperation to complete it.
Butmon abeilleis not ready.
The woman is manic, filled with so much worry it makes even my head spin. The vagabonds and caffeine-addicted students who usually suffice as meals at the library are nothing compared to my human. I sit in the conservatory off my kitchen and watch a freshly showered Joanna tap away at her phone that she snuck out of her bag like her life depended on it, dressed once again in the raggedy clothes Deg’Doriel gave her.
The first requirement after our bond is complete is getting a new wardrobe sorted.
“You are supposed to be taking a sick day,” I remind her, nudging the cup of tea I made for her closer to her hand. She should really drink it before it goes cold.
I bring my tea to my lips, the tangy notes of Earl Grey nothing compared to the taste of my human. She is right here. She is in my home.Our home, I correct myself even if Joanna tries to claim it is not. Something in my chest settles at this, like a piece of my eternal puzzle finally fits into place. I have never shared my home with another, but thoughts of her filling all my spaces warms me.
“Well, trying to lie my way around a police report and a legal team is pretty hard.” Her adorable little nose scrunches up as she reads the words she has just typed out. She was not pleased to learn she was entering a world of secrets and that she would need to become adept at lying. “That Arlo guy did quite the cover-up.”
I try to hide my disgust. Arlo’s ability is unique, and foul. I do not want Joanna anywhere near him or the rest of the people I am forced to associate with. Her only requirement in this bond was to accept me, which she has done magnificently regarding my form but atrociously in regards to allowing me to treat her the way she deserves. She is precious, a queen among the plebeian monsters of this city. She does not need to bother herself with them. She is above them now.
And will be for the rest of eternity as soon as she allows me to complete the bond.
Joanna’s mobile phone begins to blast some annoying tone, and her anxiety spikes. It tastes like corked wine, a stomach-turning sour flavour. Before I can snatch the device away, she is answering it.
“Hi Patrick.” Her voice is squeaky, and I hate the sound instantly. “No, no- I know. Yes, I will be- Yes, I saw that email- I- Noted. Patrick-”
Every time she starts to speak, her voice cuts. She is not allowed to get a word in edgewise in whatever conversation she is having while she is supposed to be resting after being brutally attacked. Whomever this Patrick is, he has just gained himself a very dangerous enemy. Nobody will ever be so offensively rude to Joanna again. I will not have it.
I hold out my hand as the voice on the phone becomes so loud I can hear Patrick’s clipped tone. She looks at me with almost fear in her eyes, and guilt as she places the device in my palm.There is my good pet.This shall be a good teaching moment formon abeille.
“-Jesus fucking Christ, Jo-”
“I have it on good authority that is not how that happened.”
“Who the fuck is this?”
“This is Dr. Croft,” I reply, slipping into a role I have not played in a long while. “I have advised my patient to rest and avoid stress while she is recovering fromher assault. And I will advise you, free of charge, sir, unless you are ringing to enquire about her well-being and wish her well, do not call Joanna for the next ten days. She will be unavailable.”
“I- Dr. Croft, you can’t just-”
“I most certainly can. I am sure a call to her union representative would be beneficial in clearing up thisharassmentif you feel the need to call again.”
There is silence on the other end of the line. A sense of satisfaction brings a smirk to my face as I take a sip of my tea.
“Good day,” I say, ending the call when it sounds like he is about to speak again.
Joanna is red in the face with anger for some reason, and I can only feel more smug about the outcome of this. Surely if she is angry with me, she will not be thinking about anything else. A perfect solution to a quite annoying problem. I slip her phone into the pocket of my casual trousers and take another sip of my tea. Her cute, delicious mouth falls open.
And suddenly, her indignation brings me a spike of arousal right through my centre. I recross my legs to adjust the swell of my cock discreetly. I have been ignoring the need that dwells just under the surface. Our bond is burning inside Joanna, but it is a raging, chaotic hive of bees inside me. Every grain of sand, every atom of my being vibrates with a primal need. They want her, need her, and I am only just controlling it.
Mon abeilleis fragile right now. She does not need a beast; she needs a gentleman. I suppose that does not mean we cannot play.
“Augustine. Give me my phone.” Her tone is measured, an adorable firmness that makes me smile. I want to hear her beg.
“And if I refuse?” I ask. “What will you do then,mon abeille?”
“I’ll go home.”
“You will?”
“I can’t stay here. All of my stuff is at my flat.”
