Title: The Castle Arrives....

Series: Leather and Lace Party

By: Rella

Rated: PG-ish

~*~

My nose wrinkled. When picking out my outfit, I hadn’t considered the waffle print the chain mail would leave on my ass if I sat for too long. Standing on the front porch, I reached back and grabbed One’s hips, holding him behind me.

//Don’t move…// I pleaded.

His laugh shivered down my spine.

//I mean it. I have red criss-crosses on my ass.//

//Aye, love. I know.//

//Baby, please…//

His hands rested on my shoulders and he rubbed a thumb lightly under one linked strap. Leaning back against him, I shivered slightly, suddenly wanting very much to go back to the van for a bit.

The door opened on well-oiled hinges and Val beamed from the doorway. “Welcome!”

Excited chatter started immediately, Panic launching in to introductions of everyone while Val pulled us all in the entryway. The rest of our family poured through the door, while One and I did a sort of shuffling shifting so I could keep him at my back. If Val noticed, he was too polite to comment.

“So, kiddies, what can I get you to drink? The holosuites are all primed and ready to go, along with your bedrooms and all the….” His voice trailed off and he arched one dark brow at me. “Whew, sister. What an outfit!”

I flushed. “Thank you. I was going for unique.”

“Well, we can certainly see all of your unique-ities, that’s for sure!” He laughed and turned around, leading us down a long hallway. “The Menagerie and the House of Blue are here, and the House of Nice arrived not long before you…” he began, giving us a tour, gesturing here and there to point out certain rooms and features of the house. “And I’m assuming you are all the inhabitants of The Castle?”

Drinks appeared in our hands magically as we crossed the threshold into a room filled with dazzling lights and a wide array of food piled high on a long buffet.

“Well, that’s what everyone calls our house, but it’s not really a castle,” Panic chirped, practically bouncing on her toes as she gazed at the buffet, mentally taking notes to take back to Kermie and Glover for their next catering gig.

Jason moved to the floor to ceiling windows and leaned his head against the glass, gazing out at the moon. Worry puckered Payne’s brow and she took two steps towards him before stopping, as if remembering herself.

//What’s going on with those two?// I asked, leaning back against One as his hands rested on my hips.

His lips slid up the side of my neck and I shivered, feeling a delicious throb beating low in my body. //M’thinkin’ s’finally ‘appening, love//

//What’s finally happening?//

//They’re in love, wildfire.// His blunt teeth scraped over the tendon while his knuckles graced the undersides of my breasts. A low buzzing started in my ears and I almost started panting right there in front of everybody. Thank god no one was really paying us any attention.

//What?// I blinked, staring dumbly at the scene playing out in front of me. //When did this happen?//

He chuckled. //S’been ‘appening right under your nose, bella mia. All this time, s’been ‘appening.//

//But… but… they fought!//

//Foreplay//

//If they’re in love, why does Jason look about ready to bolt out into the night, and Payne like she’s ready to run screaming the other way?//

There was a commotion and we all turned to see the HoN enter the room. He grinned, kissed my shoulder, and left me standing there as he sauntered over to greet our mates.

Cold air hit my backside and I scowled. He’d left me hanging in more ways than one.

The bastard.