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It’s going to happen again in a few months for the next equinox, but I don’t point that out. Apparently, this equinox is going to be something special. And for the first time in my life I want to go.

“I’d love to go with you, Kai.”

Kai’s head whips around so fast his red hair flutters with the momentum. Blazing ruby eyes burn into me and I feel the heat of his stare all the way to my bare toes and the tip of my tail that curls around my shoulder under my sweater.

“Really?” he questions in astonishment.

“Really. I want to go.”

“Perfect.” Lottie claps her hands excitedly. “We will see you there then. Come on Hunt, let’s leave them alone to enjoy their dinner.” She pulls at Hunter’s arm directing him away from the table.

“Enjoy your meal,” he says nodding at Kai and then me, smiling wider before following Lottie’s insistent directing to leave us alone.

When they’ve returned to their own table on the opposite side of the diner Kai’s posture eases and he slyly looks over at me, a lopsided smile on his face.

“You know we are going to share a tent at the equinox.”

A blush instantly heats my entire face and neck. I most certainly had not thought about sleeping arrangements.

“Well, you’ll just have to make sure there are two beds then.”

His grin only widens. “I most certainly will not. You’re going to have to cuddle with me all night to stay warm, and clothing is optional.”

I smack him in the chest and try to cover up my embarrassment with a laugh. This equinox could very well be the most important of my life, if for nothing more than the possibility of losing my virginity.

Chapter 11: Kai

Tonight is the night I have my first dinner with the family of a girl I’m dating or interested in dating. I guess we haven’t solidified that yet. Even though I’m telling anyone in my family who asks that we are, Daisy and I haven’t named what’s between us. Because there issomethingbetween us. This is going so much farther than pretending.

Logically I should end it now. Give up this whole farse. But in my heart, it’s no longer a farse. I can sense real emotions growing for Daisy and I don’t want to leave. Not like I usually would. In the past whenever I’d start to feel a growing connection or bond with anyone, lover or friend, I would leave. I would never let things get real.

I want something real with Daisy. For the first time in my life, I’m not going to run away from my emotions. I’m not going to push them down and pretend they don’t exist or cover them up with partying and the playboy persona everyone believes me to be. And the first step to doing that is dinner with the family.

Ironic since I’m currently ignoring my family. Everyone except Endo and Keiko. Airi keeps trying to pry but I brush her off. Dodging her, and now my cousins that have arrived, is fairly easy with how huge the house is. I call it a house but it’s a mansion. Something like twenty rooms and twice as many bathrooms. I never cared to count or pay attention and am thankful for the extravagant opulence offering reprieve.

Sneaking out of the back door to go to Daisy’s, I pass by Endo. He gives me a knowing look and just smiles as I gesture with a finger to my lips for him to be quiet. Shaking his head, his shoulders shake with silent laughter. I’m not sure if Endo approves or disapproves of how attached I’m becoming to Daisy. For once I hope he approves.

If this continues with Daisy, I’ll most likely be disowned, and if not, I’ll disown myself. Being part of this family has never given me anything of significance to better my life, except for Endo and Keiko. I hope that no matter what happens, I will at least retain my relationship with them.

I arrive at Daisy’s house, and this time I don’t have to wander around checking every nook and cranny to find her. I know exactly where she’ll be. Striding up the front porch steps, I check the collar of my shirt and sleeve cuffs. This is the first time I’ve put effort into my appearance, not just to attract a female but to hopefully impress those important to her. Choosing a white button up and dark wash jeans, I hope it’s nice enough but not too nice. I’m not trying to flash my wealth, they don’t care about that.

Two seconds after I knock on the door, it swings open and Sage stands there in front of me with a shit eating grin on his face. I can only imagine what he has in store for me tonight. Or I guess I can’t, since I’ve never done this before.

“Evening, Kai. Glad you could make it tonight.”

Oh yeah, he’s going to do everything he can to make me as uncomfortable as possible tonight. Too bad it’s not going to work. I’ve had decades of preparation attending uncomfortable family events. There’s nothing he could possibly do that could make me flinch.

“Sage. Good to see you again. I’m happy to be here.” I reach out a hand in offering and he takes it. Giving me a cursory once over.

“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that Daisy is very important to us and we’re not going to go easy on you. If you do or say anything that leads us to believe you have anything but honorable intentions with her, we will make sure you never have contact with her again. Daisy is too sweet and forgiving to be taken advantage of by anyone. Am I understood?”

“I can’t promise I’ll be honorable, it’s not in my nature. But I can promise I won’t hurt her. That I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy. That I’ll do anything she demands of me. I’ve never…wanted to be better for someone, and I’ll admit this is all pretty new to me too, so I might fuck up. But I’ll try.”

Sage’s studies me closely and offers a nod, hearing the truth not just in my voice but written on my face. “Alright then. I suppose that’ll have to do. Come on in.”

Stepping back, he gestures with one arm for me to enter and I quickly step over the threshold. The interior of the house is just as charming as the exterior. Filled with potted plants and colorful art on the walls. There’s a variety of nicknacks that look to be from multiple different countries and even eras. Pieces that could be hundreds of years old displayed under glass.

We pass by a room lined with bookshelves and an oversized armchair by a large window that looks well used, occupied with a tousled throw blanket and pillow. I can picture Daisy curled up there reading her naughty books.