Page 15 of Guiding Desire

He descended into a planning spiral. Coldis could get him access to most of Orrey’s social posts—scratch that, he could get access to all his Conduit’s everything without going through Col. He’d find former partners, habits, preferences, and he’d do his best to provide that.

“I can see the Moonlight Circle from here,” Orrey said, standing close to the windows. “The Municipal Gallery as well.”

“I told you the view is good,” Senlas said.

Orrey acknowledged that with a subdued smile, but a smile all the same. Senlas felt the heat rise from his neck to his cheeks. He pushed the wall, and the integrated closet slid open, revealing a tote bag with a yellow and orange floral design.

Senlas pulled out the bag. “Here,” he said, and Orrey turned. “Col should have at least a change of clothes and some underwear in there.” He frowned. Was talking about underwear too intimate for a regular? Going by Orrey’s face, maybe. “Help yourself to what you need.”

“But he outranks me. I don’t think I’ll need to go through a higher-up’s things. I’ll be fine.”

Senlas plopped the tote on the bed and pulled his screen from his pocket.

He set it to speaker and called Col, who picked up right away. “I’m pretty sure it’s your fault, and you should apologize.”

“You Hound-fucking—you’re on speaker. Can you tell Orrey he’s free to use your overnight stuff?”

There was a telling pause. “Sure, Orrey. All the toys are clean, so you can use those right away.”

Senlas pinched the bridge of his nose. He should have seen that one coming.

“The clothes. I was just offering him your clothes. Anyway, fuck you very much.”

Col snorted. “You should be so lucky. Not that I’d poach, Orrey. Catch you later. Boop.”

He clicked off. Orrey stood there, face red.Cute, but curious.Senlas allowed himself a flicker of worry. Col was an attractive guy. But no. He chose to assume that the day had simply been a bit much for Orrey, because there was no way Col was closer to being Orrey’s type than Senlas was.

“I mean, if you do get bored, nothing wrong with taking him up on those toys.”

Orrey looked up from the floor. He had to find it fascinating, given how much attention he paid to it.

“Was that…a joke?”

“Yeah.”

Orrey nodded. “It was funny.”

Leave it to a Conduit to make me feel like the biggest fucking idiot ever to cast a shadow under the sun.“I can do better. I’ll leave. You rest. I’ll practice making jokes that register as such right off.”

“That’s, uh. Thank you,” Orrey said, which didn’t do much to diffuse the awkwardness.

Senlas tried to give the Conduit an encouraging smile before he left him in the guest room, wishing he could deal with a Wild Hunt attack instead of this entire, confounded situation.

Aftermakingsuretheguest room door was closed behind him, Senlas wandered back to the kitchen to get himself a glass of water. He called Col on the way.

“Yeees,” the Conduit said.

“I left him in a guest room to get some rest. Seriously, did you have to?”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, but if you’re not otherwise busy, I can tell you what I’ve been up to.”

“If it involves more sex toys, just send me a message, maybe a picture.”

Col giggled. “Aw. Is your Conduit bad at following your orders? Does that upset you, Senny baby?”

“When we spar next, I’ll just not hold back like I normally do.”

“Promises. Anyway, stop being like that and put on your compassion and understanding hat.