Page 11 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs (Haven Ever After #8)

CHAPTER SIX

MANORIN

C atherine’s “family dinner” was so lovely.

It’s clear the Hectors and her other neighbors adore her.

And a hellhound with puppies? I’ve never seen another hellhound outside of Pine Gulch.

I thought about that a lot overnight, given that sleeping isn’t one of my better qualities.

Eventually, I gave up on the shut eye and relocated to the gorgeous gym at the stadium.

Now I’m seated at what would be my desk in my office at the stadium, staring at my computer and a stack of paperwork. Figured I could do a planning session and get a feel for what it’d be like if this role is formally offered.

And if I take it.

I’ve still got concerns after a handful of meetings yesterday.

It’s clear that building up the skyball program is exciting to folks, but primarily driven by Arkan. The town leadership crew is aware of the need to expand, but they’re mostly doing it in response to the new Grand Portal Station, not so much out of a deep desire to have pro skyball here.

Before the portal station was created, each haven was linked to only one other in a giant ring of sorts. Monsters only traveled when absolutely necessary. If I’m honest, it’s the one thing that held skyball back from being adopted more widely across the haven system.

If you’ve got to go through fifteen individual portals to get to the haven hosting a skyball game, you’re pretty devoted to the game itself. Casual viewers won’t go to the effort. And for skyball to take off the way many human sports have, we need die-hard and casual fans alike.

I consider that as I begin sketching out what would have to happen to get the rest of the town on board with skyball expansion here. The pages in front of me contain lists of folks I’d need to win over, given my few conversations with Arkan so far.

My mind picks and turns over a handful of ideas before a knock at the office door pulls me from my thoughts.

Looking up, I find Catherine standing in the doorway wearing a dark blue wrap dress, a picnic basket over one arm. Gray waves are piled high in an elegant bun, highlighting her high cheekbones and those shocking gray eyes.

Gods, there’s really nothing like a succubus in all her glory.

I set my pen down and lean back in my chair, taking her in as she approaches the desk.

“Hello, Catherine.” I can’t help the deep timbre of my voice. She’s single. I’m single. We go well together. I don’t know how long I’ll be here for, but I don’t see why we can’t have a good time for the next few weeks. I’m gonna ask her out again, most definitely.

She dips her head. “Manorin.” Sashaying into the office, she sets the picnic basket down on the edge of my desk.

“It occurred to me that I was a little, well, perhaps sassy is the best word, when we saw each other again on the pitch. I wanted to bring you some treats as a reminder that we’re excited you’re here. ”

“Are you?” I shift back in the chair, clasping my hands behind my head.

Gray brows furrow. “Am I what? ”

“ You love skyball. I know that. And Arkan’s obviously obsessed. But to be honest, not a single monster outside of you two seems devoted to building a program.”

She sighs. “I’ve thought about this a lot.

I don’t think it’s that they’re not devoted to the idea of it.

I think it’s more that a lot’s changing with the new portal station.

Tourism’s up. Ever’s not as quiet and remote as it once was.

And then, of course, they’re worried about being pressed into full-time service. ”

I shrug. “I don’t want players who don’t want full-time.”

Catherine perches on the edge of the desk.

“You shouldn’t. It would probably be good for you to tell them that.

It would go a long way toward building a truly professional team, don’t you think?

I suspect they’re wary of you because they don’t want to be busy with skyball practices and games… They’re not pros.”

“I need more,” I muse aloud. “I need community outreach to build support. Actually,”—I shift forward, leaning onto my elbows as I stare at her—“you can probably help with that. It’s clear the Evertons adore you, and as long as nothing’s changed, you adore skyball.”

“Oh, I’m down,” she says immediately. “You know I love skyball.”

“I’ll get some thoughts together, and then take you to dinner to discuss.”

She quirks her head to the side. “I’m happy to come to your office, Manorin.”

I shake my head. “Conversation’ll be better on a date.”

Her elegant nostrils flare, pink lips parting slightly. “You’re asking me on a date to discuss business? How very romantic.”

I rise and round the desk, placing a finger beneath her chin as I tip her gaze up to me. I love that she barely comes up to my chest.

“I’m telling you we’re going on a date because we’re single, attracted to one another, and have a lot in common.

I’m going to take you on that date, talk about skyball for half an hour, talk about you the rest of the time.

Then take you home and fuck you long and hard and deep, Cath. That’s how this is going to go.”

Her gray eyes flash with a range of emotions.

Need. Lust. Power. Indecision.

“Let it out,” I croon. “All that power you’ve got stored up. I can smell it, Sunshine.”

“It wouldn’t be appropriate,” she says smoothly, ignoring her old nickname. “Ever’s courting you for a job.”

I lift my chin. “Who gives a fuck what’s appropriate at this point in our lives? The time for caring what others think has come and gone for me.” I slide my hand down to grip her throat, noting how her nipples pebble under the soft-looking fabric of her dress.

With my free hand, I grip the tie holding it all together and pull. The fabric goes lax, falling open to reveal big, round breasts encased in navy lace.

“Stunning.” I bring my focus to her beautiful eyes. “How long has it been since you’ve been filled?” I bend down and brush my muzzle over her chin. “And I don’t just mean physically, Cath. Mentally. Emotionally. How long has it been since a male brought you pure joy? I could do that…”

She opens her mouth to answer, but I squeeze her neck tighter, just as her comm watch pings, a single name hovering over the flat surface.

Vikand Canterbury.

Catherine jolts, but I grip tighter, forcing her to ignore the watch and look into my eyes.

“Let me take a stab at this,” I growl. “You’re attempting to date that male because you need it, your power needs it, and you want something.

But you know he will never, ever give you what you need.

He’s safe, and that’s it. So it’s all falling apart in front of you because he’s not right, just like I said. ”

Her scent explodes as she drenches me in needy pheromones. I don’t even know if she knows she’s doing it as she brings both hands to mine and claws at me. At the same time, she sinks closer, her body doing what her mind’s still trying to catch up to.

The watch falls silent as her mouth drops open. “Manorin,” she whispers, “I?—”

The godsdamn watch blares to life again, the centaur’s name flashing incessantly at Cath’s wrist.

She shifts out of my grip, backing away from me as she re-ties her dress. Her fingers tremble as she glances up at me, then refocuses on the knotted belt.

“I’ve…I’ve got to take this, Manorin. Enjoy the picnic!” She dashes from the room, leaving the air saturated with her crisp apple scent.

Catherine used to love being cornered. But now, there’s a harsh edge to her scent, a tornness , if that can be a word. That name I saw must be the centaur male who ghosted her on their date. I assumed, but I’d bet a thousand dollars I’m right.

What an idiot to leave a woman like her wondering and frustrated.

Flaring my nostrils wide, I suck in great big breaths, pulling her scent deep into my lungs as my cock pokes from my sheath, pressing painfully against the front of my jeans.

Crisp fall apples. But when she’s aroused, like now, even if she’s also frustrated, it takes on an almost burnt, sugary gingerbread edge that makes my mouth water.

She needs what that other male will never give her.

I’ve just decided that, starting tomorrow, I’m going to see that she gets it.