Page 11 of Pocket Full Of Posies (Snowberry #2)

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 is something between 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.

I follow Sage through the older style home that boasts a central hall with doorways into separate rooms. We end in a large dining space just off the kitchen with a set of stairs leading up to the second floor. Bounding down those steps, barefoot as always, is my blossom. Dressed in a sweet cornflower blue dress that brushes her thighs and an ivory cardigan, Daisy looks as innocent as a bunny and the part of me that lacks propriety instantly wants to do naughty things to her in that dress and prove she’s not as innocent as she looks.

“Hi,” she says the one word greeting with such breathy fondness, I nearly fall to my knees at her feet.

“Hello. You look beautiful tonight.”

Daisy blushes and the flowers in her hair bloom larger, daisies and a peony. She always looks like she’s wearing a crown of flowers, and it makes me want to buy her a real crown. The visible green markings on her neck and legs shift as she walks the last few steps and stops directly in front of me. I can see how that might have been troublesome in public school with humans and unable to glamour.

“Thank you. You look handsome as well.”

We stare at each other in silence, never breaking eye contact and I completely forget there are other people present until a voice breaks through our connection.

“Hi Kai, I’m Tobias. I know we’ve met in passing at Ugly Mug but it’s nice to formally meet you.”

I turn to face Tobias, a tall pale lavender skinned fairy with matching silver lavender wings, long white hair that’s pulled half up, and eyes so light they’re practically white. From his coloring alone I can tell he’s old. Probably close to a millennia. It doesn’t appear his years have dampened his disposition though.

Tobias smiles wide and sincere, extending his hand out for mine. I shake it and am happy he doesn’t do the normal male posturing of squeezing as hard as possible to try and assert dominance. He’s completely confident in himself that he doesn’t need to resort to rudimentary intimidation tactics. I instantly like him.

“Nice to meet you too.”

“Would you like something to drink?” he asks.

“Shouldn’t you be telling me what I need to drink?” I retort jokingly, knowing his affinity for telling customers what type of coffee they will order.

Tobias smiles and I can see I’ve already gotten on his good side.

“Touché. I’d say you could do with…a glass of red wine.”

“Sounds great.”

“Perfect.”

Tobias goes into the updated kitchen and pulls down a bottle from a built-in wine rack and begins to open it and pour four glasses.

“Tell me Kai,” Sage begins, while Daisy guides me to sit at the already set dining table. “How old are you?”

The question takes me by surprise. Age isn’t of great importance to non-humans since we live for so long and remain in our physical peak for most of our lives. To us age is just a number. Meaning nothing more than how much life experience you have.

Daisy sits in the chair next to me while Sage takes the one directly across from me, both waiting for my answer.

“Eighty-seven. Why?”

“Daisy is only twenty-three. She’s still young, even among non-humans. I just want to make sure you’re aware of that.”

Daisy’s age is no surprise to me. She’s obviously still young, but that doesn’t mean she’s not an adult.

“She’s also half-human and as such we don’t know how long her life expectancy will be. I don’t want her wasting her time.”

“Sage,” Daisy grumbles at my side, obviously embarrassed at her brother’s blatant discussion of her right in front of her.

Reaching under the table, I slide a hand over her knee and squeeze reassuringly. Her scowl at her brother immediately drops and turns to delight directed at me, and with that bolstering my confidence, I turn to face off with her protective big brother.

“I completely understand. I wouldn’t want to waste her time either. But if she’s willing to give me even a second of it, I’ll gladly accept it.”

Tobias enters and places a wine glass in front of each of us and takes one for himself, sitting in the seat next to Sage. Why do I feel like this is going to be a good cop, bad cop situation?

Before any more interrogation can take place, Delphi’s plump furry body bounds through an open window and lands directly in my lap.

“Hi friend! You’re here. You wanna see what I found?”

“Hi Delphi. I would love to see what you found.”

“Look, look.”

Delphi reaches into her fur, most likely having a pocket like a kangaroo, and produces a neon orange golf ball. Holding it up in her little hand, she pushes it into my face for inspection.

“See? See? So bright and pretty. Like tiny sun.”

“Oh yes, that’s very lovely. I think it’ll go well with your nest. Don’t you?”

Delphi falls into a long-winded one-sided discussion over the best place to put it in her nest, and I look up to find Tobias grinning and Sage glaring suspiciously at me.

“You can understand her?” he asks.

“Yes. She’s quite chatty. I met her when I first met Daisy.”

“How did you meet Daisy? I’m curious how the two of you crossed paths and ended up here.”

How we met isn’t anything dubious, but Sage may question my intentions out in the woods alone. Confessing my original plans for Daisy feels dirty and deceitful, especially since my feelings for her have changed so drastically.

“My brother just arrived in town to prepare the house for my family’s arrival and was threatening me with cleaning duties. So instead, I escaped out the back and went for a walk in the woods. I heard Delphi and Daisy talking and followed the sound, finding them inspecting Delphi’s hoard and nest.”

Sage cocks a brow at me. “And you just thought, wow what a great opportunity to flirt with a pretty girl?”

“Basically, yeah. I’m not going to lie. If I see a pretty girl and want to talk to her, I usually do. I’m not a shy person.”

“Now that you’re with my sister, are you going to continue to talk to unknown pretty girls in the woods?”

His question instantly offends me. I understand his protectiveness of Daisy but am insulted he would think I would ever do such a thing to her.

“No. I told you I wouldn’t hurt her, and that includes emotionally. Being with Daisy is a gift that I don’t intend on squandering.”

“Delphi likes Kai. Wants Kai to stay, play with Delphi. Know you speak true. Like Daisy a lot.”

I wish the others could understand Delphi. Sprites don’t lie, they sense things within others we can’t even fathom. To have a sprite speak highly of me in such a warm way would definitely prove to Sage I have no ill intentions with his sister.

That may have been my initial motivation, but how we came together means nothing now that we’re here. Now that my feelings are progressing towards something real. I know Daisy’s are true. She would never feign attraction and affection just to lead a person on. She’s too pure for that. She acts on instinct, there’s nothing fake about her.

“I think Delphi approves of him,” Daisy states softly, while petting Delphi’s colorful fur. “And if she approves of him, maybe you can too?”

Daisy looks to her brother and his mate. Tobias has already accepted me, I can tell. Sage is the hold out, still wanting to hold on to his preconception of me and finding less and less to do so.

“Fine. I suppose if Delphi likes him, I can give him a chance.”

“Thank you, Sage.”

Sage smiles at his sister and lets out a loud exhale, his posture relaxing.

“Well, now that that’s done. Would anyone like an appetizer? I made stuffed mushrooms.”

Daisy hums in delight and excitedly helps Tobias bring over the couple plates laden with vegetarian appetizers. Noticing the obvious lack of meat, I wonder if this is the norm or if Sage wanted to test me again to see how I would react.

I dig into the offered bites and happily devour the delicious food. There doesn’t have to be meat included in a dish for it to be good, and I’m pretty sure I see Sage’s lips twitch with approval.

~Daisy~

Dinner goes surprisingly well. After Sage’s initial harshness, he eases up and we’re able to have a pleasant evening. By the end of the night everyone is joking and laughing like old friends. Kai is more relaxed, draping an arm over the back of my chair and remaining physically close to me.

After dessert and an elongated play time with Delphi and her golf ball, Kai asks if we can go for a walk before he heads home. I offer to walk him home but he says he doesn’t want me walking back alone in the dark. It’s nothing I haven’t done before but Kai refuses, stating a walk through our gardens and greenhouse is more than sufficient.

“I had a lot of fun tonight,” Kai admits sheepishly as we slowly make our way, hand in hand, down the flattened gravel paths between rows of manicured plants and bushes.

“Were you expecting not to?”

“I wasn’t completely sure if I would or not, since your brother seemed to hate me.”

“He doesn’t hate you.”

“Not anymore. I worked my charm on him, just like I did you.”

He’s not wrong, Kai is a very charming male. Confident and sure of himself and his words, he could charm a swarm of man-eating piranhas with little effort.

“I wanted to warn you…about my family, since you’re probably going to see them at the equinox. They’re not the friendliest.”

“I’ve heard they don’t like hybrids very much,” I offer, hoping to ease his concerns. I know what I’m getting into with him and his family. I have no misconceptions about being accepted easily by his family.

“True, but specifically human half-breeds. Most of the family, especially my mother, have a particularly abhorrent set of beliefs when it comes to tainting the family with human blood.”

What he’s telling me is nothing I didn’t already know. It’s something I’ve dealt with my whole life, although sheltered and safe here in Snowberry it’s always been a concern for me and my family.

“I know Kai. You don’t have to worry about explaining. I’ve heard it all before and know how people can be. I may have some insecurities about my human side, but there’s nothing I can do to change that. And if others can’t accept me for who I am, that’s their problem, not mine.”

I repeat the words my family has spoken to me on so many occasions and I think I’m finally starting to believe them. Some people's prejudice will never go away. I learned that while I cannot control the actions of others, I can control mine and I refuse to let them have that power over me.

Kai stops next to the dwindling rose bushes and grips my hand tight in his, an appreciative and supportive smile tugging at his lips.

“I’m glad to hear that, Daisy. I still wanted to warn you that they might say some unpleasant things, but know that I won’t stand for any of it. If they say anything to you and I’m not around, I want you to tell me, okay? I won’t tolerate them mistreating you in any way.”

“Okay,” I agree.

“Good. Now, do you think we’re far enough away from your house to not be seen by your brother so I can kiss you?”

My cheeks go hot, and my heart rate beats rapidly in my chest, nearly pounding out of my ribs. Our previous kiss was spontaneous and unexpected. I didn’t have time to freak out and get nervous. All I had to do was fall into his kiss. Now, with him asking me and looking like he could devour me, I feel a little weak in the knees.

“Um, maybe. I don’t know. I never checked.”

Kai looks over his shoulder and I follow his gaze realizing where we’re standing the greenhouse conceals us from the house.

“Looks like that’s a yes.”

Kai turns back to me, and his lips pull up in a wicked grin that has that place between my thighs pulsing, and the butterflies in my stomach flying.

Pulling me by the hand Kai presses our bodies flush and wastes no time leaning in to claim his kiss. Soft hot lips press firm to mine. His heat washes through me, starting at our locked lips and venturing all the way to my bare feet, toes digging into the cold ground.

My body instinctively molds perfectly to his and my eyes fall shut allowing me to feel everything . The press of his hand to my back, holding me tight. The growing bulge in his pants as he presses into my stomach. His hair in between my fingers as I circle his neck and cling to him. The slick of his tongue as it slips through my lips searching for mine.

Wetness gathers between my legs, my pussy growing needy. Fuck. I don’t think even my largest dildo will satisfy the desire he’s stoking in me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt desire as raw and demanding as this. Consuming my entire being and washing every thought from my brain that isn’t more.

Kai groans into my mouth and his hands grow impatient and exploratory, cupping my ass and even grazing the base of my tail that sends a pulse of vibrant electricity through my spine. Well, that’s new.

“I can’t wait for the day I can strip you naked and worship your perfect fucking body. Taste every inch of your skin and play with that cute little tail of yours.”

To emphasize his words Kai’s tail climbs up my leg, and where before he stopped at my thigh, this time it keeps going. Searching, until it finds the wetness at my core. I shudder and whimper as the velvety tip of his tail strokes my slit and gently presses against my clit. Oh, fuck yes . I’ve read about tail play in books but never experienced it and it is so much fucking better than anything I could have imagined. There’s something unbelievably erotic about being stroked and caressed with his tail while his hands knead my ass and subtly shift me to spread my legs wider, lifting me gently almost onto my toes.

“Do you like that, Blossom? Like my tail teasing your wet pussy?”

Kai’s words are like lighter fluid to a barbeque, forcing my arousal to flame and surge higher. Again, experiencing something I’ve only ever read about has a greater effect than I could have ever imagined.

“Answer me, Blossom. Do you like my tail on your pussy? Teasing your sweet hot clit?” Kai asks again, his tone slightly more demanding but still drenched in lust.

“Y-yes. I like it,” I stutter out. “I also like your horns,” I admit in a drunken lust haze.

Then I do something far bolder than I thought myself capable of and reach up to stroke his horns. Gripping tight at the base I glide my hands up and back all the way to the tips before returning to the base, where I stroke the smooth base with a fingertip. Kai’s hips buck into me and his nails dig into the flesh of my ass. The tail between my legs spasms and jerks as he momentarily loses control.

“Fucking hell, Daisy. You have a hidden temptress inside you I very much look forward to bringing out.”

While I still grip Kai’s horns, he leans down and claims my mouth again. Barely controlled hunger emanating from his lips with low growls.

His lips trail across my jaw to my ear, where Kai brushes away my hair to expose the moderately elongated shell. He runs his finger around my lobe and all the way up and around the tip, sending pleasant shivers through me. Which he only intensifies when he traces the same pattern with his tongue, nipping at the pointed tip with his teeth.

I moan and rub myself shamelessly against him, reveling in the press of his cock against my pelvis.

“I fucking love your ears, Blossom. I want to mark them with my teeth and line them with gold. Would you let me, Blossom? Can I give you something to wear on these perfect ears?”

“I guess so. But they’re not pierced.”

“They don’t need to be.”

Reaching up to his long, graceful ear he removes a small gold cuff. One that doesn’t require a piercing but hugs the outside of the ear. Kai delicately places the cuff around the bottom uppermost part of my ear nearly to the tip, squeezing it so it hugs snugly and won’t fall off.

Kai groans when it’s in place. “Fucking perfect.”

With another lick, he tastes my ear and prods my new jewelry with the tip of his tongue. His lips pressing wet kisses to my neck and throat until he finds his way back to my lips.

This kiss is slow and exploratory, and I take the opportunity to do a little exploring myself. My hands drift down from his horns to trail light fingers over the long point of his ears, brushing against the dangling chains and spinning studs. The sensation is apparently too much for Kai to focus any longer, his tail abandons my pussy to coil around my thigh and hold tight. His lips break our kiss, as he breathes heavily and presses his forehead to mine.

“Easy there, Blossom. Keep that up and I won’t be as gentlemanly and will take you right here in the grass.”

As tempting as that sounds there’s no way I’m going to have sex, for the first time, somewhere Sage could easily see us. Doing it outside in the grass doesn’t bother me one bit. Fearing my brother or his mate could walk up on us at any moment, does.

I drop my hands from his ears and grip his shoulders instead.

“I should head home. Don’t want to embarrass myself.”

I look up at him and furrow a brow. What is he talking about?

“If you keep touching me, I’m very likely to come in my pants at this point.”

Oooooh. Looking down between us I get a decent view of his straining jeans. He’s practically fully extended towards me, at least as much as the material will allow. I can’t help but bite my lip at the sight, desperately wanting to see the source of that bulge.

“That doesn’t help either.”

I chuckle and look up at him through my lashes. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not, and I welcome your teasing, just not tonight. I desperately want you Daisy, but I want to do this right. I don’t want to rush it. When it’s the right time, I’ll have you, and you’ll consume me.”

With a tender touch, Kai brushes my hair back from my shoulder and ear, stroking the flowers around my temple and smiling.

“Tell me something, Blossom. Do these flowers change based on your mood?”

Even without saying so, he’s figured out my flowers. I suppose when they change so frequently around him, he had to figure it out at some point.

“Yes.”

“Are you going to tell me what any of them mean?”

“No.”

He snickers at my flat-out refusal, not at all deterred.

“That’s fine. I’ll figure it out myself. I think I know what these ones mean.” He taps one of the flowers, I’m not sure which one is there at the moment, but I have a pretty good guess. “But I’ll have to wait to confirm my suspicions till another day.”

With a kiss to the tip of my nose, Kai extricates himself from my hold, sliding my hands from his shoulders and down his chest where he catches them in his and places another kiss on each one, then flipping them over and repeating the gesture on my palms.

“Until then sweet blossom, sleep well.”

I watch as Kai wanders off into the darkness towards his family’s house and I stand in the crisp evening air letting my heated flesh cool before returning home and trying to satiate my constant sexual desire for Kai.