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39. Outings

After Lorne and I had posted our blogs and cross-linked them, he looked up from his computer. "You two head to bed; I'm going to send an update to E Division."

I tilted my head in question. "Will there be anyone there to receive it at this time of night?"

"Not likely." He shrugged. "But while it's still fresh in my mind, I want to pass it along. Also, I need to write some reminders of things I must do in the morning."

Cynthia and I closed our computers, and as she picked hers up, she said, "Good thing a charging cord is among the standard kit in my bag."

"Ummm. I had to buy a new one. Had almost nothing with me when it happened."

She remained silent while we walked toward the bedrooms, then at the door to hers, she asked, "How did it happen?"

"Not sure, but we assume he went back to Zack's to confront the manager – like he did the week before at Dalliance. He suspected the fraud, and he had begun digging."

"When was this?"

"Monday night during the new menu event at Pearl's. He got angry, left in a huff and didn't come home." I winced. "His meds had become increasingly ineffective in controlling outbursts when he was disturbed."

Cynthia opened the door and motioned an arm in. "This must be tough for you to reexamine – come sit on the bed."

I sat on the edge of it, my eyes darting about, trying to ease the awkward feeling. "Thank you."

"So, when did you realise something was amiss?"

"After two days – his previous huffs had never lasted that long. He had a habit of storming out in a rage and staying away until he had cooled, so I wasn't overly concerned the first two days. Then on Thursday, while Lorne and I discussed the strangeness, we were startled by an explosion, and we watched from across False Creek as my old condo went up in flames."

"The Fairview Slopes fire?" Cynthia slapped her hands to her cheeks. "That was yours? They caused that? Make it look like an accident?"

I nodded. "Yeah, they must have. He was the unidentified body in the news reports. I was intended as the other victim."

"Oh, dear Lord!" She sat beside me and pulled me into a hug.

Realising she needs to know, I explained the wrong address on Nathan's driver's licence and how my townhouse address had been compromised. Then, after I told her about being tracked from Nuance last night and this morning's couriered bomb, I said, "And that's why we ended up here."

"What evil people – and I helped them." She blew a loud breath. Then tilting her head toward the bed, she said, "But you, Kate. You've had so much trauma in such a short time. Sleep here tonight – I'll give you the company and support you need."

"Thanks – but ..." Oh, God! How do I get around this? "I'm fine."

"With all you've faced the past while, it's not good to be alone."

I sighed and nodded. May as well spill it. "Lorne's been keeping me company. We've been friends since we were toddlers, and we grew up helping each other with owies."

Cynthia nodded, then twisted her face. "You two are such a perfect match, but I never understood why you took up with ..." She slapped a hand to her mouth. "Sorry! Stepped over the line."

"No, it's fine." Do I tell her? He's now outed, so there's no need to hide it anymore – if he even hid it. Hmmm. Maybe I was too dense to sense it. "Lorne was diagnosed with HSDD back when asexuality was considered a mental disorder."

"Oh! That's why there was never a response to my advances." She blushed and shrugged. "Outed! Had the hots for him for a long time. Then the way he took to you when you showed up with Nathan – oh, Lord! I've done it again."

I shook my head. "No, it's fine, Cynth. Reminders of Nathan stir much less now. Lorne's a trained and experienced grief counsellor, and he's helped me work through it."

She smiled and gave my shoulder a gentle shake, nodding toward the door. "Go, girl! A hunk like him – even asexual – is far better comfort than I could ever hope to offer you."

Oh, God! If she knew the whole story – but there's no need for her to – yet. "Thanks for your concern, Cynth – really appreciate it." I chuckled. "We need a clone of him for you."

As I left her bedroom, I saw the lights still on in the dining room – no, not a room – a dining area in this vast open-plan interior. I craned my head back to examine the massive beams and complex arches. Study them tomorrow. Time for bed.

A few minutes later, undressed and refreshed, I walked out of the bathroom, stopping to watch Lorne step out of his trousers and remove his shirt. He looked up at me and smiled as Cyclops expanded and slowly rose. Then with his socks still on, he strode across the room, and our bodies and mouths merged.

When our lips finally parted, he said, "No opportunity for hours." Then after chuckling, he continued, "Don't know how I survived all those years without this."

I giggled. "Now you know how I felt."

"Hunh?"

"Horny for you all those years. No response."

"Yeah, frustrating times for me, as well – believing I wouldn't be able to satisfy you." He heaved a loud sigh. "First, I was called mentally deficient, then physically and emotionally impaired as theorists tried to sort out asexuality. So much conflicting claptrap, I finally gave up thinking about it."

I pressed my belly onto Cyclops. "You don't need to think about this, Lorne. Just be who you are. That, more than anything, satisfies me."

He picked me up and carried me to the bed, laid me on it and knelt between my spread legs. "I need the confirmation that it still works. Crazy how thoughts spiral. How doubts creep in."

"How so?"

"Sitting out there a while ago, worried that it might not work again."

"And if it didn't, I wouldn't love you any less." As I watched the throbbing these words brought, I realised he still needs reinforcement.

His eyes darted from Miss Fanny to my breasts and back. "Should I use my tongue and lips first? Or just go straight in?"

"You're the master, Lorne. Surprise me. Just know that until you, I've never experienced multiple orgasms – nor any so intense."

I delighted in the throbbing this produced.

"Never?"

"Had lots of 4Gs, but never a –'

"Forgies?"

"GGGG."

"What's that?"

"My name for quickies. Get it in. Get it off. Get it out. Get on with life." I chuckled. "I also call them four gets, as in ones to forget."

"So, you've had others besides Nathan and me."

"Yes, of course. I'm fully sexual – just as you now realise you are with me."

He nodded, his eyes sparkling as they moistened.

I reached up, took his hand and squeezed it. "Just fuck me, Lorne. Relieve us both. We can fine-tune technique later."