TimeLess (Time Tells, #2) (ON-GOING)

Chapter Seven

I watch as Orre rubs a hand over her stomach, a strange look on her face.

"I ate too much." She says patting her stomach, when she notices my worried look, "I need to be rolled out of here."

I relax, remembering that I had wondered if I'd eaten something bad. But my stomach had settled almost immediately. I do quick math recalling what time of the month it was. Hmm. I was good for another week.

I shrug. It must've been nothing.

The sounds of the party had gotten softer. People were more relaxed, jackets thrown over the chairs they sat on, huddled in groups, talking.

Even the karaoke bar had quietened to softer music. There was a content kind of air all around. I smile, liking that they had the space to do that with one another in a professional sense.

A familiar hand on my back has me speaking.

"They're a really good team." I say, "And they're very fond of you."

I look at him to see him looking at his people, a barely there smile on his face. When he turns to look at me, the smile grows and his icy blue gaze softens.

"If you'd like to leave, you may." He flicks a glance around, "I may have to stay until later."

I shake my head, "I'd like to stay with you."

He just watches me for a moment, before running the back of his fingers down my cheek.

"Is there a group you're comfortable to sit with?" He asks, turning to face me and murmuring softly.

I nod my head, "I may have made friends." I say, just about pleased with myself.

"I imagine their stars have turned for the better." He says, his words soft and kind, his gaze intimate and unwavering.

I look up at him, my throat hurting at the sudden emotion that curls there.

"Kri..." I whisper.

With a hand at the back of my head, he draws me to him, pressing his lips to my forehead.

I let my eyes close, keeping the tears at bay.

"I'll be around." He says and as he walks away, our fingers hold until the very last moment.

I turn, walking over to the table of ladies with whom I'd settled in comfortably. I spend most of my time there, laughing softly and talking. The women seem interested in my writing and may have even tried squeezing some spoilers from the next book out of me.

I'm laughing as one of them attempts to find a means to bribe me.

"What do you like?" She asks, leaning forward and wiggling her fingers at me, "I have fast fingers, whatever you want, at your doorstep in less than two hours."

I laugh again, "I'm surprised all of you know of me." I confess truthfully.

Shared looks of contrite, "Well," one of them starts, "We were curious about you."

"Because of Kri." I conclude.

They seem to run their gazes over my expression, checking to see if their confessions had somehow hurt me.

"Our elusive billionaire boss marrying a human." A sharp look from the others to the grey haired young Yade woman with blue swirls. but I wave them away.

"I would've been curious too." I say.

"Do you think the characters you write reflect off of you life?" One of them asks.