"Oh my god you were awesome!" Giselle practically vibrated as she patted Providence's back.
"I had to go to school!" Sabin pouted about missing the contests.
"She almost got herself killed with that stunt she pulled on the rota." Dagaa growled.
"I agree." Madhava groused.
"Don't give me any crap. That rota handles more smoothly than any car I've ever driven, and I wasn't any worse than you two." Providence's green eyes flashed at them.
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander." Giselle said.
Sabin mimicked Giselle at the end of the table, obviously having heard the odd saying before.
Providence giggled.
"What does that mean?" Madhava asked in confusion.
"It means what's good for the male is good for the females." Kagan smirked at his mate. "It’s an Earth saying Giselle uses on me all the time." Kagan shook his head at both Giselle and Sabin. "Earth females are confusing, you better get used to it."
"Hey, we are sitting right here!" Giselle declared as she swatted Kagan. "Besides you love it."
Kagan grinned at his mate.
"Alright, alright, let’s eat." Kagan said seriously, which meant he wanted everyone to put the competition to rest for the evening.
Sabin dove into his dinner with the gusto of a growing boy as he chattered about school and all his playmates.
Dagaa was hoping to talk Providence into coming home and maybe getting a moment alone with her. He needed to convince her to give up this competition before she hurt herself. She was still recovering from what the Jurou Biljana had done to her and shouldn't be exerting herself like this. But before he realized it Providence and Giselle finished eating and snuck off to put Sabin to bed while Kagan was talking to him and Madhava.
The thought of getting Providence alone had Dagaa's mind turning to other things they could do in private. His gums itched as his fangs extended in his mouth. Dagaa shook his head, trying to dispel the images that taunted him. The longer he was around Providence the more he felt compelled to mark her.
He'd given up trying to repress it. He'd fallen for Providence, utterly and completely.
Dagaa wanted to growl in frustration, mainly at himself. It would take more than a little convincing before Providence would give him a chance to win her heart, especially after the way he'd behaved. She needed time. But the only way to give them that time would be if he won tomorrow. Then he'd have a chance. But if Dagaa didn't win, then none of his feelings or desires for her would matter. He'd be her Second, end of the story. Dagaa couldn't imagine being only her Second, a mere after thought.
A thread of doubt reared up and twisted in Dagaa's gut, clawing at him.
Providence seemed to have quickly found a connection with Madhava. What if she desired his friend, more than him? What if Dagaa did win tomorrow and Providence didn't really want him, but instead wanted something more with Madhava? The thought was crushing.
Dagaa had to talk to her. This whole situation was turning him inside out.
"I'm going to bed." Madhava said in disappointment staring at the patio door Providence had disappeared through.
Dagaa wandered slowly through the garden, towards the house he shared with Madhava. He looked up at the balcony of the room Providence was staying in. The flickering light cast Providence's silhouette against the thin curtains. Dagaa admired the shadow of her full breasts and hips.
Before he could help himself, Dagaa was scaling the wall and swinging up onto the deck. Dagaa knocked on the veranda door.
Providence peeked out with a shocked look on her face, and then opened the door.
"What are you doing here?" Providence asked.
She was wrapped in only a towel and Dagaa was instantly distracted from his purpose.
"Were you about to take a bath?"
"Yes."
Dagaa walked in and headed for the bath. He started the water and filled the basin, adding a soothing floral oil to the hot water.
"Get in." Dagaa gestured to the tub.
Providence stood in the doorway. Her expression held a mix of amusement and annoyance.
"Why are you here Dagaa?"
"Get in and we can talk."
Providence's brow rose.
"Please." Dagaa added.
"Fine, but don't try to sweet talk me out of competing tomorrow." Providence insisted.
Dagaa sighed.
Providence dropped her towel and stepped into the water, then eased down with a groan. Dagaa also wanted to groan. The sight of her had him instantly hard. Her pale full breasts bobbed in the water, the erect berry pink tips playing peek-a-boo in the suds.
Dagaa picked up the cloth and started bathing Providence's shoulders, rubbing the tension from her neck.
"Providence I'm trying to understand why you joined the challenge. I get that you are..." Dagaa paused. "What is it Giselle always calls it. Oh yeah. I get that you are a liberated woman."