Chapter 43

We stepped into the elevator and Ty typed a code on the keypad rather than pressing one of the numbered buttons. We started zooming upward, and the destination floor showed as 32, which surprised me a little. There were no number buttons for floors thirty through thirty-two, which were off-limits to most hotel patrons. While some of the staff were housed on the floor below me, apparently Kaz rated one of the penthouse flats on the second-to-top floor of the building. The top was devoted to a revolving restaurant and lounge. My perception of Kaz's status as director of security operations shot up significantly. Not that it mattered. In my eyes, he'd already been at the head of the pack - right beside Ty.
Another couple entered the elevator and exited two floors higher. I noticed with a frisson of proud excitement that Ty held me close when there were strangers nearby and stepped away a few inches when we were alone. The sexual tension was practically sizzling off the two of us, but so was the anticipation of seeing Kaz again. We didn't speak at all, but every so often our eyes would lock and our breathing would hitch. If I'd been wearing panties, they'd have been drenched.
When we reached Kaz's flat, Ty lifted his hand to knock, but Kaz was right there, opening the heavy oak-paneled door before Ty could even tap. He wore a pair of black jeans and an untucked, silky, button-down shirt in almost the same red as my shoes. The three of us looked like we'd all compared notes.
Kaz smiled broadly as he stepped back and ushered us inside. "Mmm, you two look better than the food. Welcome."
"Something sure smells good." Ty leaned in and kissed Kaz lightly then stepped back so I could do the same.
"Besides you," I added as I went up on my toes to press my lips against Kaz. "And your place is beautiful."
I looked around, soaking up the atmosphere, the perfect backdrop to my two glorious dates. The open floor plan of the living area showed a sleek stainless steel and black granite kitchen in one corner and a gorgeous fireplace in the same stone on the other end. The far side was a solid wall of windows, tinted and UV protected like all the glass at the Dark Tower. I loved being able to look out without going all crispy in the sunlight, but I was afraid of heights, so I hung back toward the inside wall. Yeah, I had lot of hang-ups for a blood-sucking immortal.
"Here, let me close the drapes," Kaz said with a quick look of concern, stepping over to the far wall and pressing a button. A set of tailored black drapes slid across the entire wall, closing off the window and turning the big room into a cozy nest. "I thought we'd eat out here - it's more intimate than at the table."
There was a sturdy cherry-wood dining table near the kitchen area, but the feast had been spread on a square coffee table in front of the fireplace where a log crackled cheerfully. Black leather loveseats surrounded the table on the other three sides, with corner tables poised in between. All had been pushed back to make room for thick, sheepskin floor cushions on each of the sides. Fat white candles burned on the mantle and on each of the tables, casting the room in a warm amber glow.
Kaz took my hand and led me to the center space, the one facing directly toward the fire. I sat carefully on the pillow, my legs curled to one side. My skirt was tight enough that it rode up my thighs, and I smiled when both men glanced appreciatively at the wide strip of skin revealed between stockings and hemline.
Ty sat on one side of me while Kaz pulled a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket and popped the cork. He poured three flutes, handed one to Ty and one to me before he gracefully slid into a lotus position on the remaining cushion, without even tipping the liquid in his own glass.
"To friendships - old and new." He raised his glass to each of us as Ty and I echoed the sentiment.
"And to lovers new and rediscovered," Ty added just before our glasses touched.
Feeling the need to add something, I smiled wickedly. "To tonight."
"To tonight," they chorused. We clinked our glasses and sipped.
My taste buds sat up and sang. Kaz had definitely sprung for the good stuff. Alcohol may not have had much effect on me, but damn if I didn't love the taste of Dom Perignon.
Next, Kaz began scooping caviar onto toast points with a tiny ceramic spoon. He handed one to me and reached across the table to offer one to Ty. The blond demon winked and took it with his mouth instead of his hand, his tongue swiping across Kaz's fingers in the process. I nibbled on my own, savoring the rich, salty flavor even as I enjoyed the interplay between the two men.
We made our way through the meal chatting about nothing important and taking every opportunity to touch one another, feed one another and make each other laugh. I'd never been more comfortable and yet more aroused at the same time. Nobody brought up a single serious topic to ruin the simple pleasure of good company and good food. Aside from the caviar, there were oysters, a lobster bisque and juicy, rare filets mignon - one small one for me, two big ones for the men. Finishing things off were fresh pears and a smooth, smoky gouda. Even taking only a few bites of each course, I ate more normal food than in the whole past month. My stomach felt pleasantly stretched, enough that for the first time all day, I wasn't thinking immediately of sex.
Kaz and Ty piled the used dishes onto their trays and moved them to the kitchen counter, returning with a silver and bone china demitasse service. We all lounged back against the loveseats, sipping espresso and smiling, when Ty cleared his throat and spoke.
"Before we move on to the more...athletic portion of tonight's entertainment, I wanted to tell you both about my day." He gazed mostly at Kaz as he drew in a breath and continued. "I finished the reports on my final mission. I'm officially retired as an enforcer."
"What?" Kaz's bellow filled the room. "Why?"
Ty shrugged. "It was just time. I've been ready to get out for a while, but I wanted to make sure I got your banishment revoked before I quit."
"Are you returning to Zend, then?"
I heard the tension in Kaz's voice, saw the subtle tightening of his spine.
"No." Ty reached across the mostly empty table and clasped Kaz's hand. "The rules have changed. We can make this our permanent home now, without fear of banishment. I'm staying on Earth - at least for the foreseeable future."