Page 25 of Scheme
“I don’t think he’s dangerous. Just lonely, and extremely misled about me.”
“You are far too cavalier with your own safety,” Nico sighed. “I hope you’re holding up your side of the agreement, Kit. Margot is the first to volunteer to help anyone, she’s constantly rushing around doing things for other people, but she is woefully bad at putting herself first.”
“Rude,” I mumbled, shoving a forkful of salmon in my mouth.
“Accurate,” Nico countered, raising one judgemental eyebrow. I could feel Kit staring at me again. Not for the first time, I wished he wasn’t quite so reticent with his emotions.
“Can we talk about literally anything else?” I pleaded. “Jimmy is harmless. Kit and I have this covered.”
“You’ll tell us if it escalates?” Violet pressed, giving me an imploring look. I hesitated, knowing that I probably wouldn’t and not wanting to lie. Nico and Violet had a fairy tale kind of love—if the princess in the tower had a degradation kink and the knight-in-shining-armour had wooed her by telling her what a beautiful slut she was—I didn’t want to intrude on their happily ever after with my trivial problems.
“Margot,” Violet said in a softer voice, giving me a sympathetic look. “We love you, and wewantto help. You’re never imposing on us, you know that.”
“This is all moot,” Kit cut in, saving me from lying. “Since this precise scenario is why Margot has me.”
“So long as she does have you,” Nico replied mildly before smoothly changing the subject into something that had happened at work last week. I focused on eating my lunch and steadying the nerves that were feeling somewhat rocked by Kit’s declaration.
It was odd to have someone announce with such conviction that they were on my side. Generally, I was a supporting player on other people’s teams, but my bench was pretty empty.
And I was fine with that.
Really.
“So, what happens at Bryce and Kane’s next party?” Violet asked suddenly. “I’m sure they’ll send a message with the details any day now.”
Kit and I shot each other a startled glance. While I logically knew he’d attended the parties before my time, I struggled to picture him in the silk-and-leather den of iniquity that was one of Bryce and Kane’s parties. I was fairly confident he was staring at me and thinking the exact same thing.
“We’ll go as friends, of course,” I replied, meeting Kit’s eyes. “Go our separate ways when we get inside, the same as we would with the two of you, and wish each other a pleasant evening. Right, Kit?”
Oof, thatlook. Did he expect me to not go? Tough freaking luck. It would be my last chance to get thoroughly railed before my heat hit, and from experience, that made the eventual heat less painful. Or I’d just convinced myself of that in my head. One of those two options.
We finished eating, and I insisted on doing the dishes because Violet was starting to look uncomfortable, and Nico was starting to look impatient.
They acted like the pinnacle of respectability, but Nico and Violet were two of the horniest people on the planet, I was convinced of it. It was pretty easy to get an omega to lactate during heat, but maintaining it was a twenty-four-seven commitment and a large part of the reason why Violet had given up her job to stay at home after they were mated. It made them both happy, so while I knew I’dhatebeing that tied to a schedule, there was no judgement from me.
Kit cleared the dishes off the table, bringing them over to me while I loaded the dishwasher and filled the sink to scrub the pots.
“They really care about you,” he murmured, setting the empty salad bowl down on the counter and watching me from the other side of the kitchen island.
“The feeling is very mutual. Violet was so welcoming when I moved into the neighbourhood, introducing me to everyone and checking in on me because she was worried about me living alone. I’m lucky to have them in my life.”
“I wouldn’t saylucky,” Kit replied, using that disgruntled voice he seemed to fall into when he was unwillingly dragged into having a real-life conversation with actual human words. “They enjoy your company. Care about you. That’s not luck.”
“Why Kit Iyer, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were giving me a compliment.”
“I’m making an observation.” Kit fussed with his glasses, careful not to make eye contact with me.
“A very flattering observation.”
“If you want to take it that way, take it that way,” he grumbled, moving back to the table to clear the condiments while I laughed. He really was a fascinating mix of grouchy and conscientious.
“Tell me what your life is like when you’re travelling.” Kit startled at the question. “My life here is very… structured. Routine, I suppose. I’m so intrigued by what your life must be like on the road.”
“It’s probably less glamorous than you think. I shoot at sunrise and sunset for the light, which often means very early starts and very late finishes, depending on the time of year and where I am. During the day, I hole up in whatever hotel room I’m staying in to edit. And nap,” he added, pursing his lips. “And I’ll scout locations, either for the assignment I’m on or any future trips.”
“That sounds pretty glamorous to me. Naps? Travelling to far-flung places? Wandering around new locations and finding interesting things to take pictures of? Seeing the sun rise and set each day?Naps?”
“You said naps twice.”
