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like little girls,” I said.
    “I’m his lawyer. I love stipulations. Besides, don’t you compare lovers with your friends?” Malachi asked with a grin.
    “I’m a girl; it’s expected,” I said.
    “A witch with double standards,” he said shaking his head.
    “Not that it’s any of your business, but he’s not my lover,” I said into my drink.
    Malachi snorted and got up from his seat. He pulled the chessboard out from the bookcase and brought it back to the counter. I watched as he placed all the pieces on the board and turned it, so that I would have the first move. I slid a pawn forward to start the game.
    “Even you don’t believe that,” Malachi said after several moves.
    “I haven’t slept with him,” I said.
    “A minor detail soon to be corrected I’m told,” he murmured under his breath.
    “Don’t you have something to do tonight?” I asked.
    “Don’t you wish to further your education?” he asked taking one of my pieces.
    “I’m tired of studying,” I mumbled.
    “You did mention you wanted to pursue extracurricular activities. Would you like an escort?” he asked with a grin.
    “Yeah right. Taking you is worse than taking the elf. I’ll stay in and take advantage of coma boy. I could use a good night’s sleep. Go have some fun,” I said.
    “How am I to have fun without you or Sasha?” he said moving another piece.
    “Go find a piece of ass,” I said.
    “I thought Sasha said your language was improving,” he said.
    I slit my eyes. “What do I need to do for him?” I asked nodding my head towards the bed.
    I wanted to be alone. At least, I didn’t want to be with the hottie fairy. I was seriously reconsidering the rule about sleeping with friends. Especially with the boys in constant states of undress. After several weeks of celibacy, Malachi was looking positively delicious tonight.
    “He’ll be okay,” he said dismissively.
    “When will he be okay?”
    “Soon,” he said with a chuckle.
    “Checkmate,” I pushed the board away. “Now go away, half-breed.”
    “Blimey, duckie, how’d you do that?” he asked.
    “You weren’t paying attention.”
    “There is a soiree at City Park,” he grumbled. “If you need company, I’ll be in my rooms within two hours.”
    Malachi kissed me on the cheek and popped out. I was tired not to mention hungry. I made a roast beef sandwich, sat at the counter with a third drink, and stared at Sasha. His chest moved with each breath he took. The curves of his muscles underneath the satiny sheet tensed and relaxed every few minutes. He was out. As in lights out; no action or big movements apart from his steady breathing, out. I cleaned up after myself and headed for the bathroom.
    I took a long, hot shower. I didn’t enjoy the solitude as much as I thought I would’ve. The silence in the apartment was somehow deafening. It screamed, pierced through me in ways I never thought silence could do. I returned to the living room and clicked on the stereo, welcoming the soft sounds of moody blues in the background.
    I came back to the bed and stared at Sasha again. He looked peaceful, his hands above his head, no worry lines creasing his face. There was a hint of soft color to his cheeks, his eyelids violet tinged, the veins faintly visible. I undressed and slipped under the sheets.
    In the soft glow of light from the nightlight, my need for sexual satisfaction engulfed my body. I ran my hands down his chest. He twitched, sighed and his lips formed a small smile. My hands roamed further down his body, tracing the scars above his belly button. I bent over, kissing him gently on the lips. He smelled so good. I sniffed his neck and sighed.
    “Pet?”
    I raised my head and met his eyes. I should’ve been embarrassed by my conduct, but I couldn’t even muster enough energy to pretend. I smiled sheepishly and continued to stroke his chest.
    “Are you okay?” I asked.
    “Better,” he sighed and stretched out like a cat.
    “You scared