Page 28 of Free for Adventure

“Of course. My cousin is really excited that I am here.”

Dorian smiled. “I know I am. Ready for lunch?”

She nodded and grabbed her phone.

Ohno smiled. “I will warn Illu that you might not be up for a class.”

“I am going to try.”

“A warning just prepares her. She might also adjust the song she’s teaching.” He smiled. “May I join you for lunch?”

She looked to Dorian, and he nodded. “Sure.”

Ohno grinned. “Excellent. The table is waiting.”

Amby smiled. “Of course it is.”

Dorian got up and put his hand on the small of her back. The loose shirt she was wearing let his palm touch her back, and the manta ray tingled.

Ohno turned toward her and smiled.

She exhaled. “Oh boy.”

Dorian slipped his fingers up her back and touched the waterfall. A full-body shiver went through him, and Amby took a quick step forward to get away from the contact.

She had her phone clutched in her fist and caught up to Ohno. Dorian took a few long steps, and his hand remained above her clothing when he touched her again.

They walked past the market area and over to a restaurant that was an open building facing a number of very cozy-looking tables and chairs sized for alphas.

The server grinned and brought them to a table where the lazily moving population of the village was visible.

Amby sat and held her phone up, taking footage of the gentle and late waking of the visitors compared to the purposeful moves of the locals. She wasn’t going to comment on the visiting betas and alphas who looked a little sore.

Amby covered her mouth. “Oh, damn.”

Dorian looked over. “What are you seeing?”

“Um, never mind.”

Ohno had watched her gaze. “She’s noticing how many visitors over-indulged last night.”

Dorian nodded. “That happens. The alpha that they respond to might be a little rough with them if the match isn’t precise.”

“As a punishment?”

Ohno shrugged. “A learning tool. Many of the guests try and bite off more than they can chew, so to speak. They weren’t injured, but they are feeling a little delicate and may give their cuff a rest tonight.”

Amby blushed. “Right. So, it wasn’t to be mean or anything? Or to laugh at them later?”

Dorian cocked his head. “I don’t know what kind of men you have been hooking up with, but that isn’t what happens here at all.”

Amby paled. “Oh. Right. Sorry. I am still working this out. They don’t give betas etiquette pamphlets.”

Ohno grinned, and when the server came over, he said, “When you bring the drinks, can you bring an etiquette pamphlet?”

“She’s already wearing a cuff.” The female beta was smiling, but it wasn’t unkind.

“There hasn’t been a closed contract. She was just wondering if the information was available.”