The rest of the day was taken with getting Lianne and Cerise setup, and most of the evening handing out free computers to gods for their honest feedback, as we outfitted both Mark’s and Gary’s family. We were also offered a hundred-dollar discount, five percent off, for any order over a million devices on the processors, so that would expand our profit margin just a bit.

  The next mid-morning all four of us were in Faith’s office, she’d already filled out all the paperwork. She looked sinfully elegant in a creamy white skirt suit and a light pink blouse showing off almost half of her bountiful D cup cleavage, with her light blonde hair pinned up. At the moment she was working through a manual setup, which was an ordeal of endless questions, which is why I’d used custom and let it read my mind. We also didn’t really have anywhere else to be or pressing business, so we were taking the opportunity to get to know her and get her settled in.

  “So, any problems yesterday?”

  She replied absently as she continued using the keyboard that none of us could see to answer the questions, “No. Natasha was fine with that arrangement I came up with at lunch, and she wished me luck. Though she mentioned talking to you sternly about stealing her favorite employee, she also thought my talents were being wasted on day-to-day maintenance that anyone with a two-week certified class in database management could handle.”

  I laughed, “I’ll watch my back.”

  She blinked, “Oh, that’s… here we go, Bloom.” The last word being her naming her A.I., so she was done with the setup.

  I said, “We have twenty-one new testers, we took care of that last night.”

  She said, “I hope to review everything today and get caught up, at least on the technical and testing side.”

  Cerise chuckled, “Leave the business side to me. Do you have plans for lunch?”

  Faith said, “Nothing specific, why?”

  Cerise said, “You can join us if you want, we tend to be informal at home, and Lianne is an amazing cook, when they’re here for lunch anyway.”

  I nodded in agreement, “That seems likely today if nothing comes up. Anyway, welcome aboard, we’re glad to have you here.”

  She bit her lip, “Sure? Why not,” she said to Cerise, then turning to me she said, “Umm, thanks. It’s good to be here.”

  Faith was eager to get started, I could scent it in her. Also a little uncomfortable I think, and add in a little confused suspicion after our effusive welcome and our get to know her a little bit chat as she set up the implant computer. Part of that may have been what she’d already said, that she was a bit awkward socially outside of her mantel, outside of when she was seducing a man or woman for sex. I mean, it was normal to get to know the new person at work, for a few minutes or so anyway.

  The other part of it might’ve been we had been coming on a bit strong, probably would’ve set off anyone’s radar, not just the radar of the socially awkward. Our questions hadn’t been invasive, but there were three of us in the room and we’d been hanging on her every word. As the other ladies said, my attention as a werewolf tended to be very intensely focused, and of course Lianne was a bit manic of energy all the time.

  Which was fine, shifters loved a challenge, and getting inside this woman’s social shields and earning her trust would be that challenge. The bed part would likely happen easily, given her nature and needs. We just had to prove we were worthy of it, there was no doubt the attraction was there on both sides at least. That was in her scent too, but she was obviously fighting it.

  So, I needed to move a little slower, to prove I wasn’t like all the rest, that had all failed and no doubt hurt her in the process. Each time no doubt, building those walls thicker and becoming more and more disillusioned with the idea of ever finding a real relationship.

  It was worse than that though, not just intimate lovers, I was fairly sure she had trouble making loyal friendships as well. With her mantle and lush beauty, every guy would want to fuck her, and most women would slut shame her for a sensual hookup lifestyle she had very little control over. I wasn’t a psychologist, but I did know a lot given my power, and her own perception of self probably suffered that way as well.

  I mean, I couldn’t even imagine what being forced to cheat on a lover by my own mantle would cost me, it’d be devastating to a person’s self-esteem. Point being, I couldn’t at all judge her cold demeanor and trying to keep her work life separate, which would be one more challenge to overcome.

  Fun for me, but really serious as well. On the good side, I was sure that cold shoulder was just a defense mechanism to keep her co-workers from constantly hitting on her, not really who she was, or what she really wanted.

  I smiled lightly, “We should let you get started. I think we’re all eager to see what you bring to the group. Don’t hesitate to call if you have a question, otherwise we’ll see you at lunch.”

  There’d been a little double entendre in that second sentence, but it seemed to go right over her head.

  I squeezed Lianne’s hand and we headed out of the office, Cerise on our heels.

  We all went into Cerise’s office, and I closed the door, then told them what I’d picked up. We’d already discussed most of it of course, but the need to slow down even further to increase Faith’s comfort level in our presence was new.

  “What do you all think?”

  Cerise said, “It’ll be a fine line to tread not to make her feel harassed. We need to push her a little bit that way, out of her comfort zone. Because that comfort zone will have her talking with us only on business and otherwise hiding in the dark social hole that she feels comfortable in.”

  Lianne nodded, “We overwhelmed her together. Maybe one on one time to break through on the personal side would be better. Cerise, while we’re out, and when we’re home, I don’t need to be glued to your side, though I like to be.”

  I grinned, and gave her a soft kiss, which led to kissing Cerise as well.

  “That’s not a bad idea. We also need to accept the idea it might not work out. Besides the obvious, she’s an incredibly intelligent and driven woman, one who will be loyal to the company and work hard. Traits we all admire on top of the shallow side of things. But we don’t know much about her on the personal side, outside of the fact we could handle and manage her… needs, better than anyone else that’s tried.

  “Point being, let’s not get so focused on the idea that we become mercenary about it. The idea is to expand and enrich our lives and beds. Just because she’d make a good fit in the latter, and we could help her significantly in finding a real relationship, doesn’t mean the former is guaranteed.”

  Lianne smirked, “Are you suggesting I get carried away at times?”

  I laughed, “Would I say that, baby?”

  She giggled.

  I shook my head, “That too, yes. But it’s also my love of a challenge. I don’t want to get so focused on that aspect of things that we end up just being the next group that hurts her. There’s no doubt in my mind we can manage her mantle but that just makes us compatible on a shallow level, in all directions.”

  Cerise nodded, “It’s just another reason to take it slow, then. Until she really opens up and shows us who she really is underneath the professional aspect.”

  “Yes, that’s where I was going with that. So let’s shelve the endgame for now, and just focus on coaxing her out of her shell and getting to know her.”

  They both nodded.

  At the moment, it was just chemical romance, hopes for enriching and expanding our triad to a quad, and the idea I could fix it for her. Give her a meaningful relationship, which was a strong pull on my shifter instincts tied to her incredibly powerful shallow allure. She didn’t have the jump in with both feet attitude that Lianne and Cerise had when we met though, quite the opposite in fact.

  Maybe I was overthinking it, but her earlier discomfort had made me feel mercenary, even if that was probably more about her own hang-ups than anything I’d done. I loved a challenge, but I’d never been one to push my attentions on a woman that clearly didn’t want them. As a shifter, I could scent the difference between coy and truly not interested, so it’d never really been an issue before.

  Most women fell on one side or another between those two, but our new employee hovered between those two states. She obviously felt an attraction, and just as obviously had given up on all hope of finding a true love relationship. As a result those signals weren’t just mixed, but totally haywire, leaving me in doubt on which way to jump which was a totally new sensation for me.

  It wasn’t a game, and she wasn’t just someone to be conquered. I felt better about the whole thing now that it was all laid out, and I’d identified where that doubt flowed from.

  I liked strong women, and she was strong if not in the same way as Cerise and Lianne. She was also emotionally fragile and likely jaded toward intimate relationships, and that was something to keep in mind.

  Faith looked happy, thrilled even, as she joined us all in the kitchen for lunch. Sadly, I knew that emotional state was not related to having lunch with us, but more about her totally geeking out about the programming project she’d dug into all morning.

  She also looked just as amazing as she had first thing that morning in the creamy white skirt business suit. The only change was she’d put her light blonde hair up, more fully revealing the innocent beauty of her face and the gentle curve of her long neck.

  “Good morning?”

  Faith looked at the table, “Very, and I’ll admit I’m impressed. Lunch smells amazing, thank you.”

  The table was covered with a bowl of salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, bratwurst, knockwurst, buns, and all the fixings. There was also a pie cooling in the center.

  Lianne said, “Anytime.”

  I gestured at the foot of the table, Lianne was on my right and Cerise on the left, and our new employee sat across from me at the foot.

  “Impressed?”

  Faith nodded, “Your code is quite good, and Bloom is amazing. I’m not completely caught up yet, but I can already say Misty’s fixes were necessary and well done.”

  I smiled, “I suppose I could take good.”

  Faith laughed, a little nervously, “Quite good.”

  Lianne giggled.

  Cerise said, “Quite good is different than good. That’s almost as good as amazing, don’t you think?” in a teasing tone, implying I was almost as good as Bloom was.

  Faith blushed.

  Cerise winked, “Sorry, I was poking fun at sir, and you got caught in the backsplash.”

  Light banter was a good way to break the ice, and my ego could take it. Plus, I’d get my revenge for it later, and no doubt she’d enjoy every second of it if the knowing and naughty twinkle in her expressive light gray eyes was any indication.

  As for misty, she was looking good in that red robe-dress and pretending to struggle not to laugh as she stood rather close to my side.

  “Any questions?”

  Faith shook her head, “I’d prefer to finish my review of everything first, rather than bother you all with questions that may answer themselves if I RTFM. A list of insights and synergies for more functionality as well, which I can’t even start on until I know everything that’s already there along with the core capabilities of the magical interface.”

  I could respect that, wanting to figure it all out herself if she could. Her scent told me it was one of her strengths, a decision stemming from ambition and curiosity, and not because she was shy or uncertain about questioning us.

  “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

  We dug in, and as usual the food was fantastic. The first half of lunch was mainly silent after that, as we all chowed down. It was also mostly comfortable, but slightly awkward. Mostly due to all the sexual tension in the room which she was fighting in herself given her scent. Which given her mantel, was probably just normal, and not really specifically about us outside of raw attraction.

  Lianne broke that long silence, “I need to pick up a few things at the store, before our afternoon schedule? I should go now so I’m back before you need me.”

  I nodded, “That’s fine. I have no solid plans this afternoon anyway, outside our home I mean. Need to give the council time to absorb their new reality before I start asking them to tweak things.”

  Cerise grinned, “I’ll go with you.”

  I could scent the partial chicanery in it, they were both leaving halfway through lunch to give me some one-on-one time with Faith. Though it wasn’t entirely a lie, Lianne did plan to pick up a couple of things, and my vampire was still enamored with getting as much sunlight as possible.

  The two of them got up and left the room, and only my hearing was sensitive enough to pick up their wild giggles as they reached the stairs. Yup, definitely chicanery, and proud of it. Not that I minded, it was a good idea.

  “So, what do you get up to when you’re not working, any hobbies?”

  Faith replied, “I’m kind of a workaholic, and my nightlife is taken up with my mantle. So not really?”

  “Not really?”

  Faith shrugged, “I’ve never really been into sports, I don’t have the body for it, but before I quickened, I used to enjoy snow skiing several times a year with friends. That was… a long time ago, over forty years. I suppose I also enjoyed hiking and sailing.”

  “You stopped liking it, or?”

  She sighed, “You’re young, just reborn. The first wave of gods was a tumultuous time and a mess. Skiing is fun with friends, but holds no appeal when those friends left me behind out of fear of what I was, and all the uncertainty.

  “I’ve already told you, I’m not good socially. Part of that is my mantel gets in the way of friendship. I suppose the straight answer is I had no desire to ski alone.”

  I suspected there were whole volumes that she left out of the answer, that were just too personal to talk about at this stage of things.

  I smiled, “Well, maybe we can set up a company ski trip.”

  She blinked.

  I shrugged, “Shifter, so I was born to be an outdoorsman, and all four of us have that hobby in common. I suppose with Bruce in Tartarus for fifty years we can go boating too, I know Lianne and Cerise gave that idea up because it was too dangerous with him around.”

  Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, “What’s going on here, exactly?”

  I shrugged, “We told you we’re pretty laid back, our company is small, built on trust and to mutual advantage to all. Like family, or pack, in my mind. Like… the core of a pack, really, since I see all gods as part of my pack.

  “Is it that odd I want to get to know you better? You’re an impressive woman, Faith, and you’re in my inner circle of trust, if you want to be. You wouldn’t be here otherwise. That said, we won’t try to force you into anything, we hired you for your skills and principles of loyalty first and foremost.”

  Faith said, “I’ve always kept business separate and professional. Partly because of my mantel, work affairs are just a disaster, and trying to build friendships with others at work is recipe for disappointment and betrayal.”

  This conversation just got deep, and I could tell she was nervous about it, but I pushed on anyway. I wouldn’t push her, but I wasn’t going to hide or water down the truth. That wasn’t me, and it never would be.

  I chuckled, “And I’m the opposite. I have three employees, and two of those are also my lovers, friends, and family. It works, because I’m the boss.”

  She snorted.

  I waved, “I just meant, that I set the rules and expectations. There’s no fickle people here, and there’s no backstabbing games, or false notes. I’d smell them, and shifters hate lying, even white lies. I may be king of the gods, but I’m also a shifter who prizes loyalty above all.

  “So, to me business is family, and it will be kept small and select, which makes it unique. My second invention would require a much larger company to handle if I’d chosen to do it all myself, but I refused to take that course. Instead, I drew up a contract with a coven, as a subcontractor. They’re my business partners, but not part of my company. So I suppose we’re opposites that way, I’m merely explaining why I think your outlook might be wise out there in corporate America, but it’s not needed here.

  “No one here will betray you, and we want to get to know you because you’re already family in our eyes. That said, we won’t force you to accept our friendship or more, if you want to punch a clock and isolate yourself, then I’ll accept that. I won’t be happy about it, but I trust you and want your skills on our team.”

  So much for coaxing her out, I’d just put all the cards on the table in battering ram style. In my defense, I was a shifter and unused to subtle or pulling punches.

  She narrowed her eyes, “Friendship or more?”

  Out of all of that, that’s what the woman chose to focus on? Well, I hadn’t held back so far, why start now? If it all blew up in my face, well I’d swim across that river when the bridge burned.

  I shrugged unapologetically, “Of course the more is an option, though we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves discussing that. I know you’ve had trouble with relationships, but the attraction is there from all sides, and we could handle what’s involved, help you manage your mantel. What we don’t know yet is if you’d accept a polyamory solution to ensure you were never left without options other than cheating on the rare occasions I might have to be elsewhere. Life happens after all, and in an intimate relationship it would help you to have more than one option as an outlet.”

  She shook her head in disgust, and said in cold dismissal, “I should’ve known this job was too good to be true.”

  I growled, “Don’t put your assumptions on me. Yes, of course I want to fuck you, what man doesn’t? But that’s not what this is about. If I’d just wanted a ride, I’d have asked you to dinner, not treated you with the respect due a woman of intelligence and loyalty and hired you. I sure as hell wouldn’t cheapen the bed I share with Lianne and Cerise with a mere conquest, no matter how alluring you are on a chemical level.

  “This is about everything, opening my trust, heart, business, and home to you, or failing being compatible to that level, business and friendship, or failing that, just business. Punch your clock, be cold, and do your job, if that’s what you really want. But don’t you dare put your negative expectations of men on me. You don’t even know me yet, and we wouldn’t even be discussing this if you hadn’t jumped to conclusions and asked about it.”