"Can I get a picture with you?" The question came from a cute otter girl with way too much youthful exuberance.
"Yeah, sure." Thistle replied. She hoped she didn't sound rude but this morning had been chaotic hell.
She had first learned about this field trip a few hours ago. Apparently, a local college professor was a big fan of the city beautification project. So, they decided to take their class to see different artist studios that were involved in it. Without asking approval or giving warning of course. Luckily the artist community was close and the first victim had sent out a warning message.
The timing was especially annoying. She had been finishing up the clay design for her 'carnal' inspired piece. She had no choice but to put it aside and make herself look presentable. She had kept one of the cute outfits Archer was forcing her to wear at the shop for this kind of emergency. A black short skirt with matching stockings and a red turtleneck that clung to her frame. She may not be happy with the rule but she could admit it gave her wardrobe a major upgrade.
The otter girl squealed as she handed her phone to her friend. She got up close to Thistle, a little too close for her taste. But Thistle put on her best smile and whispered a silent thanks when the friend announced she had got it.
"Thank you so much." The otter said way too high pitched. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course." She replied. Got to inspire the youth and all that. Not that her mentor had in the beginning. He took a year before he dropped the gruff old man act.
The girl leaned in, getting even more uncomfortably close. "Is that a kinky collar or a necklace?"
Thistle felt all her blood leave her body. She had been dreading this question and never came up with a good answer. It was all on her smart mouth. "I'll let you guess. More fun that way for you, trust me."
The girl nodded. "It is. Thank you for the picture." The girl gave her a wink and darted off towards her friend. There was a lot to unpack there, more than anything was that a random girl had a picture of her in a collar. But there was nothing to be done. She shook it out of her head, getting rid of the bad energy.
She watched the group of fifteen explore her gallery at the front of the shop. She even sold a couple of her small clay pieces to them so not a bad day overall. But then something caught her eyes.
There was a person near the front door with a black hoodie covering his face. Yet she somehow knew he was watching her. Something about it made her blood go cold and she looked away. "That kid is going to be terrible at first dates." She thought, hoping it was just an awkward teen freshman.
The teacher announced that it was time to move on. The group shuffled out of the shop offering various thanks. She returned them but felt uncomfortable as the otter winked again. Mainly she made sure the one in the hood left. When she saw him trail out, she let out a long breath.
She retreated to the back to plan her next move. She had a few more hours before when she normally called it quits but the tour had exhausted her. Perhaps an early night and takeout. That sounded the best option. It had been eleven days since Archer had left and still no word when he would be back.
But her dreams of terrible Chinese food were shattered when her front door alarm sounded. She remembered the figure in the hood and froze. But she couldn't hide back here. It was obvious where she was. She looked around, finding a heavy hammer. She snatched it up and returned to the front. She was sure she should get in a few good swings.
But it wasn't the figure. It was Archer. In a tailored charcoal suit finished with a warm smile. He looked perfect.
"Archer?" She said out of surprise. She couldn't help her ears perking up and tail wagging. But then she remembered some manners.
She put the hammer down on the counter and walked out in front of it. She gave a small bow. "May I be of use for you, Master?" She asked, having practiced the damn thing in her slower hours. It felt like a good way of getting back at him, giving him no excuse to punish her.
She glanced up and swore she saw a split second of sadness on his face before his smile returned. "Very good pet." He said in that deep voice she had heard in too many dirty dreams. "You've learned quickly but you can relax on the formalities for tonight."
She lifted her head and relaxed. Even letting herself smile. He was an ass but an ass she had grown fond of.
"When did you get back?"
He looked at his watch. "My flight landed about three hours ago, give or take."
"And you came to see me?" Shouldn't he have other people he wanted to see more? His pack maybe. Hell, she had never asked if she was just a side piece. But she doubted it, remembering his vow to be with no one else. He had sounded pretty serious.
He let out a rumble of a chuckle. "Is it surprising I want to see a beautiful women after being away from them for so long. Even if she is a brat."
"Oh, so you just missed being a perv." She teased back crossing her arms.
She got a full belly laugh in response and hated how much she loved it. "Why did you have a hammer when you came out?"
"Had it in my hands and forgot."
"So, you were working? Dressed like that?" His tone said it all. He didn't believe her. She wasn't going to tell him about the hooded kid. She didn't need him thinking she was crazy. That was personal and this relationship wasn't.
"I was cleaning up after a college class visit. Had planned to close early."
He seemed to perk up at that. "If that's the case, would you join me for an early dinner?"
"Wouldn't you rather ask other members of your pack or is this a new member treat?" She replied cold. She was happy to see him but that was different then forgiving him. To his credit he looked sorry at her words not that it counted for much.
"If I asked, almost everyone would offer. But to them I have to be strong. I can't tell them I want company because I'm lonely. But I can tell you."
Fuck, he had gone for the heartstrings. But she had to stay steadfast. "And why can you tell me?"
"Because I trust you. That mark shows I trust you to never betray me. That I have complete faith in you."
"Sure." She replied sarcastically. "You gave it me a day after we met. And after you did a background check. Feels like trust to me."
"I trusted you since you took Melody's punishment. I would have never given It to you unless I meant it. No matter how lustful I was."
She had no counter to that. "Fine I'll go to dinner. But your explaining this pack shit over it. And I get to decided it I want to be part of it or not."
"Agreed."
It was quick work to shut up shop with Archer's help. He then lead her out to a modest sedan. When she teased him about it, he said he didn't want people to think he was lording over them. Because the designer clothes and owning a sex club for fun totally didn't say that at all.
The drive was quiet for the most part with scatter conversations. Thistle caught herself admiring him driving one handed too often for her own good. She was starting to realize how little she knew about him. Favorite movie, food, color? She knew none of it. But if he trusted her, she supposed that she could cut him some slack.
She was brought back from her worries as she started to recognize the suburb, he had taken her out of the city too. "He couldn't possibly." She thought before deciding to ask.
"Are you taking us to Miss. Bonnie's?" She asked.
"Yes." He replied looking over at her. "I always crave good soul food after a long trip. Guessing you've been?"
