Moving more like a feline than a human, she leaned back into him when he finished, her back pressed against his chest.
"I promise to make the wait worth it."
She made sure she put a fun teasing inflection into her mental 'voice'.

Giving into temptation Tal let his hands slide around to smooth over her stomach. The edge of his thumbs oh so lightly brushing against the underside of her breasts. I've no doubt what so ever that you're worth any wait...any price might be a different story, but for now the journey is free. Content to just hold her he settled back and enjoyed.

Snuggling into his embrace, she would have purred. She shivered softly as he ran his hands across her stomach.
"I don't ever ask someone to pay to be with, or around, me. I do what I can to make their time worth while, though-innocently or not."
Leaning her full weight back against him as he leaned back, she wiggled a little to get more comfortable, turning slightly and placing one hand on his chest.
"A little nap would be nice, I think. We have time."

He didn't have the energy to even think about what he really meant by the price. Money wasn't the issue, emotion and time, those were things he rarely invested lightly. As soon as she mentioned a nap he nearly cracked his jaw on a yawn, You're right, a nap does sound good. Wiggling a bit down on the sofa to get a more prone position he grinned as Biscuit took this as a cue to jump into the snuggle pile. The cat curled up contentedly down near their tangled legs, and from experience Tal knew he'd not be able to feel his feet by the time he woke from the warm weight.

Yawning silently, she re-settled after he adjusted himself. She had felt when he said it that he hadn't meant monetary payment. She had still meant what she had said, however. She never asked anyone to invest anything in her -time, money, feelings-that they didn't want to. She didn't want anyone to feel obligated to her, because there were few people in the world she felt obligated to. She didn't think it'd be fair.
"Will sundown give you enough time to get ready? It's only a few hours away."

Nearly nodding off, he wonders if he sounds asleep in her head, Tal notes, Opening is tomorrow...tonight I've nothing but rest and time..and you. His breathing starts to slow even more, his mind nearly as relaxed as his body in her presence.

Snuggling close, she nods against him, yawning silently. She hadn't gotten any sleep since the day before and a few hour nap sounded practically divine.
"Right... Forgot... Sundown it is..."
She didn't expect a reply from him as she could feel his body's state of sleep.

Tal was having an amazing, though bizare, dream. Dark clouds wound their way around his arms as he floated through a sea of silver light. His body felt weightless and weighed down at the same time, as though he was in a body of oily-thick water. A passing cloud brushed against his face and he arduously moved his hand up to brush it away. The cloud seemed to sense the movement of his hand and avoided his touch. Becoming frustrated he tried to bat it away...to wake up to Biscuit's claws sinking into his hand that now was flat against the furry tummy.

"Bloody cat," he muttered under his breath. He knew better than to yank his hand free, he'd be scratched badly. Better to let the blighter decide to let go on his own. Reminded to where he was he glanced down at the sleeping woman against his chest, his other hand tangled up in her hair.

Making a small sound in the back of her throat, she shifted gently against him, rubbing her cheek against his chest in her sleep. She never really dreamed anymore-she slept the dreamless sleep of the undead, but still moved and reacted like a living person.
She was completely unaware that Tal's hand was buried in her hair until she moved and jerked causing him to pull her hair. Murmuring softly, her eyes slowly fluttered open and she looked around.
"Mmm... Sleep well?"

"Oops, sorry," wincing he pulled his hand away from the cat and used it to untangle his fingers from her hair. Free he rubs her scalp, trying to take away the sting. "Good morning...er...evening I guess since you can talk again. I slept like the de...oh, uhm, I slept okay. And you?"

Grinning, she leaned up and kissed his cheek.
"Like the dead, as well. And don't worry about my hair. A little pulling is good."
Winking, she sat up and stretched, arching her back to crack it in a couple places.

Chuckling Tal watched her stretch and get the kinks out. Sliding out from around her he turns on the sofa and places his hands on the ground between his feet. Standing he slowly straightens his spine, the vertebrae each snapping as they settle back into place. Lifting his arms over his head he lifts onto his toes, his shoulders and feet adding to the symphony of cracking joints. "I sometimes wonder if one day I'll do that and something will just fall off...."

Giggling, she reached over and gave a few places a good squeeze.
"Seems durable enough to me. You might have a few more good years before the warranty starts claiming old parts."
Moving about the room to work the smaller kinks out, she bent to scoop Biscuit up into her arms, stroking his head and back as she moved.

"Yeah, though the day that warranty is up you'll be finding bits of me scattered all over the place." Giving Biscuit's head a scratch he warned, "I'm about to head towards the kitchen, he's probably going to kick to get down since it is time for d-i-n-n-e-r. And no, he's not learned to spell yet, so I'm safe. I know you're one for snacking...well...on fridge stuff, but I'm going to grab a bit would you like something?" He headed towards the kitchen.

Dropping the cat to the floor and following the males to the kitchen, she watched the human as he walked.
"Depends on what you've got. I'm not real hungry yet... A bit peckish, really. I'll have to eat soon, though, if we don't want me attacking the person sitting next to me during your performance."

First moving to fill the cat's bowl, he'd only made that mistake twice, Tal grinned and moved to the fridge. "Well, I'm afraid you've encountered a rare-beast. A less than carnivorous male." Opening the double doors he let her see into a refrigerator filled with vegetables, soy products, juices and yogurts. The freezer side was full of foil wrapped items, that if she took a closer look would be various fillets of fish.

Sliding in up under his arm, she peered about, reaching out to snatch a few of his small cherry tomatoes, popping one into her mouth before standing again.
"These are great. Perfectly ripe."

"They should be good, the person on the top floor has a victory garden planted on the roof. I get all sorts of fresh produce from her." Taking out a carton of low fat yogurt Tal fished out a spoon and started eating. "Assuming it won't kill me, or I dunno, call in my warranty too soon, I'm willing to chance being a snack if you need it. I'd hate to make you go hungry otherwise."

Turning to look at him fully, she studied him for a moment.
"Are you sure? I mean, it doesn't worry you at all?"
Leaning against the counter with her hip, she crossed her arms under her bust as she watched him.

Sliding the spoon out of his mouth Tal swallowed and watched her closely. "Honestly? Yeah, it worries me a bit, but I figure if you really wanted too I'd already be leftovers for some pack of dogs. I trust you to not kill me, permanently injure me or, I don't know, turn me into a purple flamingo of the night." Taking another bite he tried to let her see how calm he was about it, "So yeah, if you need to feed just let me finish my dinner and I'll help with yours."

She couldn't help laughing at the way he went about re-assuring himself, and her, that it was fine.
"Purple flamingo of the night, huh? I'm not sure I'm that good. Thank you for the vote of confidence, though. And I promise to make it worth your offer."
Sidling up to him, she took his spoon and licked it off before handing it back, making it as appealing visually as she could while offering him other images through the mental link. She winked at him as she moved back to the fridge, opening it and bending over to peruse the lower levels, poking about for a moment before coming out with a carrot.

Clearing his throat a bit he tried not to stare at her mouth, then her rear as she rummaged around in his fridge. Standing there like an idiot holding the spoon he wondered if some of the things he was thinking about where his own idea's...or hers. As she stood up with the carrot he blinked out of his stupor and quickly took another bite...promptly choking as he nearly swallowed the spoon.

Laughing again, she tapped the carrot against her bottom lip.
"You're too cute. But, you know, if you die, we're both out of luck."
Biting into the carrot with a very ripe crunch, she leaned against the counter again.

Turning and fetching out a glass he got some water and drank it down. His voice hoarse, "True, and then the smell sets in...all in all death isn't really on my agenda." Taking out a second glass he held it up. "What can I get you to drink?" For some reason the cheesy sixties pick up line 'Coffee, tea...or me?' popped into his head.

Grinning widely, she nodded toward his glass.
"Water's perfect."
Walking over, she leaned up against him and took his glass from him. She didn't drink from it, but she smiled up at him over the rim of it.

Relinquishing his glass he watched her over the rim and slowly set the other one down. "I'm all for one less glass to clean, feel free." It was a bit bumpy, but he finally had his feet under him, metaphorically speaking.

Smiling, she took a sip, closing her eyes and fully enjoying the pure taste of the water.
"I don't want you to get upset that I keep swiping your things."
Sitting the glass down after finishing about half the glass, she returned her violet gaze to his.

Giving into temptation he lifted a hand and trailed a fingertip along her jawline. "I'll be sure to let you know when you take something I'm not willing to give." Dipping his head he lightly bussed his lips over hers, "Besides, what's a few germs between us?"

Fluttering her eyelashes at him prettily, she smiled. Leaning into him, she wrapped her arms around his waist and practically purred.
"Soon enough it's not going to mean anything at all, if I have my way with it."
Waggling her eyebrows at him playfully, she leaned up and pressed her lips softly against his neck in a light return kiss.

Wrapping his arms around her he watched her with a smile. "I suppose not...though...curiosity...do you get colds? I mean...as a joke we always say we want a cure for the common cold...but would a cold in your case even classify as common?" Hugging her lightly he rested his chin on the crown of her head, content to just hold her.

Content to just be in his embrace, she listened to him and smiled.
"Not really. I mean, I can feel under the weather, but I don't really get sick. If I feed from someone who's sick-or high-it doesn't usually sit well in my system."

Wrinkling his nose, "New meaning to 'contact' high huh? Well no worries here, I'm usually ridiculously healthy, and unless you count a lot of B complex I don't take anything." Rubbing her back lightly he absentmindedly watched the cat finish off his dinner.

"I hadn't even considered you a user, darling."
Snuggling against him, she sighed softly, eyes closed as she simply stood there and breathed the scent of him in.
"I'm sure you don't want to do this here in the kitchen, hmm?"

"No, probably not...knowing my luck one or both of us would slip and fall over the cat." Reluctantly he straightened up and slid his arms from around her. Tucking her hair behind her ears he smiled and wiggled his brows. "Where do you want me?"

Grinning wide, she pretended to think about it.
"Oh, baby. Don't leave that up to me. You might regret it."
Reaching up to gently stroke his cheek, she softened her expression.
"The bed is where this usually ends up... But anywhere more comfortable than standing at a kitchen counter is good."

This time his grin was laced with a lot of innuendo, "I dunno, I like a lady that takes charge...." Taking her hand he lead the way down the hallway to his room. He'd contemplated the sofa, but it would never be a relaxing area again if he did...and he needed that.

Allowing him to lead her to his room, she had to giggle softly to herself. All she could think of was the first time her husband had snuck her into his private quarters at the back of his classroom. The walk seemed innocent laced with the intent of something new and surprising and exciting at the end of the trip.
"Do you want me to just jump you, or would you rather I take it slow?"
There was quite a bit of playful lilt to her voice as she spoke.

Eying her he pondered it very seriously, "You could try, but I think I outweigh you enough that it would be less a pounce and more a kitten hitting the windowpane." Moving to the side of the bed he sat down and drew her between his legs. "Besides, I didn't know this was a full contact sport."

Allowing him to pull her into his 'bubble', she let him think he had her.
"Oh, honey, I'll let you think you're the beast here... Until I'm ready to let you know that you're not. And, trust me, you'll love it."
Leaning over him, letting her hair fall around them, she pressed softly against him before running her lips across his left ear.

Enjoying the sensation of being enveloped in her hair, her scent, Tal slid his hands along her sides. "A beast? Nah, I'm a harmless pussy cat...." Watching her carefully he shivered as her lips touched his skin.