Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. I do like playing with the characters though.

Thank you for the very nice reviews of my last chapter. I am so glad that you like Kira; it makes this writer want to continue writing.

Chapter 9

"Am I expecting too much from him?" Beth asked. "What we have is so incredible. You told me that you didn't…uh, you didn't reveal your….uh nature to….."

"To Brad?" Kira asked with a light laugh. "No, I didn't bite but it wasn't easy to resist during sex. It is our nature after all." She didn't want to frighten Beth but there was nothing in the human's reaction to her words to make her think Beth was upset by the subject.

"Is that only with human lovers?" Beth asked curiously, her cheeks turning red. "Is it because of our blood?"

"Goodness no," Kira said grinning widely. "Between vamps its part of our release. Good thing we heal quickly," she added with a wicked twinkle in her eye.

Beth's eyes widened but she grinned back. Then her gaze fell to the marks on her own arm.

"You've given me a lot to think about. You are right Kira, Mick and I do need to have a talk," she reflected.

"Be honest with him but don't let him off the hook," Kira advised. She knew how Mick would try to avoid this conversation. "And make sure that you know what you want before you bring it up. That is very important Beth; let him know that you love him no matter how the talk goes."

Beth nodded, aware of how amazing it was to receive this advice from Kira. She had not forgotten that at one time Kira had been involved with Mick herself. True it was before Beth had been born and Kira was in love with Josef now, but there had been a year where the redhead sitting across from her had been very important to Mick. Beth couldn't help thinking it was very generous of Kira to be helping her understand the vampire world and Mick in particular.

"Thank you Kira, your advice means a lot to me," she told the other woman sincerely. "And may I suggest that tonight you wear that black lace number you picked out last. That one should blow Josef's socks across the room," she added with a giggle.

Kira laughed in delight.

"Good choice. And you dear, should wear the cobalt blue. It was gorgeous on you and will make Mick drool," she advised.

"I think both our men will be pleased," Beth said thinking of Mick's possible reaction to her purchase. She had been unable to resist buying a few things herself. "I enjoyed this afternoon, thank you for including me."

"I had fun too. I do not have many female friends, being gone for fifteen years has made keeping in touch difficult," Kira answered in a subdued tone. "I had not realized how much I missed it."

"I would think living so long would allow you to have many friends," Beth commented thoughtfully.

"Vampires tend to move around a lot so it isn't easy to stay close," Kira replied. "Claudia is one of my few lady friends in town but she wouldn't have enjoyed today."

"Who's Claudia and why wouldn't she have enjoyed shopping?" Beth asked.

"She's a Cleaner and lingerie shopping is not one of her favorite activities," Kira smiled.

"You are friends with a Cleaner?" Beth asked in amazement.

"I met her in the 50s in San Francisco, just before the hippie era began," Kira told her. "Josef was in the New York at the time."

Beth realized that this would have been when Josef had met Sarah Whitley.

"I imagine you could tell some amazing stories," she sighed.

"If I had any talent for writing I could write a best seller," Kira agreed. "Now, what are you and Mick doing tonight?"

"Mick suggested we take a ride up the coast, there is a full moon tonight," Beth answered with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Lovely," Kira approved.

*M*M*

At three AM, Kira went upstairs to her apartment above the club. She expected Josef to be arriving soon, it had been poker night and she knew even if he had won he would probably be a bit grumpy since Mick had skipped the game. She took great care in dressing for his arrival.

The lovely black lace and gauzy negligee and robe were an excellent choice she decided as she looked at her reflection. Beth really did have a good fashion eye and Kira had really enjoyed the afternoon shopping. She felt a close connection to Beth and she had no intention of letting this friendship slip away. And if she had to take Mick by the throat and shake him to make things work with Beth, she would.

Still in her bedroom, she heard the apartment door click open. Peeking out the door she saw Josef go to her wet bar and pour a glass of scotch. Smiling to herself, she went to the dresser and sprayed a light mist of her favorite scent; one that Josef had first given her decades ago.

Slowly opening the door she posed in the doorway in clear view of where Josef sat on her couch savoring his drink. He looked up in expectation and felt his jaw drop open as he beheld the vision before him. Kira was framed in the doorway in a filmy black robe that swirled around her knees and barely covered a gown that ended mid-thigh in a ruffle of lace. The bodice was cut low, just covering Kira's generous curves.

"Did you win big Josef?" she asked in a husky voice.

"Who cares," he answered setting his drink down and rising to his feet. "My God girl…..you are breathtaking."

"That would mean more if breathing were more important to us," Kira said with a low laugh.

"You know what I mean," Josef growled as he crossed the room to her. "Is this what you and Blondie were up to today?"

"Beth and I went shopping. Do you like it?" she purred as he placed his hands on her waist.

"You are absolutely beautiful my dear," Josef confirmed as he drew her close. He leaned down to kiss her neck. "May I suggest you shop with Beth more often?"

Kira slipped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"I am so happy you approve," she whispered.

"If Beth found anything as provocative then I forgive Mick for skipping out on my poker game," Josef murmured as his lips travelled over her soft, scented skin. "Did you really buy this just for me?"

"Yes," Kira sighed as he swept her up into his arms.

"You my girl are a constant surprise and I like it," he chuckled as he carried her to the bed. He gently placed her on the bed and reached up to unbutton his shirt. "You are the perfect reward to the end of a long, tedious business week."

Kira reached up for him as he dropped his shirt on the floor.

"Come here Josef, I can make you forget work," she coaxed.

"I have no doubt of that," Josef smiled as he joined her on the bed. "I am going to have to be very careful not to tear this," he added as he fingered the thin straps of her gown. "I definitely want to see you in this again."

"I can help you with that," Kira said reaching up.

"No, no, I like unwrapping my own presents," Josef scolded as he grabbed her hand and pinned it to the bed. "I promise I'll be careful."

"As you wish," Kira laughed softly. "I would never dream of spoiling your fun."

"You are my fun," Josef informed her as his mouth closed over hers.

*M*M*

The sky was turning brighter blue hours later as Josef, clad only in his pants, was enjoying a glass of AB neg. and watching in admiration as Kira negotiated with one of her suppliers over the phone. He couldn't help but think the man would have capitulated immediately if he could see Kira in the black robe that hid nothing. However if Josef had anything to say about it, no other man would have this view.

"Why do they think they can cheat me?" Kira said in annoyance as she clicked off her phone. "If he wants my business he had better deliver exactly what I ordered and at the price he originally quoted."

"That's my girl, I taught you well," Josef approved and patted the cushion next to him. "Come, sit down and forget about him."

Kira sat next to him and slid her hand along his bare shoulder.

"I learned from the best," she said kissing him quickly. "I will not accept blood taken forcefully from humans."

"That is just the type of practice that could blow our secret out of the water," Josef said in disgust.

"I won't serve that in my club. And that reminds me…" Kira said thinking of her conversation with Beth. "I am helping Beth to understand our world. The girl is desperate to know more and she doesn't want to make mistakes. Mick is still trying to shield her from things. And I suspect she isn't as anti-bite as he thinks."

"I knew you two women would talk and I figured Blondie wasn't as put off by the thought as she pretended. Now how do you plan to change Mick's mind?" he grinned as he put his arm around her shoulders.

"I think Beth will handle that out all on her own. I answered her questions about biting and sex and I won't be surprised if she brings it up with Mick very soon," Kira said, smiling at the thought.

"I admire your optimism beautiful," Josef laughed and kissed her cheek. "My money is on the blonde, she can be tenacious when she's on a mission."

"She is good for Mick," Kira said softly.

"You might be right," Josef agreed. "But enough talk about Mick and Beth. When do I get to see what else this shopping trip resulted in?"

"Play your cards right and I'll model more for you tonight," she promised seductively.

End chapter.

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