Though Jorick's new clothes were all black, he wasn't enthusiastic about them. The TV earned a raised eyebrow, and her bedding choices got barely a mention, though he coughed loudly when she presented him with the teddy bear sheets.

"They were cute, and on sale."

He made a low noise in his throat. "I can imagine why."

As usual, he was summoned by Malick the next evening. She wished she could tackle him to the bed, but she remembered Malick's lesson. There was no ...