Love is Complicated

You walked up to Lexi’s office with both Cerena and Kiri in tow. It was an interesting contrast.

Cerena was a very voluptuous woman with a wild aura. She was still dressed casually as she strode along with a noticeable confidence. Kiri was dressed in another of her formal kimonos that she preferred for work. This one was white with a gossamer floral pattern. She had a prim and proper aura that matched her graceful movements. These women could not have seemed more different to an observer, yet they got along very well. Kiri was introverted and soft spoken except in the throes of passion where she became dominating and sadistic. Cerena was boisterous and in-your-face but became obedient and submissive in bed.

You never thought of yourself as a particularly greedy man, but you were covetous of both of them. Monogamy was something you had felt so strongly about before you became entangled in the world of monster girls, but now you reveled in the idea of being in a relationship with all of them. You could not imagine giving up a single one. Just the thought made you instinctively put an arm around each woman’s waist to bring them closer.

“You okay, Jim?” Cerena asked at the sudden display.

Kiri remained silent, but looked curious.

“Yeah. I’m just excited. I’m glad we get to make things official.”

“Mr. Mushy again.” Cerena said playfully, poking you with a claw.

“I’m excited too.” Kiri suddenly said. It caught you off guard to hear her verbalize an emotion like that.

“You are?” You asked with a stupid grin on your face.

“Yes. Now that we’ll be living together, I can watch you sleep from inside the apartment.” She said with no indications whether she was being playful or not.

“Are you messing with me?” You said with a chuckle.

Kiri tried to look thoughtful and placed a sleeve in front of her face. “I wonder.”

“You are so cute.” You said with a squeeze, causing the mantis woman to blush and release a reflexive chitter.

“Save it for when we get home, playboy. We’re here.” Cerena cut in with a roll of her eyes.

Stella, Lexi’s human receptionist, gave her greetings and congratulations before letting you in.

Inside Lexi’s office, your devilish aunt…well wife…was working on some paperwork. She was in a suit today, which you had learned was her preference when she had a lot of official work to do and wanted to feel more professional. Although she was centuries old, she looked more like a fresh young executive than a seasoned corporate bigwig. Her red hair was tied up in a tight bun. It was a refreshing mature look on her compared to her typical cute gothic lolita style.

“Honey, we're home.” You called out with a playful smile.

Lexi held up one hand and continued to read some documents. Evidently, she was quite engrossed in her work and needed a few minutes. Picking up on her situation, you guided Cerena and Kiri to the sitting area of Lexi’s office. To her credit, Lexi had a small spread prepared. You weren’t sure if it was for you all specifically, or this was something she did for all new sponsorships. Still, you found it endearing how the little imp had a very thoughtful side to her. Her forethought and ability to anticipate needs had been very helpful to you as you navigated your plunge into devilry.

“Can I get you ladies something to eat or drink while we wait? It looks like she might be a while. I’ve seen that look before.” You said in a slightly hushed tone.

“Why don’t you sit down and let me handle it. We’ve been teasing you, and you have been working all day. I just laid around your office.” Cerena said while placing a gentle hand on your chest.

The touch lingered, and you could sense a mixture of excitement and arousal coming from her. That tough hellhound was feeling mushy herself now that you were about to officially register as a couple. You couldn’t help the urge to tease her in retaliation for earlier. It wasn’t sexual forwardness that got Cerena embarrassed though, it was corny romantic gestures.

“Thanks. I love you very much, my little ember.” You said while gently brushing her cheek.

You purposely emphasized the endearment to get a reaction. You watched amusedly as she stiffened and stared into your eyes. Her ears and tail had initially twitched to alertness, but then they changed to submission. The fires there were not her typical heat of lust, but like the warm inviting flame of a hearth. She looked at you with so much love that you were the one caught off guard.

“Too much? I was just trying it on.” You asked, trying to shake off the embarrassment.

“No…I liked it. It was perfect. You’re perfect.” That raspy deep sound of her voice was music to your ears.

“Let’s not go that far. I’m not–.” You were cut short. Cerena had moved her clawed hand from your chest to your collar. She grabbed it and pulled you in close for a kiss. She let off an exhilarating warmth—her touch radiated like a comforting flame. Her kiss was surprisingly gentle, a blend of intensity and softness, carrying an air of devotion. It was as if she momentarily let down her typical guard, allowing love to flare through in this one, tender gesture. Her kiss left a tingling warmth that lingered on your lips.

Your mind was spinning, and your heart was pounding. When she pulled back and looked at you, her eyes were a soft, unwavering fire of love and devotion, filled with a warmth that wrapped around you like a comforting embrace. It was the kind of look Morgana, Lisbeth, and Lexi gave you sometimes—certainly not something you ever saw from your ex-wife.

Steph had kissed you and stared into your eyes before but you were realizing through your relationships with these wonderful women that her eyes had always been guarded, more calculating than caring, like she was assessing rather than seeing you.

But this look was different. In Cerena’s gaze–in all their gazes, you felt truly seen, truly valued, in a way you hadn't known you could be. Cerena didn’t look at you with expectation or reservation; there was nothing you had to earn or prove. She looked at you in that moment with the kind of love that demanded nothing in return, only that you exist beside her.

“Wow. I…uh…” You stumbled.

“Just sit, lover boy.” She said with a playful push. It was your turn to be obedient.

“Interesting.” Kiri clicked beside you.

Her sudden words shook the pink haze from your mind.

“Sorry, Kiri. I bet doing that right in front of you must be awkward.” You placed a hand on her lap as she was sitting beside you.

“No. You have several mates. It’s expected. We mantids don’t often experience relationships like this and are often more focused on practicality. That looked quite pleasurable though. I would like to try it with you as well.”

You noticed that the hand you placed on her lap had now been covered with the sleeve of her kimono. You felt the hard but sleek surface of her exoskeleton and the strength of her muscles as she held your hand to her. Kiri's body turned toward yours in an open and inviting stance. Her eyes flickered between your lips and your gaze, lingering just a bit longer each time.

You turned towards her and held your palm against her cheek. Rather than stiffen, she seemed to push against your touch. You looked at her while thinking of all the things about her that you loved: her calm demeanor and the way her switch was flipped, the times where her mask cracked and you saw genuine emotions, her lack of social filter, and even the way she had started to learn to tease you. You thought about how much more you wanted to see and learn about her. You thought about all the fun you’d have exposing her to the world.

With all those feelings swirling and gaining strength like a storm in your mind, you reached in and gave her a kiss. There was no animalistic hunger here. No drive simply to mate. This was an expression of feelings. Kiri seemed enamored with the intimacy of it. She shifted herself onto your lap without ever breaking from the kiss and straddled you. You felt as her bladed arms fell over your shoulders to hold you tight, and you reciprocated by wrapping yours around her waist. Despite the hardened carapace that was featured around various parts of her body, the embrace was soft and loving. Kiri eventually pulled back from the kiss and looked into your eyes.

“I really want to mate now.” She said softly so only you could hear.

“I do too, but we can’t right now, remember?” You said just as softly.

“My mother never explained this feeling to me.” She said, still gripping you tightly.

“Love is a hard thing to explain, but we can learn more about it together, right? We’re going to be together for a long time.” You stroked her hair tenderly.

“That makes me happy.” Kiri said with the first full and authentic smile you’d ever seen from her.