Dana carefully positioned the fire opal in his long tweezers into the setting he designed specifically for it.

It was an unusual shape, and he hadn't done anything to change its oblong, off-center form. He polished it, of course, and chipped away the stone clinging to it.

He sighed in satisfaction when the stone settled easily within the baguette. Putting aside the tweezers, he picked up another tool, this one padded, and carefully closed the spread prongs around the stone. Within moments, the stone was secure, and he sat back to study it.

Dana glanced around at the chime that told him someone was in the office. He stood from the stool and tugged off the gloves. He found Harri sorting mail at the desk.

"Got that info you wanted," Harri said, not looking up.

"What info?" Dana pushed his chair aside and shuffled through the mail. Nothing he needed to tend to right away.

"Miss Vivienne Mathis." Harri handed over a flash drive.

"Oh." Dana forgot about that.

"You forgot."

"Yes," Dana shook his head. "I don't know if I should have this, after all."

Harri shrugged. "Put it away. Nothing earth-shattering or alarming. Average credit score, no car in her name, no siblings, etc."

Dana nodded, tossing the drive into a drawer. "I'm assembling the ring for the Fire collection."

"Well get back to it," Harri shooed him with an envelope. "I'll handle things while you're in there."

"I have a date tonight," Dana called after her.

"With Miss Vivienne, I hope."

"Yes," Dana's smile grew soft. "I'm feeling good about her."

"Good," Harri smiled. "You deserve it."

"Ah," Dana chuckled. "It's one date, so far," he cautioned. "There's no telling what could happen."

"Think positive," Harri advised, waving as she hurried to her desk to answer the phone.

Dana was positive he had no idea what he was doing.

And that was terrifying.

And wondrous.

***

Vee frowned at the clothes strewn across her bed. She stood wrapped in a towel that strained across her impressive bosom and broad hips. She had her braids held up and back by an old banana clip. Sheri sat on one of her Papasan chairs, going through jewelry.

"She didn't say where you're goin'?"

"No," Vee sighed. She picked up a sleek emerald green off-the-shoulders sheath dress. She dropped it and considered her dark sunflower yellow wraparound dress.

"I can't decide," she growled.

"Wear the black," Sheri suggested, laying out gold bangle bracelets with dangle tear-drop earrings. "It shows off your legs and your tits."

"Yeah, and all this jiggle under my arms too," Vee mourned.

"You're a thick chick," Sheri pointed out. "She likes it. So go with it." Sheri stood, waltzing out after delivering her sage advice.

Vee pressed her lips together and dug the black dress out of the pile.

Okay, then.

An hour later, she checked herself in the mirror on her closet door and had to admit she looked good. At a shade over five feet, she was compact and curvaceous. The dress accented all the best points of her figure.

The dress hit just below her knees in the front with a fancy train that fluttered around her ankles from the back. The slouched cutout shoulders didn't expose much of her batwings, and a diamond-shaped cutout gave a tantalizing view of her abundant cleavage.

With the gold jewelry Sheri picked out, she looked dressy but not too dressy. The gold and black platform heels gave her two inches.

"Vee! Your ride's here!" Sheri yelled.

Gulping with sudden nerves, she scooped up her purse, a sensible-sized crossbody that held her wallet and phone. At the last minute, she grabbed a glittery black shawl with gold accents and hustled out to the door.

Vee blinked up at the tall Black man standing on their porch. He wasn't as tall as Dana, but he got damn close. He wore a suit and held a little cap in one hand.

Was he a chauffeur?

"Miss Vivienne?"

Speechless, she nodded.

"I'm Walter." He bowed...who does that? "I'll be driving you this evening."

"Oh, well," she cleared her throat, shrugging the shawl over her shoulders and looping the ends over her elbows. "Okay. Thank you."

He smiled, teeth blinding white against his dark complexion. "My pleasure ma'am. Do you need more time?"

"Oh, no, I'm ready." She hoped that wasn't a lie. She stepped up and blinked when Walter offered his arm.

"I won't wait up," Sheri muttered.

Vee tossed her a quelling look and let Walter escort her down their porch to the crumbling walk to the street.

The Escalade limo idling at the curb barely made a sound. Walter opened the rear passenger door and helped her in.

She gasped at the huge bouquet of wildflowers waiting for her in the seat.

"Oh my God!" she squealed, feeling like a princess. She picked them up and inhaled the mixed scents.

"I'm glad you like them."

Vee whipped around to find Dana sitting across from her. In the waning light of dusk and the dim glow of the dome light, her green eyes glowed with pleasure.

"You scared the shit out of me!" Vee whispered.

An abashed grin lit those eyes up. "Sorry. We're ready, Walter."

With a nod, Walter closed her door and went around the rear of the car to take his place behind the wheel. Within seconds they were underway.

"You look fabulous."

Vee plucked at the flowers in her lap and smiled. "I wasn't sure how dressy to go," she admitted.

Dana laughed softly. "You could wear cut-off jeans with a halter and look perfect."

"Now you're teasing me," Vee accused with humor. "There's no halter top in the world that could hold these bowling balls in place."

"One can dream," Dana sighed. "I wasn't sure what flowers you liked," she nodded to the bouquet. "Or if you might be allergic."

"Oh," Vee chuckled. "I've never had anything but roses, and only after they fucked up." She gently placed the bouquet on the seat beside her.

Dana shifted a bit in her seat. "I hope I won't need flowers to apologize. But just in case, do you like roses?"

"Not really," Vee confessed. "I love simple flowers, like mums and daisies. Tulips and orchids are nice in small doses. We have a magnolia tree in the backyard. I love when it blooms."

Dana nodded. "Noted. It's good to see you, mooi."

"You too," and she was breathless again. Dana's velvety tones just stroked her ears like nothing else. "Why are you way over there?"

"I wanted you to find the flowers," Dana replied. "And this is the best place to look at you."

Vee laughed, flattered, and feeling flushed. "You'll be looking at me for hours, though."

"Ma cher," Dana purred, eyes darkening, "I could look at you every moment of every day for years and never see you enough."

Vee swallowed, heat pooling in her nether regions. "Dana," she murmured, "I don't know how to act when you say things like that."

Sweet, soft laughter flowed between them. Dana moved to sit beside her, bringing a wave of that light citrusy scent that was uniquely hers. "You deserve sweet words, mooi," she said, "and I speak from the heart."

Vee peered at her taking in the dark, high-waist slacks with a hunter-green poet's blouse, Dana topped it with another duster, this one a sequined number that fell to her knees. She wore a mossy green pendant on a silver choker chain and matching stud earrings. She outlined her eyes again, and Vee felt like she could drown in those wide, shining orbs.

"Where are we going for dinner?"

"P. F. Chang. Ever been?"

"No, I don't think I've ever even heard of it."

"It's Asian cuisine. Lo mein, dim sum, sushi, and such."

"Oh, I love lo mein!" Vee cried.

"Good. Theirs is wonderful. I thought you might enjoy some dancing," Dana added, "to work up an appetite. But if you'd rather eat first, we can."

"No, Dana, that's fine with me."

"You called me baby last night," Dana reminded her softly.

Vee blushed, clearing her throat. "Did you like that?"

"I really did," Dana nodded, holding her gaze.

"Noted," Vee winked and basked in Dana's laughter. "So, where are we going dancing?"

"1851."

Vee squealed, launching herself into Dana's arms. "I haven't been there in years! Their drag shows are ah-mazing!"

"Good," Dana embraced her eagerly. "I wasn't sure you would be comfortable at a gay bar."

"Oh, no," Vee sighed, nerves forgotten. And Dana's arms felt wonderful around her. "I'm good with that."

"You're adorable," Dana brushed a kiss across her cheek, and she turned her head, so their lips met.

Dana sighed, stroking a thumb down her cheek. She peppered kisses on Vee's lips, making her laugh at her antics.

"Kiss me, dammit!" Vee demanded.

"I am kissing you," Dana said, kissing her.

"No, no, no," Vee caught her head, amazed at how soft her dark flaming curls were. "Kiss me for real," she whispered.

"Now, this is why I wasn't sitting beside you," Dana breathed against her lips. "I knew I couldn't keep my hands off you."

"I don't want you to keep your hands off me," Vee challenged.

Her belly flipped over when Dana's eyes flared, and she flicked her tongue at her lips.

Vee sighed, parting her lips in a sweet invitation, and Dana dove in, licking and nipping the lower lip before delving within.

"Mm," Vee moaned, fencing with Dana's tongue.

She quivered when those hands skimmed down to rest on her hips, squeezing gently. Dana trailed kisses across her cheek, nipping her chin before gliding down her throat.

"So beautiful," Dana whispered, causing ripples of heat to skitter across Vee's skin. "You're a siren, come to enthrall me."

"Oh, my God," Vee whispered.

She was a live wire, her scrap of panties dampening. She tunneled her fingers into Dana's thick hair, scraping her scalp with her nails.

A soft growl rumbled in her throat, and she took a gentle bite of the swell of Vee's breasts, soothing it with her tongue a moment later.

"I was so horny after talking to you yesterday," Vee whispered, breath quickening when Dana's questing hands found their way under her skirt. "I was fantasizing about you when you called back."

"Nasty thoughts, darling?" Dana asked, her voice husky. "Did you use your hands or a toy? Tell me."

"A toy," she groaned, legs parting like the Red Sea when Dana stroked her inner thigh.

"Did I interrupt you?" Dana licked the seam between her breasts, dropping lingering, open-mouth kisses on the warm globes.

"Yes," Vee gasped when Dana's fingers found her core and gently stroked along her mound. "But you got me off, baby."

"Mm," Dana moaned, nibbling, and licking her shoulder. "You sounded so hot for me, mooi. Were you wet, like you are now?"

"Yes," Vee groaned, hips lifting, begging.

Dana laughed softly, stroking her slit through her panties with the flat of her thumb. "Do you want to get off with me again, Vivienne?"

"Fuck yeah!"

Dana buried her face in Vee's tits, plying both thumbs to her soaking slit. She circled her clit before applying pressure, stroking, and teasing.

"Oh shit," Vee was panting, quivering with need.

She groaned when Dana finally sought the heated flesh under her panties, stroking her slick lips before sinking two of those elegant fingers within her.

"Baby, yes," Vee rolled her hips, riding Dana's digits.

With a growl Dana surged over her, commanding her lips apart and invading Vee's mouth. Dana pushed her back until she crushed the flowers. Their scent filled the cabin, and Dana twisted her wrist, bringing a third finger into play. Vee groaned and grasped Dana's shoulders, hips working. When Dana circled her clit with her thumb and then pressed down, Vee exploded.

Sparks flew before her eyes as the orgasm swept over her, thundering through her body, and leaving her limp and gasping.

Dana released her mouth licking and kissing her lips, down her throat to nuzzle at her breasts.

"So hot, cher," she whispered. "You are so fucking sexy."

"Oh my God," Vee whispered. "Let me..." she couldn't do words yet, so she reached for Dana, skimming a hand down her flat belly to the waistband of her slacks.

"Shh, no need, darling." Dana caught her wrist gently, lifting her hand to kiss her fingertips. "This was my pleasure, believe me."

"But I want to," Vee sighed, trying to catch her breath. "I want to touch you."

Was that fear in Dana's eyes? It was gone so fast Vee couldn't be sure.

"No need, cher. And no time. We're here."

***

Was it possible for a human being to spontaneously combust?

Dana never gave the notion much credit. The science just wasn't there, and anecdotal incidents didn't quite cover the questions such an event would raise.

That is, until Vivienne, in all her curvy beauty got into the Escalade and found the flowers.

And smiled at him.

And invited him to sit next to her.

And begged to be kissed.

And then responded to his touch so gloriously Dana knew he was more than ruined.

He was conquered.

The moment Vee came so beautifully on his fingers was life-altering. Dana felt his world shift and knew he would never be the same.

She was his siren. His Aphrodite.

Dana wasn't exaggerating when he told Vee he was enthralled.

The lights and music of the club gave him a bit of space to calm his heated body, but he promised Vee dancing.

And he loved to dance. Dana, along with Dane and Rik, had joined twins Hunter & Hannah Carlisle in a teen pop band. Hunter's best friend Kai Fitzgerald, called Fitz by friends, rounded out the group.

They quit right before college when Hannah's eyesight began to fail due to a rare genetic condition. They all went on to get grown-up responsible work that did not involve gyrating on stage to screaming tween fans.

Dana watched Vee take in the sights and sounds of the club.

"Wow, it's even better than I remember."

Despite the pounding beat, Dana heard her. He dared to lean close, placing his mouth near Vee's ear and nearly shattering his control.

"Let's find a table and get a drink."

Vee nodded, oblivious to the pain and hunger Dana was battling beside her.

"Okay, baby."

Dana couldn't suppress a shiver of delight. Vee took his hand and tugged. He willingly followed; eyes drawn to the snug-fitting fabric that put all those divine curves on display.

They found a table near the stage and settled in with their chairs close together. Dana lifted a hand to hail one of the drag queen servers and laid an arm on the back of Vee's chair.

She turned to him with a smile, those golden eyes bright and shining. Dana smiled back, noting a few petals clinging to the ends of her braids. She smelled like wildflowers and her own purely feminine aroma.

Dana wouldn't need a drop of alcohol to get drunk. All he had to do was breathe in the woman next to him.

The server arrived and Vee asked for a cosmo. Dana ordered a flight of top-shelf vodka shots.

Vee arched a brow. "That's hardcore."

Dana chuckled. "If I'm drinking, I'm going to drink the good stuff."

Vee bounced in her seat to the beat, making her ample bosom bounce along with her. Dana resigned himself to being aroused for the rest of his life, at least as long as he was in the same hemisphere as this woman.

"You always drink straight liquor?"

"I don't do watered-down pretty concoctions," Dana explained. "I want the good stuff."

"As long as you're not waking up with the mother of hangovers."

Dana shook his head and nodded thanks to the server when their drinks were delivered. "Open a tab please." Dana handed over his card and the queen teetered away on fuck-me heels.

"They have pool tables if you want to play," Dana offered. He started methodically slamming the shots.

Vee's brows rose, sipping her drink daintily. "Are you gonna play for real?"

Dana slammed the last shot and spun the glass on the coaster. "Not if you want to get a shot in," he winked.

"Bitch," Vee chuckled playfully.

"We can play our question game," Dana suggested. "I promise to not lose on purpose."

"You're on."

***

Vee racked the balls while Dana selected a pool cue. He noticed eyes on his date and smiled.

He had one of the gems of the evening on his arm. Dana watched a few butch chicks saunter by, giving Vee's ass and tits a long look. He stood quietly when a hulking guy stepped up and eased his hip onto the corner of the table.

"You playin' tonight, baby?" he rumbled.

Dana chuckled when Vee looked down her nose at him. "Not with you, and I ain't ya baby. Get off the table."

"Don't be like that, now," he cajoled. "I got what you need, baby. Can't no dyke fill you up like I can."

Vee laughed in his face, and Dana shook his head.

"Dana, come here, baby."

Summoned, Dana strolled over and let Vee take his hand, the one he used to make her come. He watched her hold those fingers up to the guy's face, right under his nose. Dana used wipes to clean his hands before they got out of the car, but he knew Vee's scent lingered.

"Smell that?" Vee asked the intrusive man. "That's the closest you go'n get to this pussy. Now fuck off."

Dana laughed. Oh lord, so hard. He dropped an arm around his siren's waist and delighted in the snuggle.

"Dyke bitch," the man muttered and stormed off.

Vee shook her head at his retreating back. "The fuck, man. It's a gay bar. It takes a special kinda stupid to try to pick up chicks in a gay bar," Vee added, "when you're a guy."

Dana couldn't help himself. He kissed those pouty, lightly glossed lips because he could.

"You're a goddess," he murmured. "And I am your willing devotee."

"There you go," Vee sighed, leaning into him. "Making me hot with those sweet words again."

"Darlin', I got a million of 'em," Dana drawled, skimming his hands over Vee's luscious curves.

"Get a room!" someone called.

They laughed along with many others and reluctantly moved apart.

"Your break," Vee winked and went to get a cue stick.

Taking a deep breath, Dana surveyed the table and took the shot. He sunk a solid and a stripe.

"Lady's choice," he told Vee at the other end of the table.

"Solid."

"How many toys do you have?"

Those satiny cheeks darkened, even in the dim lighting.

"Five."

"Types?"

Vee wrinkled her nose. "Two vibes, an anal toy, a rabbit, and a strap-on."

Dana's knees threatened to buckle, the image of Vee playing with herself almost too much. And the strap-on.

God.

Trying to settle his trembling hands, he lined up a shot and missed.

Of course.

"Why do you drink straight liquor, despite the pain of a hangover?"

"I can't get drunk," Dana shrugged.

Vee frowned. "Everybody can get drunk."

"Dane and I were conjoined," he explained, "sharing an oversized liver. When they separated us, we each got half. As we grew, so did the liver. Ours is about twice the size of the average, and it's about three times more efficient. Probably a holdover from when it had to support both of us." 

Vee's brows went up. "Damn, that's convenient."

"It can be. In college, when we needed money, we would challenge jocks to drinking contests. We made a mint."

"Not fair," Vee laughed.

"No, but fun. Your shot, mooi."

Vee sauntered around the table and Dana willingly tortured himself watching those heavenly hips sway. The play of the dark stretchy fabric over her body made Dana's guts clench in need.

When Vee leaned over to take a shot, her breasts pressed up and forward, Dana couldn't look away. He didn't even register what she sank.

"Okay, don't take this wrong," Vee began.

Dana blinked up at her, trying to focus on her words while he battled carnal urges. Vee came around the table, those golden eyes shining in earnest concern. When she got close, she leaned in. "Why won't you let me touch you? Is it the physical anomalies?"

The lust bubble shattered and Dana swallowed, suddenly nauseous with anxiety and fear.

Shit.

Was it too soon? Would Vee drop him the minute she knew?

Dana cleared his throat. "Um. Those...physical anomalies I mentioned? They are...significant. Like...almost freakish?" Dana sighed and shook his head. "It's not something we can discuss in a bar," he finished quietly.

He watched Vee, those hazel eyes deep. She nodded and lifted up on her tiptoes to kiss Dana on the chin. "Okay, baby. Can we talk about it over dinner?"

And just like that, the panic attack stopped.

Dana nodded, slayed. Completely slayed. Vivienne was a goddess in every possible way.

***

Vee was sizzling with pent-up lust when they finally left the bar. Dana was a spectacular dancer, moving fluidly to the music. Every time they touched Vee felt sparks.

Her poor panties would need wringing out before the night was over.

The flowers were moved to the other seat when Dana helped her into the Escalade.

"That's the best time I've had in a long time," Dana smiled.

"Me too," Vee smiled back because it was true.

She shifted closer, laying a hand on Dana's lean thigh. When Dana dropped her arm around her shoulders, Vee snuggled closer, breathing in the clean citrusy scent of her.

"You smell like lemons," she murmured.

Dana laughed. "And you smell like flowers."

"I'm not wearing perfume," Vee said. "Sheri is allergic, so I don't bother."

"Then it's all you, mooi."

She peered up at Dana through her lashes. "How do you smell like lemons?"

Dana shrugged. "My sisters make soap and self-care products, all-natural and herb-based. It's probably the  lemongrass they use."

"Damn," Vee shook her head. "Now I gotta know all their names and what they do."

"Okay," Dana nodded. "The oldest pair is Violet and Velvet. They took over Pappa's construction business and expanded it into development and architecture. They designed and built our house.

"Cybele and Celeste are the artisans. They have a whole line of natural soaps, washes, and lotions for skin care, hair care, all of that."

"Jerika and Justina run Black Swans Designs. Tatyana and Titania are publishers, and Inanna and Isis are lawyers."

"And what about Dane and Yurika?"

"Dane is a psychologist, and Yurika is a geologist, mineral expert, and archeologist. They're both top in their fields."

"And you design jewelry."

Dana nodded. "Yes, and make it as well."

"So where does the money for a limo driver come from?"

"I robbed a bank in college."

Vee sat up and faced her with a frown. "Bullshit!"

"Yes, that's bullshit." Dana dissolved in laughter when Vee rolled her eyes.

"Quit it," she scolded, but she was laughing too. "I just want to make sure you're not breaking yourself trying to woo me."

"I'm not, darling, I promise," Dana raised a palm. "I make more than enough money to treat you to whatever your heart desires."

Vee regarded her with narrowed eyes, but her face was open, vibrant eyes dancing with merriment.

"I mean it, Dana. I don't need limos and fancy dinners. I just want you."

Dana took a deep breath, eyes going soft. "I want you, too, Vivienne."

Vee bit her lip, wanting to address the elephant in the car, but not sure if she should. Stark terror had shone from those eyes at the bar when she asked Dana about her body. She didn't want to scare off the best thing to happen to her...ever...being nosy.

"So," Dana said slowly, then cleared her throat. "My physical anomalies."

Vee waited, giving her time to speak.

"Well, when we were kids, I was Dane's identical twin. Brother."

Vee didn't blink. "Did you transition?"

Dana shook her head slowly, holding her gaze. "I was a boy, as far as anyone knew. A few months before we turned twelve, I woke up with horrible pain, cramps, and nausea. I had no idea what was going on, but Rik did. She got her period right after we turned eleven.

"Mamma took us to the doctor, and after CAT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs, they found I have a vestigial uterus and an enlarged ovary. The uterus is not attached to anything except the maverick ovary, but it pumps out the hormones that make my body think it's female enough for a menstrual cycle and breasts."

Wait a minute...

"Wait a minute," Vee bit her bottom lip and thought this through. "You have a dick?!"

Dana closed her..his?... eyes and nodded.

"And..." Vee went on, working it out, "tits."

Dana nodded again, opening eyes that were dark with fear and pain.

"So," Vee took a deep breath. "You didn't want me to see that last night."

"I didn't want a Crying Game incident."

Vee frowned. "That happened to you before?"

Dana nodded, looking away.

"Oh, baby." Vee moved close, cupping Dana's face and urging her to meet her gaze. "I would never do something like that to you. I have no problem with your anomalies."

Dana coughed, those eyes glistening. "I hoped you wouldn't, but I had hoped that before."

"Baby, you're beautiful," Vee insisted. "I'm dying over here wanting to get in your panties." She frowned.  "Do you wear panties?"

"Boxer briefs." A flash of humor twitched Dana's lips.

"Okay, your boxer briefs. Anyway, you are more than the sum of your parts. Even if some assholes don't appreciate them, I do."

Dana crushed Vee into her arms. "Thank you," she whispered. "You have no idea how much that means."

Vee stroked her hair, pressing a kiss to the soft curls. "I'm so sorry, baby."

"Why?"

"You didn't know you could trust me with this, and that's on me."

Dana laughed, sitting back. Her cheeks were wet with unabashed tears, but her eyes were clear and brimming with relief. "I didn't think dropping a bomb like, 'by the way, I'm a dude with tits, and I was born this way, but I didn't know until I was twelve' would be a good start to our second date."

"Third," Vee corrected.

Dana laughed harder.

"What?"

"Dane agrees with you."

***

P. F. Chang occupied a cushy spot in Downtown Fort Worth near Sundance Square. They were shown to a quiet table and the waiter took their drink orders, leaving them with menus.

"So," Vee nibbled her lip. "I have some questions."

Dana nodded slowly. "Okay."

"I don't wanna get too personal."

"No, please." Dana smiled. "No one outside my family has ever wanted to talk about this. At least, not because they wanted to understand."

"So," Vee's eyes narrowed, her temper simmering on Dana's behalf, "people treated you like a freak."

Dana pressed her lips together. "Pretty much," she said quietly. "The doctor tried to talk our parents into doing 'corrective surgery.'" Dana made air quotes.

Vee was speechless for a few seconds. "Like something was wrong with you? Fucker," she growled.

Dana took a sip of water and waited.

"Okay," Vee took a drink herself and a deep breath. "So, do you prefer to be referred to as he or she?"

"Neither, actually," Dana answered. "I still think of myself as male, and my family and longtime friends refer to me as male, but I don't correct people that call me 'she'. I'm not one or the other.

"Some days I tend to feel more masculine and some I wanna be soft and femme. The term used to be hermaphrodite. Now we're called intersex."

"Okay. Does it bother you to be called she, or he?"

"Not at all," Dana lifted a shoulder. "In a way, both are correct. Ish."

Vee decided she would start thinking of Dana as male since he did. Sheri was gonna love this.

"So, are you...fully equipped...male-y speaking?"

"My only outward femme feature is the tits. Otherwise, bat and balls are fully accounted for."

Vee snorted at the humor in Dana's eyes. "All right then, can you get a woman pregnant?"

"It's a remote possibility," Dana smiled. "While they were doing all their tests, they found I have all the working parts of the gun, but not enough bullets."

Vee shook her head at Dana's euphemisms. "Is Dane like you? Intersex?"

"No, but he does have twice the normal male sperm count. Looks like he got all mine, the greedy bastard."

Vee snorted again, almost inhaling water from her glass. "Stop, you're gonna kill me."

"Sorry," Dana did not sound or look sorry. She...He... looked happy. "I'm enjoying this very much, by the way."

"Good," Vee calmed her inflamed sinuses. "I'm happy to entertain you. Now, what did your parents do about the 'fix it' doctor?"

"Pappa had to restrain Mamma, and they both cussed him out, Mamma in Afrikaans, Pappa in isiZulu. Then Mamma found us a doctor that specialized in intersex healthcare. I've been with her since."

"Bitchin'." That improved her mood. She was relieved that Dana had support from her...his..family. "So, what do they call it, just intersex?"

"There're four major categories. It's believed to be caused by either a mix-up in genes or hormones or both. My case is true gonadal intersex, which has no clear cause, but the theory was that my proximity to Dane in the womb may have contributed, but there's no precedent.

"Since we split from one egg, it's possible I got an overdose of estrogen or an underdose of testosterone en utero. Aside from an occasional bout of jaundice from my oversized liver, and sporadic menstrual cramps, I'm healthy."

"Okay, what are we eating?" Vee looked over the menu. "I'm clueless again, so order for me."

"Do you like it when I do that?"

Vee gave...him a coy look. "It's kinda sexy."

Dana smiled at her. "Do you like spicy food?"

"Yup."

Dana nodded, glancing at the menu, then back to Vee. "More questions?"

"You don't mind?"

"I'm happy to tell you whatever I can."

"Okay, so when you come...what happens?"

"Post-nut clarity. Then I go to sleep."

Vee laughed out loud. Dana's mischievous grin didn't help.

"No really."

"The ship sails with a skeleton crew of seamen."

"Oh, lord!" Vee quit trying to stop snorting. "What am I gonna do with you?"

"Whatever you want, mooi," Dana vowed, eyes hooded and smoldering.

"Promise?" Vee whispered, suddenly hot and horny again.

"Swear to god."

Vee was planning to hold Dana to that.