Family, page 2
part #4 of Five Fangs Series
"Help!" I called and held up my arms. "The bed is eating me!"
With a sharp bark of laughter, he followed me down and laid on top of me, his big body smushing me even further into the death-trap mattress.
"Mason, you're too heavy!" I squealed. "We'll sink through to the floor!"
This time, he laughed so hard, he snorted.
"Oh, baby, I love you," he chuckled.
"I love you, too."
He kissed me gently, then raised his head and stared down at me.
"Wait here for a second. I have something for you."
"You don't need to give me a gift." I frowned and held his face in my palms. "You already gave me flowers and took me out to dinner and—"
"And you deserved all of that and so much more. If it makes you feel better, though, I didn't spend a dime on it."
"Oh." Now I was curious. "What is it?"
"I'll be right back."
And he was. In less than a minute, he returned with both of our bags and set them on the little desk. Then he reached into the side pocket of his, took out a white envelope, and brought it over to me.
As he held it out, I watched him rub the back of his neck nervously and wondered why. Taking it with a confused frown, I opened the envelope and pulled out a handmade card.
"Oh!" Tears stung my eyes. "Did you— Did you make this?"
"With Peri's help. We each made you one. Sorry mine's not very creative, and my handwriting is garbage, even though I tried to write as neatly as I could. Anyway, she said my words were what mattered."
At the insecure look in his eyes, my chest tightened painfully.
Oh, my heart.
Looking back at the card, I opened it and read his words, and my eyes lost the fight to hold the tears back. They skimmed down my cheeks and dripped off my jaw.
He grabbed the box of tissues from the side table, laid down next to me, and blotted my face dry, then handed me one to blow my nose.
"Mason, I love you so much. You never have to do anything to earn forgiveness other than be sorry and regret what you did," I sniffed as I stated into his glistening gray eyes. "Are you— Are you really proud of me? You didn't write that just because I told you I was proud of myself, did you?"
"My sweet girl. I am proud of you. We all are. We are proud to be your mates, and we're so blessed that you are ours." He pecked my forehead, my cheeks, my nose, my chin, and finally my lips. "Now my brothers want to say good night to you."
"Is it bedtime already?"
"It's just after nine, but Ash is fading fast and Cole's not too far behind. It was a stressful day for all of us."
So I linked each of my mates, blew them a kiss, and told them good night. It wasn't as satisfying as when we were all in bed together, but we made do.
After I closed the link, I stared up at Mason for a moment, then fought my way out of the body-sucking bed to grab him by the ears and pull him in for a long, lingering kiss.
"Hmm. Wyatt promised me a tangle of sweaty limbs tonight." I pooched out my bottom lip. "Are you going to keep his promise?"
A sexy smirk appeared on his face and I was once more smooshed under his big, hard body.
"Of course I am," he murmured. "Any special requests?"
"Just you inside me," I said, then covered my red face with my hands.
"I can guarantee that happening." He pulled my hands away, wanting to kiss me, but I held him back.
"Wait! My card! Put it somewhere safe first," I told him. "I don't want anything to happen to it."
He did as I asked, picking it up and laying it on the side table closest to him, then settled next to me.
"Now," he growled playfully, "where were we?"
Next thing I knew, our clothes were in a pile on the floor and his face was buried between my thighs. His busy mouth had me twisting and moaning in seconds, and his harsh grunts and deep-throated hums excited me even more.
"Mason!" I cried out as I came, my fingers digging into the soft blanket beneath me.
He slid up my panting body and spread my knees wide, then braced one hand beside my head and used the other to guide himself to my dripping entrance, carefully pushing into me until he was as deep as he could go.
"What do you feel, baby?" he murmured as he hovered over me.
"You!" I gasped. "I feel you! So big and hard inside me!"
"And you're so gorgeous with me inside you," he murmured as he began to slowly thrust in and out. "Am I getting it right for you, Posy?"
"You're making me lose my mind!" I latched onto his tattooed forearms and rocked my hips in time with his. "Am I getting it right for you?"
"So good, so good, so good," he chanted. "You always feel so damn good."
Then he dropped to his elbows and buried his face in my neck, his mouth hot and greedy as it sucked my mate mark.
"Mason?" I whined.
Closing my eyes and tipping my head back, I wrapped my quivering legs around his waist and locked my ankles behind his back.
How had he brought me to the edge of an orgasm so quickly?
"Already, little flower?" he snickered.
A low moan was my only answer.
His hand snaked between us to massage my nub, and I fell apart at the seams with his name on my lips.
Then he picked up the pace and rode me hard and fast, and I came twice more before his big body went taut and still.
As I floated in glittery clouds for the third time, he growled and playfully gave me a couple more jerky pokes. That tickled and made me giggle, and without thinking about it, I clamped my inner walls down on his softening penis a few times, and gasped when I felt it swell and harden again.
He snarled and pulled out of me, making me worry that I did something wrong, but when he rolled me over onto my stomach, I realized what he wanted, and anticipation raised goosebumps all over my skin. He lifted my hips with urgent hands, gripped my bum cheeks and spread me open with his thumbs, then sank his diamond-hard length into me and hammered away as if he hadn't climaxed seconds ago.
He hit the right spot with every thrust, and I came continually as he pumped into me like a machine. My boy could last for a long time, to my very great pleasure, and my arms and legs were trembling like crazy before he finally lowered his chest to my back and cupped my shaking breasts in his palms.
"I'm going to come, baby," he rasped in my ear. "Do you need more or can you come, too?"
"I ... haven't ... stopped ... coming!" I panted, then moaned as another burst of pleasure hit me.
He roared with laughter as he finished, and his heavy body dropped and drove me deep into the mattress before he rolled onto his side. Gathering my limp, shuddering body into his arms, he placed dozens of kisses all over my face and neck, and I couldn't stop the tears as they streaked down my cheeks.
"I know, baby," he said, his chest heaving as he sucked down air. "I know. It's intense, isn't it?"
I nodded, but didn't have the wind or energy to open my mouth.
"Goddess!" he said in a husky chuckle. "I've never had back to back orgasms. Then again, my hand doesn't begin to compare with your tight, wet warmth. That was amazing, Posy. You are amazing!"
My face burned as I shoved it in his neck, but I was too wiped out to do more than kiss his mate mark. Shivering under my lips, he pulled me more fully on top of him, and I lay there lifelessly as I began to drift off.
"My exhausted flower." He kissed my temple and squeezed me tight in his ink-covered arms. "You've had a very long, stressful day, and we're getting up early in the morning, so get some sleep, my little baby."
I opened my mouth and a yawn came out, but I managed to push out a "K" on a puff of air.
"Good night, Posy. I love you."
"Goo nigh. Wuv oo, May."
And I fell asleep as his chest rumbled with chuckles under my ear.
#
Lark
Garnet's deep voice called my name, luring me out of sleep, and I slowly blinked and stretched.
Garnet? I murmured. What is it, my love?
My boy wants to see you, sweetheart.
Surprise woke me up quickly.
He does?
Yes. Will you please shift and come out to visit with him?
But Posy—
She knows, sweetheart, and approves. They talked about it yesterday. But only if you're okay with it, Garnet hurried to assure me. If you're not, he will understand.
Oh. No. It fine. If he sure?
He is. Garnet winked and gave me a smile. And I'm always here if you need me, sweetheart.
I know, my love. Thank you. I smiled back.
Hesitating, I looked around first. Now dressed in a clean t-shirt and boxers, his damp hair evidence he'd already showered, Mason lay next to Posy on the bed, propped on one elbow as he stared down at her sleeping face.
"Lark?" he said softly. "I'm sorry if Garnet woke you. I would have waited, precious."
You really want to see me? I asked just as softly.
"Yes. I miss you. It's been a while since we talked and even longer since I've seen you. Are you nervous with me?"
Oh. No. It just, you busy with Posy. I lowered my eyes and heard Garnet begging to know why I was sad.
"Lark, please shift." Mason sat up and moved to rest his back against the headboard. "I'm not too busy for you. Not ever."
Drawing up my courage, I put the moon magic to work and soon stood on the bed on my own paws.
"I keep forgetting how small and cute you are." Mason grinned and held out a fist for me to smell. "I'd really love to hold you, precious, but only if you want that. Don't be afraid to say no if you don't. I won't be mad or upset."
Cautiously, I moved closer and put a paw on his knee. He patted his lap, encouraging me, and I hopped up onto his legs, careful of my claws so I didn't accidentally scratch him. Then I laid the top of my head on his chest and rolled it around, inviting him to pet me, and he obliged.
For nearly an hour, he rubbed my ears and petted my fur, careful to be gentle with his strong hands that were so large, he could cup my whole head in them - or I was just that small. All the while, we chatted about any number of things, just like Posy did with Quartz, and happiness hummed in my heart to experience this.
Oh, sweetheart, Garnet murmured. I'm so glad you're happy, but why didn't you tell us you wanted this? We could have told our boys and made it happen long before now.
Your humans so big and powerful, I told him. Even bigger and more powerful than Alpha Briggs, and he—
What, Lark? He what?
He hurt me, I whispered. He hurt me so bad, Garnet. I too small and weak to do anything!
Oh, sweetheart, he breathed. No one will harm you ever again, not in any way, and if someone tries, we will kill them. Don't be afraid anymore.
I love you, Garnet. Sniffling a little, I wiped my wet eyes on Mason's shirt.
I love you, too, sweetheart, more than my own life. Our boys love you, too, in the same way we love Posy, and they want to get to know you. Trust them. I swear by the moon that you won't regret it.
"Lark?" Mason scratched under my chin. "Are you okay?"
Nodding, I reared up to put my front paws on his shoulders.
"Yes, precious?"
His gray eyes were as soft as rabbit fur as he looked at me, and I licked his cheek. He chuckled and ran his fingers down my back and stopped to scratch what Sid called the Good Spot at the base of my spine. Joy fizzed through my whole body, and I licked all over his face, my tail wagging frantically.
"Okay, okay," he laughed. "Don't wear out your tiny tongue! We'll do this again soon, I promise. For now, should we wake Posy? It's almost dawn, and she needs to get ready for the rest of our date."
There more to the date? What we doing? I jumped off his lap and hopped around on the bed in my excitement.
"We're going to a flea market, precious."
A market for ... fleas? I shuddered in horror and slowly shook my head. I no want to go there.
And I couldn't understand why he laughed so hard.
#
Posy
After Mason explained what a flea market was to Lark and me, we were both excited to go, but once we were there, the size of it overwhelmed me.
Thankfully, we had the place mostly to ourselves, and I understood why Mason rolled me out of bed and into the shower as early as he had. As the main building began to fill up with other shoppers, my nerves flared and I clung to his large hand with both of mine.
I knew I wasn't in danger, and even if I was, Mason would kill anyone who tried something. Still, old fears died hard.
"Let's go outside," he leaned down to murmur in my ear. "I think I know a few stalls you'll like out there."
I nodded and let him lead me to the door - and I quickly discovered he was right. I could breathe again away from the crowd.
Before we went too far, he opened the cloth shopping bag he'd brought along with us, took out my sunhat, and plopped it on my head. I rolled my eyes at him as I straightened it, and he grinned down at me.
"Where's your hat?" I demanded with my fists on my hips.
"I can't stand a hat," he said as he reached into the front pocket of the cloth bag. Pulling out a pair of black sunglasses, he perched them on his nose and looked down at me with a raised eyebrow. "How do I look?"
"Hmm. George-us," I teased him.
"Don't steal Reau's lines. Goddess, the two of you loose in a school together is going to give me gray hairs." He held my hand again as I giggled. "Come on, little flower. First stop: Kawaii Town."
"Kawaii Town?"
"Just the name of one of the stalls," he said with a shrug. "Kawaii means cute in Japanese."
Then he took me to a booth set up with tables and shelves full of items I found very cute. I went right to a rack of pretty sunglasses and picked out a pair of lavender heart-shaped ones with silver glitter in the frame. I put them on, and Mason stared down at my upturned face.
"Adorable," he murmured and kissed the tip of my nose. "You're getting this pair. Leave them on."
"Thank you!" Grinning broadly, I threw my arms around his waist and squeezed him.
He chortled as he patted the top of my head, then encouraged me to keep looking.
So I did and soon found a charming strawberry-shaped water bottle I could take to school with me and a pair of teddy bear soap and lotion dispensers I wanted for my bathroom. Mason bought everything and stowed my prizes in the cloth bag.
"Now I want you to find some things for your special room," he said after refusing to let me carry the bag. "This next vendor has some unusual items that might appeal to you."
As we walked hand in hand, I saw things I didn't recognize or understand their purpose, and I bit my lip, hesitant to look stupid by asking him, especially after he had to explain what the word vendor meant, so I kept quiet and contented myself to look around.
With a sharp bark of laughter, he followed me down and laid on top of me, his big body smushing me even further into the death-trap mattress.
"Mason, you're too heavy!" I squealed. "We'll sink through to the floor!"
This time, he laughed so hard, he snorted.
"Oh, baby, I love you," he chuckled.
"I love you, too."
He kissed me gently, then raised his head and stared down at me.
"Wait here for a second. I have something for you."
"You don't need to give me a gift." I frowned and held his face in my palms. "You already gave me flowers and took me out to dinner and—"
"And you deserved all of that and so much more. If it makes you feel better, though, I didn't spend a dime on it."
"Oh." Now I was curious. "What is it?"
"I'll be right back."
And he was. In less than a minute, he returned with both of our bags and set them on the little desk. Then he reached into the side pocket of his, took out a white envelope, and brought it over to me.
As he held it out, I watched him rub the back of his neck nervously and wondered why. Taking it with a confused frown, I opened the envelope and pulled out a handmade card.
"Oh!" Tears stung my eyes. "Did you— Did you make this?"
"With Peri's help. We each made you one. Sorry mine's not very creative, and my handwriting is garbage, even though I tried to write as neatly as I could. Anyway, she said my words were what mattered."
At the insecure look in his eyes, my chest tightened painfully.
Oh, my heart.
Looking back at the card, I opened it and read his words, and my eyes lost the fight to hold the tears back. They skimmed down my cheeks and dripped off my jaw.
He grabbed the box of tissues from the side table, laid down next to me, and blotted my face dry, then handed me one to blow my nose.
"Mason, I love you so much. You never have to do anything to earn forgiveness other than be sorry and regret what you did," I sniffed as I stated into his glistening gray eyes. "Are you— Are you really proud of me? You didn't write that just because I told you I was proud of myself, did you?"
"My sweet girl. I am proud of you. We all are. We are proud to be your mates, and we're so blessed that you are ours." He pecked my forehead, my cheeks, my nose, my chin, and finally my lips. "Now my brothers want to say good night to you."
"Is it bedtime already?"
"It's just after nine, but Ash is fading fast and Cole's not too far behind. It was a stressful day for all of us."
So I linked each of my mates, blew them a kiss, and told them good night. It wasn't as satisfying as when we were all in bed together, but we made do.
After I closed the link, I stared up at Mason for a moment, then fought my way out of the body-sucking bed to grab him by the ears and pull him in for a long, lingering kiss.
"Hmm. Wyatt promised me a tangle of sweaty limbs tonight." I pooched out my bottom lip. "Are you going to keep his promise?"
A sexy smirk appeared on his face and I was once more smooshed under his big, hard body.
"Of course I am," he murmured. "Any special requests?"
"Just you inside me," I said, then covered my red face with my hands.
"I can guarantee that happening." He pulled my hands away, wanting to kiss me, but I held him back.
"Wait! My card! Put it somewhere safe first," I told him. "I don't want anything to happen to it."
He did as I asked, picking it up and laying it on the side table closest to him, then settled next to me.
"Now," he growled playfully, "where were we?"
Next thing I knew, our clothes were in a pile on the floor and his face was buried between my thighs. His busy mouth had me twisting and moaning in seconds, and his harsh grunts and deep-throated hums excited me even more.
"Mason!" I cried out as I came, my fingers digging into the soft blanket beneath me.
He slid up my panting body and spread my knees wide, then braced one hand beside my head and used the other to guide himself to my dripping entrance, carefully pushing into me until he was as deep as he could go.
"What do you feel, baby?" he murmured as he hovered over me.
"You!" I gasped. "I feel you! So big and hard inside me!"
"And you're so gorgeous with me inside you," he murmured as he began to slowly thrust in and out. "Am I getting it right for you, Posy?"
"You're making me lose my mind!" I latched onto his tattooed forearms and rocked my hips in time with his. "Am I getting it right for you?"
"So good, so good, so good," he chanted. "You always feel so damn good."
Then he dropped to his elbows and buried his face in my neck, his mouth hot and greedy as it sucked my mate mark.
"Mason?" I whined.
Closing my eyes and tipping my head back, I wrapped my quivering legs around his waist and locked my ankles behind his back.
How had he brought me to the edge of an orgasm so quickly?
"Already, little flower?" he snickered.
A low moan was my only answer.
His hand snaked between us to massage my nub, and I fell apart at the seams with his name on my lips.
Then he picked up the pace and rode me hard and fast, and I came twice more before his big body went taut and still.
As I floated in glittery clouds for the third time, he growled and playfully gave me a couple more jerky pokes. That tickled and made me giggle, and without thinking about it, I clamped my inner walls down on his softening penis a few times, and gasped when I felt it swell and harden again.
He snarled and pulled out of me, making me worry that I did something wrong, but when he rolled me over onto my stomach, I realized what he wanted, and anticipation raised goosebumps all over my skin. He lifted my hips with urgent hands, gripped my bum cheeks and spread me open with his thumbs, then sank his diamond-hard length into me and hammered away as if he hadn't climaxed seconds ago.
He hit the right spot with every thrust, and I came continually as he pumped into me like a machine. My boy could last for a long time, to my very great pleasure, and my arms and legs were trembling like crazy before he finally lowered his chest to my back and cupped my shaking breasts in his palms.
"I'm going to come, baby," he rasped in my ear. "Do you need more or can you come, too?"
"I ... haven't ... stopped ... coming!" I panted, then moaned as another burst of pleasure hit me.
He roared with laughter as he finished, and his heavy body dropped and drove me deep into the mattress before he rolled onto his side. Gathering my limp, shuddering body into his arms, he placed dozens of kisses all over my face and neck, and I couldn't stop the tears as they streaked down my cheeks.
"I know, baby," he said, his chest heaving as he sucked down air. "I know. It's intense, isn't it?"
I nodded, but didn't have the wind or energy to open my mouth.
"Goddess!" he said in a husky chuckle. "I've never had back to back orgasms. Then again, my hand doesn't begin to compare with your tight, wet warmth. That was amazing, Posy. You are amazing!"
My face burned as I shoved it in his neck, but I was too wiped out to do more than kiss his mate mark. Shivering under my lips, he pulled me more fully on top of him, and I lay there lifelessly as I began to drift off.
"My exhausted flower." He kissed my temple and squeezed me tight in his ink-covered arms. "You've had a very long, stressful day, and we're getting up early in the morning, so get some sleep, my little baby."
I opened my mouth and a yawn came out, but I managed to push out a "K" on a puff of air.
"Good night, Posy. I love you."
"Goo nigh. Wuv oo, May."
And I fell asleep as his chest rumbled with chuckles under my ear.
#
Lark
Garnet's deep voice called my name, luring me out of sleep, and I slowly blinked and stretched.
Garnet? I murmured. What is it, my love?
My boy wants to see you, sweetheart.
Surprise woke me up quickly.
He does?
Yes. Will you please shift and come out to visit with him?
But Posy—
She knows, sweetheart, and approves. They talked about it yesterday. But only if you're okay with it, Garnet hurried to assure me. If you're not, he will understand.
Oh. No. It fine. If he sure?
He is. Garnet winked and gave me a smile. And I'm always here if you need me, sweetheart.
I know, my love. Thank you. I smiled back.
Hesitating, I looked around first. Now dressed in a clean t-shirt and boxers, his damp hair evidence he'd already showered, Mason lay next to Posy on the bed, propped on one elbow as he stared down at her sleeping face.
"Lark?" he said softly. "I'm sorry if Garnet woke you. I would have waited, precious."
You really want to see me? I asked just as softly.
"Yes. I miss you. It's been a while since we talked and even longer since I've seen you. Are you nervous with me?"
Oh. No. It just, you busy with Posy. I lowered my eyes and heard Garnet begging to know why I was sad.
"Lark, please shift." Mason sat up and moved to rest his back against the headboard. "I'm not too busy for you. Not ever."
Drawing up my courage, I put the moon magic to work and soon stood on the bed on my own paws.
"I keep forgetting how small and cute you are." Mason grinned and held out a fist for me to smell. "I'd really love to hold you, precious, but only if you want that. Don't be afraid to say no if you don't. I won't be mad or upset."
Cautiously, I moved closer and put a paw on his knee. He patted his lap, encouraging me, and I hopped up onto his legs, careful of my claws so I didn't accidentally scratch him. Then I laid the top of my head on his chest and rolled it around, inviting him to pet me, and he obliged.
For nearly an hour, he rubbed my ears and petted my fur, careful to be gentle with his strong hands that were so large, he could cup my whole head in them - or I was just that small. All the while, we chatted about any number of things, just like Posy did with Quartz, and happiness hummed in my heart to experience this.
Oh, sweetheart, Garnet murmured. I'm so glad you're happy, but why didn't you tell us you wanted this? We could have told our boys and made it happen long before now.
Your humans so big and powerful, I told him. Even bigger and more powerful than Alpha Briggs, and he—
What, Lark? He what?
He hurt me, I whispered. He hurt me so bad, Garnet. I too small and weak to do anything!
Oh, sweetheart, he breathed. No one will harm you ever again, not in any way, and if someone tries, we will kill them. Don't be afraid anymore.
I love you, Garnet. Sniffling a little, I wiped my wet eyes on Mason's shirt.
I love you, too, sweetheart, more than my own life. Our boys love you, too, in the same way we love Posy, and they want to get to know you. Trust them. I swear by the moon that you won't regret it.
"Lark?" Mason scratched under my chin. "Are you okay?"
Nodding, I reared up to put my front paws on his shoulders.
"Yes, precious?"
His gray eyes were as soft as rabbit fur as he looked at me, and I licked his cheek. He chuckled and ran his fingers down my back and stopped to scratch what Sid called the Good Spot at the base of my spine. Joy fizzed through my whole body, and I licked all over his face, my tail wagging frantically.
"Okay, okay," he laughed. "Don't wear out your tiny tongue! We'll do this again soon, I promise. For now, should we wake Posy? It's almost dawn, and she needs to get ready for the rest of our date."
There more to the date? What we doing? I jumped off his lap and hopped around on the bed in my excitement.
"We're going to a flea market, precious."
A market for ... fleas? I shuddered in horror and slowly shook my head. I no want to go there.
And I couldn't understand why he laughed so hard.
#
Posy
After Mason explained what a flea market was to Lark and me, we were both excited to go, but once we were there, the size of it overwhelmed me.
Thankfully, we had the place mostly to ourselves, and I understood why Mason rolled me out of bed and into the shower as early as he had. As the main building began to fill up with other shoppers, my nerves flared and I clung to his large hand with both of mine.
I knew I wasn't in danger, and even if I was, Mason would kill anyone who tried something. Still, old fears died hard.
"Let's go outside," he leaned down to murmur in my ear. "I think I know a few stalls you'll like out there."
I nodded and let him lead me to the door - and I quickly discovered he was right. I could breathe again away from the crowd.
Before we went too far, he opened the cloth shopping bag he'd brought along with us, took out my sunhat, and plopped it on my head. I rolled my eyes at him as I straightened it, and he grinned down at me.
"Where's your hat?" I demanded with my fists on my hips.
"I can't stand a hat," he said as he reached into the front pocket of the cloth bag. Pulling out a pair of black sunglasses, he perched them on his nose and looked down at me with a raised eyebrow. "How do I look?"
"Hmm. George-us," I teased him.
"Don't steal Reau's lines. Goddess, the two of you loose in a school together is going to give me gray hairs." He held my hand again as I giggled. "Come on, little flower. First stop: Kawaii Town."
"Kawaii Town?"
"Just the name of one of the stalls," he said with a shrug. "Kawaii means cute in Japanese."
Then he took me to a booth set up with tables and shelves full of items I found very cute. I went right to a rack of pretty sunglasses and picked out a pair of lavender heart-shaped ones with silver glitter in the frame. I put them on, and Mason stared down at my upturned face.
"Adorable," he murmured and kissed the tip of my nose. "You're getting this pair. Leave them on."
"Thank you!" Grinning broadly, I threw my arms around his waist and squeezed him.
He chortled as he patted the top of my head, then encouraged me to keep looking.
So I did and soon found a charming strawberry-shaped water bottle I could take to school with me and a pair of teddy bear soap and lotion dispensers I wanted for my bathroom. Mason bought everything and stowed my prizes in the cloth bag.
"Now I want you to find some things for your special room," he said after refusing to let me carry the bag. "This next vendor has some unusual items that might appeal to you."
As we walked hand in hand, I saw things I didn't recognize or understand their purpose, and I bit my lip, hesitant to look stupid by asking him, especially after he had to explain what the word vendor meant, so I kept quiet and contented myself to look around.
