Page 51 of The Bitter Words

“The price is worth it.” He takes one of the capsules, breaks it open, and drops the powder into the liquid in the glass. It dissolves without a trace.

Livianna watches him closely. “Why is it called Floating V?”

“The second it hits, you get…” He glances up at me. “Let’s just say, you can get pretty aroused. Think along the lines of Viagra.”

“Like sexually?” Livianna scrunches up her nose.

“Yeah. It’s kind of like ecstasy when you get that all over loving feeling.” Leon returns to his previous actions. “The difference is right after that, it takes you to another level.Almost like you’re tripping on LSD, but nothing that would scare you. It’s total euphoria.”

“It sounds exciting.” She places her palm on my knee.

I rest my hand on the top of hers. “So just the three of us are gonna do it?”

“For right now.” Leon finishes spiking the second drink, stirring in the powder. “Depending on how we feel, we can always invite more people to join us. I don’t have a lot, so let’s be particular with anyone you choose to partake with.”

He picks up two glasses and gives them to us. A mix of excitement and trepidation zaps through me.

I force it down and think about enjoying the night with the love of my life. Before Leon prepares his concoction, Livianna lifts her glass.

“Cheers, guys.” Livianna takes her flute and waits for him to pick his up. Once he has it, she taps her champagne to his, then mine. “Here’s to making this next year the best.”

“To the best.” Leon steps back, resting his butt against the back bar where all the bottles are on full display. “This year is bound to be full of unexpected twists and turns. I, for one, can’t wait for the ride.”

“Here, here.” I wait for Livianna to drink hers first.

If she doesn’t respond well to it, I wanna be here to help her. I expect her to sip, but she takes a big gulp. She removes the glass from her lips.

She smacks her tongue around as if she’s trying to figure out where the champagne is hitting her taste buds. “I can’t even tell it’s in there.”

“That’s how it’s meant to be.” Leon focuses his attention on me, still not mixing his capsule of powder into his drink. “Go ahead, Cash. Give it a try.”

I shrug and toss back some of it. Nothing happens and Livianna’s right. I don’t notice any difference in the flavor.

Leon gestures to the couch. “Shall we return to a more comfortable spot?”

“Yes. I like it better over there.” She spins out of her seat and sways to the other area.

Her gait is slightly off balance, but she’s small. I suspect the alcohol and drugs are hitting her more intensely than they are me. If she needs something, I’m here, so I brush any concern away.

Leon and I find our way back to where we were before as he rattles on about our partnership. We talk about music for about twenty minutes, sipping our drug-infused mixture as we do.

I keep thinking about Leon’s capsule being left on the counter. Why didn’t he mix it into his champagne?

The drugs start to flow through my blood and I forget all about that small fact. The muscles in my body loosen and in a flash, I’m as relaxed as if I took a few Valiums.

Leon notices and picks up a remote. A new playlist filters in. The songs are dark and ominous but somehow sexy.

I pull Livianna close to my side. She nestles into me and purrs. The vibration crosses over my chest, and my nipples tingle and steeple like a woman’s would.

Damn, I’m sensitive.

My dick grows. “Fuck, I see what you mean about getting aroused.”

She peeks up at me. “Callum, I feel kind of different.”

“Me too, and I’m as hard as a rock, vixen.” It doesn’t compute in my head that Leon is observing our interaction. At this point, I don’t care. “What should we do about that?”

“Don’t mind me.” Leon adjusts his obvious erection and lies back on the chaise lounge. “I’m just here for the entertainment value.”