“You’re mistaken there,” I said, my voice so low it sounded like I was growling. “I want you, but I don’t want something from you like everyone else.”
It felt important for her to understand the difference, to understand that what was going on between us was different than a simple transaction.
“Yeah, you’re a saint. You’re not using me for your own gain at all.”
“Hey. That’s not what’s happening here. We agreed. No games. We’re using each other, which makes us a team.”
She blinked and there was a moment of understanding between us, a shift in perspective. It was us against the world.
Before Elena could respond, someone to our left shouted, “Man, you guys look good together!”
Elena laid her fingertip on my chest, using the barest pressure. I immediately stepped back, revealing Ophelia in a corset and a pair of leather pants.
Elena hugged her. “You gonna give those pants back one of these days?”
“Probably not. They fit me better.”
Elena shrugged and nodded.
Ophelia said, “So the rumor is true. Lady Elena has indeed shown up to the party with her mysterious newboyfriendin tow. How cute.”
I could feel Elena glaring at me, but I ignored her and kissed Ophelia’s hand in greeting. I needed her on my side. If these two ever ganged up on me, I was a goner.
“I’m about to go on stage with Styx. Wanna scene with me?” Ophelia asked Elena, then clapped her hand over her mouth in fake realization. “Oh wait, I forgot. Your agreement is exclusive. Cock block,” she directed at me playfully.
I shrugged, trying to look completely unconcerned by her accusation even though that’s exactly what I was worried about. “She can have it if she wants it,” I responded, glancing down.
“Baby Jesus save me,” Elena muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Ophelia cackled. “My sweet summer child. I meant you’re blockinghercock. Not blocking her from getting cock. Lady Elena’s cock is legendary. You should try it sometime.”
I had no response to that. She patted me on the head and sashayed away towards the stage.
I turned back to Elena with a cocky grin that hid my inner turmoil as I backed her towards the wall, ready to finish our conversation.
“Oh no you don’t.” She brought her knee up between us to block me and then dodged out from under my arm. “You’re here to learn and that’s not going to happen if you’ve got me pinned to a wall all night.”
“Debatable.”
She led us through to a courtyard featuring a gaudy giant fountain that people could stand on to perform.
Perched at the very top was a shirtless guy in flamboyantly colored tights and massive platform boots. His spikey white hair and dark eyeliner made him look like an anime character come to life. There wasn’t an extra ounce of fat on him, so every muscle stood out across his abs and torso, but he wasn’t bulky, just lean and cut. He was swinging two balls of fire around himself in an elaborate pattern that was hypnotic.
“That’s Reaper,” Elena said simply.
She hadn’t done him justice with her description on the way here. He was like a sexy spider, his every move calculated and sinuous. He was indefinable and magnetic, one of those people who had that something special that made them appear larger than life.
I considered myself a straight dude, but even I could understand his sex appeal.
He seemed to be inhabiting his own plane, oblivious to what was happening outside of the ring of fire he was creating around himself, but within seconds of us standing there his eyes found Elena, then flicked to me with interest. He looked back at Elena, winking when she made eye contact. She gave absolutely no reaction, leaving me to wonder what the story was there.
The flames on one of Reaper’s fire balls guttered out, and he spun the other in rapid little circles, putting it out too. As he started to climb down from the stage, Elena took me by the arm and steered me back towards the house.
She snapped, “Go find Ophelia. She’s on the main stage. Don’t leave her sight.” She pushed me through the doorway.
Her tone was different and I was pretty sure she was trying to keep me away from Reaper. “Why? What are you going to do?”
“None of your business, Mr. Chase. You agreed not to question me here.”
