Page 47 of Wells

"Yeah, sorry. I was thinking about something else I need to work on tonight. Let's call it a night and take a look with fresh eyes tomorrow."

"Don't stay too late. Even vampires need rest, too."

I stop cold. Peoria said that to me once, almost word for word. I shake my head. I'm making things up now.

"I won't. Be safe getting home."

She walks out, and I sit there with the river going dark below the glass. Two women I have no business wanting. One behind a mask and a fake name, one three feet down the hall on my own payroll. I built my whole life so this could never happen, and I'm doing it twice at once.

THIRTEEN

Cera

The Maskless Hour: Even at Carnival there are private hours when the disguise comes off among trusted company, a candor only the dark allows. She turns the camera off and hands him her unguarded breath, more of herself than the costume ever showed.

I’ve barely gotten home and finished my makeup in time for our call. I wasn't sure if Wells would keep me at the office again late and was about to take my phone into the restroom to log onto my OnlyFans account to message Midnight that I needed to reschedule.

"Hey," his deep voice comes through the black screen just as I get situated on my balcony.

"Hey, yourself."

"Change of venue?" he asks.

"Yeah. It's a nice night in Peoria, thought I'd sit outside with you."

"Are you an exhibitionist? Don't you have neighbors?"

"I'm anything you want me to be. I can get off out here for you, where anyone could see, and do it only for you."

"Mmm. That sounds pretty hot. Do you do that a lot?"

I don't know why that question gets under my skin. Is he fishing?

"You know you're my only man. I don't do anything for anyone but you."

"That's right. All mine. First, tell me how you are. Then I want to make you better."

His voice pulls me back. I lean back in the chair, resting my head on the brick wall, and tuck my feet under me.

"I'm good. Tired, but good. Long day with a demanding boss."

"Demanding boss, huh? Do you ever get naughty with your boss?" Again, the question touches a nerve. Probably because I do.

"What? Ew, no, of course not," I lie. I know he wants me to role-play with him, but I can't go there, not after everything.

"Do you like your job?"

"I do. More than I thought I would. Luckily, I get to think, you know? I'm not micromanaged even though I'm expected to keep up."

"And do you?"

"I'd say yes."

I hear him moving on the other side of the black screen. He doesn't say anything.

"I have a question. Is this what we are now?" I keep my voice light. "A weird late-night book club without the books?"

He clears his throat. "Does it bother you?"