Page 51 of The Spare

I titter politely. Of course I know I’m in good hands, but what’s far more obvious—and far more critical—is that I’m barely scratching the surface with this guy. He’s into this stuff? Orgies and the like? And, meanwhile, I’m mentally high-fiving myself every time I survive doggy style.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

‘Of course, it was all organised through Alchemy,’ Athena says. ‘He honed his craft there, so to speak. No one can accuse Benedict of not having put in the hours, bless him. And you get to reap the benefits.’

I frown at her. Alchemy. ‘What’s Alchemy?’ I ask her.

They all stare at me in horror.

‘Oh, sweet Jesus,’ Marlowe whispers.

CHAPTER 23

Benedict

We gravitate back towards our wives to furnish them with cocktails that are hopefully as sophisticated as they are.

Our wives.

I quite like the sound of that. I feel like I’m part of a grown-up club without having done any of the work to earn it, though I suppose the work starts now.

‘Can I speak to you for a second?’ Slinky asks as I hand her the drink. She looks even more stunning than usual tonight, in a long black one-shouldered dress, her hair back in a sleek ponytail that I’m positively itching to wrap around my fist as I guide her head south. She’s wearing a diamond choker, a de Vere family heirloom that Ma was quick to pass on. With everything that’s gone down over the past few months, I think she’s comforted that Slinky is firmly in the fold, that the title will live on through me and her and our kids. Having her as the new duchess adds a comforting sense of eternity to her very human loss.

That’s the psychoanalysis Xav, Flor, and I have performed, anyway.

‘Of course,’ I say, drawing her away from the others. ‘What’s up?’

She takes a deep breath and looks me in the eye. ‘Do you still have your Alchemy membership?’

I feel like a teenager whose mum has stumbled upon his PornHub login. ‘What?’ I bluster, my eyes growing round in horror. She doesn’t react.

‘Athena and the girls filled me in. I’m just curious. Are you still a member?’

‘I am—technically—but I’ve never— I would never⁠—’

‘Relax,’ she says, taking the drink from me and giving me a little smile. ‘I’m not accusing. I was just curious.’

My shoulders lower themselves from somewhere around my ears. ‘Yes, I’ve still got it, but I can tell you I haven’t been there since before Christmas.’

Her mouth twists. ‘She told me how you guys… met.’

I arch both brows in surprise. ‘She told you?’

‘Well, I could tell you’d… been intimate with each other. It was kind of obvious from the way you said hi to her. So I… asked her.’

She’s looking away from me, away and down, and my heart kicks. ‘I’m so sorry. I never meant to make you uncomfortable. I was just bantering.’

‘I know.’

‘It was just one time,’ I press. ‘This very crazy afternoon at Gabe’s offices for her birthday.’

‘Yeah. Sounds like quite the birthday party.’ She risks a glance up at me through her eyelashes.

I laugh at that. Fuck, that afternoon was hot. Surprising and hot. Athena’s a hell of a woman.

‘It was. Can’t imagine it’s your scene, though?’ I attempt a light-hearted tone, because you never want to make assumptions, but I’m pretty sure I’ve got my wife’s number in that regard.

‘Nope. But it’s got me quite curious about Alchemy.’