Page 71 of Drown Me Gently

“Well,” the man drawled, raking his eyes over Auren with a lasciviousness that made his skin crawl. “Aren’t you a sight? You a performer tonight, pretty thing? I’d very much like to see you… perform.”

Auren blinked, confused. “I’m just watching,” he said carefully.

“Oh, shame,” the man murmured. “Still, the night is young. Perhaps after the show, you’d like a private stage? I’m very accommodating.”

Before Auren could respond, a shadow fell over them both.

The Kraken’s hand slid around Auren’s waist, pulling him possessively close, his fingers splaying over the curve of his back where the corset cinched him tight.

“He’s already spoken for,” Ulric said, voice lethal. “And he has no need for lesser stages when he already performs for a Lord.”

The man lifted his hands in surrender, though the glint in his eyes remained daring. “I didn’t know this man belonged to anyone.”

“He doesn’t,” Ulric said, his mouth curving in a dangerous smile. “He chooses to stay exactly where he is.”

The man’s gaze snapped to where Ulric’s hand gripped Auren’s waist.

“And you are?” the man challenged.

Ulric’s grip tightened just enough to make Auren’s breath catch.

“His Lord,” Ulric said, sharp as a dagger’s kiss. “And if you value your tongue, you won’t use it to make any more suggestions.”

For a moment, silence pulsed between the three of them. Then the man chuckled, stepping back with a graceful bow.

“My mistake.”

Ulric didn’t wait for more. He guided Auren away without another word, his touch searing through the layers of cloth. As they left, he leaned down and growled into Auren’s ear, “I leave you for one minute, and the sharks descend. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. And lucky for you,” Auren murmured with a sly smile, “it would take a hell of a lot more than a shark to subdue me.”

“How about a Kraken?” Ulric suggested.

“That is yet to be seen,” Auren teased.

Ulric laughed and slipped his hand beneath the cape and pinched Auren’s ass hard enough to make him jolt. Auren gave him a playful smack as the maître d’ called them forward.

The ticket master held out his hand. “Passes?”

Ulric tossed him a heavy pouch of coin without blinking. “This will suffice.”

But the man frowned, shifting awkwardly. “I’m sorry, my Lord, but this is a private event—ticket holders only.”

Ulric’s smile disappeared. Auren opened his mouth to suggest they leave, but Ulric held up a hand, cool and composed.

“Does my coin not satisfy?” he said, voice sharp. “Here, then.”

He reached into his pack again and tossed another pouch—heavier this time. The metallic clink when it landed drew stares.

“You’ll find no coppers there.”

The man blanched, hands fumbling as he inspected the weight.

“I—I—” he stammered. “Be that as it may, my Lord, this event is for couples only. You and your companion would each need to return with a lady and⁠—”

Ulric cut him off, lifting their joined hands into the light, Auren’s fingers firmly clasped in his.

“This is my husband,” Ulric said.