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Bash pulled back and panted as he gazed up at his boss. "Shower," he breathed. "You're getting me all sticky."
Arden smiled. "Fine, shower first. We'll go up to my room." The man bent over to grab their things and Bash admired the fine ass that greeted him. When Arden stood, he averted his gaze. "Take your own damn drink."
"Yes, boss," Bash joked as he took the bottle. "Wait." He grabbed one more of each of their choice beverage. "Just in case we don't want to come back down tonight."
Arden looked him over. "Good thinking." His eyes darkened and Bash felt exposed under his gaze. "Lead the way."
Bash turned and walked through the dark host club. Was it strange that he had grown deeply fond of it? At first, he considered it silly. Who would want to visit a place and chat with strangers, playing out fantasy scenarios? But the more he hung around, the more he got it. PGD was an escape. It was a chance to live out a life that wasn't your own, not only for the guests but for the hosts.
PGD washome.
They traveled up the backstairs until they reached his room. Arden nodded toward the keypad.
"It's 1234."
Bash turned and stared at him. "Are you serious?"
Arden blinked. "What? Everyone takes one look at me and assumes that I would go for something more complicated. Hey, it works. Well on everyone except Spooky. He figured it out right away because he's nuts."
The way he laughed tugged at Bash's soul. Once they were inside, he wrapped an arm around Arden and led him through the dark. There was minimal light that flooded through small cracks in the blinds. It wasn’t much, but it kept Bash from falling on his face. Once they were in his room, Arden turned on the lights and groaned.
"Bathroom that way," he said as he nodded toward it. "Run a shower."
Bash stopped and stared at him. "Why? You don't know how your own shower works?"
Arden glared at him. "I'm not the one that dumped potato juice all over me!"
Right. He'd forgotten about that.
"Fair point," Bash grumbled. "Alright, I'll be right back."
He walked into the bathroom and flipped the switch. Everything was pristine in Arden's world and he wondered if the dragon was meticulous or if someone came and cleaned up after him during the night. He shook his head to empty the useless thoughts and padded to the shower. It took him a minute to figure out how to work it before he shouted over his shoulder.
"Shower's ready!" he called. "Come on, before it gets cold."
He fiddled with it a bit more wondering how much heat was too much. Bash didn't mind boiling a bit, but Arden was a dragon. What if he liked it hotter than that? Then again, he didn't want to scald the man.
Stop overthinking.
Bash straightened up and turned just in time to see Arden strolling through the door. He froze. The man was completely naked, all of his body on display. The tattoo on his left pec caught his attention. Bash was distracted, his mouth-watering, until he paused.
"What's that one?" he asked, his fingers tracing over Arden's left pec. It was a tattoo of skull and roses. Bash had seen the ones on his arms before, but never this one.
Arden stopped and laid a hand on top of Bash's. He looked conflicted at first before he moved the shifter's hand and kept heading for the shower.
"It’s the mark of the reaper," Arden answered once he stepped inside. "Where I’m from it means beautiful death. A sign of victory," he answered, a frown etched onto his features.
Bash stuck his head into the shower and watched the man pick up a bottle of lavender body wash. "Did you get it from...before? When you killed?"
Arden gazed back at him. "Yes," he said evenly. "It was a sign of pride. It meant that I was a dragon who would kill and slaughter for the throne. A thousand souls lost to fang, claws, and magic. Now, it seems barbaric. But back then?" He frowned. "It was a warrior's honor. I prayed for the mark. And when I got it, I never felt happier." He lifted his chin. "So yes it's the mark of a killer. One that I wanted once upon a time."
Bash reached out and ran his fingers over the tattoo. "And now?"
"I hate it," Arden said as he gazed back at him. "All I see is a symbol of every wrong I've ever committed."
"I'm sorry," Bash said. "But was it worth it? Did all that death end up being useful?"
Arden frowned. "That doesn't matter."
