While the members wore white masks inlaid with diamonds, the talent wore gold. Each was still adorned with the customary symbols to reveal the wearer’s preferences, but this time, they appeared to be engraved in the mask. If I might say so myself, it gave just that extra splash of elegance.
Van stood there and let Nathen vent before he spoke, his smooth voice making my insides clench.
“It’s different, I know,” Van said patiently, “but it’s an upgrade. Each room now adapts to whatever fantasy the user wants, like a lush forest, an underwater excavation, a desert oasis. Total immersion.”
Clearly overwhelmed, Nathen’s brow was pinched, so I stepped in.
“Nathen, baby, you lookdelicious.” I motioned to his glitter-slathered, muscle-bound body encased in tight gold boxer briefs. The bulge made it hard to look anywhere else.
“Eyes,” Van muttered dryly.
Caught, I blinked and looked up. Nathen grinned, all charm and muscle.
“Right. So, what’s the actual problem?”
He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “I don’t know how to work the damn panel. It used to be a switch. Now, there are buttons and nozzles and... dildobobs.”
I nearly lost it atdildobobsbut managed to keep a straight face.
“I’ll send Rasmus up with you,” Van said, tapping on the little earbud in his ear. “He helped install it, so he can walk you through everything.”
He paused before calling out, “Ras, can you help—” His nostrils flared as his earbud buzzed to life, cutting him off. Whatever Rasmus was saying, it wasn’t pleasing him.
Thinking of Ras, I realized I hadn’t seen him all day, and my chest clenched with an unexpected ache. I was getting stalker withdrawals. I was starting to miss those hungry eyes tracking me, watching my every move. In a weird, psycho, very unhealthy way, his attention made me feel loved.
“I’ll come, too,” I said loud and quick. “I want to learn the panel myself.”
Van lifted his hand to his ear and sighed, the sound pained. “She can’t hear you,” he said into the mic, waving at Nathen. “Just go. She will meet you at the elevators.”
Nathen happily trotted off, and just as I was about to ask Van what was wrong, he grabbed my hand and pulled me through the glamoured wall.
All the supply rooms were hidden behind enchantments, keeping the atmosphere intact, but as soon as my back was pushed up against the dark hallway, I realized that was not where he was taking me.
“Holy fuck,” he growled against my skin, his hot mouth at my neck. “Did youhaveto look this delectable tonight? I don’t know how I’m going to survive the rest of this launch.”
Running my fingers through his light caramel locks, I arched into him, savoring this wicked new shift in our relationship.There was something deliciously illicit about sneaking a secret rendezvous in the service hallway with the man who worked under me every day. I liked it too damn much.
Sliding my inner thigh up his leg, I dragged my heel down the back of his calf until I felt his cock stiffen against my thigh. Leaning in, I whispered against the shell of his ear, “You perform so well under pressure.”
His groan was ragged, like he couldn’t take much more. His hands became frantic, greedy, as he tugged and clawed at any patch of skin he could touch. I fisted a hand in his silky hair and yanked, forcing his head back. The surprised moan that spilled from his lips only spurred me on, and I sank my teeth into his neck, sucking so hard I swore I could taste the edges of his soul.
“Aaahhh, fuck. Ni.” His voice cracked, half-warning, half-plea, and all it did was make me want to push harder. Take more.
My grip stayed firm in his hair as I trailed my lips up his neck, branding a red-hot path with my lipstick before I devoured his mouth. I claimed him with that kiss, pouring every possessive, chaotic ounce of me into it. His body. His lips. His soul. I wanted to steal them all and lock them away for myself.
His moan melted into my mouth, so raw, so primal, that my wings flared wide in response. Without hesitation, I used my strength and wind speed to shove him against the wall opposite us. He went willingly, like his body knew mine better than either of us understood. This moment together was choreographed by instinct, not just experience.
The warmth on the small of my back pulsed, but I barely registered it. I was too wrapped up in him, his breath, his heat, his need pouring into me.
He tore his mouth from mine, panting like a man who had just broken the surface after drowning.
“Ni…. We-we need to…. We should….”
I didn’t care what he was worried about. All I knew was that I wanted more, wanted it all. Cupping his face, I crashed my lips back into his, desperate to drag more of his soul through his mouth and claim it as mine. The way he whimpered at the taste of my dominance had me biting down on his lip, and. in return, his hands slipped under the flat of my dress. Eager, determined fingers burrowed through my thighs toward the heat between them.
“Oh. shit. Sorry. Oh. my god. I’m sorry—Miss Aniyah? Mr. Van?”
We froze, a complete mess, as our heads whipped to the side.
