I lift her in my arms, and she laughs as she wraps her legs around me. “We’re taking a shower,” I say to her, more as an order than a statement.
She clicks her tongue. “Okay, but only if you bend me over in front of the glass panel and fuck me against it first.”
“Even if Anaheim is currently in shambles?”
She aligns her face with mine, then presses a long, sound kiss on my lips. “Oh yeah,especiallythen.”
18.
“It justhappened, okay?” Alex says with a frown, then raises and drops his hands in frustration. “I accidentally showed some weakness to this woman, simply because I thought she’d be a good listener since she’s drunk off her posh ass, and it was an absolutelydisgustingexperience. 0/10; wouldnotrecommend doing it, especially with a stranger. I wassonot expecting her to flip the switch on me like that.”
“Okay, butwho?” I ask, walking alongside him and Varsha. Cigs is to my left, and as the 4 of us keep pushing our way through the still-crowded foyer, she holds onto my arm to avoid colliding with a random upper class.
“Valencia Delacroix,” Alex provides.
“And who, pray tell, is that?” Cigs questions.
Alex sighs and points at a well-dressed woman, presumably in her 60s. She’s busy talking to someone, but turns suddenly, and when she looks at Alex, she blushes and wiggles her fingers at him.
“See?” he hisses in anguish. “Did you fuckingsee?”
“Yes, Alex. We thankfully aren’t blind, so yes, wesaw,” Varsha tells him.
He rubs a hand over his face. “She said she loves riding pretty faces. And guys,she wasn’t even subtle about it!She used the exact same words to tell me that she wants to sit on my face! My utterly, irrevocably queer face!”
I choke on a laugh, then yelp when Cignette presses her heel against my shoe.
“Can you please elaborate?” she urges Alex. “Because I’m totally lost right now.”
He clicks his tongue. “Okay, so I was standing in a corner, minding my own fucking business. People watching and all that, andthen, Valencia walked over, introduced herself, and we started having a really meaningful conversation. One topic led to another, and she suddenly started getting all touchy-touchy; started suggesting things that made me wanna douse my ears in steaming acid.”
“Why do these things keep happening to you whenI’mnot around?” Varsha wonders. “I always miss out on the best real-life content from you.”
Alex’s top lip curls upwards as he glares at her. “First of all: fuck youso very much, V. And second of all: I amnotan outlet for your personal amusement. I am a human being with real feelings, so if you want drama, then go find it in Satan’s fiery motherfucking embrace.”
Before Varsha can reply to that, Cigs pops in and says, “I like to think dear Valencia is a gem, though. It’s such a shame she knocked on the wrong door. But the least you could have done, Alex, is let her down slowly instead of keeping her daydreaming. Christ knows what all is going through that ancient little head of hers right now. If I were to accidentally see any of it, I’d need more than just acid to wash away the scars, that’s for sure.” She bats her lashes and shakes her head, and Varsha looks so close to losing it that I have to avert my eyes from her in order to maintain my composure.
I roll my shoulders and push them back to get comfortable in the shirt Cigs picked for me. It’s a little too tight for my frame, and while I find it suffocating, some of the guests here have found it appealing. I keep getting checked out by the peoplearound me, and I don’t know if it’s because of how the fabric sticks to my skin like fucking glue, or if it’s because Cigs insisted that I keep the shirt’s sleeves rolled up to my elbows, and its first 2 buttons open for a more, and I quote, “Romance book MMC” appeal. I have no idea what the hell that means, but she wanted me to do it, and so, I did. I don’t think I have to get into detail about how much of a dog I am for that woman, so let’s just move on instead.
Alex appears betrayed as he glares at Cigs, and I wanna laugh because, well, this is free fucking entertainment, and even though I’m a complete asshole for enjoying it, I can’t say that I’m not having the time of my life.
Alex widens his eyes and stares at me when I look at him. “Well?” he questions, clearly expecting me to pitch in and shoulder him in this conversation.
I glance at Varsha first, and then at Cigs, finding them both giving meverysimilar, verydangeroussmiles. I’m talking Joaquin Phoenix inJokerkinda smiles. Truly spine-chilling shit, to be honest.
I clear my throat. “You know we love you, right, Alex?”
He’s got a poker face on as he continues to stare at me.
“Wedo,” I continue, and instantly flinch becausewhat the fuck is this? And what iswrongwith me? Better yet: what ishappeningright now?
“I can’t believe you’re the man I look up to,” Alex says theatrically, and when Cigs opens her mouth to get back to him on it, he points a finger at her. “Don’t.” He then narrows his eyes at her. “For someone mocking me over an old lady’s rated-R thoughts about me, you sure didn’t think twice before letting your jackrabbit of a boyfriend give you a hickey where literally everyone can see it. During an ongoing formal event, no less – while we’re on amission.”
Cigs puts her tongue to her cheek. “No one gives a shit about my hickey.”
“I do,” I state. “I fucking gave it to you.”
Alex gestures between Cigs & I. “That’s hoe activity right there. Animals – both of you.”
