Piper exchanges a glance with Zero.
Instantly, Zero stiffens, uncomfortable.
“How about we court each other?” Piper replies. “I want us all to have time to make the choice about shit like bonding. Emotional and romantic decisions should take time, you know? Some of us move at a slower pace.”
Somehow, I feel like he’s really talking to Zero.
When I glance at Zero questioningly, he ducks his head.
“In the Idol camp where Betas are trained to be singers,” Zero replies, quietly, “our instructors made every decision, even about small things like what we ate or drank. I had no say over my schedule or if I rested when I was sick. I couldn’t be bloody lazy, you know? It’s taken me months out of that hell to learn to choose what coffee order to make for myself. I didn’t even have a favorite color. Look at my clothes. I’m still wearing the style that the camp chose for me. So, give me some time, yeah?”
My heart aches for him.
I rub his arm. “Whatever you need.”
“Now, all the introductions and boring shit is out of the way,” Piper darts like a hyper silver haired golden retriever toward the glass door that leads out onto the terrace, “it’s time for the fun. I’ve never gone skinny dipping in a hotel. It may be winter, but the terrace is heated, as well as covered and sheltered from the snow, right? Come on, I dare you.”
Without waiting for a response, Piper shrugs out of his pajamas that pool at his feet.
I gape at him.
The sun shines through the glass over his naked, sun blushed skin. The scarf is still wrapped around his neck like a collar and somehow, makes him look even more naked.
Piper’s beautiful wolf tattoo stands out and sparkles on his shoulder.
“I never turn down a dare,” I finally manage to answer.
Both Icarus and Lionzio appear equally frozen. They are more similar than they would like to admit.
How long has it been since I have done something crazy like I used to do with Bird?
Icarus never has.
Enthusiastically, Piper wrenches open the sliding door. “What are you waiting for, Z?”
Without even hesitating, Zero undoes his glimmering dressing gown and lets it slide from his shoulders. “Coming, darling.”
I knew that Piper would be a bad influence
As Zero’s expanses of silky skin and muscles are revealed, my mouth dries.
Then my eyes widen.
Fuck, his cock.
It’s huge.
Larger than Icarus’.
Zero’s lavender eyes sparkle wickedly. “My ass is even more spectacular.”
He twirls to show me with an arch of his back, glancing at me seductively over his shoulder.
He’s right.
Icarus is staring at Zero hungrily like he’s moments from pouncing on him, pinning him down, and devouring him.
Does Zero know what a dangerous game he’s playing?
